mini_me66

Hi,
Just found this site so thought i might get some good advice.
I am coming to Canada (from UK) in september and have 14 nights. I was planning on visiting Toronto (4 night), Ottowa (2), Montreal (3) and Quebec (4) but that leaves with a spare night....which city would you recommend spending longer at? The nights i have stated are estimates so are in no means definate if you think i am staying somewhere too long/little.

The other advice i was hoping for was when looking for accomadation, where is best to avoid in each city (more of a safety thing). I will be booking hostels as i like the atmosphere in meeting new people. I have checked guidebooks but local advice seems to always be better!!

Thanks in advance, i cant wait but need to start booking trains and hostels soon!!

Jo

tovarich

Is it not possible to take a rental car ? You"ll save a lot of time and freedom. I would take 2 days per city you mentioned and then include some days in Algonquin park.We were there the second half of September 2008 and the fall colours were fantastic. Even a few days to visit Niagara falls or visit Tadoussac and a whale watching trip.Paul

mauricecanada

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Maurice Canada

Daniel_Williams

If you wanted to mix things up a bit, you could throw Kingston (it's a VIA train stop between Toronto and Montreal) in there to fill that extra night. A charming town that's readily explorable by foot.

If I were you, I might switch your Montreal (4 days) and Quebec City (3 days) time allotments, just since Montreal is a larger city, with more to explore. Not to denigrate Quebec City though...I've been to the city about 7 times and enjoyed each trip!

While there are rougher areas of Montreal & Toronto, they really tend to be off a visitor's beaten track. Quebec City had ZERO homicides the last year I checked and Ottawa has never struck me as especially worrisome. I've walked in all even late at night and am still here (I think) . With common sense, you should be more than OK.

Have a great trip! Daniel

Vttraveler

I would add an extra night to Montreal.

mini_me66

Thanks for your advice, i will be adding a night in Kingston and probably just do one night in Ottowa. I have looked at the transport and can work it to arrive in places early/late to get optimum time. I can then do 4 nights in both montreal and quebec.
Tovarich, you suggested whale watching in Tadoussac which i think would be great, but i can only find one bus and the site is all in french!! Are there tours from Quebec that do a day trip including transport?
Thanks again, just want to do everything!!
Jo

zootsi

A few comments: i would do at least 4 nights in Montreal, 2-3 in Quebec City, 2 in Ottawa. Tadoussac is a long ride from Quebec City. Might want to skip this, especially if you don't rent a car. You don't want or need a car in the other cities.
There are no really dangerous areas in the touristed areas of these cities. In Montreal, the area between St. Catherine and the old city is not the most desirable(although Chinatown is ok).Montreal's Old City is very nice, but spmewhat pricey and touristy. I usually stay in the Plateau area of Montreal which is above Sherbrooke and centered along St. Dennis - a very lively, interesting neighborhood with lots of b&b's where you can meet some interesting people. Gite Parc La Fontaine is a simple, inexpensive b&b/hostel that attracts lots of young world travelers.
In Quebec City, definitely try and stay in or very close to the Old City.