Ontario Travel to the Wild Side at Wye Marsh Midland

Midland, Ontario-Tay Township – Wye Marsh is pleased to kick-off our new twelve-month Wye Nature Workshop series with the Wildflower Gardening Workshop hosted by the Wildflower Gardeners. Together with the volunteer gardeners, we are offering a unique workshop on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Come for a spectacular wildflower garden slideshow and learn from the ladies as they share general instructions for constructing or enhancing your own garden. In addition, you will plant your very own wildflower seed to take home, partake in a guided walk through the Wye Marsh’s garden and we’ll conclude the workshop with a special wildflower tea party.

Photo: Marsh Marigolds at Wye Marsh.

Collectively, this group of volunteers has over 500 years experience in wildflower gardening. We look forward to sharing this wealth of knowledge with you, as you’re sure to be inspired and will want to cultivate your own wildflower garden at home. Oh, and this would make an excellent early Mother’s Day gift! Pre-registration required. Phone: 705-(705) 526-7809

Cottage Rentals Spring and Summer

Cottage rentals in the spring, summer, fall and winter offer the perfect getaway time north of Toronto in cottage country. Families or couples can choose their cottage rental accommodation from a variety of categories. Many cottages today vary in terms of the romantic cottage with fireplace, hot tub and jacuzzi for two or a Honeymoon couple, up to to multi-levels of bedrooms for accommodation of 10 or more guests with several bedrooms for large families or groups for their summer vacation holiday or extended summer family cottage vacation. Check out one of the spring getaway packages or summer getaway packages at a resort destination north of Toronto.

Ontario Travel to Christmas New Year Getaways

Kiss Your Way to 2009 with December, Christmas, New Year Getaways North of Toronto North of Toronto………. December 2008. The arrival of snow has initiated some of the earliest openings for the ski and snowboard enthusiasts in the Snow Belt areas north of Toronto. Families are excited about snow tubing, and outdoor winter fun and a good base of snow for the many outdoor winter activities including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Ontario Ski and Snowboard reports are adding more destinations daily to the lists of resort destinations with snow and outdoor winter recreation north of Toronto. Many of the areas are offering early bird discounts before the Christmas season gets under way. A sample of the more than 100 Christmas New Year and winter getaways available on the Ontario Travel North of Toronto follows:
MISTLETOE KISS @ SAM JAKES INN: Guests receive their own piece of mistletoe as they are treated to two night holiday romance package! Two night package includes a gift of mistletoe, walking tour flyer, VQA wine basket, $50 spa credit, shopping coupons, 2 course a la carte dinner, country breakfast, special occasion treat. From $264 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes & gratuities are extra.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS" CHRISTMAS ESCAPE @ THE CRANBERRY RESORT Bring family and friends and begin a tradition of moments that matter. Enjoy a hot chocolate by an open campfire; take a snowshoe walk along the Georgian Trail, Package starts at 139. per person double occupancy includes: Two nights hotel accommodation applicable taxes and gratuities not included; December 24th and 25th Christmas Day Brunch Christmas Gift Cranberry Activity Dollars (Value of over $330).
FOUR FRIENDS NEW YEAR CELEBRATION @ WOODLAND ECHOES Includes a personal four person hot tub, Cottage with 4 person hot tub and fireplace, Champagne, Fireworks, Irish coffee warm up, 2 nights accommodation in a 2 bedroom cottage, special New Years Eve surf and turf dinner, Welcome basket with party favours, starting at $150/person/night + Taxes and Gratuities
See more Christmas New Years getaways for additional locations north of Toronto. Also see a selection of special Romantic Getaways for couples traveling north of Toronto. Families looking for getaways in 2009 can select a variety of winter getaways including special snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing (x-country & downhill), snowboarding, snow tubing, ice fishing, ice skating in Ontario’s winter resort destinations north of Toronto -30-

Fall National & International Events North of Toronto

Ontario Travel North of Toronto the week of Sept. 15, 2008. Three major events are taking place this week north, north-east & north-west of Toronto.

The 2008 Georgian College Auto Show on September 19, 20, 21, is showcasing technological advances in the automotive industry and their direct impact on the environment. The slogan for this year (Renew, unite, evolve) also has an environmental or “green” focus.

The second major event is the 2008 International Plowing Match in Teeswater , Bruce County Ontario September 16^th to the 20^th... The focus is to highlight the many aspects of agriculture, rural life and down home hospitality. Experience Canada's largest outdoor agricultural exhibition.

The third main event is the change of the fall colours and views of the magnificent hardwood forests of Sugar maple, Striped Maple, Yellow birch, Beech, and Black Cherry trees north of Toronto.

More than 25 fall colour routes and road trips are suggested for your travel north in Ontario.

All of the events have family activities, educational information, and are reasonable in price for an affordable family fall outing. The fall colour displays are in most cases free unless you are paying for a park admissions fee.

Ontario Holidays with History and Outdoor Beaches

Midland-Penetanguishene and Georgian Bay Area.

The Southern Georgian Bay area and Historic Midland provide exceptional vacation holidays for families with an interest in Canada's rich history and fun times at the beach with the kids. Beaches abound in the Midland area such as the one at Gawley Park or one of Ontario's outstanding beach areas is Awenda Provincial Park or one of the many beach locations areas in and around Midland-Penetanguishene. As one of the top 100 places to see in Ontario. Downtown Midland hould be on every visitors and residents travel list. Midland hosts North America’s largest outdoor mural and was recently listed in the Ron Brown first edition of Top 100 Unusual Things to see in Ontario released September 17^th 2007, Boston Mills Press. Brown labels the murals as a "Giant Outdoor Art Gallery". The murals depicting a scene from the Jesuits meeting Huron aboriginals for the first time is the largest outdoor historic mural in North America. Ron Brown is a Canadian travel writer and broadcaster who is the author of several books on unusual features to see throughout Ontario. His latest titles include Downtown Ontario; Unusual Main Streets to Explore, and Top One Hundred Unusual Things to See in Ontario. Toronto-based Brown also regularly contributes to CBC Radio broadcasts.

For the summer of 2008 our murals are continuing to be restored by 3 local artists with the financial aid of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ruth Hurdle is recreating the Rotary Mural which was originally on the LCBO building. This mural will be relocated on the side of T & G Fabrics. Terri-Lee Milley will be recreating the S.S. Lemoyne mural which will be painted on location on the side of Homecoming beside St. Paul’s United Church. Sonja Rathke has been restoring all the murals located at the Town of Midland’s Harbour Master’s office at the bottom of King Street this summer. Please feel free to speak with them about their experiences.

Midland Ontario is 90 minutes north of the Greater Toronto Area, and 35 minutes North West of Barrie. Situated on the shores of Georgian Bay in historic Huronia, the Midland area is one of Ontario’s earliest developed settlements dating back to the early 1600’s and Samuel de Champlain.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE AREA: Hotels, Resorts and Historic Inns are available in the Southern Georgian Bay area. See Midland Area Accommodation

WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA. Exciting historical re-enactments and attractions, fresh clean beaches complement First Nations history, Georgian Bay Cruises and Great Lakes British Navel history and the towering Martyrs’ Shrine. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/Attractions.aspx

TOURIST INFORMATION: FREE full colour guidebook available by calling 1800-263-7745, or view Georgian Bay Visitor Guide on-line

For additional information on Downtown Midland and the Midland Mural Project contact Meredith Forrest at 705.527.7246

Ontario Travel to Spring Maple Syrup Festivals Continues in April

2008 Maple Syrup Season McDonalds Corners
March 1 –April 30, 2008
See how Maple Syrup is made at the sugar bush. Sleigh rides, taffy-on-snow and artisans in the Museum on weekends, tours, nature trails, heritage displays, pancake meals, and maple products for sale Web: www. wheelersmaple. com

Shaws Maple Bush Tours
March-April. Between Barrie and Orillia, there is a Pancake House, and maple bush fun. Percheron horses will take you through the maple wonderland. When the snow melts we trade the sleigh for a wagon. Rides are available on weekends during March and April, usually around lunch time

Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival
April 19, 2008
more info http://www.elmvalemaplesyrup.ca/index.html

Maplefest
Millbrook April 19-20, 2008
Enjoy a heritage maple syrup festival in a historic town and sugarbush, including: bucket sap collection, horsedrawn wagon rides, interpretive trail walks, live entertainment and pancake breakfast.
Web: www.millbrook.ca

Powassan Maple Syrup Festival - Powassan, ON
April 26, 2008
More info http://www.powassansyrupfestival.ca/

Ontario Travel Easter is Early in 2008

Easter Getaways North of Toronto

One of the earliest signals for spring is the Easter holiday and vacation period. Easter 2008 is no exception with the Easter weekend staring early March 20 with Good Friday March 21, 2008 and ending Easter Monday March 24, 2008. This is the perfect time to take that 2, 3 or 4 day getaway with the kids and hunt for Easter eggs, the Easter Bunny, special Easter Sunday church services, parades, family togetherness, and of course lots of Easter chocolate. We at 400Eleven wish everyone a "Happy Easter". Please check our events page for Easter activities North of Toronto, Ontario. Selections of Easter Getaway Packages north of Toronto please visit

Easter Spring Getaways.

Ontario Travel to March Break Getaways

The next big getaway for Ontario Families will be the March Break or Spring Break school break.
Starting on March 7 for most shcool boards there is a myriad of activities awainting north of Toronto. More than 30 march break getaways will keep the kids busy and the parents happy during the holiday week.

Travel Ontario to March Break Getaways Packages

RESERVE YOUR 2008 MARCH BREAK GETAWAY PACKAGES NOW.

More than 35 Ontario getaways packages are available for the Spring school break in March. Package prices vary depending on the number in your group or family, type of accommodation or meal choice.

Guests can select from a variety of getaway packages where they can build an igloo, enjoy a sleigh ride, participate in snow tube races, kids games and activities, skiing downhill or cross country, ice skating, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. You can also pretend you are in the Olympics and try the downhill 'luge' package. Several Ontario Resorts are providing sugar bush tours where they will be making maple syrup.

Select a variation of hotels, motels, cottages, resorts or cabins with some exciting value getaways will make the 2008 spring break-march break a vacation to remember.

Many destinations will feature events and festivals, and March Break kids day camps, Maple Syrup festivals and fun competitions. Watch
Watch for changing events and festivals listed for the March spring break period.

Family Day Weekend in Ontario

Welcome to Ontario family getaways. February of 2008 will signal a historic ocassion in the Province of Ontario with the arrival of the first public holiday in the winter called Family Day.

We encourage visitors to take advantage of some of the many special family getaways or one of the many winter getawaya offering a variety of outdoor activities including, snowshoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice-skating, and indoor relaxing around a warm firs.

See winter getaways

Ontario Travel During Family Day Weekend 2008

The Financial Post reported today Sat. 19^th, Jan. 2008 that Ontario resorts (resort destinations in Ontario) should benefit from the Province’s new family day on February 18. The article contends based on Ipso Reid and Expedia report that “31% of Canadians plan some type of trip for the February holiday weekend.” If one quarter of Ontario vacationers say they plan to go south that leaves ¾ who will probably stay in Ontario or Canada. Good news for Tourism in Canada and Ontario. My calculations say that approximately 3,000,000 Ontario residents will be engaging in a mini-vacation or a day trip during February Family Day Weekends.

Already there are a number of Ontario Resorts offering getaway packages in February and a number of attractions such as the Wye Marsh near Midland Ontario are setting up day long activities and programs for the Family Day on the Monday. For example Wye Marsh is offering, Free snowshoe rentals for all children 12 and under, Free cross country ski lessons at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, Meet the Creatures Live Animal Shows at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

Ontario Travel to Winter Carnivals, Snowfests, and family winter fun

The weekend of Jan 19, 2008 is the start of the winter Carnival season north of Toronto. Here is a list of carnivals for the upcoming weekend. Combine a winter getaway weekend at one of the many resort destinations. Check out the Winter Carnival page for more winter fun ideas.

Brighton

Brighton, January 18-27
Start off with a pancake breakfast and finish off with an old fashioned winter supper. In between, check out a hockey tournament, a winter bird workshop or enjoy a lantern-lit skate.

Tim Horton's Georgian Cup

Owen Sound, January 19, 20
The ultimate snowmobiling race highlights this snowcross weekend. Don't miss the big race or the freestyle challenge.

Snofest Winter Carnival

Peterborough, Ontario
Saturday, January 19, 2008

Enjoy Pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, snowman contests and much more at the PCMA and Armour Hill. All events are free and family friendly. Dress for the weather!
Featured at 11 am and again at 1 pm enjoy acclaimed children’s entertainer MUSIC BY JAKE. Snowfest Winter Carnival Information Peterborough Hotels On-line

Campbellford Polar Bear Festival

January 19 A winter festival including an icy dip in the Trent River, demolition derby, enter your favourite recipe in the chocolate or cheese contest.
For more information call 1-888-653-1556 or (705) 653-1551

Ontario Ice Fishing--The Family Fun, Guys Getaway, Artistic Side

The Richard Johnson Gallery in Toronto is featuring an ice hut photo exhibition. This was covered in the globe and mail with the headline,

Out on the ice, no two huts are the same a story by Gary Michael Dault..."The huts, Johnson points out, are "sled-based," each still resting on the sled on which it was dragged out by snowmobile onto the ice". Globe article continues.

This blog author and amateur photographer prefers going out on the ice and checking out the variety of ice huts or, a search for the natural setting highlighting the solitary fishing hut in a more illuminated setting. (Photo taken by r.taylor on Lake Kashagawigamog in Haliburton). This is not just a guys sport. This is an outdoor sport for the entire family, however should not be considered a day long activity. Groups of guys will look at it differently as an annual outdoor right of the great Canadian outdoors. Ice fishing opportunities for families and guys can be found on the Ontario Travel North of Toronto website by going to ICE FISHING GETAWAYS

Ontario Lights Up-November Travel North

Many of the light ceremonies start this week north of Toronto and are tied into Christmas events and activities and continue into the new year. Head north of Toronto for a fresh and colourful season of lights. A more detailed list of Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies and festivals of lights can be found at. Starting this week both Orillia and Kapuskasing begin to celebrate.

Wonderland of Lights Orillia, Ontario
November 16-December 31, 2007
Thousands of white lights adorn Downtown stores, buildings & trees. 10,000 blue LED lights illuminate Community Christmas Tree at Orillia Opera House
Web Site Click Here

Festival of Lights Kapuskasing, Ontario

November 17 –January 1, 2008
Riverside Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with over 100,000 shimmering lights and displays.
Web Site Click Here