Phil & Paula's Canadian Adventure: Part One
This has been a trip that's been a long, long time in the making... Phil, Paula and close friends were originally planning an epic 3-week trip to Canada in Summer 2020, but the pandemic put those plans on hold. Now, with huge thanks to our Travel Village experts, and the team at Canadian Affair, their trip of a lifetime is finally underway (July 2024). Their journey is a fantastic mix of cityscapes, bucket-list sights, and motorhome adventures through the wild and rugged landscapes of Canada.
There's so much that they've packed into their time away, so we're bringing their journey highlights to you in 3 parts. Here we go with Part One...
Day 1. Fly to Toronto
After a 7hr flight from Manchester, it was a short 25-minute transfer to the Marriott Hotel, where we had a room overlooking the Toronto Blue Jays baseball stadium.
We had a quick freshen up (and a swifty in the bar!), and set off on the short 5-minute walk to King Street. It's here that you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants, and we decided on ‘Hey Lucy’, a funky Italian. They had a rooftop bar which was perfect for Toronto's balmy July weather.
Walking off our meal, we strolled around the surrounding streets taking in the modern and challenging architecture. The city was just starting to come alive… but only just as it's only 9pm - by 11pm it's vibrant!
Day 2. Toronto
Time to get our exploration hats on! Our first full day in Toronto, and it's already well over 20ºC as we make our way to the famous St Lawrence Market. The market has a rich history that dates back over 200 years - It has been a Town Hall, and a city hall, which has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times!
Today, St. Lawrence Market is known as one of the world's great markets, featuring over 120 vendors selling everything from meat and vegetables to artisan crafts. It serves as a vibrant, bustling hub of culinary diversity and historic architecture, reflecting Toronto's rich heritage.
But we're here for the famous Carousel Bakery ‘Peameal’ bacon sandwiches and boy did they deliver… yummy!! Expect to pay around $7-$8 for your sandwich, and it's worth every cent!
Time to leave the market stalls behind and head to the Lake, after a quick photo opportunity at the dog fountain located in Berczy Park. It's known as the Berczy Park Dog Fountain and has 27 cast-iron dog figures (and one cat figure!), sculpted in various playful poses with water spouting from their mouths. It's quite cool, especially the golden bone at the top.
A nice 20-minute stroll brings us to the shores of Lake Ontario where there's a hive of activity. Ferries & Water Taxis are available at various points along the waterside to take you across to Toronto Island. We walked to a point opposite the CN Tower and took a Pirate Taxi… *Aaaarghhh*
It cost approx $13 per person each way, unlike the ferry, which is FREE. You can queue for the ferry, but it's hot and we don't want to wait and queue as we want to maximise our day in Toronto, so off we headed with Captain Greybeard to ‘Middle Island’ for an afternoon in the park!
What a beautiful, clean, quiet or busy, family fun or romantic couples place we experienced.
It's simply stunning. Lined with marinas and restaurant bars, there's a fun fair for the families (but you'd never know it's there), plus a whole host of watersports - paddle boarding, kayaking and boating opportunities! There are people playing rope jump, enjoying bbqs on the grass in the 25ºC sunshine, or simply relaxing in the shade of Maple Trees. This is Toronto, in full summer chill mode and we LOVED it.
We did take the water taxi back, as the ferry (again, FREE to anyone returning back to the mainland) had a huge queue, and it's extremely busy and hot if you don't get a seat or place on deck. But it's also only a 6 or 7 minute crossing.
We've loved our time in Toronto and it would make a great two-centre city break with The Big Apple especially in the summer… definitely don't dismiss it!
Next stop Niagara.
Day 3. Car Hire & Niagara
We picked up our car from AVIS, and dialled in the sat nav for Queens Landing, Niagara on the Lake - a journey that was approx 1hr 45 mins. Once we’d done the tricky stuff of navigating the freeway out of Toronto (keep right!), it was a straightforward drive around Lake Ontario.
Check in was smooth, bags dumped and off we went to explore this quaint and beautiful town. It's rich with flora and fauna, with bright flowers in hanging baskets adorning the building along the tree-lined sidewalks.
You’ll find lots of local art & craft shops, and a huge Christmas store that has been here over 40 years. Restaurants aplenty, and no shortage of quality wine shops.
We opted to eat on the patio at the hotel, which was a bit of a treat, but the view and the ambience made for the perfect balmy evening. The patio overlooks the marina, and, quite randomly, we watched a spider spin his web as our entertainment for the evening!
Day 4. Niagara Falls
Up and out early because today is the day we experience Niagara Falls, and tick off one of those bucket-list experiences. We took an Uber to and from Niagara, just because it was easy and parking can be expensive and a bit challenging in peak season. Also, we got dropped off directly opposite the Zipline - which we had booked in advance. We pre-booked (jump the line) tickets and this avoided any long queueing (up to 1hr 30 mins) at peak times and we virtually walked straight on at our pre-booked time.
It was ACE and although not cheap, we all agreed it was a fab experience and memories worth creating. A courtesy buggy takes you back up to the start and from there we started our walk to the USA, New York State to board the Maid of the Mist and sail into Niagara Falls!
A couple of things to take note of here...
1. There is another boat that is on the Canada side, just by the Zipline. It also takes you into the Falls, and you avoid all the tolls and potential queues to enter the USA side of Niagara. But, we wanted the best views and the chance to walk through the park to get to the edge of the falls for some amazing views and photo opportunities.
2. You WILL need Passports, ESTAs, a $1 USD bill each, plus a credit card to pay $6 USD for a day entry pass into America. If it’s a hot day, you may experience some queuing to get through the immigration check on your return to Canada, so be prepared - we waited around 25 mins.
The Maid of the Mist did not disappoint and we laughed, got soaked and watched in awe of the sheer power and volume of water flowing over the Falls. It was everything we thought it would be, and more. It lives up to its status as a must-do bucket-list experience.
An Uber back to the Queens Landing (approx $41 Canadian each way) for a swim before our pre-dinner drinks and evening meal.
Niagara Falls - DONE!
Day 5. Toronto to Calgary
After an easy drive (under 2hrs) from Niagara, Google maps delivered us straight to the AVIS drop off point at Toronto airport, Terminal 3. We then took the train from T3 to T1 and started the next part of our journey through Canada, with a short 4hr flight to Calgary.
Day 6. RV collection at Fraserway, Calgary - Drive to Banff
Fraserway is the biggest RV rental company in Canada, and they've been in business since 1992. Their fleet is extensive, with RVs of all sizes to suit every type of adventurer, and I can see why Canadian Affair deal with them.
Checking in at Fraserway was so easy, and the team explained everything to us.
*Bit of Advice* - Video each instruction so you can refer back at any time.
Time to hit the road!
We popped into the Walmart store, which is just 5 minutes from Fraserway, and stocked up on necessities before setting Google Maps to Banff Tunnel Mountain Campground - just an hour and half drive away. And… what a drive it is! Absolutely stunning scenery and glimpses of wildlife en route.
On arrival at the campground you check in from the seat of your RV and then drive to your pitch. It’s all very straightforward and slick. We hooked up power and water, and opened a bottle of wine. Definitely time to relaxxxx…
Day 7. Banff
Up early and showered, downed a leisurely breakfast of bacon barm cakes, and off to locate the “Roam” public bus stop on the campsite. From there, it's just a 5-minute journey up to Banff Town.
Like everything over here, it's not your average bus trip, it's quite breathtaking at times.
Our recommendation is to get off the bus as soon as you arrive in Banff, and then stroll in. Of course, we did the usual popping in and out of the shops on the main street, but we decided that today we would venture up to the “Hot Springs” on Sulphur Mountain. Their history is really interesting.
They were discovered in November 1883 by three Canadian Pacific Railway workers and the federal government. After recognising the potential of the hot springs, they placed a 10-square-mile reserve around the area, marking the beginning of Canada's first National Park - known today as Banff National Park.
In 1984, the Park, and the hot springs, became a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.
It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours and it will cost you approx Canadian $20 for entry, which includes a towel. So, no need to take your own.
We took the “Roam” bus No. 1 back into town for $2pp. We stayed for a drink before taking the “Roam” bus No. 2 back to Tunnel Mountain Campsite.
We got the BBQ going, and opened a bottle of red before retiring. Another great day on tour!
Day 8. Banff
There’s no more BBQs or fire pits from now on - there is a total fire and charcoal ban in the National Parks, so we’ll be cooking on gas for the foreseeable…
Today, we considered taking off up Sulphur Mountain for lunch, via the Gondola, and then a leisurely stroll back down. But, it was quite expensive (approx $60) so it’s Roam Bus No. 2 to town, where we enjoyed a picnic and a swim in the river.
We even found, just a short stroll away, the waterfall at the foot of the Fairmont Hotel.
The adventure continues… read Part Two here!
