Richard

Where visited: 
 
Toronto, Niagara Falls, Quebec City, La Malbaie in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts (near lake Sacacomie) in Quebec and Montreal. 
 
Favourite Place:

Niagara Falls. 
 
Iconic, spectacular and full of history. There are other higher, wider, remoter waterfalls to name drop but seeing the Falls from afar and then up close from Table Rock is a memorable and magnificent sight. The Hornblower Niagara boat trip is exciting, exhilarating and so much fun. 
 
Favourite Hotel:

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Québec City. 
 
There is no need to get the map out if you are feeling a bit lost in Québec City and ‘in residence’ at Le Château Frontenac because this stunning, historic hotel is visible on the horizon from just about everywhere. Staying there feels special. It is impressive inside as well as out, retains a sophisticated but relaxed ambiance and is the sort of place you remember with fondness long after your stay. The location is of course ideal, the views superb and breakfasts delicious.

Favourite attractions:

Rogers Centre (originally SkyDome) for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. You get a great view of the stadium and its retractable roof from atop the CN tower. If you can take in a game it’s a memorable experience. For myself, I can still recall as a teenager eating popcorn and pretzels and yelling ‘Lets go Blue Jays’ with my pen pal (how quaint) and friends.

Niagara on the Lake Vineyard Tour: It is a fantastic full day trip to the magnificent Falls with a nice mix of free time and sightseeing and includes a surprisingly appealing lunch.

Favourite restaurant: Place Dufferin at the Château Frontenac. Serves a wonderful buffet breakfast with fine tea and coffees. A truly relaxing way to start the day.

Things to look out for:

When looking at the cost of most purchases in Canada (including food and drink) the price you see is not the price you pay. There is an additional Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% and a provincial sales tax which varies between provinces but can be up to 10% to be added on at the till.

Top Tip

In Quebec City during the summer months a changing of the guard takes place daily in the parade ground at the Fortress of Québec. It is included in the cost of the museum ticket and is based on the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It is a colourful military display that includes the inspection of the guard by the officers, a Regimental Band and somewhat unexpectantly the regimental mascot Batisse the Goat. 
 
Greatest memory:

The beautiful drive to La Malbaie and Saint-Alexis-des-Monts and Montreal: a real vibrant city with lots of festivals, parks, a nice little old town in the Old Port and a pleasant waterfront by the Saint Laurence river. The Saint Sulpice hotel was a lovely place to stay here.