from $2,272
Ontario is a province in east-central Canada that borders the U.S. and the Great Lakes. It's home to Ottawa, Canada's capital, known for Parliament Hill’s Victorian architecture and the National Gallery, featuring Canadian and indigenous art. Toronto, Ontario's capital, is home to the 553m-high CN Tower, with expansive views from its revolving restaurant, as well as High Park, site of a rare oak savannah habitat.
In my opinion, Ontario’s 250,000 lakes are its greatest attraction. The lively city of Toronto is found on the shores of Lake Ontario; Lake Erie pours into Lake Ontario at Niagara Falls; and the calm waters of Lake Huron and Lake Superior offer canoeing, kayaking and hiking adventures. But for me it’s the more isolated lakes that are the most appealing. Dotted throughout the region, the little lakes of Muskoka, Algonquin and Killarney Provincial Parks are home to wildlife, water sports and some striking fall foliage colours. It’s not surprising that many Hollywood stars (think: Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson) and affluent Torontonians own cottages here.
If, like me, you’re an outdoorsy person, then Ontario is the place for you. With lakes, forests, mountains and rivers galore, the list of activities on offer in the state is endless. Try paddle boarding or pedaloing on Lake Rousseau, canoeing the rapids on the Madawaska River, swimming along the freshwater Wasaga Beach, skiing in the Blue Mountains, zip-lining over the forests or ice skating the frozen Rideau Canal. And after dark, look up to see the stars twinkle in the night sky.
Driving north from Toronto, I was struck by the beauty of the Ontarian countryside. After passing through various small towns, their grid-like streets lined with porch-fronted wooden houses, decorative mail boxes and perfectly manicured lawns, we reached the lush and leafy Muskoka region. Lakes fringed by reeds and trees appeared, and we encountered a number of farms surrounded by fields of livestock and rolled up hay bales, not too far removed from the English countryside.
Aside from the bustling streets of Toronto, I found the atmosphere in Ontario to be very laid back. The tranquil lakes and forests clearly go some way towards relaxing the mind, and the fresh air and good food worked wonders. To really kick back, I tried out the delights of the Scandinave Spa in the Blue Mountains, and spent a wonderful afternoon soaking in hot pools, lazing in hammocks under the maple trees and trying not to disturb curious rabbits.
The Niagara region’s unique microclimate has made it a hotbed for wine production. Over 90 wineries can be found here, producing some award-winning vintages, including the famous Niagara Icewine, celebrated each year at the Niagara Icewine Festival. Quaint and villagey Niagara-on-the-Lake is a good place to start your wine-tasting exploits, and I can highly recommend Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Winery, which produces some rich and sweet fruit wines from its home-grown cranberries.
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