Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 4438 FOCUS - JANUARY 2017 Many Canadian tourists make the trek to Orlando to visit Disney World, but there are two other towns well worth the visit, and are anything but amusement areas. The first city I would recommend for a day trip is Mount Dora, located about an hour north of Orlando. Withapopulationof13,000,thissmall, picturesque village has several streets lined with unique clothing boutiques, art shops and restaurants. Nestled on Lake Dora, it is a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of Mickey Mouse Land and other Florida attractions. The drive from Orlando to Mount Dora is pleasant. Winding roads lined with trees take you on a leisurely trek, pass- ing horse farms and century homes. For those in a rush, there is a new highway, but beware of the five-dollar toll charge. With modern GPS technology, bypass- ing the toll road is quite easy. Once you arrive in Mount Dora, sim- ply park your car, as the entire town is within walking distance. I found it similar to Port Perry, including the friendliness of the people who owned the shops. Be sure to keep the Florida sun in mind and wear a hat and plenty of sun- screen, otherwise your skin will be quite crispy in a matter of minutes. Start your visit with a tasty lunch in either One Flight Up, which has a balcony on the second floor, overlooking Donnelly Street, (the main thoroughfare), or enjoy tasty soup and sandwiches at Let’s Do Lunch, also located on Donnelly street. Both are great, but there are numerous other eat- eries as well. If you want a more formal lunch, make your way toward the lake (about three blocks) and enjoy a wonderful meal on the porch of the Lakeside Inn. Along with good food and picturesque views, it is also a hotel, which was built in 1921. Complete with all the charm of yesteryear, a visit to the lobby and bar is like being whisked back in time, to an era of high society and post WWI freedom. A few steps from the Lakeside Inn stands a lighthouse and a gazebo, both of which overlook wildlife refuge. There are fish and birds and even a small al- ligator or caiman, a viewing which is a must for a trip to central Florida. The dress shops on Donnelly Street feature designer patterns, many of which are local. The art galleries all show work from resident artists, including a second A TALE OF TWO CITIES The porch at Mount Dora’s Lakeside Inn. BY JONATHAN VAN BILSEN