Canada travel agencies and travel operators, as well as, the Canada hotel, offer seasonal and off season discounts for the tourists to attract business. Since the local travel and tourism industry is very less when compared to the International tourism industry. Only the arrivals from the other world can bring the enthusiasm to the tourism industry. Many tourists coming with tourist visas wants to find a permanent job in the country and ultimately a permanent residence permit in the well-developed less populated peaceful country.
ELORA Not far from Kitchener-Waterloo, northwest up Hwy 6 from Guelph, is this small, heavily touristed town. Named after Elora in India, with its famous cave temples, this was once a mill town using the falls on the Grand River, which runs through town. The falls, the old mill, the pleasant setting and the nearby gorge and park make the town a popular day trip for both out-of-province visitors and Ontarians. The main streets are Metcalfe, Mill and Geddes Sts, all right by the mill and river. There is a tourist office in the Elora Civic Centre, MacDonald Square, at the junction of Metcalfe and Geddes Sts. Not far from town at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area the Grand River flows through a deep limestone canyon.
Much of the area is the park, and trails lead to cliff views and caves at the water's edge. Riding the water in a tire tube is a fun way to spend a warm afternoon and rentals are available. There are also picnic areas in the park, camping and trout fishing. The Grand River is also good, for canoeing, and overnight trips are possible. You can paddle along the river all the way to Lake Erie. More information is available at the park. About a dozen blocks east of town along Mill St E is the Elora Quarry Conservation Area - worth a look and, better, a swim. Plenty of small stores in Elora offer crafts, jewellery, paintings and pottery, much of it produced by the numerous local artisans. Special Events The Elora Festival, an annual music festival, is held during the last weeks of July and into the first two weeks, The Grand River of August.
The music is primarily classical (with an emphasis on choral works) or folk. Some of the concerts are held at the quarry, with performers playing in the middle of the water on a floating stage. On a warm summer night with the stage lit up, it really is an impressive experience. Other events include the annual summer Antique Show & Sale, in May, the Open House Tour, when many of the older local houses are open to the public and the October Artist Studio Tour. There is a large campground at the Elora Gorge Conservation Area which, though usually full on holiday weekends, has a number of sites that can be reserved one week in advance. There are quite a few in and around town.
For accommodation assistance, visit the tourist office. Average price is $55 for two with breakfast. One to try that's central and costs a little less than the rest is Speers Home just off the main street. Rooms are $40/50 for singles/doubles. Hornsby Home gets great reviews and is also close to the centre with single/doubles from just $35/45. The Gingerbread House has rooms, but the deluxe features, special breakfasts, fine furnishings and decor put it into a considerably higher price bracket. The Elora Mill Inn is the prestige place to stay in town; it offers a convenient location, views of the river, fireplaces and a dining room but you may have to look in both pockets to pay the bill.
