HOT SPOT :: We’re hot to trot for a sexy destination less than two hours outside Toronto. Prince Edward County, perhaps most-famed for the magnificence known as Sandbanks Provincial Park, continues to blossom in myriad ways that make a getaway there any time of the year irresistible. Here are ten great reasons to plan some time in – as locals lovingly call it – The County:
1) The Sculpture Garden at Oeno Gallery. Owner Carlyn Moulton will tell you that the outdoor project behind her stunning gallery filled with contemporary art pieces still has a way to go, but her new-in-the-making efforts have already yeilded a stunning space not to be missed. Thoughtfully designed to be enjoyed from the ground and by air (helicopter tours take off from the neighbouring Huff Estates Winery), the Oeno sculpture garden is filled with a vast array of plant species, and art pieces that are whimsical, mysterious, thought-provoking and joyful. We had to be dragged out of there on our visit.
2) You can travel there easily, by car or by train. It’s less than 2 hours away by car or take Via Rail for around $50 one way to Belleville or Trenton Junction. Easy like that.
3) PEC is Canada’s fastest growing wine region, with over 30 wineries, and there’s nothing like lunch al fresco by a vineyard. PEC Wine Tours will organize a tour for you year round – think limousine ride through stunning country, taking you from one grape sensation to another. (When stocking up for our own wine collection, we loved this offering from Sandbanks Estate Winery.)
4) Speaking of vineyards, previously mentioned Huff Estates Winery, a stunning building mixing stone wood and water, is a must-visit. Among the family-owned facility’s many award-winning VQA offerings, the Vidalescco Sparkling 2009 is sensational and should be enjoyed with anything prepared by chef Michael Hoy (pray his seafood chowder is the ‘soup of the moment’ when you go). Huff Estates also offer twenty-one lovely rooms, with deluxe amenities including soaking tubs and fireplaces, right on the Estate.
5) The county is riddled with places to stay. We love the organic farm housing the stunning Thyme Again Gardens Bed & Breakfast, where most of the delicious food they serve is made from ingredients harvested from the property. The 1890 home holds three gorgeous rooms, each decorated by a local artisan. Enjoy a reflexology treatment by their resident registered reflexologist, and watch for other wellness events on their website, here.
6) PEC is a year-round destination. Often we think of the area as a summer spot, but wineries such as Huff stay open through the winter, where tastings continue and room rates drop. Enticing events keep the momentum going as the seasons change, such as Countylicious from November 2 – 26, a celebration of fine dining in The County.
7) A thriving arts scene. The Oeno Gallery is perhaps the crown jewel in Prince Edward County however the area is riddled with artisans of countless varieties. The PEC Arts Trail whisks you through towns filled with other galleries featuring potters, painters, photographers, glassblowers and blacksmiths.
8)There’s little point in marinating in art and wine without adding a gastronomical experience. PEC’s award-winning Taste Trail is ideal for the foodie in anyone. Self-guided tours link the county’s best restaurants, while the finest of food producers also craft artisnal offerings from local ingredients for an authentic tasting experience.
9) Sandbanks Provincial Park. Yep, it’s the most famous mainstay, but nature’s timeless appeal is impossible to beat. Sandbanks’ giant sand dunes and golden beaches forming two of the world’s biggest sandbars makes you forget you’re even in Ontario.
10) The people. Unlike many tourist hot spots, the county isn’t filled with jaded locals who’ve been-there-done-that and can’t even make eye-contact. We’re just off our third visit this year to the county, and you won’t find a place so close to the city eager to welcome visitors over and over again. PEC-ers are consumate hosts.
