Route du Vin - Culinary Adventures in "Napa Valley North"

Itinerary

• Ontario

  Ontario is a province located in east-central Canada, the largest by population and second largest, after Quebec, in total area.
   Ontario is bordered by the provinces of Manitoba to the west and Quebec to the east, and five U.S. states (from west to east): Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania (the latter two across Lake Erie) and New York to the south and east. Most of Ontario's  border with the United States runs along water.  The capital of Ontario is Toronto, Canada's most populous city and metropolitan area.  Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is also located in Ontario.

• Jordan

  The small, quaint village of Jordan is located in the Niagara wine growing region and is approximately one and half hours directly south of Toronto.

• Toronto

  Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational and cultural facilities. It is the largest city in Canada, with a population consisting of over 2.5 million people. Toronto is the home of seven professional sports teams and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London. It is one of the world's most multicultural cities, home to more than 80 ethnic communities (half of people living in Toronto were born outside Canada). A dominant force in the business and economy of the nation, it is also the cultural centre of English-speaking Canada. Toronto is known as a city of neighborhoods. Districts are often centered one of the main streets (Queen, College, Bloor etc), and packed tightly together, with each having something different to offer each visitor. The relative compactness of these neighborhoods makes exploring on foot easy and pleasant, especially in the warmer months.

• • Toronto
  • Hotel Le Germain

  Day 1: Toronto

  Meet your driver for a private airport transfer with vehicle and driver.

  You will be provided with a pre-departure package which will include all necessary information that you will need for your trip including materials such as vouchers, maps, train tickets (if relevant) etc.

  Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring some of Toronto’s attractions.

  Since you are conveniently located in the Entertainment district, there are plenty of diversions available, from Broadway style song and dance shows to stylish lounges and exclusive clubs. Enjoy dinner at any one of the great restaurants in the city. The end of the day brings the crowning touch—plunge into a sea of soft down pillows and feathered comforters for a night of well-deserved relaxation.

  Accommodation: Hotel Le Germain

  Featured in the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2010 – as selected as one of The Best Places to Stay in the World, by the Readers of Condé Nast Traveler, the Hôtel Le Germain Dominion is located in the heart of the entertainment district in Toronto. Services include a Hotel Lounge which has an evening beverage service, a Library with open hearth fireplace featuring a complimentary cappuccino bar and internet access, Roof top terrace (seasonal) and putting green, 24 hour fitness facility with outdoor terrace (seasonal), Massage room and Victor Restaurant and Bar with a seasonal patio. The decor is urban - modern with neutral hues and natural materials in evidence.

• • Fry House at the Jordan Historical Museum
  • Inn on the Twenty

  Day 2: Toronto - Jordan

  Transfer to the charming bucolic town of Jordan by private vehicle. The distance is just over 100 km and takes approximately an hour and a half.

  Upon arrival, check in to the Inn on the Twenty, housed in a former sugar warehouse. Afterwards, take a stroll along Jordan’s tree-lined Main Street, where you will discover a range of antique, craft and gift shops, the Jordan Historical Museum’s authentically restored pioneer settlement and an impressive array of 19th Century period homes.

  This evening, walk across the street to Cave Spring Cellars, one of Niagara’s most mature vinifera vineyards (and the oldest functioning wine cellar in all of Ontario) for an unforgettable, private wine tasting experience. There are various options to choose from;

  Strictly Riesling (45 minutes)

  An introduction to how the winery's signature grape is grown - Riesling. Following a guided tour of the cellars, follow the path of the Riesling grape from its inception in the vineyards of the Niagara Escarpment to the finished wine in the bottle. Included will be a tasting of three Rieslings.

  Looking Down a Barrel (45 minutes)

  One of the great mysteries of the oenological universe is the effect of barrel aging on wine. Learn how Chardonnay and Cave Spring reds can be transformed by the use of oak.

  Wine and Cheese Match-up (45 minutes)

  Wine and cheese; sounds simple; but done just right, the match can be one of the most sublime and complex imaginable. Taste three cheeses - selected by Inn On the Twenty chef, Kevin Maniaci - with three Cave Spring wines and learn why some pairings harmonize, while others clash.

  Cave Spring Uncorked (45 minutes)

  An introduction to the basics of grape growing and wine making in the Niagara Peninsula, focusing on the unique climatic conditions of the Niagara Escarpment, and their imprint on our wines. Following a guided tour of the cellars, relax and enjoy a tasting of three Cave Spring wines.

  Enjoy a gourmet, 3-course dinner this evening at On The Twenty, the restaurant which pioneered the concept of a regionally- focused and locally-sourced cuisine in Niagara. An example of the kind of cuisine is the signature Shorthills trout in Riesling-rhubarb butter, or partridge in hazelnut-chardonnay sauce.

  Accommodation: Inn on the Twenty

  The Inn at the Twenty is part of Leonard Pennachetti’s Cave Spring Cellars winery in the village of Jordan, a 30-minute drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake. The twenty-nine luxurious suites have elegant 1920s mahogany headboards, whirlpool baths, and fireplaces. The Vintage House offers an historic alternative and houses a suite with fireplace and bath as well as two more modest rooms with tub/shower combinations and a shared den space. In the adjoining garden, a gazebo under a spreading sycamore tree makes a pleasant spot to unwind.

• • A garden in Jordan
  • Hidden Bench Winery
  • The Good Earth Cooking School
  • Spa on the Twenty

  Day 3: Jordan - Beamsville - Niagara-on-the-Lake

  A private driver and vehicle will transport you around the region today so that you can see all of the sights on your itinerary.

  Head over to Hidden Bench to discover why this winery made it onto the Canadian 100 Best Vineyards list. This unique artisanal winery is dedicated to producing ultra premium wines solely from vineyards situated within the Beamsville Bench VQA sub-appellation. Their non-interventionist, quality-focused and terroir-driven wines are produced from three distinct vineyards totalling almost 100 acres. Enjoy a flight tasting of three current-release Estate Series wines under the guidance of one of the experts.

  The Good Earth Cooking School is located in the heart of Niagara’s Twenty Valley region. The beautiful country setting, nestled in vineyards and fruit trees, will surely inspire you to get your hands dirty and cook up a storm. Nicolette Novak, owner and self-proclaimed ‘facilitator of fun’ will greet you with a fortifying glass of local wine before you begin your ‘hands on’ cooking class with executive chef Patrick Engel, resident chef Isa DiIorio or one of the other local culinary personalities. It’s impossible to predict in advance what you will be doing, since all menus are designed to showcase the region’s best seasonal produce. If it’s May, you might build an entire meal around honey, while if it’s July, cherries will provide the focus. Camaraderie is infectious as everyone sits down around a harvest table to share the fruits of their labour for a 4 to 5 course gourmet lunch. If the weather is nice (which it often is in this micro-climate), the beautiful alfresco kitchen will be set up overlooking the vineyards, fruit trees and herb beds.

  Consider stopping off at Flat Rock Cellars (whose 2007 Nadja’s Vineyard Riesling was listed as the only Canadian wine in the Top Values of 2008 by Wine Spectator magazine) for an expert-led tasting before heading back to the hotel. Otherwise, head straight back for some pampering at the Spa On the Twenty, for some quiet time relaxing in the garden with a book, or to peruse the in house Inuit art gallery.

  Spa-goers have flocked to this region of Ontario for over 125 years. In the 1880s, European immigrants discovered mineral springs nearby and two spa resorts opened shortly thereafter. Spa on the Twenty is housed in an 1840s house, adjacent to the Inn on the Twenty, and across the street from Niagara’s famous On the Twenty Restaurant. The names are derived from Twenty Mile Creek which runs through the village. Highly qualified, personable staff ensure that you receive services tailored to your personal needs. Signature treatments incorporate products of the wine industry.

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Tonight’s dinner is at the Tony de Luca’s. Chef Tony de Luca coaxes the nuances from each ingredient as he creates beautiful and explosively flavourful meals. A respected cookbook author as well as founding chef at Hillebrand Winery Restaurant, Chef de Luca brings wine-country cuisine to life by creating recipes from locally and domestically sourced ingredients which reflect the affinity enjoyed between the food and the wine. The goal is to showcase how well-prepared, imaginatively-presented food using premier Canadian ingredients, and internationally-acclaimed VQA wine, come together to create new and exciting flavour and textural experiences.

  Accommodation: Inn on the Twenty

• Day 4: Jordan

  Sit back and relax on your private transfer from Jordan to Toronto.

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Local Diversions

  Toronto is best explored on foot, to discover its cultural neighbourhoods, bustling markets, inspiring architecture, the unique ravine system and lush parks. More than 7,000 restaurants are scattered across the city, serving an array of cuisine from the flashy kitchens of leading edge chefs to authentic ethnic favourites. The theatre scene rivals London and New York, and festivals throughout the year draw tremendous audience for theatre, film, music and dance. Toronto is the ultimate urban destination.

• • Hotel Le Germain

  Hotel Le Germain

  Featured in the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2010 – as selected as one of The Best Places to Stay in the World, by the Readers of Condé Nast Traveler, the Hôtel Le Germain Dominion is located in the heart of the entertainment district in Toronto. Services include a Hotel Lounge which has an evening beverage service, a Library with open hearth fireplace featuring a complimentary cappuccino bar and internet access, Roof top terrace (seasonal) and putting green, 24 hour fitness facility with outdoor terrace (seasonal), Massage room and Victor Restaurant and Bar with a seasonal patio. The decor is urban - modern with neutral hues and natural materials in evidence.

  • More information
• • Inn on the Twenty

  Inn on the Twenty

  The Inn at the Twenty is part of Leonard Pennachetti’s Cave Spring Cellars winery in the village of Jordan, a 30-minute drive from Niagara-on-the-Lake. The twenty-nine luxurious suites have elegant 1920s mahogany headboards, whirlpool baths, and fireplaces. The Vintage House offers an historic alternative and houses a suite with fireplace and bath as well as two more modest rooms with tub/shower combinations and a shared den space. In the adjoining garden, a gazebo under a spreading sycamore tree makes a pleasant spot to unwind.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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