Camping in the beautiful Ontario countryside at Grundy Lake

It’s that time of year again – summer is here and so too is camping season. Camping and outdoor activities in summer’s sunshine and warmth lie ahead. We look back on our camping trip to Grundy Lake Provincial Park and the neighbouring French River from last summer, two beautiful parks located three hours north of Toronto. Thunderstorms and tornadoes Our trip had started off well. … Continue reading Camping in the beautiful Ontario countryside at Grundy Lake

Emma and StewartJuly 8, 2019October 30, 2019Leave a comment

Ontario, Provincial Parks

Road trips from Toronto: exploring the Provincial Parks of Muskoka

3 parks, 2 days, 1 pass Algonquin Provincial Park is not only huge, but is also blessed by having other provincial parks scattered around its fringes. Armed with a Ontario Parks Annual Vehicle Permit and now with the satisfaction of having seen our first Algonquin moose, we spent the next two days exploring more of what the park has to offer, as well as two … Continue reading Road trips from Toronto: exploring the Provincial Parks of Muskoka

Emma and StewartAugust 26, 2018October 20, 2018Leave a comment

Events, Toronto

The Best of Doors Open Toronto

One of our favourite weekends of the year – Doors Open Toronto – is just around the corner, and we’re looking forward to the rare and free access it provides to significant buildings and sites around the city. When we first attended in 2015, we found that one weekend just wasn’t enough time to see anything, and come the 2016 event, our list of places … Continue reading The Best of Doors Open Toronto

Emma and StewartMay 25, 20172 Comments

Arrowhead cross country skiing moose pose

Ontario, Outdoor activities, Provincial Parks, Winter, Winter fun

Cross-country skiing in Arrowhead

Arrowhead Provincial Park’s winter activities don’t stop with its skating trail, it is also home to a network of cross-country skiing trails. We put on a pair of skis for the first time in Canada to check them out. My first and only skiing experience had been just as traumatic as my first ever skating lesson. As with anything that required coordination, my one and … Continue reading Cross-country skiing in Arrowhead

Emma and StewartFebruary 1, 2017January 14, 20182 Comments

Ontario, Outdoor activities, Provincial Parks, Winter, Winter fun

Skating at Arrowhead Provincial Park

Picture a quintessential Canadian winter scene, snow covered evergreens as far as the eye can see, big fluffy snowflakes falling and a beautiful torch lit skating trail winding through the middle of it all. And there you have the Arrowhead Provincial Park Ice Skating Trail. It continues to be named as one of the top winter experiences in Canada, it even makes BlogTO’s top skating … Continue reading Skating at Arrowhead Provincial Park

Emma and StewartJanuary 24, 2017January 14, 20184 Comments

Canoeing in the rain Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario, Provincial Parks

Canoeing in the rain at Algonquin Provincial Park

In May last year, we went on an excellent 6-hour canoe trip in Algonquin Provincial Park. Everything was perfect – from the weather, to the paddling conditions and even our lunchtime sandwich – apart from our failure to see a moose. When my uncle and aunt, Angus and Sue, announced that they would be visiting in late-May this year, we offered them the chance to … Continue reading Canoeing in the rain at Algonquin Provincial Park

Emma and StewartAugust 14, 20164 Comments

Outdoor activities, Parks and zoos, Toronto

Cycling to the Scarborough Bluffs

Vancouver, as we’ve all heard, has the upper hand when it comes to Canadian cities with stunning scenery on its doorstep. But here, we want to reclaim a little pride for Toronto. There are some great outdoor locations to visit near Toronto, although unfortunately most require a bit of travel. But nevertheless, there are the Niagara Falls (just make sure you’re facing away from the … Continue reading Cycling to the Scarborough Bluffs

Emma and StewartApril 27, 2016August 8, 20161 Comment

UP Express review (Image credit: Rick Radell)

Getting around, Toronto, Toronto guides, Travel tips

Review: Getting from Pearson Airport to Toronto with the UP Express

Getting from the airport to your destination in a new city can often be a stressful time. When we arrived in Toronto in September 2014, we certainly found the experience of getting from Toronto Pearson International Airport into the city confusing. Since then, the options have multiplied, with the launch of the Union Pearson Express, and with Uber becoming more ingrained in society. So we … Continue reading Review: Getting from Pearson Airport to Toronto with the UP Express

Emma and StewartApril 24, 2016April 25, 2016Leave a comment

Events, Toronto, Winter

Winter Stations at The Beaches

After 16 months in Toronto we finally made it to The Beaches! It was a beautifully sunny day yesterday so we decided to head down to the lake and check out the Winter Stations design competition that was ending this weekend. Winter Stations is in its second year, and aims to encourage people down to the beach in winter by transforming the lifeguard stations into art … Continue reading Winter Stations at The Beaches

Emma and StewartMarch 20, 2016March 25, 20165 Comments

Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Toronto

Visiting Cheltenham Badlands

On my final day of work in the UK, I spent a long car journey picking the brains of my Canadian colleague as we drove to a meeting. She talked with passion about the GTA (that’s Greater Toronto Area to you non locals) and it got me even more excited to visit. At that point I thought we would only be in Toronto for a handful of days so … Continue reading Visiting Cheltenham Badlands

Emma and StewartMarch 2, 2016March 25, 2016Leave a comment