CANADA EAST - Ontario: Algonquin Trail

Toronto, Canada's largest city, stretches along the shores of Lake Ontario with a skyline dominated by the soaring CN Tower, the metropolis's symbol, from whose top a dizzying panorama unfolds. Cosmopolitan and multicultural, the city is a mosaic of ethnic neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy and Kensington Market, where cultures and flavours from around the world coexist. The centre pulses with life around Yonge Street, the Financial District and the Distillery District, with its Victorian brick buildings now home to galleries, cafés and shops. Among the attractions are the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the modern lakefront, from which ferries depart for the Toronto Islands. The city is also an ideal base for reaching the nearby Niagara Falls. Dynamic, welcoming and ever-growing, Toronto is a metropolis open to the world, a showcase of Canadian diversity and modernity.

Gananoque is a charming town in Ontario, considered the gateway to the famous Thousand Islands archipelago, along the St Lawrence River on the border with the United States. From here, picturesque cruises set off, allowing you to sail among the hundreds of islets scattered on the river, many of which host mansions, castles and cottages, in a scene of rare beauty, particularly evocative at sunset. Among the area's attractions stands the famous Boldt Castle. The town offers a charming historic centre, a theatre and a relaxed atmosphere facing the water. The region is also ideal for kayaking, wreck diving and discovering the river's nature. Between picturesque islands, castles and scenic cruises, Gananoque is a fascinating stop for those wishing to discover the beauties of the Thousand Islands and the landscapes of the St Lawrence.

Ottawa, Canada's capital, lies on the banks of its namesake river, on the border between Ontario and Québec, and is an elegant, orderly city rich in museums and national monuments. Its symbol is Parliament Hill, with the majestic neo-Gothic Parliament buildings and the Peace Tower dominating the river. The Rideau Canal, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crosses the city and in winter becomes the world's longest ice-skating rink. Ottawa hosts some of the country's most important museums, from the National Gallery of Canada to the Canadian Museum of History across the river. The lively ByWard Market offers fresh produce, restaurants and bars. Bilingual and cosmopolitan, rich in green spaces and cultural life, Ottawa is a human-scale capital where history, politics and culture meet in a refined and welcoming atmosphere.

The stage offers a mix of natural beauty and rural vistas first passing through the beautiful Muskoka area and passing through small villages and quaint towns such as Whitney and Barry's Bay, before reaching Huntsville: a great place to stop, with numerous restaurants and stores, and town from which one reaches directly to the western entrance of Algonquin Provincial Park. Huntsville is the main town of the Muskoka region in Ontario, famous for its many lakes, forests and landscapes that make it one of the most beloved holiday destinations in eastern Canada. Surrounded by lush nature, it is the gateway to the famous Algonquin Provincial Park, a vast reserve of lakes and woods ideal for canoeing, hiking and wildlife viewing, particularly spectacular in autumn when the maples blaze with colour. The town offers a charming centre, art galleries and a relaxed atmosphere. The area's lakes are dotted with cottages and resorts where you can spend holidays in contact with nature. Between water, woods and autumn foliage, Huntsville is an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and outdoor activities, the heart of the picturesque Muskoka lake region.

Barrie is a city in Ontario set on the shores of Lake Simcoe, a short distance from Toronto, in a position that makes it a popular holiday destination and a convenient base for exploring the region. Its waterfront, with the long Centennial Beach, marina and lakeside parks, is the heart of the city's summer life, lively with water activities and walks. In winter, its proximity to the ski areas of Horseshoe Valley and the Blue Mountain hills makes it a starting point for snow sports. The city offers a charming centre, festivals and events throughout the year. Positioned between the lake and the Ontario countryside, Barrie combines lakeside relaxation and outdoor activities. Lively and facing the water, it is a pleasant stop for those travelling in the heart of southern Ontario.