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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Eastern Canada

9 replies

Reusername · 24/05/2019 21:55

Hi, we're thinking of going to Quebec, Montreal and/or Toronto for a few weeks this summer. Really we'd like to combine a bit of city and some country/nature/whale watching. Would welcome any tips or advice including who you flew with.

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m0therofdragons · 24/05/2019 22:50

Are you set on the East? I only know the west - Vancouver, Rockies, Calgary which would give you all those aspects. We're going this summer. Pm me if you decide to head west Grin

Reusername · 25/05/2019 19:34

I'd love to go west but I want to go somewhere French speaking to help my son with his GCSE French. Plus I figured a shorter flight.

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SconNotScone · 26/05/2019 20:05

I've not been to Montreal, Quebec or any other French speaking areas, but did have a couple of weeks in Toronto and the surround lake region. Toronto was great, we spent 4 days there and did the usual touristy stuff (Niagara falls day trip, CN Tower, hop-on/hop-off bus, then general exploring the city). We stayed in an Air BnB.

We then picked up our hire car, and drove out to near a small town called Gravenhurst, which is in the Muskoka lakes region. We had a cabin in the woods for a week, and spent all our time exploring local farmers markets, swimming/paddling in lakes, woodland walks, etc etc. It was such a nice part of the trip.

We then had a final 3 days in Prince Edward County (not to be confused with Prince Edward Island), more specifically a small town called Picton. Again, we just explored local towns, spent a beautiful day at Sandbanks Provincial Park, which is a beachy park located on the shores of Lake Ontario, it is gorgeous, and a perfect way to spend a day! We drove back to Toronto airport straight from Picton at the end of our stay (approx 3 hours if I recall correctly) and stopped off at Toronto Zoo for the day, as we had a late flight. I would recommend all aspects of that trip!

Reusername · 29/05/2019 19:35

SconnotScone - fabulous thank you. Would you say three nights is enough in Toronto? I'm really interested in going out to the lake. Can I also ask you both who you flew with?

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SJane48S · 30/05/2019 07:26

If it was me I'd have 4 nights at least in Toronto - i assume you are flying into Toronto & if so, day one will be a bit of a right off! I lived in Toronto for a bit in my twenties & have been back quite a few times since. There are a number of low cost carriers I've used (all ok!) & I would fly into Toronto & out of Quebec.

I love Toronto but it's not an immediate 'wow!' city. I would second doing Air BnB & I'd go for an area like Cabbagetown or Rosedale rather than downtown. They're both attractive neighbourhoods with mostly Victorian houses & on the subway. The usual tourist shtick is the CN Tower, Centre Island, the Rogers Centre etc (Sconnotscone I'm guessing a day at the zoo must have been dragging it out a lot - it's not exactly huge!). Do get out to other neighbourhoods though - Queens Street West is arty & quirky. The Beaches (or Beach as it's also called) which you reach by streetcar is a nice stretch (,with a beach & boardwalk) along the Lake. If you are taking children, my DD liked the Black Creek Pioneer village (exactly what it sounds like - interesting for adults too!). If you want nature in the city, my favourite place was Etienne Brule park (Old Mills subway) & walk along the Hudson.

Renting cottages in the summer is very very popular with most Torontonians so if this is something you want to do then you'll need to rent a car & book early! The Muskoka area is popular as mentioned by the PP. I stayed once in Haliburton & that's great! Public transport isn't great in Canada - having said that, Niagara, Montreal & Quebec are all accessible by train (bookable in advance) & you can get to Niagara by bus.

Of the three cities, Montreal is probably my favourite. With apologies to any Torontonians, the people just seemed a lot better dressed & the men much better looking in my early twenties! It does feel a real blend of English & French cultures & from an art/culture point of view is a great place to visit. FYI most Canadians pronounce it the French way, Mon Re Al! In terms of your DS practising French, Quebecois is a dialect that has developed in relative isolation. I did go to Quebec with a Parisienne friend who did giggle quite a bit!

Quebec is lovely! Its the oldest established city in North America & it feels very European. Definetely worth a visit but maybe 2 days tops!

SJane48S · 30/05/2019 07:57

blackcreek.ca

Reusername · 03/06/2019 14:25

SJane48S thank you SO much.

Has anyone been beyond Quebec - whale watching?

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Parker231 · 08/06/2019 18:00

My PIL live in Quebec - one of my favourite places. It’s much more relaxing than Toronto and Montreal but a beautiful city.

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