NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE AND WINE COUNTRY - Niagara Falls - page 190

bakedgoodsarewonderful,too.Pies,tortes,andotherflakyconfectionsaremadewithloc-
alfruitandareperfectfordessertoramiddaysnackwithcoffee.Youmaydinehereortake
out.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
The most popular ways to tour wineries are by car, bus, or bike. If you're making a day of
it and want to include lunch or dinner, planning ahead is essential. You can make your own
map or use an online map generator ( www.winecountryontario.ca ) .
Bus tours are popular in NOTL because they are safe, fun, and convenient. Many tour
operators will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Grape and Wine Tours (855/
682-4920, www.grapeandwinetours.com ) provides pick-up service from Niagara Falls or
NOTL. Its four-hour, three-winery tour is $65. Grape Escape Wine Tours (866/935-4445,
www.tourniagarawineries.com ) offerpick-upsinNOTL(NiagaraFallspick-upisextra)for
its four-hour, four-winery tour ($59). Niagara Wine Tours International (800/680-7006,
www.niagaraworldwinetours.com ) makes pick-ups in NOTL, Niagara Falls, or St. Cathar-
ines. The four-hour, four-winery tour is $65.
A fun and healthy way to tour wine country is by bike. Several reputable companies
provide bike rentals and escorted bike winery tours. Grape Escape Wine Tours (215
KingSt.,NOTL, 866/935-4445, www.tourniagarawineries.com )hasasix-hourtourthat in-
cludes bike rental, lunch, and several winery visits ($69). Free pick-up and drop-off shuttle
service is provided. Zoom Leisure Bikes (431 Mississauga St., NOTL, 905/468-2366,
www.zoomleisure.com , June-Aug.)offersathree-hour tourtothree wineries ($69).There's
also a five-hour picnic lunch winery tour ($90). Both tours include bike rental.
Niagara Getaway (92 Picton St., NOTL, 905/468-1300, www.niagaragetaways.com ,
$65-139)islocateddirectlyacrossfromtheShawFestivalTheatreinNOTL.Thiscompany
has the greatest variety of guided and self-guided bicycle winery tours available in the
area. Niagara Wine Tours International (32 Queen St., NOTL, 905/468-7367,
www.niagaraworldwinetours.com , $69-89) is conveniently located on Queen Street in
NOTL, where bike tours originate from. Tours are self-guided and include lunch.
Welland Canal Corridor
A 25-mile line cuts through Ontario's Niagara peninsula joining Lake Ontario and Lake
Erie: the Welland Canal. The canal has shaped the economic fortunes of this region, draw-