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About 400km long, the largely flat and often tedious northern shoreline of Lake Erie is broken up by a string of provincial parks and a handful of modest port-cum-resorts, such as Port Stanley, whose popularity declined when the more beautiful landscapes around Georgian Bay became accessible. LEAMINGTON , 50km southeast of Windsor and with a population of 14,000, is the largest agricultural centre in this highly productive region and the nearest town to the north shore's most distinctive attraction, the elongated peninsula of Point Pelee National Park . Leamington's centre is itself uninspiring, though the tourist office (daily: late May-mid-Oct 10am-5pm) always raises a smile: it's sited in a large plastic tomato, a reminder that Leamington is billed as the "tomato capital of Canada" - there's a massive Heinz factory here. Much more enticing is the revamped dock area just south of the centre at the foot of Erie Street. It's here you'll find the town's best restaurant , the Leamington Dock Restaurant (tel 519/326-2697), where the seafood is first class, and the best hotel - the spick-and-span and modern Seacliffe Inn , at 388 Erie St S (tel 519/324-9266, www.seacliffeinn.com ; $100-125). Less expensive accommodation is available back towards the town centre on Erie Street in several chain motels : the Comfort Inn , at no. 279 (tel 519/326-9071; $60-80) is as good as any. There is a once-daily bus service from Toronto to Leamington, but there are no connections on to Point Pelee Park, which begins 8km to the south of town. From the docks, ferries (March-July 2-3 daily; 1hr 30min; one-way: $7.50 per person, bikes $3.75, cars $16.50; tel 519/724-2115) sail out across Lake Erie to Pelee Island , whose quiet country roads are flanked by orchards and vineyards. The island possesses a pair of nature reserves - Lighthouse Point and Fish Point - at its northern and southern extremities and one significant settlement, PELEE ISLAND VILLAGE , but it's the rural atmosphere that is of most appeal. The best way to explore the island is by bike and these can be hired from Comfortech (tel 519/724-2828; advance booking required), just behind the Westview Tavern , in Pelee Island village. Ferry sailing schedules make it easy to visit the island on a day-trip, but there are several places to stay. The pick is the Blueberry Hill B&B , 86 North Shore Rd (tel 519/724-1109; $60-80). Island maps and information are available at the Leamington tourist office.
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