A Taste of East Canada
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Canada’s Big Smoke
Toronto is known to be the most multiculturally diverse city in the world, and it’s the perfect place to start you Canada adventure! The city offers a lively harbour front, bustling streets and plenty of international charm. In addition to the buzz that comes from Toronto, the city also has a calm side where you can look for tranquillity on the water.
We’ve arranged a boat tour for you, with a flexible ticket along Lake Ontario where you’ll have plenty of fantastic views of the city skyline. You can get off at Centre Island for a walk or to hire a bike and cycle around. When you hit solid ground again, you can walk to the iconic CN tower or take a trip to St Lawrence Market and try some delicious local food.
Days 3-4 – Thundering Waters of Niagara Falls
Today you’ll make your own way to the airport in Toronto to pick up your rental car. From here you’ll make your way to Niagara-On-The-Lake to see the thundering falls. Your journey will take around 1.5 hours. You’ll spend 2 days at the famous Niagara Falls, staying in a cosy 130-year-old B&B. You’ll take a boat across the falls on the well-known ‘Hornblower’, formerly known as Maid of the Mist, sailing since 1846. Once you’ve hopped on the boat and been handed your blue poncho the boat will sail calmly towards the waterfall. You’ll have a view of the impressive and powerful waterfalls whilst hearing how and why these falls are so special. The closer you get, the less dry you are, and the sound of the thundering water gets louder and louder.
If you want to see the raging waterfalls in addition to the Hornblower Tour from a different perspective, then we recommend a walk behind the falls or walk to Table Rock Centre for a beautiful view over the Horseshoe Falls. Oh, and a top tip – after dinner, take a look at the waterfalls again in the evening – at night they become illuminated in many colours, and if you’re lucky you might even find a firework display there!
Days 4-6 – Lost Ships & Thousand Islands
Next up you’ll head further east to discover the lost ships in the Thousand Islands, your journey will take around 4.5 hours. Today you’ll arrive in the Thousand Islands region, on the banks of Lake Ontario. Along the coast, you’ll pass several beautiful stops, one of them being Kingston, where you’ll find Canada’s oldest farmers market. You’ll soon arrive in Rockport, where you’ll be spending the next 2 nights in a 200-year-old country inn. Rockport is a very small town, but it has a lovely marina and plenty of choice of restaurants and a cosy pub.
On your second day, you’ll take a cruise along the Thousand Islands. You’ll pass Boldt Castle and the lavish homes of the rich and famous. During the boat trip, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the region, including stories that introduce you to the history and treasures of the Lost Ships… all without needing a wetsuit! Before returning to port, you will also learn to make the world-renowned 1000 Islands salad dressing. Once you return to shore, you can take a visit to the 130-meter-high Thousand Island tower, it gives you different panoramic views from the observation decks where you can marvel at the wide surroundings and view the St Lawrence River and Thousand Islands from above. You can spend this evening getting to know some locals in the cosy pub.
Days 6-7 – Elegant Ottawa
Swapping the Thousand Islands to Canada’s dynamic Capital, you’ll journey 2 hours to Ottawa. Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to discover the city. Get yourself to Parliament Hill and wander around the Peace Tower, or take a stop at the ByWard market, a perfect place for a bite to eat and browse the mini stalls featuring local arts and crafts. You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, where you can spend your evening, some even overlooking the canal.
After breakfast the next day, you’ll board an amphibus (a bus that transforms into a boat) that’ll drive you by land and over water through the picturesque capital. The 1-hour journey takes you along a scenic, entertaining and educational journey, where you’ll learn about the unique history and see over 50 different significant sites that the city has to offer.
Days 7-9 – Wildlife & Wilderness of Algonquin
Today you’ll meander the 4-hour drive from Ottawa to Algonquin Provincial Park. Spend the next 3 days staying in a small, local style bed and breakfast, immersing yourself in the tranquillity of the Canadian wilderness. Algonquin National Park leaves you spoiled for choice, with over 20 well-signposted trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. One moderate trail, known as the ‘Mizzy Lake’ is a beautiful path that leads through forests, lakes and gives you an excellent chance to see some diverse wildlife.
If you want to challenge yourself, you can take the ‘Booth’s Rock’ trial which follows an abandoned railway for breath-taking views of the sweeping lakes and forests. You can also explore the park the ‘Canadian way’, by joining a local guide on a 3-hour canoe tour, where you’ll explore the most scenic and stunning lakes in the park. Or if you’re feeling independent, you can rent canoes and explore the lakes your own way. After your time exploring the wilderness, it’s time to head home. You’ll drive a 3.5 hour journey back to Toronto, drop your car off and check in for your flight back.
Accommodation
