Take a big, deep breath and let the stresses and strains fall away as you enter civilized Stratford, Ontario! Nestled around a pretty river – called the Avon, naturally – this is what small town living used to be about…but with a cultural twist. Old stone bridges link gardens and pretty streetscapes, where plenty of interesting craft and book shops still survive. Statues lurk round every corner, like this one of The Bard, whose Festival provides that cultural twist. And food…I lunched pleasantly at Tango and then lurched onto the Epicurean Trek.