Stradford - Shakespear Festival

Last weekend, at a short weekend getaway I have discovered what seems to be like Southern Ontario's little hidden gem, that really, isn't so hidden. The only reason I'm saying this is because I had no idea this little town had so much to it. Stratford, is a home of the Shakespeare Festival, that proudly stands on the list of the Major Shakespeare Festivals in the World. It's atmosphere and welcoming feeling can be closely compared to Niagra-on-the-Lake but it's a lot bigger and has a fair-sized lake in the centre filled with many beautiful, yet agressive/ hissing sawns. Although my so-wonderfull girlfriends forced me against my will to make this weekend a triple-date weekend, it ended up being an awesome experience and I would recommend for anyone to pay at least one visit this summer to this great tourist destination.

Thanks to Geoff- our little actor/stuntman friend (which i still have to link to IMDB where he can be found), we got a chance to learn a little more about the behind the scenes. I even managed to sneak into one of the plays at the Festival Theater, something I would not recommend for anyone to attempt in the future, 1. you will probably get kicked out 2. it's actually really rude because it distracts the actors. The experience was topped-off with a late night five minute lesson on sword fighting (using real swords, pretty cool) and finished of by an amazing breakfast prepared by our wonderfull hosts that consisted of croissants, scrambled eggs with feta and a beautifull bouquet of flowers on the breakfast table.

Other activities I would recommend while you're there is to drop by the Chocolate Factory where you can get some amazing tasting overpriced ice cream, candy apples or just look at the amazing fountain of chocolate (picture below). Or you can spend your time taking a walk around the lake or renting a paddleboat to relax amongs the swans and duckies around you. The little purple welcoming door is where you can spend a few hours with your companion or family painting some pottery. Yes, I know sounds a little corny, but they actually have some really cool and usefull items in there, like plates or porcelin take-to-work mugs (imagine paiting one youreself...mine would probably bare some text, along the lines of "I don't want to be here", with a picture of a Jail-cell windows and bricks..ok, a little exagurated!) Anyhow, have fun and enjoy, don't foget to bring a picnic blanket, there's plenty of pleasant spots you can enjoy for a relaxing Sunday afternoon, afterall its only about one hour away from Toronto.

Just remember on your journey:

This above all: to thine own self be true. - Hamlet (Act I, Scene III)