French Canada on a Budget

I wanted to do one last share from our trip to French Canada...our Budget. Because visiting chateaus and eating gourmet meals is the kind of thing a girl could get used too, within reason of course. 

zip-lining montmorency waterfall

If you know me, then you understand that I will never pass up a chance to chase a good waterfall. While were visiting Quebec City, we had the opportunity to visit Canada's tallest waterfall, which we definitely made good on. 

After all the crazy adventures at Niagara Falls (aka a helicopter ride from above), it only seemed fitting that we also have an epic adventure at Montmorency Falls with a chance to explore and zip-line right along-side the falls. I've chased a lot of waterfalls in my day, but this experience was definitely the most unique one. 

a rainy walk to remember

Right when we arrived in Quebec City, we got the best views of the city on our drive in because the Promenade de Samuel-de-Champlain surrounds and passes all through Quebec. 

We knew we had to walk this pretty promenade before we left town. So even though it was pouring rain off and on, mostly on, we put in all the miles. 

french canada :: quebec city

Oh Quebec! 

This city with it's cobblestone streets, dramatic châteaus, and gourmet cafés that is right in the heart of French Canada feels even more french than France does. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true.  

Everywhere you turn there is a piece of history and culture. And while so many modern cities are losing that, Quebec revels in it. It's a slice of Europe right here in North America. 

neighbors to the north

The last time we visited Canada (VIDEO!:), it was a whirlwind bucket list kind of trip. We hung from one of the tallest buildings in the world, visited Niagara Falls from behind and above with a helicopter ride. We even had our hearts stolen by Toronto. But with all that, we haven't had a chance to make it back since.

This year Canada is celebrating their sesquicentennial, 150 years! And we thought we would help them celebrate. So Tom and I (and the pup) took the quickest weekend trip to French Canada with 3 days spent visiting Quebec City. Between travel, we enjoyed half a day in the city on either end of the trip and then one full day in between. I'll be sharing more details about our Canada trip later this week, but for today, I thought I'd share some random photos all from my iPhone.

>>Travel Video: Oh Canada!

I may have over-shared a little with this trip, but I just couldn't help myself. We knew that Canada was going to be a good time and our expectations were high, but we were completely blown away. Oh Canada, you have the kindest people and the best adventures. You are filled with natural wonders and majestic beauties.

 Oh Canada, we have fallen in love with you! 

Travel Budget: Affording Canada

Who doesn't love to travel?
Days spent laying on white sandy beaches, climbing mountains, and seeing the world. But realistically, journeying to paradise comes with a price tag. I follow quite a few travel blogs that are filled with idealic photos of far away places, but I rarely see people talking about the expenses associated with their travels. I personally love reading and learning from other peoples travel budgets so as my recaps of our Canada trip are coming to a close, I am sharing our budget. Talking about money may be a bit uncomfortable, but I think that it's important to show that big travels don't always mean spending big bucks!

Steam Whistle!

One of the best ways to drink in a new city is to drink their local brews (see what I did there?). We had lots of delicious local beers while in Toronto thanks to breweries like The Mill Street Brew Pub and Great Lakes Brewery. One locale that is the epitomy of Toronto was the Steam Whistle Brewery. It's a place full of amazing people, delicious beer, and an interesting history. As the Steam Whistle Brewery was just across the street from our favorite Toronto activity, we decided to take a brewery tour. 

Walking the Edge of CN Tower

Most days Tom and I get so caught up in the seriousness of earning our doctorate degrees that we forget to truly appreciate what a wonderful adventure this life can be. I love that we are both making moves to pursue our dreams and better ourselves, but in the process we sacrifice a lot. I feel like we are constantly teetering on the edge between wanting to a be carefree twenty-somethings vs. making valuable decisions for our future. So whenever we get a chance to step away from some of the seriousness, we take it. 

And when there aren't any opportunities to do so, we create them! 

Life afforded us 4 blissful days in Canada and we took complete advantage it. When we arrived in Canada's capital city of Toronto, our first stop was the CN Tower. It's one of tallest structures in the world and so it can be seen dominating the skyline throughout the city. 

It's a must see if you're ever in Toronto because of the spectacular 360 degree views. You can see the entire city and beyond. It's pretty astounding to be in a building this tall and look down on skyscrapers that you have to crane your neck to see fully from the ground below. 

While we enjoyed the views from the SkyPod, we wanted a little more adventure so we decided to participate in the EdgeWalk. And I think it's fair to say it's one of the more adventurous things that we've done. 

After signing a death waiver, suiting up, and having our harnesses checked a couple dozen times, it was time to take the elevator to the top. 

I know that it should have been reassuring that the staff repeatedly checked that our harnesses were secure, but instead it freaked me out. Every time my harness was checked, it reminded me how much my safety absolutely depended on a strip of fabric and a few metal buckles. 

Once the doors opened to the outside, everything in me wanted to stop. Ahead of me, I could see nothing but sky and we could see through the thin grate beneath our feet. The wind up there literally pushes you inwards as you fight to walk out onto the platform. I've never claimed to be brave. Even as a kid when everyone else was jumping off swings and swinging on monkey-bars, I was very aware of the potential dangers. But if I don't conquer my fears by being a little reckless now (while I'm in my twenties) then when will I? 

I think that Tom described it best when he called in unnatural. It was unnatural to go against my instincts, but boy was it worth it! 

I wish that I were a better writer just so that I could describe how amazing this adventure really was, but for now I'm hoping that these photos help do the trick. 

Don't you just love that the only thing we're attached to is this pulley system?

If you are like me and you have a bucket list full of adventures, add this one to your list. It was definitely one of our best adventures yet. Being able to lean over Toronto's skyline was the best way to experience this city. 

Toronto Stole our Hearts!

Although most of our time in Toronto was overcast, the clouds did not mar our view
 of this amazing city.
In fact, Toronto is one of my favorite cities that I've visited yet! 

I wasn't all that impressed with Paris. And I've yet to be seduced by New York. 

But Toronto....

Well Toronto stole our Hearts! 

 Toronto is filled with so much diversity that it feels like it could burst, but there is a mutual respect here for all. The city has seamlessly blended the best of so many worlds and that's why we love it so much. From Downtown to The Distillery District to Graffiti Alley to the Toronto Islands---we explored it all. 

I spy with my little eye...a guy in yellow. 

There are three things that need to be apart of every great trip
(1) a little shopping...

(2) a fun travel partner...

AND

(3) lots of sweet treats...

Beautiful Buildings Reminiscent of Europe!

and Graffiti Alley was one of our favorites 

Plus Toronto offered us the best Mexican that I've ever tasted! 

Toronto is a city that entices all the senses 

Toronto tastes like macarons and lots of authentic cuisine

Toronto sounds like one of the most diverse cities in the world with many different languages mingling into one 

Toronto smells like the freshly brewed Maple Syrup Beer that fills the local breweries

Toronto looks like the perfect blend of old and new...thanks to Golden skyscrapers sitting alongside classical Victorians

but most importantly 

Toronto feels like the best place to be for adventures and exploration. 
And that's our kind of city.