Niagara Falls, Canada
This was one of those spur of the moment trips. We had left over American Airline's miles and Canada was the furthest they could take us. Why not?

We recommend visiting Niagara Falls during the tourist off-season. Most of the side attractions will be closed, but on the plus side there are no crowds and everything from airfare to breakfast is cheaper. Besides the falls and casinos are always open.

At the time, tickets were cheaper to Toronto than to Buffalo, NY so we opted to fly into Toronto and take the train to Niagara Falls. Taxi cabs are usually waiting at the Niagara Falls train station.

Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Transit Commision
VIA RailCanada

The Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel and Spa is quite possibly the best hotel in Niagara Falls. The fallsview rooms above the 7th floor are worth every penny. If you visit during the tourist off-season (Sept-May) you can get spectacular falls view rooms for under $150US. During peak season, expect 2 to 3 times that.

Don't waste money at the hotel breakfast. There is a breakfast-only buffet resturaunt one block from the hotel at Main St. and Dixon St. Don't expect anything fancy. Its a bare-bones operation, but it sure beats the hotel prices.

Niagara Parks is where you can find your standard attractions like the Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, and that really boring cable car ride.
For something a little more adventurous try the Whirlpool Jetboat tour for white-knuckle white-water fun. If you ride the Wetjet, be advised! Bring a complete change of clothes (underwear too).

To get around the Niagara Falls area you can take the bus or in the off-season use 5-0 Transportation.

Toronto, Canada
We had an extra day before our flight so we thought a quick run through Toronto would be fun. It's true there isn't much to do in Toronto during the winter, but we found a few attractions to keep us entertained.

The Clarion Hotel and Suites Selby is nowhere close to same league as the Marriott Fallsview, but it is the cheapest chain hotel in downtown Toronto that is less than a block away from a subway station. Now thats travel smarts.

Our curtural experience of the trip was We Will Rock You, a musical based on the music of Queen. True, its not as timeless or as grandious as an Andrew Lloyd Webber production. I still recommend it. You can get tickets at Mirvish Productions.

No trip to Toronto would not be complete without a trip up the CN Tower. The tickets are pricey but the view is one of a kind. If its cloudy, don't bother.

Manila, Philippines
We had an unexpected trip to Manila to tend to family matters.

Philippine Airlines offers non-stop flights to Manila from Vancouver, Canada and Los Angeles, California. Handy when you are in a hurry or want to avoid long layovers. Meals on the flight are traditional Philipino favorites and both American and Philipino movies will keep you entertained.