Toronto (Toronto (Canada))

Member Name: jaygami1986

Product:	Toronto (Canada)
Date:	10/08/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Read opp

Disadvantages: None

This review is about my time in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, I spent just under two weeks in this province, and so I thought I would share my travel experience with everyone. I have been to Canada once before, however I was very young and thus didn't really get a feel for the province; I was too young to travel around and to young to do the things I enjoy doing now. These reviews won't list all the things that can be done in Toronto, but rather just the things I had done during my stay. Hopefully, this information will be of some use to anyone reading this and hoping to travel their one day.

Brief History:

Ontario is a province located in east central Canada, and is the second largest province after Quebec. Most of Ontario is bordered by the US, and for this reason many of the tourists visiting the northern tip of America will also stop by to Ontario to see some of the sights. Ontario's capital is Toronto, which is I stayed and visited. With a population in excess of 2.5 million is the fifth most municipalities in North America. Europeans first landed in Toronto in the early 1500's, and they have left a lasting impression, with the European language spoken, the architecture and the cuisine. The main language spoken in Toronto is French, however English is also universally known, and is used everyday.
The climate in Toronto is one of much change, it can be both extremely cold and wet, whilst at the same time during the summer months exceptionally hot.

This next stage will consist of where I stayed, and what I did, where I visited and so on. Hopefully this section will give you some insight on some of the many things that one can do when visiting this magnificent place.

Now for most people Toronto is a stop off whilst they are already in America, and thus find it easier to either drive up the border, take a train or simply a small short flight. Since I was coming from London, I travelled the full long distance of about 9 hours flying times worth. After the long, tiring and journey we finally landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This is the busiest Airport in Toronto, and this is evident as soon as you leave customs, it's packed with thousands of tourists either flying in or out. The airport has some brilliant architecture, and I suppose it gets the ball rolling for the architecture that I will see during the rest of my stay.
So I left the airport and made my way inside a cab, details of which will follow, I had landed quite late in the evening and so I just wanted to head straight to my hotel.
The Hotel:
So after a short 20 minute cab ride I had finally arrived at my hotel, the Holiday Inn St Catherine's hotel, near Niagara Falls. Now I would have stayed somewhere less commercialised, but I really couldn't be bothered, I have used Holiday Inn numerous times and I have found their hotels to be reasonably priced, great rooms and a all round good service so I just decided to stick with them. What was even more convenient was that it was only a few minutes away from Niagara Falls, which was one of the attractions I had wanted to see.
The Price:
Like most places the prices for hotel rooms can varies depending upon one's taste and needs. I wanted a room with two beds as I was sharing with a mate; however I wanted a television, a fridge and the basic needs most people want. For our rooms we paid £410 between us, for the full 13 nights, which isn't too bad. But once again prices differ depending upon the situation. Our room came with the following;
Television with cable
Air Conditioning
Fridge
Bathroom and toilet facility
Two single beds
A safe
A sofa

The hotel also comes with a brilliant restaurant called Vecera, They have some brilliant menus and food that anyone will enjoy, it ranges from the local delicacies to international food. Prices start from $18 onwards, however they do a lot of special offers and Sunday Brunches which normally go for about $11.50. The service is second to none, with the waiting time being 15 minutes. It's decorated in a post modern style, with some elegant music in the background, which is overshadowed by the sound of many tourists speaking about their day out.
The hotel is also equipped with a spa and gym, but to be honest I don't know the price or what equipment they had, I didn't travel half way round the World so I can work out in a gym in Toronto, no thank you.
Attractions:
Toronto has many sites and attraction that people come to see year after year, this differs from sports venues, national parks, general sightseeing, museums and of course Niagara Falls, which was one of the main reasons I went back to Toronto. Hopefully this section will give you guys an idea of some of the things you can do and see. I will be giving short reviews of the places I visited; this is because I will be writing longer more detailed reviews for each attraction in separate reviews, because there is so much information to share.

CN Tower:
As a kid I always wanted to visit the CN Tower, for me its one of the main attractions in Toronto. I will be writing a separate review in the CN tower, but I thought I would include some small useful information in this section.
You can do both sightseeing at the top, or visit the 360 spinning restaurant that they have at the top, all of which will be in a separate review. Prices vary depending upon the time and day you go to visit, and what type of access you want with your tour. I opted for Total Tower Experience, which set me back $32.99, with this tour I get to see the following;
Look Out + Glass Floor + Skypod + Movie + Motion Theatre Ride (Must be 107 centimetres (42 inches) to ride). But there are guide's which can be even more extensive, or basic tours, all of which I will note in a separate review. This is a must see when in Toronto, it gives you one of the best views of the City, and on a clear day you can see far and wide, the Niagara Falls looks amazing from this view.

Ontario Place:
Ontario Place is an amusement park located on the shore of Lake Ontario. It's an amusement style theme park experience for kids and adults, and is a brilliant place to visit during the summer.
Attractions include an IMAX theatre, places to eat and drink, or just have a sit down as well as a multi water slide theme park. The pass I bought was $49.00 and this allowed me to spend one full day in the theme park, allowing me to visit all the attractions as well as access to the water theme park. The theme park also has a brilliant view of the marina, and the Lake, a view from the top of the waterslide is a mist, it's the best experience ever. The theme park also has a selection of restaurants and fast food outlets. A music area also allows people to sit down and listen to some of the local talent. (Full review to follow).

St. Lawrence Market:
St Lawrence Market is also another visitor attraction that I would recommend everyone visit. It at times can be very fast paced and loud, however it really gives you a feel for what the city is about it also gives you a chance to get to no the local area, find out more about the area and, perhaps even make some new friends with the locals. It is located west of Jarvis Street, between King Street East and the Esplanade, however most the cab drivers and bus and trams will take you their as it is a hot spot with the locals and the tourists. The first impressions are just how big the market actually is, we have our fair share of supermarkets here in London, however the environment, they layout and the style is something so different, and something I haven't seen very often. They have everything from a bread market, a fish market, a meat market, a vegetable market and the list goes on and on. It reminds me like Costco, but without the commercialization, it stays true to the local root, and it's great to get a feel for the local food, rather than going to the local restaurant.
What's great about the market is that it's got a wide variety of products, and the stall owners always give you a chance to sample some of the food. It's also a great place to pick up a bargain, and even bring back some souvenirs

Korea Town, Little Italy and Greek Town:
The name says it all really different areas around Toronto that have been designated to different cultural areas. Each area, has its own unique style and taste, and also has some local restaurants and shops with the theme. It's like being in Universal Studios, with different set locations. But its great and worth a visit, as it really makes you look at Toronto, as a multicultural society with many different areas that characterize Toronto.

Niagara Falls:

Niagara Falls is another place that everyone must visit, if you are in Toronto and you don't visit the fall then you're in another World. I am going to keep this section short, as I am going to write a detailed review about my time here. The waterfall is at the border between Canada and the US state of New York, hence why many people take a boat ride from New York to see the waterfall, which is what I did. They offer many different packages, which allow you to do the boat ride, or also give you a chance to get up close with the magnificent destructive waterfall. Prices vary depending upon how you book your tour. However please read my review on this for a more detailed examination.

Getting around:

The main modes of transport varies from the local bus service, which for a weeks pass can be bought for $26.50, allowing you access to all buses within the Toronto area. You could also opt for the cab, which cost me an average of $17 per trip, however this all depends upon the traffic, and where you're actually going. Another brilliant way would be to simply walk, if the weather permits you, walking is a brilliant way of getting your way around the city, it gives you a chance to soak up you environment.

Times to Go:
Toronto is the type of city you could visit any time of the year, however if you want to go when the weather is at its finest then the Months of June, July and August are the one's that would suite you the best. A combination of sunshine, breezy winds and less humidity mean it's the perfect time to go.

Overall a brilliant city, it's got the culture, the friendly people, the attractions, and a sense of being in a different world. It's relatively easy to get around the city with the transport links available, the food is reasonably priced, however it's always worth looking out for cheaper alternatives to food as some restaurants can be pricey. There is much to see and do in this City, you have to have some time and patience to get through everything, and it's amazing to see some of the natural parks they have all around the city.

Summary: Toronto City.......