The Intrepid Travel newsletter arrived today, outlining some great travel deals for the coming season. But one trip -- the 13-day Patagonia trip to Argentina and Chile-- caught my attention. This travel deal is 'buy one trip and bring along a friend for half price.
But time is short -- this special travel deal ends on February 28 -- just a few days from now. If you want to see Chile (Santiago and Puerto Varas volcanoes in the Lake District, including the volcano in this picture) and take the fabulous ferry trip to from Chile's Lake District to Bariloche, then on to amazing Buenos Aires, Argentina, pop over to Intrepid Travel and check out the prices and itinerary.
Says Intrepid:
Travel overland from Santiago to Buenos Aires, taking in some awesome scenery and opportunities for outdoor sports along the way. Beginning in Chile's buzzing capital, this trip takes you through the volcanic landscapes of Puerto Varas, into the Lake District around Bariloche and finally ends in flamboyant Buenos Aires, where the party never stops. Get a taste of Patagonia on this action-packed adventure that is sure to leave you wanting more.
Right now, it's the end of summer in South America, and the weather is generally the best for travel: Sunny, warm and a full season of blooming plants on view. And in both countries, the grapes are being harvested as we speak!
When I traveled a similar route in South America, other than a bus trip to and from Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, in Chile, I went by air. But when you travel by road (and ferries!), you have a chance to really see the country.
On Intrepid's Patagonian trip, group size is from 1-16 travelers. How cool would it be if there were only you and a few friends? It would be like you were on your own private tour!
The price seems right, too! Check out the details at Intrepid for rates from your country. This tour runs all year, but the half price friend special ends this weekend. A great deal for those of you who can pack and go!
Harbourlicious is on right now until March 22 at five restaurants in Port Credit (Mississauga, Ontario) : TEN Restaurant and Wine Bar, Ridgetown Pub, Lake Affect, Breakwater Restaurant and Snug Harbour. I've eaten at them all (not on the same day or even week!) except for Ridgetown Pub, and I will remedy that oversight as soon as I can. Ridgetown Pub is at 170 Lakeshore Road East, about a block east of Hurontario and Lakeshore.
These restaurants / gastro pub are all within a few blocks of each other, and are on Lakeshore Road or within a block of Lakeshore, on the east side (Toronto side) of the Credit River. See contact links at the bottom. TEN Restaurant and Wine Bar (Hurontario and Lakeshore) has different specials on each night, with a prix fixe menu on Sundays.
Snug Harbour (marina, across from Lighthouse) has half price entres Sundays to Thursdays, as I wrote about last week. See this post for details. We stopped in here at New Years 2011 and noticed that the special is on again:
January 2012: Half price entrees on now to February 28, 2012
2 Jan – 28 Feb 2012.
Half Priced EntreI haven't been to Lake Affect for a few months, but as I recall, they made a very good chili for a fundraiser. Lake Affect is off Port Street, across from Breakwater Restaurant in the Waterside Inn, a block south of Lakeshore and east of Snug Harbour. See Googlemap Breakwater for location. There's lots of free parking; enter the parking lot from Port Street and drive to the far side. You'll see the sign, beside The Store. The Breakwater Restaurant in the Waterside Inn (you'll see it as soon as you turn south on Stavebank from Lakeshore) has a prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner, according to time of day and with or without wine. Most restaurants and pubs in Port Credit serve beers from our local brewery, Old Credit Brewery (Mississauga Road and Queen Street (train tracks north of Lakeshore).
Rather than re-type all the details of the various Harbourlicious specials, see them here at Discover Port Credit.
Cranberry Cove Lake Ontario - a warm, sunny day with gusty winds bring the temperatures up to plus 10C was great for us winter-weary types and great for the ducks playing ' Surfin' Bird ' on Cranberry Cove in Mississauga.
Cranberry Cove Lake Ontario
Here's the wide picture of the Cranberry Cove shoreline at Rhododendron Gardens in Port Credit.
Surfin' Bird ~ Ducks on Lake Ontario
The waves were fairly gentle, but every so often, as waves do, a few larger ones rolled in.
Breaking Wave Cranberry Cove Lake Ontario
The sun was so warm that even with the winds gusting to 50 kph (31 mph), you still didn't need a hat or gloves, or any heavy winter coat. Almost as good as finding yourself on a beach in Florida without having had to get on a plane!
I shot a short video of the sounds of the wind and waves - nothing earth shattering and I am not expecting any Oscar. Just such a nice day to sit in the sun!
(See Update bottom of page) Snug Harbour restaurant, located at the mouth of the river and across the bridge from the lighthouse in Port Credit has, arguably, the best location of any of the hundreds of places to eat in Mississauga.
Even if the food was unpalatable and the staff unpleasant (and this is not the case at all!), Snug Harbour views and great patio overlooking the Credit River would still be a huge draw.
There's even a riverside walkway for after dinner strolling -- south towards the lake, or west across the river to Saddington Park, or north along the walkway under the bridge on Lakeshore Road into Memorial Park. During the summertime festivals in Port Credit, Snug Harbour has the best location. You can't buy this type of outdoor ambiance any more. Kudos to whomever grabbed this property up!
Swan Near Lighthouse in Port Credit
As winter ends, and the swans migrate again, someone leaves grain here for the swans, usually a it later in the year. A few of these birds were looking for it in the parking lot.
Here's a video of the swans, geese and ducks on the river ice, backdropped by Snug Harbour.
-See what I mean about the location? When you're stuck for dinner conversation, just watch the birds! (In summer, the boats, sea-doos, canoes, kayaks and dragon boats.)
Lake Ontario Bay -- Port Credit -- Waterfront Trail
About a ten-minute walk from Saddington Park, where the Waterfront Trail takes you along the Lake past the PetroCanada lands, this small bay was covered in the oddest slushy-looking ovoid shapes. Here's a close up (below):
Close up Ice Lake Ontario Port Credit
If anyone knows how these shapes came to be formed, please let me know. How cool (no pun) are they? Is it simply wave action on melting ice?
Anyhow, getting back to the winter dinner specials: An email from Snug Harbour Restaurant says that from now until March 31, Sundays to Thursdays inclusive, from 5 p.m.to closing, Snug Harbour is offering half-price entrees.
Now if getting fed, and saving money in a place with 'Snug' in its name doesn't take the chill off this snowy winter weather, I don't know what would!
But time is short -- this special travel deal ends on February 28 -- just a few days from now. If you want to see Chile (Santiago and Puerto Varas volcanoes in the Lake District, including the volcano in this picture) and take the fabulous ferry trip to from Chile's Lake District to Bariloche, then on to amazing Buenos Aires, Argentina, pop over to Intrepid Travel and check out the prices and itinerary.
Says Intrepid:
