Feb 15, 2017 - 4 Belated Valentine's Day Gifts That Won't Make it Look Like You Forgot Valentine's Day

Is it just us or is 2017 flying by? Valentine's Day has already come and gone, and while many of you probably celebrated with your significant other this past weekend, it's completely understandable that you may have forgotten the holiday altogether (what, with it being on a Tuesday and all). On the plus side: if Valentine's Day DID slip your mind last weekend, you can just blame it on the inconvenient mid-week date it fell on this year. We're big fans of buying loved ones experiences, not more stuff. It's so much more personal to share a crazy experience with someone you care about than to give them something they, in all honesty, will probably never use. We've made a list of great last-minute gift-experiences that will make your s/o believe your plan was to celebrate after the fact this entire time!

CN Tower Edge Walk 

It's like a trust-fall for adrenaline junkies and the best gift for the adventurous couple. What better way to bond with your significant other than by hanging 1,168ft above the ground together. Really though, numerous proposals and even weddings have happened on the Edge Walk. There must be something about the adrenaline rush you get when you're hanging over the edge of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere with nothing but a thick string keeping you from falling to your death that makes you think how romantic.

Niagara-on-the-Lake 

If you're looking for a scenic, relaxing Valentine's weekend, consider heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake; with the heavy snowfall we had last week, you might even get lucky enough to find yourselves in the midst of a winter wonderland. Stay in a charming, vintage-inspired hotel like the Prince Charles of Wales, and spend the weekend relaxing and reconnecting. Check out events like Days of Wine & Chocolate, sign up for the Winter Wonderland Food Tour, or, you know, do what most people do when they visit Niagara-on-the-Lake: drink wine.

Sign up for a Cooking Class

The Chef Upstairs offers both group and private cooking classes in Toronto. For the more social couple, why not sign up for one of their fixed-menu group classes. If you're more keen on staying in (as so many of us are in the winter months), you can sign up for a private dining experience in your own home. The Chef Upstairs offers interactive cooking classes for those who like to be a part of the experience, or if you don't trust your cooking abilities, the chef will prepare a meal for you and your S/O, and all you have to do is sit back, relax, and have a glass of wine.

Bruce Peninsula

It was the must-see day trip destination for Torontonians and the GTA this past summer for its crystal blue water and dramatic cliffs. You probably won't get a tan while you're there in February, but the Bruce Peninsula is no less stunning in the winter. If you and your S/O are big on traveling but also can't just pack up and head to Paris or London for a Valentine's getaway, consider making the ~4 hour drive up to Tobermory for a couple days. Cottage rentals are available, or if you love nature as much as you love each other, just sleep outside.

May 17, 2016 - Long Weekend Staycations Within 2 Hours of the City

(Featured image via BlogTO) Mother Nature hasn't been overly consistent these past couple weeks. Between the pellets of snow last weekend to alternating sunshine and thunderstorms, it's been hard to plan our daily outfits and activities, let alone the long weekend's. Luckily though, it seems like the weather is finally settling down and harmonizing itself, and this weekend is supposed to be sunny and hot (we might even hit a high of 26 on Monday)!

As a proper welcome to the much-awaited spring weather, we've compiled a short list of long-weekend staycation trips, within a couple hours from the city, that you can take with your family, friends, or significant others (or, if preferred, by yourself)!

Healing Salt Cave Niagara Falls, ON

Yes, it's ironic that on our first warm, sunny weekend, we're suggesting you hide yourself away in a cave, but the Healing Salt Caves in Niagara Falls will leave you feeling so refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the summer! We see it as a sort of spring cleaning for your body - the salt caves have infinite health benefits for respiratory, cardiovascular, and dermatological conditions. And really, considering you'll start seeing results and have an easier time breathing after only 20 minutes, you'll still have the rest of the long weekend to spend exploring Niagara Falls (and maybe take a wine tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake) .

Pillar and Post Niagara-on-the-Lake

Speaking of Niagara-on-the-Lake, if you do choose to visit one of their many vineyards, we will obviously not advocate drinking and driving back to Niagara Falls, so why not stay at Pillar and Post, an eclectic and incredibly aesthetically appealing inn. The decor is reminiscent of a very fashionable grandmother, and the skylight in the main lobby would be especially scintillating on a sunny weekend like this one. The inn also offers spa treatments and other [indoor and outdoor] activities!

Classroom Suites Picton, Ontario (Prince Edward County)

The long weekend is the perfect time to visit Prince Edward County. Located a little bit over two hours from the city (sorry, our title lied!), you'll need the full three days to really enjoy everything Picton has to offer. The classroom suites are located about 15 minutes from the Sandbanks Provincial Park, so you can spend the day relaxing on the beach, or get active with a hike through the park. Bursting with vineyards (and the occasional brewery), what better way to spend the first weekend of 20-something degree weather with a wine tasting. For a more laid-back afternoon, wander around the Picton area and stop by and support small businesses like the Ungallery or the Black River Cheese Company (to go with all that wine).

Power Yoga Canada Muskoka 

Consistently appearing on Best Trip lists, and with over 100,000 seasonal homeowners each year, Muskoka is the epitome of summer-getaways in Ontario. If you want to really immerse yourself in nature this weekend, get your zen on with Power Yoga Canada . Not only is a retreat a great opportunity to finally spend some much needed outdoors time (after our never-ending run of winter and miserable weather), it will send you back to work on Tuesday feeling relaxed and ready to face that pile of work you left on your desk when you bolted out the door on Friday!