Big question about big vacation plans cananda and New York
 

Hello,
I have jut begun planning a four week vacation in July this year.
As a skeleton plan:
Australia to San Francisco. for two days,
Fly to Anchorage, spend one day?
7 night cruise to Vancouver.
Vancouver 3 days.
Hire car drive to Calgary 5-7 days
Fly from Calgary to Niagara Falls ( )
Stay Niagara area 2 days ( should I bother with two days?)
Train from Niagara to New YOrk
Stay New York three days.
Home, or could have a free stop ove in LA What do you think?
Would love input at this early stage, I will then start to fill in the daily plans.
regards
Travellingsoon

I am almost certain that you cannot fly from Calgary to N.F. You will have to fly from Calgary to Toronto (use West Jet airline) and get to N.F. from there. That might be a little tricky. All the towns around Toronto run shuttle buses to and from Pearson Airport. Try using Google to find out if there is one from N.F. and go from there. There is a train from Toronto to N.F. You might be able to a ticket from Toronto to New York allowing you to stop for ONE day in N.F. Two days would be excessive in my opinion unless you are into casinos

Thanks
Saved one day already! I'll now check your info re getting to N.F.

When you say Calgary 5 to 7 days - do you mean you're going to leave Calgary and go to Banff, Lake Louise?

Here's the link for the airport shuttle from the Toronto airport to the Falls: http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Airp...to_Airport.htm

Try flights from Calgary to Buffalo... usually way cheaper... Niagara is only a 30 minute drive... then get a rental car for your two day Niagara stay... then train from Buffalo to NY or even better, there is a direct and inexpensive bus from Toronto to NY or Buffalo to NY.... check the website megabus.com... lots of options at real reasonable prices

Hi,
thanks so much for your interest. I will check those details. Yes, the 5-7 days from Vancouver to Calgary is a sightseeing tour, still to detail this. I am going to price rental car as well as camper van.
Sounds like you think the train from Niagara to New York is an ok plan. I have read it is an interesting and scenic journey.
After New York, do you think we should visit LA,Vegas, and Grand Canyon. It has not been on our travel wish list, but we Probably will not be returning to that part of the States,
again,so would like your opinions. How many days would you suggest if we do? I would appreciate your opinions.
thanks
travellingsoon

After NY, fly to Phoenix... drive up to Grand canyon and back... then drive to Vegas... then finish in LA... I would set aside 2 days for each... have fun!

HI,
I have found a cruisetour deal that ends in Fairbanks.That is looking good for us. However, am having trouble finding out how to get from Fairbanks to Calgary. Does anyone have some help?
thanks
travellingsoon

You are certainly covering an awful lot of ground. Did you think of doing a west coast trip and save the east side for another day? There are fabulous things to see on the west coast (this from an east coast girl) Look at some of the national parks.

Hi SDtravels,
I stopped and thought after reading your comment. I have decided to cut New York out, and am reading up about the National Parks in Arizona. thanks. Any info would be good.
travellingsoon ( ibetter get on with it, or it won't be soon!)

You might want to get onto the US Forum now (you are posting in Canada but you seem to need info on the south-western US, too.)

When you are finetuning the details of your Canadian west coast trip do check back in with us, but I am gathering there is no Niagara Falls in your immediate future, right?

July is going to be hot in Arizona. I would stay north. Your drive to the Calgary area should include Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper and the Glaciers. From there, decide where you want to fly back home from and get there seeing the most you can. Crater Lake NP, Yellowstone NP, the coast of California, Napa Valley, the Redwoods, more time in San Fran. Lots and lots of stuff to do that will keep you in the NW section of the US or SW section on Canada. You will love Alaska and the cruise down. Not much to do in Anchorage that I could see, it will be a nice rest before you get started.

travellingsoon,

I was going to mention about parks but now I will.

You will be visiting Banff so forget Yellowstone.

If you decide to put together 4-5 days, I would recommend either Zion/Bryce Canyon in western Utah or Arches/Canyonlands in eastern Utah. Both of these destinations are spectacular.

In fact, if you're planning to land in Phoenix and drive north, I would plan on a day or two in Sedona, a pit stop in the Grand Canyon (not my favorite place), the middle of the day in Page, AZ for Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon and then a day or two each in Zion & Bryce Canyon.

This is basically a straight south to north route.