features 78 Blue Mountain – Winter’s Playground There’s family fun – indoors and out – at this cool winter paradise. 88 Family Fun to the 10th Power Multiply family fun with these 10 exciting family attractions. 94 Classic Muskoka Take Two Discovering Deerhurst – all over again. 102 Princess for a Day Living the fairy tale at Hamilton’s Dundurn Castle. 106 Serengeti Bush Camp at Toronto Zoo Take a safari trip closer to home. 110 Voyageur Life Relive the fur trade at Fort William Historical Park. departments 9 Editor’s Note 10 Contributors 13 Showcase 114 Great Escapes 128 Resources 130 The Story Behind… MY ONTARIO • ontariotravel.<strong>net</strong> 102 Escape to paradise Tulip Celebration Rose Celebration Nils-Udo (Germany) Explore Royal Botanical Gardens featuring over 2,700 acres of breathtaking gardens and nature sanctuaries. • Three outdoor display gardens and an Arboretum • A Mediterranean Garden under glass • Three on-site restaurants and a gift shop • Over 23 kilometres of walking trails and more Bloom Celebrations Take in the spectacular collections in full bloom. Enjoy live music, refreshments, activities for the kids and more. • Tulip Celebration, April 26, 27 and May 3, 4, 10, 11 • Lilac Celebration, May 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 • Iris and Peony Celebration, May 31 and June 1, 7, 8 • Rose Celebration, June 21, 22, 28, 29 and July 5, 6 Visit www.rbg.ca/1 for full event listing and details. NEW! Helen M. Kippax Garden July, 2008 — our new garden features native plants and native plant cultivars in an inspiring design that showcases sustainable gardening and the beauty of native plants. Royal Botanical Gardens’ Earth Art Exhibit showcases renowned Canadian and international artists who create one-of-a-kind environmental or ephemeral art installations throughout our cultivated gardens and natural lands. Ephemeral art utilizes natural materials and plants to create both large- and small-scale artistic installations in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations. Landscape and artwork become inextricably linked, revealing new relationships with nature, landscape and the environment. EARTH ART EXHIBIT July 18 to October 13 Royal Botanical Gardens www.rbg.ca/1 CURATED BY: John Grande, Canadian worldrenowned ephemeral art expert and author. ARTISTS: Nils-Udo, Germany; Emilie Brzezinski, USA; Simon Frank, Canada; Neville Gabie, UK; Yolanda Gutierrez, Mexico; Ludwika Ogorzelec, Poland/France; Arthur de Mowbray, UK; Roy Staab, USA; Bob Verschueren, Belgium; Sharon Loper, USA. RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington 905-527-1158, 1-800-694-4769 www.rbg.ca/1 Admit One BUY Online www.rbg.ca