Regional Information
New England & Canada
At a Glance
Currency: US Dollar ($, USD) / Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Population: New England -14 million / Canada – 33,311,400
Language: New England – English / Canada – English and French
Local Time: Irish and UK time - 5 hours/ Irish and UK time - 7 hours
Voltage: 120V/110V – adaptors purchased in Ireland or the UK can be used
Flight Time: Approx. 7 hours
Airport: Boston Logan International Airport is located approximately 6 km (4 miles) east of Boston. The journey into the city centre takes about 10 minutes.
Climate: The climate in New England is known for its unpredictability, and it varies throughout the region. Each of the 4 seasons is distinct and paints New England in wonderfully different hues throughout the year. Although Montreal does enjoy four seasons, winter and summer are the most prominent. Spring is very short, and the first hints of autumn begin in mid-August. Winter starts in October and lasts until early May.
Overview New England
New England is well known to people across the United States and around the world as a beautiful and distinctly American region rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. For visitors, the region presents four distinct seasonal personalities: lush summers to explore beaches or to bicycle along shady country lanes; brilliant autumns to drive lazily through mountains blanketed with gold-and-red fall foliage; crystal-sharp winters to ski perfect mountain slopes or poke through antique shops lining a peaceful village green; and verdant spring – the time to explore the museums and shopping of the cities or to get a head start on some cool day hikes in the mountains and countryside.
Highlights
Boston - This vibrant, thriving city is renowned for its cultural facilities, world-class educational institutions, champion sports franchises, as well as its place at the very forefront of American history.
Rhode Island - It offers urban excitement, rural tranquility, and of course, 400 miles of winding coastline.
Cape Cod - It does not take long to discover why Cape Cod is known as Massachusetts' year-round playground. You will find miles of warm-water beaches, freshly caught seafood, hiking and biking trails and distinctive architectural style of gable-roofed houses.
The White Mountains - They cut diagonally across the state of New Hampshire, rugged granite peaks that offer some of the best views in the Northeast. For centuries the White Mountains have humbled and inspired their visitors. Native Americans considered Mount Washington the home of the Holy Spirit.
Overview Canada
Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It is the world’s second largest country by total area.
Highlights
Toronto – is the largest city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in southern Ontario on the north western shore of Lake Ontario.
Montreal – is the second largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec.
Kingston – is located in Eastern Ontario. The growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post.
Niagara Falls – are voluminous waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The falls are 17 miles (27 km) north north-west of Buffalo New York and 75 miles (120 km) south south-east of Toronto, Ontario.
Getting Around – New England
Though filled with natural beauty, New England is not a land of wide open spaces, so getting around is relatively easy. Efficient public transport is widely available including buses, taxis and trains.
Health/Security
In New England and Canada the tap water is safe to drink, although many travellers do choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste of the water.
New England is bustling with a constant stream of visitors, who inevitably attract petty thieves. It is essentially safe; however generally tourists should take the precautions they would in any major city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or leaving belongings unattended.
Getting Around - Montreal
Montreal is served by a metro system, an extensive bus network and commuter rail services. Public transport services for the whole of the island of Montreal are run by the Societe de Transport de Montreal – STM.
Passport/Visa
Irish / UK citizens are required to carry a machine-readable passport when travelling to the US. Ireland and the UK are two of 27 countries where passport holders may enter the US without a visa for travel or business purposes for a maximum period of 90 days. Your passport must be valid for six months from your return date into Ireland.
All passengers travelling to the United States are now required to complete an online form used to screen passengers under the Visa Waiver Program. This is called ESTA - The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. Passengers must go to the ESTA Web site (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov) and submit their details. From 08 Sept 2010 a fee of $14 will apply for this service.
Useful Contacts
Irish Consulate:
Chase Building
535 Boylston Street
Boston MA 02116
Tel: + 1 617 267 9330, Fax: + 1 617 267 6375
www.consulategeneralofirelandboston.org
British Consulate:
One Memorial Drive
Suite 1500
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel: + 1 617 245 4500, Fax: + 1 617 621 0220
www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/
Local Emergency Services: 911
Calling Boston from Irl / UK: 00 + 1 + 617 + the number
Calling Ireland from Boston: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Boston: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Local Tourist Office:
10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510
Boston, MA 02116
Tel: + 1 617 973 8500
www.massvacation.com
Useful Websites:
www.visitnewengland.com
www.discovernewengland.org
www.newenglandtravelplanner.com
Passport/Visa
Irish and UK citizens are required to carry a valid passport when travelling to Canada. There is no visa requirement.
Useful Contacts
Irish Consulate:
1590 Dr Penfield Avenue
Montreal QCc H3G 1C5
Tel: +1-514-848-7389, +1-514-848-8711
Fax: +1-514-848-4514
Email: cdnirish@concordia.ca
British Consulate:
Suite 4200, 1000 De La Gauchetiere West
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4W5
Tel: 1 514 866 5863, Fax: 1 514 866 0202
Email: bcgmtl@bellnet.ca
Website: www.ukincanada.gov.uk
Local Emergency Services: 911
Calling Montreal from Ireland: 00 +1 + 514 + the number
Calling Ireland from Montreal: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Montreal: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Local Tourist Office:
1555 rue Peel, Bureau 600
Montreal, Canada
Tel: 514-844-5400
Useful Websites
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/
www.canada.travel