canada solo?
Nov 19th, 2005 | 01:00 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
canada solo?
Hi,
I'm plannig a 30 days trip along Canada in August. It will be my first solo and also the first time visiting America.
I'm a little bit scared as I dont' drive and I dont' even know where to start looking possibilities.
I'm considering to concentrate the trip on the west coast but only because I would like to visit Niagara falls. Any recommendations?
How much budget I have to consider?
Do I will need to book accomodation in advance?
Thanks,
leta
I'm plannig a 30 days trip along Canada in August. It will be my first solo and also the first time visiting America.
I'm a little bit scared as I dont' drive and I dont' even know where to start looking possibilities.
I'm considering to concentrate the trip on the west coast but only because I would like to visit Niagara falls. Any recommendations?
How much budget I have to consider?
Do I will need to book accomodation in advance?
Thanks,
leta
Nov 19th, 2005 | 06:51 AM
#2
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Niagara Falls isn't on the West Coast, it's in Ontario on the border with the USA.
30 days is nice and long, if you go to the West coast you can concentrate on the cities of Vancouver, Victoria see Whistler/Blackcomb (site of upcoming olympics)then take a train through the Rockie Mountains into Alberta to see Calgary, Edmonton and especially Banff and Jasper...beautiful....otherwise you can do east coast and visit the maritimes (nova scotia, newfoundland, PEI) and then train/fly into Montreal which is loads of fun in the summer. once in montreal, Canada's capital Ottawa is 1hr 1/2 away by car. If you can get to montreal in july there is the International Jazz Fest, and Just for Laughs festivals...all huge. good luck
30 days is nice and long, if you go to the West coast you can concentrate on the cities of Vancouver, Victoria see Whistler/Blackcomb (site of upcoming olympics)then take a train through the Rockie Mountains into Alberta to see Calgary, Edmonton and especially Banff and Jasper...beautiful....otherwise you can do east coast and visit the maritimes (nova scotia, newfoundland, PEI) and then train/fly into Montreal which is loads of fun in the summer. once in montreal, Canada's capital Ottawa is 1hr 1/2 away by car. If you can get to montreal in july there is the International Jazz Fest, and Just for Laughs festivals...all huge. good luck
Nov 19th, 2005 | 08:42 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,197
Likes: 12
Also post your question on the Canada board to get more replies.
As above, Niagara Falls is back east not on the west coast. Canada is a huge country, I kindly suggest a map and/or guidebook to get you started. Since you don't drive you will need to travel by train, bus, or plane then use public transportation like bus and taxi within cities.
As above, Niagara Falls is back east not on the west coast. Canada is a huge country, I kindly suggest a map and/or guidebook to get you started. Since you don't drive you will need to travel by train, bus, or plane then use public transportation like bus and taxi within cities.
Nov 26th, 2005 | 03:06 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi!
Driving in Canada is just fine. 30 days (28 if you eliminate your travel days) is plenty of time. You might want to consider something a bit different and log into www.viarail.com. They can give you a cross-Canada train ticket, and advice, so you could see Canada really from Coast to Coast, and stop of where you are interested. My sister did this several years ago, and loved it. No car, no driving worries, and you could stop at the major cities/sights. Just a thought!
Cheers!
Driving in Canada is just fine. 30 days (28 if you eliminate your travel days) is plenty of time. You might want to consider something a bit different and log into www.viarail.com. They can give you a cross-Canada train ticket, and advice, so you could see Canada really from Coast to Coast, and stop of where you are interested. My sister did this several years ago, and loved it. No car, no driving worries, and you could stop at the major cities/sights. Just a thought!
Cheers!
Dec 10th, 2005 | 10:28 AM
#5
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Hello,
Some good suggestions from the posters above. I have lived in both western and eastern Canada and each has a distinctive landscape (as does each province in between). Nova Scotia and PEI (east)are two of my favorite places on earth - stunning. In particular, I would suggest Peggy's Cove and a visit to Lunenburg if your in Nova Scotia. If in PEI the provincial capital of Charlotte town is lovely (though the entire island is lovely). Then in a 30 day trip I would move west toward Quebec - Quebec city and Montreal have a European flare and this would give you a chance to experience french culture in Canada. From there the beautiful bustling city of Ottawa (the capital and home of parliment)would be nice and you could certainly catch transport to Niagra Falls in the south from there.
On the western side Vancouver and Victoria are nice cities with lots to do as a previous poster mentioned. Certainly if your in the west you'll not want to miss out on the Canadian Rockies - Banff and/or Jasper beautiful. Lake Louise in Banff is a well-known and worthwhile stop and if in Banff look around the Fairmont Hotel (even if your not a guest). Jasper is always my choice for camping as its more low key. If you move east toward Alberta I highly recommend visiting the town of Drumheller. The distinctive landscape in the area "the badlands" will take your breath away (especially if its hot). It is also home to a world class palentology museum. I personally live in Edmonton Alberta. It is embarrassingly famous for a really large mall - but is a nice city with other offerings for tourist who do a bit of research. There is a fabulous theater festival here in August "Fringe Festival" which you could check out on the web. Calgary is also quite a nice city with lots to do in the area. They are famous for a very western event call the STAMPEDE - It in July or August but I cant remember which.
As for budget - really depends on where you are. Large cities will have accomodation in all price range and though I doubt you'll have to book in advance - it doesn't hurt to have an idea and research your options. Try B&B's if in the rockies as these are often a good price. These are tonnes of B&B's in the east as well. I don't know where you are from, but the Canadian dollar is around 80 cents to the US dollar right now (and varies).
Any way I ramble. Hope this gives you a few ideas! I am please you are visiting my home country and hope you enjoy your trip!
Murphy
Some good suggestions from the posters above. I have lived in both western and eastern Canada and each has a distinctive landscape (as does each province in between). Nova Scotia and PEI (east)are two of my favorite places on earth - stunning. In particular, I would suggest Peggy's Cove and a visit to Lunenburg if your in Nova Scotia. If in PEI the provincial capital of Charlotte town is lovely (though the entire island is lovely). Then in a 30 day trip I would move west toward Quebec - Quebec city and Montreal have a European flare and this would give you a chance to experience french culture in Canada. From there the beautiful bustling city of Ottawa (the capital and home of parliment)would be nice and you could certainly catch transport to Niagra Falls in the south from there.
On the western side Vancouver and Victoria are nice cities with lots to do as a previous poster mentioned. Certainly if your in the west you'll not want to miss out on the Canadian Rockies - Banff and/or Jasper beautiful. Lake Louise in Banff is a well-known and worthwhile stop and if in Banff look around the Fairmont Hotel (even if your not a guest). Jasper is always my choice for camping as its more low key. If you move east toward Alberta I highly recommend visiting the town of Drumheller. The distinctive landscape in the area "the badlands" will take your breath away (especially if its hot). It is also home to a world class palentology museum. I personally live in Edmonton Alberta. It is embarrassingly famous for a really large mall - but is a nice city with other offerings for tourist who do a bit of research. There is a fabulous theater festival here in August "Fringe Festival" which you could check out on the web. Calgary is also quite a nice city with lots to do in the area. They are famous for a very western event call the STAMPEDE - It in July or August but I cant remember which.
As for budget - really depends on where you are. Large cities will have accomodation in all price range and though I doubt you'll have to book in advance - it doesn't hurt to have an idea and research your options. Try B&B's if in the rockies as these are often a good price. These are tonnes of B&B's in the east as well. I don't know where you are from, but the Canadian dollar is around 80 cents to the US dollar right now (and varies).
Any way I ramble. Hope this gives you a few ideas! I am please you are visiting my home country and hope you enjoy your trip!
Murphy
Dec 11th, 2005 | 06:51 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
As a born-and-raised Edmontonian who has lived across Canada (and now in Europe), I heartily agree with Edmonton in the summer. It really is a city of festivals -- the Fringe Festival for theatre, the multicultural festival at Hawrelak park (murphy - do you remember when it was called Mayfair park? Sigh -- good times....), the Folk Festival -- I could go on and on. Canada really has a lot to offer and you won't go wrong no matter where you visit!
