This post begins a series of fabulous places in Southern Ontario for taking day trips. There’s something fun about taking off in the morning, enjoying an adventure within driving distance and back in my own cozy bed at nightfall.
Stratford, Ontario – City of the Swan
Stratford, Ontario is named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. This charming town in Southern Ontario is home of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, an annual festival that attracts theatre goers and tourists from near and far. There are four theatres in this small town.
The swan is the symbol of the city.
A stroll along the Avon River is a relaxing way to spend a pleasant afternoon. Paddle-boating and canoeing with the beautiful swans floating around is breathtaking!
My cousin’s son and his fiance canoeing on the Avon.
Shopping is another reason I enjoy going to Stratford. So many quaint shops; so many lovely outfits. I bought a new silver necklace made in England; the links are hearts. My jacket is from Spanner, they always have great sales!
I tried on an Elisa Caveletti shirt made in Italy but I didn’t buy it. I bought the polka dot capri leggings made in USA and wore them.
and a nice place to stop for a bite to eat at the Country Food Co. – delicious, nutritious vegetarian Rattatouille …
Have you enjoyed a day trip recently?
fashion with compassion 
What a marvelous hobby you have….blogging….and so shareable with your friends and family….I’m forever thankful that we met and clicked.
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Lovely photos and comfy outfit!
Join my GIVEAWAY here 😉
Visit my blog: http://www.sarahrizaga.blogspot.com
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OMG that swan is as graceful as it can be! Thanks for sharing images of your wonderful trip with us pretty Carmen!!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
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Thank you my dear Rebecca! I used to watch swans while I enjoyed breakfast on my balcony when I lived on the river. They are very graceful, as you say! One snowy winter’s day, I saw ten swans …
❤ carmen
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Now you gave me a very good idea! Thank you! Never heard of Castle Dundurn, so our day trip will be there this weekend…after a short visit on internet to locate that place.
Happy shopping at IKEA! 🙂
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Enjoy! And you can tell me how you liked it when I do my post about Castle Dundurn! 🙂
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Your pictures are wonderful and you are gracious and elegant as always, my dear Carmen.
Stratford!… One of the beautiful places near Kitchener my husband and I love to go almost every week. We even have ‘our’ parking spot!… It is in the shade of the tall trees, which make the large park around the Festival Theater so welcoming to young and no-so-young visitors and locals.
The promenade along the Avon river, with swans, geese and ducks on water or playing with kids; the Shakespearean Gardens with its beautiful flowers; Art in the Park with paintings and jewelers exhibited by talented artists; the restaurants, boutiques and libraries in downtown and many other places are real attractions for my family and thousands of visitors from Canada and USA. They also come to Stratford for its famous Stratford Festival with well known Shakespearean plays and contemporary plays and musicals. Did you see the musical ‘Crazy for You’? The music (by Gershwin), the actors and the dancers are exceptionally good! The show is simply excellent!
I’m waiting for your thoughts and pics from your next day trip. Where would that be? 🙂
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Thank you my dear Ileana! What a lovely comment and more info about this beautiful town. You even have your own parking spot, I guess you are a V.I.V. (very important visitor!) We go a few times a year, but I would love to go more often.
I hope to see “Crazy for You” – I’ve heard such great reviews!
Have a great summer and perhaps we’ll see you in Stratford one of these times! 🙂
❤ carmen
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P.S. My next day trip will be Castle Dundurn. Have you been? But first I will do a post on a “day trip” (actually a shopping trip) to IKEA. 😉
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The world is beautiful indeed, dear Carmen! And I think we should take time to see its beauty! To notice it can require more than just a quick look, but it is worth it!
Stratford looks a delightful place and the swan is so sweet!
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How true, my dear Dan! We share an awesome world and it’s good to appreciate it: places nearby and far away!! Thanks for your comment!
❤ carmen
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Well that looked like fun. Cute outfits too. Beautiful swan.
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Yes, it’s always a fun time! Thanks for dropping by!
Have a sunny week!
❤ carmen
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No I haven’t and this makes me think I need to. I want to do a wine tour around Niagara.
Stratford is such a fun place to visit. Looks like you had a good time.
bisous
Suzanne
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Well, you took more-than-a-day trip to France! And what about Langdon Hall for your B-day? Plus NYC in Toronto!! I think you have had lots of fun seeing this wonderful world! 🙂
❤ carmen
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We have a Stratford on Avon in England, you look as lovely as always… I do love that necklace! And that little pillow is just my style too! Thanks Carmen, your Stratford looks great too!
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Thank you my dear Ute! We have many cities and towns in Ontario named after European cities: London, Cambridge, Paris, New Hamburg and my city Kitchener used to be Berlin until the first world war.
❤ carmen
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Thank you J-M! Yes, you are quite right–you saw these swans in my Leopard and Lace post. I enjoy going to Stratford several times a years and always take our visitors there. I have one Elisa Caveletti shirt, but at $300. I couldn’t afford another one!
Hearts are my trademark because love is the best thing in life! ❤
I hope you enjoy this little video of the annual Swan Parade as the swans are ushered back to the Avon River every spring from their winter home.
Bon Appetite! I hope you like ratatouille! 🙂
❤ carmen
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Carmen, these swans we saw in “leopard and lace”? I think it’s wonderful that your blog also approaches to teaching the beauty of Canada and discover places to visit. Cultural exchange is a wonderful way to use blogs. Stratford, seems an idyllic place where culture, gastronomy and shopping add to the beauty of nature. A fascinating combination. Admire Shakespeare, walk along the river and buy things as nice as your samples to us, is fascinating. I like Elisa Caveletti shirt, buy it? But the capri, small polka dots, are the wonder of the post, the beauty of the Queen of Capri. And the necklace of hearts? A symbol of Carmen. Carmen and hearts are inseparable. Ending the post with Rattatouille is telling us: “bon appetit with the post”.Thank you! A great post. Carmen is thus …
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