Scheduling conundrum ...

[NotQuiteCockney]

Ok, I'm starting to tie down the details of our upcoming Canada trip.

We have a week in Toronto, sorted, accomodation, all firm - I have a big reunion to go to there.

I want a week in Montreal, at the end of the holiday, so I'm not stressed about the unpleasantness of Toronto , just relaxing.

And we're planning a week (or a bit less) in the countryside. Which can be either before Toronto or after.

Reasons to have it before:

• we will be jetlagged, which might be nicer in the countryside? We'll be at a resort with little to do.
• having it before will mean we're home a week before school starts, rather than just a few days. (I think? must check school start date for September!)

Reasons to have it after:

• it is a long way from the airport, so we'll arrive in Canada and then have a nightmare journey
• it is on the way to Montreal, although, to be fair, with travel by train, it doesn't gain us that much. We could rent a car in Toronto and drop it off in Montreal, though? Then we'd have a car in the country, which would be useful, tbh.
• we have a concert in London a week before we're due to be in Toronto, so we won't be leaving soon after the concert.
• the countryside accomodation might not have a kitchen, so when we're all starving to death at 5am, the day after we get to Canada, we'll have to go out and kill and eat a loon. Which won't make us very popular.

So, yeah, basically, I'm wavering a lot. The Toronto dates are firm - we have to clear out the day after the reunion, and we want a week (or so) there, so have to get there a week before.

Any thoughts? Are there points I've missed?

NQC, you forgot to list which you thought was more relaxing You also could do a couple days outside Toronto before your week there, then a few days getting to Montreal via countryside after Toronto.

Quite often what we do is plan to stay at a hotel near the airport that first day. So plane usually lands sometime after 3pm, we get one with a pool. Get to hotel, have a swim, order room service. DC usually crash between 6 & 7pm. We crash, they sleep till morning because the are exhausted from being up the extra 5 hrs. We all wake refreshed, on the right time and ready to travel to wherever we are going next.

Funnily, we are doing exactly that this summer. Flying into Toronto. Believe we are staying over 1 night near airport, then another day before getting a train to Windsor, then pickup up by my dad and driven into the US. Return trip is via ferry over the great lakes, (next day) train to Toronto. Day with family in Toronto then home.

Oh, I get annoyed by hotels, we always stay in self-cateringy sorts of places ... a night in a hotel near the airport might make sense, though, with this plan, I hadn't thought of that.

By 'countryside', I think, I am planning to stay at the same resort we went to last time. It's ok, and quite near where my dad lives. Kids' activities, canoeing, nice food, etc etc.

(My problems with Toronto are down to my family, not down to the city itself, although I do really prefer Montreal in every possible way. )

I am coming around on the 'night near the airport' idea. We could have 24/7 food there, so the fact that the kids and I will be up from 3 or 4 in the morning the first night would be ok. DH could rest, and then would be ok to drive to the resort. We could rent a car in Toronto, and then return it to Toronto, which has to be cheaper than taking it from Toronto to Montreal (I'd rather take the train for that journey, anyway!).

Sorry -- major drama last night, so didn't get back here.

Over the years we have found the first night in a hotel thing to really work for us. So much, that occasionally we broke a connecting journey once we touched down in the US / Canada just to do it.

Nothing is worse than driving just after a transatlantic, I think. The car rental returning to Toronto is good sense, they charge a shocking premium to do a one way. Usually around the $100 mark. Plus then you get to enjoy a lovely train ride.

(I know what you mean about relatives in Toronto -- its been 10 yrs since we've done this bunch )

I am pretty sure DH would refuse point blank to drive after a transatlantic. Can't say I blame him - it surely isn't safe.

Well, it looks like I've got a Toronto house and Montreal flat. Once we decide on dates, I'll start getting the rural bit sorted, and the airport hotel.

Oh, I don't know what bit of Toronto you're going to, or how old your kids are, but Dufferin Grove is really worth a visit if you get a chance. (Are you from Toronto originally?)

I'm not sure what part of Toronto I'm going to either My DC are 6 & 3 so is that good for them??

I am from the US (Ohio orginally, though DH & I lived in NJ for a while) but have been over here 12yrs in Aug. The realatives are DHs cousins & Aunt. His Aunt left the UK a looooong time ago. But one of his cousin's has children 7 & 4, so good for my two. DH says that he has sorted with them for us to stay with them......I hope so, as none of them are good at comunicating!!!

Sounds as if your trip is coming together. Where are you flying from?? We're trying out Globespan flying from Stansted to Toronto / Hamilton. Should be interesting. At least as we live 15 min from Stansted it won't be a killer drive home after the long flight back (2 days before school starts!!)

(you from Canada orginally??)

I am from Canada originally - Toronto, even.

My two will be nearly-six and nearly-three, so much the same.

I expect your Toronto relatives will have lots of recommendations, anyway, but Dufferin Grove and the Islands are good, as are Ontario Place and the CNE (if you're there for it).

We're only in Toronto for 1 day really, on the way back. On our "transfer" days we're staying outside of Toronto, I forget what town but it is on a lake. Maybe next time we'll have to spend more time there (if the kids get along.......)

Good luck with your planning

Ah. Toronto is a nice place to visit with kids, anyway. Lots of cheap and good food, lots of destinations, nice public transit.

I think we will do the overnight hotel thing, anyway. DH says he would drive after a UK->Canada flight if we arrive in Canada at noon or something, not 5pm. But that means we have to leave London stupidly early, which is a bit pointless if you're trying to shift your body clock later, isn't it?

It looks like we will end up flying out the morning after the concert. Maybe ...

I try to get something that lands 4ish that way by the time you clear customs & immigration it is dinner time then not to long till bed for DCs. Worked well with us 2 yrs ago, so hoping it does so again.

Landing at noon makes it a really long day for DC, also they would probably fall asleep in car and thus not adjust as well I am thinking to the new time.

So many decisions aren't there?