Hockey and Boutique Shopping: A romantic weekend?

May I suggest this, as perhaps the most Canadian, and most fabulous couple's weekend?

Montreal. Yes, Montreal.

You arrive at a four star downtown hotel, you can feel the city's heartbeat. You dress up a little and head to a restaurant down the street. You enjoy wine and craft beers, smoked salmon and local specialties for dinner. So good.

You awake to cappuccino and croissants from the bakery around the corner. At noon, he heads to the Bell Centre to take in the Canadiens' rink tour. ($24 and starts at noon.)

You head over to Rue St. Catherine and hit the trendy shops along the way to the Eaton Centre. Later you meet up with your partner and head to Old Montreal. The cobble stone sidewalks, art galleries and boutiques are lovely for a stroll. Jacques Cartier Square offers entertainment and snacks of ice cream and maple syrup treats before you make up your mind on dinner. So many great little restaurants to choose from!

The next day, you head to a hockey game or a concert at the Bell Centre. It's always a hub of activity.

Post-game you stop into a pub and have a drink and a smoked meat sandwich,  rehash the game and watch the highlights on the big screen over the bar.

Before you know it, the weekend's over. And you've had the best time.

There are daily direct flights from Winnipeg, to Montreal for about $400 on either Canadian airline.

You can expect to pay about $150 per night at the four star Downtown hotels. I can certainly recommend The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth and the Sheraton Centre.

Hockey tickets will vary in price according to opponent but plan for$100 and up. The hotel concierge can help you acquire tickets, or you can get your own through the Canadiens or Stubhub.com.

Bertrand Bookstore, Old Montreal

North Pole Gift Shop, Old Montreal

On non-game days, the tour includes THE locker room

Tour takes about 90 minutes, but budget time for the gift shop and plaza

View from section 321. 

Au Pain Dore, Downtown bakeshop. 

Chocolates and treats from Au Pain Dore

One of the many historic buildings lining Jacques Cartier Square.

The centre of activity, in Old Montreal. Jacques Cartier Square.