There are many reasons to love Ontario
(Picture: B Watts)Between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, on the west bank of the Niagara River, the region of Niagara has dozens of wineries worth visiting at any time of year. But wrapped in a white winter blanket with rows of frosty vines, Southern Ontario’s lowland plains become enchanting. The mighty Niagara Falls looks spectacular draped in icicles and the exciting city of Toronto is less than two hours away.
1. Taste Icewine
For three weekends in January each year, Ontario’s Niagara region holds Canada’s Coolest Wine Festival. The winter wonderland celebrations, with music, ice sculptures, and wine tastings, are all about the harvest of Ontario Icewine. Made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine, this concentrated ‘liquid gold’ tipple is a sweet amber nectar – and pretty potent, too.
Niagara-on-the-Lake creates its own Icewine Festival Village with outdoor bars and there’s a Niagara Icewine Gala. In nearby village Jordan, the Twenty Valley Winter WineFest is another lively three-day alfresco event. There are fire pits to keep off the chill in the freezing temperatures, but do dress warmly, with cosy footwear.
2. Enjoy Niagara-on-the-Lake
Dubbed the Loveliest Town in Canada with its quaint 19th century buildings, Niagara-on-the-Lake stands where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. This heritage town, full of charming B&Bs and boutique hotels - including the bijou Shaw Club Hotel - was founded in 1792, when Fort George was established by the Brits. A reconstruction of this military base, still with its original restored gunpowder store, is now a living museum.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has a lively arts scene and the Shaw Festival, from April to November, stages plays by George Bernard Shaw and other playwrights.
Don’t go home without a jar of jam from traditional corner shop Greaves. The local fertile, limestone-rich soil suits orchards as well vineyards and Greaves began making preserves in 1927 in its heritage Queen Street premises. Popular flavours today include Pure Crabapple Jelly and Sour Cherry Fruit Spread.
3. Lunch at a winery
Surprisingly, the Niagara Wine Region is on the same latitudinal band as Provence in France and the Chianti Classico region in Italy. Proximity to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie creates a unique microclimate. VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines, crafted here from 100% per cent Ontario-grown grapes, include Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. Try some of the local varieties at Westcott Vineyards in Jordan, based in a restored 200-year-old Mennonite barn. The limestone fire hearth is original and the tables are made from the stable floorboards.
Very different, with its pink and gold bar and sparkling cellar, is Trius Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. On its very Instagrammable wine tour, learn how to sabre-open a bottle of bubbly with one swipe.
For organic wines, the family-run Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery has been farming in St David’s for five generations and the restaurant serves fresh vegetables from its extensive kitchen garden.
4. Destress behind Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is only a 30-minute drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake, along the scenic Niagara Parkway, running parallel to the Niagara River. When Sir Winston Churchill took the route in 1943, he’s said to have declared it “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world”.
The Canadian side of Niagara Falls, with the thundering Horseshoe Falls, is definitely the best view of the phenomenal waterfall. Waterfalls are a natural source of negative ions, which are believed to have positive physiological effects on mood and stress levels. Descend 125ft by elevator through bedrock on the Journey Behind the Falls tour to really feel the power of the massive sheets of water from two outdoor observation decks. The energy is used for hydropower, with more being diverted during the night. Yes, when most people are asleep, Horseshoe Falls has a semi-snooze, too.
5. Explore Toronto with a great guide
Bruce Bell is a very entertaining guide and the actor/comedian is also an informative historian who knows his stuff about Toronto. Bruce’s 90-minute Old Town tour takes in 200-year-old St Lawrence Market, where the Carousel Bakery Peameal Bacon Sandwich is an award-winner. This Toronto signature takeaway is a bread roll filled with unsmoked pork loin rolled in cornmeal and usually topped with mustard.
Below Toronto’s skyscrapers, some historic red-brick gems remain. The green-turreted Gooderham Building, also known as the Flatiron Building, was completed in 1892. The 1890s façade of the Merchants' Bank building, housed inside the Allen Lambert Galleria, looks tiny, within the six-storey atrium, known as the “crystal cathedral of commerce”.
6. Find the cool hang-outs
Whiskey used to be made in Toronto’s Distillery District but today the streets are full of great restaurants, bars, and art galleries. Take a walk along the harbourfront and then head up to Chinatown, with amazing street art, and onto Kensington Market. This bohemian neighbourhood has brightly painted Victorian houses now converted into vintage boutiques and arts spaces. Courage My Love is a retro store packed with bargain pre-loved finds
7. Dine at 360 The Restaurant in CN Tower
The CN Tower in Downtown Toronto is 1,815 ft high. Built in 1976, the ‘CN’ stands for Canadian National, the railway company that constructed it on reclaimed land from the banks of Lake Ontario. Thrill-seekers can try the EdgeWalk Experience and dangle in a harness outside on a ledge at the top. Inside, seated comfortably in 360 The Restaurant, you’ll get a bird’s eye – and far less windy! - view of the city as this revolving eatery completes a full rotation every 72 minutes. It's easy to pick out the H-shape of the splendid Fairmont Royal York Hotel, perfectly situated opposite Union Station. This Art Deco historic building opened in 1929 and retains its beautiful period style.
8. Visit the Fairmont Royal York Hotel
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, recently sumptuously renovated, has a great old-time feel of opulence. One of Canada’s grand railway hotels and now dwarfed by modern high-rise towers, it was once the tallest building in the British Commonwealth. Royal guests include King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort.
The rooftop garden is home to 350,000 bees whose fresh honey is used to make Apiary Ale and sweet treats in hotel brasserie Reign. Pop into the elegant lobby bar Clockwork for a Front Street Punch cocktail and feel as if you’re in a 1930s movie.
9. Follow PATH underground
If the weather gets fingertip-freezing, there’s a whole maze of underground passageways lined with shops and food courts under Toronto in the Downtown core. This hidden walkway stretches 17 miles and even locals get lost so do download a map. PATH links entertainment attractions, including the Roy Thomson Hall — home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
10.Ride the UP Express Train
The easiest way to get between Toronto Pearson International Airport and downtown Toronto’s Union Station is to take the UP Express Train. It’s North America’s first dedicated air-rail link and only takes 25 minutes.
