Mid-Winter Romantic Getaways

Christmas may be over, but winter definitely is not. With Valentine's Day coming up, now is the perfect time to plan for a romantic getaway for two, and there are plenty of enjoyable and affordable destinations within a day's drive, sure to help take a bit of the chill out of a long Canadian winter.

NIAGARA FALLS
While most of us think of Canada's natural wonder as a summertime destination, the Falls in winter is a true wonder to behold.

Niagara Falls also offers restaurants, hotels, casinos, nightlife and concerts, fine dining, golf courses and spas, and wine country is just down the road. For more information, visit niagarafallstourism.com

The TD RINK at the Brink offers of the quintessential Canadian wintertime activity — outdoor ice skating – but with an iconic twist, by offering it just a snowball's throw from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls. We consider it Canada's version of NYC's infamous Rockefeller Center Rink.

The TD RINK at the Brink operates until Feb. 29, and offers magnificent views of the American and Horseshoe Falls, including their spectacular nightly illumination.

Contact: www.WFOL.com/TDRINKatTheBrink

Tel.: 905 374-1616 x. 40

RESORTS
If hanging out in the big city doesn't sound romantic enough, how about heading a bit further north, to beautiful resort country? All within a day's drive, there are numerous gorgeous resorts to be enjoyed in Ontario. Deerhurt Resort (www.deerhurstresort.com) offers a relaxing Shizen spa, indoor pool, and everything from skiing, skating and dogsledding. The town of Huntsville with its Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery and unique shops, is just minutes away.

The Couples Resort & Algonquin Spa (www.couplesresort. ca) embraces the winter months with 30 km of cross country ski trails, snowshoeing, dog sledding and horseback riding. The Couples Resort is designed just for couples, no kids and no meetings, so, look forward to a weekend of pure relaxation. The resort is a Boutique Inn, a Romance Resort and a Full Service Spa all combined.

For more choices visit www.resortsofontario.com

TORONTO
Ontario's capital is less than an hour's drive away, and offers a plethora of fun and romantic activities for a weekend getaway. With hundreds of hotels to choose from, making it a weekend is easy and affordable. Once there, there are plays to see, monuments to visit — how many of us have actually been to the top of the CN Tower? — and historical sites to explore, including Casa Loma and the Benares Historic House. There are walking tours, sightseeing tours, and plenty of places to shop, including the iconic Eaton Centre and the World's Biggest Book Store on Yonge.

For more information visit whattodotoronto.com or www.toronto.com

So, even though the snow is flying now and it's bitterly cold, with a little creative thinking and maybe a bit of advanced planning, you can beat back the winter blues until spring makes its welcome appearance once again.