Start your Pacific Northwest holiday in style, with a seaplane or ferry ride to the San Juan Islands from Seattle. It’s the ultimate way to take in the beauty of this region that Mother Nature has so abundantly blessed. You have a choice of three alluring islands – Lopez, the most rural, a mix of rolling farmland and beaches; Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands and replete with verdant mountains and placid lakes; and San Juan Island, where vibrant Friday Harbour welcomes ferry and seaplane guests and offers an array of charming accommodations and gourmet eateries.

Whether it’s whale-watching and sea kayaking, touring an art gallery or browsing a local farmers’ market, the San Juan Islands offer pleasing diversions for every age and interest. For the best chance to view orca whales and other sea life, plan your trip between April and September – a number of tour operators are available throughout the islands. Rev up your energy level with biking tours through rolling meadows and farmland, go birding on San Juan Island, hike the region’s modest mountains – offering outstanding vistas from the top – or go charter fishing for the day. Other favourites include hiking to Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, taking a scenic flight over the area, attending an outdoor summer concert in the park and horseback riding.

Haliburton, a small town in Haliburton County, Ontario, is a popular tourist destination full of beautiful lakes and cottages. Haliburton County is also known as the Haliburton Highlands, due either to its geographical similarity to the Scottish Highlands, or to the Scottish ancestry of the area's founders. The lakes and rivers in the area dominate, but there is also a thriving arts and cultural scene which also helps to make Haliburton a great destination for a family holiday.

About three hours drive out from Ottawa, or two hours away from Toronto, Haliburton offers a great opportunity for a laid back holiday - hiking around the lakes, fishing, generally relaxing. Those interested in a more active holiday can also take an ATV (all terrain vehicle) or go riding on horseback around trails in the area. If you go in the Winter, you can try your hand at cross country skiing or driving a snowmobile. The Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Park is also a major tourist attraction, and well worth exploring with the whole family. For keen shoppers, there is a thriving local trade in arts, crafts and antiques, and cinema fans will love the annual Haliburton International Film Festival each Summer. Other cultural events include Art in the Park and the Haliburton Highland Games. In Winter there's also the annual Haliburton Dogsled Races for more unusual entertainment!