NEWBRUNSWICK

Saint John

• Kayak to a secluded beach surrounded by the St. Martin's Sea Cave.
• Leaf peeping - Admire fall colours as you drive towards the Kingston Peninsula, about an hour north of Saint John. Shamper's Bluff, home to world renowned photographer Freeman Patterson, also has a nature conservatory. Wherever you choose to go, it's nice to know a 10-minute drive from the city centre puts you in a rural area.
• Pack a picnic lunch and go in search of one of New Brunswick's famed 'kissing' bridges - the covered bridge.
• Set sail aboard the schooner Molly Kool, relax and feel the wind aboard the 40-foot schooner out of St. Andrews.

Sussex
• Romance is in the air - literally. Enjoy a hot air balloon ride at the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta in nearby Sussex, Sept. 10-12. Up, up and away!

ONTARIO

Toronto - Montreal
• Take the overnight Enterprise train from Toronto to Montreal, and watch the lights of the city recede into the velvet darkness of the countryside as you cocoon in your private deluxe Rennaissance double bedroom. Arrive refreshed and ready to start your getaway in la belle provence. (www.viarail.ca)
• Take the Toronto Ferry from the foot of Bay Street and Queen's Quay over to Ward's Island and enjoy strolling along the autumn-coloured trails, then enjoy an intimate meal at the Rectory Café. (www. torontoisland.org)

Windsor
• Explore the tranquil Fujisawa Zen Garden in Essex and share the ritual of the formal Japanese Tea ceremony at the Enoshima Tea House. (www.zenculture.com)

Niagara Falls
• Take a picnic to the Dufferin Islands , a series of linked islands immediately above the falls, and enjoy a leisurely walk through the naturalized park. (www.niagaraparks.com)
• Experience a breathtaking view of Niagara Falls as you hover high above the thundering waters at sunset in a private helicopter ride, complete with a bottle of Niagara bubbly. (www.skywayhelicopters.com

London
• Linger over your coffee at the off-campus quaint breakfast diner, The Toddle Inn, or while away an evening drinking superlative Margaritas and munching the best tortilla chips outside of Mexico, at Under the Volcano.
• Drift gently above the London countryside just after dawn, taking in the vitas from the gondola of a hot air balloon. www.sundanceballoons.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Vancouver
• Hop an aquabus to Granville Island, and wander among art studios, museums, market stalls, theatres and restaurants in this factory-turned-cultural district.

Calgary
• Linger in front of The Kiss at the renowned Glenbow Museum, which hosts a major Rodin sculpture exhibition from Oct. 30, 2004 to Jan. 30, 2005.

Winnipeg
• With a pedestrian bridge handily linking downtown to St. Boniface, it's an easy stroll to the sights of the French Quarter, including western Canada's oldest cathedral.

QUEBEC

Montreal
• Admiring the view from Mount Royal lookout and settling down for a picnic.
• Having supper at a window table at five-star Nuances restaurant as the sun sets over the St. Lawrence River.
• Taking a walk along the trails at Mont St-Hilaire; the summit has a panoramic view of Montreal and its South Shore region.
• Wander along the boardwalk in St. Anne de Bellevue, browse through the antique shops and take a cruise on Lake St. Louis

Quebec City
• The Snow Goose Festival (October 8-11, 2004) is the major Fall festival in the area. It takes place in historic Côte-de-Beaupré.
• Smaller local festivals include the Great Colour Adventure at Mont Ste-Anne (September 18 to October 11), the Grape Harvesting Festival (September 18-19, 25-26, and October 2-3) in Château-Richer, and the arts festival Arts'monie in Stoneham (October 2-10).