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Only a small number of women are fortunate enough to have been elegantly draped in an Yves Saint Laurent dress. While many women dream of having a stunningly tailored, haute-couture dress in their closet, chances of this dream coming true are slim. However, if you're passionate about fashion and would like to at least have the opportunity to admire haute-couture up-close, visit The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts where you can examine 145 of the late Yves Saint Laurent's fashion creations. The collection spans 40 years of the couturier's brilliant and timeless work.

The exhibition is divided into four themes, one of the most interesting being "Lyrical Sources", fashion influenced by history, literature and art. It is said that Yves Saint Laurent studied the works of the great artists of our time, which he then translated into the fabrics he created. A great artist in his own right, it is only fitting that Yves Saint Laurent's work be displayed in a city full of fashion and art lovers alike.

Yves Saint Laurent runs until September 28th. For more information on the exhibition, visit www.mbam.qc.ca.  

You've walked until your feet throbbed, gone back and forth on the metro and even hopped onto the occasional bus. While going from one place to the next in order to be in the middle of the action is the best way to explore a city, sometimes you can learn a lot from your surroundings by admiring them from a distance. During your stay in Montreal, skip the usual public transport for one day and try something more pleasant. Get a fresh perspective of the city via a boat cruise that offers picturesque scenes that are missed up-close.

Le Bateau Mouche, which leaves from the Old Port, offers guided tours of the Montreal area aboard their charming boat. The day cruises last from an hour to an hour and a half and depart several times a day. Passengers will enjoy the experienced tour guide's commentary as the boat slowly makes its way through the St. Lawrence River, passing several Montreal landmarks along the way. These cruises are not only enjoyable but also decently priced. However, if you really want to spoil yourself, the dinner cruises are that much more special and make for a wonderful evening.

The dinner cruise consists of a 5 to 7-course meal, created by the executive chef of The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. The food, while delicious and of good quality, is not spectacular, but this is not to say it is not worth the experience. The wait staff is professional and attentive and will ensure you never see the bottom of your glass. While you dine on the air conditioned deck, which is surrounded by top-to-bottom windows so that you feel you are right outside, you will be entertained by a singer crooning old favourites. In between courses, feel free to escape to the terrace to enjoy the summer's evening breeze.

The cruise lasts three and a half hours so be sure to choose your dinner guests wisely because the only escape is plunging into the cold river! Not exactly the best idea for a blind date. By the time you make it back to the pier, the cityscape will be lit up full-force, ready for a postcard-worthy picture of Montreal by night -- the perfect picture to send to those who are stuck back home.

Sunday tends to be the most boring day of the week. People feel inclined to prep for the coming work week, catch up on long overdue chores or just lounge around recovering from a crazy weekend. Just because the weekend is coming to an end, it doesn't mean it is over! Instead of giving in to the approaching Monday blues, hundreds of Montrealers head to the Tam-Tams at Mont Royal Park to enjoy the last moments of weekend freedom.

The Tam-tams is a weekly Sunday gathering that has been happening in the same spot since the late 70's. People congregate at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument with hand drums (bongos) and play freestyle music as people from all walks of life dance freely to the hypnotic beats. You can bring your own drum (traveling hippie?) and join in on the playing, or simply show up as one of the many spectators. The environment is both upbeat and relaxing. The energetic play music or dance in the crowds while others lounge, read a book, or sunbathe, or take it up a notch and play Frisbee or hackisack. If you're traveling alone, you are guaranteed to meet some interesting people, if not other travelers.

This laissez-faire get-together runs from about May to September and starts in the late morning and goes on until dark. It's free, it's entertaining, and it affirms that you don't need much to have a good time other than be in the presence others. No wonder this tradition has been going strong for so many years. To get there, take the metro (subway) to the Mont-Royal stop, walk up toward the mountain until Parc Avenue and you will soon spot the crowds.

When it gets so hot you can fry an egg on the pavement, escape to St-Sauveur,  a small town in the Laurentians about 75 km from Montreal, where you can spend the day cooling off at the water park. This activity is fun for the entire family since it caters to all ages. You can fill the day with thrilling rides, or laze away the day poolside.

The adventurous should try the "Colorado River", where you and your partner will be seated in a raft and sent down a chute so bumpy, you won't be able to hold back the screams as you grip onto the handles so as to not be sent flying off. Another fun-filled ride is the "Rivière Grandes Casacades". After reaching the top of the ride via a chair lift, you will be sent sliding down chutes (some at very steep angles!) in an inflatable tube. In between the various chutes are small pools with ropes attached at the edges, where you will have to pull your way out of the current to make it down to the next chute. Expect laughs, flips, splashes and bumping into complete strangers, which is all part of the fun.

In between rides, relax in a pool chair and tan in the sun, or shelter yourself from the heat at one of the picnic tables underneath the tarps. There are food stands on site for lunch in case you are unable to pack your own, consisting mostly of typical overpriced greasy fare, although there is a spot where you can order fresh corn on the cob and refreshing watermelon.

The Laurentians is a beautiful region worthy of spending a few days in if time permits, especially if you're a nature lover and an outdoorsy type. Other activities in the area include golfing, parachuting, horseback riding and much more.

For water park information, visit http://www.parcaquatique.com and for information on the Laurentians, visit www.laurentians.com.