Breaking free from Toronto to Niagara
My First day...
A city friend recommended the "Niagara Break Free" program. "For 80 bucks, you get admission to five major attractions including other perks." I remembered that there's
GO Train
service from Toronto and back. Inspired, I called the GO Transit toll-free number 1.888.GET ON GO (438.6646) to learn that until September 26, the train service offers weekend direct rail trips to Niagara Falls from
Union Station
with a weekly train/bus service for those inclined to depart mid-week. Hmm. That's hassle-free. I checked the Niagara attractions. My friend was correct about the adult price tag; and for kids between 6 and 12 years old, the Niagara Parks Commission summer package is $70.
I scanned online blurbs on all of the attractions and value added coupons included in the new promotion. A ride with the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours (regular price $59), a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car (regular price $11.75), plus many other attractions along with a value added coupon booklet which includes discounts to the Niagara Helicopter Tours ($23 off regular price) and other goodies. It was a deal! Bonus-I couldn't believe my luck that the Niagara Parks Commission now offers bike rentals at the Niagara Break Free Adventure Centre. For those who want to start a bike journey in Niagara-on-the-Lake, check into "Bike HQ" at Niagara Wine Tours International (
http://niagaraworldwinetours.com/) on Picton Street. It's an easy ride from either Niagara-on-the-Lake or from the Niagara Break Free Adventure Centre. Be sure to redeem the 10 percent off coupon for the bike rentals.
I booked the package online to avoid delay. At Union Station, I found my gate and boarded the train, ready for a two-hour ride to Niagara Falls. From my air-conditioned cabin, I smugly viewed a long line-up of cars at a traffic jam on the QEW, let out a sigh of relief and resumed reading my magazine. Once at the
train station
in Niagara Falls, shuttle buses were available to get me started on my weekend getaway.
In between all of the activities, I had calculated time to shop. They thought of everything in the Niagara Break Free Escape package. If I purchase anything over $25, I can use a 25 percent off shopping coupon included in the $80 promotion at one of the Niagara Parks gift shops. Canadian-made handcrafted totems and a dream-catcher were high on my list.
Cycling and wineries: I'm psyched!
I'm psyched to bike the Niagara River Recreational Trail. This 56-km paved path winds through Early Canada. A fascinating way to explore the nooks and crannies of yesteryear. There's over 100 monuments and plaques along the trail and well-placed markers on the route! Should be fun.
My Niagara Break Free Escape package neatly tucked in my backpack, I stop at the new Niagara Break Free Adventure Centre (formerly known as the Niagara Glen Gift Shop) where I redeem my bike rental coupon for a bike for the full day.
I cycle past the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and the Sir Adam Beck Power Plant. The bike trail meanders through Carolinian forests where tall groves of oak flourish.
At Queenston Heights, I made a pit stop; took some snaps of the historic Brock's monument. Couldn't believe it- Nathaniel Metherel, interpreter at Queenston Heights, declares that this monument is higher than that of Horatio Nelson's in London's Trafalgar Square. "It's the second biggest monument in the British Empire and still remains the biggest tombstone in Canada."
Discovered another cool fact - this monument is also the tomb of Sir Isaac Brock (buried on the left hand side when you enter the historic skyscraper). To be celebrated in full glory in 2012 as part of the Bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812. If we had lost that critical battle, this part of Canada would have been under American stars and stripes.
Blue sky overhead, I survey my map and note the first winery -
Chateau des Charmes,
just around the bend in St. David's on York Road.
An easy cycle on relatively flat terrain (after a downhill section at
Queenston Heights), the grand chateau appears surrounded by rows of grapevines on all sides. I paid $5 for a one-hour tour which included tastings of 3 VQA wines and then - an added bonus with my Niagara Break Free package - a sample of Vidal Ice wine and some free handmade locally grown peach ice cream.
On this trail, cyclists are in for a real treat, early Canada's history splayed out along the Niagara River. There's the Laura Secord Homestead, home of the fiery and determined little lady who overheard the enemy discuss crucial military intelligence as she prepared a meal for them in her small kitchen. Laura endured a 19-mile walk to warn the Brits about the imminent attack and managed to save the day and the future of Canada.
I cycled the smooth path through thick forest and was blissfully solo, far from the madding crowds flocking to the famed Niagara Falls just up the river. No big city worries; just clean fresh air, blue jays overhead, and my own good company. Cool breezes off the river feel good as the humidity spikes.
I made a few more winery stops for refreshing libations.
The Riverview Cellars Estate
is headed by an under-30 young female winemaker who hails from Newfoundland. Love that! Angela Kasimos walks me through the fine qualities of Cabernet Ice wine in a complimentary tasting thanks to my Niagara Break Free Escape Package. (A $5 value). Down the road at
Inniskillin Wines,
the Vidal Ice wine hit the spot. (again - complimentary wine tasting thanks to my coupon, a $5 value)
The Niagara River Recreational Trail is pretty flat with the exception of a few bends and turns through the canopied, tree-lined route. By the time I got to the
Reif Estate Winery,
I admit I needed to wet my whistle...again. My coupon awarded me $5 off a fabulous Taste the Terroir Wine Tasting Experience (Four wines and an amazing account from sommelier, George Robinson. Ask for George. He's got the skinny on all the wines, the history of the Reif family, and an interesting interpretation of all the tastings). George took one look at my bike helmet and said, "Hey, we can deliver bottles that you buy to your inn or hotel. It saves you from carting them around and we'll have it chilled for you upon your return." Nice! I was sold. With my bottle dilemma solved, I resumed my journey, watching the ancient Niagara River widen as I cycled further north.
Just before the historic red-bricked McFarland House, there was a large rock with a plaque on it devoted to Thomas Moore. Way back in 1804, the Irishman arrived to write poems and draw illustrations to entice tourists and new immigrants to occupy this fruit land.
My bike trip nearing the end, I encountered the plains surrounding historic
Fort George. I checked out the gift shop and witnessed a neat exhibit on archaeological finds. Who knew that there's an ancient, mysterious instrument here that baffles archaeologists to this day? Anybody know what this is?
Approaching Niagara on the Lake, I remembered a big bike tip back at the Niagara Break Free Adventure Centre. Bikers don't have to cycle back. You head to the Bike HQ at the
Niagara Wine Tours International
on Picton Street and simply leave your bike there. There's a rider pick-up at the
Fort George parking lot. Convenient!
Ready to be whisked away again by shuttle bus, I returned to Niagara Falls, but spent the remaining part of the afternoon, wiling away the hours in gift shops, admiring the glorious flower arrangements with an ice cream cone in hand, feeling like a big kid all over again.
Read Day Two Of Ilona Kauremszky's Blog
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