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48 Hour Mini Stays Archives - two travelling toques

How to Spend 48 Hours in Toronto

Jerry and I are not city people by any means. In contrast, give us the wide open green spaces and we’re happy. But for a little more excitement than corn fields and pastures, it’s always fun to spend 48 hours in Toronto.

Toronto is a city that’s very spread out. But the vast majority of the things you’ll want to see are in the downtown area. We only had 48 hours to spend in Toronto. So we mapped out our walking route ahead of time.

Then Jerry broke his foot. So as a result we had to condense the amount of walking we did.

The summer is the perfect time to visit Toronto. Besides the hot weather, being able to stay in student residences while they’re gone for a few months is an advantage. We’re in our early 50’s and saw plenty of others our age staying. So never think you’re too old. We picked the Chestnut Residence for it’s central location.

Right in the heart of downtown. A quick 2 minute walk to Yonge and Dundas square. And if you’re travelling by bus, the Greyhound depot is just around the corner. Or by train, a short 20 minute walk. Plus it included a decent buffet breakfast!

Since it was Sunday, we headed west on Dundas Street first to Kensington Market. Every Sunday in the summer they close a few streets off to cars. Then a lively and colourful market takes place in the streets.

We found a stall selling coconuts for some fresh coconut water to drink. Yum!

Next if you walk south on Spadina Ave it’ll take you through Chinatown. Where there is always an interesting array of goods for sale. I wanted one of the bonsai trees. But not bad enough to carry it around all day.

Keep walking south and you’ll find Graffiti Alley. A great spot for some cool photos of all the street art. This definitely adds some character to the neighbourhood!

Walking farther south brings you to the Entertainment District. If you plan on visiting the top 5 attractions, we recommend you purchase the CityPass Toronto . We did, and it was well worth it.

The CN Tower is Toronto’s most recognized landmark. For the brave souls, try the Edge Walk. I was doing well just to stand on the glass bottom floor.

Just around the corner is Ripley’s Aquarium. This is Canada’s largest indoor aquarium and it’s open every day of the year.

The Entertainment District is also home to the Rogers Centre. If you’re lucky you might be able to catch a Blue Jays baseball game. Another alternative is the Princess of Wales Theatre or the Royal Alexandra Theatre depending on their schedule.

For $3.25 you can do a single one-way bike trip with Bike Share Toronto. This was handy right around the corner from our hotel.

One of my favourite places to see in Toronto is Casa Loma. You can easily spend a few hours walking around this Gothic style mansion. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live in a place like this.

On the way back heading south just off of Spadina Ave on Bloor St West is Eva’s Original Chimney’s . They have the most delicious ice cream cones. The Hungarian pastries for the cones are baked fresh daily. Definitely stop in and try them. They even have vegan options!

I met on the steps of Old City Hall (just around the corner from our hotel) for a walking tour. Jerry opted out of this because of his foot. Therefore myself and 25 of my new friends went on the tour.

It was called the Old Town Toronto History Tour by the Tour Guys . The tour was interesting and lasts about 1.5 hours. It’s free, but they welcome tips for whatever you think it was worth.

It ends near the St Lawrence Market. Unfortunately the market was closed on the day we were there. We always love checking out the markets in a new city. And this one’s been in the city for over a 100 years. It’s a great way to meet some of the locals. And most importantly, you really get a feel for the town by visiting their market. Plus you can pick up some tasty lunch treats.

Heading east a few blocks will bring you to the Distillery Historic District. It’s called the Distillery District, but it’s more of an arts and culture scene. Plus there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.

Next I walked west on Front St and then south on Bay St to the Toronto Island Ferry dock where Jerry met up with me. Here you can take the ferry over to Centre Island.

This was our first time visiting the island and we absolutely loved it. It’s such a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We rented a couple bikes and toured around. There are several small islands connected by bridges that you can check out.

Then if you want to stay overnight on the island, you can rent one of the cottages or Bnb’s. There’s a good choice of beaches to relax on also. Or grab a drink and food at one of the islands restaurants. Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co seemed to be the most popular one. And had the best views of the city.

At night the Winter Garden Theatre around the corner from our hotel was showing the musical Grease.

If you have more than 48 hours to spend in the area, I’d recommend doing a two day trip to Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls For A Weekend Getaway

Niagara Falls is a spectacular year round destination. I was around 4 years old the first time I went. The city has changed a lot over the years. But the natural beauty of the Falls has remained. We made it a family tradition when our kids were growing up to take them to Niagara Falls every year for a couple of nights.

If you go in the off season( Nov-March), you can get some great rates on hotels. The city will be a lot less crowded. And you might even get to see the Falls while their frozen over. Although not all the attraction will be open.

Every New Years Eve, Queen Victoria Park adjacent to the Falls puts on a free outdoor concert to ring in the New Year. Followed by an amazing show of fireworks.

Niagara Falls has long been known as a honeymoon destination. And at the same time a touristy family vacation spot.

For the kids, there are 3 waterparks to choose from. I like the Fallsview Indoor WaterPark the best. It’s directly connected to 3 hotels. And the location can’t be beat. Right in the middle of the action and easily walkable to most of the attractions.

Clifton Hill area is where you’ll find souvenir shops, fast food, and activities like mini putt putt, bowling, Niagara Skywheel, arcade games, Guinness World Records, and the scariest haunted houses. Yes I screamed the whole way through!

One way to save some money is by purchasing the Niagara Falls Wonder Pass. It will get you access to the Butterfly Conservatory, Journey Behind The Falls, transportation around the city, as well as some other attractions.

If it’s your first time here, I’d definitely recommend a trip to the Imax Theatre. You’ll learn about the history of the Falls. And hear stories about all the crazy daredevils who have attempted to survive a trip over the Falls in a barrel.

Close by is the Skylon Tower. A ride to the top will only take 52 seconds in what is known as the yellow bug. You’ll see great views of the Falls from the observation deck. And if your staying for dinner at the top, the ride up is free.

For the adults there are two casinos, plenty of upscale restaurants, winery tours, Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, the Dragonfly Night Club, zip-lining over the Falls, helicopter rides and tons of hotels with heart shaped jacuzzi’s.

Our favourite place to stay is the Embassy Suites by Hilton . Complete with a buffet breakfast and happy hour drink tickets with snacks every day. Parking at the hotel is expensive though. So we recommend parking just down the road at the Casino. Then the price is $5 upon exiting Monday to Friday. And $20 if you leave on the weekend.

After your finished checking out Niagara Falls, I’d recommend taking a drive along the water to the quaint village of Niagara On The Lake.

A Scenic Drive Through Mendocino County

We started out on a Saturday morning by picking up a rental car in San Francisco. Then headed north over the golden gate bridge into Mendocino County.

Luckily missing any early morning traffic. It’s a beautiful and slow going drive along Highway 1. There are plenty of beaches and hiking areas to stop at along the way.

The weekend seemed to be the time for locals to take their sports car out for a drive. Definitely a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

You’ll first pass by Muir Woods. It’s an incredible sight standing among the gigantic redwood trees. All averaging over 600 years old.

The roads are very winding up and down the mountain. But there are plenty of opportunities to stop for pictures. Never a boring drive with views like this!

The day we were there was extremely windy along the coast. So windy I had a hard time getting the car door open. The waves in the ocean were crashing against the shore, so we didn’t see anyone out on the water.

After 3 hours of driving and stopping, we made it as far as Bodega Bay. A great place to go for lunch is the Fishetarian. The owner is an avid fisherman who sells the freshest seafood around.

There are so many great items on the menu, it’s hard to decide. They even have vegetarian options. And the sweet potato fries are the best!

Our next stop was the town of Mendocino. Even though the population is less than 1000, it was a booming little place. With cute shops lining the streets, and a perfect location right on the coast.

The television show Murder She Wrote was filmed here. If you have time, you could go for a hike or visit the beach. Mendocino Headlands State Park surrounds this tiny town.

Once you get this far north, your sure to see awesome vehicles like this one. Mendocino area is a popular hangout for hippies.

By dinner time, we made it to our final stop for the night Fort Bragg. The distance was 171 miles total. And google maps will tell you it takes 3.5 hours. But give yourself plenty of time to stop and see some of the sights along the way. We were 7 hours driving and could have used more time.

One of the point of interest in Fort Bragg is Glass Beach. Residents years ago used to throw their trash over the cliff as a dumping spot. But nature has beautified this problem. With the crashing waves on the shore over the years, it as smoothed and broken down the glass into tiny attractive pieces.

Our AirBnB for the night was a loft complete with a fridge, microwave and fireplace. It’s situated about 10 minutes north of Fort Bragg. But it was perfect for us since we were still heading that way.

We woke up early on our second day intending to drive through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

But upon arrival, we noticed most of the park was closed off due to a marathon taking place. So we made a stop in Leggett to see some other redwoods.

We decided to take Highway 101 back south since we were short on time, and it’s a much faster way back to San Francisco.

Driving on Highway 101 you’ll see winery after winery. The director Francis Ford Coppola owns one along this route. But since we had a plane to catch, we had to leave the winery tours for another time.

A Fairy-Tale Weekend on Mackinac Island

Have you ever arrived in a town and knew you were going to love it at first glance? That’s the way I felt about this fairy-tale island called Mackinac Island when we first visited 12 years ago. And again this year for our anniversary.

It’s one of those places that you say “If I ever win the jackpot, I’m buying a house here”.

Mackinac Island is located in the state of Michigan off the upper peninsula. To get here you will need to take a ferry. There is a designated parking area to leave your car for free on the main land. We chose Star Line Ferry’s faster hydro-foil jet ferry for our trip. Round trip will cost you $26 U.S. It’s a quick 15 minute ride over.

The first thing you’ll notice when you get off the ferry is that there are no cars on the island. It felt like stepping back in time before the automobile was even invented.

The main mode of transportation is a bicycle. I think everyone owns a bike or two here. Tourists can either bring their own over on the ferry for an extra $10, or rent one on the island. There are plenty of bike rentals to choose from. All charging around $8 an hour, or $55 for the day.

It’s a great way to get out of town and see the whole island. Overall, there are over 70 miles of paths and trails to bike on. The distance around Mackinac Island is only 8 miles, but the scenery around the water is gorgeous. Like this Arch Rock formation located in the Mackinac Island State Park.

In the distance you can see the Mackinac Bridge that connects the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan.

If bicycling isn’t your thing, there are other options to get around like hiring a carriage. Or if your brave enough you can drive your own buggy. There are also stables to rent horses.

You can take one of the historical walking tours of the town. The houses were all built in the Victorian style. This one looks like a giant doll house.

Mackinac Island has a lot of history for a small place. You can explore Mackinac Fort where they have live re enactments every day.

Take a tour of the Mackinac Island Butterfly House. With species from all around the world

There are several family owned hotels, BnB’s or condo’s to stay at on the island. One of the most famous hotels is the Grand Hotel . This hotel first opened in 1887 and has been a popular place to stay ever since. Even if you don’t want to splurge for a night here, it’s worth it to bike over for a look. Non guests can dine in one of their restaurants, or relax with afternoon tea in the parlour.

We stayed at the Murray Hotel located on the Main Street, and just a short walk from the ferry.

I would pass on the breakfast offered at the hotel unless it’s included in your rate. There are better options to be found on the street. My favourite thing about this hotel is their nice over sized hot tub and deck to relax at.

There are quite a few restaurant options. We ate at Horn’s Gaslight Bar and Restaurant one night. After 8:30, they have live entertainment. Another popular option was the Pink Pony which also had nightly musicians playing.

Our second night we ate at the Seabiscuit Cafe. Great food at very reasonable prices.

And don’t forget to pick up some fudge before you leave. The many fudge shops sell pounds and pounds of fudge every day. With each one demonstrating how its made while giving out free samples.

Discover the Beauty of Bath UK Today

While we only had a short 3 days in London, we decided to take a trip to Bath UK. Also I’d heard so much about this town and was looking forward to seeing it in person.

The National Express bus is about your most affordable option. I’ve seen tickets for less than $3 round trip. Just make sure to book as far in advance as you can. Each way will take around 3 hours. On the way, you’ll notice Windsor Castle to the left.

I fell in love with Bath as soon as we arrived! All of the buildings in town are a beautiful honey colour. Each built in the Georgian architectural style. Any new buildings built must follow their strict guidelines to keep with Bath’s style.

The Circus was built in 1754. A perfect example of Georgian architecture. You could sit in the centre of it and just imagine what living here would have been like in the 1700’s.

The Bath Abbey with seating for 1200, is still used for religious services and concerts to this day.

The Pulteney Bridge crosses over the Avon River. Walking along the bridge you’ll see elegant shops on each side. From the outside, you’d never even know the shops existed.

The Roman Bath’s are probably the main reason most people visit this town. They give you headphones to wear, so you can listen to the commentator in any language. You’ll learn about the history of when the Roman’s occupied Bath.

I was surprised to learn, you can even rent out the Roman Bath’s for parties and weddings.

Something you need to try in Bath is a Sally Lunn bun. It is a large bun served hot right out of the oven with butter. The history of making them goes all the way back to 1780.

Bath has an open top, hop on hop off bus tour that will take you to all the main sites. The whole tour takes about an hour and cost $20. Since the town is easy to get around, I’d recommend taking one of the free walking tours.

The mayor of Bath will take you on a 2 hour free tour of the town. You just show up at the Abbey Church Yard at 10:30 & 14:00 any day of the year.

If you love to shop, you won’t be disappointed in Bath. There are plenty of specialty shops and high end stores to suit everyone.

Make sure to wander down the side streets. Some of the best hidden gems are tucked away waiting to be discovered.

We loved our short stay in Bath. You won’t be disappointed if you ever get the chance to go!

How to Spend 24 Hours in Glenwood Springs Colorado

Situated about 41 miles from Aspen Colorado is a town called Glenwood Springs. We chose to make this a stop for the night to break up our train journey from Illinois to California. There is so much to see and do in this small town that we’d recommend staying longer if you have the time.

As soon as you get off the train you’ll notice how clean and quaint the town is. Glenwood Springs is located in a valley along the Colorado River. Look in the distance and you’ll see these dramatic reddish coloured cliffs.

The whole town is very walkable and has some really cute boutique stores. We saw a few sweet shops selling treats like chocolate, fudge, candy and ice cream. Book stores, a candle shop, galleries featuring local artists, and several restaurants and pubs.

Our favourite restaurant was The Lost Cajun. From the moment you walk in the door, the staff make you feel like family. They will prepare you the freshest Louisiana style food around. With items like seafood gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and fried catfish. Delicious!

We had our very first beignets (fried pastry donut topped with powdered sugar) here. After we asked the waitress what it was, not being from the south.

This small town of close to 10 000, has been known for their hot springs for over 100 years. Glenwood Hot Springs is the largest hot springs in town. A stay in this lodge includes a hot breakfast and unlimited access to their hot springs.

We went to the newer hot springs called Iron Mountain Hot Springs . This one includes several smaller pools at varying temperatures. The best choice if your looking for a quieter more intimate atmosphere.

In the winter Glenwood Springs becomes a popular ski resort for families. But in the summer, the town really comes alive with an abundance of outdoor activities.

There are several outfitters available to help visitors plan their day. Mountain biking, paragliding, whitewater rafting, kayaking, ATV tours, fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and caving are all possible in the surrounding area.

And if your still looking for something to do, you can check out the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. A tram will take you to the top of the mountain. There you’ll find several rollercoasters, and other thrill rides. All with an amazing view of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado River in the distance.

While we were waiting for our train to arrive, we met a retired man at the station. He told us how Glenwood Springs has become a popular location for retirees. Because of it’s proximity to Aspen, and how they offer free bus transportation for seniors age 65 and up. Plus with all the therapeutic hot springs in town, who can blame them!

A Weekend Guide To Frankenmuth Michigan

Frankenmuth is a quaint village situated in central Michigan. Settled in 1845 by a group of German immigrants, the town has retained its heritage and culture. With beautiful storybook like shops and restaurants lining the streets, it’s no wonder it has been nicknamed “Michigans Little Bavaria”. There is always something to see and do for couples or families alike. 48 hours here will give you a nice length of time to experience the sites and check out some of the delicious bakeries, cafes and restaurants.

Every year Frankenmuth celebrates Oktoberfest in September. Complete with authentic entertainment, dancing and of course German beer! So if you can’t make it to Germany, Michigan is always another option.

Summer is the perfect time for a romantic weekend getaway. You can take a wine and chocolate tasting river tour on a electric powered boat. A 1 hour narrated tour on the Bavarian Belle Paddlewheel Riverboat.

Stroll around the various fudge, chocolate, and taffy stores. Go to Frankenmuth Brewery for a tour and check out their award winning beers. Or take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride back in time.

A trip to Frankenmuth wouldn’t be complete without trying their world famous chicken dinners. We highly recommend the Bavarian Inn. The servers wear authentic attire and you will not go away hungry with this all-you-can-eat meal. We love that they include some vegetarian options on their menu.

While your there, have a look at the Glockenspiel Tower that was imported from Germany. Every day at 12, 3, 6, and 9pm, you can hear it ring.

Just across from the Tower is a 239 foot covered bridge. This bridge was built similar to the Black Forest style. How cute is this!

Families will love the indoor waterparks at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, or Zehnder’s Splash Village. The mirror maze at the River Place Shops. Zip lining at the Adventure Park. Or visiting Rau’s Country Store for their huge selection of nostalgic candy and gifts. This will definitely take you back to your childhood remembering all the penny candies.

Not to be missed when you first arrive in town, is the Bronner’s Christmas Store. They are the world’s largest Christmas store. Situated on 27 acres, complete with over 50000 decorations and strands of lights illuminating the outdoors every night of the year.

Inside you’ll find everything Christmas imaginable displayed in over one and half football field size rooms. Complete with your favourite Christmas music that will stick in your head for hours.

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn -Bavarian style with an indoor waterpark and world famous dinners

Marv Herzog Hotel -Bavarian style setting with breakfast and a riverside beer garden

Drury Inn and Suites Frankenmuth -comes with breakfast and evening socials

Pasty Haus – delicious savoury and sweet pasties. Ours came with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

La Crepe du Jour- small cafe with warm, fresh crepes

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn – all-you-can-eat chicken dinners

Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth -famous chicken dinners with a costume character named “fritz”

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