Day one - Arrival in Montreal
Start your Eastern Canada with an arrival in Montreal, Canada's cultural capital. Founded in 1642 by Paul Chomedey De Maisonneuve.
Montreal has many unique attractions, the most visited is its famed "Old Montreal" quarter. Its eclectic mix of old world archetecture and new world glass and steel continues to be the top draw for arriving visitors. Within the quarter is the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum, displaying a unique perspective on the history of the city's founding and evolution throughout the years. The Notre Dame Basilica is the crown Jewel of the Old quarter and remains one of the most visited churches in North America.
Montreal has many unique attractions, the most visited is its famed "Old Montreal" quarter. Its eclectic mix of old world archetecture and new world glass and steel continues to be the top draw for arriving visitors. Within the quarter is the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum, displaying a unique perspective on the history of the city's founding and evolution throughout the years. The Notre Dame Basilica is the crown Jewel of the Old quarter and remains one of the most visited churches in North America.
It is strongly reccomended to take the 747 bus from Pierre Elliot Trudeau airport. Downtown Montreal parking lots are expensive and often full. You will spend the next three days in Montreal, and there is no need to pay for parking for your rental car with Montreal's famed Metro at the doorstep of most Montreal hotels.
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We recommend the Downtown Delta Hotel, located at 777 University. This hotel is located on the edge of Old Montreal. It is situated close to public transit, has plenty of parking ($) and is very close to the Bonaventure Train Station. It offers value for your travel dollar. |
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We recommed staying for three days in Montreal to get a good idea of the size and scope of the city and all its main sights. For a complete rundown on ideas of what to see and do in Montreal. Once you've had your fill, its time to select your method of transportation to Ottawa, your next destination |
Day four - Depart Montreal for Ottawa
Get into your car and head out to Canada's Capital. The trip is somewhat short here so we have plenty of time to look around. Its about a 2 hour trip from Downtown Montreal, and if you picked our prefered suppliers for your car rental, you can head out quickly enough. The route can be found here.
If you took the train, you'll arrive at the Ottawa Train Station which is very close to the Hotel we've decided to showcase. It is situated close to the Train Station and not too far from Ottawa's attractions, all easily acessible by public transportation or by car.
Note that Ottawa has less developed public transit than Montreal, and it is reccomended to pick your hotel room situated somewhat close to most of the attractions. We recommend the Hotel Courtyard Ottawa East because it is close to all the attractions. You will have to pay for parking if you rented a car, but our stay here is only two nights.
Ottawa, is Canada's capital city. Typical of Capital cities, it has many world class museums and attractions. Chief among them is the Canadian Parliment Building.
A historical masterpiece of design, it is typical of the Gothic Revival style. If there is one place you should put on your must see list, this is it. Be sure to arrive early in the day in the summer months to beat the crowds, as the tour of the Center block is free of charge. Be aware of tour blackouts however, as the nation's business takes priority over visitors.
Once you've cleared that off you list of attractions, we have put together a list of what to see and do in Ottawa.
If you took the train, you'll arrive at the Ottawa Train Station which is very close to the Hotel we've decided to showcase. It is situated close to the Train Station and not too far from Ottawa's attractions, all easily acessible by public transportation or by car.
Note that Ottawa has less developed public transit than Montreal, and it is reccomended to pick your hotel room situated somewhat close to most of the attractions. We recommend the Hotel Courtyard Ottawa East because it is close to all the attractions. You will have to pay for parking if you rented a car, but our stay here is only two nights.
Ottawa, is Canada's capital city. Typical of Capital cities, it has many world class museums and attractions. Chief among them is the Canadian Parliment Building.
A historical masterpiece of design, it is typical of the Gothic Revival style. If there is one place you should put on your must see list, this is it. Be sure to arrive early in the day in the summer months to beat the crowds, as the tour of the Center block is free of charge. Be aware of tour blackouts however, as the nation's business takes priority over visitors.
Once you've cleared that off you list of attractions, we have put together a list of what to see and do in Ottawa.
Our day in Ottawa has the following attractions that we recommend. Your circuit only has one full day in Ottawa planned, so we sugest limiting yourself to one or two sights to see besides the Canadian Parliment buildings, which we feel is a must see.
Day six - Depart for Toronto
Toronto...Canada's largest city by size and population is the next step on our journey. This metropolis is characterized by large skyscrapers and quaint neighbourhoods. A city for all tastes and appetites.
Toronto is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, one of Canada's four great freshwater lakes. It is the the most populous city in Canada and also is the seat of the capital of Ontario. The City boasts a population of roughly 2.6 million people and is the anchor city to the Greater Toronto Area (The GTA) which comprises roughly 6.2 million people. It is the fifth largest city in North America.
An english speaking city, Toronto can be best described as a mosaic of many different cultures and distinct neighbourhoods. More then 80 ethnic communities are represented here, and roughly half of the city's population was born outside of the country.
Toronto is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, one of Canada's four great freshwater lakes. It is the the most populous city in Canada and also is the seat of the capital of Ontario. The City boasts a population of roughly 2.6 million people and is the anchor city to the Greater Toronto Area (The GTA) which comprises roughly 6.2 million people. It is the fifth largest city in North America.
An english speaking city, Toronto can be best described as a mosaic of many different cultures and distinct neighbourhoods. More then 80 ethnic communities are represented here, and roughly half of the city's population was born outside of the country.
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Day nine - Depart for Niagra falls
If you have been traveling by train so far, we recommend you rent a car from this point on. There are many beautiful sights to see along the way and a car will allow you the flexibility to stop at a Vineyard or lakeside attraction. The drive is pleasant enough, and will take aproximately 4 hours depending on the traffic.
If you selected a Downtown hotel, you will be close enough to the Gardiner expressway. Take the Gardiner east bound and continue along the Queen Elizabeth Way, or the Q.E.W. and basically never get off the Highway. Prepare to face traffic if you leave between 8 to 10 AM and 3 to 6 PM. If you fill up befor leaving Toronto, you should not need fuel along the way
Via Rail offers a train service, from Union Station to Niagra falls. You will arrive north of the falls proper, quite a distance away from the main attractions. If you select the train as your transportation option, our booking engine can help you by clicking below.
If you selected a Downtown hotel, you will be close enough to the Gardiner expressway. Take the Gardiner east bound and continue along the Queen Elizabeth Way, or the Q.E.W. and basically never get off the Highway. Prepare to face traffic if you leave between 8 to 10 AM and 3 to 6 PM. If you fill up befor leaving Toronto, you should not need fuel along the way
Via Rail offers a train service, from Union Station to Niagra falls. You will arrive north of the falls proper, quite a distance away from the main attractions. If you select the train as your transportation option, our booking engine can help you by clicking below.
Where to stay in Niagra Falls?
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We've selected the the Hampton Inn Niagra, a hotel not too close to the downtown core, but at a walking distance to the Via Rail Train Station and easily acessable to the main roads and public transportation. The hotel offers decent value for your travel dollar and is far enough off the tourist path that you will not be paying top dollar just for acessability. St the time of this hotel selection, breakfast was free and parking included in your room rate. Something you would probably not get closer to the falls. If you rented a car, you can easily drive near the town center (about 5 mins away in light traffic) or take a bus.
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