Explore Ontario: Road trip, wildlife and city sights

Welcome to the other side of the world! You're already starting to sense the feeling of total freedom oozing from every corner of this country. As you drive towards your first highlight, you wind down the windows of your hire car and let the wind blow through your hair.

First up: Niagara Falls! It's hard to believe that you're on your way to the most famous waterfalls in the world. Just the thought of crossing this highlight off your bucket list makes you giddy with excitement, so as soon as you get to where you're staying, you head out again and follow the roar until you reach one of the viewpoints on the riverbank. Finally seeing the cascading torrents with your own eyes is truly priceless! You quickly wave hello to the USA, whose national border runs through the aptly named Horseshoe Falls, before turning your attention to your evening plans. The nearby amusement park with a Ferris wheel and a ghost train and the countless restaurants are bound to keep you up late tonight!

You listen carefully and can't tell if you're just imagining the sound of the thundering Niagara Falls outside your door or not. In any case, you're about to experience the roaring spectacle up close and personal! You grab your ticket and get set to head behind – yep, really behind – the infamous waterfalls. As you descend into the ancient tunnels that carve their way through the rock, you feel the cascading crash of the water vibrate through your body – rain poncho at the ready! Once you reach the bottom, you tilt your head back and marvel at the masses of water rushing down into the depths. What you were looking at from above yesterday is now happening right in front of you! If you don't want to let the biggest must-see on your bucket list out of your sight afterwards, then reserve a table in the Skylon Tower (optional, payable on site) and dine with a breathtaking backdrop. It'll make the traditional Canadian food taste even better!

With the sound of the falls in your ears, you hop behind the wheel of your hire car and steer it onto the highway. Your destination could hardly be more Canadian!

Away from the tourist spots, you're ready to immerse yourself in the authentic Canadian lifestyle in the middle of the Blue Mountains. Your next stay is set right between Georgian Bay and the Blue Mountain Resort, and it promises countless opportunities for adventure! A paradise for skiers in winter, it's also the perfect place for outdoor activities in summer, such as hiking, mountain biking or water sports (optional, payable on site). Why not hike the Bruce Trail – the oldest marked hiking trail in Canada – or slide back into the car and drive along the Apple Pie Trail to the dreamy little town of Thornbury? As the name suggests, you can try all kinds of apple-related treats in the bakeries and vineyards here, so bring on the apple pies, tarts, cider and more!

Maple syrup has never tasted so good! With the sweetness of this sticky delight on your tongue, you set off in search of your next adventure. Your beach bag and hiking boots are both waiting for you in the back seat of your hire car, depending on your mood. If you're up for a day on the shore, head for the water and make yourself comfortable on the golden Christie Beach near Thornbury. Or turn things up a notch at Craigleith Provincial Park Beach, where you can find real fossils in the sand. And if that's not enough, at Northwinds Beach, you can even hire a surfboard and hit the waves (optional, payable on site)! Alternatively, scope out the longest suspension bridge in southern Ontario in the Blue Mountains, enjoy the view over the glowing greenery and then get lost in nature on one of the hiking trails. Climb through crevasses and up to viewing platforms and soak up the unique atmosphere for a true Canadian experience!