Shakespeare to the Shoreline

Touring in a Relaxed and Rural Setting

Couples and family groups, girls’ getaways and last minute treasure hunters – travellers along the historic Highway #8 will find that the Shakespeare to the Shoreline route offers a wonderful "relaxed and rural" experience.

With more than 110 stops along the way, this special “themed” self-guided touring is easy to find and follow. Travel through the patchwork quilt of towns, villages, rich farmland and Lake Huron shoreline. The themes provide a focus for exploration along this old survey road, now a familiar highway to Stratford visitors. The driving themes have special appeal for passionate collectors, gardeners, walkers, gourmets, theatre fans as well as visitors seeking experiences that are a little off the beaten path but not too far away!

This 75-kilometre route passes through communities, beginning in the Hamlet of Shakespeare, through Stratford, to Mitchell, Seaforth, St. Marys, Goderich and Bayfield. Travellers will find the backroads and byways enticing as well, and be rewarded with treats and treasured visits to shops, galleries, garden centres, conservation areas and more. The themed self-guided tours include: Antiques and Collectibles; Artisans and Art Galleries; Farm Markets; Gardens & Gardeners' Dreams; Historic Stops and Attractions; Live Theatre and Performances; Nature Walks and new this year is a favourite topic: Specialty Foods. The seasonal focus for the travel themes provides visitors with a reason to return. In early spring, Gardens & Gardeners’ Dreams gives the travelling gardener a sampling of sites to find benches and bedding plants, sculptures and shrubs, lilies and exotic plants to feed their passion for planting. In summer, Live Theatre and Performances offer travellers concerts, comedies, dramas, classical and Canadian, with music and song indoors and outdoors: a great theme for a three-day, two-night getaway.

Take a day, an afternoon or make plans to stay for a couple of nights at historic country inns and delightful bed and breakfast homes. The travel routes encourage visitors to take their time, slow the pace, relax. Include top-notch dining experiences as well as indulgent accommodation at three of Ontario's finest inns: Benmiller Inn and Spa just outside Goderich, Westover Inn in St. Marys and The Little Inn of Bayfield.

Maps and the themed guides are available at www.shakespearetotheshoreline.ca, with dining and accommodation information.

Two Visitor Information Centres anchor the routes and welcome visitors to drop in for more brochures about the region:

     • Tourism Stratford at 1- www.city.stratford.on.ca
     • Tourism Goderich at 1- www.town.goderich.on.ca

Packaged Up In Perth

Who best to extoll the virtues of Perth County than local B&B owners? We interviewed a couple of very enthsiastic hosts to present a sampling of what Perth County has to offer. Be sure to check out all the B&B and accommodation listings on this website.

Laurie and Tom Diemand found their “peace” of heaven in Poole, Ontario, a picturesque little town located between Stratford and St. Jacobs – and named their B&B A Peace of Heaven when they opened it in 2000.

“Crossing the county line into Perth County may be a short journey but it takes the traveller miles into a new world of peace and serenity,” says Laurie. “These country roads will welcome you to this 1860 Heritage Stagecoach stop. A Peace of Heaven offers complete privacy to guests, all the friendly advice you want from Tom and I and the best food any morning could bring. "Some of the highlights of our full breakfast include freshly baked muffins and breads along side an incredible fruit platter we create daily”, says Tom.

Laurie and Tom are eager to ensure a relaxing, rejuvenating stay for all guests. Four spacious guest rooms with antique furnishings alongside all the modern amenities - including Jacuzzi tubs for two - guarantee restful, romantic nights. And they have plenty of suggestions for the daytime.

“You can be charmed by the pastoral countryside as viewed from an Amish horse-drawn buggy ride taking you over the river and through the woods. Visit nearby Stratford or St. Jacobs for theatre and shopping excursions. A visit to Milverton brings guests an opportunity to visit the Horse and Buggy Restaurant for more home cooking, buffet style this time. You can work off some of that fine food by winding your way through the world’s largest corn maze in Newton, Ontario. We can set-up custom packages to include any of the available amenities, plus spa treatments and almost anything else you like.”

To have Laurie and Tom create a “heavenly” package just for you, visit their website at www.apeaceofheaven.ca.

Perth County caters to all types of visitors, something that innkeepers Andy Gurtins and Sandra Cacis were sensitive to when they created St. George Street Furnished Suites in Mitchell. Their upscale country retreat features three one-bedroom apartments with beautiful views of the Thames River. Each apartment has a full-size kitchen (continental breakfast is provided), satellite television, a DVD player, and complimentary laundry facilities.

Andy and Sandra are very enthusiastic about what the area has to offer their visitors. “West Perth is the gateway to days of year-round fun!” says Sandra. “Whether you enjoy theatre, golf, nature or just want to spoil yourself, we have the package for you. Book in for a two-night stay, then the choice is yours. Spend part of the day rejuvenating at Deep Roots Salon & Spa in Mitchell or play a round of golf at Mitchell Golf & Country Club. Tour our pastoral countryside and take in some fantastic theatre productions.” Or take a day and slow down the pace. “Enjoy nature at its best. You can hike, bike, and in the winter, ski the many trails or spend some time bird watching. After a busy day, our guests come back to the B & B and delight in a catered gourmet dinner or if they visited our local butcher, Johnny at Johnny’s Meat & Deli, to pick out some tasty BBQ treats, they can get grilling on their own barbeque on their own private riverside deck.” And if guests can’t find the time to fit in grocery shopping, the hosts can do that too—just give them a list. “There is something for everyone for all seasons,” says Andy.

Let Andy and Sandra put together a custom package for your perfect Perth getaway. Visit their website at www.sgsfurnishedsuites.com.

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