Ontario's falls, forests & lakes self-drive tour

Enjoy a full day at leisure, independently exploring Canada's largest city. This cosmopolitan city offers a diverse range of shops, restaurants and world-renowned art galleries, theaters and sports events. Toronto is also home to National Geographic's "World's Best Food Market", St Lawrence Market, so we recommend stopping by for a bite to eat. If you’d prefer to see the natural side of the city, we recommend taking a bike and cycling across the islands to see the Toronto skyline. We've included tickets to the CN Tower to see the city from above today.

This morning, you will make your own way to the downtown car hire depot to collect your hire car. Your package includes an additional driver and all necessary insurance. Your journey will take approximately two hours, following along the shores of Lake Ontario to the Niagara region. As you approach Niagara-on-the-Lake, the surroundings will transition from urban landscapes to wide stretches of farmland and vineyards. Settle into your hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake and explore the small town this evening.

Today, make the short, 30-minute drive to the mighty Niagara Falls. We've included a Niagara Adventure Pass for admission to many of the region’s attractions, and tickets for the Hornblower cruise, which takes you right up to the foot of the falls. This afternoon, return to Niagara-on-the-Lake to explore its flower-adorned streets under your own steam. Here, you can slow your pace by venturing to some of the area's wineries to taste local Canadian red and white wine and the more regionally distinctive ice wine.

Leaving Niagara Falls, you will drive north and east for about four hours, hugging the north coast of Lake Ontario. Your destination is the small peninsula of Prince Edward County, with a relaxed artisan atmosphere, sand dunes and water views. Your stay is at a historic boutique countryside farm hotel, where you can indulge in fresh eggs from the chicken coop each morning, take a stroll through the gardens and orchard, or rock gently in a hammock by the pond.

You have a full day at your own leisure to explore Prince Edward County. With the number of farms in the area, quality food and drink are a focus here, leading to the county being named 'Ontario's Gastronomic Capital'. We particularly recommend a visit to the plentiful food trucks and farmers' markets, and one of the many wineries, perhaps trying a fondue experience in the barrel room. We also suggest visiting the many art galleries, taking a trip to the sand dunes to get out on the water, and listening to birdsong at Macaulay Mountain.

Leave the shores of the lake behind today as you venture inland to Haliburton Forest. The journey will take about three hours. On the way, we suggest stopping in Bancroft to take the short and relatively easy hike to Eagle Lookout for panoramic views and a chance to stretch your legs. On arrival in Haliburton Forest, settle into your private cabin, toast some marshmallows on the fire, and enjoy exceptional star gazing in this dark sky reserve.

To start your day, you have a visit to the main attraction of the forest, the Wolf Centre. Here you can sit back and watch the wolves go about their daily lives behind one-way glass, meaning their environment is as natural as possible. While here, you can also speak to staff to learn more about their habits and lives. For the rest of the day, you can explore the rest of the wildlife reserve. There are plenty of activities on offer, from paddling on the lakes, to hiking through the forest to viewpoints, to guided mushroom foraging, to glass-blowing and flame-work.

Depart Haliburton Forest today, making the short journey north to "cottage country" and the Muskoka region, known for its berry farming, cute cottage towns, forests and many lakes. On arrival, we've included a visit to a cranberry winery to learn more about this unique Ontarian delicacy, followed by a tasting. After the tasting, continue your journey into Algonquin Provincial Park to your lakeside lodge. All meals are included during your stay here, along with access to the water equipment.

Algonquin Provincial Park is set within lush woods that turn to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows in October, and is peppered with lakes, ponds and rivers. You have a private three-hour guided tour by electric canoe onto the calm waters of the lakes to try and catch the wildlife along the shore, including moose, birds, wolves and deer. You have the rest of the day to explore at your own leisure, sampling one of the hiking trails or learning more about the artists who frequented the region.

Make your way back through 'Cottage Country' today as you depart Algonquin Park for the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron. The journey is about five hours, so you can add a night in Gravenhurst if you'd prefer to divide the journey. As you get to the southern end of Georgian Bay, you'll hug the shores, and we recommend a stop at Blue Mountain Resort to stretch your legs before continuing north to the very tip of the peninsula at Tobermory. You have the rest of the day to relax and explore.

Enjoy a full day exploring Tobermory and Fathom Five National Marine Park. This area is known for over 15 visible shipwrecks and Flowerpot Island, which can be seen by taking a glass-bottomed boat cruise which we’ve included for you. We also recommend taking a hike to swim in the vibrant blue, warm waters of The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park. We suggest an exploration of Greig’s Caves — ten limestone caves in the peace and tranquility of singing birds and rustling leaves along rugged trails, with the trail above the caves offering views of the sparkling waters of Georgian Bay.

Your final drive takes you south to Lake Ontario and Toronto. The drive is about three and a half hours, so you might like to detour to the town of Wasaga to visit the longest freshwater beach in the world, depending on the time of your flight. Drop off your car at the airport before taking your onward flight.