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Canada is home to provinces and territories unlike any other location across the globe, offering unique and spellbinding experiences for single travellers, couples and those looking to enjoy family holidays to Canada.
Ontario, one of the best-known provinces within the country is a land of extreme diversity and raw Canadian culture. On one hand, the city life is perfect for those looking to get involved in the hustle and bustle of local experiences, but on the other, you have locations surrounding Ottawa and Toronto that are known as the ultimate outdoor lover’s heaven, perfect for watersports, hiking and much more. Continue reading to find out just how special Ontario is and how it could be the perfect location for your upcoming holiday.
Ontario vibrant cities – Toronto and Ottawa
There is a tailored selection of cities to enjoy in the province of Ontario, each offering something unique and diverse. The culture of Canada’s cities is one unlike any other and those that are planning to visit can expect laidback side streets, delicious street food, traditional outdoor spaces and a warm welcome from locals and visitors alike. There are two cities that are often popular for those looking to enjoy an Ontario city break, one of those being Ottawa and the other being Toronto.
Toronto
Known for its cool and fresh atmosphere, a city break in Toronto is bursting with vibrancy. High-end boutiques, endless attractions and bars that are calling your name, you’re never going to be bored in this city. It is home to over 7,000 restaurants, cafes, and bars full of laughter and energy. Toronto is truly one of the most popular destinations for city breaks holidays not only in Ontario but in the whole of Canada, especially when flights to Toronto from the UK take just over 7 hours.
The city’s nightlife is at the beating heart of everything it has to offer, bustling bars, clubs and hotels all serve up delicious cocktails in booming atmospheres almost 24 hours a day. Some of our favourite spots include The Drake Hotel, Get Well and The Beaver.
If the quieter scenes of a mid-morning stroll sound more like your idea of fun, then do not fear as Toronto can turn its hat to almost anything. Meander around the stunning architecture of its unique universities, take a taste of local cuisine in the Kensington Market or take a stroll through the 400-acre High Park, a real treat in the later months of the year.
If you want your holiday to be filled with the very best culture, cuisine, nightlife and historical architecture, then look no further than Toronto.
Recommended Holiday Package: Toronto and Niagara Falls
Ottawa
Known worldwide for being Canada’s capital city, Ottawa offers a whole lot more than just sheer size. A week in Ottawa won’t feel like enough time to enjoy all the city has to offer, from famous national landmarks, tranquil river strolls, fresh local produce and even a guided tour of Canada’s parliament.
It is often overlooked as Canada’s capital city but it should be appreciated for its vibrant student nightlife and its love for all things arts. Nature, music, politeness and an abundance of cultures are just some of the things you can expect in the city. Stroll across the bridge and you’ll find yourself in the French-speaking province of Quebec or head central and find yourself overshadowed by the political centre of the city, Parliament Hill.
Ottawa is also known for its intense love of art, a visit through the mid-year season will see you immersed in a variety of art exhibitions. If you want to explore the masterpieces in more detail, then The National Gallery of Canada is home to more than 93,000 different installations – pretty impressive!
Much like its sister city, Toronto, Ottawa is just as diverse when it comes to nightlife and some of its best offerings are Clocktower Brewpub, Highlander Pub and Mulligans Golf Bar.
Recommended Holiday Package: Ottawa City Break
Ontario Great Outdoors for family adventures
Although we have just spoken about Ottawa and Toronto being two of the best locations for a city break, they also double up as a base for experiencing the best outdoor adventures the country has to offer. With adrenalin-filled sights like Niagara Falls, Manitoulin Island and an abundance of open water and lakes, watersports, hikes and camping are going to become second nature when you visit Ontario.
There is no better location for a family holiday jam-packed with exciting activities and an abundance of once in a lifetime opportunities. We have already mentioned Niagara Falls and Manitoulin Island, but these aren’t the only water-heavy locations we recommend you visit, a trip to the location wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Algonquin Provincial Park and Blue Mountains Resort.
Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the best places to spot some of Canada’s very best wildlife, sit quietly from your motorhome or car and keep your eyes peeled for eagles, moose and bears. If you want to get a little more involved, then head to one of the many lakes within the grounds and enjoy a paddleboarding session or a plod around the water on a canoe. There really is no better place to get a real taste for the Canadian great outdoors than here.
Blue Mountains Resort is another well-known park that sits within the area of Ontario and is the perfect location for a family adventure in Canada. Similarly, to Algonquin, the park is home to an abundance of activity centres, lakes and lodges, but Blue Mountains is also extremely popular for keen ski and snowboarders with its snow-dusted mountains and perfect slopes. You’ve got a whole lot of choices when choosing your upcoming fly drive holiday in Canada.
Recommended Holiday Package: Discover Ontario Holiday
Carol, the face behind the blog Wandering Carol, explains why she thinks Ontario is a great place to visit for outdoor lovers: “With its expansive lakes, an abundance of outdoor activities, cultural attractions and charming cities, Ontario has all the top ingredients for a great family holiday.
“In addition to the big draws of Toronto and Niagara Falls, there are so many resort areas worth visiting. Blue Mountain Resort is a four-season vacation destination with skiing in the winter and the beckoning shores of Georgian Bay in the summer. Niagara-on-the-Lake offers wineries, a picturesque main street and upscale hotels with all the amenities. Further afield are fabulous scenic destinations such as Tobermory, a lakeside village on the Bruce Peninsula, known for its hiking trails and proximity to Fathom Five National Marine Park. Finally, you can’t forget cities such as London and Hamilton, which are burgeoning centres for cuisine and art.”
READ MORE: Canadian wine: which regions to visit & what to taste
Recommended package: Ontario Life
Ontario adrenaline adventures
One of the best things about Canada is the abundance of adrenalin-filled opportunities that are just waiting for you to explore. Strap on your seatbelts and get ready for a crazy ride as Ontario shows you its wild side.
There are plenty of ways you can fill your Ontario holiday with adventure and action, one of those standing strong in the centre of Toronto. The CN Tower is an iconic symbol of the city and stands at a meaty 553.33 metres tall, not only can you soar to the top of its viewing platforms, if you’re feeling brave you can tackle the Edge Walk, a circular walk around the top of the tower’s main pod, completely hands-free!
If you want to get a little speedier, then explore the city and surrounding areas on a Segway tour. What better way to experience some of the most popular sites than by zipping around the downtown city.
Niagara Falls is a location perfect for lovers of adventure and is easy to visit with a car hire in Toronto. The site is not only home to some of the biggest falls in the world, but you can take it one step further and enjoy the sights from the back seat of a helicopter. What better way to get the blood pumping than a once in a lifetime trip over some of the most picturesque locations.
Blue Mountain is a location unlike any other, and for those that love getting out and about and enjoying new adventures, you’re going to thrive in the resort. As mentioned above, Blue Mountain is known for its excellent skiing and snowboarding but is also perfect for a day of activities. You can purchase a full day pass and take advantage of unlimited access to the attractions and activities. Enjoy activities like challenging high ropes and the Ridge Runner mountain coaster for a holiday you will never forget.
Recommended Holiday Package: Ontario Adrenalin Holiday
If you’re looking to plan a Canadian holiday and don’t know where to travel to, then hopefully Ontario is now at the top of your list, full to the brim with exciting city life, adventure-packed countryside and calm and winding roads perfect for motorhome and fly-drive holidays. Get in touch with our travel experts if you want to plan the holiday of a lifetime.
