Heading to Canada '09... Need advice.

[BigTwinky]

Spending 3-4 days in Toronto and then driving down to Montreal would be an interesting trip. Its about 5 hours to get from TO to MTL.

And Duke is so very right about Ottawa in winter. Outdoor ice skating on the Rideau canal is really fun. And you can take a free tour of Parliament. My favorite Parliament story is right outside our senate, in the lobby, are a bunch of stone face carvings in the walls. The scuptures who did this had to do them all over night and felt they were being overworked and underpaid. They were supposed to carve Vikings heads, paying homage to the vikings who first landed here. But instead, every second head, is the actual head of the scupture. One of them has a berret and glasses! Its really funny.

Ok, enough of that.

If you plan on visiting New York City, well, thats about a 6 hour drive south of Montreal. So you could end up meeting a bunch of CLRs on your Canadian road trip

[BigTwinky]

Ya ok Twinky

For those not in the know, there has always been (and probably will always be) a huge rivalry between Toronto and Montreal. The hockey games between the teams are electric.

In truth, both cities are different. Being big cities, they offer the normal touristy things to do, zoos, biodomes, sport arenas, shopping, great food, nice hotels.

Most people compare Toronto to being big city New York style, very concrete, more fast paced and business oriented. Montreal is more laid back, kinda southern European mentality, coffee shops with terrasses where you can drink and watch the world go by.

They are made very differently. I find Toronto is a bigger downtown city where things are broken up into districts. Shopping, Entertainment, Bars, Dance.... where as in Montreal, things are all jumbled together and mostly all within walking distance (or a short subway ride)

Both cities are very culturally diverse, with great chinatowns and such.

Bars are typically open later in Montreal than they are in Toronto, so if you are a nightlife partier, might find more opportunities for late ventures here.

Honestly, both cities are to visit.
But Montreal is still better

[juneau]

I can't believe you guys are pushing me into driving! If i can take a flight to Montreal i will do.

[{CLR} Major.Massacre]

You should meet up with Massacre.

+1 That and im an English/Welsh background to boot! If you guys are looking at saving some cash me and my wife are great hosts! Where did my cooking apron go? The door is open Juneau.

[LIMEY]

A night at Massacre......hope your room has a lock on it (j/k)

[BigTwinky]

I can't believe you guys are pushing me into driving! If i can take a flight to Montreal i will do.

You can always take the train from Toronto to Montreal. Thats how I usually do the trip. Costs me $130 or so both ways, so probably $70 for a one way trip. Takes from 4.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on the train you take. You can even take one from Toronto to New York City (Penn Station). Should be about $90 or so and a 13-15 hour ride

http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html?...k_English_link

You can also take an AMTRAK train from Montreal to New York. Its about 10 hours. It should cost you about the same, so another $70 or so.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...2922209&ssid=4

[Storm_Shadow]

Both are unique cities in their own right and worth seeing. On another trip, definitely don't hesitate to rule out Vancouver, either. From there, you can take the ferry to Vancouver Island (about the size of great Britain ) and visit Victoria, the provincial Capitol. People always seem to enjoy going there for some reason, with its "English city" feel. (just what you're looking for, right? ). There is a lot to see on the West Coast as well.

[juneau]

You can always take the train from Toronto to Montreal. Thats how I usually do the trip. Costs me $130 or so both ways, so probably $70 for a one way trip. Takes from 4.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on the train you take. You can even take one from Toronto to New York City (Penn Station). Should be about $90 or so and a 13-15 hour ride

http://www.viarail.ca/en_index.html?...k_English_link

You can also take an AMTRAK train from Montreal to New York. Its about 10 hours. It should cost you about the same, so another $70 or so.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...2922209&ssid=4

Great info Twinky! Picked up another brochure today so we'll be discussing it indepth over the weekend.

[BigTwinky]

The west is awesome! The Rockies are really gorgeous. From Toronto, you can head out west to Banff in Alberta, check out Calgary, stop by Edmonto to see the world's biggest mall (well, it was a few years back, not sure if they still hold the record), head to Vancouver and check out Stanley park with the HUGE redwood trees...

The east coast / maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI) are also great in their own right. More small townish and the sea food is sooooo amazing.

Many choices! The only thing I would skip over are the Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces. They are considered the Prairies, and things are really flat and kinda boring. Alberta, also a Prairie province, has a little more action. You can check out Drumheller in Alberta where you can take a guided tour of an actual dinosaur archeological dig site!

http://www.dinosaurvalley.com/

[BigTwinky]

Great info Twinky! Picked up another brochure today so we'll be discussing it indepth over the weekend.

At any point in time, feel free to ask questions. If you want, we can also IM to discuss things if you need

[Slug{CLR}]

If you come to TO, you better let me know Juneau or I will find you and hurt you, well not really but you get my drift right? Hehe.

I am just outside TO but make the trip daily as I work there. You pop down and Mass and I will take you guys out for some food and drinks, maybe Brundle will be around too, have a little reunion.

Both cities are fun dude. Tons to do and see. Winter is iffy here but if you want to see it, come on down! Be prepared for cold, cold and then, wait for it.. more cold. This year its been snow, snow and, wait for it... more snow.

Summer is hot, a lot hotter than most people would think. Either way, I would love to see you if you do come. We can sample some of the local cuisine, donuts. :-)