In Montreal as an anglophone it is tempting to stick to Ste Catherines and St Laurent, but it is definitely worth your while overcoming a fear of the language barrier and heading to the French side. The areas of Rue Mont Royal, rue St Denis and around provide better shopping, friendlier cafes and a real insight into the true heart of the city.

Leave metro Sherbrooke and walk north up St Denis, or station Mont Royal and walk East/West along rue Mont Royal and then South down St Denis

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It's best to avoid the unimaginative side of downtown, Peel and McGill, Ste Catherine are worth visiting once but it is like doing Oxford Street and is mainly Anglophone as well as expensive.

Try Plâteau Mont Royal and the streets to Parc LaFontaine; Rachel to Boulevard St Laurent, St Denis, Duluth; Laurier and then come up to Mile End, Rue Bernard and St Viateur to meet the real Québecois Montréalais.

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Montreal must be one of the nicest cities in the world.

The Vieux Port provides for a nice relaxing walk, while the nightlife is pretty awesome on St Laurent, which is near Mont Royal. And Mont Royal is a must on Sundays!

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An hour north of Montreal, this is picture-perfect countryside. Go in September to catch the maple trees at their best

www.laurentides.com/anglais/portrait/index.html

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A cycle/footpath starts in the Vieux Port, and runs west along the Lachine Canal. You can continue along the northern bank of Lac St Louis if you're feeling fit, or if you don't like doing there-and-back rides you can come back along the river past the Lachine rapids.

www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/canallachine/index_e.asp

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An easy climb up this wooded mountain reveals beautiful views of the city. Guided up it by indigenous tribes in 1535, adventurer Jacques Cartier, who discovered the city, was so inspired by the view that he named the mountain Mont Royal, a small step away from the city's modern name. There is much to do in the park, which is also Metro accessible to the north.

The Centre de la montagne is at Smith House, 1260 Chemin Remembrance, North Montreal, near McGill University;
tel: (514) 843 8240
www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en_index2.html

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A rendezvous that's been going on for years and still feels totally impromptu: every Sunday, a bunch of musicians (mainly drummers, and the odd saxophonist) gathers around the Etienne Cartier statue in the beautiful Parc du Mont Royal and entertains a happy crowd of young and old hippies. Informal and really uplifting. In the winter you can enjoy a full range of seasonal activities - hockey, lovely walks and cross country ski trails that are easy, have great views and are open all evening.

Parc du Mont Royal - www.lemontroyal.qc.ca/en_index2.html

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