Chickendoodle Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 It is our silver wedding anniversary next year and we are planning (and saving hard) for a special holiday. We have been to Western Canada and would like to visit the Eastern Side - Montreal/Quebec/Cape Breton/Prince Edward Island. Planning this quite in advance as it's for next September so doing quite a bit of research online. Found a few travel companies offering various combinations but not sure which way to go. Has anyone done a trip up the East Canada Coast/St Lawrence River? We are not brave travellers and I don't want to plan the route myself so need a travel agent to do this for us. As I see it we have 3 options: 1. Self drive itinerary - advantages are freedom, staying in more remote places, sampling proper local cuisine etc disadvantages - driving long distances and missing scenery etc while driving - Getting lost!!! 2. Escorted tour - advantages are not having to worry about driving, being able to see all the scenery disadvantages - more "chain" hotels, lack of individual freeedom and more touristy places 3. Cruise - advantages - only unpacking once, no driving disadvantages - eating (admittedly lovely)food on board but little chance to sample local food, being in a large group and having a time limit to get back on board We have been on a couple of cruises so know what to expect and have also done an escorted tour but have never done a self drive itinerary. I love Anne of Green Gable so I have told my OH that we must include Prince Edward Island whether he likes it or not Wouldn't want an entire holiday there though. Anyone done this area and can offer any words of wisdom or any particularly good travel companies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Hi - I used to live in Montreal. Firstly in Little Italy - Rue Jean Talon ( not so nice) & then on the main road into the centre Rue St Denis opposite Rockaberrys ( coffee shop & pie place). Mmm mm mm. I can give you a rough idea of places to visit & things to do from memory. Old Montreal is very nice. Quebec city is an interesting day trip. But the most memorable thing I did was visit Mont Tremblant ( Trembling Mountain) - a drive away & I also liked Ottawa. I remember visiting somewhere called something like Devils Creek & floating on it in an inflatable doughnut until we spotted a moose trying to drink & we totally legged it!!!!! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I visited umpteen years as go when I was a post grad - loved Montreal, lovely city. We spent a weekend driving up the St Laurence coast, past Quebec it becomes very Francophone and the coast is stunning with fjords and ferries to cross them. It's a migration route for several species of whale and I will never forget seeing a mother and calf humpback swimming ahead of the car ferry. I would say a whale watching trip is a must while you're there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Well, been to Toronto a few times as I have a cousin there. But we did the Niagara trip (Niagara on the Lake is very lovely and a bit further out). We did a quick trip into Quebec. Did the Thousand Island trip. Visited Ottawa. Didn't see a Mountie until we went west! Out west we did Calgary to the Stampede, the Rockies, the glaciers (best - and coldest - water I have ever tasted), and the Dinosaur Provincial Park. Also Vancouver. Love Canada, I don't think I have been anywhere over there that I didn't like. But as usual so much to do and so little time to do it in! Wherever you go I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 We won a holiday to Quebec years ago. We stayed in an eccentric hotel called the Hotel Chantecleur (or something like that) can't remember the name of the town but it was two hours drive from Montreal. There was a stables attached to the hotel so I went for a two hour hack through the woods (riding western style). We went trout fishing. We also went to Santa's summer residence - very cheesy I know but every time we went anywhere in our hire car we passed it and in the end curiosity got the better of us. The countryside was spectacular and we saw all sorts of wildlife. Including catfish you could drop a fishing lure on the head of and they still wouldn't budge. Ironically in the last couple of years I have researched the family tree and I found I have relatives in Quebec, they were just up the road from where we stayed, they have now moved to Prince Edward Island. If you speak French it is a real advantage, you will get served much quicker in shops and restaurants. Otherwise they assume you are American and only serve you once all the French speakers have been served! They holiday was arranged through Air Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted June 5, 2013 Author Share Posted June 5, 2013 Thanks for all the suggestions - much appreciated as always. I have done a lot of online research and have just about settled on a combination of Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island and Fundy National Park. Long drives between each place but staying around 4 days in each one. Although we would like to see Montreal and Quebec we are much more outdoors type people than city people. Can only afford 1 holiday so going with the scenic route. Found a company called Audley Travel who plan holidays just like this and are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. We have only had a long weekend in Cornwall this year as we are saving hard for this special holiday. YD got married 2 years ago and so we haven't had a decent holiday for a few years. Very excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 All I can add is that we are looking at options for a Canadian holiday too! I really posted to say that we have used Audley a few times in the past and have found them to be an excellent company to travel with. Excellent knowledge and very good at tailor-making to suit your needs/budget etc. Did Cambodia with them not too long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Have now booked with Audley - way in advance as it is 15 months away! Fiona the Canada specialist was incredibly helpful,asked what we liked to do and tailored the trip for us. She had visited all of the places we are going to and her first hand knowledge was invaluable. In fact she stopped us spending extra money saying what we were suggesting really wasn't worth it. Even for the quote you get a complete itinerary online with travelling distances, things to do, and pictures of all of the hotels. I am very impressed with them so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
