Muskoka. Aug, 2021

By long-standing tradition, we spend every Thanksgiving long weekend exploring beautiful places. This year, our journey took us to Muskoka— Ontario's iconic cottage country, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. Crystal-clear lakes, rugged rocky shores, endless forests, and abundant wildlife — all just a three-hour drive from Toronto.

Come along and experience the magic of autumn with us. Cruise across Muskoka's sparkling lakes aboard a historic steamship, watch us take a dip in a sea of cranberries, hike through stunning forests, climb to breathtaking viewpoints, and, if we're lucky, encounter moose enjoying a swim in the wild

Day 1

We leave home early in the morning, and just an hour and a half later, we arrive at a charming little harbour where our ship is waiting for us.

Muskoka Steamships is the oldest steamship company in Canada and operates the only historic passenger steamships of their kind still offering scenic cruises today. We step aboard and set sail across the lake, surrounded by the breathtaking colours of autumn. As we glide through the calm waters, we admire the stunning fall scenery, rocky shorelines, and beautiful waterfront cottages tucked among the trees

Continuing our journey, we make our way to the resort where we will spend the next three days.

We had already stayed at Deerhurst Resort last winter, and once again, it did not disappoint. Our cozy suite welcomed us with a private balcony, a warm fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen — everything we needed for a relaxing family getaway.

The girls immediately head straight to the pool, while the parents finally get a chance to unwind. As evening arrives, we gather together for cozy family time, enjoying snacks, laughter, and games by the fireplace

Day 2

The next morning, an exciting adventure awaited us. We set off for Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, a beautiful cranberry farm surrounded by the stunning autumn scenery of Muskoka.

We discovered that cranberries actually grow on small, low-lying bushes in wet, boggy areas. When harvest season arrives in September and October, farmers use a special technique known as the “wet harvest” method. The cranberry fields are flooded with water, causing the ripe berries to detach from the vines and float to the surface. They are then collected using floating booms or harvested with specialized machines that gently remove the berries from the plants.

The farm has created a unique and fun experience for visitors. A heart-shaped pool is filled with water and thousands of fresh cranberries. Guests are invited to put on special waterproof suits and step right into the “cranberry pool” for a truly unforgettable and very Canadian autumn adventure

It’s time for lunch. We head to the charming little town of Huntsville and stop at the local Huntsville Brewhouse for a delicious meal. The brewery is also a great place to discover locally crafted beer, with a variety of unique flavours made right on site

After lunch, we stop by the charming little shop The Nutty Chocolatier, filled with sweet treats, chocolates, and all kinds of fun little treasures 

We drive up to Lion’s Lookout, one of Huntsville’s most beautiful viewpoints, where we take in a breathtaking panorama of the town, the surrounding forests, and the sparkling waters of the lake below 

We return to the resort to enjoy the rest of the evening.

The girls head off to the arcade to try their luck and win some prizes, while the parents take a peaceful stroll around the beautiful resort grounds, enjoying the quiet atmosphere and the surrounding nature

Our holiday adventure comes to an end, and our friends head back home, taking our Iris with them. We decide to stay for one more night, so that in the morning we can set off for one of Ontario’s most spectacular wilderness destinations — Algonquin Provincial Park.

Day 3

Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the largest and most famous parks in North America, covering nearly 8,000 square kilometres. Endless forests of towering coniferous and deciduous trees, more than 1,500 beautiful lakes, diverse wildlife, and countless species of birds make this place truly magical.

Algonquin is a favourite destination for hiking, camping, canoeing, and exploring the great outdoors.

Because the park is enormous, it is important to plan your visit in advance — deciding which area you want to explore and reserving your parking spot ahead of time.

We chose the Booth’s Rock Trail, a scenic loop trail just over 5 km long. The main highlight of the hike is reaching the top of the lookout, where breathtaking views of the endless autumn landscape open up before you

And finally, we reach our long-awaited destination — the top of the mountain.

The breathtaking beauty that unfolded before us left us speechless. Endless forests painted in autumn colours stretched as far as the eye could see, creating a view we will remember for a long time

We make our way back down through the forest, continuing to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the trail. Along the way, we see fellow adventurers relaxing at their campsites, surrounded by the peaceful wilderness.

Our hike takes us about four hours, leaving us refreshed, energized, and filled with unforgettable memories.

As we are driving out of the park, we notice several cars pulled over along the side of the road and people standing with cameras in hand. We quickly realize why — everyone has gathered for a rare and magical sight.

We are incredibly lucky to spot three moose enjoying the quiet beauty of Algonquin’s wilderness!

This was truly a wonderful autumn adventure. It’s time to head back home, where we will continue the memories by baking a delicious cranberry pie.

After all, you can never have too many cranberries!