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Paintings and pampering

By Laura Osborne

After a van Gogh gala evening at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, check into historic Langdon Hall: An elegant and luxurious weekend escape.

Hamilton, Ontario is a city rich in history and brimming with a vibrant cultural presence. From its Roman-style heritage buildings, restored vaudevillian theatres and stately homes to the newly reconstructed art gallery, the beauty and charm of this city make it a captivating destination.

A starry, starry night

Sip champagne or savor an absinthe – the tipple of choice for fin-de-siècle artists – at the gala opening of the Vincent van Gogh exhibit (Art Gallery of Hamilton, May 27–September 4, 2006). After hors d’oeuvres among van Gogh’s original works, enjoy a breathless mix of dinner and dancing, roving performers and auctions against a backdrop of live jazz. If you prefer to view the exhibit without the pomp and circumstance, the recently renovated gallery is also exhibiting Quiet Elegance: Henri Fantin-Latour (on view until May 7); Heaven and Earth Unveiled: European Treasures from the Tanenbaum Collection (until May 28) and is home to one of the finest art collections in Canada.
905-527-6610

Historic Langdon Hall

Now that you’ve satisfied your inner culture vulture, or danced the night away, it’s time to relax. The elegant solution lies at nearby Langdon Hall: Just half an hour outside of Hamilton, this former summer home of the Astor family has been converted into a Relais & Châteaux property, complete with blissful spa and coveted Five Diamond award-winning restaurant.

Humbly named a Country House Hotel in true, understated blueblood fashion, this elegant estate sits atop sweeping green lawns flanked by English-inspired gardens. Rooms are furnished with wood-burning fireplaces, private terraces overlooking the old-growth forest, and feather beds plumped with down duvets. This is Gosford Park without the whodunnit.

Packages include decadent, five-course tasting menus prepared from the freshest and best local ingredients, paired with complementing wines from the region; guided tours of the gardens with afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, sultana and current scones and heavy cream – or a raspberry sugar scrub spa treatment followed by a detoxifying Chocolate Clay Wrap. Blimey!
1-800-268-1898

Getting here

Ontario Tourism, 1-800-ONTARIO, www.ontariotravel.net
Hamilton Tourism, 1-800-263-8590, www.tourismhamilton.info

Photo: Langdon Hall