TRAVEL: EASTERN CANADA

By Janie Cadena

     There is so much variety to the Eastern half of Canada I know it will not do it justice, so I will touch on some of the most travelled destinations.

     If we start with Ontario, Niagara Falls is probably the most visited destination in Canada because to appreciate the Falls in all their majesty you really need to be on the Canadian side. While the town has attracted all the tacky tourist sites and shops, nothing can trivialize the beauty and power of Niagara Falls. Also, in the province of Ontario is Toronto. It has been some years since I visited Toronto, but it remains a favorite city of mine. Some of the places to visit there are: the CN Tower (the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere which offers a hands-free walk on the outside ledge of the tower for those with the stomach to do it); take a ferry over to Toronto Island, a fun place to spend the day without any cars around; the Ontario Science Center offers hundreds of inter-active exhibits where kids learn science facts while having fun; and my favorite, Black Creek Pioneer Village – a village made up of original buildings where you can watch a blacksmith, gunsmith, miller, printer, etc. doing their jobs as they would have in the 1800’s.

     So now as we head east into Quebec, we are taken to another country. French-speaking Quebec is truly different; there are people here who do not speak English – this is also where you will find some of the oldest cities in Canada. Ottawa, the capital of Canada has a beautiful Parliament building that looks as though it was scooped up from Europe and deposited here. Quebec City, one of the oldest European settlements in North America has beautiful buildings and fortifications dating back to the mid 1600’s. Our last stop in Quebec is Montreal; just the word rolling off your tongue sounds French and conjures up thoughts of Café au Lait and croissants. Visit the historical sites or just take in the cosmopolitan feel of this city.

     Many of the Atlantic Coast provinces are visited on fall foliage cruises, like Saint John, New Brunswick where you can see the Reversing Falls and the Bay of Fundy with the highest tidal range in the world. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island or PEI, as it is known, is a beautiful city of Victorian architecture, gaslights and even a town crier. The island was the setting for the book,  Anne of Green Gables. Halifax, Nova Scotia, has the second largest natural harbor in the world.  From Halifax take the “Lighthouse Route” to fishing villages such as Peggy’s Cove where you will find probably the most photographed Lighthouse. Peggy’s Cove is very unique, a small village with a few homes and shops built in between the big granite boulders. I don’t remember any trees, but I doubt if they could exist with the constant wind from the Atlantic Ocean – a barren, but picturesque place.

     I hope you have the opportunity to visit our cousins to the north and if you do, drop me a note and share your experiences. We are all getting ready for our visitor from the North Pole – I think he must be Canadian – so hang your stockings and say your prayers. Have a very safe and happy Christmas.

Janie Cadena, CTC, CPG a certified travel counselor for over 20 years she has traveled or lived in over 40 countries. She is also a Certified Professional Tour Guide. Janie is the owner of Your Travel Guide, a travel agency located here in Von Ormy. For more information go to: www.yourtravelguideco.com, email her at: travelguide@sbcglobal.net or check out “yourtravelguideco” on Facebook.