18 nights in Canada ALONE-4 star hotels
Apr 7th, 2005 | 01:51 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
18 nights in Canada ALONE-4 star hotels
I'm planning a trip to Canada from june 24 to july 14.Here in Brasil the travel agencies suggest 9 nights in Toronto/Vancouver/Montreal/Quebec area and 9 nights in Vancouver/Banff/Lake Louise/Victoria area.As I'm travelling alone,I want to know if this is a good itinerary,how are the cities,nightlife.From Toronto to Vancouver I'll fly but the rest of the tour will be by bus or car.And any suggestions of 4 star hotels centrally located and restaurants.Thanks
Apr 7th, 2005 | 04:02 PM
#2
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
Wow, I've been to all of those places, and while I suspect the 9-and-9 suggestion was just random, I would say the general concept is suitable.
(assuming "Vancouver" should NOT have been in the first group per your mistake?)
With "9" nights to spend on the eastern leg of your trip, I might even consider omitting the "Quebec (QUEBEC CITY, I presume???)" part and then divide your nights between Toronto and Montreal, with perhaps one or two nights spent in transit between the two? (Ottawa maybe?)
I just think that while Quebec City is unique and interesting, your "Canada" experience should give you more time in those larger places, while saving your nature experiences for the western leg.
Quebec City is more foreign and french (than Montreal)as we in the USA see it, but for you, Topeka, Kansas would be "foreign" (we must remember).
On the western side, I would allocate 2 nights to Victoria... 4 or 5 to downtown Vancouver, and if your interest is the "Canadian Rockies", then your other 2 or 3 nights in that area.
(Canadian Rockies = Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, etc.)
Wildly guessing, I'd do the eastern leg first on the chance that Toronto weather will be slightly more comfortable in late June than in early July, and that the western side will have slightly less chance of rain in early July than in late June.
Glad that you were asking about the cities and nightlife, as that implies that you'd be most content in those cities vs. continued extra travel.
I think you'll find that Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal each have plenty of nightlife for you to experience, and that Victoria may be a little slower in that regard, but much more casual nightspots than larger cities are used to. (couches in many of the watering holes in Victoria, indeed a cozy atmosphere)
If you were from USA or Canada I would completely endorse the idea of booking 4-star hotels by using Priceline.com, a discount online website where you "bid" the price you're willing to pay and they then contact their string of hotels to find one who will book you at that price.
I am slightly (but only "slightly"
fearful that you will be dissuaded by the uncertainty with which foreign residents interact with Priceline.
Perhaps you'll read that "nothing in Priceline rules says that non-US users aren't allowed", and if you read that then take it to mean that Priceline would work OK for you.
Investigate www.biddingfortravel.com to fully understand what I'm suggesting before you actually go to Priceline.com
I believe that a tourist who is alone can save hundreds of dollars on such a vacation through the use of Priceline, while still getting the 4-star hotels he/she desires.
FYI - I coach a Canadian friend to use Priceline for his US visits all the time, with zero problems.
From what you've said so far, I think I've covered as much as I can.
I live not far from Vancouver and I go there often.
(assuming "Vancouver" should NOT have been in the first group per your mistake?)
With "9" nights to spend on the eastern leg of your trip, I might even consider omitting the "Quebec (QUEBEC CITY, I presume???)" part and then divide your nights between Toronto and Montreal, with perhaps one or two nights spent in transit between the two? (Ottawa maybe?)
I just think that while Quebec City is unique and interesting, your "Canada" experience should give you more time in those larger places, while saving your nature experiences for the western leg.
Quebec City is more foreign and french (than Montreal)as we in the USA see it, but for you, Topeka, Kansas would be "foreign" (we must remember).
On the western side, I would allocate 2 nights to Victoria... 4 or 5 to downtown Vancouver, and if your interest is the "Canadian Rockies", then your other 2 or 3 nights in that area.
(Canadian Rockies = Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, etc.)
Wildly guessing, I'd do the eastern leg first on the chance that Toronto weather will be slightly more comfortable in late June than in early July, and that the western side will have slightly less chance of rain in early July than in late June.
Glad that you were asking about the cities and nightlife, as that implies that you'd be most content in those cities vs. continued extra travel.
I think you'll find that Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal each have plenty of nightlife for you to experience, and that Victoria may be a little slower in that regard, but much more casual nightspots than larger cities are used to. (couches in many of the watering holes in Victoria, indeed a cozy atmosphere)
If you were from USA or Canada I would completely endorse the idea of booking 4-star hotels by using Priceline.com, a discount online website where you "bid" the price you're willing to pay and they then contact their string of hotels to find one who will book you at that price.
I am slightly (but only "slightly"
fearful that you will be dissuaded by the uncertainty with which foreign residents interact with Priceline.Perhaps you'll read that "nothing in Priceline rules says that non-US users aren't allowed", and if you read that then take it to mean that Priceline would work OK for you.
Investigate www.biddingfortravel.com to fully understand what I'm suggesting before you actually go to Priceline.com
I believe that a tourist who is alone can save hundreds of dollars on such a vacation through the use of Priceline, while still getting the 4-star hotels he/she desires.
FYI - I coach a Canadian friend to use Priceline for his US visits all the time, with zero problems.
From what you've said so far, I think I've covered as much as I can.
I live not far from Vancouver and I go there often.
Apr 7th, 2005 | 05:50 PM
#3
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 0
If you are travelling alone, you may not want to drive from Vancouver to Banff/Lake Louise. It's a long trip, 900 km through mountainous country, and will take you either one very long day of driving or two more leisurely days - and that's only in one direction.
If you really want to see the Rocky Mountains, fly from Vancouver to Calgary (a little less than 1.5 hours flying time), and from there drive one hour west to Banff.
In Banff, the Rimrock and Banff Springs Hotel would both fit your needs; the Rimrock is newer, Banff Springs is a Fairmont Hotel and a classic.
Hope this helps.
If you really want to see the Rocky Mountains, fly from Vancouver to Calgary (a little less than 1.5 hours flying time), and from there drive one hour west to Banff.
In Banff, the Rimrock and Banff Springs Hotel would both fit your needs; the Rimrock is newer, Banff Springs is a Fairmont Hotel and a classic.
Hope this helps.
Apr 8th, 2005 | 02:58 AM
#5
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
You'll miss the real Canada while staying in the big cities - the nightlife is everywhere the same, but nowhere like in Brazil (I did several trips to your country, incl. carneval). And concentrate on one or two privinces like BC and Alberta. One of the best trips ever would be to land in Vancouver, visit Vancouver Island (1 - 3 days trip to book in your hotel, much cheaper than with travel agent), than fly or drive to Kelowna, visit the vineyards (awardwinning wines) and the desert (yes, real desert at Ossoyus), than drive to the Columbia Valley (stay at http://www.mulvehillcreek.com for a few days, no nightlife, nature pure! three national parks!) visit forests with 900 years old trees, canoe (free) on the priscine lake, that go slowly east through the Rockies and have yopur fun at Banff etc. and fly back from Calgary. Best Guidebook: Frommer's
Bon Voyage!
Rene J Hueppi, Hon.D.phil. and innkeeper
Bon Voyage!
Rene J Hueppi, Hon.D.phil. and innkeeper
Apr 8th, 2005 | 04:14 AM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,944
Likes: 0
I don't really understand including Vancouver in the first group, unless it means visiting the other cities and then spending a day flying west to Vancouver.
And if I undeerstandyour plans, you have 30 days or so, not 18 days. The 9 plus 9 is just the suggestion of the travel agents.
If I was planning this trip for you, based on 9 plus 9 days.
Fly from Brazil to Montreal, take train from Montreal to Ottawa, Ottawa to Kingston, Kingston to Toronto.
Or, even better if you like to drive, and/or want to take serious photographs, rent a car in montreeal and drive to Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto.
If you do the car driving, keep the car the first night in Toronto and go to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake the next day, and then return to Toronto and give the car back to the rental agency. There will be an extra charge for leaving a Montreal car in Toronto, but it will not be too large.
About mountains -- there is some confusion, even in Canada, about where the Rocky Mountains are. They are along the border between the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, and are NOT along the west coast of British Columbia. Those are the Coast Mountains, and it is a long day's drvie from the coast mountains to the Rocky Mountains.
Fly from Toronto to Calgary, Alberta. It is the largest city in Alberta, is close to the Rocky Mountains, and has fine nightlife.
From Calgary, try to find a Canadian cowboy rodeo in a small town near Calgary. There are likely to be these in the time period you are in Canada.
Again assuming you like to drive, fro Calgary drive to Banff, in the Rockies, then north to the Columbia ice fields, back to Banff or the nearby village of Lake Louise, and then drive west through the Okanogan Valley and to Vancouver. Banff to Vancouver could take you two or three days, depending on your pace.
Keep the car in Vancouver and the next day drive, via ferry boat, to Vancouver Island and visit Victoria, and, if you like nature, Long Beach and Tofino, on the very west edge of North America.
You could spend a couple of days on Vacnouver Island.
Drive back to Vancouver and decide if you want to keep the car (I would) or drop it off and take public buses, etc., to see that city.
About hotels -- the big cities like MOntreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver all have big chain hotels like Westin Sheraton, Hyatt, etc., and there are Four Sesons Hotels in Toronto and Vancouver.
Smaller places have nioce hotels. The Choice Hotels chain is a good chain to choose, but many do not have swimming pools.
The big cities all have clubs and restaurants in several downtown areas, plus lots of theatre, and music.
BAK
And if I undeerstandyour plans, you have 30 days or so, not 18 days. The 9 plus 9 is just the suggestion of the travel agents.
If I was planning this trip for you, based on 9 plus 9 days.
Fly from Brazil to Montreal, take train from Montreal to Ottawa, Ottawa to Kingston, Kingston to Toronto.
Or, even better if you like to drive, and/or want to take serious photographs, rent a car in montreeal and drive to Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto.
If you do the car driving, keep the car the first night in Toronto and go to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake the next day, and then return to Toronto and give the car back to the rental agency. There will be an extra charge for leaving a Montreal car in Toronto, but it will not be too large.
About mountains -- there is some confusion, even in Canada, about where the Rocky Mountains are. They are along the border between the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, and are NOT along the west coast of British Columbia. Those are the Coast Mountains, and it is a long day's drvie from the coast mountains to the Rocky Mountains.
Fly from Toronto to Calgary, Alberta. It is the largest city in Alberta, is close to the Rocky Mountains, and has fine nightlife.
From Calgary, try to find a Canadian cowboy rodeo in a small town near Calgary. There are likely to be these in the time period you are in Canada.
Again assuming you like to drive, fro Calgary drive to Banff, in the Rockies, then north to the Columbia ice fields, back to Banff or the nearby village of Lake Louise, and then drive west through the Okanogan Valley and to Vancouver. Banff to Vancouver could take you two or three days, depending on your pace.
Keep the car in Vancouver and the next day drive, via ferry boat, to Vancouver Island and visit Victoria, and, if you like nature, Long Beach and Tofino, on the very west edge of North America.
You could spend a couple of days on Vacnouver Island.
Drive back to Vancouver and decide if you want to keep the car (I would) or drop it off and take public buses, etc., to see that city.
About hotels -- the big cities like MOntreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver all have big chain hotels like Westin Sheraton, Hyatt, etc., and there are Four Sesons Hotels in Toronto and Vancouver.
Smaller places have nioce hotels. The Choice Hotels chain is a good chain to choose, but many do not have swimming pools.
The big cities all have clubs and restaurants in several downtown areas, plus lots of theatre, and music.
BAK
Apr 8th, 2005 | 05:00 AM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 0
In Montreal and Toronto, consider staying at Le Germain hotels (boutique hotels with a very French Canadian feel).
Even a committed city girl like me would recommend that you spend a little time outside Canadian cities, although I don't think I'd sign up either for: (1) a drive or train ride from Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston-Toronto; or (2) a trip to tacky Niagara Falls. I'd allocate my "great outdoors" days either to the Rocky Mountains, the Gulf Islands (between Vancouver and Vancouver Island) or the West Coast of Vancouver Island (not Victoria, but somewhere north of Victoria - e.g. Tofino). In the Gulf Islands, you could have a wonderful time at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island, which has an exceptionally good restaurant
http://www.saltspringtoday.com/harbour_house_hotel.htm
What kind of nightlife are you looking for?
BAK's suggestion about catching a rodeo somewhere near Calgary is a good one. If, however, you want to spend some time in Calgary during the Calgary Stampede, you need to book arrangements now. The city fills to bursting very quickly. It might already be booked up. But it's a great party and, if you like nightlife, I think you'd really enjoy this very Canadian event.
Even a committed city girl like me would recommend that you spend a little time outside Canadian cities, although I don't think I'd sign up either for: (1) a drive or train ride from Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston-Toronto; or (2) a trip to tacky Niagara Falls. I'd allocate my "great outdoors" days either to the Rocky Mountains, the Gulf Islands (between Vancouver and Vancouver Island) or the West Coast of Vancouver Island (not Victoria, but somewhere north of Victoria - e.g. Tofino). In the Gulf Islands, you could have a wonderful time at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island, which has an exceptionally good restaurant
http://www.saltspringtoday.com/harbour_house_hotel.htm
What kind of nightlife are you looking for?
BAK's suggestion about catching a rodeo somewhere near Calgary is a good one. If, however, you want to spend some time in Calgary during the Calgary Stampede, you need to book arrangements now. The city fills to bursting very quickly. It might already be booked up. But it's a great party and, if you like nightlife, I think you'd really enjoy this very Canadian event.
Trending Topics
Apr 9th, 2005 | 08:51 AM
#8
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
I made a mistake.Vancouver IS NOT on the first part of the trip.So consider the first part Toronto/Montreal/Quebec City.
Thanks to everybody for the answers,especially NorthwestMale that answered directly to my email and gave me a lot of good ideas.
Borealis,thanks for remember me that the trip is too long and the good suggestion to fly to Calgary.
Bak,i really have 19 days/18 nights.Why you included Kingston and excluded Quebec City?
Kate W,why did you included Kingston and excluded Quebec City?
As night entertainement I mean discos,bars,places where someone alone can meet interesting people.What is Calgary stampede?When is it?
Thanks again.
Thanks to everybody for the answers,especially NorthwestMale that answered directly to my email and gave me a lot of good ideas.
Borealis,thanks for remember me that the trip is too long and the good suggestion to fly to Calgary.
Bak,i really have 19 days/18 nights.Why you included Kingston and excluded Quebec City?
Kate W,why did you included Kingston and excluded Quebec City?
As night entertainement I mean discos,bars,places where someone alone can meet interesting people.What is Calgary stampede?When is it?
Thanks again.
Apr 9th, 2005 | 10:04 AM
#9
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
The Calgary Stampede is a 10-day rodeo festival that takes place every July. This year it will last from July 8th to July 17th. It starts off with a parade of marching bands, horseback riders, floats, clowns, etc., through downtown Calgary on the first morning, i.e., Friday the 8th. Thereafter, there are rodeo events (bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, etc.) every afternoon, and chuckwagon races every evening.
Here's a web site if you want to find out more.
http://calgarystampede.com/
Should you be interested in watching the parade, you can park yourself on the sidewalk for free, but you'd need to get there around 7.00 a.m. or 7.30 a.m. in order to secure a spot. Also, if you do that, it's nice to bring a folding lawn chair from home, but that's not convenient if you're coming from Brazil! Besides, the parade only starts at 9.00 a.m. If you want to get around those challenges, you can pay for a reserved seat here:
http://www.calgarystampedeparade.com/bleachers.htm
There is a very festive atmosphere in Calgary during the Stampede. There is no shortage of nightlife during that period.
However, Calgary hotels get very booked up during Stampede. Also, hotels in the Canadian Rockies get very booked up throughout July and August. Therefore it would be be good if you could settle on an itinerary as soon as possible, and then make reservations.
However, you are wise to ask questions about your itinerary first. Some travellers make reservations before they've ensured their itinerary is good. Then either they have to live with a poor itinerary or they have to go to a fair amount of trouble to change their reservations.
Here's a web site if you want to find out more.
http://calgarystampede.com/
Should you be interested in watching the parade, you can park yourself on the sidewalk for free, but you'd need to get there around 7.00 a.m. or 7.30 a.m. in order to secure a spot. Also, if you do that, it's nice to bring a folding lawn chair from home, but that's not convenient if you're coming from Brazil! Besides, the parade only starts at 9.00 a.m. If you want to get around those challenges, you can pay for a reserved seat here:
http://www.calgarystampedeparade.com/bleachers.htm
There is a very festive atmosphere in Calgary during the Stampede. There is no shortage of nightlife during that period.
However, Calgary hotels get very booked up during Stampede. Also, hotels in the Canadian Rockies get very booked up throughout July and August. Therefore it would be be good if you could settle on an itinerary as soon as possible, and then make reservations.
However, you are wise to ask questions about your itinerary first. Some travellers make reservations before they've ensured their itinerary is good. Then either they have to live with a poor itinerary or they have to go to a fair amount of trouble to change their reservations.
Apr 9th, 2005 | 11:08 AM
#10
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 0
Hi geo007. I didn't exclude Quebec City, or include Kingston. I just said that with the limited amount of time that you have, I wouldn't spend much time on a drive from Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston-Toronto. Ottawa and Kingston are nice places to live, but they're not throbbing cities full of nightlife. If you wanted to see a wide range of what Canada has to offer, and you're more of a city person than a great outdoors person, then I'd spend 2 nights in Quebec City, 2 nights in Montreal, 2 in Calgary (but only if you can catch part of the Stampede), a few nights in the Rockies (e.g. Banff) - then take a scenic train to Vancouver, a few nights in Vancouver, then rent a car and take the ferry to the Gulf Islands, then continue on to Vancouver Island. That's not a complete itinerary, just the essentials. If you have a few spare days (or your air travel plans route you through Toronto), by all means come to Toronto and spend a couple of nights (and make the side trip to Niagara Falls that all tourists believe is necessary), but I'd rank Toronto lower on the list of must-sees than the other places mentioned above.
Apr 9th, 2005 | 02:48 PM
#11
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,944
Likes: 0
RE>Why you included Kingston and excluded Quebec City?<
Because Kingston is between Ottawa and Toronto, so it is one of the places you can go to, and stop and visit, on the trip between Canada's capital (Ottawa) and its biggest city, Toronto.
Kingston is historic, it has an olden-days fort (Fort Henry) and a beautiful waterfront.
By driving from city to city, you get an idea of how Canadians outside the big cities live. The Ottawa - Kingston drive goes through the Rideau Lakes area, and you can visit canals and locks that were used in the early days of Canada to transport people and goods through the waterways.
The overlap between your schedule and the Calgary Stampede could be a probem, as far as getting hotels in Calgary is concerned. If you are going to be in Calgary during Stampede, you'll need to make reservatins very soon. For a Brazilian, Calgary during Stamped Week will be quite an experience. It's not quite Carnival, but it is something very different from most of Canada, most of the time.
BAK
Because Kingston is between Ottawa and Toronto, so it is one of the places you can go to, and stop and visit, on the trip between Canada's capital (Ottawa) and its biggest city, Toronto.
Kingston is historic, it has an olden-days fort (Fort Henry) and a beautiful waterfront.
By driving from city to city, you get an idea of how Canadians outside the big cities live. The Ottawa - Kingston drive goes through the Rideau Lakes area, and you can visit canals and locks that were used in the early days of Canada to transport people and goods through the waterways.
The overlap between your schedule and the Calgary Stampede could be a probem, as far as getting hotels in Calgary is concerned. If you are going to be in Calgary during Stampede, you'll need to make reservatins very soon. For a Brazilian, Calgary during Stamped Week will be quite an experience. It's not quite Carnival, but it is something very different from most of Canada, most of the time.
BAK
