The Zoolympics, happening at the Ecomuseum Zoo on February 2 and 3, will inspire the champion in participants of all ages to sharpen their eagle eye, race like a coyote, listen like a Barn Owl and sniff like a Gray Wolf. The various challenges will educate you all about the hundred-plus species of animals native to Quebec that reside in the Ecomuseum, including the Bald Eagle, the raccoon, the Snowy Owl and the lynx. (A lynx can jump a distance of 6.5 metres – will you beat that record?)

Since 2013 marks the Ecomuseum’s 25th anniversary, there are a whopping 25 prizes to be won at the Zoolympics – including an invitation to come back to share breakfast with the wolves. The anniversary is also the perfect excuse for the coolest of contests, happening between now and February 20, which could see you win a free weekend getaway to Montreal for you and yours! In addition to a hotel stay – with breakfast included – for two adults and two kids, the lucky winner will get a visit to the Ecomuseum zoo and an expedition on Mount Rigaud. Bring your skis for the full wintry experience.

The Ecomuseum Zoo is a non-profit charity located just at the western tip of the Island of Montreal, whose mission it is to protect Quebec’s natural heritage. They’ll be hosting a whole variety of special 25^th anniversary activities throughout 2013 – including a days when kids get in for free, on February 17. Plus, if you “like” them on Facebook, there are prizes to be won on the 25^th of every month this year! So stay tuned…

THE DETAILS

Zoolympics, February 2-3, 2013

Ecomuseum Zoo, 21125 Ste-Marie Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, (514) 457-9449

The post GET WILD AT THE ECOMUSEUM ZOO’S ZOOLYMPICS appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

If it sounds like I’ve lost my critical faculties, it’s because there’s really no way to take your distance from the Cavalia spectacle—once you step away, it starts to fall apart. The good news, however, is that you’ll be so drawn into Odysséo’s intensely hypnotic spectacle that you’ll have little opportunity, or desire, for rational thought.

Odysseo, like the first Cavalia, delves into the mystical nature of the relationship between humans and horses, and will leave horse-lovers and others alike breathless with wonder. As it stands, I had seen the first Cavalia upwards of three times, and, Odysseo is an elaboration of the formula that worked so well: An intensely lyrical elaboration of the beauty of the equine form and spirit, and the incredible, gentle ability of the trainers. Some numbers are acrobatic and almost Cirque du Soleil-ish, while others show the horses moving in patterned choreographies reminiscent of a Busby Berkely musical.

Odysséo is, to my recollection, heavier on the dressage elements than the first show (though this is nothing like your typical competitive horse show), and they give more stage time to the mystical art of the horse whisperers, who work with their team of 69 horses to create tableaux of such innocent, pre-industrial pastoral peacefulness that I wanted it to transcend the time-and-space limitations of the number. And there’s plenty of time to drink in what is truly the best thing about horses—their splendid unrestrained gallop.

The second half, especially, takes this horse show to another level—the scene opens with dawning light on 30-odd sleeping horses curled up with their trainers on an African steppe, the sheer gorgeousness of it is almost too much. And the much talked-about finale, which features a lake (yes it does) and two dozen dreamy white stallions galloping through silvery moonlit water, is better than a dream.

THE DETAILS

Cavalia presents Odysseo, until October 30, 2011

Tickets/Directions, 1-866-999-8111

The post ODYSSEO: A SPECTACULAR HORSE SHOW UNDER THE BIG TOP appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Whether your chosen pet companion is a cute canine or a fabulous feline, there are plenty of travel options in Montreal to choose from. From pet friendly hotels, grooming services, dog friendly cafes, green parks for walking and more! Check out my guide to the very pet best of Montreal…

HOTELS

Loews Hotel Vogue: Loews loves your pets as much as you do. It treats your animal as an important guest of the hotel. Loews offers luxurious amenities such as gourmet room service for cats and dogs prepared by their award-winning chef! They provide specialized bedding, leashes, collars, litter boxes, rawhide bones, catnip, scratch poles and more. Holy, it’s almost nicer to be an animal at Loews than a human at some unmentionable hotels… Loews charges an additional $25 per stay for the extra cleaning that comes with having an animal in the room. Sounds pretty fair to me!

Le Saint-Sulpice: Le Saint-Sulpice is a luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Old Montreal. They are a proud member of the “Pets Can Stay Program”, which means they must follow guidelines to providing premium 5-star service to all guests in the hotel including animals, while still maintaining professional standards. Your pet even gets a treat with check-in! All pet amenities are there like food and litter, but no pet services like grooming are offered however information is easily available.

The W Hotel: So if your pet is so spoiled that it loves luxury as much as you do, then the W Hotel is it. Upon check in, you get a gift basket complete with a pet toy, pet treat, a W pet tag, clean up bags and a list of services. Waiting in your room is a custom W pet bed, food, water and a floor mat, a “pet in room” sign and a special treat at turndown. 24 hours a day you can request leashes, toys, food, treats, litter and more. The W Hotel is even making a difference- everytime you stay with your pet they donate $5 to the SPCA! Note that they charge $25 tacked on top of the room rate, plus a $100 cleaning fee at the end of your stay. Pets no more than 40 lbs are allowed.

Sheraton: The Sheraton Hotel offers a bowl, food, and a pet bed, but also an adorable little Sheraton scarf! What a classy touch! And… drumroll please… Sheraton does NOT charge any additional fees for bringing one pet with you. A room inspection is done at the end of your stay and if a significant mess has been made a cleaning fee will be charged, but if your pet behaved then it’s free! Kudos Sheraton for treating pets like gods!

Le St-Germain: One of Montreal’s most comfortable, charming and beloved boutique hotels is also one of its pet-friendliest. For $35 per night they’ll provide a pet food mat, bowls for food and water, and a bed. And given that their human beds are AMAZING, your dog or cat is in for a great night. Because no way do you ever let them sleep in your bed, of course not, that would be silly. Perhaps most amazing is that you can spoil your pet, who is already staying with you in a luxury hotel so obviously they totally deserve it, with items from the tres luxe Germain Collection.

PET HOTELS

These are not hotels that allow pets… they are hotels that are for pets. NO PEOPLE ALLOWED.

Hotel Balto: If any traveling guests need to put their animal up for a short-term stay in one of the most ultra-posh luxurious pet hotels around, the Hotel Balto is it. Yes it is a hotel just for animals. Rooms include heated floors with individual control, a plasma TV (?!?), music, hand-crafted cast iron beds and a camera system that allows your to check in on your pet via the internet. Their services include grooming, daily, walks, limousine service, play time and get this: an artist to do a personalized painting of your pet during their stay. How special.

Muzo: The most chic, urban pet hotel that rivals even human hotels is Muzo. Muzo is a self proclaimed “pet resort for urban cats and dogs”. Although Muzo doesn’t have the heated floors, limousine and painting services that Balto offers, this place looks to be the trustworthiest place for an animal. They accept both cats and dogs, there’s a gym for exercise, grooming is offered and the place is located right near downtown! It’s good to be a pet!

PET WALKS & PARKS

Take your little furry friend out for a stroll in these picturesque and animal-friendly parks. I would suggest leaving the cats and alligators at home (or hotel) though.

Parc Lafontaine: This park is for exploring, meeting other dog owners and taking in the beautiful Montreal scenery. Dogs and people are friendly and there’s plenty of trash bins and benches!

Lachine Canal: I often see dog walkers along the canal walking five or six dogs at once! Filled with families, and lots of water fountains with those little doggie attachments. Perfect for exercising along the long canal trails.

Mont Royal: Dogs are supposed to remain on a leash and be picked up after at all times on Montreal’s famed mountain, but they will still love the forest paths and mountain trails. What an adventure!

SHOPS AND CAFES

Montreal is filled with top fashion brands from all around the world that make Montrealers some of the most stylish people around. But what about man’s best friend? What luxury boutiques do they get to shop at? There are some pretty unique places in Montreal for your and your pet! My favourite is definitely Le Doggie Bag Cafe!

Bark & Fitz: The snazziest most fancy pet store ever. Gourmet handmade food, fresh baked treats, top quality toys imported from around the world, and grooming. This store is for the divas and divos of the animal kingdom. Located in the heart of Westmount on Sherbrook, this boutique has a rule that they would never sell anything that they wouldn’t let their own dogs eat or play with!

Le Doggie Bag Café: This is like an indoor dog park. Two-legged humans can bring their four legged children to hang out and play. Health code forbids the sale of human food, but there are plenty of doggie treats to go around!

Little Bear Animalerie: Co-owned by Doobie the dog, this is a popular pet supplies store in Westmount. Trendy clothes, high-quality food and toys, and of course – pet friendly.

The post PET FRIENDLY MONTREAL: HOTELS, PARKS, SHOPS AND MORE appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

The Montreal Botanical Garden’s Butterflies Go Free show runs from February 17 to April 25 and features over 1,500 butterflies from around the world. It explores the complex behaviour they engage in when trying to attract a mate- from wing colours and markings to beautiful mid-air courtship ballets. The world of butterflies clearly becomes more fascinating the closer you look. But if you need a more kid-friendly description, how about: a room filled with tons of butterflies is really, really cool.

(TIP: Try to visit on the morning of a sunny day, when butterflies, like most Montrealers, are most active)

While you’re there, you can also check out Paper Work, an interactive exhibit and workshop that delves into all the amazing things one can do with paper. Or just visit their permanent collection of over 22,000 plant species, 10 exhibition greenhouses and dozens of thematic gardens.

Anyone with several children along for the ride (or maybe just one particularly difficult preteen) knows that an afternoon of butterflies might be a tough sell. Thankfully the Botanical Gardens are just one part of a Family-Friendly Complex packed to the rafters with easy-to-find and educational (you don’t have to tell them that part) activites. Bring everyone over to the always-popular (even with adults) Biodome, which is filled with all sorts of creatures- including their superstar penguins, who you can check right now via the Penguin webcam.

A

THE DETAILS

Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm

Montreal Botanical Gardens, 4101 Sherbrooke East, (514) 872-1400

Biodome, 4777 Pierre-De-Coubertin Avenue, (514) 868-3000

A

Photo Credit: Darknturquoise

The post BUTTERFLIES AND FAMILY FUN IN MONTREAL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.