Holidays 2026

[David L]

I did all this back in '86, had a great time. One night in the Days Inn on the Canadian side of the Falls followed by two nights in Toronto. I was big into Rush and saw Massey Hall but none of the other Rush-related landmarks. I'd rectify that if I revisited. We also did the 'Maid Of The Mist' voyage and I'm sure I have a photo of me somewhere stood in more or less that exact spot at the top of the CN Tower. Lovely city.

[captainkurtz]

Loved the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and Niagara on the lake is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too.  Just a gorgeous lovely town with friendly and helpful people.

[Matt2112]

I was very reluctant to walk on the glass floor at the CN Tower through the basic primal fear that I assume kicks in for the vast majority of people; but then I saw a kid aged about four casually rolling around on it, and, to my surprise, I felt completely fine after my first few steps.

The upper pod was closed unfortunately.

[Nick]

Loved the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and Niagara on the lake is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too.  Just a gorgeous lovely town with friendly and helpful people.

Stayed there many years ago, had a few ice wines.

[David L]

I was very reluctant to walk on the glass floor at the CN Tower through the basic primal fear that I assume kicks in for the vast majority of people; but then I saw a kid aged about four casually rolling around on it, and, to my surprise, I felt completely fine after my first few steps.

We did The Edge in New York and the platform there has a glass floor. At first it's unnerving but it only takes a few seconds for your brain to readjust and  realise it's not hazardous.

[Slim]

I didn't readjust, I felt extremely tense the whole way across. Logic versus instinct, I suppose.

When I worked in the top floor of the tower at Canary Wharf, some people used to amuse themselves occasionally by pushing people against the windows. The glass went all the way to the floor. An occasional variation of this sport was to roll someone's office chair against the glass at high speed.

[Slim]

We went to the revolving restaurant in the tower last night. I'd always wanted to visit the Post Office Tower one but of course it's been closed since the '70s, so this was a very welcome opportunity.

The moving part of the restaurant spins round once every 90 minutes. We had a window table.

The really odd thing is - you don't feel like you're moving. The view outside doesn't seem to change in real time. What seems to be happening is that you're stationary and the window frames and the columns are moving past you, rather than vice-versa, which is what's really happening. But we did do a complete circuit.

The moving part is a sort of outer floor disc so the centre of the restaurant also seems to be spinning round slowly.

I took a few seconds of video and will YouTube it when I get back.

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The food was good, if a bit expensive.

[Matt2112]

Amongst the many statues passed, I was particularly impressed by a fantastic sculpture in Omonia Square of Icarus, falling to his death head first to the ground; I found it not only aesthetically stunning but an example of genuinely great art that has got under my skin in a good way and that I've thought about ever since (it's on the "Revisit List" for next year).

That's from one of the posts in the Holidays 2025 thread that chronicled my family visit to Athens last October/November; on my visit two weeks ago with a lifelong friend to see Iron Maiden, we indeed took the opportunity to have a dedicated visit to this "Sight Of Icarus".   And here it is:
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The official title of this magnificent creation, seen in the Greek inscription, translates as "Monument To The Fallen Aviators"; and to slightly correct the record, it's actually in Karaiskaki Square, not Omonia Square, which is an easy 500 metre walk away.

Incidentally, only a few days ago did I notice the sign with the ironic name of the hotel in the background.

[Slim]

Back home now.

Absolute highlight of the trip was walking from Danforth and Pape to Toronto Sound. But I really loved the whole CN Tower experience, going to Massey Hall was great too. The city is great, a bit like a more laid back (and cleaner) Manhattan. Nice restaurants, friendly people.

I still feel uncomfortable living out of a hotel and having to go to a restaurant for every meal. I really hate hanging around airports.

Anyway I have the photos off my proper camera now. This is the upper platform of the Tower:

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The vertical glass barrier is very sturdy but the windows feel like very ordinary glass, which I found a bit unnerving.

[Slim]

Looking through the glass floor:

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[David L]

When I was there, I think it was called 'The Space Deck'

[Slim]

Our hotel, the Sheraton, seen from the upper observation deck on the Tower (centre of image). One evening with the sun shining on the hotel side of the tower, I watched people wandering round the upper deck with my monocular from the hotel room.


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I always take my monocular with me on a holiday (unless I'm taking binoculars). Bought it in an army surplus shop on the Strand in the late '90s. USSR era Russian. Surprisingly good optics for its size.

[Slim]

From the revolving restaurant.

[Matt2112]

After the usual several months of flip-flopping on which Greek destination to have this year's main summer holiday, and being convinced for much of that time we'd be going to Santorini (for a second time), I've just booked 10 nights at a very nice beachfront resort hotel in Rethymno, Crete.

[Fishy]

Off to Arran for a week tomorrow..friends and family all piling in during the week as well..