Toronto to Niagara Falls Tour

Niagara Falls in the Mist

Niagara Falls in the Mist

When I was invited to take a group tour from Toronto to Niagara Falls, I was not feeling it. I do not do group tours! If I can make it work on my own, I prefer to do so. I like being on my own time and schedule. If it gets to where I want a guided tour, I prefer private tours. That way, I have some control over what I see and the time spent seeing it. When I think of guided group tours, in my mind’s eye, I see 100 people following a tour guide holding up a sign, guiding everyone through in an Ikea-like fashion from one attraction to the next. No, thank you.

My feelings didn’t change when the driver who was to pick us up and deliver us to the departure point arrived at my hotel 40 minutes early and at the next person’s hotel 45 minutes late. I’m shaking my head, thinking, “Terri, you should have just rented a car as you had originally planned.”Once we were transferred to the van to take us to Niagara Falls, I, along with 21 other people, had the pleasure of meeting Saleem “The Ladies Dream.” This is how he introduced himself. It was so corny, and he knew it. I burst out laughing and thought,” Hey, maybe this thing might turn around.” And, it did.

I started appreciating being a passenger. I hardly ever get to be the passenger on a road trip. Now, here I was, freed up to take photos and enjoy the ride.

 

Welland Canal

Welland Canal

We were taken to various sites, and I saw much more than I would have, had I driven myself. Would I have taken the time to go past one of the smallest churches in North America or taken a moment to stroll the flower-lined walkways and grab a bite to eat in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake? Or, would I have just rushed to Niagara Falls?

Niagara-on-the-lake

Historic Niagara-on-the-lake

Flower Lined Sidewalks in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Flower Lined Sidewalks in Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Living Water Wayside Church

The Living Water Wayside Church. One of the smallest churches in North America.

The biggest surprise was the additional option to take a helicopter ride over the falls. Perhaps I missed it, but nowhere did I read that there would be an option for a Niagara Falls helicopter tour.. It was a complete yes to the helicopter ride; this meant the time I spent at the winery would be cut short. And, we were slightly rushed during the wine tasting. But, who can be angry after having just witnessed the beauty of Niagara Falls from the air? It was spectacular!

Vineyard Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara Vineyard

Wine Tasting at Diamond Estates

Wine Tasting at Diamond Estates

Rainbow Bridge and Niagara Falls

Rainbow Bridge and Niagara Falls

Horseshoe Falls with Rainbow

Horseshoe Falls with Rainbow

Once we arrived at Niagara Falls, it was no less glorious than I had imagined. Another upside to the tour was that Saleem, The Ladies Dream, did the waiting for us in the ticket lines, and we didn’t have to wait long. The Maiden of the Mist journey was fun, and the sound of the falls cascading down was like a roar emanating from somewhere deep within the earth. It was nature at its best – beautiful and pristine, yet violent and intimidating, all at the same time.

Maiden of the Mist Loading Up

Maiden of the Mist Loading Us Up

Maiden of the Mist In the Mist

Maiden of the Mist In the Mist

Niagara Falls in the Mist

Niagara Falls in the Mist – Yes. That is water on my lens. 🙂

Canadian Flag with Horseshoe Falls

Canadian Flag with Horseshoe Falls

Oh yeah, the word “mist” is deceitful. You don’t get a misting. You get a soaking. Oh my Gawd! I was drenched. The water-proof poncho was only half sufficient.

Soaked on Maiden of the Mist

Soaked on Maiden of the Mist

At the end of the day, when Saleem dropped us off at the hotel, I said goodbye to the new friends I had met on the tour and smiled all the way up to my room, thinking I just had a fantastic day. I saw Niagara Falls on a group tour. Was it worth it? Totally!

*I went to Niagara Falls with King Tours, one of the longest running Niagara Falls tour operators in Toronto. King Tours has been conducting Niagara Falls tours since 1995.  http://NiagaraTours.ca/

 

 

 

 
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About Terri Lundberg

Terri Lundberg is an American expat currently residing with her husband in Saudi Arabia, but she calls Seattle and San Diego home. She’s a travel writer, an avid photographer and is a resource and cross cultural trainer to expats relocating to Saudi Arabia. She's been to 100 destinations, 30 countries, and counting.

Comments

  1. Roland Lundberg says:

    Great piece on one of nature’s treasures

  2. Niagara Falls Tour says:

    It was great having you on the tour. Please visit Toronto again soon. We have much more to show you!

  3. Shirley Lewis says:

    This is an excellent article on your tour of Niagara Falls. The fact that you stated that you don’t like doing tour groups and gave this one a thumb up was very enlightening. I am sure that there are others out there that feel the same way, but that just maybe, they will try a group tour in the future. The fact that you had a very engaging tour guide, also help. Fantastic article. 5 stars.

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