Ontario Vacations

Ontario is Canada’s theatre capital thanks to two annual summer festivals: the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the Lake (right near Niagara Falls) that pays homage to George Bernard Shaw, and the Shakespeare Festival two hours west of Toronto in Stratford. Many of Britain’s most celebrated thespians have taken the stage in Stratford, including Sir Alec Guinness, John Neville, and Dame Maggie Smith.

For drama of a different kind, political buffs can make their way northeast to Ottawa, Canada’s national capital, to watch the Canadian parliament in session. It’s similar in style to the British parliament, complete with lively debate and occasional name-calling. In the winter, the Rideau Canal just outside Ottawa’s parliament buildings turns into a 7.8-kilometre skating rink. Every Ottawa tourism guide recommends it, and for good reason.

Ontario borders four of the five Great Lakes (Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior). But Ontario’s best bodies of water are actually in Muskoka cottage country, roughly three hours north. Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph are home to some of the most magnificent summer estates in the world. East of the Muskoka region is Algonquin Provincial Park, home of over 2,400 small and medium size lakes that offer the exact opposite experience to the millionaire Muskokas.

Book a flight to Toronto with Air Transat, plan a day in Niagara Falls then explore the rest of Canada’s most diverse province.