Taking a break from hiking, last weekend my wife and I took a 4-day roadtrip to Quebec province and the National Capital Region. First stop: Montreal. If you’ve never been to Montreal in the summer, I’d highly recommend it – the city is chock-full of festivals and special events, and there’s a party atmosphere everywhere. Montrealers really know how to have a good time! The only downside: the city has the absolutely worst-maintained roads in the country. I actually think it’s a source of pride for the locals :-).

Oratoire Saint-Joseph

I try to stop by this church (Canada’s largest) every time I’m in town – it’s practically a tradition for me. Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is located on Westmount Summit and is a national pilgrimage shrine. The massive dome is also the third largest of its kind in the world. We got here just in time for a spectacular sunset.

Vieux-Montréal

No trip to this city is complete without at least a cursory visit to the Old Montreal and its historic port. Here the narrow cobblestone lanes and former warehouses form part of one of the oldest urban areas in North America, and is today a major tourist attraction.

Marché Jean-Talon

Another must-visit destination whenever I’m in town, the Jean-Talon Market is a farmer’s market in the Little Italy district of the city. In addition to fresh local produce, the market is surrounded by meat, fish, and cheese stores, and many restaurants. And there’s free sampling of fruit! I could stay here all day – and usually do.