Are you sticking around Montreal for the holidays? Instead of envying your south-flying friends, here are some ideas to make your staycation feel like a fantastic voyage.

1. Hit Mont Royal for some snowy (fingers crossed!) exercise

2. Spend a day relaxing at Le Spa Scandinave. We love that we can see snowy cars from the window by the hot tub.

3. Treat yourself to a night in a hotel to really feel like you’re getting away. Hotel Place d’Armes has a fab Christmas package and we love Hotel Nelligan for New Years.

4. Enjoy a classic afternoon tea at Birks Café, The Queen Elizabeth Hotel or Le Maître Chocolatier.

5. Avoid the usual crowds at Montreal’s amazing attractions, including the Big Bang exhibit at the MMFA.

6. Go see to The Nutcracker by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

7. Stay in and curl up with great books, DVDs and wine (our recommendations coming next week!)

—Jennifer Nachshen

Last year our honey took us to an out-of-town B&B to refuel our romantic fire. But we may as well have been anywhere, since we barely bothered to leave the bedroom. This year, we’re taking advantage of some of the romantic weekend specials right outside our front door.

Head to the St. Paul Hotel for a romantic evening including a 4-course meal at Vauvert, champagne and rose petals in your room, continental breakfast and late checkout (wink wink). Rates start at $279 (mention the code PVL). St. Paul Hotel, 355 McGill, Montreal, 1-866-380-2202, www.hotelstpaul.com

Don’t even bother to leave your bed with a beautiful breakfast basket from Mon Panier Gourmet ($66.50) delivered right to your door. The pastries, yogurt and fruit will give you lots of energy for… staying in bed. Order 48 hours in advance from Mon Panier Gourmet, 514-544-6195, www.monpaniergourmet.ca

If V-Day feels more like D-Day to you, grab your single girlfriends and boycott the boys with the Opus Hotel’s Single, Flirty and Fabulous package. Enjoy cocktails and cuisine at Koko from NYC Michelin star-rated chef Jay Federer’s new cookbook, Sex on the Table, followed by a gossipy sleepover in one of the hotel’s lush rooms (dinner only, $95 pp; room package from $379.) Opus Hotel, 10 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-843-6000, www.opushotel.com