Best Golf Trips in Niagara, Muskoka; Going buggy at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory; Beware of Discovery Harbour ghosts

   One-Tank Trip for July 20/19

     (c) By Jim Fox

   In these days of a rapidly evolving employment market some of the best jobs are created when someone is able to combine his or her passions.

   Jordan Mulligan has done that by blending an interest in golf with his previous job with Muskoka Tourism.

   It looks like a good fit as he is now director of Best Golf Trips based in Bala.

The links are waiting in Niagara and Muskoka.

   “My new labour of love is a golf travel agency focusing on two locations this year: Niagara and Muskoka, two of Ontario’s most popular destinations,” he said.

   Fore Niagara

   Niagara has long been considered a great golf destination, boasting a collection of courses that reflect the region’s natural beauty, Mulligan said

    The area is home to dozens of golf courses characterized by their expertly manicured conditions, beautiful gardens and lush, parkland settings.

   The opening of the Legends on the Niagara in 2002 helped solidify the area as a golf destination.

   Niagara has been a popular golf destination for two decades, with more than two dozen courses and fine hotels and attractions.

   “We work with the five top-rated golf courses in the area – Battlefield, Grand Niagara, Peninsula Lakes, Ussher’s Creek, and Whirlpool,” Mulligan said.

The inviting seventh hole at Grand Niagara Resort.

   The company partners with Fallsview and Clifton Hill hotels in the heart of the action with attractions, Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, and entertainment steps away from the falls.

   “The newly crafted golf packages are as much about the stay as they are about the play,” he added.

   Golfers can stay at the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa, the closest hotel to the falls, with great views and newly renovated rooms.

   The most-popular package includes a two-night stay in a fallsview room with breakfast and two rounds of golf.

   Fore Muskoka

   The pairing continues in Muskoka, known as Canada’s cottage country.

   “As a vacation destination, Muskoka’s resorts are awesome while as a golf destination it is one of the best in the country,” Mulligan said.

   The Muskoka golf packages are designed to “capture the best of both worlds, featuring the top rated courses paired with overnight stays at top resorts.”

Golf packages include stays at the Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa.

   The packages provide for a great day on the links while leaving time to have fun at the destination.

   Most popular are two and three nights and a similar number of rounds of golf.

   Courses include Grandview, Lake Joseph Club, Ridge at Manitou, Rocky Crest, Seguin Valley and Taboo Muskoka. Details: bestgolftrips.ca; 1-866-207-4862

   Go buggy

    Happening now is an Outdoor Butterfly and Bug Hunt Weekend (July 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory.

   See the butterflies and bugs anytime at the conservatory, which holds special events throughout the year.

   The summer tours and programs include daily guided tours and children’s programs through Sept. 2 (including weekends!), free with regular admission.

  AGolden Birdwing butterfly rests on a tropical plant at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. (Jim Fox photo)

    Visitors join nature interpreters on the hunt in the wildflower meadow that’s home to thousands of tiny critters.

    There’s an insect scavenger hunt, with a net and collection jar provided, and examining and identifying the specimens, face painting, crafts and seminars.

   Going on a butterfly and bug hunt at the conservatory.

   For more information: cambridgebutterfly.com; (519) 653-1234

   Beware of ghosts

   Ghost Tours are at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. through Aug. 28.

   “There are “stories of misfortune and eerie tales of things unexplained,” said Mary Mandley with Huronia Historical Parks.

Swabbing the deck at Discovery Harbour.

    Lantern light illuminates the historic site as visitors tour the historic buildings at night.

   There is also a “Call up the Spirits” dinner and ghost tour package.

   On Aug. 3 is the swashbuckling Pirates of the Bay event.

   Visitors can walk the plank while there will be roving hornswaggler musicians, sinking a ship with Cap’t Tuna, visiting the tattoo parlour, learning your knots and swabbing the deck.

   There will also be a navy and pirate skirmish, crafts, inflatables and a petting zoo.

   discoveryharbour.on.ca; (705) 549-8064

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca