Holidays

Posted this in another thread but thought it was worth putting in here. We've decided that the US is not for us this year and paid some amendment fees to Virgin to fly from Heathrow to Toronto.

We'll be doing Toronto (1 night) Ottowa (2 nights) Quebec City (3 nights) Montreal (2 nights) and back to Toronto (4 nights). Of course we'll have a day trip to the Niagara Falls. All these connections will be done via train.

Got our Canadian ETAs sorted so we are very excited about this trip now.
 
RobMCFC said:
Posted this in another thread but thought it was worth putting in here. We've decided that the US is not for us this year and paid some amendment fees to Virgin to fly from Heathrow to Toronto.

We'll be doing Toronto (1 night) Ottowa (2 nights) Quebec City (3 nights) Montreal (2 nights) and back to Toronto (4 nights). Of course we'll have a day trip to the Niagara Falls. All these connections will be done via train.

Got our Canadian ETAs sorted so we are very excited about this trip now.
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Sounds amazing
 
mcfcantc said:
Hi mate. We’re going in feb. Let me know what it’s like if you can!

Anyone else been? Any recommendations? Thanks.
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Ok Just got back.
Loved the place,we were only there 3 nights so we had a full itinerary in the days.
The arrival was a pain as it was so windy they couldn't open the a/c door (remote parking),2 hours later they finally towed us to the terminal...it took 4 hrs form parking to reaching hotel .so 1 day bit wasted
Next day we did the circle of fire tour ,well worth it for the Geyser and waterfalls and you visit the national park, Lunch was included and was lamb soup ,which was probably the best meal we had in Iceland.Long day with lots of driving around tho .
Evening at 9 pm they picked us up and drove us out of the city ,so we could see the Northern lights. Very lucky as they were spectacular that night.
Day 2 we did the lava show in the morn .ok ish but not at the top of my list,then Whale watching in the afternoon, managed to see 2 Humpback Whales, well worth doing if you like that kind of thing.
Evening we went to the Sky Lagoon, have to say sat outside in the warm pool whilst the Northern lights did there thing above was absolutely amazing and the highlight of the trip .
Minus point is its sooooo expensive, 15 quid a pint ... most bars have happy hours from 16.00 to 19.00 so that brings down to around £7 so still not great.We stocked up at man airport and was busy for most nights so didnt really affect us but if your there for a while could get costly.
Food also expensive, the soup place was about £50 for 2 soups and 2 cokes and it was really the same everywhere you went ... the cheaper eateries,take outs as well , were all about £20 for whatever you ordered and you could double that for proper restaurants .
 
RobMCFC said:
Posted this in another thread but thought it was worth putting in here. We've decided that the US is not for us this year and paid some amendment fees to Virgin to fly from Heathrow to Toronto.

We'll be doing Toronto (1 night) Ottowa (2 nights) Quebec City (3 nights) Montreal (2 nights) and back to Toronto (4 nights). Of course we'll have a day trip to the Niagara Falls. All these connections will be done via train.

Got our Canadian ETAs sorted so we are very excited about this trip now.
Click to expand...
You'll cover some miles.

In MY opinion, Toronto is overrated, but Ottawa is a nice city and the others have their own characters and histories.

There are two parts to Niagara, the shitty, gimmicky, 'amusement' part and then the part everybody knows with the falls.

I'd HIGHLY recommend going on the boat up to the base of the falls, I suspect that will be a highlight of the trip for you.

Unfortunately you're not driving, otherwise you could drive down to Niagara On The Lake, and if you're fit and healthy, stop off at around McFarland Park, park up and walk down to the water. It's a great walk amongst the trees and massive boulders and then down to the water.

Toronto. If you decide to go up the CN Tower, do it at night, you'll get a better indication of the expanse of the city.

Depending on when you're making the trip, consider a NLL (National Lacrosse League) game. It's fast and physical and makes football players look like pussies!

Again, depending on when you're travelling, but from June to mid-August it can get pretty hot. Up to +40 in summer last year, with consecutive days of +30.

Distance is measured in hours and north, south, east and west......not miles or kms. :) :)



Whatever you do...............keep away from Scarborough, some really dodgy people hang around there!!!!!!!!! :)

Have fun!!
 
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Slipper One said:
You'll cover some miles.

In MY opinion, Toronto is overrated, but Ottawa is a nice city and the others have their own characters and histories.

There are two parts to Niagara, the shitty, gimmicky, 'amusement' part and then the part everybody knows with the falls.

I'd HIGHLY recommend going on the boat up to the base of the falls, I suspect that will be a highlight of the trip for you.

Unfortunately you're not driving, otherwise you could drive down to Niagara On The Lake, and if you're fit and healthy, stop off at around McFarland Park, park up and walk down to the water. It's a great walk amongst the trees and massive boulders and then down to the water.

Toronto. If you decide to go up the CN Tower, do it at night, you'll get a better indication of the expanse of the city.

Depending on when you're making the trip, consider a NLL (National Lacrosse League) game. It's fast and physical and makes football players look like pussies!

Again, depending on when you're travelling, but from June to mid-August it can get pretty hot. Up to +40 in summer last year, with consecutive days of +30.

Distance is measured in hours and north, south, east and west......not miles or kms. :) :)



Whatever you do...............keep away from Scarborough, some really dodgy people hang around there!!!!!!!!! :)

Have fun!!
Click to expand...
Thanks, we’re travelling mid-May. If I was to drive, I’d be worried all the time and it wouldn’t be a holiday.

CN Tower is on the list and a trip up at night is a definite possibility.

I don’t think most of the family will want to go in a boat upto the base of Niagara Falls. I think we’ll be happy to walk alongside the river and admire the falls from various angles. We’ll have a look at other options before we go.

Really looking forward to seeing g the historic building and places, especially in Quebec City.
 
RobMCFC said:
Thanks, we’re travelling mid-May. If I was to drive, I’d be worried all the time and it wouldn’t be a holiday.

CN Tower is on the list and a trip up at night is a definite possibility.

I don’t think most of the family will want to go in a boat upto the base of Niagara Falls. I think we’ll be happy to walk alongside the river and admire the falls from various angles. We’ll have a look at other options before we go.

Really looking forward to seeing g the historic building and places, especially in Quebec City.
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CN Tower is a must but go up before the sun sets...the restaurant revolves...and Toronto lights up.

There's also a lovely walk of death. The lifts are on the outside as well...Great fun as they start inside...

Do the Maid Of The Mist boat, it's a great view but, if they are still open, try the tunnels under the falls.

And pop in and see @Barcon
 
cpa said:
Ok Just got back.
Loved the place,we were only there 3 nights so we had a full itinerary in the days.
The arrival was a pain as it was so windy they couldn't open the a/c door (remote parking),2 hours later they finally towed us to the terminal...it took 4 hrs form parking to reaching hotel .so 1 day bit wasted
Next day we did the circle of fire tour ,well worth it for the Geyser and waterfalls and you visit the national park, Lunch was included and was lamb soup ,which was probably the best meal we had in Iceland.Long day with lots of driving around tho .
Evening at 9 pm they picked us up and drove us out of the city ,so we could see the Northern lights. Very lucky as they were spectacular that night.
Day 2 we did the lava show in the morn .ok ish but not at the top of my list,then Whale watching in the afternoon, managed to see 2 Humpback Whales, well worth doing if you like that kind of thing.
Evening we went to the Sky Lagoon, have to say sat outside in the warm pool whilst the Northern lights did there thing above was absolutely amazing and the highlight of the trip .
Minus point is its sooooo expensive, 15 quid a pint ... most bars have happy hours from 16.00 to 19.00 so that brings down to around £7 so still not great.We stocked up at man airport and was busy for most nights so didnt really affect us but if your there for a while could get costly.
Food also expensive, the soup place was about £50 for 2 soups and 2 cokes and it was really the same everywhere you went ... the cheaper eateries,take outs as well , were all about £20 for whatever you ordered and you could double that for proper restaurants .
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@mcfcantc Northern lights, very reliant on weather obviously and we were lucky, and circle of fire tours are both worth it. As far as Reykjavik is concerned, the cathedral is a good visit, nice views from the top. We didn't go to Iceland to sit in pubs so can't tell you about prices but we did notice a lot of bars in the centre did happy hour. I can recommend Islenski Barinn if you fancy a meal out. Alongside some beautiful dishes they also do puffin, guillemot, Whale fin etc etc if you want to be adventurous. Guillemot was bloody lovely. Oh...they also do Hakarl...fermented shark. It's disgusting but easily drowned out with the vodka you can have with it. Also try the whisky...Floki. very nice.
Messin is a very good fish restaurant as well.

Lots of shops and a great record shop called 12 tonar. It's where Bjork first started out. Free coffee.
The Viking museum is also very good if that floats your bag. As is the old parliament building. The Opera House on the front is an amazing place as well.
 
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RobMCFC said:
Thanks, we’re travelling mid-May. If I was to drive, I’d be worried all the time and it wouldn’t be a holiday.

CN Tower is on the list and a trip up at night is a definite possibility.

I don’t think most of the family will want to go in a boat upto the base of Niagara Falls. I think we’ll be happy to walk alongside the river and admire the falls from various angles. We’ll have a look at other options before we go.

Really looking forward to seeing g the historic building and places, especially in Quebec City.
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It used to be that if you booked a meal in the CN tower restaurant, the ride up there was free. The Maid of the Mist to the falls isn't that threatening - the jet boat up the Niagara River is!
I wouldn't say Toronto is overrated - but it has become an eye wateringly expensive city to hang around in. The music scene and restaurants and variety have always been good, some of the more reasonably priced places to eat (chains but decent) The Keg and Red Lobster. Teronni's in TO does a fine thin crust pizza.
 
BimboBob said:
CN Tower is a must but go up before the sun sets...the restaurant revolves...and Toronto lights up.

There's also a lovely walk of death. The lifts are on the outside as well...Great fun as they start inside...

Do the Maid Of The Mist boat, it's a great view but, if they are still open, try the tunnels under the falls.

And pop in and see @Barcon
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Of course it's entirely up to you, but I'd strongly second BimboBob with the Maid Of The Mist (I think they call in Niagara City Cruises now) boat trip to the base of the falls.

It's safe and there is no danger, so need for the family to worry, but it gives you a totally different dimension to the falls and the immense power of the water. It's something you and your family will never forget.

Also, if you're up the CN Tower, take a walk across the glass floor. There is the revolving restaurant, but....

While out and about, especially out of town, be mindful of those f****ing mosquitoes.

If you have time, you could slip in a trip on the Go Train to Rouge Hill and walk alongside Lake Ontario to Rouge Beach and back along the walkway over the marsh and back to the Go Station. The walk is about 2 1/2 miles in total.

"And pop in and see @Barcon"............at your peril!! :)
 
Slipper One said:
Of course it's entirely up to you, but I'd strongly second BimboBob with the Maid Of The Mist (I think they call in Niagara City Cruises now) boat trip to the base of the falls.

It's safe and there is no danger, so need for the family to worry, but it gives you a totally different dimension to the falls and the immense power of the water. It's something you and your family will never forget.

Also, if you're up the CN Tower, take a walk across the glass floor. There is the revolving restaurant, but....

While out and about, especially out of town, be mindful of those f****ing mosquitoes.

If you have time, you could slip in a trip on the Go Train to Rouge Hill and walk alongside Lake Ontario to Rouge Beach and back along the walkway over the marsh and back to the Go Station. The walk is about 2 1/2 miles in total.

"And pop in and see @Barcon"............at your peril!! :)
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Oi.
 
RobMCFC said:
Thanks, we’re travelling mid-May. If I was to drive, I’d be worried all the time and it wouldn’t be a holiday.

CN Tower is on the list and a trip up at night is a definite possibility.

I don’t think most of the family will want to go in a boat upto the base of Niagara Falls. I think we’ll be happy to walk alongside the river and admire the falls from various angles. We’ll have a look at other options before we go.

Really looking forward to seeing g the historic building and places, especially in Quebec City.
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I'm sure you'll have a great time. I'll be heading out of the City for the summer on 15th of May and will be about two hours west of Ottawa, near Algonquin park.
Too bad you're not driving as I could have shown you around this stunning area.

In Toronto, try to get down to, the Beaches neighbourhood. Lots of food, drink etc. and right on lake Ontario.
Also think about making the short trip to Greektown on the Danforth (I'm going on Saturday) for some delicious, authentic Greek food and various live music venues.
 
RobMCFC said:
Thanks, we’re travelling mid-May. If I was to drive, I’d be worried all the time and it wouldn’t be a holiday.

CN Tower is on the list and a trip up at night is a definite possibility.

I don’t think most of the family will want to go in a boat upto the base of Niagara Falls. I think we’ll be happy to walk alongside the river and admire the falls from various angles. We’ll have a look at other options before we go.

Really looking forward to seeing g the historic building and places, especially in Quebec City.
Click to expand...
If you were planning to go to Disney, then perhaps have a look at Canada's Wonderland, just north of the city. It's not Disney, but it should appeal if you have kids.

Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto.

Rainforest Cafe in Niagara.

Byward Market in Ottawa. Lots of talented buskers around as well.
Perhaps have a walk along Spark Street in the evening, there's usually some things of interest going on.
In my opinion Ottawa is a much nicer city than Toronto ever is, much more interesting and relaxed.

If you want a stress free holiday, then not renting a car in Toronto was probably a good idea. If people think the M25 is bad, they should check out the 401 around Toronto, because it's simply a total free for all and Canadians are generally poor drivers anyway. Tailgating, no lane discipline at all, bumper to bumper congestion and that's on a good day!!

I'm not sure why Barcon can't pick you up, he's got a 4x4 and a wee trailer, you could have a little taste of rural Canada. :)
 
RobMCFC said:
Thanks, we’re travelling mid-May. If I was to drive, I’d be worried all the time and it wouldn’t be a holiday.

CN Tower is on the list and a trip up at night is a definite possibility.

I don’t think most of the family will want to go in a boat upto the base of Niagara Falls. I think we’ll be happy to walk alongside the river and admire the falls from various angles. We’ll have a look at other options before we go.

Really looking forward to seeing g the historic building and places, especially in Quebec City.
Click to expand...
Watch out for the likes of @Barcon lurking in dark places
 
Slipper One said:
If you were planning to go to Disney, then perhaps have a look at Canada's Wonderland, just north of the city. It's not Disney, but it should appeal if you have kids.

Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto.

Rainforest Cafe in Niagara.

Byward Market in Ottawa. Lots of talented buskers around as well.
Perhaps have a walk along Spark Street in the evening, there's usually some things of interest going on.
In my opinion Ottawa is a much nicer city than Toronto ever is, much more interesting and relaxed.

If you want a stress free holiday, then not renting a car in Toronto was probably a good idea. If people think the M25 is bad, they should check out the 401 around Toronto, because it's simply a total free for all and Canadians are generally poor drivers anyway. Tailgating, no lane discipline at all, bumper to bumper congestion and that's on a good day!!

I'm not sure why Barcon can't pick you up, he's got a 4x4 and a wee trailer, you could have a little taste of rural Canada. :)
Click to expand...
A taste of something unwanted for sure
 
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