Just five hours away from Toronto is a Europe-like getaway that has something for everyone, including the baby boomers and millennial siblings accompanying me on a week-long trip to Montreal.
A cosmopolitan city, Montreal is conflux of French, Quebecois and English culture, along with the more recent influx of Arab, Italian and Chinese culture. A vibrant city that celebrates and embraces diversity, it is home to a dynamic arts and culture scene and architectural structures akin to those found across Europe. These are just some of the reasons that make Montreal a must-visit destination on your next trip to Canada.
Explore the city
With most places accessible by foot and via the public transportation system, it is definitely worth spending a few days immersing yourself in the vibe of the city. Owing to the large youth population, the city has a hip and bohemian vibe that adds to the experience. Plan a visit during the summer and you are sure to witness, in its entirety, what Montreal has to offer — music festivals, cultural events and fireworks galore.
The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, held from late June to early July, brings together jazz, rock and pop artists and is touted as North America’s top music festival. The Grand Prix du Canada, also held over the summer, is one of the most anticipated and crowd-packed Formula One races in the world.
If that is not your thing, visit one of Montreal’s many roof-top cafés and, amid stunning views of the city, sample some of the best food in the country. For art connoisseurs, there is a plethora of art galleries, such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or the Fashion Museum.
Marvel at the city’s architectural delights
It is a city where the old and new coexist together. Montreal is characterized by narrow streets, cobblestone roads, skyscrapers and age-old cathedrals. Take a horse-cart ride around the French colonial Vieux-Montreal and marvel at historical structures like the Old Port of Montreal, Victoria Square, the Gothic Revival-style Notre-Dame Basilica or the city’s oldest bank building, the Bank of Montreal Museum. Fun fact, filmmakers in Montreal often use the area as a setting for period films and documentaries that depict Europe.
Walk further down Saint Jacques Street, a financial and commercial hub that headquarters some of Canada’s biggest banks, or visit the RÉSO, commonly referred to as The Underground City, a complete city with shopping complexes, restaurants and an interconnected transit system built entirely underground. To the northeast, the Jean-Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in the city. It sells seasonal produce, fresh meats, artisanal cheese and baked goods and is perfect for a day of enjoying the sights, smells and tastes of products from all over Canada.
Be at one with nature
The city is home to many green spaces, parks and lakes. The Mount Royale (after which the city is named) peak and park is perhaps the most famous. Ride a bike, take a hike or plan a picnic in the beautiful surroundings. Montreal also boasts one of the largest botanical gardens in Canada, with thematic spaces, including the serene Chinese and Japanese gardens. The Montreal Biodôme showcases ecosystems, natural heritage and animal life in North America. It houses animals and birds from varying ecosystems such as lush tropical rainforests and subpolar regions. The Insectarium, the largest insect museum in North America, is an opportunity to learn about the natural habitat of insects. This summer, there is a new exhibit that curates insect delicacies for visitors to try out. So, are you feeling adventurous?
Montreal is full to the brim of joie de vivre and well-worth a visit if you are keen to explore nature and enjoy art, food and music galore.
Explore Montreal, a European-style getaway in North America
Explore Montreal, a European-style getaway in North America
Rixos Obhur Jeddah sets new benchmark for all-inclusive luxury in Saudi Arabia
- This resort is an impressive contribution to the Kingdom’s global tourism ambitions
JEDDAH: From the moment you arrive at Rixos Obhur Jeddah, it’s clear this is not just another beachfront resort — it’s a statement. Billed as the first all-inclusive luxury experience “of its kind” in Jeddah, Rixos Obhur signals a shift in how hospitality is being represented in Saudi Arabia. It is a breath of fresh air — both literally and conceptually — introducing a global resort model while remaining rooted in regional culture.
The Kingdom has long been associated mainly with business travel and domestic tourism. But it is now positioning itself as a lifestyle destination for international travelers. Rixos Obhur actively contributes to that change, offering an experience that competes confidently with established upmarket resort destinations around the world. During my stay, it was impossible not to notice the wide range of international visitors alongside Saudi families and regional travelers.
The property is expansive, polished, and unmistakably luxurious. I stayed in a three-bedroom villa designed to accommodate up to six guests. The attention to detail throughout the space was immediately noticeable.
The interiors are modern, sleek, and thoughtfully designed, striking a balance between contemporary aesthetics and warm, welcoming comfort. Everything feels new, curated, and intentional — from the furniture selection to the lighting and layout.
What truly stands out, though, is just how elevated even the smallest details feel. The bathroom amenities, including the shampoo and personal care products, are of exceptional quality — a small but telling detail that separates a luxury resort from a standard beachfront chalet experience. This is not the kind of stay where you feel you’ve “settled” for convenience; it’s one where indulgence is built into every element.
Rixos Obhur Jeddah also excels in its culinary and entertainment offerings, which are central to the all-inclusive concept. One of the highlights of my stay was the dinner and live show experience. Guests are treated to an open buffet that goes far beyond expectations, featuring premium cuts of steak, rich Turkish specialties, Arabic classics, and indulgent desserts — including Turkish Delights that live up to the brand’s heritage.
The food selection is impressively diverse, catering to an international audience while still celebrating regional flavors. This thoughtful balance ensures that every guest, regardless of background, finds something familiar and something new to enjoy. The live entertainment — including dancers and a live band — adds an energetic, celebratory atmosphere that transforms dinner into a full evening experience rather than just a meal, while the range of expertly crafted mocktails on offer further enhances the resort’s appeal.
Service throughout the property is warm, attentive, and polished, creating an environment where guests feel genuinely welcomed rather than simply accommodated.
Another standout feature of the resort is how seamlessly outdoor spaces are integrated into the overall experience. Even during warmer weather, the presence of outdoor air-conditioning allows guests to enjoy open spaces comfortably — a thoughtful adaptation to the local climate. The beach, too, is immaculately clean, well-maintained, and clearly designed with families in mind.
Rixos Obhur Jeddah offers a vision of Saudi Arabia as a competitive global tourism destination, capable of delivering world-class hospitality experiences without compromise. It successfully highlights what an all-inclusive resort can look like in the Kingdom, blending international standards with regional identity in a way that feels authentic and forward-looking.
If this resort is a glimpse of where Saudi tourism is headed, the future looks both exciting and impressively refined.
