NEW YEARS IN MONTREAL

This year for New Years we took a road trip to Montreal with my family.  We wanted to ring in 2012 in a different city, and Montreal was a great choice.  Even though I'm a born New Yorker, I have such a thing for European cities, and this is as close as you can get to Paris without having to jump on a seven hour + flight.

We rented these wheels...a jumbo sized Ford Expedition e.l. to accommodate all seven of us and our luggage.  Montreal is less than a two hour flight away from New York City, but driving there took less than seven hours and it was fun, especially in this cool ride!  We really want one of these now...we feel like we would take so many more road trips.

Then we checked into the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal.  This was definitely a great hotel in the center of the city.  For starters, the location is just a couple of blocks away from shopping, restaurants and a metro stop, so we just parked the car at the hotel and explored the city on foot.  In addition, the rooms, although not the most modern of decor (although they are in the process of renovating and updating), were nice and spacious, and our room on the 28th floor had a great view of the city!  The fitness center has nice workout equipment, steam rooms, a hot tub and a pool.  And the service was excellent- what you would expect from an Omni property.  Plus, we got it at a great price during the New Years holiday weekend.  We paid about $175 a night...so it was a win-win situation for a great hotel.  I highly recommend the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal if you jet set to this Canadian city.

We spent about 3.5 days and four nights exploring every corner of this wonderful city.  So much so, that by the end, we said we could "put a fork in it, we had seen Montreal."   Yes, it was cold and snowy, but that was part of the charm because it was so festive.  We wandered around the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal.

We walked through Montreal's Chinatown neighborhood.

We went to see Montreal's Notre Dame Church which is so incredibly beautiful.

And need you ask...yes, of course we ate, and ate, and ate (and shopped).  I will have more on all of the great places where we stuffed ourselves silly tomorrow, and more on some of Montreal's good shopping this Friday in my Jet Set Stylin' Fridays post!

OUI OUI! IT'S PARIS FOR FREE!

Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world!!!  It is romantic, it has amazing shopping, awesomely delicious food, and it is just gorgeous.  But, all of that great stuff comes with a very expensive price tag- it is one pricey place to jet set to.  The good news is, there is some stuff that you can do in Paris that won't cost you a dime...or make that a euro!  Here they are:

1- Notre Dame: This Parision icon is a must see for every visitor.  It's absolutely beautiful and 100% free to enter.

2- Le Champ de Mars:  If you want to wait in long lines and pay a heavy price for a lift to the top of the Eiffel Tower, then go ahead.  Or instead you can hang out on Le Champ de Mars (the park area below) and glance up and snap all of the pictures you want for free.

3- Sacre Coeur: Located in the Montmarte district (a really interesting part of the city), climb your way to the top of the hill for a look at this stunning church with equally stunning views of Paris.

4- Canal St-Martin: Hang out with the locals and take a little time to enjoy the city, and watch the boats go by while sitting and having a picnic.

5- The Louvre: Home to the Mona Lisa and many more famous pieces of art- this museum is incredible and  if you visit on the first Sunday of the month, entrance is free!

TIMED TRAVEL

People often ask me how I get to jet set so often? My answer to them is always the same...I plan most of my trips during "Shoulder Season" (jet setting between peak and off seasons). The weather is good, the crowds are much smaller and the prices are at least 30% lower! Here's some Jet Set Smart travel ideas for Shoulder Season.

DESTINATION BEST TIMES
CANCUN- MAY, AUGUST, NOVEMBERCARIBBEAN- JANUARY, FEBRUARYHONOLULU- SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBERLAS VEGAS- JANUARY, OCTOBER, NOVEMBERLONDON- MARCH, APRIL, SEPTEMBERLOS ANGELES- MARCH, APRIL, SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBERMIAMI- JANUARY, JULY, AUGUSTNEW YORK- SEPTEMBER, OCTOBERORLANDO- MAY TO AUGUSTPARIS- MARCH, APRIL, AUGUST TO OCTOBERSAN FRANCISCO- MARCH, APRIL, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBERSEATTLE- MARCH, ARPIL, NOVEMBERWASHINGTON, D.C.- JANUARY, MARCH, APRIL, SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER

JE T'AIME PARIS

Je T'aime Paris! I love Paris! And you know what, who doesn't? It is one of the most incredible cities in the world! Well, our good friends Becca & Saleem are jet setting there tomorrow to celebrate Becca's 30th birthday (Happy B-Day my friend!:-) and so they asked me if I coud recommend anything for them to do while they are there. I have not been to Paris since 2007...back before Jet Set Smart...so my notes aren't the greatest, but here's what I came up with for them. I am sharing it with you all in case you jet set to Paris soon!

Things to Do:
- Definitely take the Bateaux Mouches boat ride along the River Sienne- and do it on your first day there. They offer a dinner cruise, which I would not do (cheezy, and not great food), but definitely go for the ride during the day so you can see the sites and take pictures in the light, and also it's a good way to get a lay of the land for your next days where you will be walking to all of the attractions.- See the Eiffel Tower..a must! Take the elevator all of the way up to the top. I also recommend going to see the Eiffel Tower in the early evening when there are less crowds, and also because the tower is lit at night...and it truly is so romantic to be there when this happens!

- Grab some awesome bread, cheese, and wine, and have a little picnic at Jardin de Luxenbourg. This garden is beautiful beyond words. - Go to the Louvre Museum. Make sure you get your picture of the Louvre Pyrmaid out in the front...- The Venus de Milo statue...- The Winged Victory of Samothrace- Make sure to see Notre Dame both on the inside and walk all around it to see and appreciate the gorgeous architecture.- Walk along the famous Champs Elysses (cheezy & filled with not great stores, but a must do) and check out the Arc de Triumph at the end of it...and definitely go to the top of it for breathtaking views of the city. Here you can really get a good sense for how the city is gridded.- Check out the city of Montmarte. See the Sacre Couer church and check out the views from this city which is the highest point in Paris...it's beautiful.- Walk along the cobblestone streets and buy artwork in the center square from local artists.- If you are hungry, stop in to this AMAZING Creperie- LE TIR BOUCHON and order the one with ham & cheese.- If you have the extra time and days, hop the metro and go to the city of Versailles to see the Chateau de Versailles... - It is so incredibly beautiful and romantic...- Make sure to see the Galerie de Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) at Chateau de Versailles- Also see the Gardens, and definitely rent a canoe and ride out on the lake so you can take it all in.Eating:
- Our favorite restaurant in Paris: AU BRIN DE ZINC. This place is the REAL deal, completely filled with Parisians, menu is in French, the waiters speak French...this is why you jet setted all the way to Paris...not to sit with Americans, speaking English, right? The wine list is inexpensive and really good.- Another great spot for dinner: CHEZ PAPA

- Perhaps the most famous cafe in all of Paris: CAFE DE FLORE. It's overpriced, but you still must go and grab either a glass of wine or a croque monsiuer and people watch.- You will see crepe stands on the street...go ahead and get it...it's really good! We ordered banana and chocolate...yummy!- Our favorite bar/cafe for a great night scene: LA PALETTE. This is where people go after work and stay and drink all night. It's fun to people watch, see what the women are wearing, and feel like you are really a part of the culture.

- Make sure you eat a ridiculous amount of baguettes...they are worth the calories. We found this great place- LE GRENIER A PAIN in Montmarte...but you'll see places everywhere. Get them hot and eat them plain...so good, no butter is required!- Chocolate and red wine...my two favorite things in life. Well MICHEL CHOCOLAT CLUIZEL is a gorgeous store with beautiful pieces of chocolate. - We stayed at Hotel Le Lutetia on Blvd. Raspail on the left bank. I absolutely love the left bank for shopping and cafes. It's very trendy and much more casual than the right bank where all of the sites are. After seeing all of the tourists things on the right, make sure to head to the left...you'll love it!