-- J. MAK, MISSISSAUGA
A: For a taste of true Miami nightlife, there's nothing like dancing. You'll find plenty of dance bars and some hotels are also getting in on the action.
At the Biltmore Hotel, world tango champion Monica Llobet is teaching the romance, passion and elegance of Alma de Tango (BiltmoreHotel.com) every Tuesday evening. Group classes are from 8-9 p.m. for beginners and from 9-10 p.m. for advanced students.
The hotel says students will learn basic steps, technique, musicality, philosophy and the passion behind the dance with every class taught. After class, tango masters will perform with guest stars from around the world. Class and milonga is $15 US per person. The Biltmore Hotel is at 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables.
In South Beach, Salsa Mia (salsamia.com) promises fun with group salsa dance classes on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings. Open to all levels from beginners to advanced, you don't even need a partner.
Started in 2005, the founders wanted to create a lively event reminiscent of an old Havana social club. Billed as "the greatest salsa in Miami," prices vary. One full night of dancing, including a two hour class, is $40 US. Salsa Mia is in the Yuca Lounge, 501 Lincoln Rd.
Q: We're trying to live a healthy lifestyle and eat less processed food. Me and my friends want to take a weekend trip and sample local cuisine, preferably homegrown stuff. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
-- S. McCASKILL, TORONTO
A: The concept of the 100-mile diet is popular these days and if you were to apply this principle, the spokes can get rather large looking at it from a Toronto starting point.
I suggest you contact Ontario Tourism -- ontariotravel.net or toll-free 1-800-668-2746. At the site, you can view gastronomy related sections by region. Be sure to click on "Things To Do" and then click on the sublink "Wine and Culinary" for a list of culinary topics. You'll also find sections called "Culinary Hotspots" and "Savour Ontario Culinary Getaways." There are even festivals devoted to food lovers.
A few years ago, the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (ontarioculinarytourism.com) formed and their website is rich with ideas for culinary tourism.
Prince Edward County, a two-hour drive from Toronto has embraced culinary tourism. Local fromageries and quaint bistros are putting many local ingredients on the map. Foodies take their business so seriously in this region that local suppliers banded together to form the Taste Trail -- tastetrail.ca.
At this time of year, harvest festivals are big so consult the various websites about events happening nearby.
Q: After attending the Toronto International Film Festival for about 10 years, my husband and I are thinking of a change of scenery. Could you suggest other cities that have film festivals.
-- F. GUPTA, RICHMOND HILL
A: Film festivals are taking many cities by storm. The Vancouver International Film Festival (viff.org) is currently running. It wraps Oct. 16. For others in Canada, you will have to wait until next year. The Atlantic Film Festival, the Montreal World Film Festival (ffm-montreal.org) and the Festival International du Film Sur L'Art (artfifa.com) all took place in September. The Gimli Film Festival (gimlifilm.com) in Manitoba takes place each summer.
ILONA@MYCOMPASS.CA
View from here easy on the eyesElectric Bikes Allowed on Ontario Roads
