Holiday to Canada

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

We are considering visiting Canada in July/August this year, for two weeks, but confess that we know little about it.

I was thinking about Toronto/Niagara, and then Quebec and Montreal. Does that sound feasible? And if so, should we drive, or take the train? The girls are keen to do Quebec as they both study French.

Also, will it be hot at that time of year?

We like cities, but also beaches and walking. Two adults and two late teens.

Any recommendations very gratefully received.

Thank you

I'd take Ottawa over Toronto myself.

I'm from Canada and that sounds feasible. You should probably rent a car because it would be a lot of driving. Make sure to book the car rental early because there is a lot going on in the summer and last minute bookings can sometimes be hard to get and are very expensive, I've rented in Montreal often and have run into this. It can be very hot and humid that time of year. If you focus on Quebec (Montreal and Quebec City) and maybe Ottawa, you can spend a week in the cities and perhaps a week in the Laurentians (north of Montreal) or the Eastern Townships (south of Montreal) in a cottage on a lake. Both are very beautiful and there is a lot to do in either place. Like a previous poster, I prefer Ottawa over Toronto, I've never been to Niagara, but have heard it's very nice.

We had a two week holiday to Canada in August a couple of years back. It was absolutely amazing, and would happily do the same trip all over again.

We went to Toronto for the first 4 days, we stayed in an Air BnB in one of the suburbs a little way out of the city. Public transport great, no need for a car at that point. We did a trip to Niagara Falls, stopping at Niagara-on-the-Lake, this was an organised bus trip, nice and easy.

We then got our hire car and drove north of Toronto to the Muskoka lakes region. We had a cabin in the woods (also Air BnB), we stayed for a week there, and drove round visiting lots of beautiful little towns, swimming in the lakes, visiting farmers markets, museums, parks, etc.

And finally we drove on to a town called Picton, which is in an area called Prince Edward County (not to be confused with Prince Edward Island). Again, stayed in an Air BnB, we explored some more around there, including spending a day at Sandbanks National Park, which is on the shore of Lake Ontario, and has beautiful sandy beaches, it really does feel like you are at the coast. So lovely, and really not particularly busy.

We drove back to the airport from there (about 3 hours if I remember correctly), breaking up the journey by visiting Toronto zoo (late flight).

We did this trip with a young child, but it would be perfect for teens as well. Loads to do in Toronto, we could have spent longer there. And the scenery once you get out of the city is beautiful, and you can do all sorts of outdoor activities. The weather was also amazing for the majority of the time we were there.

We went pre dcs so many years ago. Montreal & Toronto. Niagara - meh but I’ve been to Iguazu so wasn’t impressed. Then we flew to Calgary & drove through the Rockies to Vancouver. Amazing.

This is all incredibly helpful, thank you so much. I must admit, I went to the Niagara Falls as a child, and was not overly impressed. It’s more that I feel we should go, rather than want to go.

Yes the Eastern Townships look glorious. We would like the walking there, I think.

Thanks for the tips re the weather. DD2 feels if you can’t swim outside, then it’s not a proper summer holiday. Sounds like it should be possible though.

Many thanks, all.

Is it cheaper to fly to Ottawa or Toronto, or indeed Montreal? I do appreciate I can find this out myself, so am just being lazy. Thanks

Following this, as we have had a similar idea for summer hols this year!

We went a couple of years ago although only for a week, before flying to Florida.

We flew to Montreal and had 3 nights there; drive to Toronto for 3 nights and one night at Niagara.

Wasn't overly hot at all. Infact we had a fair bit of rain and cloud. Was more like UK weather.