LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS, OHIO
Above: Oslo Opera House Below: Sunrise from coast of Kelleys Island on Lake Erie and the Marblehead Lighthouse
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BJTonline.com | Summer 2020
In summer, the vibrant waterfront is the place to be—restaurants spill onto the sidewalks and food trucks round out the offerings. The rooftop bar of the Thief hotel is one of the best spots to take in the city. The skyline and the Oslofjord will hold your attention. You can’t leave this city without a jump into the fjord. It’s a calming alternative to the bustling environment of shopping, dining, and exploring. Floating nearby saunas can help you to warm up afterwards. You can get a good taste of Oslo in as few as three nights. Ideally, though, you should give yourself more time in Norway to enjoy all the activities just outside the city—fishing, golfing, cycling, hiking, kayak tours, swimming, paddleboarding, and fjord cruises. Norwegian people are happy and live long for a reason. —Amy Siegal
Driving from Port Clinton to Vermilion in northern Ohio takes just over a half hour. Exploring the area, though, requires several days. The region, which borders Lake Erie, offers noteworthy islands, wildlife viewing, fishing, boating, nautical history, and a premier amusement park. Three islands are accessible by seasonal ferry service from Port Clinton—Sandusky, Catawba Island Township, and Marblehead—or you can take a flight from Erie Ottawa Airport. Private aircraft can land at this airport, which has a 5,646-foot runway, as well as at the airports on each of the three islands. Best known for the village Put-in-Bay and the 352-foot-high Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, South Bass is the most popular of the islands. The monument was built a century ago to honor Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry and those under his command who fought in the War of 1812’s Battle of Lake Erie. It additionally signifies the long-lasting peace between Great Britain, Canada, and the U.S. Also on the island are wineries, crystal caves, museums, other tourist attractions, and a nine-hole golf course. Middle Bass, a much quieter island, offers a historic district, a wildlife refuge, and charming inns and cottage rentals. Make sure to tour Lonz Winery, reportedly once the nation’s largest producer of wine.