Post Convention Tour-Niagara On The Lakes
June 23-24, 2014
Please join Gwen’s Elite Travel while we further explore Toronto & the surrounding area as we embark on an extended tour- 6/23 and 24 (Mon & Tues). We will fly home on Wed, June 25th.
Hotel Info: I have worked out a deal where we will not have to change hotels. We will stay at the InterContinental at a special rate of $184/night (plus 16% tax for a total of $214/night)- CA currency …subject to market change. You will need to call the InterContinental (800- 235-4670) and advise that you are with Gwen’s Elite Travel Group. Let me know if you have a problem and I will fix it.
Niagara on the Lakes Town
The Itinerary
Monday, June 23, 2014: Cost- $80pp (Includes admission to the Winery & wine tasting as well as lunch which includes a hot entre with a choice of chicken, beef or fish and dessert).
Travel to Niagara- On- The- Lakes– voted one of Canada’s most picturesque cities. We will visit a Winery and taste some of the wines. How about trying some ice wine…. Our guide, Lezlie is a 5th generation decedent of a slave from Kentucky who made it across via the Underground Railroad (UGR). Lezlie was born and lives in Niagara-On-The-Lakes and her ancestors are buried here in a cemetery with the sign, ‘Coloured Cemetery’. Our 1st stop will be the Crossing Point where freedom first began for the Freedom Seekers in Canada. Before leaving Ft. Erie, we will have lunch and then on to a BME (British Methodist Episcopal Church) where Harriet Tubman attended when she made her many trips across the border. The tour continues and we will relive the Freedom Seekers in Canada on our way. Then back to Toronto to relax before enjoying the Jazz Festival, or dine at one of Toronto’s MANY unique restaurants in the immediate area. As with most Canadian cities, the streets are safe (of course, this IS A BIG city, so caution is always advised).
Niagara on the Lake Vineyard
Tuesday, June 24, 2014 Cost- $58pp (Includes admission to Casa Loma)
We will visit some sites in Toronto that were not covered with the large group on Saturday. Remember: Toronto is the 5th largest city in all of North America (exceeded Chicago a few years ago). We will have an opportunity to go inside the HUGE (98 rooms), palatial, Casa Loma that Sir Henry Pellatt began building in 1931 (Please go online to visit). For those that went with me to Hearst Castle in California, you saw how those rich folks rolled back in the day. While he was not as rich as Hearst, he was an awesome force back in the day. But he went broke and had to live with his chauffeur in his tiny house-WOW!! What a mighty fall from grace.
Casa Loma
We will also learn a lot about blacks in Toronto (heavy Caribbean influence since they were the 1st to arrive there as cooks and maids). Did you know that 600,000 blacks live in Canada and that 50% of them live in Toronto and 25% live in Montreal? But blacks are intermingled through out the city, as in Montreal. After we pick up our black Step On Guide, we will visit the 10 blocks that highlight where blacks arrived, including the Underground Railroad area. Frederick Douglas was the first prominent black abolitionist to make a speech there. We will also learn of other important blacks that moved to Toronto and were very successful in the 1850’s and 60’s.
Underground Railroad History
By this time, we will be starving as we visit the St. Lawrence Market. Ample time will be allowed to eat your way from one end to the next (On Your Own). If you wish to linger longer, you may decide to take a leisurely walk back to the hotel (about 5-10 minutes). We will rest a while so that we are ready to enjoy another night of the Jazz Festival and/or have dinner at one of the fine restaurants in Toronto.
St. Lawrence Market
Then finally, we must return home on Wednesday. Please call me if you have questions. Your full payment is due by May 20th.
Cost– $138 per person for Monday & Tuesday if paying by check,
Payable to Gwen’s Elite Travel, 2612 Granada Cir W, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Cost- $142.50 per person for Monday & Tuesday if paying by PayPal