This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
When we have one to three weeks of vacation, direct flights save us from spending too much time in airports. Here are some options from Montreal.
Copenhagen, Denmark
From 1er June to mid-October, Air Canada will offer a new non-stop service to the Danish capital. “We have been studying the Scandinavian market from Montreal for years,” explains Mark Galardo, senior vice-president of network planning and revenue management. Our Star Alliance partner, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), gives us access not only to Copenhagen, but also to all of Scandinavia. […] We notice a craze for all these destinations in general. »
Beyond the iconic little mermaid and the colorful houses of the Nyhavn canal, it is above all the way of life and the accessibility to neighboring countries that seem to appeal to holidaymakers. “We have never had as many sales in Scandinavia as for this summer, observes Aurélie Cartier, director of Voyageurs du monde Canada, which offers a combination of Scandinavian capitals accessible by train and boat from Copenhagen. I don’t know if it’s the new flight that sparked this craze, but the fact of not having to rent a car, of being able to visit on site by bike and the reassuring side are probably a big part of it. »
Flight time: approximately 7 hours 45 minutes
From $982
From Stockholm to Bergen without a car with Voyageurs du monde:
from $5700 for 11 days (without flight)
Lyon, France
With its traffic jams, its ancient theatre, its traboules – pedestrian walkways through building courtyards – and its Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière basilica, the second most visited city in France has plenty to keep foodies and enthusiasts busy. of history.
Lyon is also the gateway to a superb playground. Whether you prefer the vineyards or the mountains, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes tourist region generates many exclamation points. Air Transat, which offers seven direct connections to France from Montreal during the summer, has just announced that its flights to Lyon will now be offered all year round from Montreal. “We are going to serve it in the winter for ski tourism, but also to reach the whole region of the Alps, very attractive at the end of summer and at the beginning of autumn for hiking, a little outside the big boom in European vacations, says Marie-Ève Vallières, public relations and content marketing strategy advisor. This is a good opportunity to discover a region less known to Quebecers. »
A delay in the delivery of its new aircraft has led Air Canada to remove this flight from its schedule during the summer period. “The Lyon flight was cut seasonally,” said Mark Galardo, senior vice president of network planning and revenue management. We will be back in October. Lyon is a destination that we want to keep at home. »
Flight time: less than 8 hours
From $1543 in July
To be combined with: Geneva or Zurich by train
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is one of those cities that deserves to rise much higher on the list of must-see destinations. Strolling through the streets of this city-museum is an opportunity to discover the murals dedicated to the 9e art and to see the Grand-Place shine day and night. And then, how can you resist a corner of the country where machine guns are baguettes filled with meat, fries and sauce?
“Multicultural, artistic and festive, Brussels is the city of 19 villages,” summarizes blogger Mélissa Monaco, referring to the 19 municipalities that make up the region. She also has a good sense of self-mockery and a funny fascination with statues that revolve around pee – we have three of them! It is also the capital of Art Nouveau. This year also marks the 130e anniversary of this architectural style. A multidisciplinary program has been created for the occasion.
Flight time: 6 hours 50
With whom: Air Canada or Air Transat
From $1297 in July
To be combined with: Paris, Amsterdam or Cologne by Eurostar
London, UK
Do we really need to explain why London remains a top favourite? Between visiting museums (free), tea rooms, pubs and markets, let’s not be afraid to play the tourist by boarding the famous red double-decker buses to get a glimpse of the tourist classics. For a somewhat offbeat experience, treat yourself to a meal aboard Bustronome London, a restaurant on wheels that criss-crosses the streets of the city. Movie buffs shouldn’t miss the visit to Warner Studios – The making of Harry Potter – under any circumstances, whether or not you’re a fan of the star wizard.
Several airlines offer Montreal-London flights, including British Airways, Air Transat, Air Canada. Air Transat also offers a direct flight from Quebec during the summer.
Flight time: 6.5 hours
Starting at $1300 this summer. Air Transat is selling tickets for $826 in September.
To be combined with a stay in Bath, renowned for its Roman baths, where you can easily go by train and explore on foot.
How to maximize a flight with stopover?
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.