Stratford Ontario - Shakespeare's Canadian Home

Stratford is a Southwestern Ontario town that is situated on the banks of the Avon river. Both the city and the river were named after England's Stratford - upon - Avon of Shakespearean fame. According to the 2006 census, the town's population is just over 30,000.

Originally a railway junction, Stratford became a furniture manufacturing centre for Ontario. In 1933 there was a furniture strike that marked the last time the Canadian army was deployed to break up a strike.

Stratford has a rich history, but it is the attractions found there today that make it a popular tourist destination. Here are just a few:

1. Stratford Shakespeare Festival: The addition of this attraction was really a no brainer. The annual Shakespeare festival is synonymous with the city. This festival which runs from April to November is incredibly popular. Theatre-goers, actors and playwrights flock to the city to take part. Many of the best Canadian and American actors have graced the stage at Stratford. It was one of the first, and still one of the most popular arts festivals in all of Canada.

Although the festival's major mandate is to present the works of Shakespeare, in actuality Shakespeare only makes up a about a quarter of the theatrical offerings each year. The rest of the shows run the gamut from greek tragedies to contemporary comedies.

The arrival of the festival in 1953 was indeed timely. Having once been a popular railway junction, Stratford had fallen onto tough times when the railway yards were removed. The arrival and success of the festival transformed Stratford into Canada's ultimate arts getaway.

2. Stratford Summer Music Festival: What is a perfect pairing with Shakespearean theatre? Classical music of course. You can get your fix of both in Stratford. Known for the world class talent they bring to their theatre stages, Stratford strived to stay well rounded. In 2001 the first Summer Music Festival took place and was a resounding success.

Held during a three week stretch in July and August, this event features both indoor and outdoor musical performances. The festival's goal is to bring Stratford some of the world's most respected classical musicians. 2009 saw Cameron Carpenter take the stage. Carpenter is a masters trained organist from the Juilliard School in New York.

3. Stratford Fairgrounds: Stratford has transformed it's annual fairgrounds into a complete recreation complex. The Stratford Fairgrounds is home to a number of events. It is home to the Stratford Farmer's market which is open every Wednesday of the week. You can visit the market and taste the freshest produce, meats and cheeses from the local area.

The Fairgrounds is also home to the annual fall fair of course. Regular events throughout the year are hosted there as well, Bingo nights and Rotary Minor Hockey are big draws. In the Spring you can check out the Stratford Home Show.

Stratford is the arts capital of Ontario, if not all of Canada. Anyone who visits the music or theatre festivals will leave with a sense of satisfaction. You might also get to see Canada's next worldwide celebrity.

If it isn't festival season, don't be afraid to visit Stratford. You can sample many of the great restaurants that showcase local produce or you can spend a day in some of their idyllic parks - including the wonderful Japanese gardens.

For More Info: Ontario.

Ontario Fall Colors, enjoy it While You Can

Nothing is more beautiful than to drive through the Ontario landscape on a sunny day in the Fall and leaves are turning colors. I emigrated from Holland to Canada in the winter and by next fall I had my own car.
I had heard so much about the fall colors and people invited me to their cottage up north, so I had lots of opportunity to be awe inspired by the colors. I remember taking my old 8 mm film camera along and trying to make artistic movies, which off course never turned out like you see them on TV.
Fall is still my favorite season of the year. And my favorite place to see the fall colors is the bush behind our house. It has bright yellow from the birch and poplars, and flaming red from the few maple trees we have. We like to go on some tours during the fall and Travel Ontario http://www.ontariotravel.net has maps to guide you when choosing what area to visit.
Beginning mid-September through till the end of October, you will be able to enjoy the splendor of the fall colors. You don't have to go all the way up-north, South Western Ontario offers lots of one day tours.
This is also the time of harvest so plan your tour to taste some of the local produce. Apple, wine, pumpkin, or savor Muskoka's natural bounty at Bala's Cranberry Festival.
Referred to by Winston Churchill as the world's prettiest Sunday afternoon drive, take the Niagara Parkway and visit wine country. See Canada's largest maple tree, the Comfort maple, just outside of Pelham. This maple tree is more than 500 years old.
Visit the Botanical Gardens. Our family in Holland is in the flower business and usually the comments beforehand are that there isn't much in the area of flower gardens they haven't seen yet, but once they see the Botanical Gardens all of them are impressed.
We love the shagbark hickory trees in our bush and a good place to see those are in Rondeau Park while nearby Point Pelee National Park is known worldwide for its stunning Monarch Butterfly migration.
Visit millionaire's playground Thousand Islands, either on bike along the 23 mile Bikepath or drive along the 1000 Island Parkway from Cornwall to Kingston. Then take a cruise down the Rideau Canal, from Kingston to Ottawa, an engineering masterpiece of lakes and rivers connected by man-made canals and locks. The locks are still operated today as they were in 1832.
Another of our favorite areas during the fall is Stratford and surroundings. We love the antique shops in Shakespeare, from there travel west to Stratford, home to world class theatre. Make sure you buy Thompson Chocolates, they are absolutely addictive. Then travel on to Millbank for a good homemade meal at Anna Mae's Bakery and Restaurant.

Reference : www.thaisabuy.com

Top Ten Things on Thurs Southern Ontario Cottage Rental

Are you willing to spend your holidays in the best tourist destination in Canada? You Southern Ontario House for rent. Southern Ontario is flooded with many tourist destinations such as Wasaga Beach, Nigar Falls and Point Pelee National Park. There are a variety of options to enjoy the charm and offers from southern Ontario, here are a few.

Iceland Flower Pot
Southern Ontario combines several beautiful islands and Flower Pot is one of them.Visit the island and admire the beautiful wild flowers, rocks, limestone cliffs, etc. You can also enjoy boating and hiking in this position. A lighthouse tour is also organized for tourists.

African Lion Safari
Come to understand a closer look at many varieties of species, birds and animals. While driving the car, you can use wild giraffes, baboons, tigers, lions, etc. You can also see elephants swimming in a lake.

CasinoGaming
Want to play casino games? Visit the Casino Windsor, which is an ace game. Not just a game system, but also a luxuriously appointed 389 rooms include a sauna, indoor pool, gym, Jacuzzi, salon and spa. Enjoy the best of glamor, and gaming experience in the city. However, there are 19 or over.

East Park
This is probably the best family attraction in southern Ontario. The total area of the park for more than 100Morning and structures in the park include go-karts, mini golf, water slides, driving range, batting cages, etc. There are also video games, bumper cars, indoor climbing, etc.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
There are different types of museums in tourist destinations presented. But, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum only. The museum has memorabilia and artifacts of the history of baseball in Canada. The amount ofBuilding is an old house, which is made from very old stone work.

Eating and Drinking
If you are on a ride, it is obvious that you take a rest in our midst and your lunch, dinner or appetizers. Southern Ontarion is home to some of the best restaurants on the Thames as astronomers, Angie's Kitchen, Golf's Steak House, Harvest Moon Family Restaurant, Kirby's Food Emporium, etc.

Shopping
Shopping is the key to any vacation. Blue Water Bridge Duty Free Shop, Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free Shops Ltd., St. Jacobs Country, South Works Outlet Mall, Bayside Centre, Canada One Factory Outlet, Coyle's Country Store, Devonshire Mall, etc. are some of the stores Hot Shot.

Theatre
If you love the drama and emotion are in the cinema, love, out of the diversity of options in theaters and in southern Ontario. Some of the best theaters in the area are 4 Seasons Stratford, StratfordFestivals> Theatre, Burlington Art Centre, Theatre & Company, Boris Brott Music Festival, Capitol Theatre and Cultural Center, Gallery Stratford and Drayton Festival Theatre.

Golf
Love to play golf? Southern Ontario now offers several golf courses. You can choose your course on your skills. Some of the popular courses include Stone Tree - Golf, fitness, food, banquets, East Park Golf Gardens, Deer Run Golf Course,Rochester Place Resort Inc, etc.

Enjoy the holidays
Southern Onatario is a beautiful place. No matter what time of year you visit the area, you can participate in some of his fabulous festival. Ball's Falls Thanksgiving, Beamsville Strawberry Festival, Christmas in Stratford Bed & Breakfast weekend, Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Festivals and Events Niagara (FEN), Guelph Spring Festival, and more are someThe festival life in southern Ontario.

Festivals and Events Ontario - Why Ontario, Canada Provincial Party

More than 3,000 Ontario festivals and events keep locals and tourists celebrate throughout the year. If you are looking to celebrate, you'll find more than enough to keep you happy here.

Some of the biggest summer festivals, outdoor events as they occur in the foreground.

Outdoor summer music festivals are enormous. The biggies include the Toronto Jazz Festival, Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, the Sound of Music Festival in Burlington, Barrie Jazzand Blues Festival is held in London, and the Festival of Friends in Hamilton. Many of these festivals offer free admission or at least offer free concerts along with those in charge. So I'm very easy on your wallet.

Summer outdoor art festivals are also a big attraction in good weather. The admission-free outdoor art show features more than 500 of Toronto Canada and the world of contemporary artists and artisans, attracting over 100,000 visitors. Stratford alsodemonstrated the craft along the river, and Barrie has a huge arts and crafts festival called Kempen hard.

Autumn is packed full of festivals. Ontario is the largest fruit grown grapes, musts and September is harvest time. The Region of Niagara toast the new harvest with the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is the biggest party outside of Germany. If the balls Thanksgiving features crafts, food and family fun. Halloween fans canjoin the "Howlin 'Hootenany" to Black Creek Pioneer Village north of Toronto fell for a lot of fun and treats like pumpkin pie, candied apples and apple juice. Readers and writers in Toronto is the gratuitous love of Word on the Street Festival, where they meet their favorite authors and hear them read their works. And then there's the granddaddy of all literary festivals, the International Festival of Authors in Toronto. Wait - do not forget the Toronto InternationalFilm Festival! (If you run out at the weekend yet?)

Ontario festivals and events do not stop in winter. Ontarians understand the season with Toronto Ottawa Winterlude Winter City, and of course the feast of the New Year, Oakville and crazy polar bear plunge in Festival The giant glowing animated figures of the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights are guaranteed to make you smile and warm on a cold winter day. Another safe bet is theNiagara Ice Wine Festival in Niagara Region.

Spring Festival is the best of all, so welcome the return of good weather. Some famous festivals are the festivals of maple syrup in Ontario that appear every southern Ontario. Bronte Creek in Oakville has a good sampling tours, syrup and candy, breakfast and so on. The Ottawa Tulip Festival is more than just flowers. It features concerts, one-of-a-kind art and crafts lessonsand more (and outdoor concerts are free). Want to see the true scent of spring? Visit the Lilac Festival in Hamilton Royal Botanical Gardens, and explore the larger, purple dizzying model in the world.

If you are a local Ontario festivals and events are a great way to meet your neighbors. If you're a tourist, why not plan your visit around one of these events?

Woodstock - The Ontario version

Woodstock, Ontario is a picturesque town on the River Thames in soutwest Ontario. Although certainly not the most famous Woodstock in North America, the city still has its charm. It has a population of just over 35 000 people and is located about 128 km. from Toronto.

E 'commonly known as the "Dairy Capital of Canada" and promotes itself as "The Friendly City". Woodstock is a city is growing in size, but the city still has plenty of comfortable rural and slowerPeace. It may not be a hot destination - but surely its charm and you might be surprised by some of its entertainment attractions:

1. Cowapalooza: It's not a typo. Woodstock is known for the production of milk known. It also has a statue in honor of a $ 4,000 fine production butter fat cow known as Snow Countess. Woodstock certainly has an affinity for cows. Just in the short form of the city of Woodstock to see - Cow

Cowapalooza is aannual festival dedicated to family fun. It offers a lot of activities related child - there is a center, carnival food classics like cotton candy and soap box derby competitions and contests such as milking. Do not let the adults, but. The event will provide quality entertainment, a free rock concert that attracts about 5 000 people, and increasingly important - beer gardens.

2. Lighthouse of Icons: If you are interested in religious history -Woodstock should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Ontario. The father studied are members of one of the oldest Order of the Church. Its formation dates back to pre-schism. A Woodstock, they have a religious complex, the Lighthouse of icons, a tree 40 meters tall and is octagonal included.

The shape of the lighthouse was used deliberately to convey a feeling, when a beacon will help you find your way around the world. It has aobservation deck with panoramic views of Woodstock. It 'also home to a gallery, icons appear more valuable, 88 maps and displays. It 's a popular destination for tourists and religious pilgrims.

3. Birch Farms and Wineries: You do not just drink milk when you visit Woodstock! north of the city farms and wineries of birch. E 'unique country experience and would like a different world to hear a citizen. It isNo wonder this is a popular destination for school trips during the school year.

It offers many experiences of each country. You can pick your own apples, pick your own pumpkins and there is also a children's playground and corn maze. Parents should not bring their children to leave empty-handed. The site offers a selection of wines from estate fruit from local Ontario-made products. Varieties are apple, peach, pear and many others. If you have a gift that is sure to please,combine to create a wine with canned food, cheese, candles or glassware to impress in a gift basket.

Woodstock is a city without any fear in front of his rural routes. It 'refreshing to see, embrace it somewhere, which makes them so special. Events like statues of snow and Countess Cowapalooza only the charm of this city to add.

It has all the modern amenities to live your life, but it has a serenity and appeal that would not be mistaken for anything but rural Ontario. "TheFriendly City 'is not just a clever slogan, it's exactly what it is.

For more information: Ontario.

Ontario Fall Colors, Enjoy Them While You Can

     Nothing is more beautiful than to drive through the Ontario landscape on a sunny day in the Fall and leaves are turning colors. I emigrated from Holland to Canada in the winter and by next fall I had my own car.

     I had heard so much about the fall colors and people invited me to their cottage up north, so I had lots of opportunity to be awe inspired by the colors. I remember taking my old 8 mm film camera along and trying to make artistic movies, which off course never turned out like you see them on TV.

     Fall is still my favorite season of the year. And my favorite place to see the fall colors is the bush behind our house. It has bright yellow from the birch and poplars, and flaming red from the few maple trees we have.

     Beginning mid-September through till the end of October, you will be able to enjoy the splendor of the fall colors. You don't have to go all the way up-north, South Western Ontario offers lots of one day tours.

     This is also the time of harvest so plan your tour to taste some of the local produce. Apple, wine, pumpkin, or savor Muskoka's natural bounty at Bala's Cranberry Festival.

     Referred to by Winston Churchill as the world's prettiest Sunday afternoon drive, take the Niagara Parkway and visit wine country. See Canada's largest maple tree, the Comfort maple, just outside of Pelham. This maple tree is more than 500 years old.

     Visit the Botanical Gardens. Our family in Holland is in the flower business and usually the comments beforehand are that there isn't much in the area of flower gardens they haven't seen yet, but once they see the Botanical Gardens all of them are impressed.

     We love the shagbark hickory trees in our bush and a good place to see those are in Rondeau Park while nearby Point Pelee National Park is known worldwide for its stunning Monarch Butterfly migration.

     Visit millionaire's playground Thousand Islands, either on bike along the 23 mile Bikepath or drive along the 1000 Island Parkway from Cornwall to Kingston. Then take a cruise down the Rideau Canal, from Kingston to Ottawa, an engineering masterpiece of lakes and rivers connected by man-made canals and locks. The locks are still operated today as they were in 1832.

     Another of our favorite areas during the fall is Stratford and surroundings. We love the antique shops in Shakespeare, from there travel west to Stratford, home to world class theatre. Make sure you buy Thompson Chocolates, they are absolutely addictive. Then travel on to Millbank for a good homemade meal at Anna Mae's Bakery and Restaurant.