A CANOE ADVENTURE IN... CANADA

WHAT? A canoeing retreat

WHERE? Ontario, Canada

WHY? To boss water sports in the wild HOW MUCH? Elmhirst’s Resort offers rooms from £104 per night and Madawaska Kanu Centre courses start at £332. Air Canada offers return flights from Heathrow to Toronto from £401; ontariotravel.net/uk WHO? George Hilton, Designer I’m a canoe virgin – does it matter? Not in the slightest. The team at Madawaska Kanu Centre are pros at teaching the ins and outs to beginners, and with good reason – there’s no more authentic way to experience Canada than by paddling through the incredible waters of Ontario. Once the training basics are covered, you’ll be settled into your personal wooden transportation and the adventure begins. Whether you’re paddling through tranquil waters or whizzing down the rapid Madawaska River, the feeling of being surrounded by nothing but water (and the lush trees on either side) is calming and exhilarating at the same time. The sounds of nature fill the space – and your mind – which lifts any worries about the reality of life back home. Sounds like a complete escape… Hell, yes. Return to the Kanu Centre after a day of water travel and the team will encourage you to immerse yourself in the environment and strip off the usual shackles of the outside world. Wi-fi is a distant memory, all food is sourced locally (legit) and evening entertainment consists of lakeside conversations perched on a rock while watching the sunset. Don’t be surprised if a little chipmunk finds its way to your cabin door. Oh, and be prepared to take an open-air shower. Sounds hellish, but it’s actually an incredible experience to scrub down in steaming hot water as you look up at the sky and take in the overhang of magnificent woodland.