Winter Weekend in Ontario's Near North

A post by Scott F

Good things happen when you don’t let small annoyances ruin your day. During an Ontario winter day those “small” annoyances include brutal cold, snow measured in feet instead of inches and air that makes your face hurt...

Because you love it here, that's why.

But if you battle through all that and make your way outside, good things happen. This is what I learned during a recent winter vacay with the family to the outskirts of Huntsville, Ontario. Our intention: jam as many classic Canadian winter activities as possible into a couple days.

Ontario’s natural diversity seems to unfold anytime you cruise up Highway 400 and Highway 11. Wide stretches of fertile farmland blanketed with snow quickly give way to jagged, rocky terrain interspaced with countless lakes and rivers glassed over with ice. We watched as the accumulated snow piled on the road side quickly doubled, and then tripled as we passed Bracebridge, adding to the wildness of the land.

Our first stop was to check out Arrowhead Provincial Park just north of Huntsville. Arrowhead is one of few Ontario Parks that operates at any significant capacity during the winter, offering yurts and cabins for overnight winter adventures. We weren’t staying overnight, but had come to experience the 1.3 km skating trail we had heard so much about. Despite a few weeks of varied weather conditions, the ice was near perfect as we towed my son’s sleigh through the winding trail. The trail is a truly momentous accomplishment; a tribute to the Canadian love of winter. As we huddled around a campfire following our skate it was clear how much people appreciated the park's work maintaining the trail.

Before heading out we spotted Arrowhead’s tubing hill and I simply had to take my one year-old son, Wesley, for his first downhill ride (after a test run by myself, of course). No chairlift here folks, but the walk back up the hill will help you stay warm!

We made our way south east to Cedar Grove Lodge where we would stay for a couple of nights. The resort features 19 cabins backing onto a cliff that overlooks Peninsula Lake. Each cabin is unique and features a wood burning fireplace. We picked the resort for the private cottages, and for the fact that everything is included with your stay, including meals, firewood, recreational activities and more.

The next day, after a fantastic breakfast, we borrowed snowshoes from the resort and trekked to the top of the cliff, no small feat while towing Wesley in his sleigh. From the top we could see across the lake to Hidden Valley Ski Club on the other side. Scooter, our seven year-old fur baby, was thrilled with the chance to crash through the snow. Cheers to Cedar Grove for being pet friendly!

After a two hour hike we were more than ready for lunch. The meals at Cedar Grove are nothing short of spectacular. They offer three or four options at each meal in addition to different appetizers and desserts. The food is pure home comfort food sourced locally whenever possible (including amazing bread from the local Windmill Bakery). Plus, the resort is BYOB, so you can bring your own wine or beer with you to their dining room. I went with a gut warming Blacksmith Smoked Porter from the local Highlander Brew Co. as my drink of choice for our stay.

We spent the afternoon touring the resort, checking out their games room and playing shuffleboard and ping pong. We check off another winter activity when we grabbed some hockey sticks and headed out to the resort’s skating rink on the lake to shoot some pucks around.

After dinner we relaxed by our fireplace and played some board games. The cabins don’t have TVs or WIFI which was an amazing change from our regular plugged-in lifestyle.

Before leaving the next day we asked the resort to pack us a lunch and went out to their toboggan hill to squeeze in one more winter activity.  

All in all it was a near-perfect Canadian winter adventure. So don’t sweat the small stuff, like face biting cold; get out there and experience the unique opportunities winter offers. 

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Real Men Have Real Women Friends

By Michael Ciuffini

I’m a single male seeking a single female. I’ve been in solid relationships that have ended for a number of reasons. Life goes on and so do our hearts. The baggage I once thought I would carry from these relationships got lost on an Air Canada flight somewhere along the way. But the one piece of luggage I never want to lose is the one full of my closest friends: male and female.

This past holiday season I was asked a number of times by family and friends, “Why don’t you date so and so? You guys seem really close.” I tell them that having that person as a friend means more to me than anything else.

I dislike the phrase people give to these friendships, calling them “platonic relationships.” As if the lack of sex in a relationship between a man and a woman defines the relationship in some way! Real men have a side that only those of the opposite sex actually understand. Women have a remarkable way of pulling information from any man. I embrace this effortless characteristic from all my close female friends and open up to them whole-heartedly. My closest female friends know more about me than most people in my life. In return, I listen, and for the most part, I know when to offer my own advice. That’s a healthy and dependable friendship if you ask me.

Don’t get me wrong; just like in any relationship emotions can get in the way at times. Heck, at some point along the way, you will probably fall in love with your female friends. But when you both communicate those feelings, the friendship develops. Leaving those thoughts to live in your head like a dirty fantasyland can be harmful, but by communicating them you can become more open with each other than ever.

Reasons to have close female friends when you are single:

• Women find a way to highlight your best characteristics, which builds confidence and inflates ego just enough.

• They don’t mind when you show emotions (even cry) in front of them about your ex, even if it’s your ex’s best friend and you’re in a bar at a table surrounded by other guys you’ve never met (yup, this happened). Somehow, having her there not judging you makes it okay.  

• Consensual cuddles that do not need to turn into intercourse. Sometimes men just want to watch Netflix under big warm blankets while eating a big tray of nachos, too.

• They don’t actually care if you haven’t shaved in a week or have a hairy back.

• A hug from a friend is nice; a good hug from a friend with breasts is better.

• They will never let you date their close friends, to avoid the messy aftermath that’s sure to follow. Unless it happens naturally, then they encourage healthy communication.

•  A female friend you can travel and make plans with means you will see more and do more than you ever thought you would. Face it, they are just way better planners than we are.

Reasons to have close female friends when you are in a relationship:

• They understand the complexities of relationships better than we do. Heed your friend’s advice for anything that may confuse you. Usually a conversation with a female friend can help form the best channel of communication between you and your partner. 

• They won’t hesitate to tell you when you are in a toxic relationship and will help you form a blueprint for escape. 

• If they are friends with your partner as well, they will give you great insight on what gifts to get them, because sometimes us guys are not great at reading those obvious hints. 

• A partner that genuinely accepts your close female friends as her own and doesn’t mind when you want to have a date night with one of your friends, is one surefire sign they are a keeper. 

Women and men are at a level playing field and men like me work with, live with, play sports with, network with and socialize with women all the time. Chances are, you’re no different. I questioned writing this post as I find it unnecessary to have to make the distinction between male and female friends.

However, the best thing I’ve learned while putting this post together is that when the right woman comes along that steals my heart, not only will she have to be a close female friend herself, but she will have to accept that my other close female friends are a big part of who I am. They are friends that I enjoy spending time with, whether it is through a long-distance Skype conversation, seeing a movie or having a beer. 

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The 19th Hole: Varadero Golf Club, Cuba

Back in October I was on vacation in Varadero, Cuba (forth time in two years) and on a whim decided to go golfing; and was I ever glad I did. Boasting challenging holes and a beautiful 18^th finish, I had to try out Varadero Golf Club this time around. So off we went early one morning (five of us in total) to the Varadero Golf Club.

Real Man Travels loves to golf!

Today's Fivesome: My friends, Paul, David, Stefano, Mike and myself

The five us on the 18th green

First Impressions:

Pulling up to the golf club, you could see eight foot high chain link fences caging in the maintained palm trees, the rooftops of resorts close by, and of course, an old Spanish colonial clubhouse. As with most things Cuba, the course looked dated. The paths were older concrete and cracked almost everywhere. The clubs to rent were also dated and very hit and miss. But to be honest, it didn’t matter to me, I just shoot for fun. The course looked huge, vibrantly green and well maintained, especially for the hot climate (it was 35 degrees Celcius that day).

One of the holes on the course with a water hazard.

Clubhouse:

This clubhouse was a beauty. Pure old Spanish colonial oozing out of every little detail. Why take the stairs to the rooftop bar when you can take an elevator with iron grates and buttons. It was a bit dicey, but it worked. The rental shop was a closet with shelving and really stood out as an eye sore amongst the beauty of the rest of the clubhouse. The restaurant sits about 40 feet above the beach and looks out to the clear blue ocean, a perfect setting for lunch or dinner.

Panoramic view of 9th hole

Course:

It could’ve been the rental clubs, the 35 degree weather, the eight beers or that that this was actually a hard course to play. Either way, I had an awful showing shooting a 108. I normally shoot in the low to mid 90’s. The course was actually quite challenging. The par fives play very long and some holes require you to be able to drive 225+ yards just to clear the first water hazard. Definitely not beginner friendly. While the course is quite challenging, the views on the 9^th and 18^th holes are to die for. I have never golfed ocean side and now I wish I could all the time! It was absolutely stunning to be on the green looking out at nothing but rich blue water for miles.

18th Hole

Food and Beverage:

I didn't try any food, but definitely had my fair share of beer. Typical offerings of beer here are the Cuban brands Cristal and Bucanero as well as some imports like Corona and Heineken. They also have many liquor and mixed beverage offerings. Lastly, the rooftop bar has a wide variety of cigars for your purchasing pleasure.

View looking down the beach from the clubhouse patio.

View looking down at the beach from the clubhouse patio 2

Value:

Your 18 hole green fee, cart and clubs costs 95CUC, which is approximately $95US dollars. This is pretty steep in terms of Cuba, but when on vacation you can’t complain about spending some money for a good time. You will get a solid four hours out of the day, on a beautiful course that will challenge you, regardless of skill level. And you will have amazing photo opportunities on the 9^th and 18^th hole to get framed up or blast on social media.

Panoramic View of the 18th Hole

Final Thoughts:

The golf club allowed us to play as a fivesome which was a huge game changer. It allowed all of us to be together and share a day of laughs and frustration. The weather was unbelievably hot (35 degrees Celcius + humidity), a temperature I am not used to playing golf in and had me completely drained by the 12^th hole. The course was beautiful, challenging, well maintained and the beer cart guys were always quick to find us. The clubhouse was stunning, with all its Spanish details, and the view from the bar and restaurant were breathtaking. The price seemed a bit high for Cuba, but as stated earlier, for an afternoon out with my friends it was worth every penny. Overall, I give this course a 3.75 out of 5.

Have you ever golfed here? What were your thoughts on it? Let me know either on Twitter, Facebook or in the comment section below. Cheers! 

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Beers to Impress - Bring These Brews to Your Next Party

A post by Scott F

Looking to make an impression at your next party? Bringing great beer can be a perfect conversation starter (particularly if you're looking to converse with beer people, who I consider most worth conversing with). Bring a bag of some of these beauties to your next party and become known as “that guy, you know, the one with that awesome beer.”

Goose Island Matilda Belgian Style Ale

This beer covers a gamete of flavours: spice, sweetness, hoppy bitterness and hints of fruit a floral. All these flavours make it an approachable "big beer" with a very nice presentation.

Saison Dupont

Saisons are a refreshingly flavourful beer with very forward yeast character. Dupont is one of the most widely available and quite genuine to the style. Spice and citrus are predominate here. Best enjoyed in spring and summer.

Mort Subite Kriek Lambic

Lambics are fruit beers fermented with wild yeasts (yeasts not added to the beer but allowed to infiltrate it from the environment - how cool is that). There are not many available but Mort Subite is a good entry-level lambic rich with cherry flavour.

Grand Cuvee Weizenbock

Not many will have tried a dark wheat beer at whatever party you bring this to. Sweet, almost to the point of being overwhelming, but complex in flavour even with hints of maple syrup.

Flying Monkeys The Chocolate Manifesto

Brewed out of beautiful Barrie, Ontario, this is a dark beer that is absolutely accessible to everyone at a party. The chocolate is so pronounced while being especially balanced. This style is particularly easy to mess up so it’s great to see that Flying Monkeys nailed it.

What impressive beer would you add to the list?

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The Gentlemen's Expo in Toronto

The Gentlemen's Expo in Toronto was November 14-16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and I teamed up with the guys at Real Man Travels to take it in. I've compiled a short list (there was so much more) that highlights my favourite things at this year's expo. In no order whatsoever, here's the list:

1. WINE. Lots and lots of wine. Ladies, we already know that if there is wine, it's a good time. There were plenty of wineries representing at the expo and I had the pleasure of trying a few. I also found a new favourite! Sledgehammer Cab Sauv. Who cares if they say it's wine for men! It's a great wine to enjoy with a nice steak. 

2. FOOD. Some of Toronto's greatest chefs were there with samples of their fantastic dishes! Live demonstrations at the cooking stage definitely got our mouths watering.

3. BEER. As I have stated before, I heart beer. What better way to wash down some delicious eats than with an ice cold sample of the latest and greatest craft brew? Exactly, I couldn't think of anything else either. A particular favourite of mine from this show was from the Highlander Brew Co. Scottish Ale.

4. TEQUILA! Ra chacha! Why wouldn't you try a Canadian tequila? Exactly. It would be unpatriotic not to. The lovely people from Tromba were one of the first tasting booths I stopped at. They fed me margaritas and I didn't want to leave, but I knew there was so much more a head of me!

5. VINTAGE ARCADE. I feel that vintage isn't the right word. I mean, Super Mario Brothers 3 on Nintendo isn't really vintage, right? Right? Dammit, I'm old. But I totally killed it on level 1 of MB3. Totally would have made it to Level 2 if there wasn't so much more to see.

6. TODD SHAPIRO. Just kidding, but he was there too.

7. EDGE 102 SOUND STAGE. Performances ran all weekend long and featured artists such as Hollerado, Dear Rouge, Wildlife and many more Canadian bands.

As I've mentioned a few times, there was so much to take in and experience, a list just doesn't do it justice. As per usual I have compiled a few pictures of my travels through the Gentlemen's Expo 2014. Until next time ladies, keep it real, and I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you!

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The First Annual Real Man Travels Gift Guide

The Gift Guide for Men

"Tis better to give than receive," unless you're standing in a packed mall trying to decide what to buy the man who answered "I don't know," or worse, "Surprise me!" Getting a man the perfect gift is almost impossible. It's not because you suck at buying gifts, and it's not because we're jerks either. Like me, most men feel that we need very little to be satisfied, or, feel that we have everything that we could ask for.

To help solve this Christmas conundrum, we've made a list, and you just know we checked it twice. So here's 50 GREAT gift ideas for the men in your life, naughty or nice.

Chris' Picks:

1.Steamwhistle Retro Wall Mounted Bottle Opener

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... a beer in a tree. The perfect gift for any beer lover now comes with a six pack and can be found at the LCBO or at the Steamwhistle Roundhouse in the heart of Toronto.

2. Nikon D3200 

I bought a waterproof Nikon Coolpix about two years ago and have since grown a passion for photography and would like to have a better camera to take the ultimate picture. It also comes in a sweet red colour.

3. Department 56 Christmas Vacation "Shitter was Full" combo set 

Make the ultimate Christmas village with cousin Eddie with a beer in his hand along with the infamous RV.

4. American Eagle underwear

AE's boxer briefs are not only comfortable but they are also comical!

5. 2015 Honda Odyssey

I had the luxury of driving this beautiful van in the summer. This manliest van ever built comes with all the bells and whistles, including a cooler and built in vaccum system.

6.Sexy Christmas Lingerie 

What better way to get your man into a festive mood.

7. Under Armour "Macho Man" Compression shirt

Oh yeah! Part of the Alter Ego collection you are bound to find the perfect match for your man.

8. A Man Scarf 

Yes, a man scarf! They are so hot right now (editors note: we keep telling him they aren't. Sorry you guys)!

9. Loafers 

Loafers scream comfort zone and sometimes that's okay!

10. Plan a Date - 

Plan a night out as a couple or as a group, either way he will appreciate the effort.

Scott's Picks:

1.Retro Duo Portable NES/SNES Game System 

For that special, nostalgic geek you love, consider the gift of endless hours of throw-back gaming on the run! Because Super Mario is better than Flappy Bird any day!

2.10 Gallon Mash Tun 

If you’ve got a homebrewer on your list who aspires to go all-grain, a mash tun is the way to go!

3.Black Board Tap Handles 

Customizable tap handles for the home kegerator. Perfect for the kegging homebrewer in your life.

4.4-Piece High End Shaving Set from King’s Crown 

Give your man his own little slice of the bathroom counter (if he’s clever, he’ll name it “Man Island”) with this super stylish shaving set complete with slate platform.

5.Teva Raith Event Light Hiking Shoes 

For the outdoorsmen/backpacker, a sturdy, lightweight pair of hiking shoes.

6.MEC Trackback Waterproof Breathable Jacket 

Stay dry and look awesome; that’s every outdoorsmen’s wheelhouse.

7.Power Bank Charger

Charge your devices on the go; key for professionals who can’t help working dawn until dusk.

8.Nice cigar lighter

A nice, refillable cigar lighter; something I could pass down to my son one day (and would still be working at that point!).

9.Time with friends and family 

I take time off at Christmas every year to spend with family and friends, some of whom return home on at the holidays. This is all the more true as a new father. I suggest you do the same.

10.Batman Snuggie 

Yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds.

Justin's Picks:

1. Weather Tech Digital Fit Floor Liners

These bad boys make sure your whip's floor stays nice and clean. They preserve your carpet and ensure that moisture doesn't get trapped in the carpet causing rusty floor boards.

2. Nice pair of leather driving gloves 

Leather gloves make gripping the cold Canadian steering wheel in the dead of winter a little more bearable.

3. Home beer brewing kit 

I’m really chomping at the bit to try my hand at homebrewing, but you can’t get started without the supplies!

4.New putter 

My putting is atrocious, just ask the boys. I’m secretly hoping that a new putter would go a long way in helping me establish a solid short game.

5.New Fishing Rod

Since relocating to the great white north, I haven’t done as much fishing as I’d like. A new rod would go a long in getting me back out on the water.

6.Super Smash Brothers – Wii U 

Cause let’s face it… we all know there isn’t a better party video game than this. Plus, how else would I be able to use the new Wii U my son asked for ;)

7. A night on the town with Wifey

Admittedly, with my wife and I living far away from family, and having a pretty (read: very) hectic life, we don’t get out much.

8. Remote Car Starter 

Because running outside in your sleep shorts and flip flops in -40 is never fun.

9. Set of craft beer glasses 

Several different shapes/sizes for different styles. For the craft beer drinker on your Christmas list, these glasses complete the experience.

10. A pint (or eight) of good beer with my good friends/family

A common sentiment among the Real Man Travels team. My family and I usually trek the 1500km back to southern Ontario to see our families twice a year. Once in the summer and once at Christmas, and we’re always sure to put time aside for the friends and family that matter most.

Ed's Picks

1. Canon Rebel T3i - $599.99

Let’s face it, smartphone cameras have come a long way, but still really miss the detail and lighting solutions of a proper DSLR. Along comes the Canon Rebel T3i, an entry level DSLR camera with a lot of functionality and bells and whistles. Perfect for the man who is looking to up their photography game.

2. Boto Swimwear - $69 CAD

It’s time men stopped wearing board shorts. Plain and simple. They are baggy, non-functional and give off the “trying to be young” vibe. Get your man a nice pair of stylish Boto Swimwear shorts to go with the ticket you bought to a warm tropical destination this Christmas. If your man is more reserved stick with the St. Lucia line, but he if he is ok showing more thigh then the Aruba line will do the trick.

3. Over-Ear Headphones with a Mic - $25+

This one may seem strange, but as a Torontonian I walk almost everywhere, during every season, in all kinds of crazy weather. I have a large noodle and toques and beanies don’t seem to cover my head well, so a good pair of over ear headphones would keep my ears warm on all my winter walks. The built in mic feature means I could keep my hands in my pockets while on any calls I receive.

4. Clothing – $5+

I hate shopping for clothes so why not let someone else do it for me? Don’t try to dress your man the way you want him to dress, (it is a gift for his pleasure, not yours) otherwise your gift will remain in the closet with the tags firmly attached to it. Instead stay on the same track of what he already has in his closet and you’ll be golden. And as much as we may complain about receiving socks and underwear, it is a necessity and will be greatly but secretly appreciated.

5. Ray-Ban Wayfarers - $165-225

These are just the classic cool shades that are often cheaply mimicked and duplicated. While those duplicates are great for beating up on a vacation, a proper pair of Ray-Ban’s will give a man that extra style in his day to day life. Just a note, I’d recommend getting your man to try some on as there are different lens/frame sizes and styles to get the perfect fit.

6. Framing Favourite Vinyl Albums - $50+ per album and frame

To complement the manliness of my office or living room (which isn’t very manly right now…) I’d love to have some of my favourite vinyl albums framed to hang on the wall in a classy manner. I did this as a gift for my father a few Christmas’ ago with Frank Sinatra albums and it turned out great. Bonus points if you do this with Zeppelin I through IV.

7. Outdoor Sports Store Gift Card - $25+

I know, I know, gift card? Really? Yes, really. If your man is anything like me, he is picky about what outdoor gear he desires, and you probably have no idea what he actually wants. Unless of course you have scoured over his browser history and saw an item he has checked for multiple reviews and they turn up positive (I don’t recommend this tactic, you’ll stumble upon other things you don’t want to see). An outdoor sports store gift card of any denomination is a great compliment to any other gift you may have already purchased.

8. Thompson Class Money Clip Wallet – $42 CAD
 https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ThompsonClassWallets

Less is more, especially when it comes to the bulge in your pocket. Enter Thompson Class, the company you’ve never heard of with the product you will want. Their slim minimalist wallets hold up to 9 cards and a small stack of cash, all while keeping your pockets streamlined and slim. A must have for all men.

9. Solid Cologne – $35+

Solid cologne in my opinion is a game changer. It doesn’t have that alcohol smell that burns the nose if you apply too much, but instead has a fresh pleasant aroma. I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with a Canadian company, Walton Wood Farms, about their line of “Men Don’t Stink” solid colognes. After some scent sampling I would love to receive one of their solid colognes for Christmas, specifically The Adventurer scent.

10. Mittens/Gloves - $10+

Again with the winter and being an active walker in Toronto I could use a nice pair of wool knit mittens and nicer gloves for the days I dress up or do drive. These would make an excellent stocking stuffer and a relatively cheap addition to the comfort of your man during the winter.

Sam's Picks

1. Sequoia Pendant, Vitaly Designs

After an appearance on Dragon’s Den the Toronto based Vitaly Designs has been steadily churning out unisex accessories with a very high cool factor. While jewellery might not be for every guy the Sequoia just might be the exception. For $60 this little axe will always keep a reminder of the outdoors close by.

2. Google Chromecast 

Make your TV a heck of a lot smarter by plugging in this little tech gem. Surf the net, watch Netflix, or cast apps from your Android device to your TV. All for $39

3. Darwin 30L Daypack 

For the traveler with an arsenal of technology with the added bonus of being from MEC – basically the same as sewing a Canadian flag on your bag. $69

4. Dopp Kit/Toiletry bag 

Keep it classy - either traveling or at home. A stylish leather shaving kit keeps your collection of sharp objects and shave creams together and tidy. $30+

5. Buy Me Brunch Tee’s

It may be December but when summer hits you’ll want to be ready to crank the party all the way to 11. So why not set the tone with a comfortable tee that says “Adios Pantalones” starting at $28.

6. 1 Gallon All Grain Brewing kit, The Noble Hop 

For the brewing novice its everything you need to brew an all grain beer for $39.99. We were introduced to Toronto based Noble Hop at this year’s Gentlemen’s Expo and quickly bonded out our love of homebrew and his awesome beer names. This Christmas put a Badass IPA under your tree!

7. Custom Engraved Paddle

Perhaps you’ve seen a photo or two of the infamous Man of The Year trophy. The full sized paddle has always been carefully crafted by our friends at PRECISIONMARK. While the men on your Christmas list might not make the voyage into the wilderness with us, you can still have a custom oar made for them. Perhaps for the man cave? $60+

8. Stylish Pocket Sized Notebook

You never know when inspiration will strike, so why not keep a slick little notebook handy to jot down your idea for the next big thing. $5+

9. Saxx Underwear 

I’ve been a fan of Saxx since the first time I wore them. They are designed with an ergonomic pouch to cradle your manhood, and come in a wide variety of styles and designs that will prevent chafe and keep you feeling free. A lot of people laugh at this one, but the struggle is real. Starting at $26.95

10. Ultimate Fixed Blade Survival Knife, Gerber Bear Grylls Collection

Owned by nearly every member of Real Man Travels this knife is our “go to” in the wilderness. It can build a fire or be used to saw tree limbs and fits nicely under your pillow when you’re deep in bear country. $62


There you have it! Fifty gift ideas from five different men with different styles and tastes.

You're welcome, internet!

If you have any other home run gift ideas, or just want to chirp ours relentlessly, use the comments section below.

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