Ideas where to vacation if not at WDW

[CanucksRock]

Is VIA Rail still a thing? Just over 20 years ago a friend and I took the train from Edmonton to Halifax. That was my way to see Canada. We had stops in Winnipeg, Toronto & Montreal along the way. Stayed in Halifax for a bit then took the train back (and had enough credits due to the train being delayed to upgrade to sleeper class for the Toronto to Edmonton part)

Beyond that I’ve had lots of layovers in Toronto, but have not been East of Alberta. I’ve travelled to BC countless times.

I have travelled many places over the last 20 years, and hands down one of my favourites is Scotland. I’ve been there twice, Such a beautiful country.

 

[ottawamom]

Yes VIA Rail is still a thing.

 

[Sue M]

Is VIA Rail still a thing? Just over 20 years ago a friend and I took the train from Edmonton to Halifax. That was my way to see Canada. We had stops in Winnipeg, Toronto & Montreal along the way. Stayed in Halifax for a bit then took the train back (and had enough credits due to the train being delayed to upgrade to sleeper class for the Toronto to Edmonton part)

Beyond that I’ve had lots of layovers in Toronto, but have not been East of Alberta. I’ve travelled to BC countless times.

I have travelled many places over the last 20 years, and hands down one of my favourites is Scotland. I’ve been there twice, Such a beautiful country.

I looked into Via Rail once, I thought it would be a fun way to travel. But was way more expensive than flying. Sleeper car.

 

[MamaLema]

Hello: Since the election of trump and now the trade war caused by trump, I have decided not to spend my vacation dollars in the USA. Any suggestions where to spend them, other than in Canada? Thanks. Canadian Tom

We cancelled 3 US trips this year and booked Portugal, Montreal, and Mexico City instead. I love US travel about we're taking a break for a while.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We’re heading to Australia this summer, and starting to look at cruises out of Puerto Rico or Columbia for next winter.

 

[samsteele]

Sleeper destinations include:

• the Algarve beach resorts in Portugal. Combined with either a rental car or a short bus tour package, it's a unique and interesting vacation;
• Ireland. Not necessarily a sun destination but reasonably priced. I've noticed more Irish tourism board ads on youtube directed at Canadians lately. Easy direct flights; and
• Poland. Very reasonable prices and fascinating off the beaten track city stays with great food.

 

[musika]

I think we want to plan the trip to the Maritimes we've been pondering, but were going to wait till daughter was older, but heck, no time like the present! We've been reading Anne of Green Gables, so may investigate this sort of trip, any Maritmers on this board?

Nova Scotia here. Happy to answer any NS travel-related questions! Lots to see and do, especially if you're willing to rent a car and are into the outdoors. Decent amount of cool museums, including villages - Sherbrooke village, Highland village, acadian village all come to mind with costumed interpreters. Great for littles! I second pp's comment about booking PEI, especially if you're thinking July - Cavendish music festival fully books out most of the island.

Is VIA Rail still a thing? Just over 20 years ago a friend and I took the train from Edmonton to Halifax. That was my way to see Canada. We had stops in Winnipeg, Toronto & Montreal along the way. Stayed in Halifax for a bit then took the train back (and had enough credits due to the train being delayed to upgrade to sleeper class for the Toronto to Edmonton part)

Beyond that I’ve had lots of layovers in Toronto, but have not been East of Alberta. I’ve travelled to BC countless times.

I have travelled many places over the last 20 years, and hands down one of my favourites is Scotland. I’ve been there twice, Such a beautiful country.

It technically is but they have a fair number of on-time issues getting to Halifax. We've looked into it a couple of times but the cost plus the time just doesn't work in our schedule.

Europe is unfortunately pretty pricy in the larger cities, but you can't go wrong experience-wise in London, Paris, Edinburgh, Munich, Berlin etc.

We're headed to Ottawa this summer and pretty excited to check out our capital city.

 

[DVCanadian]

Last week we cancelled our may trip to disney world (7 nights in a 2 bedroom theme park view at bay lake tower) and are heading to Jamaica instead.

 

[mort1331]

Last week we cancelled our may trip to disney world (7 nights in a 2 bedroom theme park view at bay lake tower) and are heading to Jamaica instead.

I only replied sad because its sad we cant visit our happy place. Now Jamaica is wonderful and we have always enjoyed the island.

 

[lcmckenzie2022]

We are going to Vancouver instead! With maybe a day trip to Whistler.

 

[Aladora]

We are going to Vancouver instead! With maybe a day trip to Whistler.

If you are in Whistler in the summer, I highly recommend going on the glacier walk!

 

[Uk145081]

Check out some spots in Europe? Portugal and Spain are pretty affordable and have amazing culture and food. Or, if you're up for something different, Southeast Asia is incredible and your money will go a long way there.

 

[Frwinkley]

We are going to Vancouver instead! With maybe a day trip to Whistler.

American here! We stayed in Victoria for a few nights during our trip last summer to Seattle and Vancouver. Beautiful! We actually wish we could have spent more time in Victoria.

 

[ElCray]

I think we want to plan the trip to the Maritimes we've been pondering, but were going to wait till daughter was older, but heck, no time like the present! We've been reading Anne of Green Gables, so may investigate this sort of trip, any Maritmers on this board?

New Brunswicker here! I'd suggest St Andrews and Fundy National Park. And a stop in Shediac - lobster capital of the world!

 

[Disney Addicted]

2 of my sons are voting for Costa Rica & Mexico.
I've been to Mexico many times and enjoyed it. Hotel XCaret was great.
https://www.hotelxcaret.com/en/?utm...e_id=1606084&wgexpiry=1772728776&gad_source=1

My youngest niece is currently living (Medical training) in Ireland and wants me to visit next year.

My oldest niece (Nurse) is training in Thailand and would love me to visit.

I am also considering becoming a dual citizen of UK,,,I was born in Canada but my mom was born in England.

One of my sons is also a dual citizen as many of my nieces and nephews.

Pumpkin I'd love to hear about Punta Cana.
Best wishes.

Hugs Mel

Hi Mel. Thanks for the reminder about Hotel XCaret! I remember a big discussion about it a year or two back. My BIL is talking about a family vacation somewhere and he brought up Mexico. I'll have to see if he and the others are interested in Hotel XCaret.

My husband's mom was born and raised in Ireland and came to Canada in her 20's. His grandfather (Dad's side) came over from England. My husband is thinking of applying for dual citizen with Ireland. He apparently didn't realize that was something he could do until after his mom passed away.

 

[ElCray]

We're looking at planning out our bucket list for the years until we retire. I've already done my #1 - the Alhambra in Spain. I went to Granada and Sevilla as part of that trip to Andalusia and I'd recommend it to everyone! So much history, beauty, and amazing food.

On my radar are the pyramids in Egypt, Australia and NZ, Machu Piccu, and a safari. Those will take a lot of planning and points collecting to make them feasible!

This year we're headed to Japan and next year I'm taking my daughter and step-mom to Paris for a girls trip.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We’re 5 years until retirement and just paid off the mortgage (no other debt), so starting our “bucket list” too. I work for the school board so only get 6 weeks off in the summer, so trips have to fit in that time frame.

We also want to do the more far-away and active ones while we’re the healthiest. Australia is this summer, we’ll see how we are with the long flights, if it goes well we might do New Zealand next summer. Egypt and the Mediterranean are definitely on the list too but not somewhere I would want to go in July/August.

I would also love to do the Northwest Passage. So much to see!

 

[Travel60]

I don't know where in your own country you have visited but starting there ....we spent a wonderful several days in 2024 on Vancouver Island, Victoria, in Vancouver City, and in Whistler. Still on my list in the west is Banff, Lake Louise and that area. My dream is the cross Canada rail trip. We are in talks with friends to do something in Eastern Canada this fall - Quebec City, Montreal area. Spouse wants to go to Gander (read the book, love the play) but that's a hard one!

Outside your lovely country, consider Ireland - fly in and out of the west coast. Do a day trip or overnight to Dublin if you must but enjoy the beauty of the west. Iceland is also lovely. I've not been to Scotland but it has recently moved up on my list. We spent two weeks in Norway a few years ago and fell in love with the beauty and the people there.

Hopefully you can see more of the world over the next four years and then, if we still exist as a democratic country, you can return to visiting the US. Pray for us.

 

[CVG]

Forget all the capital cities. Do a TV-inspired trip. For the UK, you could go to Cornwall to see the sights of Poldark and Doc Martin. What other country's TV shows can be recommended? How about a The Bridge tour to Sweden/Denmark?

 

[damo]

Every province in Canada is absolutely stunning and deserves to be visited by Canadians. I don't think Canadians give our own country the credit it deserves when it comes to amazing vacation destinations.