Toronto, Montréal, Québec

[sunshinedust]

Had a really great day. Weather was perfect, amazing clear skies and just warm enough to walk round without a jacket.

Started off with a nose round the Annex (my friend wants to get a place there if/when she gets a job in Toronto), then headed down to Kensington Market for lunch at Amadeu's. Was in the mood for seafood and this came highly recommended, I had some lovely grilled sardines. Absolutely delicious.

Got the streetcar down College to Cabbagetown, got some proper nice ice cream and walked round Riverdale Farm (a small historic farm in downtown Toronto!) which was a lovely way to spend an hour. Headed back on the streetcar to ROM for 3.30 and stayed there until close. Great museum, but don't think I'd pay $24 for it. Picked up my friend at Pearson (via Etobicoke) and then back home. After 5 hours in the pub. Perfect day off!

[-Steve-]

Had a really great day. Weather was perfect, amazing clear skies and just warm enough to walk round without a jacket.

Started off with a nose round the Annex (my friend wants to get a place there if/when she gets a job in Toronto), then headed down to Kensington Market for lunch at Amadeu's. Was in the mood for seafood and this came highly recommended, I had some lovely grilled sardines. Absolutely delicious.

Got the streetcar down College to Cabbagetown, got some proper nice ice cream and walked round Riverdale Farm (a small historic farm in downtown Toronto!) which was a lovely way to spend an hour. Headed back on the streetcar to ROM for 3.30 and stayed there until close. Great museum, but don't think I'd pay $24 for it. Picked up my friend at Pearson (via Etobicoke) and then back home. After 5 hours in the pub. Perfect day off!

It's $31 including water exhibit which is very impressive in itself. However, they do have half price days if you don't manage to see everything, I certainly didn't when I visited. It's a great museum. I loved the native American section.

[sunshinedust]

The water exhibit finished in early September, its being replaced by a Mayan exhibit in November. Would have definitely paid to see that, tried to get to see it when I came for a week in April but just ran out of time.

Will go back on a Weds afternoon at some point to see the halls we missed (mostly the Asian culture) as we wanted to get to the "Canadian" bits. Agreed that the First Nations stuff was fascinating, brought some of the conversations that I've had with the dad of my host family into context - he's part native and it's been great to learn about aspects of that culture.

[Elizabeth]

There's a really awful looking Toronto Island with a theme park on it, but the other side is really quiet and has great views of the city across the bay. Well worth doing.

Oh, and Tim Horton's is worth doing everywhere. Boston Cream donuts. Mmmmm. And there was a nice place in Bloor around the corner from our hotel. It's in the Manulife centre and looks out onto the street. It's nothing 'WOWZERS' or anything, but it's a nice part of town and was reasonably priced.

Toronto Island has a NUDE BEACH. It's pretty awesome. Centreville isn't too bad, fucking expensive though.

I went to Niagara Falls today, via the Inniskillen vinyard, had a tour, got some wine, got the Falls just before sunset. It was awesome.

P.S. I highly recommend anyone coming into Toronto to go to Value Village. It is the best place.

[-Steve-]

Value Village is awesome! I got a pair of Simpsons lounge trousers for $4 and they are very comfy. It's great for potential Halloween costumes.

[sunshinedust]

I live in the middle of nowhere now and its SNOWING! Will be cursing its existence in a months time, but the first snow of the season is magical

[dtszine]

We are looking to do this next summer by train.

NEW YORK-NIAGRA-TORONTO-OTTAWA-MONTREAL-QUEBEC CITY

or variations on the theme (could start and end anywhere). Looks like a good journey.

Coach travel is out of the question. Any good tips for train travel? (e.g. websites).

[sunshinedust]

We are looking to do this next summer by train.

NEW YORK-NIAGRA-TORONTO-OTTAWA-MONTREAL-QUEBEC CITY

or variations on the theme (could start and end anywhere). Looks like a good journey.

Coach travel is out of the question. Any good tips for train travel? (e.g. websites).

http://www.viarail.ca/en/fares/travel-passes/corridorpass

A rail pass which gives you 7 one way tickets on the Windsor-Quebec City corridor, which would cover the Niagara (Canada side, of course) to Quebec City, within a 10 day period. Its $361 + tax per person (over 26, cheaper for under 25s), which is pretty good value. Its something I've looked at doing, then going on to Nova Scotia afterwards.

Its best just to book directly with Via Rail for train journeys. I've only ever done short trips (Kitchener - Toronto) but the trains are comfortable with big seats and good food service. They are underused as air travel is getting cheaper and is much faster. Most of my friends have never been on a train!

[Steph]

I'm going to New York on Tuesday then on Sunday I do a 14 day trek America Trip which does what dtszine was talking about with a few things thrown in for luck. So i'll let you know what is and isn't worth visiting when I return. I would have liked to have done the trip independently, it would certainly be cheaper but since I'm doing the trip alone I thought it was a great way to meet people.

NEW YORK-FIVE FINGER LAKES, NY-NIAGRA FALLS -TORONTO-ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK (national park)-OTTAWA-MONTREAL-QUEBEC CITY-ARCADIA NATIONAL PARK-NEW ENGLAND-NEW YORK.

thanks for all your advice Sunshine Dust (I've forgotten your name) I'm definitely going to follow some of that advice. I also want to go to a restaurant called O Noir in Toronto/Montreal as it's all pitch black and you get served surprise food by blind waiters. Could be a cool sensory experience although if I don't manage to go I've just discovered there is a similar restaurant in London which i could go to anytime.

[sunshinedust]

O Noir has seriously bad food, everyone I know who has been there said the experience was great but the food was bland, overcooked and way overpriced. There are plenty of great restaurants to eat at, so I'd avoid O Noir and head somewhere else!

Jealous that you're off to Algonquin, I've yet to make it there. Be careful of the bears!




Two months until I'm back in Canada (my detour to Iceland starts later today ), going to be just north of Toronto, 45 mins from Union Station on the TTC. Excited to be going back to civilisation again after my year living in hicktown Ontario!