OT: Vacation Ideas & Help

by royalsreview on Jul 3, 2009 12:18 AM EDT Comment 22 comments

I really want to go to Canada this summer/early fall. I've never been north of the border, and for practical purposes I think that probably only Atlantic Canada/Quebec/Ontario is in the mix. I'm thinking a long weekend type of trip here, relatively cheap.

Anyone have thoughts on Toronto versus Montreal, for example? Other cool places to visit? I like obscure places, and have been trying to see if there's a cheap way to get to Newfoundland, but it doesn't look like it. I guess I could get to New Brunswick somewhat easily...

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Here's an idea, don't go to Canada

I’ve been twice to go fishing, and the second time at the border they pulled us out of the line and tore apart our trailer not giving 2 shits about what was in it. They dropped a laptop computer on the ground from 4 feet. We weren’t very happy about that. And after all that, they fined us for having the wrong alcohol bottles. We had 1.75 L bottles that weren’t even half full, and you were only allowed to bring in smaller bottles apparently. So they fined us for the bottles, because we definitely were not over the alcohol limit. The kicker was that the bottles weren’t even ours. They were in our trailer because we had 2 cars going, with everything packed into 1 trailer.

Plus, you need a passport now.

by AxDxMx on Jul 3, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

we'll show those bastards some amber waves of PAIN

by royalsreview on Jul 3, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you baiting me?

Toronto is cool, and hey, maybe we could even have an awkward lunch or something, but I’d recommend Montreal as a city over it. Actually, Quebec City is really great, too. Still, there is good stuff to do in Torotno if that’ what you want. Ottawa is pretty cool, too.

Nova Scotia over Newfoundland, for sure.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jul 3, 2009 3:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Quebec city is stunning. I have only been to Montreal once, for a day, for the big referendum rally in ’95. The whole place was kind of on edge, which colors my opinion of the city somewhat.

Don’t go to Newfoudland. Go to Ireland instead, they speak the same and the weather is nicer.

New Brusnswick is kind of cool. It has a much more even language split than any other province, which is neat. Other than that though, it is pretty unremarkable (In a nice way, I lived in Moncton for a year, very pleasant).

Really, if you are going for the weekend, go to Montreal. From there you can do a (long) day trip to Quebec city too (3 hour drive). Going to Toronto is fine, but really you are just visiting generic North American city #36

by kcbottom9th on Jul 3, 2009 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I defer to a real Canadian

but is it me, or is Ottawa underrated? Seriously, if someone said they could take a trip to either Toronto or Ottawa, I’d say Ottawa — has more character and charm, especially in the winter (iceskating on the river — and I don’t like iceskating!).

Don’tg et me wrong, Toronto is pretty cool, but it’s just another generic cosmopolitan city. Sure, it’ has a lot less crime than New York… but also less art, music, architecture…. Basically, it’s the largest college town in the world.

Montreal/Quebec City are better than either.

I’d go to New Brunswick just to as a tribute to the Trailer Park Boys.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jul 3, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't defer to me

It’s a long time since I was in Eastern Canada. But yeah, Ottawa is underrated. Parliament Hill above the river is quite a backdrop, and the whole city itself is pretty charming, and because it isn’t all that big its very accessible. Most of the big cultural stuff in Canada is there, the Civilization museum, the National gallery etc. I think they still run tours of the Center Block as well, depending on when parliament is sitting. That’s neat, if you are an architecture person, a political person, or both.

And lots of trees and water. Any place that has that has got to be nice. Its a shame it gets overlooked by the bigger cities East and West.

I would say come to Calgary, its Stampede time next week! Where we all become cowboys for 10 days.. Its awesome.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 3, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How big of an issue would it be if my wife and I don't speak French?

by royalsreview on Jul 3, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Almost none

Especially in Montreal, but even in Quebec City, where most of the people in shops, hotels, etc. are used to tourists.

I was insecure about it the first time I was there, but the person I went with said that if he feels uncomfortable, he just asks “may I speak Engliish?” That works for me.

but don’t let me turn you off of Toronto.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jul 3, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toronto has some plusses...

but I haven’t seen to much of a compelling reason to go… on a short trip, I think I prefer scenery/architecture over something like a great opera or somesuch

by royalsreview on Jul 3, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

You’ll certainly be able to get by using English, but they will frequently make announcements only in French.

I was at the Montreal Snow Festival with my family this past January, and we got on a long line to buy snow-tubing tickets. After about fifteen minutes, the line, which wasn’t moving quickly to begin with, stopped entirely. I waited patiently because everyone else on the line was, but after a while, when I loudly wondered why no one has been served lately, someone else in the line told me “The mountain’s full, they’re not selling any more tickets for another 45 minutes…didn’t you hear them announce it?” No, I didn’t. They said something in French, but they didn’t seem to think any non-French-speaking tourists might be in the crowd, or if they thought it, they didn’t care. Considering the treatment I received at other parts of the fair, I’m thinking “not caring” is the more likely answer.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Jul 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got a speeding ticket in Canada

Near the border in Ontario. I’d say about 30 minutes from the the US.

143 in a 100 zone. Oops. I was just trying to get out of the country. I think they target Americans because I had two guys pass me JUST before we got to the hidden policeman. I’m talking like a half mile. No way they slowed down before they went by there because they didn’t even flash their break lights…. Sore subject and my wife reacted ridiculously. Now I’ve probably got a warrant out for my arrest for an unpaid $300 speeding ticket! :)

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Jul 3, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It really depends on what is drawing you up there...

Toronto is okay, but it’s really just a city. It’s good if you are looking for big city, cultural things to do. The restaurants are generally very good. Some good pubs as well. Stay downtown.

Montreal is my favorite city in Canada. Lots of culture, and it’s way more fun than any other Canadian city. If you want to be a tourist, then stay near to the Old Quartier, but if you want to go out at night, stay more central.

Quebec City is probably the most beautiful city in Canada from a history and cultural perspective. I was there last August and it was really cold. I’ve been twice, and the weather was bad both times. I’ve stayed at the Chateau Frontenac both times, and it’s a great hotel, but consider staying at a hotel with a view of Chateau Frontenac. Lots of families and retired tourists here. It’s a really small city.

Halifax is a typical small Atlantic coast town. I spent a day here so don’t know it too well. There wasn’t much too interesting. We drove up to Pictou and took the ferry to Prince Edward Island. Lots of history there. PEI is beautiful, but there isn’t a whole lot to do. That said, it was raining almost the entire time I was up there.

Don’t rule out Vancouver. It’s a very modern city, with a beautiful mountain range to the north. It doesn’t have the nightlife of Montreal or the museums that Toronto has, but it’s perfect if you like the outdoors. Take the ferry to Victoria for a night.

by rph on Jul 3, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heroine!

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Jul 3, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Between Toronto and Montreal

I’d choose Toronto.

Quebec City is more charming than either of the two, I’d say.

However, I have been to Atlantic Canada, and there are a lot of hidden and off-beat gems there as well. Tour the Moosehead Brewery and see the Reversing Falls in St. John, NB, experience Magnetic Hill in Moncton, NB, tour the Grohmann Knife factory in Pictou, NS. There’s a place my wife and I once went to on Prince Edward Island that I was about to recommend, but it doesn’t appear to be opening this year. Hopefully the closure isn’t permanent, I’d love to take my kids there some day.

The least expensive way to get to Newfoundland is the Marine Atlantic ferry leaving from North Sydney, NS. It’s a 6-hour boat ride, it takes your car with you, and it can be quirky fun. When we rode it, there was a guy singing and playing music on a weird instrument in the on-board cafe. That was 11 years ago, but something in the same spirit might be there now, even if he himself no longer is. Of course, Newfoundland is the only place in the Western Hemisphere to see an old Viking settlement, and there are many nice local museums scattered around the island. St. John’s (not be confused with St. John, NB) has a lot to do as well, and you might be able to do some whale watching. Warning: The ferry landing is at the southwestern tip of the island, Viking site is at the northernmost tip, and St. John’s is the southeastern tip, and it’s a big island. Do not be fooled into thinking that the drives will be short.

Newfoundland and Labrador (we did pop over to Labrador, but there isn’t really much there, might not be worth your while) had the friendliest and most helpful folks we’ve ever met, and I’m certainly happy we went there when we had the chance.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Jul 3, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs