3 Reasons to give the gift of Merrill House
3 Reasons to give the gift of Merrill House If you’ve made your list and checked it twice, a little time away could be the perfect gift for a loved one or — let’s face it — you! After almost two years of vacations to Las Living Room or to St. Porch, a little getaway can go a long way this holiday season. Don’t want to hop a plane? No problem. We have a destination that’s only a few hours’ drive from Toronto that will make you feel like you’re a world away — Merrill House. By Rachel Naud Where Located in picturesque Prince Edward County, Merrill House is situated in Picton, Ontario, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Toronto. 3 Reasons Why It Makes a Great Gift: The Design Built in 1878 for Judge Edwards Merrill, The Merrill House is steeped in history and culture. Today, owner and creative director Jordan Martin de Rosales has managed to preserve the authenticity of the property while creating a mix of old and new to create the ultimate destination. Having studied Luxury Brand Management in London, living in Zimbabwe and working for hotel groups in London and Dubai, Martin de Rosales brings his world travels and design aesthetics to the two-acre property and its 14 individually themed guest rooms. For instance, the Owner’s Suite serves up the ultimate accommodation on Merrill’s top floor with sweeping views across Picton, while the Future Room reimagines what the interiors of the future will look like. Throughout the hotel, design elements include wallpaper by William Morris, murals by Fine and Dandy Co, objets d’art by British luxury label House of Hackney and furniture by Spanish designer, Houtique. The property also features a bespoke Indian marquee, complete with a ceiling with hundreds of hand-stitched stars, designed by Martin de Rosales to house Merrill weddings and events. Merill House is also home to art exhibitions including The Indigenous Peoples on the Bay of Quinte, a collaboration with Rebecca Maracle, a fourth generation feathersmith from the Mohawk community. The Amenities For the ultimate experience, The Merrill House offers a mix of amenities — both free and paid — to create the ultimate getaway. Free amenities include: Welcome Photograph: Capture your first Merrill House moments with an old-fashioned Polaroid Pillow-Scenting Service: Test scent domes at check-in and determine the perfect scent for your night’s sleep Gourmet Breakfast: Room rates include a complimentary gourmet breakfast by breakfast Chef Lili Sullivan Indoor and Outdoor Fireplaces: To
9 Ways to Recapture Your Teen Spirit in Niagara Falls, Ontario
9 Ways to Recapture Your Teen Spirit in Niagara Falls, Ontario By Rosalind Stefanac-Skugor It has been a long haul for many teens this past year, stuck indoors with their parents—and vice versa. So, to get my son excited to hang out with his mom outside of the house again, I promised him a mid-week adventure he wouldn’t forget—and Ontario’s Niagara Falls did not disappoint. As someone who has been touring this geological wonder since my own youth, even I was impressed by just how much there is to do at the Falls these days. Here are 9 ways to impress your teen traveller in Niagara Falls and have an epic adventure in the process. Rent an e-bike If the thought of nature hikes has your kids rolling their eyes, consider renting a bike with some horsepower (e-bikes can go up to 32 km/hour) to get them excited about exploring nature. We went to Snap E Bike where owner Michael Lucid gave us a training lesson and equipped us with helmets, maps, snacks and water for the day. When my bike got a flat tire, he was quick to come and meet us with a replacement bike so our sightseeing along the beautiful Niagara River Recreational Trail could continue. Riders must be 16 years of age or older. Make like a drone At 3,500 feet above the Niagara Gorge, the Whirlpool Aero Car —an antique cable car suspended from six sturdy cables—provides some pretty magnificent views of the swirling Niagara Whirlpool. The torrent of river rapids coming down the Gorge from the Horseshoe Falls turns abruptly counterclockwise at this point, creating a must-see natural phenomenon. Face the Falls up close Niagara City Cruises will get you a misty front-row view of the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and awe-inspiring Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Recyclable ponchos are provided for the 20-minute boat ride, but my son picked a perfect spot to soak it all in that got us soaked in the process. We loved it! With reduced capacity onboard, there are plenty of photo ops, provided you don’t mind the mist. Take a journey behind the falls During summer daylight hours, more than 2,800 cubic metres of water crashes down the Falls every second at 65 km/hour. To put that into perspective, the average household uses only 14 cubic meters a month! This self-guided tour took about 30 minutes. To begin, we descended 125 feet by elevator to explore a 130-year-old
5 Waterparks in Ontario You and Your Teen Will Love
5 Waterparks in Ontario You and Your Teen Will Love By Rosalind Stefanac The heat is on, and for those of us who don’t own a cottage or backyard pool, waterparks are a great way to keep cool and have some fun with your teens in the process. Here are my top picks for teen-friendly outdoor water parks in Ontario to check out this summer—and they all feature private cabanas for rental if you’re looking for privacy, shade and poolside bar service. Bingemans Big Splash Kitchener, Ontario Why they’ll love it: In addition to 11 water slides and a large wave pool, the park features a big indoor arcade, outdoor mini-golf and dedicated space for beach volleyball. Lots of open spaces for playing frisbee too. Why you’ll love it: Free parking! You can bring your own food/cooler (no alcohol or glass) and can camp on the premises via tent, container cabin or log cabin (there are 450 campsites available). Campers get access to a lovely gated pool and poolside loungers too. Calypso Limoges, Ontario Why they’ll love it: The biggest of the bunch with 35 waterslides and a wide selection of water games. My teen (and I) loved the Kongo Expedition, a lazy river that took us through jungle-like caves and unexpected waterfalls via inner tube. The park also houses Canada’s largest wave pool at 50,000 square feet, with waves hitting up to 1.5 metres above the surface. Why you’ll love it: If you don’t rent a cabana, there are lots of shaded, grassy areas with picnic tables for reading or napping while the teens are occupied. You can bring your own picnic, plus there are several bars/eateries on site. Well worth the drive even if you’re outside of Ottawa. Splashworks: Canada’s Wonderland Vaughan, Ontario Why they’ll love it: Thrill-seekers will get a kick out of the 60-foot tall Muskoka Plunge or the Super Soaker, which takes rafters spiraling down a dark tunnel to plummet into a splash pool. Even my 17-year-old, who is rarely impressed by anything, rated the day a 9/10 (point lost due to lineups). Why you’ll love it: Once the water park closes at 7 p.m., there is still a massive amusement park within the premises included with your admission, which means easy access to more rides, shows/concerts and plenty of restaurants. Just note that the waterpark’s cabanas sell out quickly so book at least a week in advance. Wet ’n’ Wild Toronto Brampton, Ontario Why they’ll love it: Thrilling slides, such