European-inspired Southwest Ontario trip

Day 1: Paris to London

Start your journey in Paris, followed by stops in Oxford, Norfolk and Elgin Counties before heading to London. Experience unique stories, scenic landscapes, farm-to-table dining and, naturally, good wine.

Paris

 Not to be confused with Europe’s famous romantic capital, Paris, Ontario, has its own endearing charm. Often referred to as the “prettiest town in Canada,” Paris sits where the Grand and Nith Rivers meet and features a pedestrian-friendly downtown with 19th-century architecture and signature cobblestone structures and landmarks. 

Interestingly, the town’s early construction industry inspired its name. Gypsum mineral deposits used to create plaster of Paris building material were discovered in the Grand River region in the late 1800s. Highlights in Paris include:

Penman’s Dam

Constructed in 1918 by the Penman clothing company to provide waterpower to run the mills, the Dam is a scenic spot today. Known as the “Lighting of the Paris Falls,” the dam is lit at dusk, with the best view from the William Street Bridge.

Location: County Road 51, Paris

Tasty Road Trips

Organize an exclusive guided or self-guided culinary tour to shops, bakeries and restaurants.

Paris Wincey Mills

A year-round market hall and hub for culture, cuisine and community with shopping, dining and local events.

Location: 31 Mechanic Street, Paris

Arlington Hotel

This unique chateau-style, literary-themed property faces the Grand River in downtown Paris. It is more than simply a hotel. Visit the Library Bar for afternoon tea or order from the seasonally inspired blackboard-based menu. Suite decor is inspired by iconic authors like Jane Austen, R.R. Tolkien and Ernest Hemingway.

Location: 106 Grand River Street North, Paris

Norfolk County

Approx. distance and drive time from Paris to Norfolk County: 45 kilometres, 35 minutes

Named after Norfolk, England, Norfolk County has been called Ontario’s Garden for its diverse and bountiful agriculture. The area is also home to sunny beaches, port towns, wineries and breweries. There is even a Norwich nearby. Don’t miss: 

Bonnieheath Estate Lavender and Winery

Book a tour and tasting or even a picnic at this lavender farm and winery. And shop for bespoke lavender products, wine and cider. On-site accommodations are also available for booking.

Location: 410 Concession 12 Townsend, Waterford

New Limburg Brewery

Specializing in Belgian-style ales, this microbrewery and bistro are fashioned after laid-back European beer cafes. 

Location: 2353 Nixon Road, Simcoe

Lighthouse Theatre

Head to the beachy village of Port Dover for entertaining professional and amateur live theatre with a focus on home-grown Canadian content.

Location:  247 Main Street, Port Dover

Elgin County

Approx. distance and drive time from Norfolk County to Elgin County: 60 kilometres, 50 minutes

Travel west to Ontario’s versions of Vienna and Copenhagen in Elgin County. Stretching along Lake Erie’s shoreline, Elgin County features sandy beaches, ports and marine heritage, including lighthouses and a Cold War-era submarine.

Sparta House Tea Room

Satisfy your craving for authentic British fare including shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, Cornish pasties and roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Or make a reservation for high tea and admire the impressive teapot collection.

Location: 46342 Sparta Line, Sparta

HMCS Ojibwa 

Tour a unique museum of navel history, a Cold War-era submarine almost 100 metres long and five stories high. 

Location: 3 Pitt Street, Port Burwell

Oxford County

Approx. distance and drive time from Elgin County to Oxford County: 65 kilometres, 50 minutes

A rich history in dairy farming is a defining characteristic in Southwest Ontario’s Oxford County. Established in the early 1800s, the county was named after the famous university city in the UK. Explore culinary and cultural highlights in small towns, including Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg.

Oxford County Cheese Trail

Oxford County is the Dairy Capital of Canada. Download the Cheese Trail map and embark on a self-guided tour featuring cheese, dairy and other delicious spots to visit.

Annandale National Historic Site and Museum

Glimpse into 19th-century life at this beautifully restored Victorian house on a tour of rooms, exhibits and gardens reflective of the period and region.

Location: 30 Tillson Avenue, Tillsonburg

SixThirtyNine

Taste local flavours at this upscale restaurant committed to farm-to-table Canadian cuisine.

Location: 639 Peel Street, Woodstock

Brickhouse Brew Pub

Choose from 25 taps of Ontario craft beer and a pub-inspired menu.

Location: 190 Fairway Road, Woodstock

London 

Approx. distance and drive time from Oxford County to London: 55 kilometres, 40 minutes

Complete the first leg of your European-inspired tour in London, Ontario. Enjoy great cuisine, culture, natural beauty and a more laid-back vibe than its famous namesake city. 

Covent Garden Market

Older than the city itself, Covent Garden was established in 1835 as a public fair. Today, this indoor and outdoor attraction is brimming with entertainment, food stalls, vendors and a bi-weekly local farmers’ market.

Location: 130 King Street, London

The Grand Theatre

London’s stately historic theatre hosts live performances, musicals and post-show events during its regular running season from September to May. The stage’s proscenium arch design is the last remaining one in Canada.

Location: 471 Richmond Street, London

The Tea Lounge

Book an afternoon tea and enjoy three tiers of savoury and sweet treats along with an assortment of ethically sourced teas.

Location: 268 Piccadilly Street East (off Richmond Street), London

Garlic’s of London

Steps from the Grand Theatre, this romantic, upmarket restaurant serves seasonal Canadian and Italian favourites like pizza and pasta. 

Location: 481 Richmond Street, London

Hunter & Co.

Stop by for a select of charcuterie, freshly shucked oysters, exceptional cocktails and an impressive choice of brandy, scotch and bourbon. 

Location: 349 Talbot Street, London

Idlewyld Inn and Spa

This premier historic inn has been a local landmark since 1878. It reflects the elegance of a bygone era with all the modern amenities with an on-site spa and restaurant.  

Location: 36 Grand Avenue, London

The Elm Hurst Inn & Spa

Housed in what was once a cheese factory, Elm Hurst is a boutique hotel with luxury suites, fine dining and a spa.

Location: 415 Harris Street, Ingersoll

Day 2: London to Zurich

Travel west towards the sunny shores of Lake Huron and Ontario’s Bluewater communities, including Goderich, Blyth and Zurich. Detour through the villages of Dublin, Varna, Brussels and Belfast for a photo opp.

Goderich 

Approx. distance and drive time from London to Goderich: 100 kilometres, 1 hour, 30 minutes

Goderich is an architecturally significant port town on the bluffs of Lake Huron. Founded in 1827, it was named after British politician Frederick John Robinson, Viscount Goderich. His title represented Goodrich Castle, a castle in the medieval countryside.

Although there are no medieval castles in this Goderich, visit Courthouse Square or “the Square” to locals, a unique octagonal feature in the town centre. From this location, the building is the meeting point for eight of the town’s streets, which merge into a roundabout surrounding the courthouse. 

A designated Canadian Heritage Architecture site, The Square is home to a weekly farmers' market, specialty shops, restaurants and cafes. 

Take a self-guided heritage walk, and don’t miss these highlights:

Huron Historic Gaol

Mimicking the eight-sided style of the Square, the Gaol is a unique octagonal building that served as the County Jail in Goderich from 1841-1972 and is now a registered National Historic Site offering tours and historic storytelling. 

Location: 181 Victoria Street North, Goderich

Goderich Beaches

Stroll the waterfront boardwalk and head down to one of the local beaches for sunshine and stunning sunsets. On Friday evenings during the summer, the Celtic Blue Highlanders Pipe Band will often “pipe down the sun” at Rotary Beach.

Blyth 

Approx. distance and drive time from Goderich to Blyth: 30 kilometres, 25 minutes

Blyth, Ontario lies inland with strong agricultural roots, unlike its seaside UK counterpart (but not namesake). A professional theatre, boutique inn and craft brewery make this charming village a destination you don’t want to miss.

Cowbell Brewing Co.

With just the right mix of rustic timber and modern steel, this state-of-the-art brewing facility is celebrated for its accessible and sustainable focus and friendly dining room serving daily specials, wood-fired pizzas and great beer.

Location: 40035 Blyth Road, Blyth

Blyth Festival

Rural Ontario takes centre stage at the annual Blyth Festival in Goderich. For over 50 years, this local theatre has been hosting stirring stories from a Canadian country and farm life perspective. Seasonal performances are held in the Memorial Community Hall and outdoors on the harvest stage.

Location: 423 Queen Street, Blyth

Blyth Farm Cheese 

Stock up on high-quality artisanal Dutch-style farmstead cheese. It’s so good.

Location: 82521 Allboro Line, Blyth

Guelph to Goderich Trail

A multi-use recreational trail that stretches over 130 kilometres through diverse nature and landscapes between Wellington and Huron Counties.

Blyth Trailway Cabins

Get cozy in one of three luxury cabins on the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail, complete with a kitchenette, fireplace and outside sauna.

Location: 39709 Blyth Road, Auburn

Hotel Lux

Across the street from the Blyth Festival Theatre, Hotel Lux features three spacious, ultra-comfortable rooms, each reflecting a different aspect of Blyth’s unique history. 

Location: 197 Dinsley Street, Blyth

Zurich 

Approx. distance and drive time from Blyth to Zurich: 45 kilometres, 35 minutes

Established in 1856, Zurich, Ontario, was named after Zurich, Switzerland, and still reflects European heritage. In nearby Bayfield, the Hess Clock is one of three “Canadiana Tower Clocks” still operating as designed over 140 years ago, which is so Swiss.

Bad Apple Brewing Company

Sample craft beer, hard seltzer, cider or fruit wine in the brewhouse and taproom, located in a renovated century barn or outdoors in the beer garden.

Location: 73463 Bluewater Highway, Zurich

Zurich Bean Festival

The annual celebration of beans in late August features bean-inspired food truck menus, live music, entertainment and a classic car show. Look for a Swiss-made Monteverdi!

Location: 23 Victoria Lane #21, Zurich

Hessenland Inn and Schatz Winery 

This picturesque property is located on the outskirts of Zurich in the lakeside village of St. Joseph. It includes boutique accommodations, a winery and the elegant Muse Restaurant serving popular European dishes like schnitzel and sauerkraut.

Location: 72981 ON-21, Zurich

Day 3: Blyth to Stratford

Set your sights east again to a cultural and culinary hotspot on the banks of the Avon River.

Stratford

Approx. distance and drive time from Zurich to Stratford: 60 kilometres, 50 minutes

Ensure ample time to experience Stratford, another Ontario destination that packs a cultural punch.

While Stratford in the UK is famously the hometown of playwright and poet William Shakespeare, Stratford, Ontario, celebrates his legacy in Canada. In addition to the arts, this city is a foodie’s delight for its dynamic dining scene.

Stratford Festival

North America’s largest classical repertory theatre company showcases classics, contemporary and musical productions, emphasizing Shakespeare’s works. The regular season runs from May to October.

Theatre locations:

• Festival Theatre, 55 Queen Street, Stratford
• Avon Theatre, 99 Downie Street, Stratford
• Tom Patterson Theatre, 111 Lakeside Drive, Stratford
• Studio Theatre, 34 George Street East, Stratford

Self-guided walking tours

Purchase vouchers to redeem at participating businesses along four distinctive trails in downtown Stratford. Year-round, follow the Chocolate Trail or the Bacon and Ale Trail, and seasonally, celebrate harvest along the Sip and Savour Trail or do your holiday shopping along the Christmas Trail.

Harry Ten Shilling

It’s worth the short drive east of Stratford to this charming tearoom in the village of Shakespeare for afternoon tea or a light lunch.

Location: 2203 Line 34, Shakespeare

Elizabeth.

While the atmosphere in this restaurant has a relaxed bistro-style vibe, the menu features elevated seasonally-driven fare.

Location: 159 Ontario Street, Stratford

The Bruce

Perfect for pre- or post-theatre, this luxury hotel also invites you to enjoy formal dining in the restaurant or a more relaxed meal in the Lounge.

Location: 89 Parkview Drive, Stratford

Hotel Julie

Note the Shakespearean themes in design, colour palette and furnishings in these well-appointed and fully equipped flats.

Location: 92 St Vincent Street North, Stratford

Day 4: Stratford to Cambridge

The last leg of the tour winds through New Hamburg, Luxemburg and Waterloo to idyllic communities in Wellington County, and lastly to Cambridge.

Experience European-styled markets, Bavarian, Mennonite and Scottish culture and finally, a castle to explore.

Waterloo

Approx. distance and drive time from Stratford to Waterloo: 45 kilometres, 40 minutes

Ontario’s Waterloo was named after the famous Napoleonic battle site in Belgium. 

Along with its sister city, Kitchener, Waterloo is known as a tech and innovation hub and highlights a strong German heritage. Highlights include:

Oktoberfest

The annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is one of the largest celebrations of Bavarian culture outside of Germany, featuring traditional food, music, dance and camaraderie.

Christkindl Market

Celebrate the magic of the season and explore European history, folklore and traditions at this outdoor holiday market held at Kitchener City Hall in December.

Location: 200 King Street West, Kitchener

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

Explore local culture, crafts and flavours at this European-style market, Canada’s largest year-round farmer’s market in the Waterloo Region. Book a tour at The Mennonite Story, a museum at the market that explores the history and culture of Mennonites from their early beginnings in Europe.

Location: 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich

West Montrose Covered “Kissing” Bridge

Cross Ontario’s last remaining covered bridge over the Grand River. Built in 1881, the bridge is just over 60 metres with a gabled roof that allows enough privacy while crossing to steal a quick kiss.

Location: 1 Covered Bridge Drive, West Montrose

Wellington County

Approx. distance and drive time from Waterloo to Elora: 30 kilometres, 30 minutes

Named after England’s Duke of Wellington, picturesque Wellington County is home to the scenic towns of Fergus and Elora, nestled along the Elora Gorge cliffs and the Grand River shoreline. 

Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games

Plan to attend the three-day annual event in August for Celtic musicians, highland dancers, whisky tasting and Scottish wares.

Location: 550 Belsyde Avenue East, Fergus

The Breadalbane Inn

Admire Scottish-inspired architecture at this charming boutique hotel. Dine at one of two restaurants on-site: the Fergusson Room Pub or Scozia, which offers authentic Italian dining.  

Location: 487 St Andrew Street West, Fergus

Elora Mill Hotel & Spa

Perched atop the Elora Gorge, enjoy luxurious accommodations, a serene spa and fabulous dining at this refined property set in a 19th-century mill.

Location: 77 Mill Street West, Elora

Cambridge

Approx. distance and drive time from Elora to Cambridge: 45 kilometres, 45 minutes

Named with a nod to England’s prestigious university city, the historic limestone buildings and architecture in Cambridge, Ontario, set a European stage, especially along the river in Galt.

Castle Kilbride National Historic Monument

No European tour is complete without a castle. Visit this 1877 mansion of James Livingston, an industrialist, politician and entrepreneur. The home, named after Livingston’s birthplace in East Kilbride, Scotland, showcases lavish Victorian-era décor. 

Location: 60 Snyder's Road West, Baden

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory 

Witness thousands of butterflies from around the world fluttering freely in a lush indoor tropical oasis.

Location: 2500 Kossuth Road, Cambridge

Fashion History Museum

An extensive collection of historic garments and accessories explores the fascinating evolution of fashion from the 18th century to contemporary times, with great influence from European styles.

Location: 74 Queen Street East, Cambridge

Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa 

Langdon Hall is a grand and tranquil estate surrounded by woodland and gardens. Relais & Chateau recognizes it for its standard of excellence.

Location: 1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge