World Congress 2012

[Kyalami2001]

I am putting this here as I'm not sure how it fits with topics & hope some of you might be able to help. My friend Di Jolly (Ravvar Ridgebacks) & I are in the very early stages of planning our trip to Canada for the World Congress next year - already booked our venue accommodation - I am wondering if anyone here can give us a few pointers about getting around in Canada. As you all drive on the wrong side of the road, we dont want to hire a car. We want to go to Montreal & Quebec City. How long does it take by train or is the bus a prettier route from Toronto? How long should we allow to visit each city & should we add in Ottawa? & where else? Will there be dog shows other than those at the World Congress? After seeing as much as we can in such a brief visit, we will go to Calgary & wend our way (probably train, but then again, is the bus better?) to Vancouver. We will go across to Victoria & I have the Bouchart Gardens on my must see list. What else should we not miss? All up, we are allowing around 4 weeks, not long but its all we have.
Thank you all in anticipation
Lyn

[CA in TO]

I will personally welcome you right now as I live approximately 10 minutes away from the congress site. Will you be arriving before the actual event dates? Or do you start from the congress?
Any time that I have a choice between bus and train, I would choose the train. I would suggest starting from Montreal or Quebec prior to coming to Toronto/Mississauga for the congress. Each city is worthy of at least a couple of days. I would also give Toronto at least two or three days beyond the actual congress. You should fit in Niagara Falls (seven wonders of the world and all).
Fly to Calgary. Absolutely take the train between Calgary and the west coast. If you can, stop and spend a day in Banff enroute.
I would give 50% of your time to Quebec and Ontario and 50% to the west (Calgary, the rocky mountains, Vancouver and Victoria.
The real question is what do you want from your trip? Some want shopping, others history, yet others desire theatre or concerts or photographic opportunities.
Will you have dogs with you?
We are a big country and not inexpensive. But--- I am a totally proud Canadian and will help you any way I can
Train travel between cities is always with ViaRail (www.viarail.ca) and typically the best air fares from Ontario to the west are with WestJet.

[Kyalami2001]

Thank you Carol Ann, that is exactly the sort of info I wanted. We really just want to sight see but if the shops are open, I will be in them, I love retail therapy. I think the programme for the Congress includes a Niagara visit, & your side of the Falls is the one to see. Now we can start on getting ourselves organised.
Thanks again
 
Lyn

[Kyalami2001]

We booked our trip today. Taking Carol Ann's advice & going from Toronto by train to Ottawa. Then onto Quebec, Montreal & back to Toronto for the Congress, then fly across to Calgary, train down to Vancouver across to Victoria & then home. I hope we can catch up with a few of you there 
Lyn

[CA in TO]

I'll be there. We'll figure out how to connect when we get closer to the dates


Carol Ann, Toronto

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts

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[caro]

I am hoping to go.  Not sure if I will drive up with Misha or just fly up without a dog.
Caroline

[Kyalami2001]

We are definitely on our way. Everything is booked & we only have to pay for the Congress itself now. Not quite counting down the sleeps yet but getting close to it 
We get there on the 9th August so have plenty of time to look about a bit before the Congress - & maybe even take in a dog show or two as well.
Excited+++++

Lyn