Ontario’s Great Lakes
A round-trip Ontario fly-drive from Toronto can take in three of Canada’s Great Lakes – Ontario, Superior and Huron – on a trip that will be framed by vibrant autumn foliage colours.
Heading north from Toronto to Huntsville, make a side trip into Algonquin Provincial Park to explore its pristine beauty and paddle on one of the Muskoka region’s many lakes.
From there, take in the pine-forested cliff landscapes of Killarney, on the shores of Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, before moving on to Timmins and Wawa, following the Trans-Canada Highway alongside Lake Superior’s rocky coast to Sault Ste Marie.
Stay on Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island and a destination for Indigenous culture and outdoor adventures, then head to Tobermory and Bruce Peninsula National Park, where a marine park preserves shipwrecks, via a ferry on Lake Huron.
After taking the Hornblower boat trip into the mist below Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls, journey on to quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake, stopping on the way at one of the region’s wineries, before returning to Toronto.
Atlantic Canada
Sample some of the best of Canada’s Maritimes on a circular road trip that starts in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and takes in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Drive along the Lighthouse Route to UNESCO-listed heritage town Lunenburg, passing Peggy’s Cove and its lighthouse, then travel on through Kejimkujujik National Park to Digby.
From there a ferry takes you to Saint John, New Brunswick, from where the scenic Fundy Coastal Drive leads to the Bay of Fundy. Discover the world’s highest tides and walk on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks.
Cross the Confederation Bridge to PEI, following the Blue Heron Scenic Route to Charlottetown, from where you can visit Cavendish, home of Anne of Green Gables.
Another ferry crossing takes you back to Nova Scotia, to venture on to Baddeck and the spectacular Cabot Trail drive around the north of Cape Breton Island, visiting historic Louisbourg Fortress en route back to Halifax.
Kananaskis
This tiny Alberta resort 70 minutes west of Calgary in the heart of the Rocky Mountains will host global leaders for the G7 Summit in June, 2025, 23 years after it staged the G8.
For more regular guests, Kananaskis is a great base for exploring the majesty of the region.
Kananaskis Village lies on Highway 40, framed by craggy peaks. The alpine skiing events for the 1988 Winter Olympics were held at the adjacent Nakiska ski resort on Mount Allan. Highwood Pass, just to the south, is the highest paved pass in Canada.
The area around Kananskis and nearby Canmore is perfect for exploring in autumn, hiking trails through golden aspen trees alongside lakes mirroring forested mountains or riding horses across shallow rivers.
Soak in a Nordic spa and take a gondola ride from Banff or Lake Louise, looking out for wildlife including moose, elk, bighorn sheep and both grizzly and black bears.
You can also drive up to the Icefield Parkway, which reopened in late summer 2024 following its closure due to the Jasper wildfire.
