Montréal is one of the oldest cities in North America and is located in the south of the beautiful province of Québec, in Canada. It is situated on an island and it is home to 1.8 million inhabitants.  A gateway to the Americas, Montréal is a fascinating city. Its typically North American vitality is the perfect match for its European-inspired way of life. Truly an international city, it is multilingual, pluralistic, cosmopolitan, and diverse.

All communities come together and contribute to the city’s rich, sophisticated heritage and vivacious atmosphere. This is why Montréal is one of Canada’s most enduring and enjoyable living experiences.  
While French is the predominant language, there is also a large English-speaking population. Health care, television, radio, museums, entertainment, shopping, and most public services are readily available in English and - in many cases - a variety of other languages as well. Montréal is not only a bilingual city where English and French live side by side and intermingle quite naturally: Montréal is also home to some 35 languages and at least as many well-established cultural communities, including the Italian, Chinese, Greek and Spanish-speaking communities. 

 
Montréal is a beautiful city that melds old world architecture with modern innovation. A quick tour along the streets reveals the contrast from the charming 19th century buildings in Old Montréal to the modern look of Place Ville-Marie. The city streets are mirrored below by “the underground city”. Underground passages link several buildings in the downtown core including office buildings, shopping centres, cinemas, galleries, hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions with an effective public transit system that includes an easy-to-use and safe underground metro system. 
 
Montréal overflows with warmth year-round, thanks to a whirlwind of cultural and sporting activities that fill its busy calendar, including year-round ice-skating!  There is a 1000-acre mountain in the heart of the city, Mont Royal, with parks, jogging and bike paths, as well as Beaver Lake; an ideal family outing easily accessible and a short walk from downtown.  There are over 35 museums you can visit, as well as the Olympic Stadium, Botanical Gardens, Biodôme and the Old Port.  Montréal is also known for its cuisine: Bistros, pubs and restaurants serve food from all over the planet, enough to satisfy every palate, appetite and budget, not to mention the home-grown specialities that have gained increasing renown.  Montréal is a city that doesn’t sleep, with bars and entertainment in full swing while the sun rises.
 
   
Pre and post conference there are also not to be missed excursions to historic Quebec City, Canada’s capital Ottawa, Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians, the charming villages of the Eastern Townships and much more!  So make sure you have a valid passport and don’t forget to check if you need a visa because we are sure you’ll never forget your visit to beautiful Montréal!!!