Eastern and Atlantic Canada Destination Guide
Eastern Canada is an intriguing mix of sophisticated cities and remote, rugged scenery. From dynamic and vibrant Toronto to Montréal at the heart of French-speaking Canada, the two diverse cities are home to over half of Canada's population, whilst further east, the remote and isolated provinces draw those looking for something a little different - a place where the people are friendly and life is simpler and even harsh, but the landscape is spectacular.
Toronto
Situated in a stunning location on the banks of Lake Ontario, Toronto is famed for being home to the Maple Leaf ice hockey team. It's brilliant for shopping and a weekend break is a real possibility or use it as a gateway for a visit to Niagara Falls.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and is an astonishing mosaic of people and ideas, cultures and lifestyles. The city is filled with world-famous attractions such as the CN Tower and Royal Ontario Museum, captivating neighbourhoods including Greektown and Queen West and renowned festivals. Toronto is an up and coming city break destination - the shopping is fantastic, the nightlife is buzzing and it's excellent value for money too!
Niagara Falls
One of those places which you must experience. See the mighty torrent, hear the thunderous roar and feel the misty spray from this natural wonder. Board the Maid of the Mist for a boat tour to the foamy basin of the Falls or go jet boating up the Niagara Gorge to the legendary whirlpool.
Ottawa
Canada's Capital Region is a great place to experience French and English culture, heritage buildings, history and national pride. Plan to visit Parliament Hill to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony and save time for the numerous museums including the Canadian Museum of Civilisation.
Ontario Province
Find adventure and relaxation in Ontario's 'Cottage Country'. Huntsville is the gateway to Algonquin Provincial Park on its western boundaries. The park offers the quintessence of a Canadian vacation, canoeing, hiking, wildlife viewing and possibly hearing wolves howl. Feel century-old spirits at beautiful Serpent Mounts Park near Keene on picturesque Rice Lake, a scenic and historically significant place of Aboriginal settlement. Many head to Tobermory, the little fishing village on the edge of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. From here, you can take the ferry to Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. Just south of Georgian Bay lie the Blue Mountains, one of the best ski areas in Ontario Province.
Montréal
Montréal city is big and buzzing. Its Underground City is home to over 2,000 shops and if eating out is your thing, there are plenty of superb restaurants, especially in the old port and the Latin Quarter - many reflecting the French influences of the region.
Montréal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris and is actually located on an island at the mouth of the St Lawrence River. One of its greatest monuments is the Oratoire St Joseph, which sits on the western summit of Mont Royal (the official centre of the city) whilst the five storey Montréal City Hall is one of the city's most beautiful buildings.
Just 45 minutes from the city are the lovely Laurentian Mountains with beautiful lakes and picturesque villages.
Québec City
Québec City is smaller and more intimate with a lovely old French style. Its old town is the only walled city in North America and the cobblestone streets of Le Petit Champlain with its little boutiques where you can browse or simply stop at a pavement café is a must-see.
Québec City is a truly beautiful city on the banks of the St Lawrence River.
Québec Province
Venturing beyond the cities is easy and accessible and sure to reward. The Charlevoix region or the Hotel Sacacomie in the Mauricie region are famed for their glorious locations and stunning scenery and are ideal spots to wind down and get away from it all after hectic sightseeing. For those who like to keep on the move, activities such as hiking, whale watching, canoeing and snow-mobiling (winter) are also available.
New Brunswick
One of Canada's four Atlantic provinces, the pace of life in this region is slow. 85% of the area is covered in forest, which supports its major paper industry. Canada's oldest city, St John, lies at the mouth of the St John River along the Bay of Fundy. Further upriver, you will find the "City of Stately Elms" - historic Fredericton, often referred to as the pewter capital and birthplace of the publisher and statesman, Lord Beaverbrook.
Nova Scotia
New Scotland is so named because of the many Scots who emigrated to this corner of Canada. Shaped like a lobster, no point in the province is more than 35 miles from the sea and its hauntingly lonely beaches are one of its finest attractions. Nova Scotia's first city sits on one of the world's great harbours linked to the second city, Dartmouth, by two suspension bridges. Pay a call at the picture postcard fishing village of Peggy's Cove to hear tales of the sinking of the Titanic. Some believe the village was named after the sole survivor of a shipwreck, who married a local man. Whatever you do, head for Cape Breton Island to watch the sunset over the inland sea of Bras d'Or Lakes.
Prince Edward Island
Resting in the Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada's smallest province is covered in potato fields and edged by some of the finest beaches in the region. An impressive 8 mile bridge links it to the mainland of New Brunswick. The province's only city, Charlottetown, is an elegant small town complete with a town crier and gaslights. Fans of Anne of Green Gables will head out to see the setting of the book in the lovely area of Cavendish.
Newfoundland
This remote region with its craggy coastline, mountains and lakes is home to less than four people per square mile, a fifth of whom live in the capital St John's on the east coast. Standing on the tip of Newfoundland, you can see icebergs even in the summer! You'll need a car to explore it properly, but even then, some sights are best reached by boat.
