Tips to Finding Adventure on a Budget

Tags

adventure, Ball Falls Conservation Area, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario Wine Region, Ontario Wineries, Twenty Bench

Thinking of a day trip but don’t want to break the bank?  You need to think like a tourist
and check out the local tourist board and discover what is literally in your ‘backyard’.

The Organized Crime Winery

Last week, my husband and I decided to travel to one of Ontario’s Wine Regions.  Having visited Niagara-on-the-lake on numerous occasions, it was time to venture to somewhere different to experience and explore wines in an area that was unknown to us.  We decided to explore the Twenty Valley Region and of course, there was no plan of action put in place so we were ready for a day filled with adventure.

Our day started by visiting some of the more well known wineries of this region

Flat Rock Cellars Winery

like the ‘Thirty Bench Winery’, the ‘Hidden Bench Winery’, and the ‘Fielding Estate Winery.’
Of course, I’m not that big of a fan of Ontario wines or at least I haven’t discovered a lot that I like, but I’m always up to the challenge of tasting a new vintage.  There was one
winery that caught my eye just for the name alone, the ‘Organized Crime Winery.’  The views of Lake Ontario alone from this winery were incredible and one of the reasons I visit wine country to take in the spectacular landscape.

I enjoy touring around wine regions not just for the wine sampling but to enjoy the

Relaxing at Balls Falls Conservation Area

remoteness of the areas and to discover new areas of interest.  My husband and I always bring our bikes so we can discover places off the beaten path and of course, it saves money from driving from winery to winery.  Tastings can cost anywhere from $1 to $5 per sample (or 3 for $5 at some wineries) so it’s a great way to try some local wines without having to pay the cost of buying an entire bottle. Since I’m not a big fan of eating or dining out, we decided to pick up a local map to see if

Lower Falls at Balls Falls Conservation Area

there was a place to sit and relax while having lunch.  We discovered a Conservation Area nearby called ‘Balls Falls’.  We drove to the Conservation area to park our car (cost of $5.25 per adult) and to our luck, it was a place that offered much more than we expected.  The Bruce Trail was available to hike or bike through, there were two waterfalls to enjoy and finally a relaxing spot by the river to have our picnic lunch.  Since I love to cook, lunch was free (courtesy of ‘chef moe’) along with a chilled bottle of white wine that I brought with me for the two of us to enjoy.  The trek to the lower falls was a mere 5 minute walk from our picnic spot and then we took our bikes and headed up to the upper falls which was a quick 10 minute bike ride.  We had the opportunity to get up close to the falls and enjoy the scenery of this beautiful tranquil spot.

After exploring the trails and waterfalls, it was time to hit the wine trail again.  The maps

Calamus Estate Winery

of Twenty Valley are such a valid resource providing you with a listing of all the wineries, local B & B’s, local restaurants, farmer’s markets, and areas of interest.  We managed to visit a couple other wineries in which we both purchased a bottle from a winery called ‘Calamus Estate Winery’ and stopped to enjoy the views from the rooftop lounge.   Next was ‘Flat Rock Cellars’, to enjoy the never ending views of the vineyards and the stillness of Lake Ontario in the far distance.  Here you can stop, sample and enjoy a glass of wine while sitting on the rooftop to take in the scenery and indulge in the beauty of this wine region.

Checking out the scenery at Balls Falls

After packing up the bikes, we got back in our car and headed to one last winery, ‘Legend’s Estate Winery’ to sample wines for the last time before departing home.  After our sampling which I have to admit was very generous, we walked towards the lake on the estate to take in a quick bite to eat and enjoy Lake Ontario.  The perfect ending to a perfect day of biking, hiking, wine tasting, picnics and indulging in the beautiful scenery of Twenty Valley.  All just a quick drive from the city for a small price.  Cost of our trip was $40.00 for gas, lots of wine sampling, fee to the Conservation Area and picnic lunch with a bottle of wine.  Not bad for an 8 hour day.

Tips to Save Money:

1. Visit a Park or Local Conservation Area  – you pay a small fee for the entire day and there is so much to do.
2. Don’t Break the Bank – bring your own lunch and drinks so you don’t have to stop to buy food and it’s also a healthier option.
3. Think like a tourist – if you were a tourist, would you go to visit?
4. Not too far – You don’t have to drive far to have an adventure or discover a new place and it saves on gas.
5. Check out the local tourist board in your area or province (just do an internet search) – there are so many ideas and options for you to try and do and it’s all free.

Ontario Tourism visit:  www.ontariotravel.net