Essential Ontario self-drive

Toronto is a city of diverse neighbourhoods, and this morning you'll join a two hour guided tour of Kensington Market - one of the most eclectic regions of the city. Afterwards, you're at leisure to continue exploring. You might like to travel to the top of the iconic CN Tower, take a ferry out to the Toronto Islands, or visit to the historic Distillery District.

You'll be collected from your hotel this morning and join a small group tour to see the magnificent Niagara Falls. These vast waterfalls are around an hour and a half from Toronto, and your guide will explain the history of the area during the drive. Arriving in Niagara, you'll board the famous Hornblower cruise, which takes passengers for a close-up view of the thundering water, right to the foot of the falls. Plastic ponchos are provided. After some time at leisure you'll then be taken to the pretty historic town of Niagara on the Lake, where you'll have the opportunity to visit one of its excellent wineries, before returning to Toronto at the end of the day.

Make your own way to the downtown depot to collect your hire car, which will be ready and waiting for you. All insurances, a road map and a sat-nav are included in your car hire package. Your first drive takes you three hours east along the shoreline of Lake Ontario to Kingston — most notable for its proud colonial history. After checking into your hotel, you have time at leisure to explore this charming collegiate town.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kingston - you might like to explore its harbourfront, visit one of its many art galleries and museums, or learn more about Canadian history at the Fort Henry National Historic Site.

Make the short drive over to Gananoque this morning in time for your next excursion. This sleepy town is the gateway to the picturesque Thousand Islands region of Lake Ontario, which you will explore on a guided one hour cruise. From here, continue on to Canada's capital city, Ottawa, where you'll have some time to explore under your own steam this afternoon.

Join a small group walking tour this morning, which offers a comprehensive overview of Ottawa's highlights, including the National War Memorial, Parliament Hill and Byward Market.

Today's three hour drive takes you west out of Ottawa to the breathtaking natural scenery of Algonquin Provincial Park. Algonquin was the first of Ontario's protected parks and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including moose, wolves, beavers and black bears. For the next two nights you will be staying in a log cabin in the heart of the park.

The day is yours to explore Algonquin under your own steam. Hike one of the park's rewarding walking trails, or hire a canoe and paddle along Algonquin's remote inlets and secluded beaches that are only accessible from the water. If you're staying on a Thursday night in August, join an communal 'wolf howl', which is arranged by the park's authorities to illicit spine-tingling responses from wolves in the area.

Enjoy a final morning at leisure in Algonquin before making the three hour drive back to Toronto in time for your onward flight.