About Ontario away

Ontario Away is a website – created by locals – dedicated to travelling, exploring, and experiencing the province of Ontario. As Canada’s second largest province (geographically), there is plenty to see and do in Ontario for both locals and visitors alike.

From the best hikes, food spots, or attractions, to the many historic sites, fishing holes, hidden gems, cultural experiences, winter activities, and accommodations, every Ontario experience is fair game.

Every post on Ontario Away – we call it “OA” for short – has been created by us or one of our local contributors. Below you can learn more about the people who make this site a reality!

Whether you’re a local looking for a new getaway idea or you’re visiting Ontario for the first time, we hope you enjoy Ontario Away (and Ontario) as much as we do!

Meet us

We’re Eric and Lisa Wychopen (a married couple in our early 30s) and we’re the creators of Ontario Away.

photo collage of man and woman posing in three different nature photos.
Clockwise from left: Us exploring Sandbanks in Prince Edward County, Pelee Island Lighthouse, and the Eagles Nest Lookout in Calabogie.

We’ve lived and studied in several countries and travelled extensively (across Canada and most of Europe). Many of our experiences have been documented on our main travel site Penguin and Pia.

Travel has given us a unique perspective and one thing our travels have taught us is that there are some truly amazing adventures and experiences that can be had right here in our own backyard.

Now based near beautiful Georgian Bay, we are using our central location to explore Ontario – one piece at a time.

Eric Wychopen

Co-Founder, Lead Content Creator & Editor

Eric is a Canadian & Hungarian content writer originally from a small town in Simcoe County, Ontario. With almost 50 countries under his belt, Ontario will always be home.

His work in Ontario University Recruitment took him thousands of kilometres across the province.

He’s lived in Toronto and Kingston (among other cities), been as far north as Pickle Lake, Ontario, rafted the Ottawa River out east, ventured as far south as Pelee Island, and explored (almost) everything in-between. 

He also loves maple syrup, the family cottage, and Toronto sports – as a die-hard, hopeless Leafs fan.

man wearing sunglasses with large historic building behind in background.
woman with long hair smiling at camera with green bushes behind.

Lisa Wychopen

Co-Founder & Editor

Lisa is German content writer and marketer who now calls Ontario her home. She has lived and studied abroad in the United States, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Her first visit to Canada was on a Canadian Working Holiday Visa when she moved in with Eric in Toronto.

As a German-born and raised, Lisa loves discovering her new home (Ontario), and her “outsider’s view” helps keep the site fresh and useful for those visiting Ontario.

Meet Our Contributors

Ontario Away wouldn’t be possible without our contributors. It is their local knowledge and skills that make Ontario Away the best it can be. Learn a little bit about them below!

Brian King

Outdoor Enthusiast

Brian King grew up camping, canoeing, and fishing in the forests, lakes, and rivers of Eastern Ontario. He now works as a Wildlife Control Officer in Southern Ontario.

He has 8 years of professional experience organizing and leading canoe trips as an Outdoor Educator and Wilderness Adventure Guide in Ontario, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

His personal accomplishments include a gold medal in the 200km K2O (Kingston-to-Ottawa) paddling ultra-marathon.

His YouTube Channel – Bushman Brian – documents his successful 59-day solo survival trip in the wilderness of Northern Ontario (Temagami).

smiling man with river helmet on with river flowing behind.
smiling woman sitting on stained glass window ledge in cambridge ontario.

Patty H.

Southwestern Ontario Explorer

Patty has nearly 20 years of experience exploring Cambridge, the Waterloo Region, and other parts of Southwestern Ontario.

She enjoys local and international travel and has lived abroad for a year teaching French and Spanish.

Patty is also a polylinguist who enjoys meeting new people and sharing experiences over a glass of red wine!