May-cation 2010

Six years ago when my husband and I were married, we promised each other to always take the time to celebrate our anniversary in a special way. And so this year, we spent a day packing up our 13-month-old son's belongings to transport to Nana and Papa's house, where he'd spend a glorious weekend being spoiled while we did the same for ourselves in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

There's nothing like a May-cation to kick-start the summer. Even if the weather's a little cool, you know patio season is just around the corner. We spent two enchanting days strolling through the downtown shops, daydreaming about the magnificent properties we'd purchase with lottery winnings, sauntering off to vineyards for "educational tours" and ahem...a few tastings. Oh, and we ate like nobility.

My favourite sights: the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum (journalism grad, what can I say), Vineland Estates, Frog Pond Farm Organic Winery, The Olde Angel Inn, the Stone Road Grille, the Charles Inn and sightseeing at the foot of Brock's Monument.

Once again, I was bamboozled by the beauty that surrounds us here in Ontario. My father-in-law, a man of many words, has often remarked that "we live in the land of milk and honey." And you know, that wordy-but-lovable man was onto something.

Skip answering to customs officers and cruise down the QEW instead for a splendid local getaway to this enchanting part of the province.