AMAZING, BUZZING, EPIC, FABULOUS, FANTASTIC, IMPRESSIVE, INCREDIBLE, LUCKY, MEGA, MIND BLOWN, OMG, SHENANIGANS, WOWZA, WOW.
These are just some of the words my family, friends and I used when I shared the photos of my recent Fam Trip to Toronto and Niagara with First Class Holidays, Air Canada and Destination Canada! I can confirm that it was all this and more!
Having spent the previous night in a hotel we headed towards the Queens Terminal (2) for our outbound flight with Air Canada. Upon arrival and speedy transition through customs and immigration we headed towards Pearson UP. This is quickest and cheapest way to transfer into the centre of Toronto and at a cost of $12.35 (less than £8) for a single trip exceptionally excellent value for money.
We then checked into our home for the next two days The Fairmont Royal York (conveniently located over the street from Grand Union Station) which is one of the oldest and most central hotels in downtown Toronto with views over the CN Tower – more of that later. Decorated in typical Art Deco Fashion The décor is sumptuous but not overwhelming and all the staff were attentive and could not do enough for us. Welcomed into our standard double/double room (with space to accommodate four adults) on the 10th Floor with a personal letter and sweet treats from the management. The room comes equipped with everything you need for your stay from tea and coffee facilities, mini bar, snacks, a hair dryer, robes and bathroom amenities.
In the evening we attended a welcome evening on the 19th floor – only accessible via the gold lift in the foyer which also provides access to the Gold Suites.
Day 2
Today we were treated to breakfast by the Fairmont Group followed by presentations from our Partners. Following these presentations, it was time to “get lost” in Toronto with a Treasure Hunt around the city which was vibrantly alive due to the Toronto Maple Leaves – local Ice Hockey Team – winning their playoff game the night before! We visited many areas of the city and immersed ourselves into the history of this Ice Hockey obsessed city including the St Lawrence Market, Scotia Centre and a former shunting yard. Now although we didn’t win, we loved taking part in our own mini Race Across the World – although 26,000 steps later my feet weren’t so happy!
The evening we took a tour of the underground city of Toronto and headed towards our dinner location – the 360-degree restaurant at the top of the CN Tower – the third highest tower in the World – a mere 1800 ft high. The views and food were amazing.
Day 3
Today was time to say goodbye to Toronto and head south. Our first stop in the picturesque town of Niagara on the Lake – the area is reminiscent of a Hallmark film which we all fell in love with. After a lovely lunch of fresh local mussels we then had time to explore the local shops before heading for our next stop of Niagara Helicopters and our very first glimpse of those Iconic Falls.
Safe to say everyone came off their flights with either tears in their eyes or massive grins on their faces. But this was nothing to what we were to experience next, checking into our hotel – the closest hotel to the Canadian Falls – Marriott on the Falls. Up in the lift to floor 27 upon opening our doors we were met with the almost indescribable view of Niagara Falls – until you have experienced this view you will never understand how we felt – we were buzzing and in awe for a least an hour after checking in and even slept with the curtains open so we didn’t miss a moment of this awe inspiring view.
That evening we headed over to the Crowne Plaza Hotel and their Steak House Restaurant located on the 10th floor which gave us a more direct view of the American Falls* and the light show that happens every evening lighting up the falls in a variety of colours finishing with the flag colours of each nation. *American Falls are the straight falls and the Canadian Falls being the Horseshoe shaped.
Niagara is a huge town, laid out in a crossroads intersection formation with hotels, restaurants, casinos and entertainment along each side of the road, easy to walk around it can be quite hilly in places as such, we discovered Ubers were plentiful, cheap and easy to book.
The main tip I would give when looking at hotel options in this city is consider what view/location you want. The cost of a Falls view is not as expensive as you would expect and I would thoroughly recommend you consider this for a memory to never be forgotten. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in the centre of the city which due to their location concentrate on the American Falls with the Canadian ones in the distance. The hotels that concentrate on the Horseshoe falls are further out of town and closer to attractions like the Niagara Power Station
Day 4
Our final day in Canada but boy did we pack it out. We headed off to the Sheraton for breakfast and guess what another meal with a view!
Now for the big one – a river cruise with a difference…..and a very fetching pink poncho. Little tip tie a knot on either side of your poncho to stop them blowing up as you approach the falls and getting absolutely soaked – yes we got wet but getting up so close to the falls and hearing the roar and speed of the water was unbelievable and all this topped off with a rainbow completed our unforgettable river cruise with a difference!
In the afternoon we visited Niagara’s latest visitor attraction. The Niagara Power Station, whilst this was decommissioned in 2006 it has now been fully renovated and shows the history behind this building. Drop down 180’ to the tunnel and learn all about the workings then pop out on a visitor platform to get a closer view of The Falls – the closest you can get without going behind them.
After all this, we attended a farewell reception and boarded our coach back to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK – tired, feet and bodies aching but with so much joy in our hearts and memories that will linger forever.
Thank you, First Class Holidays. Now form an orderly queue who’s first to book their trip of a lifetime to this gorgeous country that offers more than any other in the world.
