About 20 hours after arriving back from New York I had to start heading to Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport. In that time I tossed all the heels out of my suitcase, replaced the flowing dresses for jeans and left the hair straightener at home. The next trip was not parading about Fifth Avenue, but trekking to Niagara Falls in Canada. That’s right, Canada.

Since last Friday, airliner Air Canada flies daily from Amsterdam to Toronto, so naturally I had to see it up close. Or rather, I was invited by the ladies and gentlemen of Air Canada who have joined forces with Ontario Tourism, to see Canada and it surroundings for a very short week up close.

After a flight that I had largely not conscious of as a result of immediately falling into a deep, deep sleep, we arrived in Canada. A van was waiting and took us directly to Niagara Falls. Sounds intense and it was, but once you stand with your nose only 30 meters from the most gi-gan-tic waterfall it can be a rather sharp awakening.

The waterfalls have an American side and a Canadian side, and of course we stood in the latter. A boat that seems relatively small next to the gigantic wall of water takes you past the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and then to Horseshoe Falls, the biggest of them all. Because there’s a crazy amount of water spraying out from the falls you’re actually quite glad you have purchased the idiot-looking poncho you are now wearing. Even with this ugly sheet of plastic draped over you, by the end of the boat ride you are completely soaked. But, you know what? It doesn’t matter because this is just so cool see.

After the falls, we went to the hotel for a set of dry clothes and a hot shower. On the top floor of the immense hotel we ate a three-course meal overlooking the falls, which ended in a fireworks show. You know, I’m quite fond of fireworks, so a better end to such a day is just not possible.

The next morning we set out again to the falls, this time we saw them from above and from the back. It is impossible to describe in words or to take a photo that really shows just how powerfully impressive it is to stand so close to this huge force of nature. For those of you who still have room on your bucket list: Niagara Falls is compulsory.

And if you’re still busy with your list, immediately add a flight over it in a helicopter. This was the next step in our program. Never in my life have I been in a helicopter. But people, you need to understand, this is truly my highpoint (ha-ha) thus far. The world is so small and insignificant when you are hovering from above and the Falls suddenly seem quite small.

After the helicopter we continued towards one of the many wineries in the region. The location of two lakes creates a micro-climate which is suitable for harvesting grapes. We went to Inniskillin Winery for a tour and lunch with a wine tasting. Pop goes the cork!

Next stop was Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small, extremely picturesque neighboring village. There is not too much to do there but the shops are so sweet and Lake Ontario where the village is found is simply gorgeous. After a short round trip we’re back in the van that takes us to Toronto.

Fatigue begins to set in so we take a moment to recharge at the hotel before heading out for the last part of the program: dinner at the CN Tower. We ate in a revolving restaurant, 351 meters in the air, with views over Toronto and the setting sun. At the time of writing this I am lying completely exhausted in bed.

Tomorrow is another full program, but for those of you who will shortly be visiting Canada and especially Ontario, do not worry, soon there’ll be another article with practical tips, things to do and places to see. For the rest of you, I just want to say, people find a week in your agenda to plan in a trip like this, it’s all pretty impressive.