|  |     Last time I took the airport bus, it stopped at many hotels, I believe
    the Sheraton is certainly a likely candidate.  Just ask when you go to
    the hotel bus kiosk outside the arrivals door.
    
    The metro doesn't go out to the airport.
    
    It should be possible to see much of the fireworks from Old Montreal,
    particularly the Vieux Port, the port facility right on the river, so
    you can get a fairly unobstructed view.  Keep in mind
    that some of the view might be blocked for lower fireworks, which might
    be the drawing card to get people to go to La Ronde (plus the music).
    
    Pieter
    
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|  |     
    1. Does the Aerobus from Dorval airport stop at the Sheraton? (or just
       the major hotels like the Bonaventure and Queen Eliz?) or would it
       be better to just take the metro? (does the metro run from the
       airport to the downtown area?)
    
> As in previous reply, the metro doesn't go out to Dorval.  I am 99.9%
    sure that the Aerobus will take you to the Sheraton.  At any rate,
    Le Centre Sheraton is about a 3 minute walk from the Queen Elizabeth
    Hotel in case the bus doesn't go there.
    
    
    2. One brochure on the 350th celebration I've received stated that you
       could buy "advanced preferred seating" for the fireworks competition
       (we'll be seeing the finale on August 2) at La Ronde. Is this indeed
       where they are held every weekend? at the amusement park? I thought
       it would be free (actually, I thought it would be in Old Montreal).
    
> As in previous reply, you can see the Fireworks fairly well from the Old
    Port in Old Montr�al.  You won't be able to hear the music, though, and
    you'll miss alot of the lower range fireworks, but the vast majority of
    people see the fireworks from the Old Port and just love it... and it's
    free.
    
    If you want to sit down (it only lasts about 30 minutes) and hear the
    music and appreciate the full impact, then you've got to buy tickets
    and head to La Ronde (amusement Park) and sit in the reviewing stands.
    There you will hear the music and see everything.  I don't think it's
    cheap, though.  I've always just seen it from Old Montr�al.  Besides
    the crowds in La Ronde are quite something, and don't forget you've got
    to use the metro to get there.  It's quite an undertaking. 
    
    3. The following is a preliminary itinerary I have planned, any
       comments would be greatly appreciated!
    
       Arrive Friday, July 31 9 AM. Exchange money and take sightseeing
       tour. Spend evening in downtown area and exploring underground
       city.
    
    > Good start.
    
       Saturday, spend entire day in Old Montreal.
    
    > The Notre Dame Basilica is in Old Montr�al... don't miss it.  It has
    one of the largest bronze sculptures in the world (the small chapel
    behind the altar), and it's a beautiful example of Gothic church
    architecture.
    
       Sunday, visit Botanical Garden and Mont Royal. Evening head over
       to La Ronde for fireworks display.
    
    > If you can, get over to St. Joseph's Oratory.  I took some friends
    from Boston there recently and they were stunned by the size of it. 
    You almost need a car, unfortunately, or take a taxi.
    
       Monday, depart at 3:00 PM, spend morning revisiting anything missed.
    
    > Have fun.
    
    Merci beaucoup!
    
    > De rien.
    
    Normand
    Montr�al 
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