Montreal in the French Canadian area of Quebec is an oasis in the middle of a unique country. Filled with openness and culture, Montreal is the place to be in the summer time, although it is still great in the dead of winter, except it's cool as hell. If you do head up to Montreal, give the Hotel Lord Berri (www.lordberri.com/english) a stay. I have been lucky enough to visit Montreal a few times and each stay has been at the Lord Berri. Conveniently located off of St. Catherine’s Street near the bus station, the settings and prices can’t be beat. At around $45 a night for a room, the price is great. The rooms are comfortable and can be either smoke free or smoking at no extra charge. Although this hotel is upscale and elegant, the crowd tends to be young travelers looking to explore the many crevices that Montreal has. Easily accessible from the Lord Berri is the famous Peel Street Pub, located on Peel Street and St. Catherine’s.

They have great food and the 150-ounce pitcher (you have to have at least 4 people with or you can’t get it) and a phenomenal burger. Then you can head further down St. Catherine’s to JoJo’s Jazz Club which is an underground wonderland. But let the guys at the Lord Berri tell you how to get there because they are so good and decided what you are into and getting you there as fast as possible. They have a knack for giving you a plan of action, and if they can’t help, the staff at the house bar can. With decent food and strong drinks, this staff knows what Montreal has to offer and who to talk to and how to get you in right. The Lord Berri is Montreal, and that’s why you are there, right? Bon Chance!