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Holidays

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

Original poster

Canada; Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal

26 replies

Jostar2 · 27/02/2023 14:14

We are looking at a trip to Canada in summer 2023 with our 2 teenage daughters (16 & 17), probably the last long-haul holiday as a family. We need to fly BA as have airmile companion vouchers to keep the cost down. We will have max 2 weeks.
DH and I went to BC many years ago ( Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria & Kelowna) and would happily go back but also happy to try somewhere else. Also anticpating airmile flights to Vancouver will be hard to come by and expensive.
Happy to do 3-4 locations but don't want huge drives in between and need to fly in/out of same airport. Teens are (as always) hard to please so need things to keep them interested.
I've been leaning towards Toronto to incorporate city, Niagra, theme/waterpark and some nature/relaxation, plus the flights seem more available, shorter and cheaper.
But would they be more impressed by BC? Or are we missing something Montreal & surrounding area could offer?

We expect to have the opportunity to go again sometime without the teens so this really is about the best option as a family.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 27/02/2023 14:16

Everyone on here seems to rate BC.

I will say that Niagara is the Blackpool of Canada, tacky and cheap. I loved it but it's not fancy.

movehimintothesun · 27/02/2023 14:24

We've done trips to both sides with our 2 DD's.
Firstly I'd say this is a win/win choice - all options here are good.

Sounds like you already know what Vancouver/BC had to offer already. The Rockies (Banff/Calgary/Jasper) are really 'wow' - but a very big drive from Vancouver, so depends if you're up for that, and how long you've got. (We flew into Calgary and out of Vancouver so saved the return drive at least)

This yr we flew into Toronto and out of Montreal, including a trip to Quebec (internal flight). Niagara is a total theme park as a town, as PP says - but the falls are still amazing, and you can do all the over, under, behind etc in a couple of days.
From there we travelled in a Campervan to Mantoulin Island (First Nations & wilderness), and to Algonquin NP (truly stunning). We flew to Quebec, and travelled to Tadoussac, where the whale watching was out of this world.

So, win-win!! Plenty to do either way I'd say Smile.

Choconut · 27/02/2023 14:26

Toronto is boring and Niagra is tacky. I would go back to Vancouver and BC though in a heart beat. Nothing on the East coast comes close to the West coast IMO. BC has some of the best scenery in the world, it's just breath taking - I went to Jasper, did all sorts of amazing hikes and day tours and saw bears, wolves elk and beavers, amazing glaciers and fantastic waterfalls.

Choconut · 27/02/2023 14:28

Oh also I got the standard train (overnight) from Vancouver to Jasper, I woke up to see a bear on the way and they stopped for us to see waterfalls along the way too.

Choconut · 27/02/2023 14:35

Also I recommend Stanley Park in Vancouver for the totem poles and also the Vancouver anthropology museum. Get the teenagers hiking up the Grouse Grind, there are two beautiful rescued grizzlies at the top in a sanctuary, then you can get the cable car back down.

CharlotteDoyle · 27/02/2023 14:48

Agree with pp: head to the west coast. I've lived in both Toronto and Montreal and they wouldn't be places I'd recommend for your last long haul family holiday. Unless perhaps you would consider spending some the time away from the cities camping or renting a lakefront cottage, which is what the Canadians like to do in summer.

ProfessorLayton1 · 27/02/2023 15:22

I would suggest decide fast and book accommodation as soon as you can especially if you are going to the Rockies.

Original poster
Jostar2 · 27/02/2023 15:29

I forgot what tear it was, I meant 2024!

OP posts:
knottsberryfarm · 27/02/2023 17:49

I would head to Vancouver I loved it there. Having said that I liked Toronto and loved Niagara Falls too, tacky or not! Montreal I would not go back to and would head to Quebec instead. If staying on the east coast I’ll throw Ottawa into the mix. We stayed there en route to a cabin by a lake near Lanark county . It made for an interesting stopover.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/02/2023 18:58

If you do go east, there's some incredible sights in northern Quebec. Most tourists never see the North of Canada, missing the proper wilderness, First Nations culture and 'real' Canada.

Where people leave their doors open and you won't see anyone for hours. No services including 911 in places.

LIZS · 27/02/2023 19:04

Niagara is fine but there is relatively little else to do in Toronto for more than a couple of days.

Dinogeorge · 27/02/2023 19:10

Vancouver is my favourite city, I’d live there if I could! You could fly in to Calgary - the city isn’t as nice as Vancouver but Banff is only about an hour’s drive from there so you get the best of both worlds

PinkPondQueen · 27/02/2023 19:25

Totally agree with everyone here, West Coast is best, particularly the Rockies.. I don't think BA fly to Calgary though. Will you have time for a return road trip from Vancouver?

rookiemere · 27/02/2023 19:28

Vancouver and get the ferry to Van Island. Still DS favourite holiday as a child.

ProseccoOnIce · 27/02/2023 19:33

I'd go the Rockies, then Vancouver & get a seaplane over to the island - wasn't so impressed with Victoria but absolutely loved Tofino & surroundings - then got the ferry back to Vancouver.

mdinbc · 27/02/2023 19:48

Ditto BC, but then I live here. Whistler is fantastic in the summer with lots to go and great weather. So you could do Vancouver, Whistler and maybe Vancouver Island if you had time.

CottonSock · 27/02/2023 19:51

I didn't rate Toronto either. Also i find vancouver weather much nicer.

Squiblet · 27/02/2023 19:56

I'm from Toronto and agree it is pretty boring for anyone over about six years old. Ottawa even more so, especially in summer when you can't do any winter sports.
Vancouver Island is lovely, from what I remember.

adriftabroad · 27/02/2023 19:56

Toronto is boring.
Montreal OK (lived there. Teens would like it)
I heard BC is fabulous (friends and family there)

beeetroot · 27/02/2023 21:38

I haven't been to Vancouver so can't compare, but we had the most fantastic trip with our teens to Montreal, Toronto, N. Falls and Chicago tacked on the end - this was possible with an internal flight through a brilliant-value BA package.

We went by train between Montreal and Toronto, then got a megabus to/from NF.

I agree that the NF town is tacky but the falls themselves are breathtaking and the waterfront area is well-kept. To my amazement the teenagers were happy just watching the falls for hours. There's a great bus system which takes you all around the area including Niagara on the Lake, a gorgeous little town.

Montreal is beautiful, full of exquisite buildings, and being French-speaking adds a layer of interest.

Toronto is full of sights - CN Tower and nudist beach stick in my mind 😁And a lovely waterfront setting.

Kualma · 28/02/2023 09:23

I must be the only one who enjoyed Toronto! Good selection of museums, I really enjoyed Casa Loma, CN Towers & Toronto Islands. It’s a very walkable city and has some great restaurants.

pastaislife · 28/02/2023 22:32

We also really liked Toronto! Did Toronto, Algonquin and Niagara Falls/on the lake in just over a week but was quite rushed. In 2 weeks could spend a couple of days in each place, maybe train up to Montreal for a few days too!

TizerorFizz · 28/02/2023 23:29

@Jostar2 Good luck with getting the flights on companion vouchers in high season. That won’t be easy and we have never managed it, although we like business. I assume you don’t actually have them yet?

As for your question: Vancouver. Then either go to Vancouver Island, the Rockies or both! Vancouver is great for a few days too. Brilliant museum of First Nation Culture at the University.

Original poster
Jostar2 · 01/03/2023 09:26

TizerorFizz · 28/02/2023 23:29

@Jostar2 Good luck with getting the flights on companion vouchers in high season. That won’t be easy and we have never managed it, although we like business. I assume you don’t actually have them yet?

As for your question: Vancouver. Then either go to Vancouver Island, the Rockies or both! Vancouver is great for a few days too. Brilliant museum of First Nation Culture at the University.

Yes of course that is the biggest limiting factor! I have one voucher already so have been able to search for this summer ( we're actually looking at 2024 not 2023 as I originally posted) and there is some availability but Toronto much more available (and cheaper) than Vancouver.... I should get the 2nd voucher this summer if I time it right hence wanting to make a decision so I can check flights as soon as they come out and having a plan A & B.

OP posts:
RedFolder · 01/03/2023 10:33

You can also use your BA companion voucher on Aer Lingus and Iberia flights. Depending on where you are and if you’re able to tack on a day or two in Madrid, these might be more convenient/cheaper.

BA companion voucher