After not going on a cruise to the Bahamas, and spending a small fortune getting Berkekey and my passports, I felt a trip out of the country was in order. Since Montréal is a short 5 hour car trip, this seemed the most logical choice. We had never been to Montréal but have heard only the most amazing things about it, so we planned a trip before it got too late in the pregnancy game to travel that far.
We invited our friends Travis and Lauren to come along with us; this was an excellent choice as they proved to be ridiculous amounts of fun to be stuck in a car with for a very long time, as well as to tour a french city with.
We didn't leave Boston until 8 p.m. on Friday night so it made for a long night of travels. Luckily we were all able to stay awake (sans Berkeley) until we arrived in Montreal at 2:30 a.m. (An hour I usually wake up at these days, not go to bed)
We started off the day Saturday with some delicious breakfast and then headed out on the Metro for some sight seeing. We decided to check out the Bio dome and the Botanical Gardens. Due to being in another country, we were forced to turn off our phones so we didn't get roaming charges; what a nice change, but also a challenge that was. We couldn't yelp what restaurants to go to, so we guessed and it turned out pretty well.
On our way to the Bio dome we stopped to check out the Stade Olympique (Olympic Stadium).
The Bio dome did not disappoint, it was filled with lots of amazing and cute animals and plants to see. Berkeley loved the Bio dome and still talks about going back there.
Berke became particularly obsessed with the fish tanks at the Bio dome this trip; he loved the big fish in this tank.
After some lunch, we headed to the Montreal Botanical Gardens which was just amazing! We did not have enough time there and I honestly think you could spend 2 full days seeing what they have there. It was absolutely beautiful and would recommend anyone to go there.
The Chinese Gardens were beautiful.
There were hundreds of sculptures of various types around the Gardens.
(One of the few pictures we got of our good looking group)
Mother Earth happened to be my favorite, and this picture does not do her justice. This piece was absolutely breathtaking.
We were pretty beat by the end of the day; it was a warm sunny day with lots of walking and with a 4 year old, a pregnant lady and poor Travis who just had surgery on his back, we were in rough shape by the end of the day. We had a delicious dinner, gathered up some cake for a cake party in the hotel later that night, and headed back to the hotel. We all crashed pretty hard and woke up ready for more adventures.
We had a lovely breakfast Sunday morning and then headed to the chocolate store. The French know how to do food, especially chocolate, enough said. It was not a weekend were I watched my calories, lets just put that out there, but it was well worth it.
Berke wanted 5 pictures with these chocolates in 5 different poses, this one is the least exciting, but it does display how lovely the chocolate store was.
We did partake, we did buy and we did bring home. I would go back just for their gelato!!
Oh hey, look who we ran into, it's Bumble Bee from the Transformers! (At least I convinced him it was)
We tried to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral but it was not running tours due to a bell concert sadly. So we enjoyed the beauty from the outside and explored more of Old Montreal which feels oh so European.
We enjoyed looking at the architecture, doing a little shopping and watched some street performers. We then decided to head home so we could get ready for another full week.
After another long drive filled with beautiful fall colors, we finally arrived home at 11 p.m. It was such an amazing and fun trip and we loved spending time with Travis and Lauren. Berkeley had a blast and is still talking about how much he loved our vacation; I'm so happy we could fit this trip in before baby girl comes. This is a city where two days just is not even close to enough time to see or do what is there. I guess we will just have to go back!
