Oh well, each to his/her own I guess. I really like Ottawa and Surrounding area, and haven't found bugs to be a problem at all. It's just a matter of taste I suppose.

OK, huge confession. I once looked at buying a house in Manotick. I was working in Ottawa and the commute was getting wearing so we entertained moving. I think I could have been happy enough that far out.

Ottawa has very good Canada Day fireworks, perhaps the original poster's trip could be timed to match.

I definitely agree with you on this one, everyone has got to see it, you can get so close to the falls, unlike niagara falls. When we went last month, the rail cars weren't in operation yet, and it was windy. Here are a couple of pics for you








Other must sees, include the hotel frontenac

If you like to live dangerously and want a thrill go for a taxi ride in Montreal. Bring a spare set of clean underwear though.

Hi

In Ottawa, try Zach's dinner for breakfast. Great typical North American breakfast. Avoid Oregano an Italian restaurant. We've had there our worse meal!!! They are both in the Market area. We were there at the beginning of August last year and didn't have a problem with mosquito at all.

On the way to Montreal we stopped in at Park Omega. They have a lot of wild animals. You can feed all types of deers from the very small Bambi ones to the big mooses. Well worth the visit and it cuts the drive. http://www.parc-omega.com/56k/Visit-GB.html

If you make it to Quebec city, as some people have said les Chutes Montmorency are well worth the visit. If you are there at the weekend, they have fantastic firework display. Place royale is also worth seeing. Not far from the Chateau Frontenac, their is a restaurant called Aux Anciens Canadiens. If you want a typical old fashion Canadian meal go for it. Try the sugar pie!!

Enjoy your trip

MCC

If it's still there, I recommend the Vendomme, on the cliff below the Chateau, good food and very kind service. The chutes is also something when frozen, alas I haven't been there in winter since we went digital so I can't offer a picture.

This Sunday, my wife is showing her new paintings at Chelsea's 'Art in the Village' (Check www.indigo.com.hk/invite.htm for details), you should all go down there and check it out, a 10% discount for British Expats!

Also in Ottawa, you can go to Dow's Lake on the Canal, eat a nice meal and then work it off by rowing a boat for an hour. The Experiemental Farm is right next door too. I haven't noticed any bugs or flies.

The Steam Train to Wakefield is excellent, the train stops close to where we live and we'd be happy to meet you and tell you all about life in Canada (as long as you buy a painting).

The highest bungie jump in North America is just down the road and if you're driving to Montreal and visit Parc Omega, you should stay the night at Chateau Montebello, fantastic indoor pool there, people like Grace Kelly and Nixon have had a swim in it.

Sean

Thanks for the ottawa suggestions, will love to have been able to go to the art fair, we love that sort of thing.

LOL!! I went to Ottawa for the first time on Wednesday - all I can say is what a dump! Project housing and slum apartments seems to be the order of the day there. The 3 Chateau-type buildings were beautiful and the Rideau Canal was nice ....... and that was it. Very, very disappointed with Ottawa and probably will never visit again.

I went to Toronto for the first time a month ago and was impressed. I liked Toronto far better.

Montreal is next on the list to visit.

I am surprised...are you sure you found the middle of Ottawa? Where did you visit that it made such a poor impression!

I really like the museums and galleries there, and even the tour of parliament hill was not so bad really. Good restaurants around the market area too. Are you sure you were in Ottawa and not Oshawa !

PMSL!!! Yes the very centre (small as it is) was cute. It didn't help that all the streets have been taken up for roadworks in the centre of Ottawa so huge traffic issues. I believe that had we entered the centre via the highway rather than the mis-named "scenic route" then it could have altered our opinions.

I think I was hoping for a New Orleans type of city. It's a dump on the outskirts too but the French Quarter is large and great fun.

Your last post contradicts what you said earlier, considering you were there for the first time. You can't judge a place on a day visit, could it be the same with london ontario then, with what you had to say about it, whereabouts are you then?

Both of these cities have so much to see and do, it's all really a personal choice as to what you enjoy doing - I would suggest doing an Internet search of both places and then decide for yourself. Also make a point of stopping in at one of the many tourist information places they are most helpful and will provide you with pamphlets, maps and so on. Enjoy your holiday!

Why not? I am giving you my first impressions. You don't have to take my opinions as that is all they are, my opinions. I am not sure where I have contradicted myself - merely to say that the entry into Ottawa would have made a slightly better impression but there is no getting away from all the high-rise buildings and scummy looking areas and the fact that the city centre is absolutely tiny and that there are only 3 beautiful buildings there.

I live in the Northumberland Hills which is a very pretty area ........ in my opinion!