Dear Magnolia friends,
In the spring of 2010, we will meet for the first time ever in Eastern Canada, within sight of the world-famous Niagara Falls.  The Niagara region is favored with one of the best climates for growing Magnolias in Eastern Canada, where they are widely planted.  Our visit is timed to correspond with near-peak flowering.  Nearby are the only native Magnolia acuminata in Canada, and you will have the privilege of visiting those endangered populations.  Guest speakers will place an emphasis on pushing the limits for growing magnolias in colder climates.  Member presentations will be offered on Friday evening, April 30^th.

The Niagara region offers many horticultural highlights and is always beautiful in the spring.   The area immediately to the north near Lake Ontario is ideal for growing tender fruits and a wide selection of wine grapes, and there is a flourishing wine industry.  The local wines are considered to be very good quality, although they are not well known outside of Canada.  There are many wine-tasting opportunities at local wineries where you may want to sample the ice wines, in particular, which have won many international awards.  For the history buff, there are a number of sites to visit relating to the War of 1812.

Our Annual Meeting will be held at the fully renovated Crowne Plaza Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls’ most historic hotel.  The block of guest rooms that we have reserved will all have views of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls.  For those old enough, there is a casino within the hotel complex.  We are right in the center of the action:  the carnival atmosphere of Clifton Hill, just around the corner and great for younger people; the architectural Oakes Garden Theatre, a beautifully landscaped park across the street; and Queen Victoria Park, providing a beautiful walk on the way to the brink of the falls.  Our itinerary will include a visit to the massive Royal Botanical Gardens at the western tip of Lake Ontario.

The pre-meeting tours include visits to many areas in the Niagara Parks system.

Our post-meeting tour includes visits to Eastern Canada’s four great cities, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.  You will experience each city’s distinctiveness, visiting gardens and natural areas all along the way.  You will discover French Canadian culture, which becomes increasingly dominant as we travel east.  Don’t worry, many people understand English even in the very French Quebec City.

Treat yourself to this fantastic post-meeting tour while staying at some of the most prestigious hotels, offering all of the comforts and little extras that you could want or need while traveling.  We will stay downtown in each city so that you will have a variety of dining choices in all price ranges, and you can stroll and explore as you wish.  Our tour ends in Quebec City, North America’s only walled city, with its rich history, architecture and gardens.  Our hotel will be inside the old walled city and a stone’s throw away from great shops and restaurants.  Our tour will climax with a final dinner at the beautiful Chateau Frontenac overlooking the cliffs toward the St. Lawrence River.

There are so many things to see and do that we cannot possibly include them all in the organized tours.  Come early and stay late!