Why would anyone want to go to Montreal?  It’s one of the world’s coolest cities. European in both culture and design it’s the Paris of North America. What’s not to love about a city where the bars stay open until 3:00 am and even in Chinatown, they speak to you in French.

Since prohibition days, Montreal has had a wild, bawdy reputation. Americans traveled north for booze, fun and other vices. It’s been more than 20 years since I last traveled there. Will I still love it as much as I did before? Will I succumb to the city’s vices?

Getting There: I got five days. I’m taking a red eye. Like most international carriers, the service and comfort I’ve experienced on Air Canada is better than most domestic carriers. Sign up for their weekly emails to hear about airfare sales and other special promotions.  Air Canada is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest major airline alliance, so I get my miles.

Sleeping: As long as you book early or avoid the busy summer season, affordable accommodations are easy to find.

Exchanging Money: Are you old enough to remember the old Karl Malden American Express commercials? “Don’t leave home without it?” No one uses traveler’s checks anymore. They are hard to exchange. I use my ATM card everywhere. You may want to notify your bank that there will be some foreign activity on your account.

Short Trips: May is always a really busy month for me, so every year about this time, I try to take a short trip to help refresh me. Some of the short trips I’ve taken in recent years include: New Orleans, Boston, Seattle, Monterey and Banff, Alberta. Short trips not only refresh me, but help to prepare me for those big long trips.