Ontario Getaways for late fall, Christmas and New Years

VACATION GETAWAYS NORTH OF TORONTO

Plan now for the winter holiday season for the best getaways for cross-country skiing, downhill boarding and skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.  Questions?  Contact Us

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Romantic Ontario Getaway Pick

Sherwood Inn - Port Carling, Ontario

Sherwood Inn - Romance Package - With Sherwood Inn's quaint, rustic, Muskoka charm it is the perfect place to bring that special someone for a romantic getaway. Should it be for a special occasion or just to say I love you, there is no better way to say it than at Sherwood Inn with our Romance Package. All the elements for a getaway to be cherished and remembered for years to come.

Couples Romantic Getaways north of Toronto 

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Spa in Ontario Pick

Touchstone on Lake Muskoka - Bracebridge, Ontario

Touchstone on Lake Muskoka - Rediscover Tranquility Begin your Journey towards Ultimate Relaxation. October 20-December 31,2012 From the moment you step through the door into Touch Spa, you will be swept away from the chaotic world. You will begin your journey toward ultimate relaxation accompanied by a nurturing oasis for your mind, body and soul. Nurture your body, soul and mind at Touch Spa today! Starting from $419/per couple.

Spa Getaways north of Toronto

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Family Vacation Getaway Pick

Sandhaven Cottage - Haliburton, Ontario

Sandhaven Cottage is located on beautiful Lake Kashagawigamog, in the Haliburton Highlands. This newly renovated 1,900 sq. ft. vacation home has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and new 1,200 sq. ft. cedar deck with Hot Tub for your relaxation. Excellent swimming, boating and fishing on this 5 lake chain. Loads of activities in area including 6 golf courses, miles of hiking/biking trails, skiing, snowmobiling, ATV trails and more. Visit www.sandhaven.ca for additional cottage info and photos.

Family Getaways in resort destinations

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Ontario Resorts Pick

Oakview Lodge - Algonquin Highlands, Ontario

Oakview Lodge - Romantic country inn and cottage resort on Little Hawk Lake, Haliburton Highlands, Ontario. Offering four season getaway packages with superior accommodations and fine gourmet dining including spa services, boat cruises, snowmobiling, dogsledding, golf, hiking, canoeing, fishing, studio tours & cooking clases. Perfectly situated between Muskoka & Haliburton in the Haliburton Highlands lake district just 2 1/2 hrs. north of Toronto. Whether you prefer a romantic private suite overlooking the lake or a luxury two bedroom cottage, we will surpass your expectations and provide a perfect vacation getaway.

October November north in Ontario

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Ontario Hiking Getaway Weekend Pick

Cutter's Cove Cottages - Emsdale, Ontario

Cutter's Cove Cottages - The hiking world is in our back yard. Arrowhead and Algonquin Provincial Parks close by or explore one of many local trails. We have nine adorable clean housekeeping cottages to relax in after a days outing. We are located on Clear Lake just north of Huntsville. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, water slide and our own 2 km walking trail to round off your weekend. Cottages starting from $100/night. Start your adventure here!

Fall Hiking Getaways north of Toronto

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Fall Vacation in Ontario Pick

Evergreen Forest Resort B&B - Georgian Bluffs, ON

Evergreen Forest Resort B&B - For special occasions like honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays, or just to recharge your batteries, the Evergreen Forest Resort B&B is ready to cater to your special moments. Included in every ROMANTIC GETAWAY are: Two night's stay in one of our gorgeous, private rooms. One amazing Local Flavours Candlelight Dinner for Two. Feel free to bring your own wine. Coupon for Free Romantic Horse-Drawn Sleigh or Buggy Ride through the wilderness. Enjoy a free In-Room Movie, while nibbling on our decadent Dessert Sampler. Two special gourmet breakfasts for two, for a fantastic start to each day. This lovely ROMANTIC GETAWAY is now available from just $359 to $379 per couple in low season, from $379 to $399 in high season, plus taxes. While you're here, enjoy all that our resort has to offer.
 

Fall Getaways north ofToronto

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Attractions Ontario Pick

Sainte Marie Among The Hurons  - Midland, Ontario

Sainte Marie Among The Hurons - “First Light Evenings November 29-30, December 1, 2012 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Now in its 13th year, Sainte-Marie’s “First Light” is a must-see event with a great line-up of family activities and performers, all amidst the spectacular glow of over 5,000 candles. The magic begins when visitors approach the candlelit historic site, as a beautiful amber glow illuminates the famous 17th-century mission. A colourful historic encampment will greet visitors, set up by the popular “Survival In The Bush” group. Visitors can then stroll the candlelit paths which lead to a variety of fun family activities. Children can try their hand at candle making, and write their own Christmas cards with historic quill pens. The cookhouse is filled with the sights and smells of delicious baked goods and cookie samples available for tasting. Historic blacksmithing will also be demonstrated, and a Nativity crèche will be on display in the stables near the Farmer’s Dwelling. Always popular with little folks, corn husk doll making will be offered in the Sainte-Marie foyer. An abundance of music will also fill the air, including Native drumming and singing, lively Franco-Ontarian folksongs, and delightful community and school choirs performing seasonal music over the three evenings. For some early holiday shopping, 20 exceptional artisans will be in the Sainte-Marie museum, and the themed Sainte-Marie gift shop will be open each night. Admission is just $8.00 per person (children 5 and under are free), with a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the local food bank.

Ontario Attractions north of Toronto

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Ontario Tourism Destination of the Week

Ontario's Highlands
(http://ontarioshighlands.ca/)
Come to know Ontario’s Highlands! You don't need to travel far from home to experience some of eastern Ontario's most thrilling outdoor activities, breathtaking landscapes and quaint country hamlets. Ontario's Highlands is a region abundant with all these attractions, and is a mere half-hour drive from downtown Ottawa—or 2.5 hours worth of singing to your favourite driving songs along our scenic highways on your way from Toronto. Ask yourself what you're looking for: High-energy adventure? Solace from the city? Time with family & friends? An unforgettable experience you'll never forget? Whatever it is, you'll find it here

Ontario Resort Destinations north of Toronto

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Ontario Cottage Resort Pick

Agia Maria Inn and Resort - Minden, Ontario

Agia Maria Inn and Resort - We are a year around resort on the Gull River, minutes from the Town of Minden. We offer luxury cottages and suites most with firesplaces, jacuzzis, satellite TV & WIFI. Kitchenette units for self catering or MAP is available. Summer offers fishing, kayaking, canoeing or maybe just swim and sun. Watercraft on site. Winter you can ski, snowmobile, ice fish or skate on our pond. Fully equipped rec. hall with pool table. Located just over 2 hrs from Toronto.

Ontario Cottage Resorts north of Toronto

Snowshoeing Outdoor Adventures with Tapley Nature Trails North in Ontario

Snowshoeing Outdoor Adventures in Muskoka

The world of Ontario in the winter is much more interesting on a pair of snowshoes...you actually stop to smell the pines, see animal tracks and snap a few great photos of winter scenery.

Tapley Nature Trails is organizing customized winter snowshoe adventures with and additional twist including on the trail natural history about Muskoka and the Canadian shield.  The tours are customized by for groups from two to twelve and are priced individually depending on locations and amenities. Locations include provincial parks,

Photo: Muskoka Georgian Bay Ontario by Robin Tapley

Most adventures include snow shoes, warm beverage, light snack, taxes and interpretive naturalist guide.  

Overnight accommodation can be arranged at local resorts and lodges in Muskoka.  

Read more about Robin Tapley. Email Robin Tapley

See Robin on Facebook

 

About Robin Tapley

Robin Tapley has been called one of the best naturalist/astronomers in Canada. He has
developed and delivered guided naturalist and adventure expeditions throughout Canada and the
world including unique destinations like Mount Everest, the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar,
Antarctica, Mongolia, New Zealand, Patagonia and Muskoka. Robin founded Tapley Nature
Trails in 1992 a consulting company primarily involved in helping resorts, developers and
adventure companies to understand and utilize their natural surroundings as key components to
their programming and marketing campaigns. He is, currently, Head Naturalist and Astronomer
at Canada’s first JW Marriott The Rosseau Resort and Spa in Muskoka. He is developing an
adventure park and a series of nature trails with three other development projects in Muskoka
as well as consulting on the Long Point Eco Adventure Centre in Long Point Ontario, which
was designated in 2012 as Ontario’s second best adventure attraction and is currently one of the
four finalists for an award with TIAC. He has also held the position as Executive Director for
Nature Trails where he held the position of Naturalist and Astronomer for three Delta Resorts.
He was the project manager for the Echo Valley Observatory and consulted on a variety of
Environmental Sustainability projects with the Land of Lakes Tourist Association, Canadian
Wildlife Service, Algonquin Provincial Park, Peninsula Lake Cottage Association and the
Woodland Heights Development Project.

History of Snowshoeing

The Legend of the Snowshoe by Robin Tapley

Snowshoeing, an ancient form of modern technology, was once the standard mode
of snow travel in North America. Winter travel was a challenge as the cold season
progressed and a blanket of white draped across the landscape. The automobile
is to modern society today as the snowshoe of the past was to hunters, trappers,
prospectors and explorers.
Anyone living through the cold winters of Canada, owned them or made them and the
basic design has remained the same. Snowshoes were as important to taming the West
as were the axe and flint-lock rifle.
In comparison, the cross-country ski entered America in the early 1800s when the
Europeans began to arrive. They introduced the ski, which did not overtake the
snowshoe until the 1960s. Snowshoes and skis are thought to trace their origin to a
common ancestor called "shoeski". Invented in 4000 B.C. in central Asia, it was a solid
piece of wood with a crude binding. This basic invention made it possible for people
to migrate into farther reaches of the Northern Hemisphere.Those that migrated to
northern Europe and Asia eventually developed the ski, and those that crossed the
Bering (Aleutian) Land Bridge into North American developed the snowshoe. The
snowshoe, having gone through many changes, was finally brought to perfection by
the Athabascan Natives of the northwest coast and the Algonquin of the St. Lawrence
River Valley. Though many styles now exist, all follow the same traditional frame style
developed by the First Nations people.