Ontario: A world of colour

By Helen Hayes November 10, 2023
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With vast forests transforming into a kaleidoscope of colour, Ontario in autumn is dazzling.

This article is brought to you by Adventure World.

For a true traveller, it is the little things that make a trip. It is the unexpected scenic delights pictured out a vehicle window. The stops in charming rural towns that always have quirky shops and colourful, friendly characters. It is the many things that are not the highlights of an itinerary, but a beautiful, meaningful, complement to the main show.

Ontario, Canada’s second largest province covering an area larger than France and Spain combined, is home to the capital, Ottawa, which might be the centre of Canadian politics but is not staid, or at all dull. This impressive province has a rich history, with Algonquian and Iroquoian people settling on this land as far back as 12,000 years ago. In fact, the name Ontario is said to come from the Iroquois word for sparkling water. Considering there are over 250,000 lakes in this vast province, it is an apt name.

Treadright in Ontario with Adventure World

Adventure World can help unlock the delights of Ontario on a range of thoughtfully curated itineraries. With over four decades of experience, Adventure World knows its destinations inside out and back to front. They know what their guests want, and as their itineraries are custom, they can be tailored to suit the client. After all, every guest is different and has varied interests. You can count on Adventure World to create the perfect itinerary, working with partners that they have forged relationships with over 40 years. Another plus is that Adventure World is part of The Travel Corporation and is intertwined with the innovative Treadright Foundation. This means that the company aims to have a positive impact on the people and communities visited, to care for the planet, and to protect wildlife and marine life. As we all care about our imprint, travelling with Adventure World is a win win for all.

Authentic Ontario

Adventure World’s new Authentic Collection opens up Ontario with itineraries that allow thoughtful travellers to immerse in the vibrant beauty and rich culture of this province during Mother Nature’s show stopping autumn season.

Choose the Ontario’s Heartland itinerary, which is a round trip journey from Toronto. The 11-day journey is a self-guided curated road trip that winds its way from the city lights of Toronto through charming cottage country, admiring ethereal old-growth forests and swimming or paddling on crystal-clear lakes.

Explore beautiful and historic Kingston on Lake Ontario. Dig deep into Ottawa’s heart as well as its many natural attributes, which include either strolling alongside, riding a bike or taking a boat tour on the magnificent and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rideau Canal. This historic and incredibly scenic canal links the Ottawa River and Lake Ontario with many of its locks still operated by the original hand-cranks. Go white water rafting on the Ottawa River and go wild in Algonquin Park with its postcard-pretty scenery and diverse wildlife. Be in awe of the sublime beauty of Muskoka.

One of the hand-picked accommodations is Elmhirst’s Resort near Keene, which goes the extra mile for the environment, being platinum certified by GreenStep Sustainable Tourism. Go kayaking or canoeing, cycling or hiking, in this fifth-generation family owned and operated resort that prides itself on its locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine.

Couple enjoying a ride on a typical canoe in the Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada. Image credit: Adventure World

A sweet taste of Authentic Eastern Canada by Rail

This 10-day itinerary is one of discovery blending the thrill of known sights with cultural visits, a taste of France in Montreal and experiences you might not have been aware of. Known as Canada’s historic heartland, it is also one for lovers of all things sweet, as it is the land of maple trees, and the home of maple syrup. Departing from Toronto, you’ll have time to explore its many charms, from its culinary gems to the Toronto Islands, Little Canada, and the Distillery Historic District. A day exploring the Niagara Peninsula will shine, showcasing not just the magnificent Falls, that you can admire on a Hornblower Cruise or Journey Behind the Falls (season dependent), but also experiencing the stunning Niagara Parkway which weaves its way along the Niagara Gorge, taking in the Floral Clock, Queenston Heights and the historic town of Niagara on the Lake, voted “Canada’s Prettiest Town”.

Niagara Falls at sunset with Ontario skyline. Image credit: Adventure World

Ride VIA Rail from Toronto to Ottawa, where you’ll spend an afternoon cruising down the Rideau Canal on a 100 per cent electric passenger boat, watching Ottawans at play along this spectacular waterway. Continue by train to Montreal, taking in forests of maple, fjords and rivers along the way. Montréal is the largest city in Canada’s Québec province, and sits on an island in the Saint Lawrence River. Get ready for a feast, from poutine to Arctic Char, and learn how maple syrup is collected and made before having a tasting. After dark, make sure your phone is charged before you watch the immersive and luminous light show at the Notre-Dame Basilica.

Via Rail will take you from Montreal to Quebec City, the oldest walled city in North America – around 400 years old. Most of the original architecture and buildings have been lovingly preserved, with its elegance and beauty absolutely stunning. Stroll through Old Quebec to learn about its history, from its and location to its people. A highlight of the itinerary will be Onhwa’ Lumina, an enchanting night walk that celebrates and educates about the Huron-Wendat Nation and their way of life. The 1.2-kilometre pathway lights up in an immersive multimedia experience bridging the founding myth to a vision of a bright and promising future. Stepping inside the Great Circle under a star-lit sky, will be an emotional experience, enriching your journey through ancestral rhythm and song.

A fitting end to your journey in Canada, that will leave you uplifted, informed and inspired. And that is the Adventure World way.

Unlock the world with Adventure World – Your passport to extraordinary adventures!

This article is brought to you by Adventure World.