NIAGARA

On our way to the Niagara area, we explore some of the features of the Niagara escarpment at Cootes Paradise and Webster's Falls and visit a vineyard on "the Bench".

Niagara is wine country. Everywhere, we walk through, look over and bypass vineyards. More than 20 wineries thrive in this most favorable microclimate and we taste some of the award-winning wines and sample the local cuisine they were developed to complement.

Of course, the premiere natural attraction of the area is Niagara Falls. We ride the Maid of the Mist, we walk under the falls, we follow the trails in the Dufferin Islands parklands and we hike deep into the gorge below the falls to see some of the unique vegetation and bird life.

You’ll have some time to helicopter over the falls, ride a jet boat into the Whirlpool or take a cable car across it, if you wish.

We also trek into another little-known falls which is 2/3 the height of Niagara Falls.

Our walks along the Bruce trail and side trails cross the four successive Welland Canals, increased in size each time as the ships got longer and larger. Watch cargo from all over the world going through the locks to the heart of North America.

At the butterfly conservatory, you’ll watch new butterflies emerge from their cocoons, be charmed as they perch on your shoulders. We also visit an aviary for an up-close experience with exotic birds from around the world.

We’ve found some lovely picnic sites for lunches – the Queenston Heights and two of the Niagara Parks Commission’s gardens, for example.

Shopping’s not a priority on our trips but we know you’ll want to have a taste of the craft and specialty stores in Niagara-on-the-Lake and, yes, the more “tourist” oriented shops and attractions of Niagara Falls. There’s time for a visit to the casino too, if you wish.

Tours start and end in Toronto.