TravelsandEscapes

Montreal has at least two street markets that run daily. Marche Atwater is one of them with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, wines, bakery and pastry items, olive oils, maple syrups, vinegars and just about anything else related to eating.

Gourds of every kind…some new, some I’ve seen before.

Standing at attention lined up waiting for Halloween…or pies.

More gourds…and more gourds

More vegetables later…

Looking over Montreal from Mont Royal…the highest point in the city.

Street signs…

Some call them Rewards Programs…some call them Membership Programs. Either way, if you pay attention you can gain some great benefits. Budget Travel just had some great info on programs. Here are some of their findings as well as my own information.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: fly eight round trips within two years and receive a free ticket. You have up to a year to redeem this ticket. Not a bad deal if you fly Southwest often enough. Plus it’s easy to use, there are no cancelling fees…and your bags fly free. This one makes a lot of sense for those of us that love Southwest Airlines.

Delta Skymiles: fly 25,000 miles and your rewards start. Since it’s more of a challenge to find a ticket for your 25,000 miles you need to book early. Start as soon as you know you will be traveling…up to 331 days in advance!

American Airlines Aadvantage: fly 25,000 miles for your free ticket. Relatively easy to book online this one also allows you to use your miles one way (first class for instance) and then pay for the return trip. Might make a difference if you are flying a long distance.

Marriott Rewards: spend $750 (7,500 points) and you will earn a free night in a category 1 hotel like a Fairfield Inn. A free night at a category 7 hotel requires 35,000 points ($3,500). This is a good deal if you stay often enough at Marriott Hotels.

Hilton Honors: earn hotel points and airline miles for the same stay if you like. Your points equate to dollars spent at all Hilton Hotels. This one is easy to use.

Starwood Preferred Guest: Starpoints equate to every dollar spent. You do need to book these over the phone, however.

If you are staying in hotels frequently, try to stay in one brand that you like. Join their membership program and get your points to work for you. It doesn’t cost anything and who doesn’t like to get a free room in a hotel you might not have wanted to pay for…especially for a special treat.

Began in 1870 the Cathedral started its liturgical life. In 1940 it became a parish and in 1919 a cathedral-basilica in Montreal. It’s impressive dome can be seen from Mont Royal on the other side of the city.

The great organ, inaugurated in September 1893, consists of 93 stops, four manuals and pedal.

Arches along the aisles are decorated with paintings depicting the founding of Montreal. Walls and floor are made of Italian marble and mosaic. Here the top of the Baldacchino, a replica of the one at St. Peter’s in Rome, can be seen beneath the cupola. Created in Rome, made of red copper it was fashioned by hand and is decorated with gold leaf.

This Cathedral is a scaled down replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Impressive in every detail, this is a stop not to be missed when in Montreal.

Southeast of Montreal in the Eastern Townships an Abbey’s bell tower appears above the trees. Built by the Benedictines in 1912 on a wooded peninsula on Lac Memphremagog the Abbey is home to 60 or so monks who sell apples, sparkling apple wine, cheeses, meats, chocolates, fruits and jams. Apparently people from all over Quebec know when to come to get the best in the area.

Also located on the property is a retreat, available with reservations to men. Women are allowed at certain times, with the appropriate reservations.

Ceiling leading to the Abbey’s modest chapel. Definitely different architecture than what we saw in Montreal at the Basilica.

The Notre-Dame parish in Montreal is closely mixed in with all of Montreal’s history, starting as far back as 1642. Prior to holding services in the current one services were held in a modest wooden building. Construction on the existing stone church with its towers and bells began in 1824. Even through gray skies…impressive towers reach far overhead.

Inspiration for interior came from the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

Many of the stained glass windows depict scenes of Montreal’s social and religious history. Images were brought to life at Francis Chigot’s workshop in Limoges, France. Ceilings were not forgotten and are equally as beautiful.

Images, sculptures and countless stained glass windows at the sanctuary and altar illustrate the Eucharist, Melchisedech offering bread and wine, Moses placing an urn full of manna in the Ark of the Covenant, Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son Issac, Aaron sacrificing a lamb and Mary being crowned by her Son. Angels in adoration are depicted as well as The Last Supper. So impressive…and so humbling.

With 7,000 pipes, four keyboards and 99 stops the organ high above at the rear was built in 1891. Modified only a few times since then, I can attest to the magnificent sound it produces.

If you are ever in Montreal this is worth a trip…for beauty, relaxation and rejuvenation of spirit.

Just how much stuff do you pack that you may not need? On the other side, how many times have you wished for something you left at home because you just didn’t think you would need it?

I am always looking for multipurpose items. Recently I came across a suggestion from a fellow traveler. Did you know your solid antiperspirant deodorant will work to stop itching from bug bites? She says it does. I haven’t tried it yet…but I’m keeping it in mind in case I get a bug bite! You just need to swipe your bite with the deodorant stick and the itch goes away.

Try it sometime and let me know if it works for you.

On California’s Gold, a program about various interesting points in California, this tree was highlighted. Listed as one of the most famous trees in California, hundreds if not thousands visit it every year.

Know where it is located?

A friend forwarded on some wisdom from her uncle. This simple message works in life as well as in how you travel.

A pencil maker told each pencil five important lessons before putting it the box.

1. Everything you do will always leave a mark.

2. You can always correct the mistakes you make.

3. What is important is what is inside of you.

4. In life, you will undergo painful sharpenings, which will only make you better.

5. To be the best pencil you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

Agree?