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Sounds like the perfect excuse for a RoadTrip to me. Actually, any excuse for a RoadTrip sounds perfect to me. But by flying in/out of the United States, I think you'll find slightly lower airfares and car rental rates than by going into Canada directly. For that same reason, you should carefully compare the combined costs of airfare and car rental when you decide which city to use as your gateway. I strongly suspect that you'll find that Chicago and Detroit will be more expensive than the east coast ports of entry, and besides the drives between almost any east coast city (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington) will tend to be more interesting, varied, and scenic than either of the Midwest cities. Boston, New York and Philadelphia are all roughly equidistant from Ottawa with Washington being slightly farther, but not by enough to tip the scales. All are closer than Chicago. All of the east coast cities would allow you to include some ocean beaches as well as some mountains that will remind you of the Highlands (but a good bit more forested), and all will allow a good mix of vibrant city life along with decidedly more relaxed countryside living. So, at this point, what I'd suggest you do is look long and hard at those four possible east coast entry points. Check the prices and see if there's one that appeals to you more than the others as a place you'd like to visit. Once you pick an entry point, we can help you make the most of your drive to Ottawa and back.

AZBuck