Northeast of Toronto, is a magnificently beautiful wilderness area dotted with fresh water lakes, rolling hills and outcrops of rock (known as the Canadian Shield). Hordes of people from Toronto pour out of the city on summer weekends to head up to the Haliburton Highlands, part of a vast area of central Ontario known as "cottage country."


There are lots of places to stay, from luxury inns and spas to cottage rentals and campgrounds. Recreational opportunities abound, such as dogsledding, skating, snow shoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter; swimming, canoeing, hiking, cycling, boating and fishing in summer.

The Haliburton Highlands are also known as a cultural centre, with many artists and artisans living in the vicinity. In autumn, as the leaves are changing and creating a glorious burst of colour, the renowned Haliburton Studio Tour gets underway. Visitors can drive around the beautiful countryside visiting working artists and artisans in their studios and take home one-of-a-kind treasures born from the great Canadian wilderness. They can also stop and enjoy fresh, delicious local cuisine at places like Rhubarb restaurant in the town of Haliburton.