Chapter V
Getting It Done
Numbers, dates, and the open questions still on the table.
One frame for the whole budget
This is the celebration trip — not the budget trip. The numbers below are the envelope, not the target. The bias on every line item is toward "nice and easy" over "cheapest possible." Spend where it makes the trip feel right; don't optimize the joy out of it.
Cost envelope
| Component | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (2 pax) | ~$700 | MSP–YUL roundtrip, one-stop only either direction. |
| Airbnb (Plateau / Mile End) | $110–$140 / night | First 4–5 nights. 4 nights ≈ $440–$560. |
| Hotel William Gray | $300–$370 / night | Final 2–3 nights, Old Montreal. Amex THC = $100 property credit toward spa. 3 nights ≈ $930–$1,050. |
| Spa treatments (Marya) | $200–$400 | On top of the $100 THC credit. Call (514) 288-4723. |
| Rental car (1–2 days) | TBD | For the rural day-trip(s) only. |
| Food | TBD | Bias toward "nice dinners are worth it." |
| Activities | TBD | Most of the joy here is walking and eating; activities are light. |
| Buffer (10–15%) | TBD | Apply once everything else firms. |
Seven-night example with 4 Airbnb + 3 William Gray: $700 flights + $500 Airbnb + $990 William Gray + $300 spa = ~$2,490 before food, car, and activities. A reasonable all-in target lands $4,000–$5,500 for two, depending on length and Quebec City extension.
Booking Plan
When to book what
- Now → mid-July: watch MSP–YUL price trends on Google Flights. No 2026-specific data is solid yet.
- ~6–8 weeks out (mid-July): book flights once pricing flattens.
- Once flights confirm: lock the Airbnb / hotel in the chosen neighborhood.
- August 9 (30 days before Sep 8): Le Violon and Joe Beef reservations open — set an alarm. Don't miss
- 30 days before Sépaq park days: book park parking online. Mandatory at peak parks.
- Eastern Townships harvest weekends: reserve any hands-on harvest activities or vineyard lunches in advance.
Open Questions
What we still need to decide
- Window — Sep 8–19 target (still weighing Aug 9–14 for birthday-month sentiment)
- Spa finale property — Hotel William Gray (Old Montreal, Amex THC)
- Total trip length — 5, 6, or 7 nights?
- Plateau-Mont-Royal or Mile End for the Airbnb half?
- 2 or 3 nights at Hotel William Gray?
- One day-trip or two? Eastern Townships day vs overnight?
- Quebec City extension — yes (6+ nights total) or no (Montreal-focused)?
- Fly vs drive from Minneapolis — flight is faster; drive gives us a car the whole time.
- Rental car — full trip, or just rural-day-only?
Things to verify before booking
- Passport expiration dates — both passports valid for at least 6 months past travel.
- REAL ID for the domestic-leg connection (or current passport at the airport).
- Confirm 2026 UCI Road World Championships dates — research has Sep 20–27, but verify before locking week 3.
- Le Violon and Joe Beef reservation policies (they can change between sessions).