If you decide on the Barrie area a nice little town just south of Barrie is Cookstown. I can recommend a lovely little restaurant called the Globe in Rosemount and also Mrs.Mitchell's at Violet Hill www.mrsmitchells.net for lunch, both require reservations. It is nice rolling countryside and a drive on Airport Road or Highway 27 is a pleasant way of getting there. There is the Nottawasaga Inn at Alliston to stay - all within easy driving, as well as B& B's

Another area is Port Perry - a pretty little town with lawns and gardens on the water and also pleasant eateries on the main street.

As mentioned Kleinberg and McMichael are worth a visit but in my recent experience avoid eating there. Take a picnic they have nice grounds.

Barbara Toronto