We've never been to Canada- HAVE MANY QUESTIONS!

[SDSorority]

Hi everybody!!! DH and I are thinking about taking a trip to Canada next summer! We're thinking of flying into New Hampshire (USA), getting a rental car and driving up to Quebec City and doing things around that area, then hitting Montreal for a few days, and doing the last few days in the Maine/New Hampshire area.

We have never been to Canada (I've never even been out of the states before!) and I'm pretty anxious about it. Will we have to learn French? What about money exchange and all of that stuff? I know we'll need a passport.... any other hints or things that we MUST see while we're in those areas??

TIA!!!!

 

[manolete]

Hi everybody!!! DH and I are thinking about taking a trip to Canada next summer! We're thinking of flying into New Hampshire (USA), getting a rental car and driving up to Quebec City and doing things around that area, then hitting Montreal for a few days, and doing the last few days in the Maine/New Hampshire area.

We have never been to Canada (I've never even been out of the states before!) and I'm pretty anxious about it. Will we have to learn French? What about money exchange and all of that stuff? I know we'll need a passport.... any other hints or things that we MUST see while we're in those areas??

TIA!!!!

I went to University in Montreal and you will not have a problem with the language. Montreal is a very English city and everyone speaks it. Quebec City is more French yet I don't think you will have any language problems there either. Money exchange not a problem either there are plenty of exchange establishments all over. You can also bring your debit card and withdraw money at any bank most of them are compatible with VISA,Mastercard, PLUS etc... check with your bank as there are fees associated with the service, in a pinch most places will take US dollars.

 

[diskids2]

Hi!
Well, I'm not an expert, but we did go to Quebec City on our honeymoon and we had no problem at all with the language.

This summer we are going to Montreal and I don't anticipate a problem there either.

As far as the ATM's, I'll pass along a tip I got which is that the pin on your debit card must be 4 Digits. I had to change mine as it was a longer pin.
Also, don't forget to put travel orders on your debit cards and credit cards. It will make it easier when you are using them.

I have a thread on the board...Planning a trip to Montreal... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2628428 you might get some good tips on that thread too!

We are staying downtown Montreal at Le Centre Sheraton and will be touring: Quebec City (for one day), Old Montreal (Notre Dame Bascilia, Science Museum, jet boating, Clock tower, Jacques Cartier, etc...I think we are going to do the Ghost Tours as well.), Le Ronde (amusment park - 6 flags), biodome, insectarium, olympic stadium, lots of shopping and walking tours.

When we honeymooned in Quebec City we stayed at Loew's Le Concorde, but I think it has another name now. My parents stayed at Chateau Frontenac on another visit as well.

Have fun planning!

 

[dancin Disney style]

On the language angle.....while both Montreal and Quebec City are pretty much bilingual make sure that you know a few common french words or phrases. If you put some effort into using french you will find that the locals will go out of their way to help/serve you. It's even that way fo us anglo Canadians.

 

[SDSorority]

Hi!
Well, I'm not an expert, but we did go to Quebec City on our honeymoon and we had no problem at all with the language.

This summer we are going to Montreal and I don't anticipate a problem there either.

As far as the ATM's, I'll pass along a tip I got which is that the pin on your debit card must be 4 Digits. I had to change mine as it was a longer pin.
Also, don't forget to put travel orders on your debit cards and credit cards. It will make it easier when you are using them.

I have a thread on the board...Planning a trip to Montreal... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2628428 you might get some good tips on that thread too!

We are staying downtown Montreal at Le Centre Sheraton and will be touring: Quebec City (for one day), Old Montreal (Notre Dame Bascilia, Science Museum, jet boating, Clock tower, Jacques Cartier, etc...I think we are going to do the Ghost Tours as well.), Le Ronde (amusment park - 6 flags), biodome, insectarium, olympic stadium, lots of shopping and walking tours.

When we honeymooned in Quebec City we stayed at Loew's Le Concorde, but I think it has another name now. My parents stayed at Chateau Frontenac on another visit as well.

Have fun planning!

Thank you! I'm so nervous about leaving the country- which is CRAZY! But I'm so excited!

 

[Sue M]

Have a great trip.

 

[holidaygirl]

You may want to look at the fact that alot of the rental companies will not allow you to take a rental car from country to country. Not saying that you can't but if you get caught there may be consequences.

 

[twinz]

Thank you! I'm so nervous about leaving the country- which is CRAZY! But I'm so excited!

Don't worry Canadian's are just like you only we live in Igloos and drive on the other side of the road! LOL JUST KIDDING
You will find it is very much like the US here in Canada. Just our money is a little different and colourful...we have toonies ($2.00 coins-the gold and silver ones) and loonies ($1.00 coins - the gold ones). Our coins look very similar to the US change although you may come across a quarter with red poppies on it. We use Kilometres on our roads which is roughly 2.2 KM per M.
You will have a great time. Enjoy and welcome!

 

[Samantha_Mommy]

Don't worry Canadian's are just like you only we live in Igloos and drive on the other side of the road! LOL JUST KIDDING
You will find it is very much like the US here in Canada. Just our money is a little different and colourful...we have toonies ($2.00 coins-the gold and silver ones) and loonies ($1.00 coins - the gold ones). Our coins look very similar to the US change although you may come across a quarter with red poppies on it. We use Kilometres on our roads which is roughly 2.2 KM per M.
You will have a great time. Enjoy and welcome!

I have to laugh! Living in Igloos and always saying ''EH?"

Don't worry--- you will be safe in Canada. I can understand how you feel. Quebec city is really nice. One of the biggest differences I find is the highways. It seems we forwarned that the exit is coming up way ahead of time. I notice every time I am in the States its like -oops was that our exit? Another thing I noticed is in the States you have to pre-pay for your gas. In Canada, we allow to to pump it then pay. Just small differences....
Only thing negative I have to say is, Montreal people drive crazy so be careful. Then again, I live in Toronto and its the same way. ALOT of road rage.

Don't be nervous...enjoy your vacation in our beautiful country!

 

[Northstar]

You may want to look at the fact that alot of the rental companies will not allow you to take a rental car from country to country. Not saying that you can't but if you get caught there may be consequences.

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you go with one of the big rental companies that operates in both countries, AND tell them at the time of reserving and when you pick up the car that you will be driving it into Canada. There should be a note on your paperwork for the rental car. The border guys occasionally ask to see the rental agreement, but they're quite used to people driving over the border in rental cars. No problem if your rental comes from the country you're a resident of (in your case, US resident renting a US car) and if it will be dropped off back in the US and not in Canada at the end of the rental agreement.

 

[Carrol]

We use Kilometres on our roads which is roughly 2.2 KM per M.

This isn't correct. 1.6 km = 1 mile. If you see the speed limit at 100 km which is what it is for most highways you would be driving at 62 mph. You should also know that pretty much all road signs are in French. Here are direction translations for you

north - nord
south - sud
west - ouest
east - est

You will love Montreal and Quebec. Make sure to go to the old section of Montreal and get French Onion Soup and Crepes. It's always the first thing we do when we go there.

Also find a place that serves Poutine, it is so much better in Quebec than anywhere else.

If you like BBQ check out Bar B Barns in Montreal - here is a link http://www.barbbarn.ca/

Another must do is to go to Dunns for smoked meat - here is a link http://www.dunnsfamous.com/montreal_smoked_meat.htm

Montreal is also famous for their bagels. I'm sure someone can jump in here and let you know the best place to get them - or ask a local.

Have a great trip.

 

[pkondz]

My two cents worth... in CDN funds! PP mentioned that most places will take US green backs. Not sure about that anymore as the CDN dollar is above par with the US dollar now. Just a heads up. Why not just either a) exchange currency at your local bank and/or b) use credit card and they'll exchange for you.

Also, my DD14 just got back from a school trip to Quebec City and Montreal. She mentioned that every time, when they were shopping, that she'd try to use her french, the clerks always switched to english. They were there partly to practice their french!

 

[twinz]

This isn't correct. 1.6 km = 1 mile. If you see the speed limit at 100 km which is what it is for most highways you would be driving at 62 mph.

OOPS must have been absent that day in school Thanks for the help. I have been converting it all wrong all this time.

 

[Carrol]

OOPS must have been absent that day in school Thanks for the help. I have been converting it all wrong all this time.

Not a problem. I grew up using the Imperial system so I am always converting metric to imperial.

 

[ellen82]

I have been to Montreal and Quebec City many times. Do not worry about the language-they more want the Anglo Canadians to speak french All tourist areas and hotels speak english.

The money issue-while some MAY take American money, they do not HAVE to so I would recommend you exchange money. Esp if the US dollar is above par then the stores do NOT have to give you the exchange rate (I have worked in retail so I know!) So do not EXPECT them to take the American money because they may refuse. Just saying...

We take all the same credit cards (VISA, MC-being the most common but also American Express).

Some useful phrases if you feel you need them:

Excuse-moi-excuse me
Toilettes-washroom
Merci-thank you
Bonjour-Hello
Combien? How much?
Anglais-english
Oui-Yes
Non-No

Have fun and enjoy la belle province!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

When I need to exchange money now I use Money Mart and always get a good exchange rate. According to their website there are many in Montreal and Quebec city. http://www.moneymart.ca/

 

[corster]

Another must do is to go to Dunns for smoked meat - here is a link http://www.dunnsfamous.com/montreal_smoked_meat.htm

Montreal is also famous for their bagels. I'm sure someone can jump in here and let you know the best place to get them - or ask a local.

I'm going to have to disagree on this one. If you want real montreal smoked meat, Dunn's is not the place to get it. The meat is mass produced in a warehouse somewhere and then sent to the individual franchises. If you have a craving in Ottawa, it's understandable to settle for Dunn's, but in Montreal, you can do so much better.

Schwartz's, or Lesters' are the two places to go to for good Montreal Smoked Meat. Ben's was good too but they closed permanently in 2006. Schwartz's still smokes their meat on site, i'm not sure about Lester's.

http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/
http://www.lestersdeli.com/

As for bagels - the big 2 places are St-Viateur and Fairmont.. both are fairly close to each other, Fairmont has a bit of a bakery-cafe if I recall correctly.. Biggest difference between the two are Fairmont bagels tend to be a bit sweeter. Ask Montrealers which they prefer and you'll probably find a 50/50 split. I myself prefer St-Viateur.

http://www.stviateurbagel.com/main/
http://www.fairmountbagel.com/

 

[pkondz]

I'm going to have to disagree on this one. If you want real montreal smoked meat, Dunn's is not the place to get it. The meat is mass produced in a warehouse somewhere and then sent to the individual franchises. If you have a craving in Ottawa, it's understandable to settle for Dunn's, but in Montreal, you can do so much better.

Schwartz's, or Lesters' are the two places to go to for good Montreal Smoked Meat. Ben's was good too but they closed permanently in 2006. Schwartz's still smokes their meat on site, i'm not sure about Lester's.

http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/
http://www.lestersdeli.com/

Interesting, only been to Montreal a few times. When I was there with a Montreal born and raised friend he swore by Chenoy's for their smoked meat. Comments?

 

[twokids0204]

You will love Canada...it's like the Epcot pavilion only bigger.

You shouldn't have any problem with the language in Quebec, especially Montreal.

However, I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest you rethink your destination.

What about Southern Ontario?

Lot's to see, great dining, entertainment, shopping, theater, etc...

We also have the second tallest free standing structure - The CN Tower.

And one of seven wonders of the World - Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls also has great winery's, and lots of touristy stuff, and a couple of top notch casino's (to use those loonies and toonies at).

Plus you can pickup the Toronto CITYPASS for all your tourist destinations.

 

[jba2]

Quebec City is fabulous, it's like being in Europe. If you can, stay at the Chateau Frontenac. It's like a castle and in the centre of everything. In Quebec City we always go out for all you can eat mussels and frites (french fries).
I also second what a previous poster said about visiting Southern Ontario. Maybe you can fly to New Hampshire, visit Quebec City, Montreal and then drive to Toronto and Niagara Falls. You can then return your rental car in Buffalo and fly home from there. Enjoy your trip.