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Thread: USA/Canada Holiday

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    USA/Canada Holiday

    After going to Japan last year I've decided I wouldn't mind going to North America (as I haven't been there before) around September time. I originally thought of going to New York for about 3 days and then getting a train into Canada and having a look around there for a week or so.

    However, I've stumbled onto this site: -

    http://www.trekamerica.co.uk/tours/cp.html

    I quite like the idea of getting to see a lot, although slightly worried by the sheer amount of travelling involved. It's also handy I'll most likely be going alone, so seems a great way to group up with some people. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with these sort of holidays? Or if anyone knows of any other sort of alternatives?

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    You could look at Sta travel as they do coach tours and fly/drives, me and my gf were looking at it but the flights were too expensive

    If you go to Vegas book in advance, rooms are dirt cheap ($20ish a night if you look well)
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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    Well, I've made a plan now for my holiday.

    Friday 3rd Sep:
    Fly out from Heathrow @ 1035 and arrive at JFK, New York @ 1325 (or thereabouts)
    Got the afternoon and evening in New York.
    I plan to stay in the Pod Hotel for 2 nights.

    Saturday 4th Sep:
    Whole day in NY. Not sure what I'll do at the moment, but I've heard sunset at the "top of the Rock" is good (better than the Empire State Building). Maybe pay a visit to Central Park if the weather is good.

    Sunday 5th Sep: (Day 1)
    The tour starts @ 0730 at Secaucus Holiday Inn. I'll copy and paste the itenary for the 2 weeks here: -
    Day: 1 New York Area & Finger Lakes

    Head off through New York State to the scenic Finger Lakes region. Visit the local wineries upstate or take a dip in those cool waters, then settle in to camp under the stars.
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 2 Niagara Falls/Toronto

    Reaching the Canadian border, witness one of North America's best known natural attractions, Niagara Falls. Boy, are those pounding cascades easy on the eye and mighty on the ear. An extreme close-up from the Maid of the Mist tour delivers sensory overload and a heap of spray.
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 3 Toronto

    The native Hurons called this spot 'Toronto' or 'meeting place'. It still is, with over 70 nationalities mingling to vibrant effect. Pick up tasty tidbits at St Lawrence market, survey the head-spinning views from CN Tower, the world's tallest free-standing structure, and follow your ears around the stomping music scene to soak up the multicultural buzz.
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 4-5 Algonquin Provincial Park

    Out in the pristine Ontario wilds, set off on an unforgettable included wilderness canoe trip in the province's largest and best known parks. In true Canadian Pioneer spirit, portage paths connect the thousands of possible canoe routes to be taken. Listening for the 'laughter' of loons and howling wolves in the distance.
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 6 Ottawa

    In Canada's capital, watch the changing of the guard, wander through Sparks Street Mall, the Rideau Centre and Sussex Street. Or admire the outdoor vibe in this capital cities many green spaces and munch on the deep fried dough snacks known as beaver tails!
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 7-8 Montreal

    A true cultural mix is next on the agenda when visiting Montreal - the second largest city in Canada. Feel the charm of this 'European style' city with a kicking summer festival season, French culture and narrow lanes choc-a-block with quirky cafés and great shopping is the goods! For the adventure seekers why not rip it up across Lachine Rapids by high-powered jet boat.
    Accommodation: En-route hotels paid locally

    Day: 9-10 Quebec City

    Explore the streets of North America's only surviving walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get snap happy around the Old Town, fuelled by warm pastries or lip-smacking local cheeses. Parlez-vous francais?
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 11-12 Acadia National Park

    Leaving Canada, we're back on US soil and heading to the only national park in New England, Acadia. It's crying out for trekking or mountain biking. If you're more of a water baby, sea kayak your way around scenic hidden coves.
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Day: 13 New England

    Sensational New England countryside provides the scene for your penultimate night of excited campfire chatter. Enjoy fresh lobster and visit the best of Freeport's outlet shops for some great deals.
    Accommodation: Camping included

    Saturday Sep 18: Day: 14 New York Area

    We zip through Massachusetts and Conneticut en-route to the New York Area and the end of our pioneering adventure. This tour is not scheduled to spend any time in New York City so make sure you book extra hotel nights and explore the sights and sounds of the Big Apple on your own. Splurge along Fifth Ave, hit the top of the Empire State Building, or soak up the trendy, laidback vibe of Greenwich Village before heading home.

    Tour ends at approx 17:00 hrs in New York Area on day 14.

    Note: This tour may operate in either direction!

    I plan to stay in the "gateway hotel" (as they call it), ie where the tour ends as that's where most the group will no doubt stay, and would allow for a night out on the town maybe.

    Sunday Sep 19:

    I plan to take a late plane back (2230 from JFK), therefore giving me most of the day in the city again. Again, not sure what to do yet. Maybe a river tour or even shopping (see below).

    I plan to book flight with Virgin Atlantic (should get a military discout with them). It's about £400 at the moment. I'm sort of tempted to upgrade to Premium Economy on the way back as I can then take another bag back with me, although I'm not sure what I would want to buy to bring back with me (not really into fashion!).

    So, any one got ideas for what's a "must-do" in the Big Apple? Also, anyone who's been before, is there somewhere I can store my suitcase for the last day (eg at a locker in a train station) so I'm not lugging it around with me for the whole day?

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    Spent 48 hours in NY a couple of years back, so I've experienced the whole "best of" mentality...

    Top of the Empire State and the Metropolitan museum were the two main highlights - nice rooftop bar on top of the Met when I was there overlooking Central Park although not exactly cheap - great at sunset for views imo, Central Park in good weather is great for a wander round. Didn't really have enough time to do anything else of any consequence, enjoyed it all the same though. I've been to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island before on a previous visit, so wasn't particularly fussed about them. If you do want to do Top of the Rock / Empire State book in advance on the web, saves a heck of a lot of time when you get there.

    Went to Montreal a few years back as well, but can't for the life of me remember even a single detail about the trip. Except for having a chat with a bloke on strike, who could only speak French.

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    I'm going on a Trek America trip on my own in July, saved me having to organise anything about my post-graduation trip as a gift to myself!

    I shall report back when I get back, to try and give you an idea of how much time was spent travelling as opposed to being places doing actual stuff!
    "If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much room!"
    - me, 2005

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    Well, I put the travel details into Google maps and it looks like there might be a few 5 hour drives on some of the days, but doesn't look too bad. Hopefully the minibus is comfortable enough to maybe catch up on some sleep!

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    If it isn't buy some melatonin over there, will sort you out properly (you can get it in the drug stores without prescription)

    Been using it to get to sleep after long weekends working
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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    I would say that looks interesting for a very limited east coast tour.

    The US us a huge country, with very diverse and distinct cultures. While much of the middle is pretty much consistent, The South and West are worth seeing. The Western US contains some of the most picturesque countryside in the world, and is certainly worth spending a few weeks to visit.

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    Well, the company does tours all over the US, so if this one goes well (which it should!), then I'll probably go on one of the others next year.

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    Sounds fun I did 3 months across america a few years ago, but it was pretty much entirely unplanned.

    You can do it pretty cheap with a Greyhound bus pass, though those weren't exactly the most fun journeys ever.

    As for NY, I was there for over a week and still didn't really get to see everything, but I did at least have time to just wander around, jump on a subway, get lost, and see the sights. The Empire State Building is a must see for sure, and the Brooklyn bridge was cool too. Central Park alone is huge, but it's a nice relaxing break from the busyness. My dad did a helicopter ride over the city when he was there, which he said was one of the best experiences he's had, though I'm not sure how much they set you back.

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    Re: USA/Canada Holiday

    I used to live in the USA but I was over in the Southwest. I got to spend a day in New York during a week long trip to PA. The Empire State Building was a great view but expect long queues. One redeeming factor is the sheer variety of people you'll meet while you're in there. Depending of course on who's around I say get stuck in and start up some conversations. The Americans will usually go for it and it'll make the trip and the wait times so much more interesting.

    The Statue of Liberty was a good one. Shorter wait times and really interesting. I couldn't believe how thin the metal was! I'd definitely give that one a go and do the Staten Island ferry. Ellis Island was okay but you could skip it if you're not big on history or humanities type issues.

    One thing I did enjoy which was different was just across the line in New Jersey - and that was to go aboard the Battleship USS New Jersey. Huge thing and really interesting, if you like that sort of thing.

    Manhattan was a really good trip for me. I'm not usually a fan of cities - I'll take the great outdoors any day. However I found New York to be something special - a real surprise. I really enjoyed. Had pizza as Sbarros next to Times Square. Great bustling, evening atmosphere. If you're into architecture St. Patrick's Cathedral was good. And of course there's the ice rink at the Rockefeller building. I think for me, with a short trip, the most important thing is to make sure I take in the sounds and smells and tastes and have some good conversations - meet some people. Those are the memories that last longest. I still vividly remember my time walking on Broadway and through Times Square, the pizza restaurant and other such things. The view from the top of the Empire was lovely, but what I remember most was the freezing cold wind - it was November when I was there.

    If you can't do all the sites I say don't worry - take a cab ride around (if you can afford it - very expensive, as is parking - if you rent) or just walk and bus - eat different foods, see places, meet people. Get the feel of the place. And New York really does have an amazing atmosphere!
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