The Niagara Icewine Season

The Niagara Region has many great local culinary products. Fruits, vegetables, and flowers are just a few of them. This time of year however, it is time for one of them in particular to shine bright and warm in the winter chill, Niagara's world renowned Icewines.

It's a special time of year here in Niagara. The frosted gems have been plucked from the vines and put to bed for the year, while the fruits of last year's labour get ready to make their delicious debut on our palates. Visitors will find that a great number of the Niagara wineries offer Icewine with tastes and noses which vary from soft peach from our local trees to the more exotic flavors of citrus or oak.

For real enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, a must on the Niagara Icewine pilgrimage is a stay over during the Niagara Icewine Festival Events. From January 16th through 25th, visitors can be a part of the very best of the world of Icewine. The Icewine Gala, ice bars and Icewine dinners are only a few of the fantastic experiences which await. Additionally, visitors will be able to delight in decadent dessert pairings and educational winery tours throughout Niagara's famed wine route.

For more information about the Niagara Icewine Festival, visit www.grapeandwine.com

© Niagara Falls Hotels

The 2009 Cuvée Weekend

On February 27th, 2009 the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort will play host to the 21st annual 2009 Cuvée Weekend. This event begins with the red-carpet Gala evening on Friday night as the culinary stars of Niagara are flawlessly paired with Ontario wine celebrities.

Called "The Oscars" of the Ontario wine scene, the event will celebrate award winners who are highlighted as the very best wines as selected by the winemakers themselves.

Ticket holders can also spend the entire weekend participating in the "Cuvée en Route" to experience touring throughout Niagara's wine country. This exclusive tasting opportunity will allow for VIP access to special tasting flights from the best wines which Niagara has to offer. Most importantly, on Saturday and Sunday, Cuvée en Route guests will have the special opportunity to purchase these award winning wines directly from the wineries.

For more information, schedules and tickets please visit www.cuvee.ca or call 905.684.8688.

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Skylon Tower

The Fastest Way to the Top of Niagara

Getting to the top in Niagara Falls is about to get a lot easier.

In 1965 the Skylon Tower opened it's doors to what would be millions of visitors from around the world. In 43 years, the tower has seen some incredible changes in the city around it, but now, the changes will be happening to the Tower itself.

One of the most iconic images of Niagara Falls is the Skylon Tower, and it would not be complete without the world-famous "Yellow Bug" elevators which nimbly scale the 750 foot structure. Now, those unique lifts, which have become a part of the local lexicon, are about to get a fantastic Christmas present.

Beginning on January 5th, 2009, the Otis Elevator Corporation has been commissioned to undertake a complete modernization of the Skylon's Bugs. The updates will result in significantly improved efficiency and capacity making the ride to the top of Niagara even more spectacular than ever before. The project will complete each lift one at a time so that service to the magnificent viewing platforms and the world-famous Revolving Dining Room is not interrupted.

The dining at the top of the Skylon is an experience that every visitor to Niagara should have. It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to indulge in one of the finest dining rooms in Niagara while serenely rotating above the mighty Niagara Falls. Additionally, the observation platforms offer a birds eye view of the entire region. On a clear day visitors will even be able to see the Skylon's sister tower, the CN Tower in Toronto, over 100 KM away!

For more information about the Skylon Tower visit www.skylon.com or phone 1-800-814-9577

© Niagara Falls Hotels

New Year's Eve in Niagara Falls

Once again, 'tis the season to plan for New Year's merriment!

If you know Niagara at all, then you definitely know that Niagara Falls is the place to be for the most memorable of New Year's experiences. Each year, the Niagara Parks Commission hosts its now famous and FREE, concert in Queen Victoria Park, overlooking the mighty Niagara Falls.

This year the event welcomes Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp), up and coming Canadian talent Justin Hines, and headliner Kim Mitchell! In addition to the musical performances, the incredible fireworks display will happen over the Falls at 9:00 pm and Midnight and the whole event will be captured live on CHCH TV from 11:00 pm through 12:30 am.

This event is family friendly and has become another seasonal experience tradition for many of the over 30,000 people who attend the event each year. The celebration also features food and beverage vendors and has an outdoor licensed area for those of you who have a ride home afterwards.

For more information please visit the Winter Festival of Lights website at www.wfol.com for regular updates on the festivities.

© Niagara Falls Hotels

Winter Colours in Niagara Falls

For most, the thought of heading into the cold depths of winter brings chilling images of gray days and waking up to darkness to shovel snow in heavy clothes. Here in Niagara however, we warm the hearts of visitors with the incredible and colourful floral cavalcade that is the Festival of Winter Colours!

Each day in December (excluding Christmas day) the Niagara Parks Commission Floral Showhouse will be open, FREE OF CHARGE, to the public from 9:30 am through 7:30 pm. The festival includes displays of traditional red, white and pink Poinsettias in addition to many other varieties of seasonal flora.

The Showhouse will be decorated with holiday cheer and visitors can expect some very special Christmas surprises throughout their tour of the festival. To bring some extra fun to the experience, visitors will be delighted by the accompaniment of many free flying tropical birds to help them forget the winter chill.

For more information please visit www.niagaraparks.com or call 905.354.1721 to confirm details. The festival only runs until mid January so make sure that you and your family don't miss this unique winter experience which will fill your holidays with the warmth, sights, scents and sounds of how this magical season is celebrated in Niagara.

© Niagara Falls Hotels

Santa Claus is Coming...to Niagara!!!

The Holiday Season is just around the corner. Here in Niagara, one of the greatest parts of the season is the tradition and excitement of attending our local Santa Claus Parades.

From the earliest memories that most of us have about Christmas, we can draw images of grand parade floats, decorated with the lights and tinsel that fill our hearts with warmth, even on the coldest parade route. Looking forward to anxiously sipping at hot apple cider pressed from Niagara trees, and listening to the bands play in a bid to out do each other, just as they had the year before. Then to hear the call from below as we perched atop Dad's shoulders, "Here he comes!", it could only mean one thing. What we all waited for since the last time we saw him, Santa Clause was here again!

The communities of Niagara have always been a rich tapestry of history and traditions and it is in this time of year which those traditions are most important to share with others. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to you and your loved ones to come be a part of our families and traditions during each of our spectacular Santa Claus Parades. We look forward to being a part of your family traditions as well.

Santa Claus Parades:

Fort Erie – December 13
Smithville – November 29
Thorold – November 29
Niagara Falls – November 29
St. Catharines – November 30
Grimsby - December 6
Port Colborne - December 6

© Niagara Falls Hotels