Niagara Falls is certainly a romantic place, but it’s been a
long time since it was known as “the” spot just for honeymoons. Activities and accommodations now exist for
everyone and I found it to be an especially good place for a getaway with my
friend Lynn.
We arrived early afternoon from Buffalo, only a short half
hour away. Our check-in at The Giacomo was quick and we soon learned that this
restored U.S. Post Office building had a location was perfectly centered in the
middle of everything.
Michelle Blackley of Niagara USA met us in front of the
building and we took a short walk the Culinary Institute of Niagara, where we
were eating at their Savor restaurant. I had the homemade gnocchi and it was
quite good, slow cooked in Bolognese sauce with fresh burrata cheese. For
dessert, I enjoyed the Apple Caramel Pie. Lynn decided to go for a dessert
sampler of small bites so she didn’t have to make up her mind.
Before we left the Culinary Institute we stopped in their
wine shop. It was filled with wines from New York, many from the Finger Lakes
and Niagara. We had a few samples and I was really impressed with the McGregor
Seyval Blanc, citrusy and refreshing on what turned out to be an especially hot
day.
We then drove to Niagara Falls State Park to meet Angela
Berti for our private golf cart tour of the oldest state park in the United
States. I had no idea how big the park was and didn’t remember (it had been
many years since I visited) that there are actually three different falls –
American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe.
If you have never been to
Niagara Falls
, it’s hard to
describe the beauty and uniqueness of each of the falls. The park offers a
number of ways for guided tours if you don’t want to explore on your own. There’s
the Cave of the Winds Tour, Maid of the Mist boat ride and the Niagara Scenic
Trolley. You can also visit the Discovery Center to learn about the park and
the falls, or hike Niagara Gorge.
Before we left we were actually able to see a rainbow over
the falls by the Canadian bridge (yes, the park is that close to the border) that
was quite spectacular.
After the park, I had the ultimate relaxation at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, where I spent an hour enjoying the spa facilities. I
was able to indulge in their Mango-Passion Fruit Yogurt wrap, which made my
skin soft and bright. Lynn, in the meantime, managed to win a few dollars at
the casino.
We were hungry after a long day and headed straight to Wine on Third. The food and drink menus were both quite unique and I was glad it was
small plates so we could try a few different things.
I couldn’t possibly say no to a Cheesecake Martini and it
really did taste like my favorite cake, though it was made with vanilla vodka,
cranberry and pineapple juices. The Havarti Macaroni and Cheese was also quite
good, but the hit of the night was the Saganaki.
It was made right at the table where kasseri cheese is
melted over hot lava rocks and flamed with cognac! We ate the Saganaki with rosemary olive oil,
basil pesto and tomato pesto sauces and it was excellent.
Michelle dropped us back at The Giacomo hotel. Since it wasn’t too
late, we relaxed a bit in the bar and talked about what was still too come -- which included checking out the wines of Niagara -- over a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc.
4 comments:
Oh wow - that saganaki looks too good for words. I think I would have ended up with lava burns though, because I probably would have licked it all straight off the stones.
I am also planning to go there probably in next vacations. Very excited to see Niagara Falls live :)
Thanks, everyone. It's a beautiful place. Be sure to read part two!.
And, yes, the saganaki was great!
Marcia
Niagara Falls is such a romantic place to visit but yes besides this it is not meant only for wedding couple there is lot more excitement in Niagara Falls. It is such a beautiful place with nature's wonder and Maid of the Mist and wine farms. It was such a delight to visit there..
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