Escapism (Toronto)

A high-pitched sound pierces the air to my left. It sounds as though someone is trying to hail the world’s biggest cab. Moments later, the “Fweeeet!” of thousands of whistles rain down around us inside Arena México, a 16,500-seat cathedral to lucha libre. Before long, the entire arena — myself included — is whistling. Two hours earlier, my husband and I are heading to a meeting point inside a mezcal bar in Roma Norte, armed with nothing more than an address sent via email that afternoon.

Cold plunges, Finnish saunas, and red-light therapy are everywhere right now. Inside Hotel X's massive 10XTO athletic complex, the new Contrast Zone brings that whole recovery circuit under one roof. I checked in for an afternoon to test the hot-and-cold setup firsthand My flip-flops clap against my heels as I tread through Hotel X’s hallways, finally rounding a bend and arriving at 10XTO. I stop abruptly, mouth agape — I’ve never seen anything like it.

Tucked between the limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment and the shores of Georgian Bay, The Blue Mountains, and neighbouring towns like Collingwood, have long drawn city dwellers seeking a quick getaway. While winter slopes dominate the region’s reputation, its small towns come into their own in the off-season. I grew up driving through Thornbury, stopping for lunch nearby as my family took Highway 26 to get apples.

Elmwood Spa has been easing knots in muscles and helping Torontonians exhale deeply since it opened in 1982. But, like the rest of the wellness game, the iconic spa has grown up. The next time you visit the facility on Elm Street, there's more than saunas, hot tubs and massage tables to tempt you. Resonance, the spa’s new science-backed approach to mind-and-body wellness, offers guests an entirely new floor to explore. Descend one level to the basement and you’ll immediately feel the difference.

After a high ankle sprain that took ages to heal, I started building out my running shoe collection. Since they're now the only shoes I can comfortably wear, I have a lot of them, from every big brand name and in every colour. In my entire collection, the new Adidas Terrex Agravic SL Trail Running Shoes are the most comfortable pair I own.

The gateway to the magnificent natural splendour of Vancouver Island and the Discovery Passage, Campbell River is as unassuming as its wildlife experiences are humbling. The quaint town is painted against a backdrop of mountains looking down over the Salish Sea. Lined with little boutique shops and cafés, the walkable downtown is nestled against the waterfront and its beautiful boardwalk, where you can spy tour boats coming and going.

Amidst the artisanal lanterns, plush loungers and high-energy DJ sets — with a white wine in hand — it’s easy to feel like you’re at a chic beach club in southern Spain or Mykonos at Zel Punta Cana’s Neguri oceanside hotspot. It’s one example of how Zel does things differently from other luxury all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic. It’s in its DNA: The 190-suite resort is a collaboration between Spanish hospitality giant Meliá Hotels International and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.

When the sunlight hits the sparkling blue lake just right, it’s hard to believe I’m still in Ontario. Burlington’s breathtaking waterfront is brimming with life in the summertime, and a stay at The Pearle Hotel & Spa gives you prime access to all of it. Right outside the hotel, you’ll find a waterside boardwalk, Brant Street Pier and Spencer Smith Park.

Stories of skillful chefs who left the fast-paced kitchens of Toronto and execs who quit their corporate careers all in favour of a slower, simpler life permeate Prince Edward County. It’s a region full of dream-chasers and out-of-the-box thinkers who wanted to do something different, and that creative, passionate energy fills the air. Flanked by Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, the sprawling island boasts an abundance of breathtaking scenery.

The shoulder season in Ontario is long. After months of waiting to go outside again, the weather finally warms up, but now it's always raining. Then there are all the beautiful destinations we love travelling to, like Victoria, B.C. or Newfoundland where precipitation is often in the forecast, or the activities might involve getting splashed by a wave while you try to spot wildlife.