Jet Boating in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

Took to the water yesterday on board a Whirlpool Jetboat Tour. What fun! Fernando and I had experienced jetboating in New Zealand a couple of times, but this was my first time here. Definitely worth doing.

First, they briefed us. Prior to embarkation, they suited us up with a fleece top to help keep us warm, then a full-length jumper, over which we donned a hooded poncho to help keep us dry, and finally a lifejacket. I resembled something between a rubber ducky and a hari krishna.

Donna Vieira at Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

All suited up and ready to "shake and bake" and dip, pop and slide up the Niagara River.

The tour took us from the foot of Melville Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake up the Niagara River past Queenston and the Brock Monument (where the Falls were millions of years ago) and on up to Devil’s Hole, which can also be viewed from the Cable Car above. En route, we “shaked and baked” our way through the canyon, screamed through three full 360-degree turns, then dipped, popped and slid our way through the category 5 rapids.

The most fun is on the way back through rapids. That’s when you get wet. Sit in the first three rows if you want to get drenched. If not, then sit in the middle in the back two rows and you’ll come out fairly unscathed, but you’ll still get soggy, so dress appropriately and make sure your makeup is waterproof. Also, be sure to wear water shoes or sandals that strap on securely—not flip flops or slip-ons—as they’ll float off your feet in the boat. Oh yes, and bring a full change of clothing—underwear and all.

A Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour up the Niagara River, Canada

Get ready to be drenched on board a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour up the Niagara River.

Adult tickets are $61; child tickets are $51. For information and online reservations, visit whirlpooljet.com.

Posted by Donna Vieira

Globetrotters B&B, Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Treat Mom to Niagara-on-the-Lake This Mother’s Day

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

With Mother’s Day coming up May 13, you may be looking for ideas. How about a gift certificate covering a one- or two-night stay at a bed and breakfast in Niagara-on-the-Lake? You can even add a gift certificate redeemable toward a Shaw performance or seminar of her choosing. Or perhaps you want to spend Mother’s Day weekend with her, enjoying an overnight stay in a cosy B&B, a delicious home-made breakfast and a Shaw performance and/or a lovely dinner.

I recently attended the 2 p.m. performance of a Man and Some Women at the Court House Theatre and it was delightful. There’s also the musical hit, Ragtime, to consider. Both are excellent choices. For just $5/person, include a one-hour backstage tour at the Festival Theatre at 11 a.m. and you have the makings of a great day.

The intimate Court House Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of four theatres in town.

You needn’t blow the budget either. There are many reasonably priced B&Bs in Niagara-on-the-Lake, starting from $99/night. And it’s early enough in the season, too, to take advantage of special prices for tickets on the same day. Seniors can also save up to 60% on Special Matinee (SM) performances.  Be sure to ask about the $35 tickets for Festival Theatre Gallery and Court House Restricted seating. Under 30? Tickets are only $30.

Dining needn’t be expensive either. Ask any B&B owner. They usually know the best places to dine for less. For instance, the beautiful Charles Inn is known for its expensive fine-dining restaurant. However, dine in the lounge where every entrée on the menu is under $15. Same chef, same inn. Just better prices. I hear the shepherd’s pie is to die for.

If you have time, ask your B&B owner for free wine-tasting coupons to sample some of the vintage wines produced by more than 25 wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Or book a chauffeured wine tour with Grape Escape Wine Tours (best deal in town priced from $44/person + taxes), Niagara Vintage Wine Tours or Niagara Classic Cabs. Maybe Mom’s a cyclist in which case, you might want to check out ZOOM Leisure Bike Tours and Rentals. Some tours include lunch or dinner.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is also renowned for its beautiful gardens and nurseries. So stop in at Mori Gardens or the Regal Florist and Garden Centre to pick up a plant or bouquet for mom on your way out of town. It will be a fitting memory to the Mother’s Day weekend she spent with you in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Posted by Donna Vieira

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Sweet Sweet Music in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

By now, you may have heard The Tragically Hip are performing on June 30 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. However they’re not the only musical act coming to town this summer.

Jackson-Triggs Winery just released its 2012 outdoor Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series lineup, which runs June through September. Scheduled artists include Chantal Kreviazuk, Steven Page, Raine Maida, Jarvis Church, David Usher and Kathleen Edwards who will take to the stage for an intimate concert experience set among the vineyards. Other acts will feature the Sam Roberts Band and the Arkells. The July 7 show will see Johnny Clegg perform in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music and the Niagara Symphony will make two appearances—on July 21 with Adam Cohen and on August 25 with Sarah Slean and Royal Wood.

Wine-tasting at a winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Jackson-Triggs Concert Series is the perfect excuse for a girlfriends' getaway in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In addition to the music, the concert series is well known for its wide array of gourmet concessions, including sausage, pizza and, of course, wine.

Tickets for the series, now in its 12th year, range from $49 to $99 per person and is well worth every penny.

For more details on the concert series and to book your tickets now, visit jacksontriggswinery.com.

Relax with friends on our covered veranda at Globetrotters B&B with a glass of Niagara wine.

To book your weekend stay, call 1-866-835-4446 or visit globetrottersbb.ca. We’re just a 10-minute walk from the winery.

Posted by Donna S. Vieira

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Rainy Day Things to Do in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

IT’S RAINING, IT’S POURING:

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Here are some ideas to get you thinking and planning:

-   Take in a 2 p.m. afternoon or an 8 p.m. evening performance at one of the four Shaw Festival theatres in town. (Mondays are dark.) Be sure to check out those last-minute, senior and under 30 ticket prices.

-   Or take a fun-filled one-hour backstage tour at 11am at the Festival Theatre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (10:30am for families). Cost: $5 per person.

-   Visit the Butterfly Conservatory located next to the Botanical Gardens on the Niagara Parkway.

-   Tour the Welland Canal Centre Lock 3 Museum.

-   Visit Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, the largest free-flying indoor aviary in the world.

Visit Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls. (Tourism Niagara)

-   Music Niagara performances take place in indoor venues on weekends during the months of July and August.

-   Tour Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Lavender Farm hothouse and boutique on Niagara Stone Road.

-   Book a Whirlpool Jet Boat ride anyway. After all, you’ll be getting wet anyway. Book online and save money.

-   Shop til you drop at the Factory Outlet Mall on Lundy’s Lane in Niagara Falls.

-   Visit some of the many antique shops in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake.

-   Visit Queenston Pottery on York Road in St. David’s.

-   Visit the historic Laura Secord House in Queenston.

-   Tour the Niagara Historical Museum located on Castlereagh in Old Town.

-   Tour the Riverbrink Art Museum in Queenston.

-   Visit the MacKenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum in Queenston.

-   Tour the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station.

-   Work out in the gym at our Community Centre located on Anderson Lane.

-   Book a spa treatment or massage.

Book a facial or massage at your favourite spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake. (Vintage Inns)

-   Purchase a day pass at the Pillar and Post for $35 per adult and $10/child under 15. This pass provides access to their indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and fitness centre.

-   Book a chauffeur-driven winery tour with Niagara Classic Cabs, Grape Escape or Niagara Vintage Wine Tours.

-   Book one or more of the informative seminars offered by some of the wineries.

-   From fall through spring, check out the performances scheduled at the Brock Centre for the Arts in St. Catharines.

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Fun in the sun in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

With short-sleeve weather just around the corner, you’ll be wanting to spend more time outdoors. Here are some fun things to do when it’s sunny in Niagara-on-the-Lake:

-   Cycling is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake and surrounding countryside thanks to an increasing number of maintained and signposted off-road cycling trails available. Bring your own bike or rent a bike from ZOOM Rentals, Grape Escape or International Bike Tours here in town.

-   E-bikes or e-scooters, short for “electric bicycle,” are the newest craze in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Rent one at E-Skoot Niagara on Mary Street, Grape Escape on King or International Bike Tours on Picton.

-   Picnic along the Niagara River, at Queen’s Royal Park on Lake Ontario or at Queenston Heights Park on the Niagara Escarpment where picnic tables and barbecues await you. Pick up cheese, cold cuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh bread and a salad at any of the many area markets. Add a local bottle of wine and enjoy.

-   Roller-blade, stroll, cycle, e-bike or run along the tree-lined streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake or along the Waterfront Trail (paved off-road trails that run along the Niagara River).

The Waterfront Trail features off-road paved cycling paths that go for miles between Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.

-   Horseback ride through vineyards or the wooded trails along the Niagara Escarpment.

-   Visit Totem Park located on the Niagara Parkway to view this year-round attraction of 600 hand-carved totem poles—North America’s largest collection of one-of-a-kind totem poles. Master carver Frank Kim is on site several days a week to give demonstrations. Cost: $5, free for 5 and under.

Check out a unique collection of hand-carved totem poles at the Niagara Totem Pole Park.

-   Music Niagara performances take place in open-air venues on weekends during the months of July and August. Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and enjoy the outdoor performances in the parks and vineyards. There are indoor performances, too.

-   Hike the gorge along the Niagara River to get a feel for what the area once was like before the tourists came along. A staircase at Niagara Totem Park leads you down into the gorge. Bring a picnic and watch fishermen try their luck.

-   Take a self-guided or guided walking tour of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

-   Enjoy a bite to eat and a glass of wine or a cold beer on one of the many outdoor terraces throughout Niagara-on-the-Lake.

-   Play a nine-hole game of golf—or two—at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course, the oldest golf course in continuous play in North America. Or practise hitting some balls at the Niagara Sports Practice Centre off Niagara Stone Road or the Unison Golf & Practice Facility on Lakeshore Road.

Book a tee time at one of many championship golf courses in the Niagara Region, including the picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake golf course on the shores of Lake Ontario.

-   Tour the Botanical Gardens on the Niagara Parkway.

-   Take a Whirlpool Jet Boat ride.

-   Ride the Maid of the Mist for an amazing experience at the Falls.

-   Visit Happy Rolph’s Petting Farm and Bird Sanctuary.

-   Ride the SkyWheel in Niagara Falls.

Ride the Skywheel in Niagara Falls for an amazing view of Niagara Falls.

-   Visit Fort George and see how people lived prior to 1812.

-   Book a winery tour.

-   Swim at the community pool located at Memorial Park, 370 King Street. Cost: $2.75 for adults; $2.25 for seniors and students; free for under 5.

-   Organize a game of tennis, baseball, soccer or volleyball at Memorial Park located. Visit location to book tennis courts ($12.50/hr.). Baseball, soccer and volleyball courts are free.

Posted by Donna Vieira

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Top 5 Must-Do’s in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

Planning a trip to Niagara? You’re one of 18 million visitors who flock to the Niagara Region every year to enjoy all the incredible things there are to do and see. And if you’ve chosen to stay at a B&B in Niagara-on-the-Lake, congratulations on making an excellent choice. Now, you’ll want to plan your stay. Here are our top 5 must-do’s in Niagara-on-the-Lake:

-   The Shaw Festival: Take in a live stage performance at one of the four theatres in town. Performances take place at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in all theatres every day except Mondays. Ticket prices range from $24 for students to $106 for Platinum on a summer weekend. Too expensive? Ask about Super Sundays, preview tickets or $30 tickets for patrons under 30. If you don’t have time to take in a performance, for $4.75 take an hour-long guided backstage tour at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. for families) at the Festival Theatre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

From April through October, two live performances are scheduled daily (except Mondays) at three theatres in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

-   Fort George: See how life was prior to 1812, talk to the people, watch re-enactments and much more. Fun for the whole family.

During the War of 1812, Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British Army. (V&V Hospitality & Media Services)

-   Guided Town Tours: A number of walking and motorized tours are available. Take a Ghost Walk Tour of town or Fort George. Or perhaps you prefer a historic perspective. Or how about a Mystery on the Lake tour, which combines a scavenger hunt and history? For those who prefer to ride, there are horse-drawn carriage tours and trolley tours.

-   Winery Tours: Visit one or more of the 26 local wineries and find out how wine is made. Then have fun tasting some. Some wineries also offer seminars that last 30 to 45 minutes on food and wine pairings, decantering, wine glass shapes and more. You can go on your own (ask your B&B hosts about wine tasting coupons) or you can book one of many guided wine tours available and let someone else do the driving. There are also cycling wine tours.

Tour the wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and sample their vintage. (Canadian Tourism Commission)

-   The Falls: If you’ve never seen Niagara Falls, then you must see them by day and by night. Take a Maid of the Mist boat tour to the base of the Falls or a Journey Behind the Falls. Take in the view from the Skylon Tower or from the SkyWheel. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, meet a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer at Table Rock House for photos and to ask questions. Catch the fireworks display over the Falls on Friday and Sunday evenings during the summer season.

Catch a unique view of the Falls on board the Maid of the Mist. (Canadian Tourism Commission)

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Free things to do in Niagara

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

Music to your ears, right? Let’s go! And stay in the beautiful, historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake instead of that tourist trap, Niagara Falls, to experience the real Niagara.

-   Beautiful Drives: Take a beautiful drive or cycle along the scenic Niagara Parkway from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie or any points in between. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Or drive along Lakeshore Road west to Port Dalhousie and on to Jordan Village.

Churchill called the drive along the Niagara Parkway one of the most beautiful in the world. Cycling trails take you from NOTL to Niagara Falls and on to Fort Erie.

-   Viewing the Falls: Awesome during the day and spectacular at night with coloured lights and fireworks (on Friday and Sunday nights during the peak season), the Falls are an easy 25-minute drive along the Niagara Parkway.

Niagara Falls: beautiful by day or night. Take in the fireworks every Friday and Sunday evenings during the summer months.

-   Table Rock Welcome Centre, Niagara Falls: Take in the terrific views from the second floor Grand Hall and Horseshoe Landing Patio Terrace next to the elevator.

-   Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Falls: Need a break from touring? Relax in the beautiful gardens filled with stately trees.

-   Maid of the Mist Plaza, Niagara Falls: Take in the beautiful view of all three falls. There’s also a souvenir shop and snackbar on site.

-   The two casinos, Niagara Falls: It’s up to you what you spend. The Fallsview Casino has a lovely concourse full of shops and a gorgeous view of the Falls.

-   The Power Plant: In celebration of its 25th anniversary, The Power Plant presents two exhibitions: Kerry Tribe: Speak, Memory and Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The Power Plant. The gallery has also launched its ALL YEAR, ALL FREE program.

-   Niagara Parks Floral Showcase: Enjoy this beautiful seasonal garden and a tropic greenhouse.

-   Fragrance Garden: This is found beside and behind the floral showcase. The focus here is on scent and touch. There are also water features, sculptures and topiary.

-   Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls: Head off to this quiet, secluded 10-acre park on the Parkway featuring several small islands connected by small bridges and footpaths. A beautiful place for a picnic.

-   Thompson’s Point, Niagara Falls: Head along the Niagara Parkway north of Great Wolf Lodge to overlook the massive whirlpool in the Niagara River. Take in the amazing views at your leisure.

-   Floral Clock and Lilac Garden: This huge clock features up to 16,000 bedding plants. The design is changed twice a season. A 10-acre lilac garden features 1,200 lilacs in bloom in May and early June.

-   Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens: Stroll about the huge rose garden, vegetables, herbs, perennials, annuals and rock gardens, flowing and specimen trees, frog pond, water features and more.

Whatever the season, the Botanical Gardens in Niagara are a favourite spot to tour and relax.

-   Birdwatching: The Niagara River is said to have the world’s largest and most diverse concentration of gulls and other waterfowl.

-   Ten Thousand Buddhas World Peace Sarira Stupa, Niagara Falls: Located on River Road, this temple is worth a visit. (Donations are requested but optional.)

-   Lock 3 Viewing Complex, St. Catharines: An elevator takes you to a viewing platform to see lakers and ocean-going ships up close as they go through the Welland Ship Canal.

-   Happy Rolph Bird Sanctuary and Children’s Animal Farm: Fun for the kids and the 9/11 Walk on the shores of Lake Ontario is beautiful. Also a great place for picnic lunches.

-   Heartland Forest: The forest is lovely anytime of the year. You can also have a picnic here.

-   Niagara-on-the-Lake: Heritage homes, beautiful gardens and parks, delightful shops, galleries and restaurants make this beautiful old town worth exploring.

An old-world charm permeates the lovely, historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

-   NEOB Lavender Boutique and Tea Garden: Located on Highway 55 (Old Stone Road) near the airport, this operation features free tours of their lavender gardens and complimentary tea while you browse around their shop taking in all the wonderful aromas and sample their products.

-   Port Dalhousie: Stroll from pier to pier, take in lovely sunsets, watch the boats, photograph lighthouses or picnic by the lake. Washrooms on the west side near the pavilion are open May 24 to mid-October.

-   Wineries: Many do not charge for tours and wine tasting is only a modest charge, if any.

The Niagara Region in Ontario is well-known for award-winning wines.

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All Geared up for Spring and Guests

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

We’re back from our vacation in New Zealand and Hawaii. It was wonderful, but then so is Niagara-on-the-Lake. So you could say we travelled from one paradise to another and we’re happy to call this place home.

Tulips in bloom are a sight to behold in Niagara-on-the-Lake. (credit: Tourism Niagara)

What’s in store?

Well, first of all, how about these record-breaking temperatures we’re experiencing! Our trees are starting to bud so the orchards should be displaying their pastel-coloured flowers pretty soon. Spring is my favourite time of year. It holds such promise of things to come—warm weather, festivals, outdoor concerts, the Shaw Festival, wine-tastings, outdoor activities, garden blooms, historic re-enactments at forts and sites, and, of course, the arrival of our cherished guests, many of whom return year after year.

Springtime blooms in the orchards of Niagara-on-the-Lake. (credit: V&V Hospitality & Media Services)

So what can you expect in the next couple of months?

In April, the Taste of Niagara-on-the-Lake Progressive Dinner takes place April 13 and 14. Come and experience a gourmet five-course dinner with wine served in a progressive manner at five different restaurants. The cost is $145/person and includes food, wine, transportation to all restaurants, taxes and gratuities and all the laughter you can muster. Accommodation is extra. Also in April, the Shaw Festival bursts into its 51st season with Ragtime, a sweeping saga of turn-of-the-century America. Rocky Horror Show fans might want to check out the show at Corks Winebar & Eatery beginning in April and continuing on through the summer months.

Shaw Festival patrons relax in the courtyard at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Come May, there’s the Wine & Herb Festival. From Friday to Sunday throughout May, from 11am to 5pm, the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake kick off a celebration of great wine and fresh herbs. Touring passes are available online for the advance price of $42.94/person (incl. tax) until April 15 and $48.59 per person (incl. tax) thereafter. Your touring pass entitles you to a herb-inspired wine and food pairing at each of the 28 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and is valid for EVERY three-day weekend in May.

Tour 26 wineries during the Wine and Herb Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. (credit: V&V Hospitality & Media Services)

In case you haven’t heard, the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is the big buzz around town with plenty of events happening to commemorate it. History buffs might want to participate in the Niagara Historical Society & Museum‘s 1812 Walking Tours. Tours start at the gazebo in Queen’s Royal Park (end of King Street) and are about an hour.  They end at the Museum on Castlereagh Street. The cost is only $5/person and includes admission to the Museum. A host of re-enactments, festivals, events and lectures are planned throughout the year, so stay tuned.

A series of events, concerts and re-enactments are planned in Niagara-on-the-Lake in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. (Credit: Friends of Fort George)

Hope to welcome you to Globetrotters B&B in Niagara-on-the-Lake real soon! Until then, take care and travel safely.

Posted by Donna Vieira

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Happy 2012 from Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

Happy New Year, everyone!

So far, it’s been a pretty green Christmas and New Year here in Niagara-on-the-Lake, but we’re not complaining. January is when we gather to celebrate the Icewine Festival. Events take place daily from January 1 to 31 and we encourage you to participate in as many as you like.

Award-winning Arkells

Join the Arkells at Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre from 2 to 4pm on January 14.

Highlights include:

• Ice, Music & The Great Outdoors featuring the 2010 Juno award-winning Arkells at the Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre: Saturday, January 14 from 2–4pm, $25;

• Get Schooled in Cool: A Tasting with Canada’s Icewine Insiders at various wineries: January 14, 15, 21, 22, & 28 at 2pm and 3pm, $20;

• Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village: Saturday, January 21 from 11am to 5 pm and Sunday, January 22 from 12pm to 5pm; admission is free;

• “Flash & Panache”: Icewine Cocktail Competition in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake: Saturday, January 21 from 9 to 11pm; admission is free;

• Winemakers on Ice at the Ravine Vineyard: Saturday, January 28 from 2 to 4pm; admission is free.

In addition to these events, 26 Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are hosting a variety of events for as little as $5 per person. Full details are found online at wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/icewine-festival, where you can also download a map and a printable brochure listing all the treats that are in store for you at this year’s Icewine Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

And if you need overnight accommodation, please check us out. We’d love to welcome you to Globetrotters B&B in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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December Glows in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Globetrotters B&B/Gallery

We’re getting ready for the 2011 Holiday Season here at Globetrotters B&B in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great place to enjoy holiday shopping, special tasting events and activities throughout December. The Holiday Season is always such a festive one here. With homes, shops and restaurants lit up with Xmas cheer, Old Town is transformed into an old-fashioned Christmas card scene—especially when the snow falls.

Deck the Halls

It all begins with the Candlelight Stroll through town that begins at 6 PM on the first Friday evening of the month. And on that same weekend, six professionally decorated homes open their doors to the public.

Carolers get into the holiday spirit in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

On the second Saturday of December, Santa comes to town. This is the best Santa Claus Parade in southern Ontario—perhaps in all of Canada—so you really don’t want to miss this one. Be sure to bring your camera. The procession begins at 11 AM down King Street and along Queen Street.

Holiday Cheer

Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries get into the swing of the season as well. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of December, there’s the Gingerbread Man Competition at Inniskillin where you get to relive your childhood and decorate a homemade gingerbread man. Then enter your creation for a chance to win the ultimate icewine package. The $5 charge includes a sample of their Cabernet Franc Icewine to enjoy as you watch your gingerbread man disappear.

Within a 10-minute walk from Globetrotters B&B, chestnuts are roasting on an open fire at Jackson Triggs Winery every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month.

Make it a Date

In December, the Shaw Festival Film series also comes to Niagara-on-the-Lake. So after a little Christmas shopping and a light lunch, it’s movie time at 3 PM every Saturday in the warm, elegant Festival Theatre. This year’s festival kicks off on December 3 with Midnight in Paris, written and directed by Woody Allen. The December lineup includes Sarah’s Key on December 10, 50/50 on December 17 and The Trip on December 31.

Festival of Lights

Down the road in Niagara Falls, take in the Festival of Lights and experience Canada’s foremost illumination festival. Until January 31, 2012, Niagara Falls turns into a winter wonderland, with more than three million sparkling lights along a six-kilometre route, ice skating at the TD Rink at the Brink, grand holiday displays throughout the city, unique Christmas concerts and weekly fireworks.

Take in the Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls.

Ring in 2012

The New Year’s Eve Niagara Ice Ball takes place at the new Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre, which is only a five-minute walk from Globetrotters B&B. So grab your favourite guy or gal and your dancing shoes for a fabulous evening of  oysters, appetizers, Ice Wine cocktails, gourmet food and live music. Dress is cocktail smart and the cost is $65 (+HST) per person. A donation will be made to the Red Roof Retreat.

December in Niagara-on-the-Lake—it really doesn’t get much better than this.

Posted by Donna Vieira

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