Travel based on books

The Three Pines Mysteries by Louise Penny inspired me to plan a trip to Quebec City and Montreal.

We have visited several cities in Canada but have never been to these two cities.

October seemed to be the perfect time to visit - before snow and after the heat of summer.

We flew from NYC to Montreal, then the next day took a train to Quebec City.

Halloween decorations were fun to see in public spaces like this park.

Looking at these will always remind me of the uphill trek we made to get to the Tourist Office.

Most of the signage was in French, so I don't know the reason for this clock display.

The weather was beautiful.

Just wish I was in better shape for all the walking.

We walked to a cafe near our hotel for breakfast one day.

Latte and a date-oatmeal bar. Yummmmm.

We took the city bus to the chute de Montmorency (Montmorency Falls).

It was the end of the bus line and the leaves were turning all the beautiful fall colors. 

Our Quebec City hotel was across from a big mall.

We walked over to Walmart and bought some fruit and yogurt and other snacks.

There was a mix-up in our hotel reservations, my fault, but the hotel we stayed in was a good fit for us.

After three days in QC we took the train back to Montreal.

Did you know that we pronounce Montreal differently from the French.

The city name means Mount Royal and in English is pronounced Mon-Tree-all.

In French it is pronounced Mon-Ree-al. 

Writing this to remember the difference.

Back in Montreal we were just a few blocks down the street from a big art museum.

This was a view from one window.

A model in the curiosities exhibit.

The front of the museum. There are three or four buildings in the complex. They are connected by underground walkways. Very handy for rainy or snowy weather.

The best money we spent was for the hop-on/hop-off bus tour.

This was our guide, Jean Bernard.

He was the guide on all the buses we hopped on that day-3 different tours!

The view of Montreal from the summit of Mount Royal.

Then it was time to fly home.

It was fun.

We definitely recommend a trip to Montreal and Quebec City.

Brush up on your French. You will feel like you have travelled to Europe while still in North America.