Toronto Tours in Fall

Anyone considering going on this trip needs to think about why they are going. If it is for wildlife eg. birds, they need to investigate the best time of the year to go, taking migration into account etc. I had a wonderful time on this trip. Whilst the wildlife were not particularly co-operative, or the weather, the Expedition Team did their best at all times to fulfil the itinerary and give us the best opportunity to see the expected wild life. Whilst many whales were missing, we had the unusual bonus of seeing six Polar Bears and 17 Narwhals! You win some, you lose some! The M/V Greg Mortimer is an impressive ship, keeping the rocking and rolling across Baffin Bay, to a minimum. Inside it is extremely comfortable, all the 'hotel' staff are friendly and very professional. The rooms were kept spotless and serviced twice a day. There was a very large choice of good food at all meals. Two meals are buffet and the evening dinner, a served meal. The lectures on board, given by members of the Expedition Team and some guest lecturers, were linked to the programme and additional ones added where particular interest was shown by passengers. They were of a high standard. I am very happy to recommend this trip to those who are prepared to be flexible, both with the itinerary and daily programme. One day we started on Plan A and ended on Plan E thanks to the weather! It should not be considered as a cruise but a truly exploratory trip, getting into zodiacs a couple of times a day to go and get close up views of icebergs, bird nesting cliffs, glaciers: anything that may be of interest.

It would have been helpful if the tour director had maps available, especially in the big cities. Would have liked more time at Niagara on the Lake and Kingston. An optional trip to Ste Anne de Beaupre in Quebec might be nice. The hotels were all excellent!! The copper crafting at Gilles and Chez Dany were definitely enjoyed.

We recently completed the 24-day Around the World tour. What an incredible experience it was! The journey started in Athens where we saw the Acropolis. From there, we flew to Cairo and honestly, nothing prepares you for seeing the Pyramids in person. That moment alone was worth the trip. They are HUGE!! Seeing elephants in Kruger in South Africa was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thrill. Having lions in front of my eyes is something I’ll never forget. Singapore was our little breather from all the exploration. We also saw a beautiful sunrise at the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Our guide did a fantastic job keeping things organized, especially with so many transitions. The pace was full but manageable though the jet lag hit us hard at times. Still, we felt safe, cared for and part of a great group. This wasn’t just a trip, it was a life experience.

The tours of Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and Montreal were brilliant. However the trip to the Ice Hockey Stadium was a waste of time and I am an ice hockey fan. It would have been better to go straight to Niagara, done the boat ride at the falls and then straight on to the next destination. The night at the Hotel Brock was the noisiest hotel stay I have ever had and I regularly stay in Hilton Hotels in Europe. It would appear that hotels in Canada need to catch up with the rest of the world. There are such products as Chicken and Turkey sausages and Turkey bacon available for a reason.