Marvellous Montreal: A city with a distinct French accent

Montreal, the so-called "city of 100 steeples" blends old-world charm with North American modernity. Nowhere else, says The Independent, does a "multicultural community and distinct French accent stand should-to-shoulder with a burgeoning hipster food scene and plenty of high culture".

During prohibition, the Quebecois capital was known "as the place where the drink flows and anything goes, and it has been living up to that reputation ever since", says The Guardian. Only London has a higher proportion of its people employed in the creative industries.

More than 100 summer festivals, including the world's largest jazz festival (29 June - 9 July) and a globally renowned comedy festival (13 - 31 July), provide reason enough to hop on the seven-hour flight. The launch of two low-cost flights from London Gatwick remove another barrier.

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Nor should accommodation deter you: chic yet keenly priced hotels, such as ALT Hotel (with doubles from under £100 a night), vie for business with grander establishments, such as the Renaissance Downtown (from £300 ).

Throw in a burgeoning arts scene, historic city centre, some of the best museums in Canada and 24/7 retail opening hours and it's not hard to see why the city is drawing in transatlantic trade.

Flights from London Gatwick on WestJet and Wow Air go from as little as £99 each-way