1000 Islands area - Gananoque

What a wonderful area this is. This part of Ontario lake is located in the border area between New York State and Ontario. You follow Interstate 81 and when you cross the border of Canada your are in 1000 Island area. Even before you cross the border you see this magnificent area. We follow the interstate 81 to Watertown and then took of highway 12E to Cape Vincent to spot the lake from the US side - forget that. Just stay on 81 and get yourself to the Canadian side. 

"The 1000 Islands Region is an international tourism destination, encompassing communities on both sides of the US and Canada border along the St. Lawrence River and the eastern shores of Lake Ontario. The region takes its name from the more than 1000 islands that dot the lake and river along this international waterway. The region extends from Kingson to Cornwall on the Canadian side, and from Oswego to Massena on the US side, reaching inland to the foothills of the Adirondack mountains to embrace the communities that are west and north of the Adirondack Park, and the four NY Counties of Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence" (Quote: http://www.1000islands.com/)

First night back in Canada, we spent in Gananoque. A small city populated with only 5200. This was manily because we wanted to go on cruise on the lake the day after. I think the best cruise line runs from Rockport, which are located about 20 km east of Gananoque. Now staying in Gananoque is not a main attraction, but it is good choice if you plan to join the cruise and to drive 1000 Island parkway. I think a drive along this highway is a must, even if you don't plan to stay in the area. If driving from Toronto on 401 eastbound,  you should note the signs of 1000 Island driveway. It is a great alternative to 401.

Boston

Boston on wikitravel

Finally, Boston - one of our major destination. This city was a pleasant experience to both of us. We really enjoy or stay in this historic city. Boston is the city where the revolution started back in the 17th century were the new nation started its hard struggle to get rid of their connection to the royal crown. Now history may be read in much better sources, such as Boston history.

Our main interest in the city was:

• The North end with its more than 100 italian restaurants
• USS Constituion - the "Old Ironside" from 1797 and USS Cassin Young (modern destroyer)
• The lovely parks of Boston - Boston public Garden
• Harbor cruise
• The Boston Harbor area
• The freedom trail (walk among the sites of revolution activities)

What we did, and would recommend to do is to by a ticket for one of the trolley tours that covers all the major attraction in the city. There are about 7 companies doing tours in the city. Our hotel recommended "Old Town Trolley Tours" - where you can jump on and of as you like among the total 17 stops. We also upgraded our to ticket to include a cruise in the harbor region of Boston - a decision we really enjoyed. The harbor cruise was really magnificent. Plenty of opportunities to take skyline pictures of the city.

Where to stay

When going to Boston we thought it was best to stay within the city. This is more expensive, but you benefit to my point of view. We stayed at a hotel called "Omni Parker Hotel", located in School street. This is supposed to be the oldest hotel in the entire country. It is to some extend and expensive hotel, and everything you do cost more dollars. Even to get at WIFI in your room cost you more money and tip is expected everywhere. But hey, thats the way it works in the big cities. What is very special about the hotel is its magnificent interior. This is really something. Both in the lobby and the restaurant are beautiful carvings in the ceiling and parts of the wall. It also has some small exhibition of the hotels history. The restaurant is the place where John F. Kennedy proposed to his Jacoline before being president of United States.

Now, of course, there are numerous of good hotels downtown. We use a lot of time choosing a nice location and this time we were lucky. A good advice is to pick a hotel that is located near to a trolley stop, then you may use this as a part of your system of getting around. Or hotel was located near Massachusetts state house (stop number 13 on Old town trolley). When staying in the city for only a few days, you don't have the time to learn the system of the tube.

What to do

In the North End you have little Italy, which offers more than 100 italian restaurants. It was really strange walking in this area, finding nothing but italian food. Now, to eat other cuisine you must visit other parts of the city. I only spot a single chinese restaurant among all the italians.

The best spot to eat other kind of food (late dinner) is along the street called Newbury street, which start from Boston Public Garden. Of course this advise is a second hand as we asked people around of alternative dinning.

Of course, Boston is a major historic city. They called it the cradle of the revolution, and taking the freedom trail (got marked walking trail) you may se why.

Don't spend time doing shopping in the city, it is to much to explore in the city.

Entering the USA

We started or day at 7:45 today. An early breakfast to have some time to visit some new part of Quebec. We walked to the castle and took the elevator down to the harbor area, where you also find many shops and restaurants. This is indeed a nice spot in the city.

We left the city at 11:15, equipped with or new GPS, heading for the USA. After some 300 km we enter the states. On the border we use over half an hour, because their system could not machine read the passport. Anyway, after entering the US we decided to drive along Interstate 91 and then Interstate 93 until we arrived at or destination for the night - a city called Tilton. This is where on of the factory outlet is located, some 50 stores. We really made some good bargains there. Now the city of Tilton is not so much of and experience, but it's a nice area to stay for a couple of days a guess. The best is that we will have a short trip to Boston tomorrow - only about 150 km. This means that we drove around 500 km today.....

We still have very nice weather here and the forecast doesn't seem so bad. 

For those who are especially interested in old trains, you may like to visit Conway Scenic Railroad. 

Quebec - 3. day

We decided to go on a bicycle trip. Starting of at 11:00 along to Boulevard along the lakeshore was amassing. We had sunshine from the clear sky. After a relaxing trip covering 25 km we finish up with heavy rain just before entering the city at 17:30. Quite strange how fast the weather is changing in this area.

Now the plan for tonight is to finishing exploring to city nightlife for the final time, because tomorrow we are leaving this beautiful city. Or next destination is Boston in the US. But of course we will be back in Canada after some days.

Quebec - 2. day

Quebeck on wikitravel

Not a nice start on this day, heavy rain falling down from the sky. This was a pity because there was a major parade showing the cities history. What else to do than to spend the day at East-Canada's biggest shopping mall. There are three major shopping malls in Quebec - the largest is LAURIER, which covers some 350 shops and restaurants.

To our surprise, the weather eased up during the day any we had our chance to explore more of the city. At 23:30 is was magnificent firework celebrating the cities 400 years.

Quebec - 1. day

Quebec on wikitravel

Installed in our room at 18:30 at Hotel Manoir d´Auteuil, link. The hotel is located inside the old city walls, witch seems to be a luck. They also offer good parking abilities as you can rent a parking card with in/out facilities (parking house). We was ready to explore the city of Quebec. A walk inside the old city really confirm or point of view - a magnificent city indeed. These magnificent building ranging from 1700 century up until 1900 century.


We were so lucky to be here at the city 400 anniversary. There was numerous of activities during or stay. There are concert, parades, exhibitions and so on. Today there has been nothing but sunshine the whole day. We had a pleasant walk in the city, before or late dinner near the castle.


Now entering the Quebec was not so easy, at least we had some trouble finding the right track. This really made our plan come through of buying a TomTom GPS for the rest of the trip. At the price of only $179 with maps of whole North-America, thats a bargin. So no more hustling finding the right track.

It's a luck we shall stay here for 3 nights. Quebec is indeed a charming city that we looking forward to explore more deeply. Our plan is to let the car rest a we use or time in or near the city.

To arrive in Canda - 1. day of trip

The first day of the trip, we didn't have high expectation. We simply plan to find or hotel, get some food and prepare next day trip to Montreal. We arrived yesterday at 19:00 and got our rental, a Chrysler 300 limited. This is indeed a nice car, but a little to big for an european I'll say. We had a reservation at Radisson SAS Airport hotel, near the airport. This hotel was really a pleasant surprise. We got a lovely suite in this modern hotell. I think every room in the hotel has the same high standard. Anyway, we had a lovely dinner before we made a plan to make a trip in the car whithout any map. The map in my head was by no means correct, and we had to go back to the hotel after some fussel.

Today we started up quite early, around 07:00. After a quick shower and some breakfast we were ready for our long journey between Toronto and Montreal. The trip is about 520 km, and last for up to 6 hours.

Now, we leaved Toronto by 08:00 and reach or destination at 14:30. Of course we had to make a long coffe break at half trip.

So fare we do enjoy Montreal. After check in at the hotel, we had a 4 hour trip in the city. Later on, we had a nice meal at Ruben's at 1116 St. Catherine at 23:00 hour so it's a kind of long day. Now it is time to go for sleep as the time is 01:00 on the 2. july.

Tomorrow, we will provide some pictures.