My mother and her companion/friend would like to go to montreal and quebec city for a week this august and I have been asked to plan their trip for them. I have found good arline prices but need some questions answered please!

1. They are both in their mid-late 60's and my mother in particular has trouble walking-she can walk slowly but not for long distances and can tire easily. Are these easy cities to get around? Are taxis readily available if needed?

2. Re: hotels-
I have researched montreal hotels and have narrowed down to the following: hyatt regency, intercontinental, omni,& sofitel.
They are all of a similar price range.
What would be recommended for them based on location and quality?

I will also need to find a quebec hotel but have not yet begun this research...

3. re: traveling from montreal to quebec-
Is bus the preferred way? I have read the trains could be a problem.

Any or all info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

We recently visited Quebec City and found a wonderful B&B called Chateu Des Tourelles. It has a website. It was very well priced and close to all the sites. We were very impressed.Perhaps you could arrange a tour of the city on one of the many horse drawn carriages as most of the streets are cobblestone

I think they may prefer a hotel, but I will look up the b&b. Thank you for the suggestion.

Anyone else have any feedback for me??

Also, is three nights in each city a good amount of time?

Thanks!!

Getting around Montreal is simple. There is a great Metro system, although the closest stop to the old city is a bit of a hike uphill. Montreal is fairly spread out, but the downtown area is very easy to walk around, and there are plenty of taxis.
The touristed part of Quebec City is much smaller, has lots of cobblestone streets, but is still not too bad for walking. There is a small cable car that transports people from the uppper to lower parts of the old city (there is also a long stairway).
As for your Montreal hotel locations - the Sofitel & Omni are probably in the 'nicest' locations - a busy, upscale area near McGill. The Hyatt is a bit further east on St Catherine, and the neighborhood here is fine but a little less upscale, with some adult shops nearby. The tradeoff is that the Hyatt is also closer for walking to the trendy and very French St.Denis/Plateau area.
The Intercontinental is kind of between the old city and the downtown - ok but not my first choice for location.
In Quebec City, choose a hotel either inside the old city walls or just outside, so that strolling around in the old city won't be an excursion from the hotel.

thanks for your response zootsi.

Good info about the uphill hike to the old city- I will suggest they take a taxi instead.

For hotel options,I think the Hyatt is out then based on location. That helps to narrow down the remaining choices. Has anyone been to any of the other hotels? The reviews are similar on trip advisor so first hand knowlege would be great.

Both Omni and Sofitel both are of excellent quality my opinion and are at the center of downtown (It can be pretty dead around Intercontinental after business hours). As for taxis, they are indeed readily available everywhere. To travel between Montréal and Québec, the best bet is the bus. It is both quicker and cheaper than the train. One bus leaves every hour from the dowtown terminal which is easily accessible by metro or taxi.

Thanks jojonana! I think the Omni will be good for them. They also have a pool which should be nice in august if they are interested.

The bus does sound like the best way to travel to Quebec.

Re: Quebec City-
Are there any sidewalks or just cobblestones? I am a little nervous for my mother to only walk on cobblestone with no other option...

For hotel- I have started looking but there is not alot of info on this board for Quebec hotels.

Is the Hotel Dominion very much a modern boutique hotel? I am not sure my mother would enjoy a very stark/ ultra chic hotel...
Fairmont Frontenac was pricing out a little high.
Any suggestions for a nice hotel in a good location. I think within the walls may be easier/ better for my mother?

yes there are sidewalks, and the area within the walls is SMALL... and on a bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence. The BIG (popular) hotel is also up high on that same hill, where most of QC is low, at river level or so, and to the north or northwest from the walled area.

A bus from one city to the other might be nice, even if it stops at some of the small communities along the river. I found those areas quite enchanting and drove the whole way on the small highway more near to the water than the main drag on the north side of the St. Lawrence.

Sounds like they can have a reasonably good time, but as someone said, Montreal is flat and spread-out. I just don't expect that people in their 60's intend to "do the town completely" in three days, but they will find plenty of interesting sights and food stuffs.

FYI - language will NOT be any sort of a problem in Montreal (if neither speaks french) but QC may be challenging at times... although certainly passable.

I sense that you're going to make good plans and choices for them.

NorthwestMale- Very glad to know there are sidewalks!

What is the big hotel you are refering to? The Fairmont? Is there a specific area you are suggesting they stay in? Any hotel advise?

As you said, I do not expect them to see everything, just enjoy the cities and have a good time.

I am trying hard to make good plans for them, thanks! I do alot of research for my own trips so I feel responsible for planning a great trip for my mother, but one that is within her capabilities.

Hi again,

I don't know how often these hotels change hands so I don't know the present name, but I found a picture of the hotel: (Chateau Frontenac)

http://www.pbase.com/buzzme/image/32706204

It is always called "The most photographed hotel in the world" and I found that on Google using that phrase.

Come to think of it, that person's photo album may be of help...

Anyway, that hotel is surely mucho expensive, so nobody should plan to stay there. The hotel and walled-city to the immediate east are up on a hill/bluff, and myyyyyyyy gut instinct is that your mother would probably do well to go up there and roam around the big hotel, and then roam around the walled city, taking time for pictures of the river view to the south, but that she should prooooooobably stay at a hotel more in the other, more modern areas of QC.

The more I look at the photos I just linked here, the more I feel you might gain from looking. In some spots you can see clearly that there are sidewalks to suit your earlier question. A couple of different areas of town have those NARROW streets, which are certainly unique and fun to roam around in.

Here is a silly map of QC that I found, which lists some hotels on it:

http://wab.medvet.umontreal.ca/wab/s...ber/carteg.jpg

Number 6 there is the big hotel... and you should understand that it is up on a bluff, as is the walled city, and that much of the area between the river and the wall is down at river level.

The hotels numbered 8 and 9 mention "Centre Ville", and that is the area I am wondering whether it would be best.

By all means, ask others what they think, and look at those pictures in the link up above. I just wonder if the stuff up on the hill will be entertaining for more than one full day.

Maaaaaaaybe the answer IS to stay up there... and spend two days in the nooks and crannies of the old area.

I still believe strongly that 3 days is plenty for QC.

I'm trying to help, but it is difficult to put myself in their shoes.

At least those two links should give you some further sense of understanding.

If you have to plan the trip for them then that speaks volumes to me. So I recommend a plan that has built in assistance along the way
Select the hotel on the basis of ability to help Mom get along and not on basis of price. Ill use the word concierge but it involves much more than that. For example choose a hotel on how far from a subway stop for example.
I have been to both places and the concern about walking should get a lot of planning effort in selecting sights and accommodations. Planning for an organized tour could be an aid in minimizing the walking problem. Like a bus tour of the city. Or a carriage ride. Costly but effective.
It is also possible to be hot. An air conditioned bus would be welcome
Good luck I’m sure they will love it.

last message did not go through so resending...!

We like to stay at the Marriott Courtyard in Quebec, which is just outside the walls at Place d'Youville.

Incidentally, if they wish to try some Quebec cuisine using local ingredients and recipes, book them either breakfast or lunch (supper not offered) at Le Parlementaire. It is in the Quebec Parliament building, and it looks like the beautiful old CP railway restaurants, with the high ceilings and chandeliers. You have to through security to get in (so maybe bring photo ID), but the price and quality are outstanding.