After many years of passing signs to the Thousand Islands en route to Montreal, I finally made the turn off the 401 Highway last week. It is so nice to be reminded how great your own backyard is. What an incredible destination! Nestled along the St. Lawrence Seaway, this charming area has been a playground of the rich and famous from both Canada and the United States since the 1860's when U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant fell in love with the area on a fishing trip. Mega mansions including two full size castles built by the American industrial barons of the age quickly sprung up and the Thousand Islands (actually comprised 1,865 islands) became the "it" destination. In addition to the wonderful homes and cottages, the area is now part of a UNESCO protected biosphere due to the unique flora and fauna, and is famous among scuba divers because of its crystal clear water and more than 200 shipwrecks.

Without a doubt the best way to get an appreciation of the area and see some of the top sites including Boldt Castle, Millionaire's Row and Zavikon Island is to take a cruise. There are numerous companies that will take you on a variety of tours, located in towns such as Rockport, Brockville, Gananoque and Kingston. They range from party cruises to lunch cruises to short one hour jaunts around the islands. I did a two hour tour with Rockport Boat Line and it was terrific. It gave you a taste of the mansions and top sites as well as the “more modest” cottages along the Seaway. If you do decide to get off at Boldt Castle, don't forget to bring your passport, because it's actually in the United States. Other boat tour companies include www.ganboatline.com, www.rideaukingtours.com,  www.1000islandscruises.on.ca, www.stlawrencerivercruise.com, www.1000islandscruises.com.

If you do decide to make the trip, there is plenty to do in and around the Thousand Islands so spend a whole week if you can! The larger Great Waterway region in South Eastern Ontario, which includes the unique towns, villages and cities of Cornwall, Brockville, Gananoque, Kingston, Belleville and Quinte West is laced together by the sparkling St. Lawrence River, historic Rideau Canal, Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario. The region hosts an abundance of natural and cultural things to do including an extensive network of walking, hiking and cycling trails that traverse the entire region, great local theatre, artisanal foods and master chefs peppered among the award-winning wineries of Prince Edward County and the incredible heritage experiences of Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg and Kingston's Fort Henry.  Check out www.thegreatwaterway.com for all the information you need.