THE GARDEN OF CANADA
This area of Canada is considered the
"Garden of Canada" in much the same
way as Kent in England. Lake breezes
in spring tend to delay fruit bloom
until the frost danger has passed,
and in the autumn they delay the
onset of fall frost. The lake creates the
ideal microclimatic to support major
fruit-growing agriculture with many
commercial orchards. The area around
Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Niagara
Peninsula is also a major wine-making
area.
GETTING THERE
The QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) leads
from Toronto Pearson International
Airport and follows the shore of Lake
Ontario around to Niagara Falls AND
the bridges leading into the USA. The
distance is approximately 75 miles and
the journey time by car is 90 minutes.
If you are travelling from Toronto city
centre - Via Rail train services link
Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls
and takes approximately two hours.
Alternatively the Amtrak Maple Leaf
train service links Niagara Falls to
Manhattan Penn Station on 33rd Street
with a journey time of approximately 9
hours through the rural and picturesque
scenery of Upstate New York.
NIAGARA FALLS
You do not have to be honeymooners
to enjoy the honeymoon capital of the
world, as anyone visiting (adults and
children alike) will be mesmerized by
the awesome splendour of the falls.
This is truly a sight to behold and one
that is a "must see" experience, the
memory of which will live on for years
to come.
The Niagara Falls is where Lake Erie
drains into Lake Ontario and is the
collective name for the Horseshoe Falls
and the adjacent American Falls. The
Niagara Falls form the highest flow
rate of any waterfalls in the world and
has a vertical drop of more than 165
feet (50 m) with the Horseshoe Falls
being the most powerful of the two.
Niagara Falls forms the international
border between Canada and the USA
and is located between the twin cities
of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara
Falls, New York.
Niagara Falls visits rose sharply in
1953 after the release of Niagara, a
movie starring Marilyn Monroe; and
were later featured in the 1980s movie
Superman II. The Falls are best viewed
from the Canadian side of the Niagara
River, where the Niagara Parkway runs
alongside the River. The Fallsview
Casino and shopping complex on the
hill presents an excellent vantage point
and is well worth a visit, together with
a trip up the Skylon Tower. No Visit to
Niagara would be complete without a
journey on the famous Maid of the Mist
(now called
Hornblower
Cruises) and a
walk through
the caves in "A
Journey Behind
the Falls". In
both cases you
are supplied
with a blue
mac as you will
get wet without one. There are also a
couple of water parks in Niagara Falls -
perfect for families.
TOP TIP: Ensure you stay in
Niagara Falls Ontario rather than
Niagara Falls USA!
NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
A visit to this area would also not be
complete without a visit to Niagara on the
Lake, just down river from the falls on the
shore of Lake Ontario. This was the original
capital of Canada and is separated from the
USA by the Niagara River. Niagara on the
Lake is the most picturesque town you will
ever see with pristine sidewalks, manicured
flower beds and vintage pastel coloured
colonial buildings. It looks as if
it has been created by Disney,
but it is very real and a huge
tourist attraction. There are lots
of gift and craft shops here as
well as three theatres and some
great restaurants. This marks the
gateway to the fruit orchards and
wine growing regions of Ontario
with its famous ice wine made
from frozen grapes. In most
respects Niagara on the Lake is a far more
desirable place to stay and take the 30
minute journey up to Niagara Falls.
Look out for the exciting Jet Boat Tours
based here, which take you up the
Niagara River towards the falls, through
the rapids and the mighty whirlpool.
There are both dry and very, very wet
versions from which to choose!
Destination Focus
NIAGARA FALLS
If you think Canada and Niagara Falls are going to be cold
and full of honeymooners - think again!
Holidays to this part of the world are a surprising treat for
couples of all ages and families alike with an amazing range
of things to do. Add to this; weather which truly reflects the
seasons, with hot balmy days in the summer, the myriad of
colours in the Autumn, the frosty freshness of Winter and the
relatively short, budding season of Spring.
www.jetlinecruise.com
18