Montreal Travel Agent Professional

A Canadian city with a Paris vibe, Montreal is one travel destination you don't want to miss. As a travel agent specialist for Montreal vacations, I often encourage travelers to learn a bit about Montreal's history before seeing the city, as doing so adds greatly to the overall travel experience. Incorporated in 1832, the city is home to approximately 1,800,000 people and is Canada's second largest city. It is also home to half of Quebec's population. The metropolis sits in southwest Quebec on Ile de Montreal at the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers. Besides being a tourist destination, the city serves as a major industrial center, financial hub, railway, and bridgehead for maritime activities. Montreal's  francophone culture gives the city its reputation as being one of the world's most internationally acclaimed metropolitan areas. As noted, you will want to learn more about Montreal's history and origins before taking a trip, as the city's history and culture are unique to the North American continent. Long inhabited by the St. Lawrence Iroquoians, the area's river access made it a good site for settlement and commerce. French navigator, Jacues Cartier, visited the area in 1535. At that time, Native Americans farmed and subsisted on fish and game. Montreal is made up of the entire island of Montreal and some smaller surrounding isles. Many riverside parks are featured around the island and along the city's Lachine Canal. The founder of Montreal, Paul de Comedey de Maisonneuvre, moved the settlement from Pointe-a-Calliere to a higher site near Place d'Armes in the city's early days. The walled site of Vieux (Old) Montreal remained enclosed until it was demolished in the early 1800s.  While only traces of Montreal's first French settlement can be seen today, you can visit the Order of St.-Sulpice Seminary, erected in 1685, and the residence of Claude de Ramezay, who was Governor of Montreal in 1705. Most of the old buildings in Montreal date from the 19th century when wealthy residents built office buildings, residences, and stores.  One of the famous skyscrapers in Montreal is the cruciform designed Place Ville Marie, which is made up of 45 stories. Much of the residential architecture features outdoor stairways, a trademark of Montreal buildings built in the early 20th century. You can also find mansions, elegant public buildings, and a variety of parks in the Montreal boroughs of Outremont and Westmount.  You have to see this vibrant and historic city to truly appreciate all its offerings. Let's get together so you can see everything Montreal offers. Give me a call today or email me anytime. As your travel agent and advisor, I can assist you with all your trip-planning needs.