Canada itinerary: from Toronto to Quebec

Toronto, a truly diverse city, has plenty of museums, galleries and attractions to offer, whether your visit is short or long. One of the most popular reasons to visit Toronto is Niagara Falls – and for good reason. Just a two-hour train ride from the city centre, you can stand at the edge of the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara amid the mist, or take a boat right up to the falls. As much as we love chasing waterfalls, don't get too carried away and try to go over them – these days that'll land you a hefty $10,000 fine!

Back in the city after your trip to Niagara, there are plenty of activities and sights to keep you busy during your stay. The CN Tower gives you a fantastic view of the city – and on clear days, all the way to Niagara Falls. Hungry? Head to Kensington Market, a former Jewish market that's now a neighbourhood for foodies and artists. You know what that means… tasty food and cool art!

If you thought your mum had a lot of shoes, visit the Bata Shoe Museum to see the largest shoe collection in the world. Ripley's Aquarium is pretty impressive and worth a visit, but if you're short on time, don't miss the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma and the Entertainment District (where lots of festivals take place). Don't forget to try the peameal bacon from St. Lawrence Market before you hop on the train to Ottawa.

Ottawa is a city with a rich cultural life and well worth a visit all year round. The Rideau Canal in Ottawa plays two different roles: a working waterway in summer and a frozen skating rink in winter. Climb the Peace Tower for a panoramic view over Ottawa. You can see Parliament Hill, the Gatineau River and the hills to the north.

Visit the Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada's Cold War Museum and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. If you pass the prism-shaped National Gallery of Canada, it'll grab your attention straight away.

If you're visiting in spring, don't miss the Tulip Festival. In summer, you can buy vegetables, fruit and flowers at the ByWard Market downtown.

Montreal is a fairly large city with a rather European feel thanks to its French influences, which you'll notice straight away in the brilliant architecture on the streets of Vieux-Montréal (“Old Montreal”). The city is known for its festivals: more than 100 take place here every year, so you'll find an event whatever the season.

Montrealers love getting active outdoors when it isn't freezing cold, and some of the most popular spots for a breath of fresh air are the cycling and walking paths along the St. Lawrence River. You can even try river surfing here – jump in or just watch the pros. Enjoy a walk up Mount Royal for a better view of the city, or catch a concert at Place des Arts.

Montrealers love to eat, so it's not hard to find a meal for less than 50 CAD. We know most of the food is hard to resist – and you shouldn't even try… you're on holiday! Grab fresh bagels, viande fumée (smoked meat) and poutine, and your taste buds won't regret it. If you'd like to cook for yourself, you can buy fresh produce at Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon) or sign up for a cooking class!

Quebec City: Canada or France?

The last city on our Canada trip is Quebec, and as you stroll through the streets you'll barely remember that you're still in Canada at all. To an outsider overhearing conversations in French, Quebec, with its beautiful old buildings, stone walls and cobbled streets, feels very much like Europe. There are plenty of historic sites such as the Plains of Abraham, the Morrin Centre and Vieux-Québec (“Old Quebec”), which is also home to the famous Château Frontenac.

If you're after some beautiful sights not too far from the city centre – and thirty metres higher than Niagara Falls – the Montmorency Falls are well worth the climb up the stairs for a breathtaking view of the falls from the suspension bridge.

Everywhere you go you'll find Quebecois poutine (a messy heap of chips and gravy), tourtière (a meat pie) and, of course, phenomenal cheeses. So try to grab your last tastes of French-Canadian cuisine before your trip comes to an end.