Montreal Trip

When did we go….

• Jun 14-19, 2023

 

Why did we go…

• our friends Al and Cindy Bey invited a group of six couples out for the Grand Prix F1 race and to experience Cindy’s hometown

 

 

 

How did we get there…

• 4.5 hour direct flight on Air Canada from Calgary to Montreal and the same on the return
• 30-45 minute Uber ride to and from the airport to our BnB in Old Montreal

 

Where did we stay…

• Air BnB on rue Saint Francois Xavier Street in Old Montreal
• third-floor suite with one bedroom on the main floor, a bed behind curtains, and a loft with three beds
• it was a big place, but the sleeping and bathroom arrangements were not ideal
• they had some cool art features in the unit
• great location in Old Montreal, close to all the restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping, and a 15-minute walk to the ferry to get to the track

 

 

Where did we eat…

• breakfast was twice at Tommy’s (very good food) and then at a couple of coffee shops on the other days
• we ate at food trucks at the track, which had decent chow
• Modavie (dinner, vibrant atmosphere, good service, excellent food)

• Pullmans (dinner, tapas, wine bar atmosphere)
• Marcella (dinner once and cocktails/appies another time, fun ambiance, great service, excellent chow and drinks)
• Weinstein and Gavino (dinner, Italian food, fun server, lively night as our crew was rockin)
• Verses Bistro at Hotel Nelligan (dinner, average atmosphere and food)

 

 

What did we do…

• went to two spas (Bota Bota and Scandinave)
• Bota Bota is right on the St. Lawrence Seaway in Old Montreal and is shaped like a boat (lots of unique hot, cold and relax options and a very nice outdoor area)
• Scandinave is also in Old Montrea (indoor environment, decent selection of hot, cold and relax areas)
• walked around Old Montreal, which is lovely with all the historic buildings
• went to the F1 Grand Prix Thu-Sun
• it was crowded and took 1-1.5 hours to get to and from the track each day via a ferry and a long walk to our seats
• on Thursday, we had an ‘Experiences’ package, which allowed us into the pit area and then a reception afterward
• Friday we attended a practice round
• Saturday we attended the qualifying round
• Sunday we attended the race, which was won by Max Verstappen for the second year in a row
• enjoyed nighttime drinks on the rooftop patio at the Hotel Nelligan
• Steve and I hit up a speakeasy bar (Clandestino) in the basement right beside our hotel that we didn’t know was there until we stumbled upon it one night

 

 

 

Background:

• the Montreal Grand Prix started in 1978 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island
• over 300,000 people attended the three days of racing

 

 

What did we not do that is on the agenda for next time:

• check out other historic neighborhoods

 

Final thoughts:

• it was fun being with five other couples and hanging out in such a fun city
• the F1 is not a great event to view as the cars zip by so quickly, and the TV screens they had weren’t big enough to get a good feel for what was going on in the other parts of the track
• the weather wasn’t great as we had some rain and mostly cloudy skies