Party like its 2020 coming up in the falls, Toronto, Royal Botanical Gardens

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 28/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   They’re gonna party like it’s 1999 – make that 2020 – in Niagara Falls for the bash of the year, both of them.

   Ringing in the New Year with the backdrop of the falls has been a popular family event on the eve of the advancing calendar year.

   The free party in Queen Victoria Park on the Niagara Parkway has performances by singer Bryan Adams, Walk Off the Earth and local pop star Valerie Borghesi.

Fireworks will light up the night over Niagara Falls to welcome 2020.

   Hosted in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, the outdoor event from 8:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. features two fireworks displays.

   Entertainment and the first fireworks over the falls at 9:15 p.m. are for the benefit of kids and others who can’t make it to the awaited midnight hour.

Hop on the Blumination Dream Trail for a Hallmark Christmas movie feel

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 21/19

   (BLUE)

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Looking like a scene right out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, Blue Mountain Village is sparkling for the season.

   This cobblestoned pedestrian village near Collingwood is framed by turn-of-the-century architecture and alight with the Blumination Dream Trail’s “awe-inspiring” displays.

   The spectacle lasts until March 28 and after last year’s popular inaugural year, there is more inventive technology with one-million lights that are bigger and brighter.

A scenic winter scene at Blue Mountain Village.

    This is a “complimentary experience for all to enjoy,” with a one-kilometre winter stroll through the heights of innovation to the edge of your imagination, said Patti Kendall of  the Blue Mountain Village Association.

   “Follow the trail along beautiful, tree-lined pedestrian streets and pathways through the village and around the mill pond to discover magical, mega-watt light displays,” she added.

On the Road again with the newly revised Along Interstate 75 by Dave Hunter

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 14/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   There’s a definitive driving guide for snowbirds, fun-in-the-sun Disney and cruise-ship seekers venturing along the I-75 to Florida.

   Rely on Canadian Dave Hunter to tell you where to go and how to get there on this several tank trip along the “Expressway to the Sun” that picks up where Highway 401 ends in Windsor/Detroit.

   Hot off the press and with online updates is Dave and wife Kathy’s labour of love – the 20th edition of Along Interstate75.

   It contains entertaining local knowledge and insider information about virtually everything that exists along the 1,542 kilometres of blacktop and cement.

   Splitting their time between home in Mississauga and Lakeland, Fla. at their “winter writing retreat,” this bi-annual edition is completely revised.

   That means the amazing fact is the guide provides information about everything at each exit including gas stations, restaurants, lodging, rest areas and local attractions – and on which side of the highway.

   It also tells of road conditions, speed limits, radar enforcement hot spots that are extremely accurate and the safest lanes.

   All this is packed into each page that covers 40 kilometres for about 30 minutes of driving.

   “New is access to your secret information and update website to keep the book up-to-date before you travel,” Hunter said.

   “Every few weeks, I update the site with new material such as maps and articles and post any major changes affecting the I-75 drive,” he added.

Your kiss is on my list on the Waterloo Region Mistletoe Trail; Wonders of Winter; Gifts of Light

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 7/19

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Pucker up! The Explore Waterloo Region Mistletoe Trail returns for the holidays.

   This fun initiative in the Kitchener-Waterloo area features seven “Instagramable locations” where mistletoe has been hung.

Kissing under the outdoor mistletoe is a Waterloo Region holiday tradition.

    Every photo submitted qualifies to win the romantic Mistletoe Trail Date Night Package.

   The locations are where visitors are invited to stop by for a shareable moment – whether that is “a hug, a kiss and definitely a picture or selfie,” said Minto Schneider, CEO of the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corp.

   “Visitors and locals are looking for things to do now that the cold weather is here,” she said.

   This is called a fun way to encourage people to get outdoors to explore the region with family and friends.

Guelph Arts Council exhibitions at 10C Shared Space

Guelph, Ontario – Guelph Arts Council is pleased to announce exhibitions in the street-level community gallery at 10C Shared Space, 42 Carden St. The exhibitions feature work by GAC’s artist members, with gallery hours Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.

Artist Brian Johnston’s The Halo Project runs from now through Dec. 13.

The project is a photographic portrayal of individual identity in a world of complex cultural, political, educational, spiritual and relational diversity.

Brian uses mixed media approaches to explore the human condition and its spiritual relevance - to capture the invisible behind the visible. Join us for an opening and artist’s talk on Thursday, Dec.5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Hanging loose on popular cruise ship Christmas and New Year's sailings

   Out to Sea for Nov. 30/19

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   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox      

   They say there’s no place like home for the holidays and many people are making that home a cruise ship.

   So popular are cruises for Christmas and New Year’s that it’s best to secure a cabin now for next year.

   “The reality is that these sailings are at the most popular time of the year, so space might be really tight this close in,” said Vance Gulliksen of Carnival Cruise Line.

 

This feature is posted on our Out to Sea blog at:

 

https://outtoseatravel.blogspot.com/2019/12/hanging-loose-on-popular-cruise-ship.html