Itchy feet

I've lived in Ontario all my life, but I can't say that I know the province very well. I'd love to take short trips, just a few days, to explore nooks and crannies not far from Toronto. I'd especially like to do this with other seniors, staying in modest accommodations, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide where needed. Seniors tour operators seem to think the only places worth going to in Ontario are Stratford, Shaw, and Niagara Falls. I wish I could take trips like these:

• Group of Seven country. Travel to the sites they painted: Algonquin, Killarney, Muskoka, Algoma. Hike, canoe, paint, or just look around and take pictures.
• United Empire Loyalist tour. Visit the area they settled in Prince Edward County, learn about their history.
• Nature trips. Birding in Point Pelee or Hawk Cliff or Aylmer, orchids and ferns in the Bruce Peninsula, follow the Niagara Escarpment.
• Cooking lessons. Go to the Stratford Chefs School for a short course.
• Studio tours. Follow the trails of art galleries, studios and exhibitions. They're everywhere: Bruce, Grey, Simcoe counties, Manitoulin Island, Ottawa Valley, Northumberland Hills, Uxbridge and more.
• Native history trip: Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Walpole Island, Woodland Cultural Centre, Crawford Lake Iroquoian Village, Wikwemikong Pow-Wow.
• Art school. Take short courses at the Southampton Art School or Haliburton School of the Arts.
• Yoga retreats or spa retreats just for seniors.
• Fall colour tours. You can find tours of Agawa Canyon, but there's also great colour in Algonquin, Haliburton, Muskoka, Credit Valley, Bruce Peninsula.
• Just plunk us down in some conference centre out of town and run a program on Beethoven symphonies or modern architecture or international relations. Whatever it is, sign me up!