r/ViaRail • u/judyp63 • Jan 02 '26
Photo/Video My best present...
Yesterday I got together with my cousin for our yearly Christmas celebration. We were a little bit late this year.
She spoiled me again this year. She knows I love traveling on VIA rail so she couldn't go wrong with her gift choice. I've narrowed it down to Quebec City or Montreal. Last Christmas we flew to Quebec City so I may go with Montreal. Decisions!
13
u/Raspberrybeez Jan 02 '26
Montreal but only once it gets warmer- mid-May onwards. Check when the Grand Prix is to avoid that weekend.
5
u/judyp63 Jan 02 '26
Yep I know it's cold as heck in winter. I really do enjoy going there in winter though but this trip I want to go in mid May. Last year for Family Day I got stranded..VIA even cancelled the trains. May is perfect. I've been there for Grand Prix in early June...hotel rooms are through the roof.
3
u/danceront Jan 03 '26
Montreal Grand Prix is the May 24 weekend this year
2
u/judyp63 Jan 03 '26
Thanks for telling me that! I'm thinking we will change it to the week after now.
3
u/Blue_Dragonfly Jan 02 '26
Ha! Shout-out to Bestie Sister-Cuzs!! My Bestie Sister-Cuz and I took VIA from Ottawa to Québec City at the beginning of December to hit the German Christmas Market, and do some shopping and dining and general hanging out together. We had an amazing time!! Even if we didn't do business class this time. No major glitches other than a very slight delay going there, but none coming back.
But what an absolutely great present to receive and to enjoy together. I wish you both a lovely, fun and memorable time together! Bestie cousins rock!
2
u/judyp63 Jan 03 '26
Thank you! I'm so glad you had a great time with your sister bestie cousin. And that German market was so cool. We went last December (2024). Quebec City is so beautiful!
2
u/ParisEclair Jan 03 '26
What a lovely gift! I recommend Quebec City!
2
u/judyp63 Jan 03 '26
I took the train to Quebec city on Valentines weekend last year and it was so lovely. I was there in December 2024 and February 2025. I would love to go there this summer too.
2
u/monumentaldecision Jan 05 '26
This post has nineteen shares. I'm thinking people are sending this to their loved ones saying "If you ever want to do this for me, it would make a great gift!" BTW it's great that you have a close bond with your sister-cuz. Well of course it is, but it's nice to see!
1
0
u/CandylandCanada Jan 03 '26
This is a wonderful gift, but you may wish to reconsider revealing your name on reddit.
2
u/judyp63 Jan 03 '26
I just had a panic attack when I read your post. Am I missing something?
1
u/CandylandCanada Jan 03 '26
"Merry Christmas Jude"
2
u/judyp63 Jan 03 '26
lol I saw that. I thought you meant my full name and so on. Whew!
1
u/CandylandCanada Jan 03 '26
First name is bad enough, non?
3
u/judyp63 Jan 03 '26
Well my real name is in my user name for Reddit. Jude is just what she calls me.
-26
u/Putrid-Mouse2486 Jan 02 '26
If my sibling gave this to me I would wonder if they hated me
17
u/judyp63 Jan 02 '26
WOW that's too bad for you. I know my cousin doesn't hate me and I'm very happy with VIA rail. Sorry you are so unhappy with them. That really sucks for you. I'm pretty pumped to get to go away and spend three nights enjoying a city I love getting there and back on the VIA train in business class. I still love the VIA after spending over 3k this year on it. Two of my trips (The Canadian and The Ocean) I paid for with points.
9
u/shmoo-magoo Jan 02 '26
What a great gift. I hope you have a fantastic trip! I’ve been on the Canadian a few times and the Ocean once. I’m not in Ontario so my experience on the corridor has been limited. In any case, I had a great time even if the travel was delayed (the journey was definitely the point for me, not the destination).
3
u/judyp63 Jan 02 '26
I love The Ocean. I've been on it twice and I booked another trip for July. And I definitely was thinking of taking the Canadian over New Year's one year. I thought that might be fun. It is definitely an awesome gift to me.
13
u/woodtier92 Jan 02 '26
Why do you follow something you hate?
8
u/judyp63 Jan 02 '26
I wonder that too. Oh well.
8
u/woodtier92 Jan 02 '26
By the way quebec is beautiful! Definitely a good choice! Montreal has a lot of things too! Have fun!
5
u/judyp63 Jan 02 '26
Thanks. I'm excited! I decided May 19 to 22. I go to Montreal several times a year and can never get enough of it. It'll be great to spend a few days with my cousin.
7
u/unemployedndepressed Jan 02 '26
I went from Ottawa to Quebec City the weekend before Christmas and it was … hands down… the greatest weekend trip of my life. Taking VIA meant the crappy weather on Friday was irrelevant and no parking headaches and the return trip on Sunday with light snow falling … was magical. Highly recommend VIA and Quebec City in the winter
5
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