| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 2:34:39 PM | | so many Canadians on this site, no better place to ask .... thinking of visiting Canada towards year end for a couple of weeks, don't know the place very well and don't really know too many people there either... welcome suggestions/ideas on how best to spend two weeks visiting the beautiful country.... enjoy nightlife equally as much as the day time stuff.... what couple of places must I visit, Toronto, Vancouver? Im guessing its cold, real cold, over Christmas/New Year period? Thanks. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:00:27 PM | VAncouver is not too cold in that month, probably like 5 degrees and no snow, so not too cold at all.
lots to see in the big cities, but it takes a long time to see everything as CAnada is abig country, its like a 3 day drive from vancouver to Toronto.
Also good cities are ottawa, quebec city, montreal,
ask me some more stuff | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:10:14 PM | i think it depends on what you want to see and how much travelling you want to do over your time in Canada.
Re cold, it depends... it's not bad here (Nova Scotia) usually until February. There are so many different climates in Canada... some places are freezing and others are moderate. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:13:03 PM | big question..most people usually hit the cities when they first come here. personally, not a city girl but that's me. there are so many distinct areas in canada, just depends on what you're looking for. I've only seen a small amount of my country (i know, it is shameful with all the travelling i've done but in my defense it is so much more expensive to travel here than it is other parts of the world).
For me, the best area for visiting that i've ever seen is newfoundland, although my best friend told me the other day i wouldn't recognize it anymore. i lived there for three years...living there wasn't for me but it truly is a must-see in canada.
i like small town ontario too, although with the increasing urbanization it is getting harder and harder to find that, but it is still here.
whatever you choose you'll enjoy it...i know one of my 49 + 1 things to do in life includes visiting all 10 provinces and 3 territories...still got a way to go yet :)
have a good vacation and i'm sure youll be greeted warmly | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:13:28 PM | big question..most people usually hit the cities when they first come here. personally, not a city girl but that's me. there are so many distinct areas in canada, just depends on what you're looking for. I've only seen a small amount of my country (i know, it is shameful with all the travelling i've done but in my defense it is so much more expensive to travel here than it is other parts of the world).
For me, the best area for visiting that i've ever seen is newfoundland, although my best friend told me the other day i wouldn't recognize it anymore. i lived there for three years...living there wasn't for me but it truly is a must-see in canada.
i like small town ontario too, although with the increasing urbanization it is getting harder and harder to find that, but it is still here.
whatever you choose you'll enjoy it...i know one of my 49 + 1 things to do in life includes visiting all 10 provinces and 3 territories...still got a way to go yet :)
have a good vacation and i'm sure youll be greeted warmly | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:13:45 PM | what parts have moderate climates? not too keen on freezing my ass off ! 
Im thinking over the course of 2 weeks, could spend time between three main cities, Toronto, Montreal and another possibly... I realise its 3000 miles between Toronto and Vancouver... logistically I prefer not to over extend myself, focus on enjoying a couple of places opposed to covering lots of ground ! | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:41:56 PM | i can't comment on Vancouver because i haven't been there..... it would be one of the milder climates though, but you're right - there's a huge distance Toronto to Vancouver, and if you want to enjoy a couple of places rather than spending time travelling, it's probably wise to focus on a smaller geographic area.
in Canada, I LOVE Quebec. Montreal & Quebec City are two of my favorite places I have travelled here in Canada. I've never been there in winter, but i like the people, the atmosphere and the sights. There is interesting culture, history etc. That's what I travel for though - I want to see the culture of a place and historical sights, buildings etc. Toronto has a lot to see too, London Ontario is a great smaller size city, and isn't too far from TO. Halifax, where I live, is a fun but small city, Newfoundland has great scenery and also St John's is a great and fun small city. I was born in Newfoundland but have lived most of my life in Nova Scotia, and I love both places. Newfoundland has a lot of small fishing villages, some are driving distance from St John's. (BTW Newfoundland is the only country outside of europe to have a name in the Irish language, and Newfoundland has strong ties to Ireland). Newfoundland has an interesting history too, in that it only joined Canada in 1949 and was previously a British Colony and a Dominion.
But I am getting off on a tangent...
I would say if you want to focus on a couple of places, with Toronto as one, you could do Toronto - Ottawa and Montreal, or Toronto/Montreal and Quebec City. If you're talking late December, I think most of those places would be cool, but not unbearably cold. Just get a toque when you're here, eh.
If you did go further, either to the West ie Vancouver or even the praries, or to the east - Nova Scotia/Newfoundland there are lots of great things to see, I vote for the east cause it's great down here.... but really depends what you're after.
And seeing as you're from Ireland, I just was in London, Belfast, Dublin & the Boyne Valley this summer. Airfare in Canada is nowhere near as cheap as Europe, nor as convenient (IMO) as in Europe. There isn't the large selection of carriers that Europe has. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 3:55:40 PM | | Thanks all, some great information. I'll get the map out and plan accordingly.... keeping it the east coast sounds plausible. Cheers. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/7/2006 4:12:09 PM | If you're not looking to freeze your rear off, try Vancouver Island (okay, I'm biased, I know) but the temperture rarely dips below -1. It's located on the very Western Coast. It takes about seven hours to drive from end to end. It hosts some of the largest trees in North America, beautiful coastal scenery, Mt. Washington Ski Resort (for some skiing or snowboarding), ferries to Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and the US, and soooooo much more. It's got the quiet small towns of the northern tip, and the more populated cities toward the central/southern tip.
Any questions about it, lemme know :) | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/8/2006 1:41:07 PM | Yes definately stick to BC for the scenery and warmer temps. Hardll ever below 5 Celsius in the winter in Vancouver and all the night life, scenery and outdoor life you could dream of. If I'm back from Thailand you can drop a line and I'd love to show some new faces around town.
Cheers | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/8/2006 3:46:48 PM | Are u Irish Catholic, good place to see old donnelly homestead, great irish history.
Yes cold in Ontario, Vancouver is much warmer climate.
depends on what u want to see
mar | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/8/2006 3:47:53 PM | | GO TO VICTORIA BC, CANADAS PARADISE | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/8/2006 3:48:48 PM | | VANCOUVER EXPENSIVE | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/8/2006 6:12:47 PM | Victoria is a beautiful city - close ferry trip from Vancouver. You could rent a car and trek upisland to some beautiful untouched beach areas. There is also Saltspring Island for art, other small gulf islands which are cheap for Bed and Breakfast in off season. Have lots of family there and love it! Forget Winnipeg, Manitoba in winter - you will freeze your ass off | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/8/2006 7:29:01 PM | | well it might be cold here....depends on what mother nature throws our way, but the rockie mountains are beautiful.so I suggest Calgary/Banff/Jasper or intrior BC like Kelowna etc. but I guess it depends on who you talk and what part of Canada they are from. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/11/2006 11:00:17 PM | | Are you renting a car? I am guessing yes if you are planning on seeing a few places. You could easily fly into Toronto, stay for a few days and then hit the road. It is very beautiful here this time of year. It's only a couple hour drive from Toronto to Ottawa. You could hit Ottawa, see the capital and all. From there Montreal (2 hours from Ottawa) is on your way to the east coast, which you can hit from Ottawa in under 14 hours (the east coast I mean) of driving. Plus Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal all have a great night life and the whole thing is a gorgeous drive with the leaves all falling now. Something to think about anyway. | |
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fr0d
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Joined: 5/8/2006
Msg: 17 | |
| Canada...
Posted: 10/12/2006 6:47:23 PM | I've lived in Canada my whole life, and traveled it extensivly. I've lived in Toronto, Calgary, Camloops, and now Thunder Bay.
If you want a real canadiana experience, I would say go to the East Cost. I did a 3 week road trip around Nova Scotia, New Bruinswick and PEI, and honestly it was my favorite place I've ever been to. Friendliest people, still extreamly cheap (bed and breakfasts for $30 a night!). I guess it would suck right about now, I heard winters really blow over there.
Any questions feel free to ask. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/12/2006 9:07:31 PM | | Wow , another person from Tbay, y are u living in Tbay? just curious? | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/13/2006 8:21:54 AM | Toronto hardly gets any snow compared to other Canadian locations. We are just north of the snowbelt, which hits Buffalo and surrounding areas pretty hard.
I'm usually wandering about with runners or other non-winter shoes in December. I think in the past 15 years I've seen 2 "white christmases".
There's lots to do in any location you go to, especially at New Year's. As I'm a Toronto girl, and am not aware of what happens in other cities during New Year's, we have something called First Night. It's an alcohol-free event sponsored by the City in the downtown core. There's usually music, activities for kids, families and for singles as well.
If you can hold out for about February going to Quebec City would be magical because of the Winter Carnival there. | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/13/2006 8:59:52 AM | | If you like to ski or do any outdoor activities come to Vancouver. It will be warmer than anywhere else in Canada at that time of year. Plus Vancouver is at the foot of the mountains and right on the ocean. | |
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| IrishSpirit
Posted: 10/13/2006 7:01:08 PM | | How safe is it for me to visit your country? Is the I.R.A. still active? Would I feel confortable and not have to sleep with one eye open? | |
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| canada
Posted: 10/15/2006 1:16:51 AM | as the topic is on canada, no the IRA is not active here, and is - for the most part - safer than the United States with regards to sleeping.
If you are referring to Ireland; if you are travelling throughout the Republic you should be okay, and it is a wonderful country to explore. | |
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| canada
Posted: 10/15/2006 5:07:19 AM | | plp, with reference to Ireland's safety... lol... in the most recent survey (published last week) by the UN on best countries to live in the world in terms of quality of life, Canada #9, Ireland # 11... USA..30something! Kinda tells the story.... Im guessing current affairs is not a strongpoint of yours ! :) | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/15/2006 5:09:38 AM | | Druie, thanks. "First Night, non-alcohol... sweetie, I'm Irish :) haha | |
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| Canada...
Posted: 10/15/2006 10:17:48 AM | Irish, imagine, a New Year's Eve without alcohol. It's such a wacky concept that it might work :D
Hope you enjoy your time in Canada when you come. | |
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