Montreal and some Travel Tips

MONTREAL

Montréal has everything a big city can offer. But it is also a one-of-a-kind multicultural city that blends its French accent with that of over 80 other ethnic communities. Its downtown bustles with life at the foot of Mont Royal, while history is rooted in the old quarters near the river.

The world famous Montreal Jazz Festival opens on the Thursday evening of the conference. Check the bulletin board at the conference to see groups that are being organized to go to the JazzFest.

Friday, July 1, the last day of the conference, is Canada's National Day, and along with the Jazz Festival, the weekend will be especially busy. So, you will want to make your travel plans well in advance.

Conference Hotel - Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is at the center of Montréal's vibrant cultural and commercial district.   Recently recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the 500 greatest hotels in the world, it is located above the train station (Via Rail & AMTRAK) and connected to the extensive underground city of of boutiques and cafés.  It is close to the Jazz Fest area and convenient to CRIM (Computer Research Institute of Montreal), where some UPA workshops and tutorials take place.

Google Maps http://maps.google.com

Why stay at the Conference Hotel?

Make your reservation at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and use the UPA code to get a discounted rate. Room rates for UPA 2005 will be $159* or $175* US single/double per room per night, depending on whether or not the rooms have been renovated ($199 or $219 Canadian).  Reservations must be made by May 25, 2005 to receive these rates.
*based on an exchange rate of US $1 to Canadian $1.25

For reservations, call 1-800-441-1414 or (514) 861-3511 (use the conference code: "UPA04"). If you make your reservations online and are told that the hotel is full, please try calling the hotel directly, and send an e-mail to the conference office at office@upassoc.org]

Getting Into Canada

• From the U.S. Must have a valid passport, or birth certificate and photo ID.  Even if you enter Canada without documentation, you must have documentation to re-enter the U.S.
• From Other Countries European travelers must have a valid passport and a return ticket to their country.
• U.S. citizens see information about returning to the U.S. at http://www.amcits.com/entry_ca.asp
• General information about arriving and leaving Canada (e.g. what you can bring, what you can take), see http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4161/rc4161-e.html
• See http://www.travelcanada.ca for more information.

Getting To, From, and Around Montreal

Montreal is served by Montréal-Trudeau Airport (code YUL), which is 14 miles (22 km) from Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

• Aerobus Shuttle departs the airport every 20 minutes for downtown hotels, including Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth.  Approximate travel time is 30 minutes and the one-way cost is $13.
• A taxi from the airport to any downtown location is a flat rate of $31.
• If you are driving, see directions from the airport to the hotel.
• For getting around Montreal, consider the STM, which consists of a subway system, 155 bus routes, and five commuter trains.
• The Train!  The Train!  Chauncey WIlson has arranged for a conference rate on Amtrak.  The special fare is 10% off the lowest available rail fare at the time of booking.  You must call 1-800-872-7245 (no Internet reservations) and give the code X67E-927.  The discount is good for travel between June 24 and July 5, 2005. 

Travel Tips

• Electricity:  Canada uses 110 volt with flat blade plugs, which is the same voltage and plugs as in the U.S.
• Time Zone:  Montreal is in the Eastern Time Zone.
• Currency:  As of June 16, 1 Euro = 1.50 CAD; 1 US Dollar = 1.23 CAD
• Cell Phones:  contact your cell phone company to determine international rates and coverage areas.

• Tax Refund for Visitors:  http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-e.html
• Montreal Weather Forecast