More vacation adventures in Canada
OntarioOntario is yours to discover. Ontario’s immense and varied landscape changes from the fertile fruit belt of the golden horseshoe - home to a vast array of world-renowned wineries to the rugged rocks and pines of Ontario’s north.
Ontario’s sheer size is hard to appreciate - even to those who call it home. The second largest province in Canada – Ontario covers more than one million square kilometers (415,000 square miles). That’s larger than Spain and France combined.
With over 12 million people living here, Ontario is Canada's most populous province. The province is nestled between Manitoba on the left and Quebec on the right. To the south is the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River – literally littered with hundreds of shipwrecks for recreational and technical divers wanting to explore them.
The land of water – one-third of the world’s fresh water is in the over a quarter of a million lakes and countless rivers in Ontario. These waters are teaming with fish and there are opportunities to cast a line almost anywhere in the province. The native word for ‘Ontario’ which is it’s root is possibly ‘Ontitariio’ or ‘Kanadario’, loosely translates as ‘beautiful’ or ‘sparkling’ lake or water.
Ontario prides itself for its celebration of multiculturalism. Folk art festivals and classes are found in almost every urban centre throughout the province. Take part in Oktoberfest (German) in October throughout the Waterloo region or try dancing along to the sounds of Caribana (West Indian) during the summer in downtown Toronto.
Travelers can enjoy the sheer wilderness of the north. Going fishing or hunting for the day. Trying their hand at kayaking through Ontario’s rivers or even taking in some white water rafting on the Ottawa River. Or just head south for ‘a shop till you drop’ city excursion and taking in the world class theatre shows or a fine dining experience in one of the many wonderful restaurants. Toronto is the third largest theatre centre in the English speaking world after New York and London. While in the city there are walking tours or even biking tours as well.
There are many historic sites for the history buff scattered throughout Ontario. Towns such as Niagara-on-the-Lake and Elora, make a special effort to preserve the essence of the past. You can see accurately rebuilt forts and pioneer villages around the province including Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg along the St Lawrence and Fort William in Thunder Bay. The Niagara River has two forts as well Fort George on the Lake Ontario side and Fort Erie on the Lake Erie side of the river. All of these destinations offer tours through out as well as side excursions to neighbouring villages. During October, make sure you take in one of the many nightly ghost tours offered by many of the forts and towns – if you dare. Visit some of the provincial parks in the Peterborough area or up by Sault Ste. Marie and look at the amazing pictographs created hundreds of years ago by the natives who lived there.
Throughout the Niagara region the traveler can enjoy world-class wines at various wineries throughout the area. There are organized winery tours throughout the year or hop in your car and follow the wine route signs that bring you across the region stopping at each winery. Many of the wineries offer a bed and breakfast option as well.
Adventure vacations abound with in the boundaries of Ontario. In every season, Ontario's beautiful natural settings are home to all kinds of activities. Summertime brings scuba diving, sailing, cruises, hiking, camping, fishing and rock climbing. Popular winter sports in Ontario include skating, skiing, tobogganing, curling and hockey. Or the traveler can get off the beaten path and try snowmobiling along the extensive trail system in the north while taking part in some ice fishing. For the more brave of heart ice diving is popular throughout Ontario as well. Fall brings hunting and is a beautiful time to tour the countryside and take in the breathtaking change of colour in the trees. Spring brings spring bulbs and the start of the camping season. Ottawa has a eye catching display of tulips during the Canadian Tulip Festival held each in May.
Other sights include the Ontario Science Centre, Science North, Ontario Place, the Niagara Parks Commission, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, the St. Clair Parkway Commission, the provincial parliament buildings located in Ontario’s capital, Toronto and the National parliament buildings located in Canada’s capital – Ottawa as well as the many pristine Provincial Parks.
Niagara Falls - the world-famous tourist destination, attracting 18 million visitors a year. Ontario has claim on the Horseshoe Falls the larger of the falls while Niagara Falls, NY owns the Bridal Veil Falls. Each night, throughout the summer months, the falls are lit up in colours and Friday night fireworks are set off above the falls. There are many tours visitors can take part in, including helicopter and plane flights above the falls. There are boat rides through the rapids and below the falls. Drift diving is popular as well in the lower Niagara River as well as the upper Niagara River closer to Fort Erie.
Ontario is home to the world’s largest freshwater island - Manitoulin Island in Georgian Bay - covering 2,766 square kilometres (1,068 square miles). Ferries can be taken daily by car or by foot from Tobermory, Ontario in the Bruce Peninsula. The Bruce Peninsula boasts one of the most amazing displays of wild orchids in North America - 44 different varieties call it home here. Tobermory is also the diving capital of Canada. The Fathom five underwater marine park is Canada’s only national marine park. Countless shipwrecks litter the shores of Georgian Bay attracting scuba divers from around the world. Divers can catch charters out to dive more shipwrecks that are not accessible from shore.
During the summer months, temperatures can rise above 30°C (86°F), while during the winter they can plunge to below -13°C (9°F). Ontario’s climate varies - with chilly winters, pleasant summers and lots of humidity, to subarctic in the north. On average, January is the coldest month of the year and July the warmest.
You can tour Ontario by vehicle over an excellent transportation system. You can also see Ontario by boat, with many scheduled cruises and charters on beautiful lakes and rivers, and you won't want to miss Niagara Falls, one of the world's natural wonders.
Another option is rail touring, traveling through canyons to see the fall colours or visiting the stunning north by train is a once in a life time experience not to be passed up.
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