Family Summer Holiday in Eastern Canada: Niagara Falls, Onatario & Quebec

On the shores of Lake Ontario, halfway between the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, Ontario's capital and Canada's largest city is in a prime location. Toronto is an active city with a rich cosmopolitan population and several major universities.

What to see, what to experience - The world's tallest observatory on top of the 181-storey CN Tower - the Royal Ontario Museum - a trip to the Saint Lawrence Market and the Kensington Market - the Distillery District - taking in a game at the Rogers Center, also known as SkyDome - the Hockey Hall of Fame, the spiritual home of Canada's national sport.

Optional - At the end of the day, a bike ride to explore the Toronto Islands.

Drive to Niagara Falls. These are the largest waterfalls in North America, and also the most famous. More impressive for their width than their height, they consist of three cataracts, the tallest of which - dubbed the 'horseshoe' is 617ft tall.

Already in the itinerary - To best admire the falls, there's nothing like a helicopter ride. This magical experience will allow you to truly appreciate the enormity of the falls.

Overnight in a room in a glass tower with a view overlooking the falls.

We leave the Niagara Wine Region and head to the Thousand Islands region, nicknamed the 'Garden of the Great Spirit'. The region is home to 1,865 islets scattered in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. There are sumptuous private estates and picturesque, romantic mansions, not to mention the world's smallest international bridge connecting the United States and Canada. Overnight accommodation in a contemporary cruise-ship style hotel, right on the pier next to the sailboats.

Optional - A boat ride through this fairy-tale setting among the islands, some of which are little more than a patch of dirt and a few shrubs.

Head to Ottawa, Canada's capital city, on the border between English-speaking Ontario and French-speaking Quebec. Overnight accommodation in a historic brick-built hotel updated with warm, contemporary decor.

What to see, what to do - Byward Market - the Embassy District - Parliament Hill overlooking the Ottawa River - the Rideau Canal and locks - the Canadian Museum of History, the country's most visited museum - enjoy a Canadian speciality: the 'beaver tail'! A flat pastry in the shape of a fried oval topped with maple butter.

Head to Montreal and stay two nights in a contemporary hotel in Old Montreal. Comfortable rooms with modern conveniences and a central location make it an ideal base for exploring the city.

A day to discover Montreal, the perfect fusion between Europe and North America, a meeting point for many nationalities, and a vibrant city with its many outdoor festivals in the summertime. Stroll through the alleys of Mile End, along the St. Lawrence River, discover Avenue Mont Royal with its small shops and a local market before enjoying a picnic with the squirrels at the Mont Royal viewpoint. Do not miss the Pointe a Caliere (otherwise know as the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History), a fascinating and authentic archaeological tour.

On the itinerary - cycle tour of Montreal with a private guide. With some 400 miles of cycling routes, Montreal offers a unique urban cycling experience: the Plateau, Mile-End and Outremont, where you can roll along at a relaxed pace before zigzagging through narrow streets, 'green alleys', cafe-lined boulevards, large parks and cycle lanes. It's also an opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities that have built the history and culture of these neighbourhoods, to admire their distinctive architecture, and to enjoy a well-deserved break in a friendly neighbourhood cafe.

A day to discover the famous Route des Saveurs, before arriving in Baie-Saint-Paul, the 'artists' paradise'. Baie-Saint-Paul offers magnificent landscapes and an ideal location to enjoy the surrounding nature. Located in a meteor crater 35 miles in diameter, reveals the region's rich geological history. For a long time, life in Baie-Saint-Paul revolved around agriculture and forestry. Today, the city hosts numerous art galleries and inviting outdoor activities.

Overnight in unique accommodation - and old wooden farm renovated into a comfortable, modern design hotel.

Wind your way through the Charlevoix region and along the river, taking in the sumptuous forest landscapes, hidden valleys and charming little villages, home to artist communities, secondhand shops, art galleries and fine restaurants. Arrive in Tadoussac, whose location on one of the most beautiful bays in the world offers breathtaking views of the fjord. Two-night stay in a charming inn overlooking the St. Lawrence.

In the itinerary - A private whale-watching cruise in small boats, departing from Bergeronnes. To the Ancients whales symbolised clairvoyance, and these mammals are still at the heart of the marine life of the Innu Essipit territory. This cruise through the heart of the deep marine basin, where the whales' food source is most abundant, offers the chance for unforgettable encounters with the grandest of marine mammals. In small rubber dinghies you'll be able to get as close as possible without disturbing the whales.

Drive south to Quebec City via Baie-Saint-Paul, the Beaupre Coast and the New France Route, one of North America's oldest scenic routes, stopping at the famous Montmorency Falls and Sainte Anne Canyon. Along the way are picturesque villages, ancestral houses with bucolic charm and stunning views of the Ile d'Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains.

Upon arrival in Quebec City, stay for two nights in a charming inn in the heart of Old Quebec.

A day to discover Quebec City, the only fortified city in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Battlefields Park, the Plains of Abraham, and the Citadelle and its Royal Museum.

What to do - Walk along the ramparts of the Citadelle overlooking the St. Lawrence and through the picturesque cobblestone streets of the Old Town - buy sweets at La Maison Jean-Alfred Moisan, the oldest grocery store in Canada and a true Quebec institution.

Drive to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts via Chemin du Roy and Trois-Rivieres. The route, which runs along the St. Lawrence River, takes you through the Quebec, Mauricie and Lanaudiere regions, passing characteristic villages with their traditional architecture, churches and water mills. Continue through forests and lakes to Saint-Alexis-des-Monts, where your journey ends in the wilderness, in an inn built in Abenaki Indian territory, on the banks of the immense Lac-a-l'Eau Claire. The estate offers accommodation in bungalows, lodges, 'condos', or in the inn itself, which includes a restaurant, a lake view lounge and a small viewpoint. You will love the sheer beauty of the place, the balcony overlooking the lake, the cuisine where house-caught lake trout shines in all its forms, and the aquatic centre with its large swimming pool, which is especially great for children.

The surrounding lakes offer many opportunities for outdoor activities with the family, both in the forest and on the water: swimming, canoeing, fishing, animal watching, tennis and lawn bowling, not to mention the swimming pool, hot tub and sauna... all in a very relaxing environment.

Optional - Hire a boat and fishing gear for the day.