By Richard Pennick
An oasis of gentility, charm, gracious living and colonial architecture - this is Niagara-on-the-Lake, a perfect Upper Canadian town often called the loveliest in Ontario. The golden glow of autumn adds to the beauty of this little community in the most southern point of Canada.
Georgian and Victorian mansions are set back from the leafy avenues, parks and gardens are laid out where the foot of Imperial Britain has trod. Tall spired churches and gracious inns, boutiques, art galleries, antique stores, taverns and restaurants now fill the old colonial brick store fronts and government buildings along Queen Street.
The town sits across the Niagara River from Youngstown, New York - at the entrance to Lake Ontario. It was rebuilt after a brief visit by the American army during the War of 1812. It soon became an active commercial centre, supported by a busy ship-building industry and was briefly the capital of Upper Canada. The community and region also assisted the efforts of the Underground Railway which helped runaway slaves seeking freedom in Canada. Niagara-on-the-Lake has a long and distinguished history.
More than two hundred years after its founding, the town looks much as it did in years past but now has much to offer the discerning visitor. Its many attractions include Fort George, reconstructed in 1937, which allows visitors to experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a garrison in the early 19th century. There are also a Historical Society Museum and North America's oldest golf course, agricultural markets and the Niagara wineries.
The community mounts the annual Shaw Festival which features an extensive repertoire of comedies, dramas and classics by Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. The "Shaw" has become one of the largest and most successful theatre festivals in North America, operating three theatres during the Fall Season, ending with Shaw's "Candida" on November 23 this year.
Take a carriage ride through the Old Town, rent a bike or join a guided tour of local wineries. Or if you're just looking for a tranquil setting after visiting Niagara Falls - stroll beneath autumn's golden canopy, sip eiswein by the river, stay a couple of nights at one of the inns and take in the "Shaw".
During the month of October, The Pillar and Post Inn is offering a room rate of C$185.50 per person for one night's accommodation including breakfast and dinner for two (based on double occupancy in a traditional room style, Sunday to Friday only).
For this and rates for other Vintage Inns go to http://www.vintageinns.com
For more information on Ontario http://ontariotravel.net/
or http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/
or: http://www.shawfest.sympatico.ca/
on Canada: http://www.travelcanada.ca and click on your national flag
Image: Memorial Hall. Niagara on-the-Lake. Please credit. Ontario Tourism