I have not had the fortune to go on a vacation since January of 2015. This year, I finally had the opportunity and found myself touring the majestic Niagara Falls, Canada.
Planning
The decision to travel to Niagara Falls came as an omen. I was typing away at my computer when, suddenly, a reference to the city of Niagara Falls was made and I thought, “Well- gee– I’d love a trip to New Mexico. I heard it’s nice there.”
Niagara Falls is not in New Mexico (why did I ever think that?). It’s in New York.
I studied a little harder about what’s fun to do in New York. It became overwhelming. I reached out about what to do at the falls and people asked, “Do you want Canada or New York side? “
…. WTF do you mean Canada?
I delved further into New York learned that of all the things that I want to do there – they do not involve Niagara Falls. This trip will be later.
I heard the word touristy when it came to Niagara Falls, Canada. When I heard Gargamel groan, I thought, “Eat it, Gargs! I’m going to take a tour of the Falls!”
Travel
My trip to Canada was quick, easy, and a bit humorous.
I completed my ArriveCann forms which does not seem to have sped anything up. Maybe it did. Upon arriving to the airport, I was set in front of a kiosk to get my photo taken and scan my passport. There were empty podiums that were covered in checkmarks stored nearby the line. It felt a bit ominous, but I managed to get through customs unharmed. They placed a red checkmark next to my photo and handed it back to me.
I ran through several levels of security with this photo that I was to pull out at every checkpoint. Where I stopped often to get directions to the Niagara Airbus terminal, the lift to my hotel. The driver emphasized that I’d be seeing Niagara Falls upon my arrival. I said, “but I have a tour tomorrow.” He replied, “you’re going to go see the falls tonight.”
He was right, I walked down to the falls nearly immediately after I checked into the hotel. I got a good look at the boat I was going to board the next day.
Hotel
The view at the Tower Hotel was amazing. I made a point to take my morning yoga in front of that window every day I was there.
It is a beautiful sight to wake up to every morning and go to bed to every night.
Aside from the view was the walk from my room to IHOP. I felt like a princess running down the steps of a tower. Which makes sense, as it is a tower – I cannot stress enough the level of glee got gliding down those steps and into the restaurant, located only a few floors below.
It was nice to have pancakes or my favorite – sunny side up eggs with a side of hash browns and some toast. I don’t know if they had my all time favorite – which is chicken fried steak and eggs, but – I mean – my breakfast is usually coffee, so it was a great time overall.
Day and Night Combo Tour
I was more than a bit scared about this tour. The day before I left to Canada, I’d received a text telling me that there was a 3 PM pick up time. I was frightened. The time I had arranged for began at 9 am. When I reached out I was told, “There is no 9 am tour.”
I mustered up the courage to call and learn that there was an error and we’d be departing at 3 pm because, “no, Kalika, I promise – there is no 9 am tour. I don’t know why that was on there.”
The day of my pick up I’d received a phone call telling me that my van was on its way, but they were running late due to traffic. I was so confused – there were two other vans with the same logo driving around the area and I thought one of them was my lost driver. No.
After speaking to another driver who’d stopped at a hotel nearby, I learned that he was not the one and my guide would be there shortly. My tour guide arrived in time to explain how busy they were and that her colleague was having a hard time getting around. Whew.
It was an amazing tour. She took me around the places of Niagara Falls that I had not thought to travel and explained a lot of the things that I could see from my hotel.
We had a great time throughout the tour learning about the history, culture, art/architecture, and dangers of the Niagara Falls.
Wine Tour
Niagara Falls is also a good area for wineries. What kind of wine enthusiast would I be if I didn’t take a tour of them? On the Niagara Falls Vintage Tour, we toured four different vineyards in Niagara Falls Canada. We had a great time at two of them, Piliteri Estates and Between the Lines. The others weren’t on key that day.
Pilleteri shared some rather in depth information about their wine making processes, we got a good look at the vats and to hear about their eco-conscious wine-making processes. Between the Lines gave a quick look at their innovative canning solutions – as they’ve started working on canning wine. They have a great tasting canned bubbly.
Regrets
I had a great time at the majestic Niagara Falls, Canada last weekend. If I were to do it all over again, I’d definitely rebook a stay at the Tower Hotel and make sure that I bring a tiara to waltz down to the restaurant. It’d be great if I could catch a couple more tours of the wineries nearby, there was not enough time to get a full experience of what Niagara Falls has to offer in that area.
I’d also, probably get a better pic from the Skylon. Though, I don’t think I did too bad, here.
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