130km (81 miles) SE of Toronto

Never mind that Oscar Wilde called it "a bride's second great disappointment," the honeymoon capital of Niagara Falls is worth the 2-hour drive from Toronto just to witness the majesty of the falls themselves. The tacky shops, motels, attractions -- it's an unabashed tourist trap -- can either be ignored or enjoyed, depending on your sensibility. Then take a scenic drive about a half-hour back toward Toronto, along the Niagara Parkway, to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quiet and pretty 19th-century village that offers a welcome retreat after the carnival atmosphere of Niagara Falls. Many travelers prefer to stay at NOTL, where the food and wine offerings go well beyond the fast-food chains of the Falls and can be quite sophisticated for a tourist region. (You're now in the heart of Niagara wine country.) This is also home to the Shaw Festival, a theater event on par with Stratford's festival and another reason to visit, or even stay for a day or two.