All eyes were on Ontario’s Muskoka region, two hours north of Toronto, during the G8 Summit in June.
The Muskoka Wharf, in Gravenhurst is chockfull of boutiques and home to the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre, left, where a large collection of local antique wooden boats are on display. [Kathryn Kates photo]
The international guests, those few with time to explore the area, could not help but be impressed by the beautiful rocky scenery, the pristine lakes and the quaint towns, among them Port Severn, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Port Carling and Huntsville.
There is plenty to do in Muskoka. Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst is chockfull of boutiques and home to the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, where a large collection of local antique wooden boats are on display.
You can also hop aboard North America’s oldest operating steamship, the RMS Segwun, built in 1887 in Glasgow, Scotland, for a two-hour cruise. And for those who dare, there are pirate cruises hosted by Cap’n Corbin and his swashbuckling crew, but be prepared to walk the plank!
After you’ve explored Muskoka’s lakes, you can head over to Muskoka Cottage Brewery for a tour and a tasting, of course. Word has it that tasting their cream ale leads to buying a case.
Savour Muskoka Culinary Experiences, Limited Edition 2010 Passport is a smart investment when holidaying in the region. This booklet ($40) is filled with coupons for local restaurants, accommodations, agriculture, crafts and stores. Savour Muskoka is an advocate for Muskoka’s chefs, farmers, artisans and retailers. The non-profit group made a splash with its tasty tidbits from local chefs by “Fake Lake” at the G8’s international media centre in Toronto.
The Delta Grandview Resort in Huntsville is a “partner with Savour Muskoka, which is dedicated to promoting local Muskoka products. When you buy the Savour Muskoka 2010 Passport, you can get half off your accommodation here or the Delta Sherwood Inn,” said Quinn Michell, marketing manager for Delta Muskoka Resorts, which includes the Grandview. The Grandview played host to a Governor General’s luncheon during the G8 Summit.
“Huntsville was the host of the G8 Summit and through that we received much press. Now our region has exploded in Ontario. We partnered with many people who were involved in the G8 Summit, such as Muskoka Cottage Brewery and Muskoka Steamships,” says Michell.
The Grandview has 120, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites or resort rooms. All the rooms have great views.
Golf is one of the many activities offered by Grandview. Its nine-hole Academy Golf Course is perfect for introducing the game to aspiring players of all ages.
The Mark O’Meara Course at Grandview Golf Club sprawls across spectacularly beautiful, rugged terrain. O’Meara has taken great strides to make the course challenging but playable for all abilities with wide fairways, shallow bunkers and gently sloping greens.
The Grandview offers many free activities. In the summer, they include canoeing, kayaking, pedal-boating and tennis. In the wintertime, there are hiking trails and snowshoes and cross-country skis are available.
“This gives our guests the opportunity to experience some recreational activities they wouldn’t normally be able to,” says Michell. “We also have an on-site spa open seven days a week, a recreation centre with a fitness facility, indoor pool, hot tub, and indoor and outdoor tennis.”
For more information about Muskoka, visit savourmuskoka.com or call 705-646-7118. To contact the Delta Grandview Resort, call toll-free: 1-888-244-8666 or visit www.deltahotels.com.
