Georgian Bay, Ontario……………May 2009. The members of the Georgian Bay Tourism Group are putting the final touches on their welcoming hospitality for the opening weekend of the unofficial start to the Canadian summer season.

A variety of spring Getaway packages events, cruises, and festivals kick off the tourist season along Southern Georgian Bay.

2009 Cruise Season Starts May 13
The upcoming 30,000 Islands cruise season on Georgian Bay from the Towns of Midland on May 16, 2009 and in Penetanguishene on May 13 includes a variety of options. Scenic cruises, jazz cruises, and Canada’s newest Biosphere Reserve. See Georgian Bay 30,000 Islands Cruises, or see Cruise Package Getaways with overnight accommodation.

Getaways and Vacation Packages

See Midland Best Western 2009 Spring Getaways for Easter, Family, Romance, Golf, and June Parrot-head packages.

See Midland Comfort Inn for Golf, Romance, Cruise, and Wye Marsh and family getaways and packages

See Delawana Inn Resort in Honey Harbour for Family, Victoria Day, Golf and spa spring getaways and packages

See The Inn at Christie’s Mill in Port Severn for Spa, romance, golf, Easter, spring couples getaways and lakeside dining.

More Georgian Bay Vacation options at http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/VacationPackagesgeorgianbay.aspx

Martyrs’ Shrine re-opens for 2009 summer season on Sat. May 16, 2009
From Highway 12, twin spires above the tree line mark this landmark church erected in 1926 to honour “Canadian Martyrs”. Inside are traditional Stations of the Cross, statues, icons and relics; but the immediate impression is that you have entered a Huron longhouse of the 17th century. See 2009 Pilgrimage Schedule http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/AllMembers/MartyrsShrine/AboutUs.aspx

News from Huronia Historical Parks (HHP)

HHP is introducing Audio Tour Wands available to the public in 12 languages at Sainte-Marie and 3 languages at Discovery Harbour. For a modest additional charge of only $3.00, this exciting new feature provides an “on-demand” tour complete with special sound effects, creating an enhanced level of customer service for all visitors. Last year, Sainte-Marie welcomed visitors from over 70 countries; the new Audio Tour Wands will greatly improve the site’s story telling to these international visitors.

Fireworks Display is Part of Portorama in Victoria Harbour Ontario Canada
Georgian Bay lights up for the start of the Summer Season in Victoria Harbour to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday. The 2009 Portarama invites and welcomes residents and visitors to this year’s 25th Annual Portarama Family Festival being held on the Victoria Day weekend, May 14 to 17, 2009 and to join in our theme of “Past, Present & Future” at our 25th Silver Anniversary! Spectacular fireworks display takes place on Sunday May 17. For further event details, visit our website at www.tay.ca or call 526-1618.

More information and free Southern Georgian Bay visitor guide call 1-800-263-7745 or visit Georgian Bay Tourism at http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/Home.aspx

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Historic Huronia…………. 2009. The month of June signals the beginning of First Nations and Métis festivals throughout Huronia and Southern Georgian Bay. First Nations and Métis history is recognized throughout the year in Historic Huronia with special celebrations taking place at many area attractions during the summer months.
One of the first Aboriginal festivals will take place June 13, 14 at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, with Spirit Drum and Dance Groups with youth from Ojibway, Cree, Mic Mac, Mohawk, and Dakota Nations. National Aboriginal Day will be celebrated on June 21, 2009 at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. This historic day in First Nations history is an annual Canadian event. Canada chose June 21 because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice and because many Aboriginal groups mark this day as a time to celebrate their heritage.

The Ouendat Village and Huronia Museum is open year round with tours of the replica Huron village which existed before the European arrival in North America.

Jamie Hunter, Executive Director of the Huronia Museum, says “The North Simcoe communities of Midland and Penetanguishene have long felt that Aboriginal and Métis history were a vital part of the communities tradition……..in the1940s and 1950s extensive archeological research was carried out on such sites as Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, and the Huron villages of St. Ignace, Forget, and St. Louis. The results culminated in a joint Federal, Provincial & Municipal development of area historical attractions in the region now referred to as Historic Huronia. The historic creations reflect a commitment to honour Aboriginal peoples and define their important role in the development of the country.

Additional festivals in Historic Huronia take place at Discovery Harbour with the annual Métis Day, Bo’jou Neejee – August 8, 2009. And the POW Wow on September 12 & 13, 2009 presented by the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre’s 9th Annual Traditional Powwow.

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Southern Georgian Bay, Ontario……………….February 2009. The communities of Midland and Port Severn are serving up “Waves of Romance” during the month of February. A selection of Romantic Getaways are available at Comfort Inn Midland, and Best Western Highland Inn and Conference Centre in Midland. The Inn at Christie’s Mill in Port Severn is offering up February romance.

Best Western Midland

Valentine’s @ The Best Western Highland Inn
and Conference Centre
All the romance of Valentine’s Day without Cupid’s arrow breaking the bank! Rate includes one night accommodations, $100.00 credit for dinner selections from our Special Valentine’s Menu or Regular Menu, and our Deluxe Breakfast
Buffet or Menu Service. Rates from $296 per couple. See Website. (705) 526-9307 Toll Free:1-800-461-4265

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Comfort Inn Midland

Romantic Package @ Comfort Inn
Getaway from the everyday! The Comfort Inn provides warm hospitality, excellent guest service and comfortable rooms. Come to relax and enjoy all the Comforts of home.
Your getaway includes;
• 1 night accommodations at the Comfort Inn, Midland
• Complimentary Comfort ‘Sunshine” Breakfast
• Dinner Voucher valid at Andrea’s Restaurant
• Bottle of wine
• Free morning newspaper, free parking and high speed internet
For more information about this package or to make reservations visit our website or call 1-888-274-3020

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The Inn at Christie’s Mill Port Severn

Valentine’s Weekend February 13-15 (Minimum-2 nights)
This romantic Muskoka getaway includes a room with a fireplace, in room chocolates, a delicious dinner each evening and a Country Inn Breakfast both mornings. Friday, February 13 to Monday, February 16. 2-night minimum stay. Starting at $255 per couple per night. Limited availability.
(705) 538-2354Toll Free: 1-800-465-9966
www.christiesmill.com

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See more Winter Getaways in the Southern Georgian Bay area.

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“Sweetheart Deals”

Port Severn, Ontario…………..February 1, 2009. The historic Inn at Christie’s Mill has designated February as “Sweetheart Deal” month for couples looking to add a little extra spice to their relationship while enjoying dinner, accommodation, in-room champagne and chocolates, breakfast, and a $50 voucher to use at Avalon Spa. Packages Start at $225.00 per couple per night. (except Valentine’s Weekend). The outdoor recreation lovers can book Ski Packages starting at $209 per night per couple with two lift tickets at Mount St. Louis Ski Resort or two cross country ski passes at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Details are provided below.

Valentine’s Weekend February 13-15 (Minimum-2 nights)

This romantic Muskoka getaway includes a room with a fireplace, in room chocolates, a delicious dinner each evening and a Country Inn Breakfast both mornings. Friday, February 13 to Monday, February 16. 2-night minimum stay.
Starting at $255 per couple per night. Limited availability.

Outdoor Lovers’ Downhill Skiing at Mt. St. Louis/Moonstone

Package includes dinner, accommodation, breakfast and 2 lift tickets.

Midweek – $249/couple Weekend – $319/couple

Outdoor Lovers’ Cross Country Skiing at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

Package includes dinner, accommodation, breakfast and 2 passes for the Wye Marsh. Ski/snowshoe rental is extra.

Midweek – $209/couple Weekend – $259/couple

All packages listed above are subject to tax and gratuity.
The Inn at Christies Mill and spa is a member of Ontario’s Finest Ins and Spas—a collection of country inns and small hotels in Ontario who have earned a reputation for quality and service. The Inn is located in the town of Port Severn The Inn at Christie’s Mill is a member of Ontario’s Finest Inns and Spas and is located at Port Severn, a few minutes east of Highway 400. Take Exit 156 and Port Severn Road North. See Port Severn Map driving directions http://www.christiesmill.com/Contact.html

For more details, please call Inn and spa at Christie’s Mill or visit the website www.christiesmill.com Call for reservations 705-538-2354 or 1-800-465-9966

Georgian Bay cruise

Honey Harbour, Ontario, Canada…………. 2009 Season. Visitors staying at the historic Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort this summer will be treated to two Georgian Bay cruise options. The Miss Midland, a-300 passenger vessel, will now take guests out for a 1 ½ hour sunset cruise on Mondays as well as Fridays. Guests will experience the sparkling water, the windswept pines and rocky grandeur of Muskoka-Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands and Biosphere Reserve. Cruises are private and free for families staying at the resort as part of the many package offerings which range from two to nine nights. Two-night packages start at $405 per adult and include two children 15 and under stay free all summer*. Packages include dinner and breakfast daily, supervised children’s programs, teen programs, a full social itinerary, nightly family entertainment, day boat cruises, themed pool and beach parties, complimentary pitch & putt golf on site, nature programs, movies under the stars and full use of recreation facilities. Tax and service charges are additional. Some restrictions may apply. See Delawana-Miss Midland

Lisa Lauder spokesperson for Delawana says, “The guests rave about their experience out on Georgian Bay in a larger cruise ship where the vistas, sunsets and white sand beaches resemble the waters of the Caribbean. This is a very special sightseeing opportunity………. the only place in the world where landscapes like this can be seen and appreciated. We’re fortunate to have all this natural beauty in our own backyard.”

Early Bird Summer Savings

Summer vacation planning for families has many advantages when staying at the Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort. Those booking their vacations by February 15, 2009 will be able to save up to 10% and get their favorite available accommodation for the busiest weeks of the summer. Deposits placed by February 15, 2009 will automatically receive a 5% discount. If reservations are paid in full by March 15, 2008 guests qualify for a further 5%.

Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort will open for their 112’Th season on May 15, 2009. For four consecutive years, the Delawana Inn has been awarded the “Best Summer Family Resort in Canada” provided by City Parent Magazine.

Delawana Inn is located on the Southeast part of Georgian Bay in the 30,000 Islands Biosphere Reserve. Drive time from Toronto is approximately 90 minutes via Highway 400 to Muskoka Road 5. Photos and getaway family package Information can be found at www.delawana.com or by calling reservations toll free at 1-800-627-3387 or 1-888-DELAWANA.

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Editor’s/News Director’s Notes:

* Additional savings include, three children 17 and under stay free June 23rd to July 12th and August 30th to September 7th.

Quick Links:

Delawana-Miss Midland Cruise details http://www.delawana.com/miss-midland.html

Rates and package details for adults & children: http://www.delawana.com/2009rates.html

Travel writers and editors working on travel related stories are invited to visit and experience the Delawana. Call Lisa Lauder at 705-756-2424.

Midland, Ontario……………..November 21, 2008. Now in its ninth year the famous “First Light” event at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons will be presented with a wonderful array of fun and festive activities amidst the magical glow of over 2,000 candles. The weekend celebration takes place  December 4, 5, 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5. per person with a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Salvation Army’s food bank. Children aged 5 and under are free. Visitors wanting to stay overnight can book The Enchanting Getaway Package which includes an overnight stay at Midland’s Best Western Highland Inn and Conference Centre, admission to ‘First Light’, dinner, breakfast, and a special Christmas drink.  Package rates start at $92, per person, plus applicable taxes.  Additional accommodation is available at Comfort Inn Midland and The Inn at Christie’s Mill Port Severn.

“First Light” includes lots of programming enjoyed by families. Children can make their own Christmas cards with quill pens and try their hand at candle making. Local French group La Clé d’la Baie, The Métis Nation of Ontario, and Discovery Harbour will all offer special “hands-on” crafts. The sights and smells of baked goods will once again fill the cookhouse as chef Jesse Ford presents an impressive display of tasty Christmas treats inspired by 17th century ingredients and recipes. A fascinating historic encampment will be set up at Sainte-Marie’s front entrance by the popular “Survival In The Bush” group, and La Compagnie Franche de la Marine will be on-site displaying their colourful uniforms, demonstrating historic musket drill, and serving hot chocolate.

This year’s musical line-up will sure to delight visitors, with talented performers filling the historic site with seasonal and heritage music. New to First Light this year and known across Ontario is the popular Blue Wolf and the Aboriginal Officers who will perform traditional drumming. A crowd favourite, Aboriginal singing and drumming will also be done by The Jock Family and The Christian Island Native Drum Group performing in Sainte-Marie’s atmospheric longhouses. All three drum groups will perform each evening. Franco-Ontarian folksongs will fill the Chapel once again with Michel Payment, including his stirring rendition of The Huron Carol. Nathaniel Rice will perform folk music and children’s songs and Katy Austin will offer traditional melodies in English and French. The French Café at Restaurant Sainte-Marie features lively performances by La Famille Lefaive all three evenings. Enjoy the OPP Chorus on Saturday evening, December 6. Numerous community and school choirs will also be performing over the three evenings.

The Huron Carol is believed to have been written by Father Jean de Brébeuf who lived at Sainte-Marie in 1643. A special exhibit in the Sainte-Marie museum focuses on this famous carol.

For those interested in a little shopping, 20 exceptional artisans will be in the Sainte-Marie museum, and the themed Sainte-Marie gift shop is open each night.  Downtown Midland celebrates the Christmas season with a variety of shopping opportunities, contests, and festival activities.

Considered to be one of Canada’s most significant historical destinations, the Southern Georgian Bay area welcomed Samuel de Champlain in 1615.  Located just 90 minutes north of Toronto via Highway 400 north to Highway 93 or  Highway 12.
See Google Map for precise location.

Special Notes: Please be advised that with the exception of assist dogs, dogs are not allowed on the historic site for this event. Overflow parking will be available at Doral Industries, 100 Wye Valley Road. Free shuttle buses will run to Sainte-Marie throughout each evening.

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For Information on Midland and Southern Georgian Bay Contact
Jenine at eMail: info@sgbchamber.ca
Tel: (705) 526-7884

For Information on Sainte-Marie among the Hurons contact Huronia Historical Parks:
Bill Brodeur (705) 528-7692

Southern Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada……………September 2008. Natural palettes of Georgian Bay blues mixed with the scarlet hues, brilliant yellows, reds and oranges are changing throughout the hardwood forests of the region. Visitors can mix a fall road trip with a Georgian Bay cruise, a harvest tour, a harvest festival at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a re-construction celebration of a historic Huron village at Huronia Museum, a mass celebrating the Canadian Martyrs’ at the Martyrs’ Shrine, or take part in the historic Drummond Island Settlers Day in Penetanguishene. See Georgian Bay Travel News.

FOUR FALL PACKAGE OPTIONS

Discover Fall in Midland at Best Western Highland
Inn and Conference Centre Georgian Bay includes fall cruise or your choice of attraction.

Fall Colour Cruises: Enjoy the waters and the spectacular views of Southern Georgian Bay aboard the MS Georgian Queen while staying at the Midland Comfort Inn…

Georgian Bay Fall Adventure: Delawana Inn Resort and Spa provides an exceptional value package with Use of resort facilities including pontoon cruises, mountain bikes, and more.

Romantic Spa Getaway: View the colour’s of Muskoka from our The Inn at Christie’s Mill lakeside Country Inn. Package includes a special
Avalon Spa Voucher.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Fall events and details can be found at Georgian Bay Travel News.

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Media working on fall travel stories are invited to contact Jeanine at the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce for more details and information on the Georgian Bay Fall Colours.

]]> http://georgianbay23.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/late-summer-fall-events/feed/ 0 georgianbay23 http://georgianbay23.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/meet-midland-mural-artists-georgian-bay-ontario-canada/ http://georgianbay23.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/meet-midland-mural-artists-georgian-bay-ontario-canada/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:41:07 +0000 georgianbay23 http://georgianbay23.wordpress.com/?p=21 ]]> Meet the Mural Artists in Historic Downtown Midland, Ontario Canada

Ron Brown is a Canadian travel writer and broadcaster who is the author of several books on unusual features to see throughout Ontario. His latest titles include Downtown Ontario; Unusual Main Streets to Explore, and Top One Hundred Unusual Things to See in Ontario. Toronto-based Brown also regularly contributes to CBC Radio broadcasts.

For the summer of 2008 our murals are continuing to be restored by 3 local artists with the financial aid of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ruth Hurdle is recreating the Rotary Mural which was originally on the LCBO building. This mural will be relocated on the side of T & G Fabrics. Terri-Lee Milley will be recreating the S.S. Lemoyne mural which will be painted on location on the side of Homecoming beside St. Paul’s United Church. Sonja Rathke has been restoring all the murals located at the Town of Midland’s Harbour Master’s office at the bottom of King Street this summer. Please feel free to speak with them about their experiences.

Midland Ontario is 90 minutes north of the Greater Toronto Area, and 35 minutes North West of Barrie. Situated on the shores of Georgian Bay in historic Huronia, the Midland area is one of Ontario’s earliest developed settlements dating back to the early 1600’s and Samuel de Champlain.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE AREA: Hotels, Resorts and Historic Inns are available. See Midland Area Accommodation. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/HotelsResorts.aspx

WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA. Exciting historical re-enactments and attractions, fresh clean beaches complement First Nations history, Georgian Bay Cruises and Great Lakes British Navel history and the towering Martyrs’ Shrine. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/Attractions.aspx

TOURIST INFORMATION: FREE full colour guidebook available by calling 1800-263-7745, or view Georgian Bay Visitor Guide on-line http://www.southerngeorgianbay.on.ca/tourism/index.html.

For additional information on Downtown Midland and the Midland Mural Project contact Meredith Forrest at 705.527.7246,

]]> http://georgianbay23.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/meet-midland-mural-artists-georgian-bay-ontario-canada/feed/ 0 georgianbay23