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Post-Irma Florida and Caribbean islands have Canadians looking elsewhere

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There are alternative vacation destinations for Canadians after Hurricane Irma, including the many ski resorts close to home, such as those in London, Kitchener and Blue Mountains in Collingwood.

While thousands of Canadians flock to sunny southern destinations ever winter in both the U.S. and Caribbean, the destruction Irma has left may pose a problem for tourists looking forward to their usual winter playgrounds. The hardest hit regions – Florida, St, Maarten, Cuba and Turks and Caicos among them – typically welcome millions of Canadians each winter. But with power outages and severe property damage to private hotels and resorts it's likely snowbirds will have to check out alternative destinations this winter.

If a ski vacation at home or in Quebec or British Columbia doesn't fit the bill you might want to consider Los Cabos, Mexico, southern Europe, Costa Rica or even a cruise ship. It may seem dangerous to take to the waters when the weather systems are iffy, but a cruise can actually be an ideal way to explore the Caribbean.

And you can bet some of the hard-hit destinations such as Florida will be offering some great deals this winter to lure snowbirds back to the Sunshine State.

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If you like fresh-off-the-tree apples and delicious apple pie in addition to family fun you will want to attend the Apple Harvest Festival Oct. 7-9 At Blue Mountain Village, Clarksburg and Thornbury near Collingwood.

And you definitely have to head to Meaford Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 for the town's big fall weekend featuring the 21st annual Scarecrow Invasion and the 34th annual Apple Harvest Craft Show.

The Ontario Apple Pie Eating Championships will take place in Thornbury on Oct. 7 and apple scavenger hunts are planned at Blue Mountain during the apple festival.

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Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls is looking for feedback on whether local motorists use Highway 401 or Highway 2 when travelling back and forth between Chatham and London. Nicholls would also like to know what contributing factors go into your route decision such as construction, danger or scenic route.

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Officials at OCAD University in Toronto, formerly the Ontario College of Art and Design, tell me they have officially opened a new flagship public gallery intended to be a catalyst for contemporary art, design and new media and a welcoming space that promotes equity for its diverse communities. The gallery opens with contemporary art exhibitions: Raise a Flag – works from the Indigenous Art Collection 2000-2015 and For This Land: Inside Elemental featuring 2RO Media.

The new 8,000-square-foot venue is the university's primary exhibition space with free admission for the public. It will be a downtown community hub serving the university and general public with the goal of fostering social and cultural transformations.

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The 147th annual Forest Fall Fair is taking place this weekend in this small community northeast of Sarnia. Saturday’s special events include a baby show, light horse show, a miniature horse show, petting zoo, a giant parade beginning at noon, a 4-H dairy show, Barrel racing and teenage midnight madness. Sunday's events include a free children's activities area, beef cattle and 4-H show, a heavy horse show and a demolition derby.

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The world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will return to the Royal Ontario Museum on Dec. 16. Featuring 100 original, awe-inspiring images, the exhibition showcases the world's best nature photography from fascinating animal behaviour to breath-taking landscapes depicting the artistry and technical excellence of the craft and offering new ways of seeing the natural world.

On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, the exhibition is the most prestigious photography event of its kind. Now in its 53rd year, the exhibition is based on an international competition that includes 48,000 entries from 92 countries.

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Speaking of the ROM, a special event is planned Sept. 26 to celebrate the work of Canada's Armed Forces personnel both in and out of uniform with the inspiring life story of decorated Lt. Col. David Quick. He is a vocal advocate for post-service veterans and their transition to civilian life. He will shed light on the challenges facing the men and women of Canada's military as they step out of uniform and into a business suit. The event starts at 7 p.m.

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If your travels are taking you to western Canada in late October you might want to join in the Beyond the Stars event Oct. 20 along the shores of Lake Annette in Jasper Park for one of the most memorable star gazing experiences in the world.

The event offers people of all ages a variety of free, intimate and interactive programming with Telus World of Science-Edmonton, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Dark Sky photographers and Parks Canada interpreters.

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The public is being asked to vote for the Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues Festival as the top festival and event in Ontario for 2017. You have until Oct. 5 to cast your ballot and you can vote as many times as you want.

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Mexico has taken the top spot in International Living's 2017 global retirement index, awarding it with the honour of the world's best retirement destination.

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The Montreal Botanical Garden's most amazing fall tradition is expanding with a whole new lantern universe. The 25th edition of Gardens of Light is taking place now through Oct. 31. The already spectacular Chinese and Japanese Gardens have been joined by the First Nations Garden for the first time in this annual festival of lights. Wander the meandering footpaths, set ablaze in a million colours with delicate silk lanterns and ethereal light projections and watch Mother Nature's own works of art come to life.

Every year the Gardens of Light are different, decorated with hundreds of new multi-coloured lanterns. For this 25th edition, the Chinese Garden is decked out from top to bottom to to tell a whole new narrative starring the Dragon. For the first time ever the garden will include the First Nations Garden.

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A four-day bus tour from Toronto to Atlantic City is slated for Oct. 9-12 and the cost is $599 which includes deluxe bus and hotel. Slot play and dinner comps are included. To book a seat call 866-208-2950.

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Spring and fall are the best times to hike the Sauble Trail to Sauble Falls. Overhanging trees and tiered waterfall make for a perfect Kodak moment. See hundreds of vintage cars and motorcycles along Main Street every Tuesday night during Classic Cruise Night.

Sauble Beach claims to have the world's second longest sandy beach. Top honours go to Wasaga Beach.

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Expedia CruiseShip Centres are offering the public a chance to win one of five free Caribbean cruises onboard one of Norwegian's newest ships. Contact the company for a ballot or check out their ad on facebook.

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Sign up on the Marriott Hotel Rewards program and get a free hotel night after just two paid stays. All you have to do is decide where you would like to spend your free night.

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Carnival Cruise Lines has added five more voyages onboard Carnival Paradise, departing out of Tampa, with extended calls in Havana, Cuba in 2018. Citing strong demand, the new voyages include three five-day cruises to Havana and Cozumel or Key West departing Feb. 17, July 2 and Sept. 5; a six-day sailing calling on Havana and Grand Cayman departing Aug. 26 and an eight-day voyage with stops in Havana, Grand Cayman and Cozumel departing Aug. 18.

All of the voyages include a day-long call and overnight in Havana with the eight-day cruise offering two full days at the historic Cuban capital.

Guests aboard Carnival Paradise can select from 20 different shore excursion experiences that showcase Cuba's culture, beauty and architectural landmarks.

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The public is being asked to help shape the new Tourism Thunder Bay website. Take five minutes and tell tourism officials what you'd be looking for on a tourism website, The survey closes Oct. 4, Take the survey at http://bit.ly/2wblQVw.

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Readers are invited to submit their questions and suggestions on travel close to home or far away to Travel Writer Bob Boughner at bobgboughner@gmail.com.

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