Glorious Ontario self-drive tour

Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring Canada's largest city, Toronto. This cosmopolitan city offers a diverse range of shops, restaurants and nightlife as well as world-renowned art galleries, theaters and sports events. Don't miss a trip to the top of the CN Tower or a boat trip on Lake Ontario. Toronto is also home to National Geographic's World's Best Food Market, St Lawrence Market, so don't forget to stop by for a bite to eat.

This morning, you will make your way to the car hire depot to collect your hire car. Your package automatically includes an additional driver and insurance. The journey will take approximately two hours, following alongside the shores of Lake Ontario the entire way. As you approach Niagara-on-the-Lake, the surroundings will transition from urban landscapes to wide stretches of farmland and vineyards. 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. For those interested in history, we recommend visiting the Fort George National Historic Site, once the British military headquarters.

Make the short, 30-minute drive to the mighty Niagara Falls this morning. We've included a Niagara Adventure Pass for you — this includes tickets for the famous Hornblower cruise, which takes you right up to the foot of the falls. Don your red poncho, and prepare to get wet. This afternoon, return to Niagara-on-the-Lake and spend the rest of the day exploring its flower-adorned streets under your own steam. You may wish to go jet-boating on the Niagara River, stroll along the lake-side parklands or visit nearby Fort George — a preserved 19th-century National Historic Site that played a key role in the War of 1812.

Leaving Niagara Falls you will drive north to "cottage country" and the beautiful Muskoka region. On arrival, visit a cranberry winery and learn more about this unique Ontarian delicacy — followed by a tasting. Settle into the lovely town of Gravenhurst for the night. You may like to have dinner overlooking the steamship wharf.

Gravenhurst is best known for its history with steamships. You have the full day at leisure to explore — we recommend visiting the wharf, where you can take a cruise on the Segwun, North America's oldest operating coal-fired steamship. You may also like to take a walk along one of the many trails or visit the historical center. When you are finished exploring, continue your journey north around beautiful Georgian Bay to the stunning Killarney Provincial Park.

Killarney Provincial Park is a prime example of untouched beauty. Much of this stunning park is backcountry, making for an incredible outdoor experience, and you have two full days at leisure to take it all in. You may like to take a workshop to learn to canoe or perhaps walk one of the park's ten-day trails. At night, make sure to look up! The night sky is stunning in this area.

You might like to visit the town of Killarney, one of the original fur trading posts dating back to 1820. Make sure to visit Herbert Fisheries for some fantastic fish and chips. Be sure to visit the marina where you can try your hand at fishing. The folks at the bait shop will be happy to show you the ropes or for a different experience, relax on one of the nearby beaches with a picnic.

Continue your drive west around the park on a scenic journey toward Manitoulin Island. You will pass through forests and smaller islands before reaching Manitoulin, the largest freshwater lake island in the world!

Manitoulin Island is particularly notable for its First Nations community — today we've included a one-hour 'medicine' walk with a local First Nations guide. Your guide will show you a variety of plants and herbs and explain their traditional medicinal uses. We can also arrange guided hikes and traditional canoe trips — do ask your specialist for more information. The rest of the day is free to explore Manitoulin Island. The Cup and Saucer Trail is a beautiful scenic walk, or for some First Nations culture, visit the Ojibwe Cultural Museum.

Make your way to the southeastern tip of the island where you will take the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry or "Big Canoe" over to Tobermory on the mainland (note that this payment is made locally). This beautiful ferry crosses Georgian Bay, passing small islands and incredible beauty.

Enjoy a full day at leisure exploring the town of Tobermory, which is located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and is the gateway to Fathom Five National Marine Park. This area is known for over 15 visible shipwrecks, which can be seen by taking a glass-bottomed boat cruise. Alternatively, you may like to take a drive to nearby Sauble, where you will find walking trails and sandy beaches.

Continuing your drive inland, you will reach Owen Sound, the largest town in this region. From here you can drive to the town of Wasaga, the longest freshwater beach in the world. We recommend taking a hike to visit beautiful Inglis Falls. For those interested in the region's culture, the Grey Roots Museum displays a fantastic exhibit full of historical artifacts from the county.

Your final drive takes you south to Lake Ontario and Toronto, where you'll drop off your car before your onward flight.