Planning to visit Montreal, Canada in a few weeks, will be there just for a week-end. My wife is interested in shopping, of course. I heard that the dollar is doing very well right now. My wife has always wanted a fur coat, any places in downtown Montreal where I might pick-up one at a good price?
Would welcome any info. hotel, resturants, things to do and see. Thanks in advance for your input.

We go to Montreal often. Just before our last trip, I picked up Fodor's Citypack Montreal. This is not a well placed post - this guide is one of the best (and I have cartons full) I've ever seen. The map that comes with it is spectacular, even includes the bus routes. Our favorite hotel is Hotel de la Montagne. This is a hotel with everything, including moderate prices and weekend packages that are a really good value. Website is www.hoteldelamontagne.com. If you e-mail a request at http://www.tourism-montreal.org/, you'll receive information quickly. Ask for the hotel guide and the resto guide specifically. Fabulous resources. Included in the literature you receive will be ads for several furriers (apparently, fur coats are extremely popular there). On our first trip, we thoroughly enjoyed the 3-hour bus tour, which includes a stop and time to visit inside Notre Dame. The interior is breathtaking and not to be missed. Shopping is incredible in Montreal. Great spots are St. Dennis, Ste. Catherine, and the large department stores are fabulous. If you like malls, head for the underground. The boat tours are wonderful. We like the riverboat better than the Bateaux Mouches. And, a horse and buggy tour of Old Montreal is memorable and worth the cost. There are so many fabulous restaurants. It's best to wander all over and peruse the menus posted outside, peek inside, and when you find a place that looks particularly appealing make a reservation. Our favorite place to spend a Sunday afternoon in the nice weather is Le Jardin Nelson at Place Jacques Cartier. The menu is reasonable, the food is excellent, and there's live music (old standards). Website is www.lejardinnelson.com. The dollar is definitely doing very well right now. Be sure to save your receipts (not just the credit card slips, you need the register receipts) and ask for a form at the front desk when you check out. You'll receive a refund of some of the room tax and all of the sales tax on items you purchase to bring home. But, don't forget about customs if you buy that fur coat!

Rest. I have 2 Allumette 514 248 4239
Les Caprices de Nicolas 514 282 0249 Both are world class restuarants.

Go to Harrads or Holts something like that a famous deptment store your wife will love it and stop by the Cathedral Notra Dame amazing inside even if your not cath. lots of good cigars stores on Sherbrook

It would be in your best interest to take that 2 or 3 hour drive to old Quebec city

Rest. I have 2 Allumette 514 248 4239
Les Caprices de Nicolas 514 282 0249 Both are world class restuarants.

Go to Harrads or Holts something like that a famous deptment store your wife will love it and stop by the Cathedral Notra Dame amazing inside even if your not cath. lots of good cigars stores on Sherbrook

It would be in your best interest to take that 2 or 3 hour drive to old Quebec city

Montreal is a great city-we just spent a weekend there-stayed at the Chateau Champlain-a Marriot. It is in a good location-with the exchange rate so good, it is a great deal.
Visit the Biodome and the Botanical Gardens, and old Montreal-There are a ton of places to eat.

Hey there ... Good place for a fur coat - Alexandor Furs (downtown) - Things to do... visit Old Montreal - Notre Dame Basilica, Le Jardin Nelson (terrace) ... for good food check out St-Laurent Street north of Sherbrooke .. for bar-hopping check out Crescent Street, St-Laurent Street, or St-Denis ... You won't be bored. Write me if you want more.

Whatever you wind up buying or where ever you eat, buy a 3-day Metro pass. It's only $12 Canadian. (unless you're some one who likes to drive everywhere)

The Metro is so clean and safe -- and best of all, EASY to figure out. You can go so many places, including the Casino de Montreal, and Hippodrome de Montreal, on the Metro if you like to gamble a little.

You might enjoy Montreal's Chinatown. So many places to eat!