In case I haven’t made it abundantly clear, it’s hot in Florida – hotter than ever in recorded history. So, when Malcolm and I began to consider where we might want to escape to for a week or two, Canada came to mind. We first considered the West Coast, but that option became too costly and too complicated to plan within a short timeframe. While Northeast Canada may not be as temperate, it is convenient and has a lot to offer. Within one week of having the idea, we booked a direct flight to Buffalo, NY, rented a car, and drove toward Toronto.
Malcolm had previously researched the area for a future trip to the Ice Wine Festival held each January in Niagara-on-the-Lake, so we had an idea of how we might spend our days. We had a list that basically read: wineries, lavender fields, country roads, waterfalls, cliff walks, lakes, and quaint towns. Beyond that, there wasn’t a plan. It felt great to wake up leisurely and let the day unfold. We easily logged 1,000 miles on the rental car and a minimum of 10k steps daily.
The weather was a vast improvement, with mornings in the low 70s and afternoons in the mid 80s – considerably cooler than So. Florida. A smoke advisory (poor air quality) was issued during the last two days of our stay, but we carried on, unaffected. A few businesses heeded the warning and closed.
Driving through the countryside and small towns was a treat, especially on the unpaved roads. You never know what you might encounter – barns, covered bridges, a roadside market, a dairy farm or two…We purchased a freshly baked apple pie at one location, and a basket of cherries at another. Simple pleasures.
St. Jacobs was an intentional destination, unlike some others. We knew we wanted to see this predominantly Mennonite town and suspected it would have a good bakery. With a main street and little else, we were not disappointed. Two hot apple fritters, please…
We spent a perfect morning at the Purple Hill Lavender Farm and discovered the town of Creemore in the afternoon. Mix two retirees with beer and bar games – frivolity ensued.
Did you know that Canada is the world’s largest producer of Ice Wines? And that a large concentration of wineries that produce Ice Wines is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Out of literally hundreds, we chose three to visit – Peller, Inniskillin, and Vineland (not on the same day lest ye be judging). Besides making good Ice Wines and Rieslings, these particular wineries offer an abundance of ambiance and some good food to nosh on while sipping.
Fun Fact: Ice Wines, unlike other dessert wines, are made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine.
It’s all about the falls in Niagara. This was our first time seeing them from the Canadian side, and oh, what a sight to behold. The power and majesty are goose-pimple-inducing. The best thing about visiting (the Canadian side) is that you don’t have to take a tour to see the falls. Park the car (fee varies according to distance) and walk toward the thunderous sound. It’s that easy.
Thanks to this post from Natalie the Explorer, we took a Ferry to the Toronto Islands and spent the morning enjoying this beautiful park. It literally has something for everyone, from beachcombing to nature trails, to kayaking and biking. Should you tire of all that is in front of you, turn around and gaze at the Toronto skyline.
Mommy, are the frogs cold? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
It is amazing what a change of scenery for just one week can do for the soul. The solitude of a hiking trail, images of slower-paced living, the fragrance of a lavender field, and the pleasure of good company – there is something to be said for being spontaneous.
Picture Retirement 
Looks like you had a marvelous trip enjoying the cooler climate and all the wonderful stops Toronto had to offer. We traveled to Toronto many years ago, and we had a great time as well. Although I don’t remember apple fritters. đ
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Hi Judy, the apple fritters were the best, probably because they were fresh out of the oven. We enjoyed our daily country backroads rides with the windows rolled down – pure heaven. Have a great week.
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Hi Suzanne – it all looks lovely, the perfect break from the heat and a nice change of scenery for you both. Canada certainly has a lot to offer.
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Hi Leanne, it was just the break we needed. It seems to be hot everywhere this year, so we were grateful for the change.
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What a great trip! I’ve been to a few of these places as Toronto is only about 4 or 5 hours away from me. But most of where you went we have not seen. It all looked beautiful. I have never heard of ice wine!
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Hi Dawn, we loved the countryside around Creemore and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Small town charm, wide open fields, lots of barns….you would be pulling over every few miles.
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We’ve been to the Canadian side of the falls a couple times. At this time of year the gardens over there are usually beautiful. And we were at Niagra on the Lake once, I can’t remember why, maybe we were on our way to Montreal of Quebec. It was fall and the planters in town were overflowing with beautiful flowers. That’s mostly what I remember, just how beautiful it all was.
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That looks like the perfect escape from your summer heat! Still lovely weather but comfortable for exploring, and lots to see and do but at a laidback pace đ I love that frog photo at the end!
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Hi Sarah, I felt like a bit of a peeper with the frogs, but couldn’t resist getting the photo. They were in a beautiful pond on the same property as the lavender fields. I love reflecting on that day – peaceful.
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Isn’t it great that blogging encourages us to reflect on special days like this?
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What an interesting post! St. Charles is also so very hot. I felt a bit cooler reading this post. đ I have not heard of ice wine, nor have I visited Toronto. The bike trails on Toronto Islands sound wonderful. You have me thinking about an RV trip in that area. Thanks for your post!
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Hi Betty, we saw passengers bringing e-bikes onboard the Ferry, and there were plenty of rentals available. We walked because there was much to see and I had camera equipment. We saw lots of RV parks, especially along the lakes. You should definitely consider a trip there. Have a great week.
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Absolutely wonderful photos. We have been to Niagara-on-the-Lake, it is a lovely area to visit. Making your trip even better to have cooler temperatures than Florida.
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Karen, I could easily spend a week in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Beautiful old hotels, restaurants, parks, a lakefront bike path, and a gazillion wineries, what’s not to love?
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An amazing get-away, Suzanne! Sad that climate change has made the heat so unbearable in the south. I get heat exhaustion very quickly, so send me to the cold!
Toronto looks amazing, as does Niagara Falls. My brother just visited there, too. Definitely a trip worth taking. I hope you enjoyed the cooler (if smokey) temps on your trip. And ice wines (of which I’ve never heard) sound de-lish.
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Terri, I have a history of heat exhaustion and have written about it a couple of times. I’m trying to be careful this summer, but my life is mostly outside, so it’s hard to sit still. We were grateful for the respite, although brief. Yes, climate change is creating some frightening weather. There is a hurricane 5 building in the Atlantic this week. We don’t think it will affect Florida, but still too soon to tell. I hadn’t realized that Ice Wine wasn’t a thing with a lot of folks. We discovered it a few years ago and love it. It’s mainly served like a dessert wine, after dinner, or a late afternoon treat. Have a great week. I almost included the post in Sunday Stills, but one photo of a couple of Canadian Geese in a bit chincy to call it a feather post!
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I get it about the heat exhaustion! Glad your trip was fun!
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Suzanne, you and Malcolm know how to find fun things to do when you are traveling. The countryside is beautiful. Sometimes the best trips are ones where there is no set itinerary and you can play it by ear as you go along. I enjoyed your great photos of Niagara Falls from Canada. I had never heard of Ice Wine before.
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Hi Beth, I am inspired to write about Ice Wines in a future post. I had no idea so many folks have never heard of it. If you like sweet wines, it is for you. A little bit goes a long way.
We loved not having a schedule, or even a solid plan for that matter. I foresee more of this type of travel in our future. We are planning our Australia/New Zealand trip for next year, and my brain is turning to mush at this point. Have a great week.
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Excellent road trip with major highlights. Iâd actually never heard of ice wine before, how interesting. Fantastic views of the Falls!
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I love the pictures, Suzanne. I’ve driven through that region and it really is beautiful. I’m glad you guys had such a good time.
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Hi Dan, it was a wonderful week and a much-needed break from the heat. We haven’t had a heat advisory in a few days, so I hope we are through the worst of it. Have a great week.
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Out temperatures are heading into the comfortable range this coming week, too. It’s a good feeling.
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Hi Phil and Michaela, it’s not likely that you would encounter sweet wines in your part of the world. They are mostly made in Canada and Germany. They are sweet-tasting, similar to dessert wines, but not as rich as the taste of port.
The Falls were amazing, and we had wonderful weather the day we viewed them. Sometimes, complete spontaneity is a good thing. Wherever you are today, I know you are making discoveries and having fun. Take care.
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Cool! You are in my old stomping grounds, Suzanne. Making me miss those early morning runs to St. Jacob’s in the fall, and sunny weekends visiting Creemore, Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake…. glad you enjoyed!
Deb
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Deb, I can imagine what Fall must be like there. Creemore and Niagara-on-the-Lake were both places I’d return to in any season. You certainly moved from one beautiful place to another. Lucky you.
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Dessert wines are too sweet for me so I possibly wouldn’t like ice wines, but they sound perfect when you’re wilting in the heat (as I am!). But I’m positive that I’d love Niagara, Suzanne. All that spray would definitely be a tonic xx
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Hi Jo, Ice Wines aren’t for everyone, and a little goes a long way. Sort of like eating just one petit four instead of a whole piece of cake. Niagara was awe-inspiring. We wore our rain jackets when we were up close because the spray was so powerful. It felt amazing. We never passed a soul who wasn’t smiling. Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful (hopefully cooler) week.
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I can do that but I’m not good at eating just one or two from a box of chocolates, Suzanne. Fortunately not too many come my way these days. Thanks darlin xx
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Such a shame about the wildfires. I agree – even the shortest get away can do wonders. Certainly hope it will cool down for you guys!
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Hi Jan, a short getaway is like taking a catnap in the middle of the day – refreshing. Take care and have a beautiful week.
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Oh, I love these kinds of trips. Fun times! It probably did help that Malcolm had done some research about that area in Canada before. Thanks for teaching me about ice wine. I had no idea that such a drink existed, let alone how it is produced. Sounds tasty and my kind of sweet drink. Great photos as well. The Niagara Falls are spectacular and that frog photo is the best!!!
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Hi Liesbet, it was a great getaway, and thankfully, we didn’t go in completely blind. Malcolm was very excited to see the vineyards and wineries, as he is a big fan of Ice Wines. The setting is beautiful and very relaxing. I am more into the waterfalls, lavender fields, and hikes, but of course, I indulged a bit with the wine too. And let’s not forget the pastries. Oh my…
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Suzanne, I’m glad you had a refreshing getaway. You and Malcolm chose some of the best places to visit in and near Toronto, including the selection of wineries. I enjoyed reading what you liked about each place. I’m surprised that several commenters have not heard of ice wines. I’m going to the Toronto Islands again next week. That frog photo is priceless. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, maybe Ice Wine isn’t as common as I had thought. Malcolm and I returned with a few bottles and can’t wait to have friends over to enjoy with us. Have fun at the Toronto Islands.
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I love road trips and that looks like a great one! I have visited some of those locations but not all… and you have given me some great ideas. That frog photo is wonderful.
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Hi Janis, it was our first time in the Toronto area. We loved it and will likely go back. Niagara on the Lake is incredibly picturesque, as are the lavender fields in Creemore. The frogs were too much to resist.
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Maybe it’s because I’m sitting here in the sweltering heat and humidity of the midwest (probably not as bad as Florida, yet still bad), but I think your trip sounds just wonderful! The pictures are gorgeous…I’ve never seen the Falls….and honestly, I’m having a hard time not being jealous!
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Ann, I think everyone wants to be somewhere else this summer. We were grateful for the short break. Have a wonderful week.
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Napier in the North Island has those large colourful chairs. Nothing like blowing away a few cobwebs with a roadtrip. Canada has some amazing photographic areas which you have highlighted. Lovely images.
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Suzanne, Napier is on our itinerary for March. We have structured the trip to include cruising rather than attempting to do it all by rental car. I’m sure those colorful chairs are in most seaside towns. They are very popular in Florida.
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Suzanne,
You and Malcolm know how to make the most out of a getaway. I took a short iPhone video of Niagara Falls from the Canadian that gets up close and personal to the power of that crushing water. I still view it occasionally (link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFLuogsdy5I
When we lived in Germany, we sampled several Ice Wines and found them delightful. I haven’t looked for them in the States. Good to know they’re as close as Canada. Have a great weekend. Joe
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Joe, I loved your video. It looked a lot like mine until you panned toward the boat and caught all the colors of the water, and a rainbow! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing that with me. Germany shares top spot with Canada for the production of Ice Wines. I like them, but prefer their Rieslings. Malcolm loves them all. It was 95 here today. Just when you think things might change…
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I was in the Army and we had a group of officers who formed a wine tasting club for the Franken wines. I learned to love the Spatlese and the Auslese varieties. It was big fun, then I took a slow walk home to our quarters.
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That sounds like a perfect escape from the heat and humidity of a Florida summer. You two are great at planning trips, including spur of the moment adventures! We visited Niagara Falls several years ago, and really enjoyed the Canadian side. We biked to several wineries and had a blast. đ The ice wines are especially delicious on hot days! You’re right, a change of scenery is good for the soul.
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Hi Laurel, so nice to hear from you. I hope all is well. Unfortunately, it is still hot, but bearable. We enjoyed the ice wines and brought several bottles home. We saw lots of folks biking the vineyards and considered it, but there wasn’t enough time. I want to go back to Niagara-on-the-Lake and bike the trail along the lake. It runs through a park, close to downtown, and by a few vineyards. Now, we know. Have you given up the blog, or just taking a sabbatical? Would love to hear what you’ve been up to.
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Hi Suzanne, I haven’t given up, but apparently I needed a long sabbatical! Honestly, I’m finding it challenging to know how to begin again. I do love staying connected with friends and I also enjoy having a record of our travels and other life adventures. I know there’s no magic formula, I just need to sit down and write! Come visit us in NC sometime! đ
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I’m glad to hear that you will resume your blog at some point. Sometimes living gets in the way of writing about life. You live in a beautiful area and have interesting lives, so I can imagine you will find your sweet spot again soon. Be well.
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