Escapism (Toronto)

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.

Don’t let the name fool you — Grey County’s food scene is as vibrant as it comes. Just two hours north of Toronto, this rural pocket is home to apple orchards, farm-fresh produce and menus shaped by the season. Chefs cook over open hearths, cloudy cider flows freely and some of the city’s most celebrated culinary talent has set up shop here, bringing big-smoke pizazz to small-town kitchens. Plus, trendy motels and artfully designed lodges make it easy to turn a meal into an overnight stay.

The 90s are trending in a big way, with many people feeling nostalgic for a simpler time. That mood extends to travel, too, as wayfarers increasingly look for vacations that feel comfortable, familiar and genuinely restorative. Myrtle Beach in South Carolina isn’t just a sun-soaked escape for Canadians looking to trade winter for warmer shores. It’s also a memory bank — packed with reminders of classic family road trips to the beach and, for many Canadians, their very first seaside vacation.

The days of booking, packing and flopping on a sunlounger are well and truly behind us. Today, travel is about finding a moment of stillness in a life overly scheduled, divining meaning from adventures and taking a piece of the experience back home with you.

There’s a place where the sun shines for 300 days a year. It’s a land of breathtaking scenery and spectacular national parks, where mountain air fuels adventure, and a laid-back charm sets the pace. But the beauty doesn’t stop at the incredible natural landscapes. In Colorado, you’ll find colourful former gold- or silver-mining towns, and exciting, activity-filled cities where boutique shops showcase local makers and free art and murals line the streets.

The darkness smacks me in the face as I stumble over myself into Aire Ancient Baths, one of the latest Toronto spas to open. The international chain houses its spas in restored historical buildings in cities all over the world, and this location is no different. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust from the bright courtyard at Front and Portland to the dimly lit lobby.

Barbados’s lush tropical landscape is on full display at Colony Club. The Luxury Collection Resort began its life as a sugarcane plantation, before becoming a gentlemen’s club and eventually a stately boutique resort. Since then, it’s undergone another transformation: After two years of renovations, Colony Club has emerged with a shimmering new interior presented in its charming, historic bones.

It took me a long time to realize that I don't actually hate winter — I hate being underprepared for the elements. Ill-fitting or itchy gear that provides either too much or not enough insulation against the weather can easily ruin a day out, no matter how fun the activity is. Whereas, on the flip side, cozy, comfortable layers that offer a perfect Goldilocks level of warmth can give me the endurance to stay outside for hours.