WINTER ESCAPES WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE FROM TORONTO!

Photo Courtesy of Nachelle Nocom

Photo Courtesy of Nachelle Nocom

* Please Note - Some links in this post may be affiliate links *

Come on, winter isn’t that bad! There is something to say about the beauty of freshly fallen snow and how it makes everything glisten. It’s so picturesque! Top it all off with the smell of a wood burning fire and you’ve got a recipe for the coziest little winter escape to cure all your COVID winter woah’s.

If you’re smart, and I know you are, you’re already thinking about trying to plan a little getaway for this winter. To help you out and save you A WHOLE LOT OF TIME (you’re welcome!), I have compiled a list of cute properties within driving distance of Toronto. Don’t let me catch you sleeping on this opportunity though, these properties wont have rooms available for long…

P.s. if you book one of these properties, please let me know below in the comments! I’d love to learn what properties resonated with you!


- CABINS, COTTAGES & BUNKIES -

The beautifully decorated Birchwood Cottage is located in the heart of Haliburton, Ontario, a scenic 2.5-hour drive from downtown Toronto. Newly renovated, the cottage sleeps 6 comfortably and features 3 bedrooms each fitted with King Size beds. The cottage does have wifi and does feature a hot tub on the deck with beautiful views of Redstone Lake!

If you are looking to surprise your honey with an intimate and romantic getaway, I’d suggest a stay at this little modern bunkie! Perfect for a couple retreat with its outdoor hot tub and indoor wood burning fireplace, AUX BOX Muskoka is a 2.5 hours drive from the city. NOTE* This property doesn’t have running water and has an indoor composting toilet.

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Ly

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Ly

This open concept, lakefront A-Frame Cottage is located in Bancroft, Ontario, less than a 3-hour drive from downtown Toronto. Its spacious interior features bright white walls, a lovely kitchen, 3 bedrooms with 5 beds (guest must bring their own sheets and towels) and is suitable for 5 guests. Unfortunately, this cottage does not accept children under the age of 8 years old.

This modern industrial Container Cottage was newly built by the owner and features a mix of modern and soft cozy textures. Built using three containers, the cottage has 3 bedrooms (one with a bunk bed) and can host 6 guests comfortably. Although not on the lake (only a short walk away), the cottage does feature a beautiful deck with a hot tub, wifi, TV, Indoor fireplace, large windows and a beautiful kitchen.

Another impressive little bunkie, this little cabin is located in Komoka, Ontario, a little over a 2-hour drive from downtown Toronto. Perfect for a couple, the cabin is bright and welcoming with large windows to make you feel like your sleeping outdoors. Inside the cabin, you will find one double bed and an electric fireplace. A bathroom with a toilet and shower is available to guests however they are located about a 2-minute drive up the lane.


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- CONVERTED CHURCHES -

A property that has been on my bucketful for awhile, this converted church also located in PEC, offers tons of privacy and features 3 bedrooms and 2 seperate bathrooms. Suitable for up to 8 guests, the property features souring ceilings, a bright interior, a large living room, a beautiful kitchen with a breakfast nook, a large dining room table and a small laundry room. Additional features include Wifi, Netflix, PrimeTV, Sonos, fresh linens/towels, and coffee.

A new property on my radar, this bright, open concept converted church in the heart of PEC looks like a lovely place to stay for a weekend with a loved one. Although suitable for 4, the property doesn’t offer much privacy and is much more suitable for a single couple or a family of 4 looking to get away for a couple days. The property does have a few lovely elements to it though like a little kitchenette, a wood burning fireplace and a beautiful bathtub enclave .


Photo Courtesy of Rafael Leao

Photo Courtesy of Rafael Leao

- TREEHOUSES & HOMES -

An industrial chick private retreat, this modern home located in PEC boosts 4000 spacious feet of open concept, minimalist interior with floor to cieling windows. With 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, this property is suitable for hosting up to 8 guest and features a larger living room, kitchen and dining area for gathering. The only downside, no furry friends allowed.

Feel like escaping for a weekend to a luxury tree house in the woods this winter? I have just the place for you! This beautiful tree house in Minden Hills, Ontario, close to Haliburton, is a 2.5 hour drive from Toronto. This property has indoor plumping with a beautiful rainfall shower, a loft style bedroom, a indoor fireplace and a large deck. The floor to ceiling windows also provide gorgeous views of the surrounding wood and fill the tree house with tons of natural light. NOTE: Host does not allow pets or children under 12

This all white, renovated century home in PEC offers stack white Scandinavian inspired interiors. Although suitable for 3 guests, there is only 1 bedroom with a queen bed and 1 bathroom. The property does feature a full kitchen and indoor fireplace, and comes with amenities life WiFi, TV, bathroom essentials and bed-sheets, pillow and hangers.

Runaway to this little love shack near Blue Mountain, a short 1.5 hour drive from Toronto. This tiny home is perfect for a couple in need of a change of scenery and a moment to reconnect with nature. The tiny home features 1 loft bedroom with a queen size bed, a small kitchen and seating area. Although it does have a heater, there is no running water, bathroom (outhouse close by), electricity or running water however the host does provide two pairs of snowshoes, battery operated lanterns for light at night, a fridge (powered by propane) and there is a fire pit outside where you can enjoy a fire.


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A GUIDE TO NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, SPONSORED BY BUICK CANADA

Check out my sweet ride! The Buick Encore!

Check out my sweet ride! The Buick Encore!

At the beginning of the summer, I made a pact with myself to explore and promote as much of my home province as I could. I distinctly remember as the days started to get longer and the warm weather returned, having an epiphany and kicking myself because of how little I have written and promoted this beautiful place I call home. Even though I travel all over the world for work, have explored many different countries, I still walk away from those experiences feeling like Canada doesn’t get enough credit - and it’s true! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country and I will be the first to admit I take my proximity to so many amazing destinations in Ontario for granted. You don’t need to book two weeks off from work and spend three months of savings to have a great getaway, you can drive there on a weekend in an hour and a half - and that’s exactly what Krystle and I did!

We knew off the bat that planning a road trip to Beamsville and Niagara-On-The-Lake wouldn’t be complete without a couple key essentials: 1) a Winemakers Selections Tasting Pass; 2) a reservation at Kitchen 76; 3) a cute place to stay for the night; and 4) the perfect vehicle to get us there. Thankfully getting these items in order was a breeze and before you could say ‘Happy 30th VQA’ we were hitting the road in our Buick Encore.

A quick stop in the cute town of Jordan, ON on our way to Niagara-On-The-Lake

A quick stop in the cute town of Jordan, ON on our way to Niagara-On-The-Lake

Now before I dive into the amazing adventure that ensued there are a couple things about this vehicle that I need to point out because frankly they completely elevated our entire weekend. Having never driven a Buick Encore before I was surprised right off-the-bat at how spacious the compact SUV was. Krystle and I are known to travel with way too much stuff (content creation props, outfit changes, computer and camera equipment, etc.) and the Buick Encore accommodated us perfectly. That said it was actually the keyless entry feature that was the lifesaver! If I had my hands full – say with luggage or purchases – I didn't have to put my stuff down and search through my purse to find the keys to unlock the vehicle door. As long as I had the keys on me the car would unlock at the press of a button on the door handle - it was that easy! Also, being unfamiliar with the area, the ‘real time traffic’ data available through the navigation system along with the 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot (which can connect up to 7 devices) made traveling in rural, unfamiliar territory so easy. We never had to worry about being stuck in traffic or getting lost, which made sticking to our fun filled weekend plans even easier! There were also a couple extra bonus features like the heated steering wheel, which definitely came in handy (pun intended) on the last day when the temperature dropped, and safety features like the back up camera, blind spot alert, and forward collision alert that gave us that extra cushion of comfort and made driving the Buick Encore a dream.

It was a beautiful day to walk around the town of Niagra-On-The-Lake!

It was a beautiful day to walk around the town of Niagra-On-The-Lake!

Circling back to our Niagara and Beamsville road trip, Krystle and I were warriors when it came to ticking things off our ‘to see/do’ list. Although all the places we visited were amazing and a lot of fun there were a few special places that really rose to the top for me. So without further ado - here is a list of things to do in Niagara On The Lake!


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Niagara On The Lake Wineries

Krystle (@DineAndFash) and I living our best lives in the Buick Encore! A quick stop for a photo at Peninsula Ridge Winery!

Krystle (@DineAndFash) and I living our best lives in the Buick Encore! A quick stop for a photo at Peninsula Ridge Winery!

With our Winemakers Selections Pass ($25 + Tax) Krystle and I were able to get a tasting at numerous wineries including a couple of the ones I am going to list below (I will indicate them with a ‘*’). The pass gets you one tasting at each winery and the head winemaker at each vineyard has selected the wine you get to taste. Krystle and I didn’t have time to hit even a fraction of the wineries that were on the list because we were on bikes while visiting the participating wineries and part of the fun for us is also creating content along the way (which as you can imagine also slows our pace down significantly). That said the pass is still a great option to consider.

*Although I am promoting getting the Wine Makers Selection Pass and visiting niagara on the lake wineries I do not condone drinking and driving. Krystle and I made sure to visit the majority of the niagara on the lake wineries while on bike and in the instances we were driving, one of us was appointed the designated driver for the day and abstained from consuming ANY alcohol what so ever.

Tasting room at Angels Gate Winery!

Tasting room at Angels Gate Winery!

Angels Gate (Beamsville) - Of course my favourite Ontario winery made the list! Not going to lie, I usually buy three or four bottles of their Pinot Gris ($14.99 + Tax) from the LCBO at a time (it’s a staple in my house), and visiting the winery just made my love for their wine grow even stronger. Visiting Angels Gate also gave me a chance to try wines that aren’t available at the LCBO and walk away with some new bottles. The winery itself has only been around for about 20 years (the first grapes were planted in 1999, production started in 2000, and the winery only opened on 2002), but they have already carved out a name for themselves among VQA wineries having won numerous awards already.

Made it to Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

Made it to Reif Estate Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake!

*Reif Estate Winery (NOTL) - Reif Estate Winery is one of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s founding family wineries and has been in operation for almost 40 years. A very popular pick (there was literally a bus load of people that showed up while we were there) and still family owned, Reif is notable for their delicious full-bodied reds. It came as no surprise then when our ‘Winemakers Selection’ tasting was just that. Surrounding the tasting room is a beautiful fountain and garden with lots of chairs so you can bring a picnic and enjoy a bottle outside. There is also a large old Victorian mansion on the property that has been converted to a bed and breakfast, making this winery a NOTL heritage beauty you don’t want to miss.

Checking out the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast next door to Reif Estate Winery

Checking out the Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast next door to Reif Estate Winery

*Stratus Vineyards (NOTL) - I had never been to Stratus Vineyard until this adventure, but had seen pictures of its big, gorgeous, modern tasting room with massive windows and a great patio. I had heard they throw some really great parties during harvest and take a more scientific approach to wine production by incorporating gravity flow methods. What I didn’t know was how amazing their wines were, how they are a LEED certified winery, and how they are committed to producing sustainable and outstanding wines. At Stratus it’s about quality over quantity and that really shines through in everything they do. This winery not only makes amazing wines that I would happily enjoy drinking, but also exceeded my expectations in innovation and sustainability in every way.

Stratus Vineyards tasting room! Time to get our tasting on!

Stratus Vineyards tasting room! Time to get our tasting on!

Two Sisters Vineyards (NOTL) – Talk about being transported into another time and place. To me, Two Sisters Vinery is NOTL’s adult version of a Disney fairytale land. Once you pass through the gates of the property a long road lined with trees and rows of vines leads you to a large building resembling a mansion which houses their amazing restaurant Kitchen 76 and tasting room. Everything about this winery feels super opulent and magical. They have a grand terrace in the back with lots of outdoor seating where people can spend the afternoon drinking exquisite wine and feeling like the Lords and Ladies of the vine-lands below.

We made it to Two Sisters Vineyards - NOTL’s adult version of Disney Land!

We made it to Two Sisters Vineyards - NOTL’s adult version of Disney Land!

Local Distilleries

Tasting room at Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers

Tasting room at Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers

Dillion’s Small Batch Distillers (Beamsville) - This small batch Gin distillery was born out of necessity for Geoff Dillion (Distiller) and has the cutest love story. Geoff who was desperate to marry founder Gary Huggins’ daughter, was only going to be accepted into the family if he made a name for himself, thus Dillion’s Small Batch Distillery was born! With the help of Geoff’s father Peter, an engineer and spirit lover, they started producing some great gin using quality ingredients found only in Niagara and scaled the business quickly. If you aren’t really a gin person like myself, no need to worry. They are producing more than just gin these days and also offer tasting of their Limoncello, Rye Whisky, Peach Schnapps (which I grabbed), Vodka, and a variety of flavoured gins. They also started making pre-bottled Negroni’s and a variety of bitters, all of which are on display and available to try in their tasting room (which is also très mignon by the way).

Niagara On The Lake Restaurants

Loitering outside Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

Loitering outside Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop in the town of Niagara-On-The-Lake.

When it comes to Niagara on the lake restaurants, many of them, especially those with patios, seem to be a bit of a tourist trap in the summer. Not only are the restaurants usually super packed making it hard to get a table, but the food itself is over priced. With that being said we did find two places, one sandwich place that was great for dining on a budget and a winery restaurant that offered phenomenal food, ambiance and wine!

Tide and Vine Sandwich Shop (NOTL) - Krystle and I just happened to walk by this cute sandwich shop in NOTL and literally stopped in our tracks. It was a small, cute, sea foam green, casual shop with a couple seats and a cute bench nook by the window that we quickly occupied. Feeling a little hungry I was keen on trying their food and since you could opt into having any of the sandwiches made into a salad, I did just that. In the end the food was really good, the place was super cute and compared to all the other overpriced ‘tourist trap’ restaurants on the NOTL town strip, this one’s cute east coast vibe really jived with me.

Kitchen 76 at Two Sisters Vineyards (NOTL) - When Krystle told me about the wood burning pizza oven at Kitchen 76 I was automatically sold. When we arrived I was taken back at how grand the entire estate and winery was, but once we sat done for our late lunch in the restaurant and actually got to experience the food, I knew this was going to have to be on my list. Our meal was hands down the best we had our entire time in Niagara and the restaurant felt so cozy with its massive fire place and large windows, which provided a view of the terrace and vineyard in the distance. The pizza here was of course amazing but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t also recommend their burrata and orecchiette.

Things To Do in Niagara On The Lake

Krystle and I got our bikes from Grape Escape! They were so great!

Krystle and I got our bikes from Grape Escape! They were so great!

Grape Escape Wine Tours – By now it should come as no surprise that this bicycle tour and rental company is another family run and owned establishment in Niagara-On-The-Lake. We got to meet Richard Mell, the owner’s son, when we came in to grab our bikes and he was very accommodating in helping us plan a route for our skill level and time requirements. He also adjusted the bike to our measurements and provided helmets so we didn’t have to worry about bringing our own. I actually really enjoyed experiencing the area via bike and since the shop was located very close to 3-4 wineries you really don’t need to bike far to start enjoying yourself. Richard also mentioned that wine tours were available and they do provide group tours however they are known to run out of bikes (they had around 200 bikes) on weekends so it is important to make a reservation ahead of time. If you are looking for things to do in Niagara on the lake, renting a bike or joining a tour is a great way to get in a lot of wine tasting in Niagara on the lake.

Had such a great time this weekend in the Buick Encore!


Unfortunately this time around I don’t have any recommended accommodations for you. I would never recommend a place to you that I have never stayed at and even though there were a lot of cute looking Niagara on the lake accommodation, the place Krystle and I stayed was going through renovations and updates and just didn’t hit the mark. That being said I wouldn’t recommend staying there until the updates and renovations are over. For now it felt a little too expensive for the value you were getting as well as a little far from things to do in niagara on the lake on the downtown strip for my liking. Next time I will look at something more closer/in town and come back to provide you with a solid recommendation.


Thanks for following along on Krystle and I’s adventure to NOTL! If you have any questions or recommendations for hings to do in Niagara on the lake, Niagara on the lake wineries or Niagara on the lake restaurants, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and share about your experience


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LANGDON HALL HOTEL AND SPA - CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO

Have you ever had something great and completely unexpected happened to you? Did it make you pause for a moment in disbelief before cloaking you in happiness and gratitude? In June it happened to me. I won! I woke up one morning still dazed, nursing my morning coffee as I perused through my new emails when I saw the subject line, Congratulations! You're the Winner… Winner!? What did I win? What a great way to start of my day. A gift certificate to Langdon Hall from Branding and Buzzing's July giveaway! One of the most prestigious spas in Canada! Are you kidding me! Is this a joke? Is someone playing a huge trick on me? Is Ashton Kutcher going to jump out of my closet and punk me?

I literally had to read the email three times.  I have never won anything. ANYTHING. My next immediate thought was – who am I going to invite? Friends? NAW! Think Soheila, think! Family? Getting warmer. My mom!? Ding Ding Ding!!!!  I mean I owe the women my life. Not to mention she has probably invested a bazillion dollars in educating me, feeding me and making sure I have clothes on my body and a roof over my head. I think it’s safe to say she deserves a little getaway to Langdon Hall, especially with her favorite person in the world. Or at least I will be after this!


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So off we went last week! We jumped in the car and within an hour and a half we arrived at Langdon Hall! The Cambridge property is gorgeous and although it was my first time to the hotel and my mom is practically a regular, we still were blown away by the beautiful property and landscaped grounds.  Once checked-in we were also very happy to hear that the spa had recently been moved into a newly renovated space and our spa services would give us access to all their new amenities including a comfortable indoor sitting room, a sundeck with lounge chairs, an indoor exercise room and a whirlpool and sauna.  Wow!

After my mom and I indulged in much needed massages we continued onto our mani, pedi spa services. Now one thing that I am going to point out about Langdon Hall Spa that I absolutely loved was their product line. They have a variety of products and scents that make services easy to customize to your preferences! Weather you prefer citrus or frankincense or only like vegan/organic products, they‘ve got it! I was especially impressed with their SpaRitual line of products and nail lacquers that are completely vegan and free from 5 of the most harmful chemicals found in nail polish. Not only do they use such great products, but if you get a mani/pedi they send you home with two SpaRitual nail lacquer bottles! What!? Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

Once our spa services were complete and there was time for a small pause before dinner I took the opportunity to wander around the property. Curiously enough, as I poked my nose around the property I came across this gorgeous little secret garden door, a green house to die for, tennis courts, a pool and an expansive vegetable and flower garden I could of spent hours exploring.

However, I wasn’t about to keep my hungry mom from dinner. Back to the main house I went – very excited because Langdon Hall’s Executive Chef Jason Bangerter is known for combining ingredients that are grown and foraged on the property to create dishes and experiences so grand and captivating that they are impossible to forget. From the black trumpet mushroom amuse bouch to the summer fruit and foie gras appetizers (yes, I had two appetizers) my meal could not of started off on a better foot. To conclude the meal I chose the beef tenderloin –  so moist and flavorful it could make a vegetarian crave meat! To finish off my mom and I each ordered a desserts – the Chocolate Ganache and the Peanut Butter Sable with some Langdon Hall Honey Mousse. A symphony of flavors! Great dishes on their own but even better combined together!

It’s definitely safe to say that after the experience I had at Landon Hall, winning a Langdon Hall gift card is one of the best things that happened to me this year and the absolute best way to celebrate my one year blogiverssary! I definitely recommend anyone looking to celebrate an upcoming milestone or interested in a relaxing weekend getaway to look into Langdon Hall. Although I did not stay overnight they do offer many packages that include a mix of accommodations, spa services and dining options you should definitely consider checking out before booking your reservation.

If you are interested in visiting Langdon Hall or making a reservation visit their website -> HERE