Hi there,

I'm planning a trip to Ontario and Quebec from 3rd to 17th April and will be flying from the UK into Toronto, and returning from Montreal.

I'm thinking of spending a couple of days in Toronto, doing a day trip to Niagara from there, and then heading up to Ottawa, Quebec City, then back to Montreal. I was hoping to hire a car and spend a few days out of the cities too, maybe going to Ottawa via Huntsville and Algonquin National Park, but am not sure how practical this is likely to be in early April. Also, any recommendations for some time in Quebec both in and out of the cities would be greatly appreciated. I've looked through a few guidebooks and spoken to a few people, but with mixed reports on whether for example, most places of interest out of the cities would be open that early on in the year.

Bumping this for Richard.

Hi Richard

I don't know if you sawa an old thread I posted a while back about a similar itinerary. I am travelling from the UK to Montreal and back home from Toronto at the end of May. I have 10 days so a little less than you but I asked a similar question and got some really useful advice. Here's the link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34457978

Feel free to e-mail me ([email protected]) if you want to share any itinerary information.

Dave, I've never been to Algonquin Provincial Park, but something to be aware of, according to its website, is that its lakes don't thaw until the last week of April or the first week of May. The website recommends the first few weeks of May as the best time to enjoy spring in the park.

http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/geninfo/spring.html

That is not to say you should avoid the park in April. I'm guessing it probably still is a worthwhile drive, but I think you should just be aware of what conditions are probably going to be like.

I hope locals will correct any misinformation I've inadvertently given you.

You are actually more likely to see animals in Algonquin Park in the early spring (moose, deer, beaver repairing dams, if you are really lucky - wolves or a bear)( why: in early spring it is less busy on the roads and therefore the animals are less shy) - so yes the drive through the park is still worthwhile in the early spring. Whether the lakes will be thawed or not
is hard to predict absolutely - if it has been a warm early spring they will be thawed but if it has been cold they may still be frozen and there may even be some snow still on the ground in the bushes.

April in Algonquin will still have some snow in sheltered areas. I have been blocked by snow on a trail in early May because I lacked snow boots. The leaves will not be out. There is no reason to not drive through in April. As JMM noted it will be much less busy than in July-August. The Visitor Centre is worth going to.

When you are flying to Toronto on the 3rd of April look for a plane headed for London...I will be on one.

Thanks for the advice. It's much appreciated.