Need help for trip ideas to canada?

[budbeerlady]

Hello, Thought I would try a post here. WE are in Mi and want to get away for a long weekend in Feb 2007. Anywhere you would recommend? We can fly to most places in Canada for the same amount of time it takes to go to Florida and would like to do something different. We had thought about Banff but neither of us really ski, would there be enough other things to do? I was thinking maybe toronto or whatever you would recommend. Thanks for the help!

 

[sean-1966]

Try Toronto. Very nice or Montreal if you can get their easily. Both are great cities. If you make Toronto you can come down to my area, Niagara Falls. You'll enjoy it.

 

[ottawa-newbie]

I would visit Quebec City, which is a beautiful (albeit slightly touristy) old city. There is a lot of history there, and the streets look like European streets.

 

[sean-1966]

Yea, I might go with Quebec City as well. It's beautiful but really cold this time of year. Wear you long underwear.

 

[almacdonald]

If you're not really into skiing think about heading up to the mountains in the summer, Banff is really nice in the summer too (and a lot warmer!) You can't really fly into Banff so you'd fly into calgary which is about 1.5 hours away. It's a really easy drive. If you're interested in visiting Calgary, check out the Calgary Stampede (in July). It's dubbed "the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". On your way to Banff there's a small amusement park called Calaway park. It's no WDW but definitely good for a day trip. There are a few nice hotels around Banff that won't break the bank too much. The main street is full of neat little shops. There's also a natural hot springs and a gondola you can ride to the top of sulphur mountain (or you can hike up and get a free ride down!) There are also a few more resorts in the area. Yoho national park is a short drive away as are Radium and Jasper. There is plenty to do in these areas at any time of the year. Have fun!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

It really depends on the kind of vacation you have in mind.

Toronto has some great restaurants, a busy theatre district where you can see a variety of plays, nightclubs and some good shopping options if you like to shop. It is cold in Feb., but much of the downtown and shopping sections are connected underground so you don't have to go out too much. If you have kids, the zoo and the Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum are all worth visiting.

Another option with lots of shopping is the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton. This is a huge mall, with an indoor waterpark, amusement rides, mini-golf, skating rink, etc., etc. and attached hotels. You can fly right into Edmonton.

If you are looking for more scenery - Banff and Whistler are both good but pretty cold and focused on skiing this time of year. What about Vancouver? It's a little warmer and quite beautiful, and you could take a trip out to the islands too.

Have you tried the Canadian side of Niagara Falls? Hotel prices are very low this time of year, and there are good restaurants, two casinos, entertainment, etc.

I also love both Quebec and Montreal, and you get the bonus of experiencing a different culture and learning a little French while you are there.

Teresa

 

[Steamboat Bill]

Whistler Rocks in the Summer

 

[tone.def]

My, my...... Canada is a very large place that is very diverse... What do you like to do? What interests you?

History? Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, St. John's

Outdoor activites (such as skating, snowshoeing, hiking)? Vancouver, Victoria, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City

Winery Tours? Salt Spring Island, Niagara Region, Prince Edward County

Want to be entertained? Toronto, Montreal

Polar Bear watching? Churchill, Iqaluit

Shopping? Toronto, Vancouver

Edmonton has it all, but how cold are you prepared to be? Being from Toronto, I find the dry cold is one I can't handle in the winter, but if they're in a chinook, you'd be fine. Quebec City and Ottawa are fairly cold as well, but I'm not as bothered by it there... must be because they're on water like Toronto...

 

[fairyqueen]

You want to come to Canada in February, eh? Well, of course it depends on your interests and what you like to do, but...something that I THINK would be fun is winter carnival in Quebec City.

They have ice sculptures, dogsleds and all things related to celebrating the snow. The city throws a big party from late January to mid February and best of all, COLOR=DarkRed][YOU DONT HAVE TO SKI!!!!!

You can eat unique French Canadian foods like tourtiere, poutine, pea soup or maple syrup concoctions. You can visit the beautiful old city with a unique European feel. And you can learn a few interesting French phrases. Check out the winter carnival site.

Do I live in Quebec? No. I live on the West Coast and I've never personally been there at Carnaval time, but I've heard it is a fun thing to do in February.

If you were to consider Vancouver, where I live, just remember that while we dont have snow and its not really cold, we do usually have a lot of rain in February. So as long as you dont mind facing the wet stuff, it is very beautiful here. Whistler, Victoria and the Okanagan Valley (Canada's other wine region) are all beautiful places to visit in BC too!!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!!!!

 

[budbeerlady]

Thanks for all the ideas, being from a heavy snowbelt area snow really doesnt deter us unless our plane cannot get off the ground. Quebec city does sound fun, I will dig into that, Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[tone.def]

Thanks for all the ideas, being from a heavy snowbelt area snow really doesnt deter us unless our plane cannot get off the ground. Quebec city does sound fun, I will dig into that, Thanks for all the ideas.

My recommendation is to stay in "old" Quebec City, within the walls... It's a tad bit more expensive, but the ambiance is sooooooooo worth it!

 

[Webln]

You could also fly to Montreal, visit a bit, then drive (or take the train!) to Quebec City for a day or two.

The Carnaval de Québec is from January 26 to February 12. You will find their website through a google search.

Then come back to Montreal for your flight home. Anyway, chances are that you won't get a direct flight to Quebec City and will have to go through Montréal.

Check the Montreal Tourism website (available via Google)

Toronto is nice, but if you want a change of scenery and culture, Montréal-Québec is the place to go!

Sorry, could not post the links, newbies are not allowed to post

 

[jinglesmountjoy]

If you are coming to experience Canada , as opposed to just 'something different', you'll want to stay away from Toronto...it's just another big city (don't get me wrong...I grew up there and think it's great). If you do go to Quebec City, try to check out the Ice Hotel for a night or two. It's a little ways north of the City but the entire hotel is made of Ice and it is one of the 'coolest' things you'll ever experience...you'll talk about it for the rest of your life. Google it (Ice Hotel Quebec).

Personally, I'd check out the Festival of the Midnight Sun in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories for a truely unique and romantic getaway. It's far enough north to have very little sunlight during the day (maybe 3hrs and it's more like a slight glow in the sky but still dark). They offer little weekend pkgs at lodges. The cost might shock you as you will likely have to fly into Edmonton or Calgary and then grab a connecting flight from there. Your first leg will be reasonable, but the quote I got for my second, shorter leg was (if memory serves) at least double. Check out the city of Yellowknife online before you book this though...the 'city life' may be a detractor.

...or you could go with the old standbys like Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver/Victoria, Halifax...etc, but their really all just big cities. If you really want to experience Canada in all it's beauty and excitement, you'll want to visit...Sudbury, Ontario!! lol (we get that joke up here) For you to get it, just substitute 'Sudbury, Ontario' with 'Fargo, North Dakota'.

Best of Luck!!

 

[tone.def]

If you do go to Quebec City, try to check out the Ice Hotel for a night or two. It's a little ways north of the City but the entire hotel is made of Ice and it is one of the 'coolest' things you'll ever experience...you'll talk about it for the rest of your life. Google it (Ice Hotel Quebec).

You are soooooooo right!!! I have a friend of mine going there for a wedding on Valentine's Day. I can't wait to see the pictures!