Montreal Local Guide -Private Customised Tours

04/21/2025

The cross on top of Mont Royal usually changes to purple between the death of a pope and the election of a a new one
Montreal Expert Guide Ruby Roy www.rubyroy.ca

04/19/2025

Leonard Cohen’s Montreal with Ruby Roy
Step into the world of Leonard Cohen and discover Montreal as he knew it. As the sole Montreal Expert Licensed Guide offering Leonard Cohen tours since 1992, I am honoured to share this most requested exclusive bespoke experience. Far beyond a simple photograph by a mural, this private tour is a heartfelt exploration of the city that shaped Leonard Cohen—his birthplace, his muse, and his home.

Designed for true aficionados, this journey through Leonard Cohen’s Montreal is as much about the city as it is about the man himself. While we delve into his life, the tour also offers insights into the unique character of Montreal. To honour the privacy of residents, local businesses, and the Cohen family, this intimate experience is conducted in a discreet and respectful manner, accommodating no more than six guests.

Practicalities:
The tour is conducted with a driver and vehicle, ensuring we cover Leonard Cohen’s life story seamlessly and comfortably… A highlight of the experience is the option to conclude with lunch at one of Leonard Cohen’s favourite spots or incorporate a leisurely meal into the itinerary.
https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/leonard-cohens-montreal/

Step into the world of Leonard Cohen and discover Montreal as he knew it. As the sole Montreal Expert Licensed Guide offering Leonard Cohen tours since 1992, I am honoured to share this most requested exclusive bespoke experience. Far beyond a simple photograph by a mural, this private tour is a hea...

04/18/2025

Ruby Roy: Your Bespoke Step-On Guide
Embark on a tailored exploration with, your personal step-on guide, who will join you aboard your privately arranged vehicle. Designed for discerning travellers, this experience caters to groups ranging from four to fifty-six passengers, whether travelling in a luxurious SUV, a sleek sprinter, a mini-coach, or a full-sized motor coach.

This bespoke service offers complete flexibility, accommodating everything from highlight tours to full-day itineraries for corporate business visits, diplomatic delegations, and protocol events. Whether planning a private pilgrimage, hosting a wedding party, or providing a distinguished tour for senior groups or those with reduced mobility, this service is perfectly suited to conventions, large events, and intimate gatherings alike.

As I expertly direct your professional driver, I will guide your group through the charm and vibrancy of Montreal, focusing on areas accessible to your vehicle. Stops will be thoughtfully included to enhance your experience.

For those seeking a broader adventure, I also offer day trips and multi-day excursions to Ottawa, the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships, Quebec City, or destinations across Canada and the United States.

Embark on a tailored exploration with, your personal step-on guide, who will join you aboard your privately arranged vehicle. Designed for discerning travellers, this experience caters to groups ranging from four to fifty-six passengers, whether travelling in a luxurious SUV, a sleek sprinter, a min...

04/17/2025

CHOCOLATE LOVERS TOUR WITH RUBY ROY
Why Chocolate? Who does not love velvety dark chocolate… hummmm!

Montreal is blessed with a variety of chocolate makers and specialty chocolate sellers. Some have been around for many years, some new. Common to both is their love for chocolate and Montreal. Some chocolate flavours are seasonal. Such as fresh blueberries dipped in dark chocolate, maple and chocolate, dark bread with cranberry and dark chocolate, chocolate almond croissants and mouth-watering chocolate ice creams. As we crisscross through Montréal’s neighbourhoods we will discover chocolate. The tastings will be entirely up to guests, their tastes and budgets.

The stops and flavours will be shared upon booking. Want to incorporate chocolate into other tours this is possible as well.

Montreal is blessed with a variety of chocolate makers and specialty chocolate sellers. Some have been around for many years, some new. Common to both is their love for chocolate and Montreal. Some chocolate flavours are seasonal. Such as fresh blueberries dipped in dark chocolate, maple and chocola...

04/16/2025

MULTICULTURAL FLAVOURS OF MONTREAL WITH RUBY ROY
Montreal is blessed with every possible specialty food related shop and restaurant from around the world. I will help you discover these flavours with a Montreal twist.

My multicultural background, having grown up with classmates, friends of a variety of cultures exposed me to the world’s flavours. From samosa, zucchini flower treats, Armenian flat breads, Lebanese fattoush, Eritrean ingera, to Bengali sweet treats like piesche and much more. Learn about the favourite pumpkins Montreal’s Haitian and Asian community cook with. Have you ever wondered what to do or make with all those herbs and spices? We have several magnificent shops specialising in herbs and spices to discover.

Montreal is North America’s most southern European Mediterranean city, flavours from these regions are not to be missed on my tours!

Montreal is blessed with every possible specialty food related shop and restaurant from around the world. I will help you discover these flavours with a Montreal twist.

04/15/2025

BAKERIES AND PASTRY DISCOVERY TOUR WITH RUBY ROY
As we crisscross neighbourhoods we will discovery some of these decadent delights with a cappuccino to start our morning. There are so many wonderful, bakeries and pastry shops in Montreal specialising in French, Italian, Portuguese, Egyptian, Indian, Lebanese, Syrian, Chinese and much more. Each one has regional specialities, some items are only made for special occasions.

Montréal is known for the quality of it breads, baked goods and pastries. Tasting one of Montreal’s bagel will of course be included. Where to find extraordinary mini cannoli, mille-feuille, dark bread, natas, croissant, baguette and more. Hear about some of our well known pastry chefs such as Patrice Demers and Lesley Chesterman Experience begins in the morning.

*Not available on Mondays
https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/bakeries-and-pastries/

As we crisscross neighbourhoods we will discovery some of these decadent delights with a cappuccino to start our morning. There are so many wonderful, bakeries and pastry shops in Montreal specialising in French, Italian, Portuguese, Egyptian, Indian, Lebanese, Syrian, Chinese and much more. Each on...

04/14/2025

MONTREAL’S CHEESES AND SPECIALTY ICE CREAM TOUR WITH RUBY ROY
This bespoke culinary experience can be combined with other tours. For those who enjoy dairy products, the tastings are mini portions in different neighbourhood cheese monger shops, markets and family run business. I also offer discoveries to the Eastern townships, 2 hour drive to meet some of the producers. During this tour we will go in depth into the history of diary production including tastings of cheeses from the Canadian cow.

The largest dairy producing province in Canada, the province of Québec with around 360,000 dairy cows, 137 dairy manufacturing establishment, 5,120 dairy farms many around the Montreal regions. This is 37% if Canada’s diary production. With over 700 different types of cheeses including goat, sheep & cows milk. Climate conditions, pluviometry and soil have always given Quebec advantages in the production of grasses and pastures. Quebec’s abundant supply of high-quality forage has always been a key asset in its milk production.

During the warmer months it is artisanal ice cream, gelato spots located in fantastic and unique Montreal neighbourhoods. Locals will travel long distances and wait patiently for a morsel of these wonderful Montreal delights. Ice cream, gelato, granita, sorbets with unique Montreal flavours are hard to resist. Imagine a soft ice-cream that tastes like apple pie, maple walnut crunch. You will meet the Montreal personalities with their passion to create magical dreamy creamy delights.

This bespoke culinary experience can be combined with other tours. For those who enjoy dairy products, the tastings are mini portions in different neighbourhood cheese monger shops, markets and family run business. I also offer discoveries to the Eastern townships, 2 hour drive to meet some of the p...

04/13/2025

CULINARY DISCOVERIES OF MONTREAL WITH RUBY ROY
A casual relaxed tour full of unusual anecdotes, including stops to taste iconic Montreal flavours and unique local products in season. Stops will include one of the four year round markets built in 1933. Guests will explore Montreal’s multicultural wealth and the richness of our fertile lands. The province of Quebec is the largest producers of dairy, apples and maple products in Canada. Experience these three with modern twists.

Bespoke tastings are included in this tour. Please have a light breakfast, Lunch will not be required.

The neighbourhoods select may change according to season and the time of year. More details of the neighbourhood, as well the locations of the food stops will be communicated privately to ensure the experience remains special and unique.

Please take note that for the most part there are no restaurants stops on this tour. The tour is only offered during the day time. Ideal times are from 10h00 to 14h30.
https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/culinary-discoveries/

A casual relaxed tour full of unusual anecdotes, including stops to taste iconic Montreal flavours and unique local products in season. Stops will include one of the four year round markets built in 1933. Guests will explore Montreal’s multicultural wealth and the richness of our fertile lands. Th...

04/12/2025

DESIGN AND FASHION DISCOVERY WITH RUBY ROY
Fashion, shopping and Montreal blend beautifully. Explore Montreal’s fashion textile industry and clothing manufacturing history, which until the 1980’s was one of the most important industries in the city. Fashion is so important, the City of Montréal had a municipal department for fashion. Master hat makers, button makers continue to flourish. Would you like a great winter coat or boots? We do winter very well. Learn about the connection between the mad hatter and Montreal. In 2006 Montreal became one of the first three UNESCO cities of design. This is not a shopping tour. However if something catches your eye, try it.

https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/design-and-fashion/

Fashion, shopping and Montreal blend beautifully. Explore Montreal’s fashion textile industry and clothing manufacturing history, which until the 1980’s was one of the most important industries in the city. Fashion is so important, the City of Montréal had a municipal department for fashion. Ma...

04/11/2025

DANCE, MUSIC, THE ARTS WITH RUBY ROY
Montreal invests and encourages arts and creativity.

I have taught and studied dance for over 20 years. I am a singer, a photographer, a videographer and am deeply passionate about art.

This tour will concentrate on Montreal’s art scene. Learn how art touches us all. We have neighbourhoods dedicated to the arts. Enjoy an eye-opening tour on the various aspects of our creative side.

Incredible music festivals from electronic, jazz, pop, country and digital take place in Montréal. Le Grand Ballet, modern dance, tango, flamingo, salsa, Bollywood to Egyptian and oriental are all easily accessible. From unique street art, the underground city art scene, wall murals, artist workshops, circus, dancing, drumming, festivals and more. The National Film Board of Canada has its headquarters in Montreal in the heart downtown.

It is not by accident that Montreal is the International headquarters of the Cirque du Soleil, the National circus school and several other schools and troops.

I have unique music tours that cover the history of music in Montreal. Including’s where Arcade Fire got their start, the footsteps of Leonard Cohen’s life in Montreal, to the location where Queen recorded their only concert in 1981 as well one of the most famous bedrooms in the world, where John Lennon wrote and recorded, Give Peace a Chance and more.

Enjoy the creative side of Montreal with me!
https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/dance-music-art/

I have taught and studied dance for over 20 years. I am a singer, a photographer, a videographer and am deeply passionate about art.

04/10/2025

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! WITH RUBY ROY
Montreal is used as set for major film productions. Montreal through the eyes of a director and the film locations. TV programs and commercials have been filmed in Montreal for decades. Films, movies and productions are a huge passion of mine. Allow me to share the passion with you.

Productions including The United States vs. Billie Holiday, X-Men, The Aviator, Catch Me if You Can, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Whole Nine Yards, The Terminal, The Notebook, The Day After Tomorrow, Bernie’s Version, The Life of Pi, The life of Jessie Owen, Audrey Hepburn, Quantico, The Score, The Terminal, Canadian actor and producer Ryan Reynold’s Mayday was filmed in the village, turned into San Diego and many more…

Did you know there are many Montreal references in the popular TV series Downton Abbey?

Discover where some of the filming took place, as well as learning about the famous and award winning ‘special effects’ created in Montreal. Montreal is a hub of visual effects creative talent. Montreal founded companies such as RodeoFX have collaborated with the following productions: Black Adam, John Wick 4, Aquaman, Blue Beatle, Mission Impossible, The Witcher, Guardians of the Galaxy and more.

Come and discover this unique creative side of Montreal with me!
https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/film-locations/

Montreal is used as set for major film productions. Montreal through the eyes of a director and the film locations. TV programs and commercials have been filmed in Montreal for decades. Films, movies and productions are a huge passion of mine. Allow me to share the passion with you.

04/09/2025

THE ORIGINAL OLD MONTRÉAL EVENING TOUR WITH RUBY ROY

Have a business meeting and want to add something special to the evening events? Arriving in Montreal late afternoon or early evening?

A perfect pre-dinner activity when historical buildings are bathed in the late afternoon light the sun setting or building lit up at dusk. Old Montréal is the perfect place to have drinks or dinner with an abundance of choices. This private tour combines perfectly with a half day neighbourhood or culinary discovery tours of Montreal.


https://www.rubyroy.ca/Montreal-Tours/old-montreal-evening/
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Have a business meeting and want to add something special to the evening events? Arriving in Montreal late afternoon or early evening?