specialty-food empori-
ums, bike trails and
more pepper the region.
Hotels and inns named
in the vernacular
remind visitors of the
area's British history:
Niagara-on-the-Lake
was one of the earliest
settlements in Canada
and the site of much
military action. Best of
all, lodging remains at
off-season prices well
into the Shaw Festival.
Not a theater buff?
\Vineries, spas and fine-
dining offerings beckon
to this comfortable, safe
and charming destina-
tion.
WHERE TO STAY
Located in a quiet resi-
dential area, the Pillar
Afternoon tea and spa treatments are among the offerings at
and Post Inn, Spa and
Niagara-on-the-Lake's Pillar and Post Inn.
Conference Centre is a
five-minute walk from
architect Jean Paul Viguier. Order a
the city's main street. Built in the
cocktail at the Sofitel's cool Le Bar,
late 1800s as a canning factory in the
which features a stylish modern
midst of Niagara's wine and fruit
motif, complete with glass walk.
region, it has been transformed into
specialty martinis and an inviting
a luxurious antiques-filled country
library area, while
the French-style
Cafe Des
Architectes offers
innovative cuisine.
Chicago, (312) 324
4000; sofitel.com .
FOR MORE
(877) CHICAGO;
877chicago.com .

Relax in an antiques-filled
country inn — originally
built as a canning factory
in the late 1800s.

ENGLISH

ACCENTS

Crave something international?
Peaceful Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, Canada, is right in our back
yard. This exquisitely clean
picture-pretty town is brimming with
19th-century homes, manicured
lawns, gabled porches, English archi-
tecture and a boutique-filled down-
town. And it is a playgoers' paradise
— the Shaw Festival Theatre and its
10 plays by George Bernard Shaw
and his contemporaries opens its cur-
tain March 30. Galleries, bookshops,

inn, with many of its cozy 123 gue-
strooms offering fireplaces and four-
post king-size beds. Plush duvets.
afternoon tea and spa treatments at
100 Fountain Spa make this a relax-
ing choice. Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Ontario, (905) 468-2123,
(888) 669-5566.
TRAVEL TIME 15 minutes north
of Niagara Falls and four-and one-
half-hours from Detroit.
FOR MORE (905) 468-1950;
niagaraonthelake.com ,
shawfest.com .

❑

LUXURIOUS DETACHED CONDOMINIUMS IN HISTORIC FRANKLIN

Cressbrook sets the gold—or should we say green—

standard for living in Southeastern Michigan.

Nestled on the Franklin River on the site of the original
Albert Kahn estate, Cressbrook offers everything you'd expect

and more. With windows that highlight lush ravine and garden
views, incredible lower level options, spectacularly appointed

gourmet kitchens and first floor master bedroom suites,

Cressbrook exemplifies gracious living at its finest.

Excellence is a family tradition
www.robertson-brothers corn

From the low $900 ,000's
Model open daily, Noon to 6 P.m.–Closed Thursdays

(248) 538-0482 Sales Office

*Prices and availability Athiect to change without n.)

JNPLATINUM • MARCH 2006 •

.