Great Drives Package - Grand Sites and Country Delights
As part of Ontario Tourism's Great Drives programme, Scugog Island Cruises is pleased to offer the Grand Sites and Country Delights Package. Available from June 1, 2007 until Labour Day, your experience will take you on a scenic route from one end of Durham to the other and includes:
- Parkwood Estate House and Garden Tour Experience
- Lunch at the Garden Teahouse Restaurant
- Tour and Tasting at Archibald Orchards Estate Winery
- Sight-Seeing Cruise with Scugog Island Cruises
- One night accommodation at Best Western Durham
- A Welcome kit with area information, maps and tips on other interesting things to see and do while you are in Durham
To book this package, call Best Western Durham Hotel & Conference Centre at 1-888-247-2201 and ask for the “Great Drives” package.
Your package includes a visit to one of Canada’s last grand estates, Parkwood. This National Historic site is one of Canada’s finest and last remaining grand estates, featuring architectural, landscape and interior designs of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Once home to auto 
baron R. Samuel McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada, Parkwood is a rare remaining example of luxury homes built during the inter-war years and is exceptional in the completeness of its carefully preserved collections of art, furnishings and heritage gardens. The majestic estate is now a National Historic Site and still reflects not only the interests and tastes of a prominent Canadian family, but also five remarkable decades in history as Canada and the world embraced both the automobile and 20th century technology. Your package includes a fully guided tour of the 55-room mansion and the 12 acres of breathtaking heritage gardens. Your visit winds up with a delicious lunch by the sparkling fountains of the Garden Teahouse Restaurant. Created by the award-winning team at Kings Court Catering, you will enjoy your meal as guests of the McLaughlins did in the 1920's. Click here to visit Parkwood Estates Website.
Next on your agenda, experience a tour and tasting at the award-winning 
Archibald Orchards Estate Winery in Bowmanville. Explore the exciting world of fruit wines at this family farm & winery is nestled in the foothills of the Oak Ridges Moraine, blessed with a southwesterly slope that is just perfect for growing apples! You will be greeted with the genuine, warm hospitality of the Archibald “family”. Their passion for growing great apples and making great wine is hard to miss as you sample four wines ranging from dry to sweet. During the tasting, you will learn about the family farm, growing apples and matching fruit wines with foods. Finally, take a leisurely stroll among the 10,000 apple trees at this picturesque site. Click here to visit Archibald Orchards Estate Winery Website.
An
other stop on this countryside tour is the quaint town of Port Perry. You will gain a wonderful vantage point and interesting history of the area on your 2-hour sightseeing tour with Scugog Island Cruises. The captain and crew will provide you with a pleasurable peek into the past where you can relish a time when life had a much simpler pace.
Your package includes one night stay at t
he newly renovated Best Western Durham Hotel in Oshawa. At this distinctive hotel, cleanliness and customer satisfaction are top priorities. This hotel is in close proximity to Highway 401, downtown Oshawa’s restaurants, museums and attractions, premium outlet stores, antique centers and Oshawa Generals hockey games. Make the most of your visit by taking part in local activities such as golfing, fishing, hiking, biking and local artistic venues. Click here to visit Best Western Durham's Website
