Do you love great theater? Are you a Shakespeare buff who keeps grumbling about the awful productions of Shakespeare you keep seeing? Do you love fine dining and farm-fresh ingredients? Would you like to grab a great travel bargain for your next vacation?

Then welcome to Stratford, Ontario, home to Canada's (and North America's) greatest theater festival. Here, on the bucolic banks of the Avon River, in a beautiful, unspoiled nineteenth century town, you will find world-class productions of Shakespeare and other classic English and French playwrights, along with the ancient Greeks and modern masters like Brecht, Beckett, and Coward. Plus, great musicals like "A Chorus Line," "Guys and Dolls," "The Sound of Music," "Fiddler on the Roof," and the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The Stratford Festival spreads out over four performance venues, from the large to the intimate, and offers up 12 to 14 plays each season, plus a tempting array of special events -- lectures, symposiums, tours, and opportunities to meet and ask questions of some of the world's best actors. Simply put, Stratford is an embarrassment of theatrical riches. 2020 sees the debut of the state-of-the-art Tom Patterson Theatre on the banks of the Avon River.

Stratford also plays host to some of Canada's greatest restaurants, second only perhaps to Toronto itself. Thanks to the presence of the Stratford Chef's School, which produces some of Canada's best cooks, the foodie scene is constantly bubbling. And since Stratford sits in the middle of one of the great agricultural regions in North America, you are assured of chowing down on only the finest and freshest of ingredients. Canada's burgeoning Niagara wine region is just a short drive away, filling wine lists with their best vintages. Or perhaps you'd prefer a local craft beer? One Stratford restaurant offers over 120 beers from around the world!

For Americans, one of the best things about Stratford (and Canada in general) is that it is one great "25%-Off Sale." That's because the "loonie" (the Canadian dollar) is currently trading at about 75 cents to the dollar!

"Stratford Ontario and the Stratford Festival 2019" takes you beyond the obvious headline attraction to help you experience this very special place to the fullest. In this extensive guide you will discover . . .

* The Poutine Curtain. What it is and how it keeps Americans from discovering Canadian culture.

* A special section for American visitors, revealing some important things to know before you visit and while you are there.

* An in-depth guide to the Stratford Festival, which produces three or four Shakespeare plays each season. Learn about the theaters, how to get the best seats, and how to get the best bargains.

* The many other things to see and do in Stratford.

* Stratford's astonishing and ever-growing music scene.

* Even more opportunities to see theater.

* How to stay active and work off some of those gourmet meal calories.

* Local Canadian specialties, like poutine and butter tarts, that you'll want to try when visiting.

* A guide to Stratford Dining, from 4-star gourmet restaurants, to casual spots that most tourists never discover, to funky (but delicious) street food.

* Stratford's charming bed and breakfasts, from elegant to homey.

* Stratford's hotels and inns, some of which put most upscale "boutique hotels" to shame.

* Tips on how to self-cater and where to shop for the best ingredients (even casual visitors will want know about these special markets).