This is my third and final post about my adventures in Toronto. As you can see by my first two posts (FMWAT Pt. 1 & FMWAT Pt. 2), my pictures, and videos, I had an amazing experience visiting our northern neighbors for the first time! I learned quite a bit about Canada traveling to Toronto and Niagara Falls. Here are a few things I thought you should know before you start planning your next trip to the oh so beautiful Canada:
- You will need a passport. Canada and the United States share a continent, but you cannot cross the border from one country to the next without proper documentation. Don’t have a passport? Click the link and find out what you need to do to get one.
- Most places do not accept American currency. I was able to get Canadian money from my bank here in the U.S. before leaving for my trip. Check with your bank to see if they provide this service. Believe me, it’s a lot easier than going to the currency exchange counter once you arrive.
- Most cell phone networks will charge roaming fees for using your phone out of the country. Before I left for my trip, I was able to switch to a different plan (for only $15 more) that allowed me to use my phone the entire time I was in Canada without any extra fees. I switched it back once I made it back home.
- Remember how we had to learn metric conversions in school? You might want to freshen up on those before your trip. The speed limit sign on the highway says 100. That’s km/hr, not miles/hr. Please don’t get a speeding ticket in another country! I can’t imagine how difficult that must be to take care of. And, when someone tells you it’s 16 degrees, don’t worry! It’s really not that cold. See: °16C × 9/5) + 32 = °60.8F.
- Fast food restaurants in Toronto are few and far between. I almost had a panic attack trying to find someplace just to get a drink on the go while driving around town. It took a great deal of effort to finally get to a McDonald’s (one of the few restaurants I was familiar with). By the way, the food in Canada was delicious!
- It might be helpful to know some basic French if you plan on being in Canada for a long period of time traveling between provinces. I only visited Toronto and Niagara Falls in Ontario- a primarily English-speaking province.
- Forget what you’ve heard about Canadians being rude and unfriendly to tourists. Walking through downtown Toronto, I passed countless marijuana dispensaries. Everyone was sooooo friendly ?
Overall, my first visit to Canada was amazing! I got to explore for six days, but that definitely wasn’t long enough. I can’t wait to go back and see more and do more. Merci, Canada for your beauty and your hospitality. I miss seeing that red maple leaf everywhere! Until we meet again. A bientot!
-Christina
