Anonymous wrote:I really want to go to Banff. Looks so beautiful.

This was life changing gorgeous. Can’t wait to go back.

Anonymous wrote:For those recommending Quebec City, any recommendations of where to stay (neighborhoods) that are good for kids ages 10 and 13?

We enjoy walking and exploring cities / sites and eating.

I’d stay in the old city (vieux Quebec), which is where the historical sights are located. If you wanted cheaper, it’s not far to walk to the old city ie 20-30 min but the old city is elevated, so you end up walking up and down hills and staircases.

If money is no object then the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac is where I’d stay.

If you don’t mind the hills and want a larger suite with full kitchen, there are a lot of very inexpensive accommodations ie under $100 USD just outside of the old city that are essentially apartments that you access with a code and there are no amenities. Eg Le Lofts Dorchester. They have no charm however, they’re like staying in an IKEA showroom.

Anonymous wrote:For those recommending Quebec City, any recommendations of where to stay (neighborhoods) that are good for kids ages 10 and 13?

We enjoy walking and exploring cities / sites and eating.

It’s not that big. Just stay near the action if money isn’t an issue.

I stayed near this restaurant (which was excellent). The walk to the old city didn’t feel unsafe but wasn’t pleasant or anything.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/24MhXNVQsMapQR5T6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

For those recommending Quebec City, any recommendations of where to stay (neighborhoods) that are good for kids ages 10 and 13?

We enjoy walking and exploring cities / sites and eating.

Anonymous wrote:Except for Norway, Cape Breton Island is my favorite vacation ever. We did PEI that trip too, which I liked, but I LOVED Cape Breton. We only did the part with the Cabot trail so I can’t speak to the other part. We flew in and out of PEI (connecting in Montreal) so we also didn’t see Halifax or Peggy’s cove or any parts of “mainland” Nova Scotia.

We went all these places. It was a lovely break. We also enjoyed the Scottish French vibe. Don't rely on the weather forecast - it changes quickly and might be very different 20 miles away.

A lot of great suggestions have already been shared.

Quebec:

-Love Quebec City both winter and summer with kids
-Ile D'Orleans (highly recommended for wine/foodies)
-Baie-St-Paul (beautiful little town and you can take the ferry to Isle-aux-coudres 20 min) and lots to see and do
- I saw a really cool museum "Musee Maritime de charlevoix" that looks awesome for kids on the way towards Tadoussac
-Tadoussac is great for whale watching and is beautiful
-Perce & Gaspe coast are supposed to be incredible and family who have been said the seafood was delicious and there's lots of great things with kids.

-I've heard good things about Toronto (great foodie & artsy city) & Ottawa.

-I personally went to Calgary and then to Banff/Lake Louise this winter and loved it!

So many great options. I'm hoping to check out some new spots this summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

I am pp, and I think it would be tight! The drives I mentioned are up to 5h one way. You could fly into Victoria and explore the south coast, or you could even fly into Tofino and explore that area for a few days. It would still be amazing and gorgeous, but I wouldn’t focus on the driving aspect so much.

Very helpful - thank you!

Anonymous wrote:To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

I am pp, and I think it would be tight! The drives I mentioned are up to 5h one way. You could fly into Victoria and explore the south coast, or you could even fly into Tofino and explore that area for a few days. It would still be amazing and gorgeous, but I wouldn’t focus on the driving aspect so much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

Not PP, but Vancouver Island is nearly 1.5 times the size of NJ. So while 3 full days would give you a very good taste of it, I'm not sure you could use the word "enough". Sea kayaking is big there too.

Very helpful - thank you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

Not the PP, but I don't think so. I love Vancouver Island (the Wikanninish in Tofino is one of my happy places) but getting there is a SLOG.

Thank you for the feedback!

Anonymous wrote:To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

Not the PP, but I don't think so. I love Vancouver Island (the Wikanninish in Tofino is one of my happy places) but getting there is a SLOG.

Anonymous wrote:Except for Norway, Cape Breton Island is my favorite vacation ever. We did PEI that trip too, which I liked, but I LOVED Cape Breton. We only did the part with the Cabot trail so I can’t speak to the other part. We flew in and out of PEI (connecting in Montreal) so we also didn’t see Halifax or Peggy’s cove or any parts of “mainland” Nova Scotia.

Western NS is boring. I see Kejimkujik National Park mentioned in guidebooks. I was there years ago and didn't see what is special about it. Sure, forests and water are nice, but it's a lot like places in New England that are far easier to get to.

I haven't been to Cape Breton yet. It does look very nice.

Anonymous wrote:To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

Not PP, but Vancouver Island is nearly 1.5 times the size of NJ. So while 3 full days would give you a very good taste of it, I'm not sure you could use the word "enough". Sea kayaking is big there too.

To the "Canadian pp from pg 1" - Vancouver Island sounds amazing! Do you think three days (plus two travel days) would be enough time there? We're coming from the east coast, so I figure most of a day for travel each way. Maybe we'd have an evening and three full days? I am not a big hiker, more like a pretty walk to a scenic view , so we won't need to build in time for long hikes. We would definitely be up for renting a car. Thank you!

Except for Norway, Cape Breton Island is my favorite vacation ever. We did PEI that trip too, which I liked, but I LOVED Cape Breton. We only did the part with the Cabot trail so I can’t speak to the other part. We flew in and out of PEI (connecting in Montreal) so we also didn’t see Halifax or Peggy’s cove or any parts of “mainland” Nova Scotia.