Travelsmartplanet

One of many wall murals found in the Plateau area of Montreal. This one was on Ontario St E.

Here’s Pierre Deschamps letting me taste some fresh honey at his farm in St Eustache north of Montreal. The miellerie has been operating for more than 40 years, and it’s the only honey we ever buy.

Only in Montreal will you find this flavor of potato chips! Montreal Steak Spice is a famous blend of spices that takes steak to a new level, but can also be sprinkled on chicken, pork, hamburgers and now even potato chips. We found this bag at Le Panier, the fabulous gift shop at 300 Bord du Lac (Lakeshore Rd) in Pointe Claire.

How special to be invited to a reception with The Honorable Terry McAuliffe, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the sumptuous Westmount, Quebec residence of the Consul General of the United States.Yes we met Consul General Nina Maria Fite there, too. Both were amazingly gracious and comfortable people to talk to. Virginia was showing off their Virginia wines and Virginia oysters. Quite a treat.

Here is the SeaRay, which is one of those pirate ship rides you see at amusement parks. You can ride it for free at the street festival at Just for Laughs in Montreal. You can also play board games and video games and human Foosball.

Making friends with Victor, the mascot of Just for Laughs in Montreal. The festival is in full swing.

People taking part in a stationary bike race in the street festival at Just for Laughs in Montreal. You can also play board games and video games and human Foosball, and even go an an amusement park ride, complete with a small midway.

Kids playing in the sand in the center of downtown at Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. A square block of sand Is dotted with picnic tables and surrounded by food stalls, from BBQ ribs to foie gras poutine.

If you have had some trepidation about rock climbing, Quebec’s Via Ferrata has developed a way to do it much more easily and safely. The activity is set up on a rock face which has been set up with metal holding bars and a steel cable which allows you to hold on and climb up way more efficiently. You can explore cliffs and rock faces of 12 different destinations around Quebec

www.viaferrataquebec.com

At Domaine Summum in Quebec, they believe that your furry best friends should be free, to be able to enjoy life with you. So they can  run, bark, romp and roll throughout their hiking trails, and jump, splash and swim in their private lake.

Besides the pristine  lake. there’s 200 acres of forest, with trails everywhere. Chalets are spotlessly clean and are well-equipped with a complete kitchen, grill, and a fire pit. You can order delicious frozen ready homemade meals prepared by their “Top Chef”.

The chalets are near Mont Tremblant Village and St-Jovite so that adds options for dining, hiking, golf, mountain biking and any number of other activities.

The owners love dogs (they are breeders of Bernese Mountain dogs) and understand what you need to have a great vacation with your pet running and barking, leash-free!

– No size restriction
– No breed restriction
– No extra fee for 2 dogs
– Pets can be left alone in the room ( without having to be in a crate )
– On site SPAWS (B&B for dogs)
– Special A La Bark menu for your pet
– On site Tail Waggin’ Day Camp

www.domainesummum.com