It wasn’t more than a year or so ago that we made a trip up North…way up North…to see Montreal, and I have to say that I really enjoyed the city. It’s is lovely and cosmopolitan and friendly and….well, I could honestly go on and on. In particular, I enjoyed the parks and the tres European feel of the place. It’s about as close as you can get to the other continent without actually crossing the Atlantic. The piece in the SF Chronicle (a little dated) does Montreal justice, and it’s worth a gander. Also, you can check out the site of the Montreal Tourism Board. And then finally, for a taste of history, go to the Wiki entry. From the old part of town with its “centuries-old buildings and copper-clad mansard rooftops”, to the city’s “vibrant” downtown where you can stroll Sherbrooke Street West or gawk at the monstrous homes of dead railroad, timber and fur magnates, the city’s got something for all. There is also a handful of nice galleries and high-culture including the well-regarded Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Kinda makes me want to make another trip.
Is It Skiing Time Yet?
Perhaps the only good thing about the summer ending is that one can start planning a ski vacation. My favorite place to ski is still the Alps. Granted, I have only skied in a handful of places in the US and Canada, but I still prefer Europe.
It’s not that the quality of snow is an order of magnitude better, but it has got two “C’s” going for it: cost and character. Especially in Austria, you can find pleasant chalet accommodations for as little as $30/person, including breakfast. I took this picture in Dachstein, a ski resort in Austria, just a hour away from Salzburg, last December. Sun and powder heaven. The beautiful thing is they still charge only 32euros (about $40) for a day pass. In the US, you can’t even ski the Poconos for that kind of money, sadly enough. If you have ever tried skiing the Poconos, you will understand exactly how sad that is.
Which brings me to my next point: character. Villages in the Alps are just so damn cute. I don’t care how accurately they try to replicate this quaintness in Whistler, it just doesn’t work.
Festival du Nouveau Cinéma – Montreal
With so many film festivals to check out on the planet Earth, I don’t know how I even go about picking one to mention here on Gadling. You’d think I’d just live the festival selection to our good friends at our sister-site Cinematical, but with the weather cooling down and snow flurries appearing somewhere in the U.S. or maybe even Canada at this time why not fly in to screen a flick or four? Unless of course you’re looking to snowboard or ski you’re better off staying warm from the glow off the silver-screen. So why the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma in Montréal this October? Because Montréal’s a happening spot from what I hear and the bigger question is why not? The festival takes place October 18-28, 2006. Head to the website for additional details.
Photo of the Day (9/24/2006)
Having spent several years of my life in or near the Rocky Mountains, I am always eager to highlight the natural beauty of this magnificent range whenever I am able.
Case in point, today’s Photo of the Day from jeremy_h that shows us the lovely colors emerging near Alberta in the Rockies. If you have ever stood in a copse of aspens in early fall, you know what a dazzling experience it can be for the eyes..a bit like standing in fire. While the photo here doesn’t quite convey that notion completely, the brilliant yellows here are still very cool.
GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of September 3
Time for our weekly fav’s. Want to hear em’, here they go:
5. Passport Rules Changing:
This one was just posted today, but let’s just go over it once more – know the passport rules before getting to the airport. There are some small changes like needing a passport to get into Canada and others. With the changing times there are changing passport rules. Don’t be fooled my friends.
4. Salmon Festival:
Having just discovered all the amazing wonders found in a nice succulent piece of salmon over the last two years I was reeled into this Salmon Fest piece. If you’re heading northwest this year place this on your itinerary, radar or whatever. The event takes places September 28-October 1. Be sure to send some my way.
3. Museum Day:
Free admission into museums is blog worthy. So what if it only costs you $6-$10 dollars for entrance in the first place. A savvy traveler knows the wonders on saving an extra buck or two. On September 30 save some of that dinero when some 500 museums across America will waive admission fees.
2. Sagrada Familia: Construction Update:
These are the kinds of updates you may never find in your nice little guidebooks. Thanks to Iva and her watchful eye we discover that the never ending construction on Spain’s Sagrada Familia is still going on. Has that kept it from being one of Spain’s top visited attractions? Of course not, but the updates are always welcome!
1. Lifelist: Inca Trail:
Looks like Erik is reviving the Lifelist feature and I’m more than glad. To kick it off he goes into the How, When, Where, What and Why’s of visiting the Inca Trail and why (if it already isn’t) you might want to jot it onto your own Lifelist.