Fall in love with Ontario, Canada
You can have a romantic time in Ontario, Canada all year round not just Valentine's Day. There are a host of experiences available that will make you fall in love with the province too.
What can be more romantic than skating hand in hand along the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink. Well you can do just that in Ottawa, as The Rideau Canal Skateway snakes 4.8 miles through downtown Ottawa, the equivalent of 90 Olympic-sized ice rinks.
The frozen canal forms the centrepiece for this year's 35th annual Winterlude Festival which takes place from February 1-18. Couples can stop for a cup of hot chocolate or a famous BeaverTail pastry along the way from the numerous kiosks and warming huts strategically located along the 24-hour, free-to-use Skateway.
Each year, during the first three weekends of February, this celebration of Canadian winter offers outdoor fun, culinary treats and family-friendly activities. Best of all, most activities are free, including enjoying the ice sculptures at Confederation Park or playing on the ice and snow slides at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau!
ottawatourism.ca/en/visitors/top-attractions/winterlude
No stay in Ottawa would be complete without a visit to the landmark Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Located next door to the Parliament buildings, the hotel is a magnificent limestone edifice with turrets and masonry reminiscent of a French Chateau. You can stay in one of the luxury rooms and enjoy a candlelit evening meal or book one of their famous afternoon teas complete with Champagne!
fairmont.com/laurier-ottawa/
In Toronto, fall in love with the city from more than 351 metres (1,151ft) up at the world famous CN Tower. Enjoy a romantic lunch or dinner at the aptly named 360 restaurant, which slowly revolves during the course of your meal giving you magnificent views right across Toronto. For those with a real love for heights why not make a date with 'Edgewalk' the world's highest full circle hands-free walk on the five feet wide ledge encircling the top of the Tower's main pod. The walk is weather permitting and bookings can now be made from April onwards. It currently holds the Guinness World Record for the 'Highest External Walk on a Building'. Visitors walk in groups of six, while attached to an overhead safety rail via a trolley and harness system.
cntower.ca/Intro.html
For the more romantic adventurer why not let a team of Huskies do the work for you on a dog sledding adventure in Central Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park or Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve. There is nothing like the sensation of being whisked through the forest with just the sounds of your dog's feet and sled on snow for company. Then relax back at your resort or hotel in front of an open firfire to warm yourself back up.
algonquinpark.on.ca, haliburtonforest.com, resortsofontario.com/about.htm
Niagara Falls is known across the world as the honeymoon capital. There are many ways to see the falls in all its splendour but the ultimate has to be by helicopter. For over 48 years Niagara Helicopters has been flying guests from all over the world over the majestic Niagara Falls. Views include the Whirlpool Rapids, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Arrangements can even be made to be married on board the helicopter! Or take a ride to a nearby winery for a romantic dinner.
niagarahelicopters.com
Just a few miles along from Niagara Falls is the beautiful area of Niagara on the Lake. With over 60 wineries it is a perfect base to tour. Hiring a bike and cycling the back roads of Niagara on the Lake is simply the best way to sample Ontario's award winning wines. Pack a romantic picnic or pop into one of the many fine restaurants along the scenic trails and the superb cycle path beside the Niagara Parkway - described by Sir Winston Churchill as "the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world".
About Ontario
The province of Ontario is located in east-central Canada and is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba to the west and Quebec to the east, and five U.S. states to the south. With a population of more than 13 million, Ontario is home to one in three Canadians and is one of Canada's largest provinces, covering more than one million square kilometres (415,000 square miles). Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is Canada's largest city. It is also the commercial, industrial and financial centre of Canada. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is also located in Ontario. Ontario is home to 400,000 lakes and contains one-third of the world's fresh water.
For more information, visit ontariotravel.net/uk.
