UNEXPECTED JOURNEYS

The Gift of an Experience

Delight someone with the gift of an Unexpected Journey.

Pack a bag for your day and let our surprise road trips lead you to new destinations. We've curated the perfect experience gift for couples, families, that solo traveler, friends, or simply a gift to yourself.

We provide the inspiration, you create the memories.

Book your journey for only $60 today.

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Our road trips explore Eastern Ontario, Quebec and the surrounding areas.

Step 1: Choose where your next great journey begins.
Step 2: Leave the journey planning to us and be prepared for the unexpected.
Step 3: Receive your beautifully packaged, surprise journey in the mail.

The Path to Follow

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Your Package

A thoughtfully planned, self-guided journey that includes:

Everything you need to know before heading out for your day.
Unique accommodations in case you want to extend your experience.
A series of sealed notes that you open along the way that will guide you to each new stop.
Lots of unexpected surprises and details to help make the most of your day.

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We are so excited for you to:

Take a day with family or friends to discover, appreciate and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Uncover hidden gems, stunning scenery, inspiring places, local shops and delicious treats along the way.
Discover where your journey will take you when you open that first note and set out on your way.

The Experience

They say every great journey begins with a single step.
Which step will you take to begin your travel?

Bridges, Rapids and Trails

You might experience:

Lots of hidden rapids
Unique photo spots
The cutest Hallmark town
Bridges at every stop
Shops that will delight
Secret trails
Breweries, a distillery
Decadent treats
Snowshoe/ski trails

Find Out More

The River and Valley Route

You might experience:

Craft beers, dreamy vineyards
A magical waterfront stop with secret views
Gourmet destinations
Towering pines
Famous locals
Stunning waterways
Snowshoe trails

Find Out More

Pathways, Cozy Cafes & Pretty Photos

You might experience:

Instagrammable stops and venues
Foodie stops
Peaceful and enchanting forest trails
A cool brewery
Canada's prettiest town
Rural vineyards (summer)
Ski/snowshoe/skate

Find Out More

Waterways and Views

You might experience:

A beautiful town
Awe inspiring water views
Pretty pathways
Urban breweries
A stroll through the vines
An unexpected shop
A forest snowshoe
Gorgeous rural stops

Find Out More

As Far as the Eye Can See

You might experience:

Serene outdoor galleries
Stunning waterways
Architecture that will amaze
Unbelievable hikes
Surprise after surprise
A brewery, cidery and distillery
Snowshoe trails

Find Out More

Wonderful Waterfalls & Lookouts

You might experience:

So many waterfalls
Scenic lookouts
Boardwalks and bridges
Exploring along the water
Butter tarts, cheesecake and donuts
Adult beverages
Winter skating trail
Snowshoe trail

Find Out More

Sips, Strolls and Surprises

You might experience:

Unexpected paths
A gorgeous waterway
Scenic little hikes
Unique photo ops
Beautiful historic venues
Vineyards and more vineyards
Brewery stops

Find Out More

Peaceful and Inspiring Places

You might experience:

A few waterfront strolls
A heart-warming photo shoot
Scenic little hikes
Bakeries and decadent cheesecake
Unexpected stops
Skating trail/snowshoe

Find Out More

Extraordinary Destinations and Discoveries

You might experience:

Pretty pathways along the water
Iconic and historic sites
Urban eateries and boutiques
Boardwalks, islands and views
A rustic brewery, a vineyard
Outdoor skating trail

Find Out More

An Ottawa West Wander

You might experience:

Rural feels in the city
Water views and wildlife
An outdoor gallery
Local treats and brews
Cool coffee shops
Insta-worthy backdrops
Exploring the west end of Ottawa - This is an urban journey
Snowshoe trails

Find Out More

* New Journey *

A Dreamy

Quebec Drive

You might experience:

Waterfall after waterfall
Photo-worthy outdoor art
Lots of secret spots
Chocolate, cheese and cafes
Craft breweries along the way
Sweet hiking and snowshoe trails
A winter skate

Find Out More

Young man arms outstretched by the sea at sunrise enjoying freedom and life, people travel

Tucked Away in the County

You might experience:

Wow moments (Lots!)
Hidden beaches, waterways and views
The most adorable little towns
Some unique vineyards, breweries, cideries
Meandering back roads
Snowshoeing, winter hikes

Find Out More

* Launching Soon *

The West Wind Path

Get excited for our next journey that explores the West side of the County!

Launching Soon

If you have any questions, please check out our FAQs

Testimonials

"My husband and I took one of the Unexpected Journey's day trips last weekend and loved it!

It was the perfect self guided tour with just the right touch of mystery and surprise. Every place we stopped had some adventure or beautiful Instagram worthy sites to see.

Towards the end of each "secret stop" we couldn't wait to open the next envelope and head to our next destination. It was amazing!

If you live in the Ottawa area or have plans to visit Ottawa, I highly recommend booking an "Unexpected Journey"!"

This is what over 300,000 tulips looks like!
This is where you can see them for free. ⬇️

🌷🌷The last 4 days of the Canadian Tulip Festival is happening this long weekend in Ottawa. 🌷🌷

🌷Where can you see these lovely ladies?

🌷Commissioners Park along the Rideau Canal (Beside Dow’s Lake) - 🚙Parking tip: I always park at the lot off Preston on Beech St and walk over.

🌷Major’s Hill Park behind the Chateau Laurier - National War Memorial - Along Confederation Blvd - All located close to downtown Ottawa - 🚙 Parking tip: Park the parking garage for the Rideau Centre off Daly Ave. Go right to the top level. I’ve parked there for years and it has never been full at the top!

🌷Jacques Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau

🌷Beachwood Cemetery - one of the most historical and beautiful cemeteries in Canada

🌷Hidden Gem alert 💎: Maplelawn Garden on Richmond Rd

@unexpectedjourneys1 @ottawatourism

#myottawa #canadiantulipfestival #tulips #wheretofindthetulips #outaouaisisfun #gatineau #tiptoethroughthtulips #igersottawa #igerscanada #canada

🌸Have a seat, you’re going to need one when I tell you this! ⬇️

✨🚙💌OUR NEWEST JOURNEY LAUNCHES BY THE END OF MAY!!!!

💌This one will be the second in our series that explores Prince Edward County @visitthecounty and you are going to love it! 😍

✨We are almost at 10,000 followers here on Instagram… Watch for a little something special happening when we reach that number!!! 🎉🥳🍾 (We would really appreciate if you helped us get the word out about Unexpected Journeys🫶🏼)

✨☀️Follow along this summer as we share everything local so you can enjoy it too! Think new spots to eat 🥘, hikes 🥾, unique stays 💤, events 🎭, photo ops 📸 and lots and lots of hidden 💎.

❓What’s your favourite part of the summer? ☀️

@unexpectedjourneys1

#discoverON #myottawa #exploreontario
#sunrisesofinstagram #surpriseroadtripa #experiencegifts #ottawariver #goodnews #muskokachairs #unexpectedjourneys #bonjourquebec #summer

🌸📸 Follow along as we guide you to some of the most insta-worthy floral backdrops in and around Ottawa.

💌 Did you know that all of our Unexpected Journeys will lead you to spectacular gardens? Tis the season! 🌸🌸🌸

What is your favourite bloom? 🌹🪻🌸🌺🌻🌼🌺🥀🪷

#myottawa #blooms #bloomingseason #surpriseroadtrips #unexpectedjourneys #flowers #tulipfestival #lilacs #cherryblossoms #daylilies #lavender #sunflowers #appleblossoms #igersottawa #ottawaphoto #roses #narcityottawa #exploreontario #explorequebec #discoverON #outaouaisisfun #bonjourquebec

💝 MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IDEA 💝

🌸A day out with mom all planned for you!

🚙💌Why not take mom (or the mother of your children), on one of our surprise road trips and share a memorable day with her surrounded by the people she loves? We’ve taken care of all the details!

✨Time spent together creating memories really is the best gift of all!✨

💌Each Mother’s Day Unexpected Journey includes:
* A beautifully wrapped itinerary💌
* A plantable postcard, with a personlized message that mom can plant to remind her of her day (besides all the incredible memories)🌅🍃
* A “Love Letter To Mom” that you can fill out together that we promise will make her smile ❤️📝
* Something “unexpected” that mom can leave in a special spot along the way (it’s biodegradable) or take home with her ✨
* Moments of pure joy, laughter, nostalgia, delight smile 😊

🗺️Choose from our 12 incredible surprise road trips that explore Ottawa and the surrounding areas or give her a gift certificate so she can choose her own.

Get outside, get discovering, get inspired, get excited!

*Deadline to order journeys that will arrive in time for Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 4th

@unexpectedjourneys1

#myottawa #mothersday #mothersdaygift #experiencegifts #momentslikethis #mom

☀️What’s on your summer bucket list?

I plan on spending all of it in 🇨🇦 doing some of this: ⬇️

1.☀️Waking up for every incredible sunrise ( and then sometimes going back to bed! 🤭)
2.💦Spending as much time on the water as possible kayaking, canoeing, SUPing
3.🔥Hitting up a few new provincial parks
4.🥾Hiking some new trails
5.🚙A few road trips to discover small towns I’ve never visited
6.🍔Lots of BBQs
7.🧺Some picnics
8.⛱️Visiting as many patios as possible
9.🗻Travelling to Jasper to see my son
10.🗺️ Exploring Muskoka with my daughter for a new journey coming up!
11.🛥️Get out on the Rideau Canal (boat tour)
12.📚Read a few books on a few different benches with a view
13.🎶See a concert or two
14.💤Have some outdoor naps on a hammock
15.🍷Visit a few wineries

❓☀️Let me know what’s on your summer bucket list.

*Thanks for the inspiration @claudia_coulombe 🤍

@unexpectedjourneys1 @ottawatourism

#explorequebec #exploreontario #canadianroadtrip #canada #bucketlist #bucketlistadventures #summer

This isn’t your typical road trip. 🚙 🗺️

No planning. Secret stops. Hidden gems. Zero stress. ✨

Take one of our self-guided, surprise road trips and discover places you never knew existed. 🇨🇦

💌 Once your curated itinerary arrives all you need to do is hit the road, and let the adventure unfold.

Follow Unexpected Journeys for sneak peeks at some incredible destinations and road trip inspiration. 🚗

Or head to our website (link in bio) to book your own surprise journey! 🔗

Recognize any of these places? 📍

@unexpectedjourneys

#surpriseroadtrips #exploreontario #explorequebec #ontariogetaway #bonjourquebec #myottawa #ontario #quebec #canadaproud #canada #canadianroadtrip

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