Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PORT COLBORNE
FORT ERIE
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
SHOPPING
SPORTS AND RECREATION
ACCOMMODATIONS
FOOD
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
When war-weary Winston Churchill came to Niagara Falls, Ontario, in August 1943, he
foundrelaxationandbeautyduringthe13-miledrivefromthefallstoNiagara-on-the-Lake.
The prime minister remarked that the trip is “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the
world.” Those words ring true as you wind your way along the Niagara River Gorge, stop-
ping to visit any of the dozens of wineries in the area.
The Canadian vineyards literally have their roots in Europe. Local vintners imported
Europeangrapevinestothisregionforgraftingexperiments.Graftingallowedwine-quality
grapes to be grown in this climate, yielding sophisticated vintages. Ice wine festivals in
February feature outdoor tasting bars carved from ice. People gather around fires toasting
marshmallows made from wine sugar.
During the War of 1812, American soldiers burned the village of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The entire village was rebuilt and stands today preserved in Victorian time, with most
homes and buildings dating from 1814. This is the most romantic place to window-shop
and enjoy a perfectly paired wine with dinner.
Lake freighters circumvent the Niagara River via the Welland Canal. This 26-mile wa-
terwayjoinsLakeEriewithLakeOntario,allowingenormousshipssafepassage.Thecanal
is used in equal measure for commerce and leisure, coming alive in the summer with nu-
merous festivals in the major towns dotting its edges. The region hosts a tall-ship regatta,
Canada's largest single-day music festival (S.C.E.N.E.), Shakespeare in the Vineyard, and
many other events year-round.
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