Cherry Wong

I know this is a bit awkward, but since I am traveling for the first time in Canada and my honeymoon at that, I do not know where to start my travel plans. I have 18 days honeymoon leave and I plan to go to Toronto, Vancouver, calgary, Banff, Lake Loiuse and Canadian Rockies. CAn you help me breakdown the nights I should allocate for each destination? Thanks

Bob Brown

That is a whopper of a question you pose. In the Canadian Rockies, the primary attraction is the scenery. <BR>Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper are all <BR>located in the mountains. Having been there many times, I keep going back because it is great for seeing and hiking. <BR> <BR>I think you would be better served to narrow your choice of cities and sights a little. You want to have a good time and make it a memorable occasion and being constantly on the go can be stressful. My wife and I have enjoyed a "second fling" several times in the last 15 years in the area where you are going. The time of year and your budget will have an impact on the trip. <BR>Also if you are interested in hiking, etc, it is a great area. Knowing some of your personal preferences would help in giving some suggestions. <BR>

Cherry Wong

Dear Bob, <BR>Thanks for the reply. We are planning to fly to Toronto via Cathay Pacific. From there is it practical to go to Niagra first and stay there one night before going to Toronto City proper? Or is it better to stay in Toronto and just drive to Niagra and spend one whole day there? We plan to stay at Delta Chelsea so that it is walking distance to the theater where we plan to watch the Phantom of the Opera. I think Eaton Center is also nearby. <BR> <BR>Afterwhich we plan to go to Calgary, but I do not know how many days I must spend while there to be able to go to Canadian Rockies, Banff and Lake Louise. Can I go to Banff, Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise in just one day or do I have to spend some nights there? <BR> <BR>Last Stop would be Vancouver where I 'll be staying with my Aunt for 5 nights. <BR> <BR>Thanks and I shall wait for your reply. <BR> <BR>Cherry

Bob Brown

Hi Cherry. If you have the option to rent a car, driving from Toronto to Niagra Falls is quite in order. Niagra Falls at one time was a well-known honeymoon destination. <BR> <BR>As for Banff, Lake Louise, etc in one day. Sure you can say you were there. <BR>But it is such a gorgeous area that I hate to think of you short changing yourself. Lake Louise can be viewed like the tour crowds do it, or you can savor it. In the area are many wonderful sights to behold. Moraine Lake is a grand view from the parking lot end. Although we like Calgary, and I am going there this summer, if I had to make a choice between Calgary and the Rockies, I would head west in a flash. <BR>But, I must warn you, even with the US dollar strong against the Canadian dollar, Banff and Lake Louise are expensive. We will be in the Canadian Rockies this summer for a repeat trip. <BR>I have my "beaten path" which leads me to cheaper accommodations,but I am not on a special occasion trip. <BR>Also, the time of year that you will be there has an impact on what I say. My experiences there have been in the summer. <BR>Email me directly and give me some preferences and let me see if I can respond more fully, and perhaps less boringly to those who read this forum. <BR>

Sue

Most romantic places. Chateau Lake Louise or the Post Hotel (Lake Louise), <BR>Emerald Lake (about 45 minutes from Lake Louise just into British Columbia), spend a couple of hours and go for a canoe ride (weather permitting). While in Banff go up the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Please allow minimum 2 days but preferably 3 in Banff/Lake Louise. Nothing much in Calgary to see but best is Heritage Park. Visit my travel website for specifics on these areas or e-mail me. The website is: <BR>http://www.telusplanet.net/public/al...ravelpage.html <BR>

Sue

Sorry that email address is: <BR>http://www.telusplanet.net/public/al...ravelpage.html <BR> <BR>Forgot the '1" after albear last time. <BR>

leechase

<BR>Hi Cherry, <BR>I would suggest you stay in Toronto and take a day trip to Niagara Falls. You could rent a car for the day or there are bus trips from Toronto. I would suggest spending at least 2 or 3 days in Toronto before heading out west to Calgary and the Rockies. BTW, how are you getting from Toronto to Calgary?

Brian Kilgore

You have lots of time for a great visit. <BR>When you arrive in Toronto, go to the Delta Chelsea. Stay in Toronto for 4-5 nights, then Calgary for 2-3 nights, Banff for 2-3 nights, and then Vancouver for 5 or 6 nights. It's hard to tell fromyour first message whether your 18 days includes travel time from home to Canada and back. <BR> <BR>The Delta Chelsea is Toronto's largest hotel, and can make bus tour and car rental reservations for you. Set aside a full day for the Niagara region. It is about an hour and a half drrive from downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls on a weekday morning. See the falls, visit the greenhouses nearby, take a trip on the Maid of the Mist boat that goes to the bottom of the falls, and perhaps visit the center of town, which is full of garish tourist attractions like a wax museum. Not very sophisticated, but fun. Then head for Niagara on the Lake, which is down the river toward Lake Ontario. If youhave the proper papers and want to go to the United States just to say you were there, you can cross over at Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Visit Niagara Falls, New York state. Back to Canada, and top at the butterfly conservatory on the way to Niagara on the Lake. If you like live theatre, check with the concierage at the Chelsea about tickets for the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake. The works of George Bernard Shaw are featured. And in N-onthe-L, make sure you visit the Tricia Romance art gallery, just off the main street, to see the inside of an old Victorian Canadian home, and to see two very different styles of art, the work of Ms. Romance and of Alex Colville. <BR> <BR>Back in Toronto, the top of the CN Tower is considered romantic by some. If you miss Chinese food, the finest chinese restaurant ion Toronto is in the Metropolitan Hotel, only a few minutes walk from your hotel. To enjoy the most popularCanadian restaurant chain, walk over to Yonge Street, near the hotel, and have chicken at Swiss Chalet. Not romantic, but a part of Canadian life. <BR>Strolling throught the Art Gallery of Ontario (paitings and sculpures,etc.) is romantic,perhaps, and only a ten minute walk from the hotel. For a touch of luxury, go to the Yorkville District, which takes up a few blocks north and east of the corner of Avenue Road and Bloor Street. Having a drink in the rooftop bar of the Park Plaza Hotel at that corner is pretty romantic, especially at sunset. A cruise in the Toronto harbor is fun, too. The Chelsea is a five minute walk from Phantom of the Opera, and a two minute walk from the Eaton Centre. <BR> <BR>For a real Canadian steak dinner, walkout the south door of the hotel, turn left at the street (Elm Street) and go a few doors towards Yonge, to Barberians. For Canadian -Italian, turn right and go a few steps to Il Fornello. <BR> <BR>In the west, when you leave Calgary to drive to Banff, make sure you take the old road through Cochrane, rather than the main highway. Even betteris to drive north from Calgary for about an hour, and then turn west and head into the foothills of the rocky mountains on the back roads, working your way back west and south to Banff. Many years ago I was asked to pick up a Hong Kong exchange student at the railway station in Toronto, and take him up to his new university. We brought him to our home for a meal first, and he saw his first Canadian roast beef dinner. To see what he saw, go to Bumpers in Banff or to Tucker's in Calgary. To Tony, it seemed we were going to try to eat an entire cow. When you are in Vancouver, make sure you take a day, at least, to visit Vancouver Island. Buy some Chocolate candy at Rogers Chocolates in Victoria.

leechase

<BR>Cherry, <BR>The above post from Brian is great! Follow what he suggests, and you'll have a great vacation.

Cherry Wong

Dear Sue, Bob, Lee Chase and Brian, <BR> <BR>Thank you all for helping me. All your advise are great and will really make my planning very easy. I really appreciate all your help. If ever you plan to visit Manila, Phils, please email me if you want some tips. <BR> <BR>I suggest you go here for the resort especially Palawan and Boracay. Simply the best! <BR> <BR>Thanks again.

April

As a Canadian, I would spend most of my time in the Rockies - Jasper, Banff. In my opinion it's the best Canada has to offer! Hopefully you have a car for there are many areas of interest including the Columbia Icefields. <BR>I would think Toronto and the Rockies would be enough, but if you do end up on the west coast and want to visit Victoria (and have money to spare), the float plane is a fabulous way to get there. Harbour to harbour, it offers splendid views of the gulf islands. Happy honeymoon.