NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON - From a perched terrace overlooking a sea of green vines that seem to stretch to the horizon, I stare at my lovely surroundings while sipping a glass of sweet ice wine and think to myself, “Now this is how life should always be.”

TORONTO – I reach the top of the hill on the crooked street and Casa Loma’s regal turrets come into full view.