Montreal posts

For those keeping an eye on the news, two of the largest cities in Canada are losing their tourism glow.

Montreal's constant student protests have gone from a regular proclamation against the increase in university tuition fees to a threat against the numerous annual summer festivals hosted in Quebec's largest city.

The upcoming Montreal Grand Prix cancelled one its opening events, fearful that student protestors would prevent race fans from attending.

Meanwhile Canada's largest city just witnessed the bold murder of one of its local citizens, in the food court of the largest downtown shopping mall, the Eaton Centre.

Are you planning a trip to either city?

Canadian basketball fans are just as caught up in March Madness as those who are crazy about the US college game south of the border. Here are the five cities in this nation where hoops junkies should feel most at home as they prepare for the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

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1. Toronto - Not only is Toronto home to Canada's only NBA team, but it delivers top-flight talent to the NCAA Tournament each year. The city's playgrounds and high schools are filled with emerging stars and exciting pick-up games. Some of the country's best sports bars, including Real Sports Bar & Grill and the Ballroom, are in downtown Toronto, and they will be packed with hoops fans throughout March Madness. Toronto also has lots of basketball-related history, having hosted the first NBA game in 1946.

2. Almonte, Ontario - Before he invented the game in Springfield, Massachusetts, James Naismith acquired his love for sports and competition in his hometown near Ottawa. You can visit the Naismith Museum in the nation's capital and a statue of Naismith in Almonte, which unveiled the attraction on July 23, 2011 - complete with peach basket.

3. Montreal - After leaving Almonte, Naismith went to McGill University and 10 of its students would later participate in the first organized basketball game in Springfield. Montreal remains a hot bed for this nation's basketball talent and many Canadian fans will cheer for Kris Joseph, the star of No. 1-seeded Syracuse and an NBA prospect who hails from Quebec's largest city.

4. Edmonton - We've all heard about the Harlem Globetrotters, but do you know about the Edmonton Commercial Graduates? This team of Canadian women won 147 straight games and had an overall record of 502-20 during their 25-year history early in the 20th century. Theirs is one of the great sports legacies in the City of Champions.

5. Victoria - The British Columbia capital is home to this nation's greatest basketball player, Steve Nash. The two-time NBA MVP, who was born in South Africa, went to university at Santa Clara in California, where he led the Broncos to three NCAA Tournament appearances. In Victoria, Steve Nash Youth Basketball is developing the next generation of hoops players and spreading love of the game on the west coast.

The steady decline in mortgage rates combined with slow house price appreciation has made the past few months some of the most affordable in recent years to buy a home in Canada. In fact, a report by the Royal Bank of Canada shows that housing affordability improved for a second straight quarter at the end of 2010.

However, as the Canadian economy continues to improve, the experts say that these attractive buying conditions will not last.

Airplane tickets are so cheap these days, I probably wouldn't take the train unless the ticket was heavily discounted. But, truth be told, I relish the more enjoyable pace of overland travel.

If you feel the same, you're in luck: until January 25, all of VIA Rail's adult regular fares in economy, sleeper and sleeper touring class, are discounted by 50%. These prices are valid on tickets for travel until May 31, 2011.

Examples of the one-way, economy class fares:

Toronto - Montreal : $67.50

Montreal - Ottawa: $27.00

Toronto - Vancouver: $394

Halifax - Montreal: $114.50

Click here to browse the sale.

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Eating Cheezies in your Snuggie and watching When Harry Met Sally? Again?!

This contest is for you, my dear. Yesterday, Porter Air and Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky opened a draw that will see nine lucky winners flying off to New York, Chicago or Montreal to usher in 2011. The price includes airfare for two (leaving from Toronto), two nights in a hotel and $500 spending money.

There is no purchase required, just enter your details here. The contest closes on November 30.

In my other life as a travel writer / videographer, I recently took the VIA Train from Toronto to Vancouver (you can check out my video here).

The experience really exceeded my expectations, which is why I can whole-heartedly recommend that you jump on VIA's latest 50% off sale. If you opt for the Vancouver - Toronto route, I'd suggest springing for the Sleeping Touring Class fare. That way, you get a decent night's sleep and all meals are included. You can get your z's in a berth (curtained sleeping area that transforms into seating during the day), or private cabins of various sizes.

Here are are the base prices in this sale:

Toronto to Vancouver: from $682

Montreal to Halifax: from $199

Montreal to Gaspé: from $133.50

The sale is on until November 30, and is good for travel between October 14 to December 14, 2010 or January 5 to February 28, 2011.

Elite investment networking group TIGER 21 may only have 140 members, but with about US$10-billion stashed in assets, this club for the super rich packs a punch. And starting in January, the New York City-based group plans to open offices in four Canadian cities -- Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary -- admitting up to 56 Canadians.

TIGER 21, which is an acronym for The Investment Group For Enhanced Results in the 21st Century, facilitates monthly meetings between groups of between 12-14 millionaire investors so they can talk about and analyze their investments in order to preserve and grow their wealth. The members are encouraged to be candid, divulging any personal family details that could affect their investment decisions.

So what does it take to become a member?

Part two of my surprise and somewhat sudden vacation this summer involves a stop in Montreal at the end of the month. Like NYC, I've never really given much thought to what I would do if I had time to spend in Montreal as a tourist.

So, of course, I put this question to friends online: If you had only one day to spend in Montreal, what would you do?

Yoga classes are rejuvenating, revitalizing and restorative. Everything but their price, that is.

Shelling out as much as 20 bucks just for one measly hour makes my mouth stretch, too - into a pose that looks a lot like Edvard Munch's "The Scream."

That's why the Passport to Prana is a gem. With this little card, you can sidestep those yucky drop-in fees and explore some of your city's hitherto undiscovered yoga studios while you're at it.