Being Canadian, when travelling thru the States, my visa only charged me the going exchange rate. It should be the same for you in Canada. If paying cash with US$ certain places will likely not give you a good exchange. If paying cash I would suggest you exchange at the border at a gov't locale to get the best rate.

 

Over the past several years I have ridden from Toronto to the Smoky Mountains and taking the back roads to do so (219 or 220 are nice). You will have to interstate it once you get near Buffalo.

Now that I live in North Georgia the thing I miss the most is the beauty of the natural lakes unlike the brown reservoirs that they have around here. Personally, I would do a route around the Muskoka's (towns like Bala, Port Carling, Huntsville, etc.). Trying to find cheap accommodations may be a challenge though.

I've done the ferry from Tobermory many times. The road to Espanola is one of the most scenic in the province.

To set your expectations, the roads in Ontario are nowhere near what we have down here. In fact they kinda suck. You can pretty much take every curve at 60mph without having to slow down. But it's the natural beauty of the landscape that you will find is at another level.

Ride safe.

 

Post up pics, so we can join you on your travels, please!

 

Take it from someone who lives here, avoid the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) at all

costs. The 401 speed limit may say 100 km/hr but if you do less then 120-140

you will be run over except when its 10km/hr in traffic which is all the time, and

be completely surrounded by insane truckers.

The GTA is from Milton to Oshawa, whatever google maps says the time to travel

it is, triple it.

Stay west and north of Toronto, lots of beautiful spots and great riding.

 

If you want to impress them at the border going into Canada, say aye at the end of each sentence.

Have a fun on your trip and take lots and lots of pictures. And be sure to bring us all back a t-shirt.

 

That is an excellent piece of advice "booch". People need to understand we are not kidding when we say to avoid Toronto highways. The same goes for any major city in Canada, including the chaotic ignorant driving in Quebec!
Cheers, Terry

 

We took this route in '80 on our way to Nova Scotia.
It is (or was) very beautiful with a lot of forest land.

I'm planning (now that I'm retired) to take a trip perhaps in '18 or '19 that will include New Foundland and perhaps PEI.
We didn't have enough time to do spend any time in Quebec City or to do the Cabot Trail either but both will be on my list next time.

You're correct about the seafood also.
I still remember sitting on the dock in Yarmouth, sippin' on a cold one and talking to the day workers who were waiting on the scallop boats to arrive.