Culinary Adventures in Fine Dining - enjoying at least one four- or five-star restaurant on your trip

My appetizer - goat's cheese salad - at the Pump Room, Bath, UK

Wouldn't it be so satisfying to brag about the delicious meal and interesting experience you had at the Fat Duck while visiting the UK or telling your friends they have to visit Alinea in Chicago because the food is just divine and the atmosphere so cool?

It used to be that your status was measured only by the type of car you drove or luxury items you owned. Now it's the experience that you have that lets you talk about your "status stories". Having a fine dining experience and being knowledgeable about more than mac 'n cheese is what elevates you in the eyes of your friends, colleagues, boss and acquaintances.  You are perceived as being more "culturally-minded".

Day Trip to Tobermory - Part Three

What do you do when you encounter hoards of people sunning themselves on the rocky shoreline of Georgian Bay situated in Bruce Peninsula National Park?  You keep on walking. 

Unfortunately for us, we chose the wrong day to hike the Cyprus Lake trail, and then the Georgian Bay-Marr Lake Trails. Our destination was the Georgian Bay shoreline, with Indian Head Cove, the Natural Arch and the Grotto. These spots normally offer fantastic scenery for the photographer. Blue, aquamarine and teal waters, and a rocky shoreline make for some dramatic imagery. But not when you have these views (see above photo).

Day Trip to Tobermory - Part Two

The Visitor Centre at Bruce Peninsula National Park

After a quick visit to the Little Tub Harbour in Tobermory, as described in my previous post, we headed to the new Visitor Centre at Bruce Peninsula National Park, right by Fathom Five National Marine Park. We got lucky as July 17 was Canada Parks Day - never heard of this before - and the entrance fees into the Centre were waived for the day.

Day Trip to Tobermory - Part One

Who said you can't do a day trip from Toronto to Tobermory, Ontario? 

This past weekend we headed out early in the morning day trip from Burlington, Ontario and drove up Highway 6 to escape the suburban sprawl. Tobermory was the destination, and along the way you definitely could see the countryside. 

What you get to see is Black Angus cows grazing on farmers' fields, bales of hay, and the very tempting signs inviting you to visit the Sweet Shop in Tobermory. One sign said "Losing too much weight? Get yourself into the Sweet Shop?" So tempting...

Planned versus spontaneous travel

Relaxing at Kite Beach, Cabarete

Are you a planner? Do you need to have every single detail of your travel itinerary double-checked prior to setting out on your trip? Or do you just go with the flow and enjoy not knowing where your adventure will take you?

If you answered planner, you are like me. I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to situations. I need to know what is going on, what we are doing, where we are going. 

Our New Old Discovery - Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishine

Discovery Harbour

About an hour and 45 minutes drive north of Toronto is a little known historical spot in Penetanguishine, Ontario. For me - the lover of all things to do with history - it was a cool place to explore. I'm talking about Discovery Harbour, the site of an early 19th century community, housing British naval and military forces.

Dominican Republic Cookies - so sweet my teeth ached

A Dominican cookie sold by one of the many "street/beach sellers" in Cabarete

This past December I had the pleasure of spending 11 days in Cabarete, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

The hotel I stayed at, Extreme Hotel, was bare bones - it was just an inexpensive, but comfortable spot to crash for the night. However, the Funky Carp Restaurant, located on the premises of the hotel, offered a great spot on the beach to enjoy the view of kite surfers.  It was also an ideal spot to watch for the locals who would wander up and down the beach, selling their wares. 

Hiking at Starkey Hill, near Guelph, Ontario

Starkey Hill is an interpretive hiking trail near Guelph,Ontario, located on Arkell Road between Watson Road and Concession 11, in Puslinch Township. It's not overly large but it offers some of the best views and light hiking trails in the Guelph area.

Recently we decided to hike it. The short four kilometre hike on a sunny Thursday afternoon was worth it. My trusty little point and shoot camera was out most of the time, with many stops along the way to pause and take a photo of a beautiful flower or scene.

Back to the blogging game

I've been thinking about blogging again for quite some time.

It's been several years since I had my (Sub)urban Tourist blog and shut it down, due to a busy lifestyle. However, recently the urge to write and share information has made me think about restarting it.

The purpose of this blog is very simple - I share my discoveries, whether they be cool spots to visit in Ontario, or delicious foods and recipes. My two passions - travel and food - will be shared with you.