Originally Posted by
mvtm
Hi guys,
This is one of the trips i've been wanting to make in a long time. Somehow travel winds never have taken me to Canuck territory but i am finally making one of the trips i've looked the most to do.
Yesterday i finalized booking my tickets, and i need a little help in terms of recommendations to how many days to stay in each city, desired areas to stay for tourism, and provide affordable recommendations on transportation between each city. Any help, recommendation would be strongly appreciated.
Here is how my Itinerary looks:
July 12: MIA-YYZ
July 26: YYZ-MIA
I suppose that by judging the map, i should go Toronto>>Ottawa>>Montreal>>Quebec City and back. I want to do Toronto,Ottawa,Montreal in that time frame, and probably Quebec City as it seems close to Montreal. Currently i am stuck in the planning as i don't know how many days to allocate to each city, how to transport from one city to the other (with luggage, 2 checked bags at most, probably we will just carry 1 checked bag if recommended). We are 3: Mom,Dad & Me. And good areas to stay in each city that we do not have to walk a lot.
I don't know if it's worth/viable to rent a car in Toronto... and drive myself to these cities, or just buy some Megabus tickets to get from one to the other. I'm skipping Vancouver altogether because of time constraints. I'll visit in another time arranging specially a trip to BC. Right now, i want to do what's closest/easier.
Well, to start planning first i need to establish how many days would be advisable to stay in each place given my travel frame. If any Canadian/ seasoned Canada FTer can provide with tips that would be wonderful.
I live in TO and have visited these cities many times with visiting family and friends. You have enough time to visit all 4 cities.
Starting with TO. Have you visited Niagara falls? If not, add this to your trip. It is 1.5hrs drive from TO. You can also overnight in Niagara but visit on a weekday as during the summer months it is very busy and expensive on weekends. Stay in a hotel on Fallsview Blvd and get a room with a view of teh falls - my preference is the Embassy suites or Marriott. Lots to do in TO and recommendations include a harbor cruise, theatre (second best after NY), Jays game if into sports, ROM musuem and a host of other stuff. Stay downtown if you can as you should be able to walk to most places. Decent public transport too. Most summer weekends there are major events downtown so you can choose to attend or skip. 3-5 days including Niagara.
TO to Montreal or Ottawa is around 5-6 hrs drive. Or take the coach or train. Not much to see on the drive other than flat fields so the objective is to get there quickly. I will leave the where to stay ond what do do to Montreal natives.
Ottawa is 2 hrs from Montreal. Plenty of bus options if you do not want to drive. Stay within walking distance of parliament which you should visit along with the Byward market and museums, etc. You might need 2 days max. Book your parliament tour in advance as there can be a delay during the summer months.
I love Quebec city. Closest thing to Paris without going to Paris. Stay in the old walled city and may favourite hotel is the Fairmont with a view of the river. Walk the cobbestone city, eat on the patios, visit the falls and the cathedral.
Welcome to Canada. You will have a great time.