We chose to go to Canada because we had never been to North America, and because we were attracted by its wildlife.
It is such a large country that imposes a choice: east or west. The west of the mountains and the great parks, or the east of the cities and the green Atlantic coast. We opted for the latter, since the first seemed too naturalistic for the moment. So we started from Montreal, then moved to Quebec City and from there visit the Gaspesie promontory, and finally fly to Toronto.
The unspoiled nature that stretches uninterrupted for hundreds of kilometers and the coniferous and moss forests on the side of the ocean are exciting.
Cities, on the other hand, may appear less interesting to those coming from Europe, accustomed to urban centers rich in history.
A sometimes tiring journey due to the hours behind the wheel and trekking, but which is undoubtedly worth it.
And in any case, travel is always a ball.
All in all, the flight went smoothly: 8 hours direct, without stops, are quite endurable. Customs checks were also quick.
But then we waited almost two hours for them to give us the car, and we arrived home at 7 pm local time, one in the morning Italian time. Taking into account that we had left the house at nine in the morning, I would say that it was long.
We had dinner in the neighborhood. These are low houses, one after the other, even beautiful, with almost no one on the street. The few patrons of bars and restaurants are immigrants, both North Africans and South Americans. So we ended up having dinner at a Peruvian restaurant with lots of live music.
Now we are finally about to go to bed, really tired.
Montreal is a city of 1.8 million people, who mostly live in low houses with a courtyard around them, many trees and lots of squirrels.
The center is elegant and modern, with skyscrapers and pedestrian streets, a long river where people go for a walk, and a few blocks euphemistically defined as the "old quarter" that tastes a bit of France, very touristy and full of shops.
Almost everyone speaks French. We expected a Catalan-style bilingualism, but instead here English is really a minority; the immigrants themselves preferably use French.
We went to Mont Royale, the hill just over 200 meters high that gives its name to the city.
It is a green area crossed by an infinite number of paths, with panoramic views, ponds and refreshment points. It's phenomenal how close it is as the crow flies from Downtown, the city center with skyscrapers.
Beautiful day, but with the crisp mountain air.
Here in winter it is constantly below zero for 4 months, and it is normal to find yourself with a meter of snow, with cross-country ski trails just outside the city.
Today we went to Omega Park, about 150 kilometers from Montreal. The landscape is very reminiscent of that of some areas of Northern Italy, but less inhabited: woods, fields and rivers. As soon as you climb a little altitude, it immediately becomes more mountainous.
The park is certainly worth it, because it allows you to see many animals in their natural environment, an opportunity not so common in the rest of the country.
Lots of moose and deer, which come near cars in search of carrots. As soon as you enter, in fact, you are literally surrounded by moose who come to ask for food and stick their snouts inside the windows to take it
You move by car along a route of about fifteen kilometers, plus some paths that can be traveled on foot. Deer and fawns, especially, get very close to cars.
