Bike path along the Lachine Canal

Celebrate summer Montreal style –
with great food, festivals and fireworks.

If you took the best parts of the GREATEST cities in the world – Paris’ cuisine, London’s architecture, New York’s energy – and cooked them up into one fabulous locale, you’d end up with something like Montreal in Quebec, Canada. (Throw in a dash of Canadian hospitality for extra appeal.)

Its eclectic makeup no doubt has something to do with the various cultures that conquered and inhabited this island on the St. Lawrence River, starting with the Iroquois Indians thousands of years ago. French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first European to set foot on the land in 1535; in fact, he and his men gave the area its first and most pivotal landmark when they climbed to the highest point, named it “Mont Royal” and claimed it in the name of France. Today, Mount Royal is still the visual centerpiece of Montreal, and although its highest peak only reaches 764 feet – a hill by most people’s standards – no building in the city is allowed to surpass it in height, which partly explains the city’s vast underground network (more on that later).

The British later defeated the French inhabitants, but the floodgate of colonists already was well under way: The French were allowed to stay and flourish as a culture, and the city still bears the mark of hundreds of years of English, Scottish and Irish settlers.

Now the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, this eclectic city bursts with energy, seducing tourists and residents alike with endless opportunities to indulge the senses, whether you’re a foodie, history buff, nature lover, festivalgoer or Francophile. And there’s no better time to visit than summer, when mild temperatures offer a cool respite from Arizona’s heat, fun cultural festivals are in full swing and ample cycling paths allow sunny bike rides throughout the city.

Photo Courtesy Tourisme Montreal BIXI bike rental station

So book your tickets now for an impromptu getaway this month (there are plenty of direct flights available from Phoenix), or plan ahead for next summer and be sure to include the following highlights in your itinerary.

See the City
Bikes are as common in Montreal as cars are in Phoenix, and with nearly 280 miles of paths throughout the island, hopping on a bike is the perfect way to get a full glimpse of the city. Take advantage of the popular public bike system known as BIXI (“bike taxi”), which lets you rent a bike for the day from one of 300 self-service stations throughout the city. After a $5 access fee, the first 30 minutes are free, followed by an additional $1.50 per half hour.

Pedal along the scenic St. Lawrence River, making your way to Mount Royal Park, where Montrealers bask in the summer sun by walking, running or picnicking. Then explore the quaint neighborhoods that surround the mountain, taking note of the colorful, three-story row housing – a signature style here. Finally, head downtown, where high-end shopping meets cozy mom-and-pops, countless restaurants and a thriving performing arts scene. Streets are clean, wide and fairly simple to navigate, but should you need to ask for directions, fear not, 53 percent of the city’s 3.6 million citizens speak both French and English.

Deposit your bike at the nearest BIXI station and explore Old Montreal by foot (quaint cobblestone streets make for a rough bike ride). This historic district only covers a quarter square mile of the city, but you could spend hours marveling at the well-preserved stone architecture, taking pause within the walls of the striking Notre-Dame Basilica (Canada’s first Gothic Revival-style church), learning about the city’s origins at the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, and stopping at the many cafés, shops and restaurants within the stately, silver-domed Marché Bonsecours, which housed City Hall from 1852 to 1878. The district also is home to Montreal’s Old Port, where massive cargo ships still dock.

smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz’s Deli

Finally, if rain puts a damper on your sightseeing plans, explore Montreal through its underground pedestrian network. More than 22 miles of brightly lit, air-conditioned tunnels run below the city, connecting you to shopping centers, hotels, museums, banks, metro and train stations, universities and Bell Centre amphitheater. For direct access to the tunnels, stay at the four-diamond Montreal Marriott Château Champlain, which boasts lavish but comfortable accommodations and stunning views of downtown Montreal and Mount Royal.

Savor the City
If all that touring has worked up an appetite, you’re in the right city. More than 80 different types of cuisine are served up in more than 6,000 restaurants, so if you don’t find something you like, congratulations, you’re the pickiest eater in the world.

Start by sampling different local fare at Atwater Market – a sprawling indoor-outdoor bazaar that serves up fresh produce, meat, bread, cheese and more year round. Sink your teeth into a soft, rich croissant at the popular Prémière Moisson Bakery (inside the market), and be sure to pick up some quality Canadian maple syrup for the trip home. Additional sidewalk vendors pack the perimeter during summer’s sunny months, so be prepared for thick crowds of people.

Hordes of eager patrons are a good testament to a business’s success, and Schwartz’s Deli is no exception. Started by a Jewish immigrant in 1928, Schwartz’s is now the oldest deli in Montreal, serving up savory smoked meat and sour pickles from a small storefront on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, one of downtown’s main drags. Customers line up along the street, have their orders ready and waste no time tearing into a hearty sandwich of smoked beef, chicken, turkey or brisket, all of which gets smoked daily.