ahoyne9This was my first short international trip, it was supposed to be 4 days but for the first time in my life, I was the idiot that almost made the plane turnaround. As I boarded the plane I started to get a Migraine, I had to have the plane go back to the gate. Thankfully Delta Airlines had no issue whatsoever and got me on the next available flight out, which was Friday morning.
This trip was solely based on going to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, my first Grand Prix race!
Being a new traveler and not knowing much about Montreal I spent almost the entire time focused on the Grand Prix events. But I still managed to enjoy some Putine and took in my first Cuban Cigar.
Day 1 โ Arrival & Practice Race 06.05.2015
To a bit of my surprise, I was shocked at how little people spoke English, a short 2-hour flight from my home in the U.S. and a short hour drive West and your in an English speaking Providence, Ottawa.
Arriving mid-morning at the Residence Inn by Mariott Montreal Westmount I met up with my dad and brother who arrived on Tuesday. First stop was to watch my first practice race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. What a neat experience, the track allows guests to walk the entire outside of the track and general admission isnโt restricted to a specific section. The Track is also connected to the Olympic Basin on Notre Dame Island where the 1976 Summer Olympics were held. There is also a nice casino next to the track, Casino de Montreal.
After watching my first practice race we checked out the Forum de Montreal which is the old arena where the Montreal Canadians hockey team used to play and is now converted into a mall. Worth a stopover even just to walk in and walk out.
Day 2 โ Practice Race & Fan Fest 06.06.2015
The fan fest here was my second attended fan fest, the first was at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. This was something I have never seen before, they essential shut down a street 6 blocks long and let restaurants and bars serve in the street. The fan fest also had the luxury and exotic cars, nothing more satisfying than seeing that McLaren that I will never own haha.
The practice race isnโt much to talk about other than the fact that I had my first Crepe and immediately fell in love with this French pancake. I did check out the casino and lost some money so I wonโt recommend going there haha.
The night finished with the best burger I have ever had, to date even (December 2020). The place to eat this at is Burger Bar Crescent.
Day 3 โ Grand Prix 06.07.2015
Finally, my first Grand Prix is here. Outside of a nice breakfast and day drinking, I didnโt do much up until the event started in the afternoon. I wish I had more to write on this trip but sadly I didnโt spend enough time in Montreal to make a great post. The race was two hours long and it is just me sitting and watching cars go past, there isnโt a way to make this sound entertaining in text.
The night finished at Stogies Cigar Lounge, overlooking everyone at the fan fest having my first Cuban Cigar and a nice whisky with my family. I highly recommend this place, the rooftop has a great view of the city center and it’s complemented with drinks and a great cigar. ย
Definitely not my longest blog or even that entertaining, but I definitely enjoyed Montreal and I am looking forward to going back to see what else this great city has to offer!
Any questions/comments drop them below or send me a message.
Cheers!