About 20 hours after I returned from New York I had to head back to Schiphol again. In those hours, I took all the heels out of my suitcase, replaced the frilly dresses with something more decent like jeans, and left the straightener at home. Because the next trip was not about strolling down Fifth Avenue, but about strolling at Niagara Falls and more in Canada. That’s right: Canada.

Airliner Air Canada has been flying daily from Amsterdam to Toronto again since last Friday, and I had to see that up close. Or actually, I was invited to see it up close because the ladies and gentlemen of Air Canada teamed up with Ontario Tourism and invited me to spend a little week having a blast in Toronto and the surrounding area.

After a flight that I mostly missed because I fell into a deep, deep sleep almost immediately, we arrive in Canada. A van is ready and takes us directly to Niagara Falls. Sounds intense, and it was, but once you’re standing with your nose 30 meters away from that gi-gantic waterfall, you’re wide awake in an instant.

The falls have an American side and a Canadian side, and of course, we were on the latter. A boat that seems quite small in comparison to the gigantic splash of water you see in front of you takes you past the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and to the Horseshoe Falls, the largest of them all. A shitload of water comes down, so you’re glad you put on that ridiculously looking poncho because even with that thing, you’re pretty much soaked by the end of the ride. But how awesome it is.

After the falls, we go to the hotel for a set of dry clothes and a warm shower. On the top floor of the immense hotel, we have a three-course dinner with a view over the Falls, which ends with a fireworks show. You know, I’m quite fond of fireworks, so there’s no better way to end the day.

The next morning we go to the falls again, this time we see them from above and from the back. It’s indescribably impressive to stand so close to all that immense natural power, and no photo you take comes close to capturing its scale. If you still have space on your bucket list: Niagara Falls must be on it.

And while you’re at it, also write down that you have to fly over it in a helicopter. Because that was the next step on our program. I had never been in a helicopter in my life, but oh my goodness, that was really the highlight (ha-ha) so far. The world seems so small and insignificant when you’re floating so far above it, and even Niagara Falls suddenly seems quite small.

After the helicopter, we continued towards one of the many wineries that this region is rich in. Due to the location of two lakes, a microclimate is created that is very suitable for growing grapes, and we visit Inniskillin Winery for a tour and a lunch with wine tasting. Plop!

Next stop is Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small incredibly picturesque neighboring village. There’s not much to do, but the shops are intensely cute and Lake Ontario, which it borders, is absolutely beautiful. A short round later, we’re back in the van, which this time takes us to Toronto.

Fatigue is weighing heavily on our eyes, so we recharge at the hotel and then head to the last part of the program: dinner in the CN Tower. At 351 meters high, we eat in a revolving restaurant, with a view over all of Toronto in the setting sun. At the moment of writing, I’m lying exhausted in bed.

Tomorrow another full program and for those heading to Canada soon, especially Ontario, don’t worry, there will soon be another article with practical tips, things to do, and places to see. For now, I would say, mark your calendar for a week here because oh my goodness, it’s all incredibly impressive.