carneil

Hi we are vacationing in Canada from the UK in June and we are considering traveling from Toronto up to Nova Scotia in a motorhome. After spending a couple of days in Toronto we would like to head out and enjoy a scenic trip but with activities to keep a 4 year old happy. we thought a motor home would be a good option but it looks as if it will take 2-3 days to get to Halifax and not sure how practical this is and whether we would have time to do a round trip or whether we would be better making the motorhome one-way and take a flight back. We have 10 days to take the trip to give us some time in Toronto.
Has anyone got any experience of taking this trip in a Motorhome?

irecommend

I wouldnt bother with the motorhome. It might actually be more of a hinderance. This is a lovely drive and I suggest that you go up the north side of the St. Lawrence from Quebec City through Charlevoix. Then cross over on the ferry to Riviere Du Loup. I think I would be tempted to fly back from Halifax so you will have more time to spend sight seeing.

carneil

Thanks for the suggestion - we thought a motorhome would be a good option rather than checking in and out of hotels with a small child. We haven't used a motorhome before but happy to consider any ideas.

Scotia

Another option for you is what we did one year. We flew into Halifax, picked up a motorhome there, toured the Province, and then flew home from Halifax.

LJ

We have traveled this route many, many times...we worked in TO and owned a second home, now our primary residence on the coast. We had children with us on most of those trips. I tend to agree that a motorhome may be more hindrance than help.

You can power-drive it in one night (TO along Trans-Canada highway via Montreal, stopping near Edmunston, NB overnight and ending up in Halifax by 4 pm). But 2-3 nights will permit you to see more sights, taking in Kingston, Quebec City, Trois Rivieres and more.

If you wanted to break up the trip differently, it is very pleasant to go across the border at Ganonoque, ON, and drive to Watertown, across the Adirondacks, ferry to Vermont, New Hampshire and up into Maine and cross back into Canada at Calais, then New Brunswick and NS. Or vice-versa for the way home.

Either way it is a LOT of driving and I hope your little one is accustomed to cars...I don't know that much about motorhomes, but don't children have to remain in a seat-belt while the vehicle is moving? I am not sure that having to haul a motorhome and being locked into RV parks would really make this adventure better:just more gas and less flexibility. If your child is good in the car, then it would be fun...our little ones loved it as we had all sorts of special spots to stop.

carneil

Thanks LJ, our little girl is good in cars but we weren't keen in staying in hotels or motels all the time which is why we thought the motorhome might be a good option for touring. When we are in Toronto we are staying in a rental condo.

You are right she would be strapped into a car seat in the motorhome just as she would in a car but it was more the sleeping options that we were considering and the avoidance of packing and unpacking all the time.

LJ

If that is the case and you are cognisant of the difficulties, then by all means, go for it! We took a pair of 4 year olds back and forth across this stretch of country by car several times (and 2, 3 and 5+ year-olds as well and hope to do so again as our then 4-year-old is now 29 and about to introduce another little traveller to the world!).

If you come back on with specific agenda of possible stops along the way, I will try to fill in the blanks about breaks that make sense for little people. It may have been a while ago, but some things don't change...The Big Apple, Kingston's redcoats, Quebec's funicular, New Brunswick's best picnic spot (with real bathrooms!). I hope you do this and have a wonderful trip and create as many memories as we did over the years!

carneil

Scrap the motorhome idea - was just checking about the car seat and found that the only safe place for a small child to travel in a motorhome is in the front passenger seat, which means I would be relegated to the back of the home. So back to the drawing board!
I think we will still head for Nova Scotia as per our original plan but hire a car instead. Will have a look at a map and plot out places that might be good to stop enroute. Then when we get to Nova Scotia rather than move around is there one or two places which are central that we could base ourselves for touring the Region?

LJ

I am a big fan of the South Shore and Lunenburg makes a great home base for families. There are beaches, parks, day trips on boats,the Ross Farm Museum which is a children's delight, a wonderful array of child-friendly restaurants and you are close enough to Halifax to make a day-trip to the children's science exploration centre.

I should add a disclaimer: we used to rent out our home in Lunenburg to families and that is how I know all these details, from the notes left by guests. But, I hasten to add, we no longer rent as we are semi-retired and living here full time...just so you don't think I am schilling for business, merely a proud Nova Scotian.

BAK

I've driven from Toronto to Nova Scotia and back in a converted telephone company truck, with a four year old.

We enjoyed the trip, and learned where to buy motor oilo, since the engine started to leak.

The boy was happy in a child's car seat Attached to a bench I made.

But anyway, you've given up on the motor home idea.

If you rent a car in Toronto...

Day one, Toronto to somewhere in New Hampshire or Vermont.

Day two, NH-Ver to Maine coast near Portland, up cost to Boothbay Hrbour, and overnight in Bar Harbor.

Day three, drive around Acadia National Park, up coast into New Brunswick, overnight in St. George, St. Andrews, maybe even St. John.

Day four; Fundy Park, Moncton, into Nova Scoatia at Amherst, stay overnight in Amherst, Truro, etc.

Day five: To Halifax

Day six, keeping hotel in Halifax, go down coast to Mahone Bay, Peggyès Cove, Chester

(two plans below)

Plan A -- long drives

Day seven, leave Halifax early, arrive Quebec City (this is a long day with a little child)

Day eight, leave Quebec City, arrive Toronto

Plan B -- much more reasonable drives, more fun for a child

Day seven Halifax to northern New Brunswick coast (Cambellton, Bathurst, Dalhousie)

Day eight, northern NB to Quebec City

Day nine, Quebec City to Montreal

Day ten, Montreal to Ottawa

Day Eleven, Ottawa to Toronto.

So, it is too far for your time allowed.

FASTER: Toronto to Quebec City; Quebec City to Halifax. No time to see anything,and you will pass by lots of things worth seeing.

carneil

Thanks BAK I am going to have a look at both your suggestions and check out accommodations around these areas.
I don't want to do the drive flat out, because as you point out we will see nothing. I'm thinking that if we drive we only do it one way and fly back from HAlifax to Toronto to make the most of the time in Nova Scotia.
Thanks LJ I think I will check out Lunenburg as a destination to see that part of Nova Scotia.
I would prefer to stay in one or two places in Nova Scotia rather than move from hotel to hotel but not sure how practical that is!?

irecommend

In my opinon, I have driven that route probably 25 times in my life both as a child and with children. Kids are extremely flexible in a car. With some books, toys, music they are usually easily amused. I dont think that will be a problem for you.
The main thing is that you see what you would like to see.

LJ

Carneil: here is a link to a very professional and competent group of rental properties...they have many places that would suit your family in the area of NS you are interested in. Tell Cathy and Robert that you were introduced to them by the owners of Rosier North (we used to rent through them but are working on our garden this year!).
www.stayinnovascotia.com/

Have a wonderful trip and let us know if you decide to come!

carneil

Thank you to everyone for your advice and some really useful information. We are still working on a schedule but all the input has been brilliant! Cheers from bonny Scotland