Toronto city break (Toronto (Canada))

Member Name: indyjo

Product:	Toronto (Canada)
Date:	28/09/00 (187 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: clean, safe and friendly

Disadvantages: erm?? can't think of any!

For a city break just that little bit further afield I'd like to recommend Toronto to you. Voted one of the worlds most popular cities to live in, it's a great place to see.

Toronto, located in the province of Ontario, Canada is a 8 hour flight away. There are direct scheduled flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham with carriers Air Canada, BA or Canadian. Alternativly, less pricey but more limited in departure days you can fly charter with Royal Airlines and Canada 3000.

On arriving at the airport, the city centre is a 35 -40 minute drive away. You may decide to hire a car, take a taxi or you can take the shuttle bus with regular departures to the major downtown hotels. Excellent value.

Once you've checked-in at your hotel, there is a wide selection catering for every wallet size, go out and get your first taste of this cosmopolitan place.

The city is located on Lake Ontario, a fine attraction in itself, but perhaps the most famous, and easily recognised landmark is that of the CN Tower. Standing at 1815ft its a stunning addition to the skyline. Be brave.. there are elevator rides up to the spacedeck at 1465ft, this affords spectacular views to the greater Toronto areas and on a clear day as far as 100 miles.
Besides the viewing area inside there is a fine restaurant, a bar, souvenir store and history of the towers construction.

The tower is adjacent to the Skydome, the home to the Toronto Bluejays baseball team and Argonauts football squad. Don't think this is just a stadium, this place is large enough to accommodate 8?747 jets on its playing field, and has a remarkable retractable roof. Besides sports the dome hosts rock concerts. When you're in town check out the events schedule, if nothing is on at that time you can still take a tour of the stadium and imagine the atmosphere.

For a relaxing afternoon board the ferry to the Toronto islands, these leave regularly fo
r the 10-15 minute sail and are cheap. The islands are traffic free and popular with locals and visitors. During summer you can hire bikes, (advice tip, to stop you pedal backwards, there are no brakes)! Enjoy the expanse of grassland for picnicking or just soak up the sun by the lake. There is a small childrens amusement area which has a zoo, several rides and a boating lake.

Back in the city there is a museum, a science centre, hockey hall of fame, Hard Rock Cafe, and the worlds longest street, Yonge Street, here at the Toronto city end you'll find an array of bars nightclubs and specialist stores. All this is within a stroll or a trolley car ride of the hotels.

If shopping is more your thing then let the dollars flow! The main area is the Eaton Centre. This is a large enclosed mall selling many international brands as well as smaller local wares. There are restaurants if you get peckish. Other shopping areas include Harbourfront, and Yorkville.

If you have a few extra days in town why not head out on a tour to the magnificent Niagara falls.
Located a few hours out of the city this place will take your breath away. The noise of the water as it gushes and the spray in the air is just for openers. There are several ways to really experience the splendour, but be warned you will get wet! The maid of the mist is a boat that takes visitors under the falls, simply awesome. Alternativly you can go behind the falls through walkways. For a drier option a helicopter ride over the panorama is an experience, although pricey. Whether you go during the day or night (the falls are illuminated by lasers at night), in Summer or Winter your visit to this wonder will stay with you for ever. A quaint olde worlde village Niagara-on-the-lake is a must see as you make your return to the city. Tours to these places can be arranged by your hotel concierge or pre-booked by your travel agent in the UK.

All too s
oon your visit to Toronto will be ending, maybe next time you can take the kids to Canada's Wonderland, North of the City, or taste some of the food in Chinatown or little Italy.
Toronto is a great place, its a safe, friendly city with a hot climate in summer and a numbingly chilly one in the winter! Enjoy your trip.

I stayed at : The Crowne Plaza, located on Front Street, steps from the CN Tower.
Other fine hotels are located within the City.

You can make independent travel plans or contact a travel agent who will do all the arrangements for you.

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