Amazing Azamara – Day 2 – Montreal (1st Day)

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Welcome to our BIG Holiday of 2025! We’re with great mates, Ralph and Karen, taking in Canada, Greenland and Iceland.

Day 2 — Sunday, 3rd August
Montreal (1st Day)

Morning all! Happy Sunday! 👍😎☀️

We arrived late evening, yesterday. And so today was about orienting ourselves and soaking up the sights before we join the Cruise Ship – Azamara Quest – on Tuesday. Ann’s visited Montreal before, but for me, this was my first visit.

Missed yesterday’s Post.
It’s HERE

We all slept well – perhaps not surprising given how long we’d been up yesterday. But of course, with the ‘-5’ hour time difference, we were wide awake at ‘silly o’clock’ and immediately revised our breakfast meeting time with Ralph & Karen from 9.30 to an hour earlier!

And then again to 7.45am.

We had a decision to make about breakfast! Should we head out into the city and try and find somewhere for Brekky, or play the ‘easy’ card and simply use the Hotel’s facilities? In the end, we chose the latter, concerned that at this early hour, there wouldn’t be anywhere else open.

Although we were first to be seated, after a short while and within an hour, the place was heaving! It seems that we chose wisely where we all had an opportunity to try out our French-speaking skills. We just about managed everything they cooked for us, and we did feel we were ‘set up for the day’! Well, that would be a first (it wasn’t! See later).

More Montreal

There’s plenty to see whilst we’re here. Whether we’ll cover it all depends on many factors.

• Notre Dame Basilica
• Old Montreal
• Botanical Gardens
• Parc du Mont-Royal
• Museum of Fine Arts
• St Joseph’s Oratory
• Jean Talon Market
• Jean Drapeau Park & Olympic Park
• Chateaux Ramezay
• Place Jacques Cartier
  

One thing is a must though – a trip on the city’s Big Red Bus. Here it’s operated by Grayline and has had mixed reviews online. Still, at least they use a PROPER English Bus!!! A two-day pass will relieve you of C$136 per couple (about £38 each) and the full route takes about 1¾ hours. Like many other fellow travellers, we always find it a great way to get a sense of size and scale of an unfamiliar location.

Our plan was to stay on the bus for the whole circuit and then cherry-pick particular locations and hop OFF there for a longer period later/tomorrow. First impressions of Montreal? Those that know me, know that I like my architecture – and Montreal is a bit of a mix.

There’s French influence, Brit influence and the impact of multiple types of industry that’s served this City through the ages. And athough we all found it interesting, it was clear that there has been a lot of renovation/conservation/pedestrianisation and rebuilding here. In some respects, overall, we felt the absence of the really old buildings was now sadly lacking, replaced by shiny skyscrapers had removed some its soul.

And although there was still a balance of old/new (and newer), it all felt as if something had been lost along the way. In short, TOO squeaky clean in places. It reminded me a little of the Docklands in London.

Our Guide, named ‘Swann’ was a real livewire. He joked, he sang and he recited poetry. Oh, and he played in a band and was a historical expert on the area. Phew! He didn’t disappoint. Did I mention that he was fluent in both English and French and had lived in the UK, USA and France. Sounds like a life well lived, but those looking for a gentler explanation of Montreal, past and present, would probably be best to choose a different Bus!

All-in-all a good use of just under two hours. The weather was kind, but even though it was warm and dry, some parts of the trip felt like we were in a wind tunnel! Today’s top travel tip: those with flyaway hair (or ANY hair) should bring a hat! Having now got a good feel of the City, we were all clear about where we’d revisit today – the old part aka Le Vieux Montréal. It was quiet when we went through it the first time around and it looked, from a distance anyway, like a very quaint place to soak up some of the culture from a bygone age.

Le Vieux Montréal

By the time we hit this part, second time around – so too had most of Canada! 😲. Well, it was a Sunday!

People everywhere, but a quick glance at our watches revealed it was exactly 12.30 so we avoided the pedestrian traffic and looked for Lunch.

And in spite of us all being four little stuffed things from Stuffsville from our earlier Breakfast, we couldn’t resist the famous BreWskey.

BreWskey opened in 2015 and in addition to a fine eatery, it sports its very own on-site brewery too!

The menu was extensive but not expensive (at the time of writing, we’re dividing everything by 1.8 to get the equivalent price in pounds sterling).

In many respects, there’s a world of difference culturally between an American and a Canadian, but one thing they share in common is portion sizes. our earlier Breakfast should have made the case for compulsory ‘doggy bags’ and Lunch here was no different.

One of the traditional meals out here is Poutines. Sounds exotic and very French. It hails from Quebec and consists of chips, cheese and gravy, plus whatever the restaurant chooses to add, such as chicken, beef etc it’s also Canada’s national dish! Sounds messy… it is… but to this palate, absolutely delicious – and I’m sure the whole county of Northamptonshire would feel the same as I tried to share out today’s servings with them. Oh, and it can be spicy too (and mine was! Very spicy!) 🥵🥵

As we waddled out of the Restaurant, it was now even busier as we zig-zagged our way around this fine piece of history.

This was ‘proper’ old and it was great just wandering around in the very pleasant weather, soaking it all up. Did you know there’s ANOTHER Nelson’s Column? I didn’t!

The old part of Montreal certainly floated our boat.

We then took a gentle wander back to the Hotel on foot. Mr Google got a bit confused by all the high buildings (well, that’s our excuse) and it all took a little longer than expected. On arrival back at the Renaissance Hotel, we reflected on today’s experiences and agreed a plan for tomorrow. Whilst Ralph & Karen continued to explore the local area, we headed for the room and a short afternoon siesta.

Tomorrow…

Based on what we saw today from the Bus, tomorrow, we’re going to re-visit Old Montreal and definitely Notre Dame Basilica and then take a stroll down to the water and look around the Old Port. It’s our last FULL day here too, and we want to make the most of the sights and sounds of the area.

See you tomorrow! 👍😊