We are just about to leave the Montreal Sheraton for the airport.  Next stop?  Vancouver. I had an unexpectedly great lunch yesterday in Montreal.  First, thanks to Olivia, Montreal Sheraton Le Centre's VIP Services Manager, who provided a birthday gift.  That's a bottle of Sangiovese and pastries below, which were a total surprise and most thoughtful gift.  Olivia greeted us at the lounge with a big smile and somehow knew it was my birthday.  She is a huge asset to this hotel for treating her VIP Bonvoe customers with  a very special touch. Looking down from the above view, you can see Stanley Street.  Around the mid-point on the left side are our previous Chinese, Korean and Japanese restaurants.  Walking up the street, a right turn will lead you to Reubens. Ordered a Reuben's original:  smoked meats on rye bread, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian tangy dressing.  With the birthday gift wine, plus a bottle of beer, had my...

 Montreal: Is an island, the meeting point of the Saint Lawrence River and Ottawa River. One of 234 Hochelaga Archipelago. 193 square miles. 30 miles long and 10 miles wide. Connected by 20 bridges. Is the second-largest city in Canada next to Toronto. Toronto:  3.3 million residents, over 6.6 million in the Greater Toronto Area. Montreal:  1.7 million, about 4.3 million in the total metro area. Montreal is 315 miles east northeast of Toronto, 122 miles west of the national capital, Ottawa, and 160 miles southwest of the provincial capital, Quebec City. Takes name from Mount Royal, a triple-peaked mountain around which this settlement grew. 90% are fluent in French, and 59% can speak both French and English. Is #2 to to Paris in French-speaking population.  You'd never guess the #3 city of Francophobes?  Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Named UNESCO City of Design in 2006.  There are two others, in Berlin and Buenos Aires. 12th mos...