As a child, my family loved camping, traveling through Europe with all our gear packed into our Morris Minor. My parents’ adventurous spirit clearly influenced me. However, I remember the early starts, endless unpacking, and the smell of damp grass, which made me prefer having a solid roof over my head.

My husband Guy, on the other hand, is a natural camper. He enjoys sleeping under the stars and cooking over a campfire. When we had the opportunity to drive from Toronto to Montreal in an RV across Canada, it seemed like the perfect compromise between comfort and camping.

Toronto was our entry point into Canada. After a long flight from the UK, we stayed at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel by the airport. We took the UP Express train downtown, spending the afternoon exploring the harborside area. We took a harbor cruise, admired the CN Tower, and ended the evening with a delicious pulled pork burger and craft beers at Amsterdam Brewhouse.

The next day, we picked up our RV from the Cruise Canada rental center on the outskirts of Toronto. Before hitting the road, we watched some instructional videos and familiarized ourselves with the RV’s features. The RV was comfortable for two but could accommodate up to six people. Guy took charge of the power and water, while I focused on the amenities like the fridge, shower, and kitchenette.

Our first major stop was at a Wal-Mart to stock up on groceries for our journey to Algonquin Provincial Park, where shopping options would be limited. We also bought a detailed road map as a backup to our mobile Wi-Fi.

Our first campground experience in Algonquin Provincial Park was at Rock Lake. We checked in, bought firewood, and found our spot among the trees. Parking the RV took teamwork, with me directing Guy to avoid hitting trees and ensure we were level.

Each campsite we visited was set in woodland and near a lake, equipped with a picnic table, benches, and a fire pit. We had our own shower and toilet in the RV, but there were also communal facilities nearby. Setting up was simple: just plug in the power and open a beer. Guy loved building the campfire, while I prepared supper in the well-equipped kitchen.

We spent a couple of days in Algonquin, canoeing and cycling, and even spotted a black bear with its cub. After Algonquin, we drove south towards Lake Ontario, stopping in Perth for the Stewart Park music festival and then in Kingston to explore the historic town and Fort Henry.

In Ottawa, we stayed at Wesley Clover Campground, which offered a shuttle service into the city. We enjoyed sightseeing, including the changing of the guards, ByWard Market, and the National Gallery of Canada. We also visited the Canadian History Museum and took a scenic bike ride along the Ottawa River.

In the Outaouais region, we visited Wakefield and Gatineau Park, enjoying the wide roads and ample parking. At Parc Omega, we opted for a golf buggy to feed the deer, buffalo, and bears safely.

Our final stop was Mont Tremblant National Park, where we hiked, canoed, and tackled the Via Ferrata. Despite the lack of phone signal, it was refreshing to unplug and enjoy nature.

As we returned the RV in Montreal, I felt mixed emotions. The RV had given us the freedom to explore Canada’s wilderness, historic towns, and great local food. We were looking forward to city life in Montreal, but a part of us remained with Monty the RV.

Our journey included stays at:

– Night 1: Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Toronto
– Nights 2 & 3: Algonquin Provincial Park near Whitney, Ontario
– Night 4: Murphy’s Point Provincial Park near Kingston, Ontario
– Nights 5 & 6: Wesley Clover Camp Ground – south of Ottawa
– Nights 7 & 8: Camping Cantley – north of Ottawa
– Night 9: Parc de Plaisance National Park in Quebec
– Nights 10, 11, 12: Mont Tremblant National Park in Quebec
– Night 13: Le Centre Sheraton Hotel Montreal