How does the saying go again? Isn’t it “Ontario…yours to discover”? I believe so; at least that is what it says on every Ontario license plate out there. The truth of the matter is though that this is not just a saying, it really is true…Ontario is ours, as Ontarians or Canadians alike, to discover. This is a great province with a lot to offer that very often we are not aware of.
For example, how often do you “vacation” or do some “traveling” within the province of Ontario. And I am not talking about heading to Toronto to go up the CN tower with your kids or by heading to Niagara Falls for the sixth time in your life to see the Falls and check out the new casino. I am asking you about when the last time was that you really experienced something unique that Ontario had to offer? When was the last time you went to Algonquin Park to experience nature first had? Or when was the last time you went to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula to take in this area’s famous sunsets? Or when was the last time you drove through the Niagara region’s wine country? Or have you ever made the journey to Northern Ontario to the world famous Lake of the Woods?
For most of you, your answers will all be “no” or “never”. Or you might point out that when you were ten years old your parents took you on a trip somewhere camping near Lake Huron or something like this. Well, your parents obviously new about the cool things Ontario had for you to enjoy. Now why is it that today so many Ontarians/Canadians simply do not take advantage of the amazing and unique things this province has to offer? Is it because it is too close to home? I am not sure exactly but I do know that it is partly because of some great marketing campaigns done by companies to lure us (Ont./Can.) away from our own country and to visit other destinations; and boy are they ever good at it. I wish I could say that I did as much traveling in Ontario and Canada as I have done elsewhere but I am afraid I, just like many of you, have not been so great at this. Just like many Canadians I am part of this new funny trend where we rarely vacation within our own provinces. Most of the time we are drawn down “South” to visit our U.S. neighbours or we are on our way to some tropical destination, whether it is an all-inclusive trip or a cruise, where our goal is to soak up some sun, relax, have fun, and experience a little Caribbean culture. It is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with this; there is a lot of cool and interesting stuff to see and visit out there in the world outside of Canada. Go and travel and enjoy yourself. But, it is also important to remember (this is what I want to make you aware of) that Ontario and Canada have a lot of cool stuff to offer too. Things that are worth looking into for sure!
I will also add to this thought by mentioning that a lot of people do not even seem to have a clue how beautiful Ontario really is. We have a lot to offer in terms of landscapes, sunsets, skiing, beaches, swimming, cottaging, snow-mobiling, the list goes on and on. I have even had the pleasure of seeing a lot of Ontario myself when I worked for my Alma Matter “McMaster University” (the best school in Canada). As a Liaison Officer for the school I drove around our great province visiting different schools and cities that I never had an idea existed. In each town or city I stopped in it seemed that there was some unique monument, artifact, or piece of nature that left a real mark on the town and also a real mark on my heart. I was also able to experience how the different seasons and different levels of latitude that are a part of this great province actually sculpt it into a million different places; at least this is how it seemed. I saw things in Ontario that I never knew existed. One week I was amongst the rocky shores of the Bruce Peninsula with the smell of the lake and the waves crashing on the rocks; and the next week I was driving through the Ottawa Valley amongst Autumn coloured trees, colours which I had never seen before, with a crispness in the air that I had never felt before. Needless to say Ontario is a beautiful place with a lot of things to see and do.
Spa Land…
The things I discussed above are just a spec of what Ontario has to offer. Something else that Ontario has for you is a great chance to relax and to experience the world of the SPA. Whether you are from Toronto, or Sudbury, or you are from Manitoba, or you are from another country, Ontario has some really great spas for you to enjoy. There are so many spas in this province that it is hard to know where to begin in the great spa land. But if you are looking to have a true “SPA” experience, Ontario is a great place to look. From big spas in the big cities to little quiet retreats nestled amongst country escape destinations or whether you are a man looking to get his first pedicure or you are a woman looking for the royal treatment or you are a couple looking for a great SPA weekend together Ontario’s spas has something special to offer you.
Ontario’s top spas maintain the highest level of quality and service as they uphold standards that are often unmatched by other spas around the world. Within all of the hundreds of spas found in this great province your every spa need will be met from trying out unique water treatment therapies to simply going for more traditional spa treatments, everything and anything in terms of the world of spas can be found at one of the great Ontario spa destinations. Offering a diversity of spa treatments from message, aesthetic and body work to a unique and specialized range of treatments you will Ontario’s top spas to provide you with the highest stands of hospitality in all of their areas of service.
Ontario’s Spa Destinations…
Depending on what you are looking for, Ontario has a lot to offer you in terms of spas.
A quick Google search for “Ontario spas”, “Ontario’s finest spas”, “Ontario’s top spas”, etc will yield millions of results. In doing some of my own research I have come up with a list of what I think are two great Ontario spas.
1) Indulgence (at the Taboo golf resort, Gravenhurst)
This tremendous spa is a part of the renowned Taboo resort found in the world famous vacation destination of “the Muskokas”. Indulgence bases itself on the European traditions of health and wellness.
This spa offers a number of treatments from message, body care, hydrotherapy, reflexology, waxing, facials, Pilates, yoga, custom hikes, and skin rejuvenation treatments. They also have their own signature treatments such as a “Cranberry-Maple Body Polish”, a “White Mud Toning Wrap”, a “Coca Butter Body Wrap and Sun Indulgence” and “hot stone messages” which all reflect the natural surroundings found just outside of the spa/resort doors in lovely Muskoka.
This resort is also home to a world class golf course at Taboo (Mike’s Weir’s signature course) and being that it is only an hour and half away from Toronto this is a great Spa destination for any Ontarian or other spa seekers to enjoy and “indulge” themselves in.
Website: www.tabooresort.com
2) Secret Garden Spa (at Prince of Wales Inn, Niagara on the Lake)
This incredible spa is located at one of the finest hotels in Ontario, the Prince of Wales Hotel and Spa. (This is a great place, I have been there twice, my best friend from University used to work there growing up). As a part of the 1860’s Victorian hotel, the Prince of Wales, the Secret Garden Spa represents the same sort of elegance and history expected of its kind.
This spa offers an enticing selection of European spa treatments from hydrotherapy treatments and free floating body wraps, to message therapies, relexology, aroma body treatments, scrubs, LaStone therapy, and other aesthetic treatments/skin care (men and women).
The spa/hotel also has a healthy living and fitness center, personal trainers on staff, an indoor pool, sauna, and steam room for you to enjoy. Along with their four diamond dinning and accommodations this spa is a real treat for women, men, or couples to enjoy together.
Located in Ontario’s famous wine country in the Niagara peninsula this Spa and hotel are only an hour and a half away from Toronto and nearly a stones through from Buffalo, N.Y. This area is also home to the famous Shaw festival and is nearly 15 minutes away from “Niagara Falls”. The way this spa is going it won’t be a secret for long.
Website: www.vintage-hotels.com
For listings of other great Ontario spas visit: www.ontariosfinestspas.com or www.premierspasofontario.ca
Men’s Spas in Ontario
A new trend these days finds more and more men heading to the spa for treatments. This trend has also found new spas spurting up around the world and including the province of Ontario. Now, there are men’s spas that simply cater to the needs of men. Places like these often offer personal care services for men (including pedicures, manicures, facials) in the form of “necessity” rather than “luxury”. And they offer these in comfortable masculine environments; there won’t be any pink walls or the smell of frilly flowers in these places. The men’s spa is a way for men to take advantage of the great spa treatments women have enjoyed for years, in a comfortable setting.
Here are some men’s spas in Ontario that are worth checking out: