This week, we are definitely leaving Eastern Canada as we head further West in our cross-country trip, to Ontario to be more precise. Let’s take advantage of our visit to the most populated province to enjoy urban life, culture… and maybe a little shopping! If you prefer the great outdoors, don’t worry: the territory is so big that you will find as many national parks as cities. We’ve got a lot of driving to do, so let’s get started on this Blackcircles.ca adventure!
The Historic Capital, Ottawa
Leaving the province of Quebec through the city of Gatineau, as soon as you cross the Ottawa River you will already arrive at our first destination: the Canadian capital. What strikes us during our visit is that the city is halfway between the modern and the historical. You can see places like the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as masterpieces of contemporary Canadian art at the National Gallery of Canada. Then stop by the ByWard Market to sample local produce from farms in the Prescott-Russell counties in the capital’s countryside. It’s a lovely place for a gourmet meal!
The urban Greater Toronto Area
Canada’s largest metropolis, located south of Ottawa, is a must-see when visiting the area, and it’s for more than just the CN Tower! Although the view is breathtaking, it is far from being the only place to visit in the GTA. Once again, we recommend you to visit some museums like the Royal Ontario Museum. Those who prefer science will perhaps appreciate the Ontario Science Centre or even the Toronto Zoo. A little further, the Rouge Urban National Park will surprise those who thought that Toronto was only a sea of skyscrapers. There you will find over 79 kilometers of green space, perfect for a little peace and quiet in the city.
The only problem with driving in Toronto is the constant congestion of its highways, whose status has become almost mythical. Luckily, the destination is worth it! So, to stay safe in this environment, we recommend arming yourself with strong, low-braking distance tires. Hankook Kinergy tires, for example, will do the trick.
Northwest and Thunder Bay
As you head towards the Prairies, you quickly discover that Ontario is a much larger province than its two main cities! Between Toronto and Manitoba, a journey of nearly 2000 km awaits you, crowned by a stopover in the city of Thunder Bay, on the shores of Lake Superior. This is the time to discover a culture that you are probably not familiar with: that of the Finnish-Canadians. Indeed, the region has the largest Finnish population in the country and the local specialties are greatly inspired by it. After a visit to the Thunder Bay Observatory and a cruise on Lake Superior, try one of their famous Finnish pancakes. You’ll thank us later!
For any long-distance drive, choosing tires with sturdy tread is a matter of safety. The next time you buy tires, pay attention to the warranty! This can give you a good indication of how long a model will last. The Yokohama Avid Touring-S, for example, has a 130,000 km warranty… That should be plenty of time to continue our journey in the great outdoors of Manitoba.
