HOODS

Toronto may be lacking in the scenery department, but it makes up for its ho-hum veneer with loads of interesting neighbourhoods.

Harrison and Lakeview in Little Portugal
Hogg's Hollow,Yonge and York Mills area. If you're a nosey parker, take a peek inside one of the houses for sale.
Pretoria Avenue, west of Broadview and north of Bloor.
First Avenue, east of Broadview and south of Gerrard.
Thorncrest Village in Etobicoke is Toronto's first modern suburb (thanks, Hugh).
Rusholme Road, south of Bloor, north of College.
The Grange.

Dreaming of a wine tour through Italy but can't get out of your trailer home? Pull into Naramata located in the Okanagan area of British Columbia and home to that dum-dum, Stockwell Day (but don't let that turn you off). Go on and rub elbows in the Bible Belt and enjoy the scenery without breaking the bank. For some two-star comfort, check into Quail Ridge (complete with a collection of 12" classic house vinyl and a tickle trunk when you have the urge to throw an impromptu costume party). Burrowing Owl, a winery close by in Oliver, has some terrific vintages or discover your own.

GAMBIER ISLAND

Love a bargain? Scout out the various flea markets in southwestern Ontario where where you may very well snag that Arts & Craft table for a song. Aberfoyle is a favourite haunt of the in-the-know antique hounds, or for those who are just plain cheap.

Wildflower Farm is a 100-acre property perched on one of the highest points of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The garden boasts both perennial and annual beds in the cutting gardens, tracts of Eco-Lawn (low-maintenance turf grass), growing houses, demonstration areas and, just for fun, a sunflower maze. A former pig barn contains locally made crafts; homemade condiments and a rainbow assortment of dried flowers.

I got the dates of Doors Open Toronto wrong, but Hugh graciously opened up his bungalow in Thorncrest Village to a bunch of strangers and treated us to a tour of an amazing example of a 1950s Trend House. (Article includes Hugh's secret breakfast mix, for those of you who are wild with curiousity).