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Author: patti-bowden

Why Should You Trust Us?

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When you consider the importance of trust in leadership and business ethics, you understand why trust is important to customers.

The name Blue Mountain & Collingwood Adventure Tours might be new to you, as we’ve recently rebranded, but we are not new.  Our parent company, Ace Transportation Group, also own Ace Cabs which has been providing transportation to the residents and visitors to the Town of Collingwood and surrounding areas for more than 89 years.  Suffice to say, we have deep roots in our community and know the area well.

We’ve always had the safety and best interest of our customers in mind, and always will. That is why are drivers are carefully vetted. These days, safety also means doing everything we can to protect our guests, drivers and communities from Covid-19.  All vehicles are thoroughly sanitized between tours, a shield separates the driver from guests, socially distanced seating is practiced and masks are required when physical distancing is not possible.

Customer service is extremely important to us. You will experience this first hand from your first point of contact. Whether it’s answering your questions, or working with you to customize your adventure, our goal is to exceed your expectations.

Our partner venues (wineries, cideries and breweries) have been carefully chosen not only for what they offer, but for their values, and how they will treat our guests. We have a close-knit relationship with them and they trust us to do what we say we will, and count on us to keep the communication channels open.

It’s natural to check out a company before you put your trust in them.  Currently, you won’t find any Google reviews or others, as we have rebranded.  Once lockdown is over and we’re operational, we’ll certainly be asking our guests to do so.

When planning your escape after lockdown, we hope that you will put your trust in us and book with Blue Mountain & Collingwood Adventure Tours.

Share with your friends.

Cheers!

Crazy For Craft Beverages

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When you hear someone say they are going to Collingwood or Blue Mountain, you tend to associate that with skiing, renting a chalet, or perhaps years ago attending the Elvis Festival.  Collingwood is the gateway to surrounding communities and is truly a four-season playground.  But did you know that the Southern Georgian Bay region is home to numerous breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries?  Perhaps they have all located here because of the lifestyle, but whatever their reasons, they certainly add value to the communities in which they operate and the overall area.  If you enjoy a good drink, then read on.

We love our beer!  The craft brewery business is growing leaps and bounds.  Big name brands are fading in popularity as these local breweries are continually finding innovative ways to add flavours, hops and more to their brews.  People like to be part of something that is exclusive and made locally, and that is what these breweries offer their customers.

Creemore Springs Brewery is the premiere craft brewery in the area, dating back to 1987, and influenced the growth of the village.

Side Launch Brewing Company was named to honour Collingwood history.  Years ago, the town’s major industry was building lake freighters.  These massive ships could not be launched the traditional way, instead they were launched sideways or “side launched”.  Each side launch brought the entire town out to watch, as it was quite the splash.

The Collingwood Brewery was founded in 2014 and brews beers for all occasions.  They are known for their small batch Freestyle Series.

Northwinds Brewhouse & Kitchen has two locations where you can enjoy a cold beer along with a meal, or shop in the retail store.

Thornbury Village Cider House & Brewery is committed to crafting small-batch European style Pilsners and Lagers that are true to traditional style while producing quality craft, ultra-premium beer with the added freshness of a local product.

Black Bellows Brewing Company is the latest addition, located in a former blacksmith and carriage-making shop.

Many of Ontario’s apples are grown right here, along the shores of Georgian Bay.  It’s no wonder that local cideries are emerging throughout the picturesque landscapes. Cider is crisp, clear and typically gluten free and sulphate free. For all things apple, visit https://www.applepietrail.ca/ 

Thornbury Village Cider House & Brewery was formerly a wooden apple storage building many years ago.  They have premium, easy drinking, crisp, and refreshing ciders that tantalize the palette.

Grey & Gold Cider Company uses heritage apples and allow their ciders to ferment slowly over months, not days or weeks, resulting in a cider that develops greater varietal character and complexity.

Spy Cider House And Distillery has a goal to create unique and flavourful ciders and spirits that pay homage to the region.

Ardiel Cider House practices the age-old tradition of winemakers called “back blending”.  This is accomplished by adding unfermented fresh apple juice and a small amount of ice cider which balances out the acidity and alcohol and enhances the flavour.

Duntroon Cyder House is known for hand craft traditional English and French style cyders using premium hand-picked Ontario apples.

Reinhart’s Cider began in apples over a 100 years ago.  Today they are back to their roots making pure and natural cider that is always enjoyable.

We tend to think of the Niagara region, when we refer to local Ontario wine.  However, our region has a unique micro climate that allows grapes to be grown, resulting in many award-winning cold climate wines.

Georgian Hills Vineyards is immersed in developing a wine portfolio that offers consumers two unique styles of Ontario wines.

The Roost is a family owned and run winery in the Blue Mountains. They grow, make and serve seriously good cold climate wine for unserious occasions.

Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery specialize in artisanal wines that are made from varietals suited to our northern geography such as Geisenheim, Maréchel Foch, L’Acadie Blanc, Baco Noir and Marquette.

With the crisp and clean water of Georgian Bay as an ingredient, it’s no wonder that spirits are produced here.

Canadian Mist, a well-known name, has been making ice happy since 1967.

Heretic Spirits is the premiere craft distillery in Collingwood producing gin and vodka.  After Covid-19 hit, they stepped up and produced hand sanitizer.

Spy Cider House And Distillery produce gin, vodka, brandy and their unique Eau-De-Vie, which warms you up from the inside out.

Georgian Bay Spirit Co. produce gin, vodka and a wide range of craft cocktails in a can.

Freshwater Distillery Inc. is the newest to join the distillery family in Collingwood with their gin products.

Perhaps we should be known as the Craft Beverage Capitol of Ontario!

More information on some of these producers and others can be found at https://brucegreysimcoe.com/activities/local-fare/beverages  If you have a passion for craft beverages, then be sure to plan a daytrip or weekend away to visit some of the finest in the region.  Or better yet, book a custom tour with us when it’s safe to do so.  We’ll do all the planning and driving, so you can relax and enjoy.  In the meantime, you can pick up beverages from many of these producers at your local LCBO, or order online directly from them.

Cheers!

Bachelorette Party Planning

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Last Fling Before The Ring

It’s no surprise that Collingwood makes it to the number 1 spot on the top 6 bachelorette party destinations.  You don’t have to travel too far to get here, and there are a wide variety of activities within close proximity.

Visiting local vineyards is popular with bachelorettes and there are three in the region that have all produced award-winning cold climate wines.  Each have outdoor patios with spectacular views, and provide a relaxing atmosphere to sit back and sip your flight or glass of wine.  There are also numerous cideries and craft breweries, each very unique and fun to visit.

If your group are into adventures and action, there are plenty of choices such as kayaking, caving, zip lining, golfing, a guided hiking adventure, horseback riding and more.  You will definitely not get bored with all there is to see and do.

Should you be looking for a more relaxed and pampered experience, then perhaps a visit to Scandinave Spa, or one of the other local ones is how you’d like to spend an afternoon.

Accommodations are plentiful in Collingwood and the Blue Mountains as well.  There’s something for every budget from small boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb’s and major hotel chains, including the brand-new Holiday Inn Express Collingwood.

We are fortunate to have many exquisite restaurants in Collingwood and all surrounding communities.  You’ll have a hard time deciding on which one(s) to try.

You know the expression shop till you drop.  Well, there’s plenty of shopping to be had in Downtown Collingwood, the Village at Blue, Thornbury and beyond.

During Covid-19 it’s still possible to have a bachelorette party however, it may have to be scaled down in size to adhere to the ever-changing group size restrictions.  Plan ahead to know what the requirements are in the area in which you want to visit are.  Also, it’s always wise to book ahead if you are planning on doing a wine tour or any other activity.

Let’s hope that there are no more lockdowns and you’re able to enjoy your bachelorette party this year.  There’s lots of planning and organizing involved, when putting together a girls weekend.  Let us take care of booking an adventure for your group.

Cheers!

 

Mental Health Matters!

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Three Reasons Why Nature is Good for You

Mental health is a topic that has come to the forefront as a result of Covid-19 lingering on.  Your mental health is not something that you just take care of from time to time. It is something you need to spend time on each day. A simple way to boost your mental health is to spend some time in nature.  A short walk or quietly sitting in nature will do you a world of good.  If you cannot get outdoors, looking at images or listening to sounds of nature can also provide that boost. So, why does nature make a difference to mental health? Read on to find out!

  1. Improvement of Mood

In scientific experiments, nature has been proven to increase happiness, well-being and positive social interactions. People have reported that they feel a sense of meaning and purpose in life. They can also better manage life tasks, and they reported decreases in mental distress. Life is stressful, and any small steps that we can take to improve mood are beneficial for us.

  1. Functioning in Life

Experiencing nature helps with thinking, memory, and attention. It helps people not to act as impulsively. People also report feeling more imaginative and creative. In today’s fast-paced world, where workload expectations are high, being able to function is important. You will be able to complete work more efficiently and thus be able to enjoy more of your day. Nature provides a win-win situation!

  1. Physical Benefits

Experiencing nature in a visual or auditory way has been shown to lower blood pressure. It also lowers levels of our stress hormone, which helps us feel like we do not need to fight or flee. Nature can also distract us from having negative thoughts, and we worry less as a result. Take a five-minute break to listen to nature sounds or look at images of nature, especially if you cannot go outdoors to fit in a walk or hike.

Conclusion

Achieving a work-life balance is never easy, and fitting in time for mental health tends to be pushed down our list of things to do. Even a few minutes of enjoying nature on your computer can help you feel better. The next time you take a quick break, do not forget to plug into nature!

Immerse yourself in nature with our Guided Hiking Adventure and enjoy the benefits of the peace and calm.  Our certified guide has hiked the entire Niagara Escarpment from beginning to end and will choose a trail suited to your ability.  Contact us for more info.

Cheers!

Must-Visit Locations in Grey, Bruce and Simcoe County

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Do not let the global pandemic put a damper on your future travel plans. We recognize that the stay-at-home orders has made it difficult to get out there and explore with your friends. To help lift your spirits, may we suggest a few unique and fun things to do near Collingwood that you could do in the near future as a custom tour with Blue Mountain & Collingwood Adventure Tours, or modify to suit your individual taste.

Collingwood, ON

Collingwood is a place to “Live, Work and Play”, and play you shall with our tours. Start off by testing your skill at Bare Axe Throwing where your group will have its own axe throwing coach.  The big fireman axe comes out for the finals!

Next, we drive to downtown Collingwood for a stop at the Collingwood Olive Oil Co.  At their tasting bar, sample the highest quality extra virgin olive oils harvested from the most current crops around the globe.  Their boxed sets and condiments make terrific gifts, or treats for you.

The Chipper is one of our favourite places to stop for an outdoor lunch (from mid April to mid September) in a park setting on the shore of Georgian Bay.  The view is spectacular and so are the fresh-cut fries!

Then we’re off to the harbour where you’ll board The Huronic (named after the first steel hull launched in Collingwood harbour), operated by Collingwood Charters, where you enjoy a Wine or Beer & Cheese Sampling Cruise.  Your guide will give you a tour around Nottawasaga Bay and tell you about Collingwood’s shipbuilding history. At the same time, you sip on local wine or beer paired with artisanal cheeses.  Once back on land, we’ll drop you back to your hotel, chalet or lodging.

Staying longer than a day – here’s some notable suggestions:

1) Every Saturday, visit Collingwood Downtown Farmers Market for fresh produce and treats.

2) Don’t miss the culinary adventure trail known as the Apple Pie Trail. South Georgian Bay’s apple-growing history inspires it.

3) Take a workshop and make your own candles at The Serendipity Candle Factory.

Grey County and the Town of Thornbury 

Grey County is home to ten serene, picturesque, and natural waterfalls scattered across the landscape, and there is no doubt each unique waterfall will take your breath away. Your day starts with a morning pick up by your driver in a comfortable mini-coach or luxury executive coach bus.

Hoggs Falls, our first stop, is a plunge waterfall that is just over 7 metres tall and surrounded by lush wilderness. If you’re adventurous, you’ll want to take the rope down to the base of the falls. The second falls on the tour is Eugenia Falls; the tallest and was home to the first “Fools Gold” rush in the region. This area later housed five mills and a small private electric plant.

Then we’ll head to Grey & Gold Cider, a sustainable, farm based cidery in the heart of Grey County apple country.  Enjoy a glass of refreshing, award winning cider such as “Modern Girl”, an off-dry modern cider back-sweetened with honey from their farm property.

The Grill at Lora Bay is a great place to stop for lunch on their patio, overlooking the golf course.  After you’ve finished your meal and taken in the relaxing views of the greens, you’ll be dropped off in downtown Thornbury.  Here you can enjoy some free time to wander and shop the boutiques, art galleries and quaint shops this beautiful rural town has to offer.

We head back along Highway 26, which offers a fantastic view of the Georgian Bay shoreline. See you next time!

Staying longer than a day – here’s some notable suggestions:

1) Visit the Frauxmagerie for plant-based cheese that uses Cashews and a Vegan probiotic in the fermentation process.

2) Ted’s Range Road Diner is a little place that someone like Guy Fieri himself would have on Diner’s, Drive-ins, and Dives. Cannot miss it!

3) Explore the 1,350-km Georgian Bay Coastal Route with scenic stops marked along the way (Manitoulin Island, Killarney, Wasaga Beach, Bruce Peninsula etc.).

Blue Mountain, ON

There is only one place in the entire Bruce, Grey and Simcoe area in Ontario that is known for its recreational activities, and that is Blue Mountain. For those from out of town, it is well known as a winter destination, but when the snow is gone, and the heat is on, it is a place you do not want to miss out on.

Start your day with a hike through the Bruce Trail, part of the Niagara Escarpment, with a local guide, as you marvel at the Caribbean blue waters of the Georgian Bay. At noon, we head to Copper Blues Bar & Grill, the pioneer restaurant in the Blue Mountain Village, for lunch.  Do not forget to pair it up with some local craft beer or cider.  After lunch, enjoy an open-air gondola ride with a 360-degree view as you approach the top of Blue Mountain.  This is a photographer’s dream.  As our time ends in Blue Mountain, we take you back, right where our friendship started. Our Blue Mountain adventure ends here, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Staying longer than a day – here’s some notable suggestions:

1) Enjoy an adrenaline-filled ride with Hummer Tours operated by Extreme Adventures

2) Swim and soak up some sun at the Blue Mountain Beach, free to overnight guests.

3) Explore the Scenic Caves at Blue Mountain dating back 450 million years. Ontario’s largest suspension bridge, 15 km of trails and 200-year-old forests are just some of the attractions worthy of your time.

Yours to Discover

No matter what type of tourist you are, each one of these stops provides something unique for everyone. We at Blue Mountain & Collingwood Adventure Tours assure you and your party will have a great time as you discover all that this region has to offer.

For our signature tours and adventures, check out our tour page.  Or Contact us for more information on these suggestions, or to customize your next adventure.

For now, stay close to home, support local businesses, and help fight the spread of Covid-19. Together we will come out stronger. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers!

 

 

Looking for something fun to do with friends after Covid-19 lockdown?

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Who isn’t?  We’re all experiencing “cabin fever” and anxious to reunite with family and friends soon.  If you’re planning your escape, then read on.

Thanks for checking out our premiere blog post.  We have a new company name, but we’re not new.  Formerly operating as Ace Transportation Group in Collingwood for 3 years, we’ve rebranded our tour/adventure side of operations as that name didn’t speak to that branch of the business.  Our new name is Blue Mountain & Collingwood Adventure Tours.  To all our prior customers, you can expect the same great customer service you previously received.

There are so many wonderful places to visit in the Blue Mountain & Collingwood area from wineries, craft breweries, hiking trails and more and we’d like to share our knowledge with you in our blog.

Wine tours and wine tastings are our most popular with ladies, especially for a bachelorette party.  We’re fortunate to have some great local wineries in our region that produce award winning wines.  Our groups are given insights into each vineyards’ wines and guided through sampling.  If you discover one that you really like, you can purchase a bottle or two to take home.

If you’re craving the great outdoors, a guided hiking or snowshoe tour is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise and see some of Niagara Escarpment’s amazing scenery.  Our guide has numerous certifications, so you can feel confident that you won’t get lost.

Not into hiking but still enjoy nature and the outdoors?  A waterfalls and wine tour might be more your thing.  There’s just a short hike/snowshoe from the bus to see these stunning falls.  Then sit back and enjoy some wine.

Guys (or beer lovers) might prefer a custom tour to some of our local craft breweries or axe throwing.  A great idea for a bachelor party or just an excuse to get away.

Rest assured, we follow all provincial guidelines and have implemented many Covid-19 safety measures, so have our vendor partners.  Unfortunately, during these times some of our partners are not opening for groups of any size.

If you and your friends are looking for safe, fun things to do in Collingwood or the Blue Mountain area, our tours and adventures are year-round and just what you need after being cooped up for too long.

Look for future blog posts every other Thursday at 1:00 p.m.  Please feel free to share this post with your friends.

We hope to see you soon!

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