Ontario Resorts Prepare For A Sizzling Hot Summer


You would have to be living on a remote deserted island to have escaped the media coverage on global warming. While many academics pontificate the relative arguments of global warming and it's affects on the way we live there is one truth that anyone who lives in Ontario can agree on - the summers are scorching and unbearable for those in the greater Toronto area. Environment Canada is once again predicting soaring temperatures this summer in Ontario. Out west in British Columbia there are already record mid May temperatures of 30 degrees C that are making people take notice. What's in store for them come June through September? Well, according to the best meteorologists in the country you're going to fry like an egg on hot pavement. While we can't control the weather, the stifling heat of summer can become more bearable when your stretched out in front of a resort pool or lounging on the dock with a cold one, ready to plunge into the cool blue water at the first sign of a sweat.

Now did a light come on? Do you want to be the egg frying on the pavement suffering in the smog of downtown Toronto or do you want to be the one lounging by the cool blue water? Well Ontario resorts are betting you'll pick the latter and they're getting ready for an exodus to the waterfront properties of central Ontario. Some planning is in order though for those wanting to make the pilgrimage. There are three rules of thumb for those that don't have the luxury of their own cottage.

1/ Book early - don't wait until the last minute and find out everyone has their piece of the lake, except you and your family.

2/ Plan your travel – once you get there, you want a place where there's lots of choice so that if you get tired of reading the book by the water you can head off to an area attraction for some adventure.

3/ Book early – did I say that already? – well, I'll say it again. Those that book early have their pick of the best locations and accommodations and usually find they get the better value. Don't expect a lot of last minute deals this summer. You're going to pay through the nose if you reserve too late.

So how do you find that perfect place in the sun? Savvy vacationers use the internet. A plethora of vacation directories and web sites brimming with information await your perusal. One such area that promotes itself online is the Haliburton Highlands. Haliburton is only two hours north of Toronto and the area is covered with lakes and enough resorts of every shape, size and budget to cover the needs of the most easy going or discerning family.

An organization called Haliburton Tourism ( www.haliburton-tourism.com ) represents a number of accommodation members ranging from high end full service resorts to housekeeping cottages and bed and breakfasts.

So beyond relaxing by the water watching the loons glide by and watching sunsets come and go with starry skies so breathtaking that your ready to revisit the meaning of life, what does one do in a place like the Haliburton Highlands? Well you could always take a Walk in the Clouds at Haliburton Forest's ( www.haliburtonforest.com ) tree top canopy tour or perhaps a fresh water submarine tour in pursuit of the elusive prehistoric Haliburton Gold lake trout species. Or maybe a wolf howl that might send a few chills up your spine, or a visit to the wolf centre to see a local wolf pack interact. Plenty to do on the water too! - like water skiing, tubing, kayaking, peddle boats, canoeing…and lets not forget fishing. If you want to go into the deep dark recesses of the vast Haliburton wilderness areas there are plenty of hiking opportunities and over 1700km of ATV trails.

Haliburton is also well known for the Sir Sanford College summer arts program and the area seems to attract artists. Quaint shops and studio's abound. Searching for your family roots? Haliburton has a number of community museums that have excellent records that date back to the pioneer settlers and you can even view water cascading through the last remaining log chute in Ontario. Waterfalls - they're all over the place - you could spend your whole vacation going from waterfall to waterfall. You thought I forgot golf? Haliburton has sixth of them all within 30 minutes or less of any accommodator in the Highlands.

Remember, everyone deserves a summer vacation and you can also save money by booking the shoulder months of June and September. It's a Canadian right of passage. You'll never regret the good times on vacation spent with family and friends. You might regret the time you spend sitting in an office or coping with the heat of the city… but you're not going to regret your vacation. So what are you waiting for? Get planning that vacation today because you know the alternative – you'll could be stuck in the city for the big sweat wheezing in the smog and frying on the pavement - and we don't want that do we?

Contact Info:
Mark Coles
(705) 286 3656
Haliburton Tourism
Box 548,
Minden, Ontario
K0M2K0