The Canadian province of Ontario is perfect for outdoors types, with hiking, biking and canoeing, plus great wildlife and wine country. Paul Blaney reports
Whether clients are looking for an urban getaway, an outdoor adventure, or a relaxed driving tour, the Canadian province of Ontario ticks all the right boxes.
Toronto offers non-stop nightlife and fantastic shopping while Ottawa, the province’s capital, is a terrific heritage destination. A short drive from Toronto takes visitors to Niagara Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders, or, for lovers of the unspoilt outdoors, there are endless hiking, biking and canoeing options.
Need some more ideas on how to sell holidays in Ontario? Read on.
Sights and attractions
Toronto is the perfect place to start a visit to Ontario. A favourite with visitors and locals alike is the Distillery District, with its galleries, cafes, restaurants and micro-breweries, while Yorkville is the area for shopping and eating out.
For more shopping and trendy bars, recommend Queen Street West. The iconic CN Tower is another must. Spring and summer visitors should take in a baseball game – the Toronto Blue Jays play at Rogers Centre, previously the Skydome.
Northeast of Toronto, Ottawa is not just Canada’s capital but its fourth largest city. Must-see attractions include the Parliament Buildings, on a tree-lined promontory overlooking the Ottawa river.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is home to 1,000 years of Canadian history, including the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles.
It also houses the Canadian Children’s Museum. Occupying one of the city’s most spectacular sites, the National Gallery of Canada has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Canadian art and is worth a visit for the architecture alone.
The Rideau Canal, which recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is popular with canoeists in spring and summer; in winter it turns into a five-mile-long ice rink.
Sports and activities
Many of the main Ontario attractions lie far from the bustling cities. The province is home to thousands of crystal-clear lakes and rivers as well as dozens of national and provincial parks.
Two of the best-loved parks are Algonquin and Killarney, with their wildlife viewing and extensive networks of hiking and biking trails, as well as lake canoeing in the warmer months.
A cultural must-do is Aboriginal Experiences on Victoria Island in Ottawa. Interactive activities in this native village include traditional cooking, dance performances and craft workshops.
Or, for something different, recommend Saunders Farm, just outside Ottawa, which boasts the largest collection of hedge mazes and labyrinths in North America, as well as tree forts, play areas, gardens and wagon rides.
Clients are unlikely to know that southern Ontario is also prime wine country. Of particular interest is the Hillebrand Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which recently completed a £1.5 million renovation and has an excellent regional restaurant.
Others worth investigating include Jackson Triggs Winery in the Niagara region, Inniskillin Estate Winery and the Strewn Winery, which has cooking classes, and Pelee Island Winery, the country’s most southerly winery.
Prince Edward County, three hours east of Toronto, is Canada’s fastest-expanding wine region with a dozen wineries and more on the way.
For a guide to Ontario wineries, go to winesofontario.org.
Hotels
Ontario has a good range and quality of hotels, in the cities and further afield. A child-friendly option in central Ottawa (the hotel has a heated indoor water slide) is the Delta Ottawa Hotel.
A quirkier option is the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, housed in a former jail that was the site of Canada’s last public hanging. Guests stay in old cells, although not on the top floor (death row).
Two stylish boutique hotels are the new Indigo Ottawa and the Arc, while historic options include the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, next door to the Parliament Buildings, and the Lord Elgin Hotel.
In Toronto’s theatre and financial district, a popular choice is the boutique Hotel Victoria. The Residence Inn Toronto Downtown is recommended for families, while Hotel Le Germain is a good bet for couples. The InterContinental Toronto Yorkville is a smart option in this high-end district.
If clients plan to stay overnight at Niagara Falls, the Marriott, Marriott Courtyard, Hilton, Sheraton and Embassy Suites are all within a stone’s throw of the big drop.
Ontario fact file
Gateways: Toronto, Ottawa
Airlines: Air Canada and British Airways fly non-stop from the UK to Toronto. Zoom Airlines flies direct to Toronto from Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff, and to Ottawa from Gatwick and Glasgow.
Canadian Affair flies to Toronto in summer from nine UK airports. American Airlines, United Airlines and Icelandair offer non-direct services to Toronto.
Flying time: Direct flights take about eight hours.
Tour operators: Travelpack, Travel 4, Frontier, Canadian Affair, Thomas Cook Signature and British Airways Holidays.
Weather: Ontario has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. In Toronto, the climate is moderated by the nearby Great Lakes. Summer tends to be hot and humid. The average maximum temperature in July is 27C.
Time difference: GMT -5 hours.
State motto: “Loyal it began, loyal it remains.”
