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gtahomeassignments · 3 months ago
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Lifestyle Perks of Living in a Waterfront Condo in Mississauga
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Living by the water brings a special kind of magic to everyday life. Picture yourself starting each morning with the sound of gentle waves and warm sunlight filling your home through big windows that reach from floor to ceiling. This dream can be your reality in Mississauga's buzzing waterfront area, where new condos in Mississauga families are falling in love with offers more than just four walls – they're your ticket to a lifestyle that brings together city living and natural beauty.
Stunning Views in Every Season
Your waterfront condo’s balcony becomes your personal viewing spot for nature's show. Watch spring bring colorful sunrises over Lake Ontario, see summer fill the water with boats, and enjoy city lights twinkling on the waves during warm nights.
Fall brings bright red and orange colors to the shore, while winter turns everything into a peaceful snow-covered scene. It's like having a live nature channel right outside your window.
Stay Active Right Outside Your Door
The exciting Lakeview Village shows how nature and city life can work together perfectly. When you live in these waterfront condominiums, you can step outside and find trails perfect for running or walking. Whether you want to ride bikes, do yoga near the water, or try water sports, staying active just becomes part of your daily routine.
A Friendly Community Feel
Living in a condo with waterfront settings helps you feel connected to others. You'll find friendly faces at local events, beach festivals, and outdoor markets. These become great places to chat with neighbors and make friends. Local coffee shops and restaurants turn into favorite spots where everyone likes to hang out.
Port Credit's Rich Culture Scene
Port Credit's waterfront lights up with creativity all year long. Events happen all year on the waterfront. You'll see art shows in the parks and hear music at outdoor concerts. Local actors perform plays in the summer. Artists from the area show their work in galleries and public spaces. Visit weekend markets and join community events.
When you move into the waterfront condos at Lakeview Village, you join a friendly neighborhood that celebrates arts and fun together.
Modern Living by the Lake
These homes come with features that make daily life simple. A front desk team helps with your packages and questions. You can control your home settings from your phone. The building has spaces where you can exercise, meet others, or just relax. You're close to downtown Mississauga for work and shopping, but you get to come home to a quiet spot by the lake.
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winsoldwinsold · 5 months ago
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Photo Virtual Tour Toronto: A New Way to Experience the City
Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is renowned for its cultural diversity, world-class landmarks, and bustling urban atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Toronto has something to offer for everyone. However, with the rise of technology and the need for more immersive experiences, the way people explore the city has changed. Enter the Photo Virtual Tour Toronto — a new and innovative way to discover the heart of Toronto without leaving the comfort of your home.
 
The Evolution of Virtual Tourism
Virtual tours have grown significantly in recent years, particularly after the global pandemic limited travel opportunities. This shift made it clear that people were still eager to explore new places, but in a safer, more convenient manner. Toronto has been no exception to this trend, with its famous landmarks now offering virtual tours that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
In addition to traditional virtual tours, aᅠPhoto Virtual Tour allows users to experience the city in a series of high-resolution, panoramic photographs. These photos are often taken by professional photographers and capture key spots across Toronto. The viewer can navigate through these images, moving from one location to another, and immersing themselves in the experience as if they were physically present.
 
Why Toronto is Perfect for a Photo Virtual Tour
Toronto is a city of contrasts — from historic neighborhoods like the Distillery District to modern marvels like the CN Tower. These contrasts make Toronto the perfect city for a Photo Virtual Tour, as each district offers its own unique flavor.
Iconic Landmarks
CN Tower: Perhaps the most iconic structure in Toronto, the CN Tower is a must-see for any visitor. On a virtual tour, you can experience the 360-degree views from the top, allowing you to gaze over Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands, and the bustling downtown core.
Royal Ontario Museum: The ROM is one of the largest museums in North America and offers an extensive collection of world culture and natural history. While a physical tour offers a hands-on experience, a virtual photo tour provides up-close views of its impressive architecture, including the stunning Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.
Distillery District: Famous for its cobblestone streets and well-preserved Victorian-era industrial buildings, the Distillery District is a photographer’s dream. A photo virtual tour captures the essence of this charming neighborhood, showcasing its art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Natural Beauty
Toronto Islands: Escape the city without leaving it by virtually touring the Toronto Islands. The islands are a perfect spot for a peaceful walk or bike ride, and the photo virtual tour can take you through beaches, parks, and marinas. The Toronto skyline, as seen from the islands, is also a highlight worth viewing.
High Park: High Park, located in the west end, offers a perfect mix of nature and recreational space. With its large green areas, hiking trails, and the famous cherry blossoms in the spring, a photo tour of this park can allow viewers to experience the serenity and beauty it provides.
Cultural Hotspots
Kensington Market: One of Toronto’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods, Kensington Market is known for its bohemian vibe. From unique street art to eclectic stores and restaurants, a photo virtual tour here offers a lively, colorful experience.
Graffiti Alley: This vibrant spot is a must-see for art lovers. Located near Queen Street West, Graffiti Alley is filled with incredible street art and murals. On a photo virtual tour, the bright colors and intricate designs come to life, allowing viewers to appreciate the creativity of Toronto’s local artists.
 
Benefits of a Photo Virtual Tour
Accessibility
One of the primary advantages of a Photo Virtual Tour Toronto is accessibility. People who might not have the opportunity to visit Toronto in person can still explore its beauty and culture. Whether due to distance, mobility issues, or time constraints, virtual tours break down barriers, making Toronto available to everyone.
Flexible Exploration
Unlike a traditional tour with a guide, a virtual photo tour allows users to explore at their own pace. Want to spend more time examining the intricate details of a street mural in Graffiti Alley? No problem. Feel like skipping to the CN Tower’s observation deck? You can do that too. The ability to customize your experience makes virtual tours particularly appealing for those who prefer self-guided adventures.
Cost-Effective
Travel costs can add up quickly, especially in a bustling city like Toronto. With a photo virtual tour, you can experience the city’s highlights without breaking the bank. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers or families looking for affordable ways to explore new destinations.
Sustainability
With environmental concerns on the rise, reducing one’s carbon footprint has become an important aspect of modern travel. A photo virtual tour allows you to see the world without contributing to pollution from planes, cars, or buses. By participating in virtual tourism, you’re also supporting the sustainable tourism movement, which seeks to protect natural and cultural resources for future generations.
 
How to Experience a Photo Virtual Tour of Toronto
Most Photo Virtual Tours of Toronto can be accessed through a variety of platforms, including websites dedicated to virtual tourism, photography portfolios, and even social media. These platforms often use cutting-edge technology to stitch together multiple photos into a seamless, interactive experience.
Here are a few ways you can start your virtual exploration of Toronto:
Photography Websites: Many professional photographers in Toronto offer virtual tours on their websites. These tours allow users to navigate through key locations in the city using high-resolution images.
Museum and Landmark Websites: Some of Toronto’s most popular attractions offer virtual tours directly on their websites. For example, the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum both have virtual tour options that provide stunning photographic views of their spaces.
Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also great places to find virtual tours of Toronto. Many local photographers and influencers share their favorite shots of the city, and some even offer guided tours through Instagram stories or live broadcasts.
 
The Future of Photo Virtual Tours
As technology continues to evolve, so will virtual tourism. We’re already seeing advancements in interactive features, such as augmented reality (AR) and 360-degree photography, which enhance the immersive experience. In the future, we can expect photo virtual tours to become even more sophisticated, providing users with an even closer experience of being in the physical location.
For Toronto, this means an even wider audience will be able to appreciate its beauty, history, and culture. Whether it’s through traditional tours, photo virtual tours, or augmented reality experiences, the city will continue to captivate visitors from around the globe.
 
Final Thoughts
A Photo Virtual Tour of Toronto offers an incredible opportunity to explore this vibrant city from anywhere in the world. From the towering CN Tower to the artistic Graffiti Alley, Toronto’s diverse attractions come to life through high-quality photography. As more people embrace this innovative way of touring, photo virtual tours are set to become a staple in the future of travel. Whether you’re planning a future trip to Toronto or just curious about the city, a virtual tour provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the world’s most dynamic urban landscapes.
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haliburtongoldgroup001 · 8 months ago
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Haliburton Real Estate Spotlight: Beautiful Cottages on Little Kennisis Lake
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Nestled in the heart of Ontario's stunning cottage country, Haliburton County is renowned for its pristine lakes, dense forests, and serene natural beauty. Among its many treasures, Little Kennisis Lake stands out as a prime location for those seeking a perfect blend of tranquility and adventure. If you're in the market for a picturesque retreat, exploring the options for a cottage for sale on Little Kennisis Lake should be at the top of your list.
The Allure of Little Kennisis Lake
Little Kennisis Lake, a gem in the Haliburton Highlands, offers a serene environment that is ideal for both relaxation and recreation. The lake's crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing, while the surrounding forests provide ample opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and exploring nature. The beauty of this area lies not just in its scenic landscapes but also in the peace and quiet that it offers, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Why Choose Haliburton Real Estate?
Haliburton real estate is highly sought after for its diverse range of properties that cater to different tastes and budgets. Whether you're looking for a luxurious lakeside cottage, a rustic cabin, or a modern home with all the amenities, Haliburton's real estate market has something to offer. The county's commitment to preserving its natural environment while accommodating thoughtful development ensures that each property purchase is a sound investment.
Finding the Perfect Cottage for Sale on Little Kennisis Lake
When it comes to finding a cottage for sale on Little Kennisis Lake, there are several factors to consider:
Location and Accessibility: Proximity to amenities such as local shops, restaurants, and medical facilities can enhance your cottage experience. Little Kennisis Lake is conveniently located near several charming towns and communities that provide all the essentials.
Property Features: Look for properties that offer stunning lake views, private docks, and ample outdoor space. Many cottages on Little Kennisis Lake come with features like fireplaces, spacious decks, and modern kitchens, making them perfect for year-round use.
Recreational Opportunities: Ensure the property provides easy access to recreational activities. Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, or hiking, a cottage on Little Kennisis Lake will put you in the heart of some of Ontario's best outdoor adventures.
Future Potential: Consider the long-term potential of the property. Haliburton real estate is known for its value appreciation, making it a wise investment for those looking to buy a vacation home or a rental property.
Living the Cottage Life
Owning a cottage on Little Kennisis Lake is more than just a real estate investment; it's a lifestyle choice. Imagine waking up to the sound of loons calling across the water, spending your days exploring the lake and surrounding wilderness, and ending your evenings with breathtaking sunsets over the water. This idyllic setting offers a perfect escape from the daily grind and a place where you can create lasting memories with family and friends.
Community and Culture
The Haliburton Highlands are known for their vibrant community and rich cultural heritage. From local art galleries and theaters to seasonal festivals and farmers' markets, there's always something to do and see. The friendly locals and welcoming atmosphere make it easy to feel at home, whether you're a full-time resident or a weekend visitor.
Making the Move
If you're ready to make the move and invest in a cottage for sale on Little Kennisis Lake, now is the perfect time. The demand for Haliburton real estate continues to grow, driven by the area's natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and quality of life. Working with a local real estate agent who specializes in cottage properties can help you navigate the market and find the perfect property to meet your needs.
Conclusion
Little Kennisis Lake in Haliburton County is a paradise for those seeking a serene and active lifestyle. With its stunning landscapes, abundant recreational opportunities, and welcoming community, it's no wonder that cottages on this lake are in high demand. By investing in a cottage for sale on Little Kennisis Lake, you're not just buying a property; you're embracing a way of life that celebrates nature, tranquility, and adventure. So, take the plunge and discover the magic of Haliburton real estate today.
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leahhicksart · 2 years ago
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Website: https://www.leahhicks.com/
Address: Smiths Falls, Eastern Ontario, Canada
Through catastrophic brain injury and resulting trauma comes a channel of expression from which I create my artworks.
Having an education in art, I have learned skills such as Life drawing, Still Life, Shape, Principles and Elements, Colour, and Fundamentals. This has given me a successful career as a well-established professional artist.
My work is represented and seen throughout North America and I have participated in various regional art shows, and solo shows in Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston as well as having been honored to participate in The Florence Biennale in Italy, Chicago USA’s Art Expo, Toronto’s Arta Gallery’s Modern Woman and London Vogue. My Artwork is currently being shown in Prestigious Galleries across Eastern Canada.
I have had my work mentioned in numerous documents and literature. My artwork has been heavily collected by the Federal Government of Canada as well as held in many private collections and in many countries.
I continue to challenge myself to create a multi-dimensional world on a two-dimensional stage in order to achieve depth and emotion in each piece.
‘Inspiring the mind, exploring the depths of the subconscious landscape’
Business Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/art.leah.hicks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leahhicksart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.leah.hicks/
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thebestintoronto · 5 years ago
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48 hours in. . . Toronto, an insider guide to Canada's spirited first city
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Canada's multicultural fusion
Canada's biggest city, the 4th biggest in North America, is regularly rated among the most effective areas to live in the world. Investing also a few days here makes it very easy to see why. Cosmopolitan and also cultured, fun as well as fun-loving, with an icing of unpredictability simply to make points fascinating, Toronto takes pride in being the dynamic, innovative and also risk-free amount of all its components.
The city's roots show in myriad ways, with greater than 200 cultures stood for on the streets. (The truth that there are 3 Chinatowns as well as 2 Little Italys speaks volumes.) This is among the reasons the cooking scene is such a big deal-- there are much more ingredients in the pantry to pull from. With four first-rate sporting activities teams, a spirited arts scene and a vibrant beachfront with its very own flight terminal, Toronto makes both a gratifying end destination and an excellent pitstop.
Warm right now ...
Doug Wallace, our citizen specialist, supplies his top tips on the best things to do and also puts to eat and drink this period.
Consume
Canada's initial Eataly (55 Bloor St. W.; 00 1 437 374 0250) has opened up in the ManuLife Centre to much excitement and also more than a couple of crowds. Spanning 50,000 square feet over 3 levels, the Italian marketplace brings the preference of Italy home to Yorkville's Mink Mile. Locate takeaway counters, dining establishments, regional as well as Italian components, food preparation courses as well as more. - The best dining establishments in Toronto
Do
Not just does Resort X Toronto (111 Princes' Blvd., 4th flooring; 00 1 647 943 9300) have a gigantic 90,000-square-foot gym with 4 interior tennis courts and also 9 squash courts, but it now likewise has Canada's first Guerlain Day spa. Get pampered via customised body therapies and facials in 10 areas, plus pre- and post-stay lounges with views of the lake. - The very best things to do in Toronto
Drink
Don't let the false front of Vatican Gift Store (1047 Gerrard St. E.; 00 1 416 462 2682) mislead you: the makeshift gift store opens speakeasy-style to expose a low-lit Gothic secluded administering European and regional brews, clever (as well as solid) mixed drinks as well as thin-crust, hand-tossed Neopolitan pizzas. Stock up on votive candles on your way out. - The most effective night life in Toronto
48 hours in ... Toronto
The first day
MORNING
Even if you're not staying at the Delta Resort Toronto, begin your day with a vibrant coffee and also a morning meal sandwich at SOCO to Go (75 Lower Simcoe St; 00 1 416 637 5465), the hotel's 24-hour grab-and-go counter and also café in the southeast corner of the structure.
Your 2nd quit of the day is nearby: Ripley's Fish tank of Canada (288 Bremner Blvd; 00 1 647 351 3474) opens at 9am, which is when the displays will be the least crowded. After having a look at the jellyfish wall surface and seeing stingrays skyrocket over your head in the undersea gallery, function your means over to the Hockey Hall of Popularity (30 Yonge St; 00 1 416 360 7765) to look into the interactive video games as well as well-known souvenirs.
MID-DAY
There's absolutely nothing even more Canadian than a peameal bacon sandwich (a kind of unsmoked back bacon). Discover one for lunch at Carousel Bakery, right near the front door in the St. Lawrence Market (93 Front St. E.; 00 1 416 392 7219). If bacon is not your thing, head to the reduced level to consider greater than a dozen hot-food stalls. The marketplace has been a culinary hub of the city given that 1803, which in Canada-years resembles 2 centuries.
After that, a 10-minute stroll south to the water's side will land your toes in the sand at the synthetic Sugar Coastline (Lower Jarvis St. and Queen's Quay E). Sit under the cotton-candy pink umbrellas and also enjoy the tankers get here in the harbour prior to continuing to the historic Distillery Area (55 Mill St.). Take a great, slow-moving poke regarding this pedestrian-only cultural territory of shops, present stores, clothes stores and also galleries. SOMA is the most effective bean-to-bar chocolatier in the area.
LATE
Pre-cocktails, take a little stroll via Yorkville Area (Cumberland Ave. at Bellair St.), in search of stars shopping or ordering cappucinos in their baseball caps and sunglasses. Duck into either The Oxley (121 Yorkville Ave.; 00 1 647 348 1300) for pints on the (much quieter) 2nd flooring or opt for martinis at d|bar in the Four Seasons (60 Yorkville Ave.; 00 1 416 964 0411).
Supper reservations tonight are at Constantine (15 Charles. St. E.; 00 1 647 475 4436), a little piece of Italian-Mediterranean paradise in the back of Anndore Home. Just move up front to the cocktail bar for a nightcap or stroll a brief block east to the Gay Town for a drag show at Woody's (467 Church St.; 00 1 416 972 0887).
- The most effective dining establishments in Toronto
Day 2
MORNING
The most effective time to get your photo taken in the "O" of the Toronto indicator at City Hall (100 Queen St. W. at Bay St.) remains in the morning prior to any individual else is around. Get a quick chai latte initially at Bannock (401 Bay St.; 00 1 416 861 6996).
Post photoshoot, it's a 15-minute walk to a healthy breakfast at Karine's (109 McCaul St.; 00 1 416 591 0863), a little food court serving morning meal staples with a side of Center Eastern, along with vegan and gluten-free, treats. Satisfied, you can then do a deep-dive right into the long-term collection (or exploring exhibits) nearby at the age-old Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W.; 00 1 416 979 6648).
AFTERNOON
On via Chinatown currently to the bohemian neighbourhood of Kensington Market (Kensington Ave. as well as Dundas. St. W.) to take a look at its indie society, vintage garments shops as well as art rooms. While you're there, put into a piled-high hamburger at Ozzy's Hamburgers (66 1/2 Nassau St.; 00 1 416 862 7983)-- have the Mustang Sally.
Stroll it off by heading back down to Queen St. W. and also shopping your means westward-- both sides of the street, mind you-- completely to Trinity Bellwoods Park (790 Queen St. W. at Strachan Ave.). Must-stops in the process must consist of: Frank as well as Oak for men's and also ladies's clothing and also possibly a quick haircut (735 Queen St. W.; 00 1 647 930 8711), Zane for the developer jewelry and desirable bags (753 Queen St. W.; 00 1 647 352 9263) and the shoe heaven that is Heel Kid (773 Queen St. W.; 00 1 416 362 4335).
LATE
Supper is also westward this evening, but first, choose of fresh margaritas or tequila shots at Reposado (136 Ossington St.; 00 1 416 532 6474) or a couple of Rust and also Bone cocktails at The Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.; 00 1 416 531 5042), whose bartenders virtually created the craft mixed drink scene in Toronto
Then for a little taste of Argentina at Tanto (74 Ossington Ave.; 00 1 416 546 3022). Fill out on the innovative little plates-- such as the spicy beef empanada with paprika aioli or smoked squid covered with pancetta as well as scorched almond salsa-- then just share one primary.
Later, take your pick of the area's live songs areas: a burlesque program at the saucy Painted Lady (218 Ossington Ave.), classic blues or people at The Dakota Pub (249 Ossington Ave.; 00 1 416 850 4579) or an indie band at The Fort (1197 Dundas St. W.; 00 1 416 519 9439).
- The very best night life in Toronto.
When to go ...
Might to October is the best time to visit Toronto, while the sun is out, the dining establishment patio areas are jumping, as well as everyone gets on the street after a lengthy winter season cooped inside. June, July and also August are usually hot and humid, 30 levels seems like 40 levels. On summertime weekend breaks, residents go out of community to their homes, leaving the city streets (and dining establishment chairs) to you. Summer season is additionally when most of the city's festivals are slated, focusing on food as well as beverage, arts and also theater, multiculturalism, songs as well as movie. The excellent climate just doesn't just transform itself off come August 31, either: In September, kids go back to college, grownups return to organisation as well as you have the sidewalks, stores and destinations to on your own.
Know prior to you go ...
Necessary information
Vacationer board info: 00 1 416 203 2500; seetorontonow.com Emergency situation fire and ambulance: 911 Emergency police: 911 British Consular Office: 777 Bay St., Collection 2800; 00 1 416 593 1290.
The essentials.
Flight time: Fly from London to Toronto in 7 hours. Currency: Canadian dollar. International dialling code: +1.
Local laws and etiquette.
- Canadians are notoriously courteous, conscientious as well as unstuffy, normally expecting the very same of others.
- Like elsewhere in North America, it is customary to tip 15-20 per cent for service in restaurants and bars. Ditto the cab driver, massage specialist, tourist guide and hairstylist. For hotel housekeeping team, budget plan CAD$ 3-$ 5 (₤ 1.80- ₤ 3) per day.
- The Toronto Transit System of trains, streetcars and buses-- while flawed-- is safe and also simple. The train trains stop at 1:30 am. Some streetcar and buses run overnight. Visit ttc.ca.
- Taxis abound and you can flag them down on the street or call one of the dozen business. Fares are approximately CAD$ 4 (₤ 2) per mile. Uber and Lyft vehicle drivers, while a lot more numerous as well as additionally less costly, are normally much less aware of the midtown streets, so cross your fingers.
- If you're driving yourself, know that you can make a right turn on a traffic signal and you can make a U-turn in the middle of the street, unless there are signs mentioning or else.
- Toronto is a two-kiss sort of location, however that is booked for people you know. A firm handshake is fine for brand-new associates.
- You can get cannabis legally. You have to smoke or vape it outside or in somebody's private residence. Check out ontario.ca/ cannabis for more details.
The post “ 48 hours in. . . Toronto, an insider guide to Canada's spirited first city “ was seen first on The Telegraph
Naturopathic Toronto Doctor - Dr. Amauri Caversan, ND
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Hello From Toronto - Exploring Chinatown and Kensington
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In all my explorations of Toronto over the last few years I have learned that in addition to numerous world-class sights and attractions, Toronto has many lesser known nooks and crannies that are full of history, interesting stories and anecdotes. One of the best people to learn from about the twists and turns of Toronto's history is Bruce Bell, a well-known author, playwright, actor, standup comedian who is also a passionate historian and has become one of Toronto's most well-recognized history experts.
The story of how I met Bruce is also quite intriguing: my brother, who happens to live in Austria, was reading a German travel magazine that was featuring a story about Bruce, so he called me up and said that there is this guy that is doing all these neat walking tours through Toronto and that's how I connected with Bruce - through a European detour. Over the past couple of years I have taken two of his tours, covering the downtown area and featuring a culinary exploration of Toronto's famous St. Lawrence market. I have always enjoyed the experience and wanted to do another tour with Bruce for a while.
Well, I figured it was definitely time for more entertaining and informative explorations of Toronto; this time it was going to be Chinatown-Kensington, one of Toronto's most vibrant and fascinating neighbourhoods. So I called up Bruce and said let's do another tour. To share the experience I brought out six of my friends and we met yesterday at 6:30 pm at one of Toronto's modern architecture icons: the OCAD Building at 100 McCaul Street, just south of the University of Toronto campus. The OCAD Building, I call it the "gift box on stilts", is part of the 2004 redevelopment of the Campus of the Ontario College of Art & Design. The Sharp Centre for Design has a unique "table top" structure which has quickly become one of Toronto's most recognizable landmarks.
We met in the Butterfield Park area, surrounded by the stilts holding up the table top of this extraordinary building. From there we headed west into a green space that features Toronto's oldest house: "The Grange" was built in 1817 for D'Arcy Boulton Jr., a member of one of early Toronto's most prominent families who owned about 2000 acres of land in the area. The classical mansion reflects the British architectural traditions of the 18th century. Today, the Grange is owned by the Art Gallery of Ontario and is in the process of being renovated and integrated into the AGO's Frank Gehry-led redesign.
After leaving this park we walked north on Beverley Street which features several yellow-brick mansions of some of Toronto's most pre-eminent families, the "Family Compact" - the true power brokers of the early 19th century. Families such as the Cawthras and others owned huge tracts of land in what is today's downtown Toronto. The Bolton family even owned a private racetrack near the intersections of Dundas and Beverley and many formal social occasions were celebrated on their enormous estate. We also passed by a former hotel which dates back to 1822, one of the very few hotels left from that era which today is a men's residence.
Our stroll took us westwards on Baldwin Street, a street with a mix of imposing mansions, historic apartment buildings and narrow Victorian homes with attractive architectural details and amazingly intricate woodwork. Bruce stopped at a mansion of one of Toronto's most influential historic figures: George Brown (1818 to 1880) was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist, politician and one of the Fathers of Canada's Confederation. He was also the founder and editor of the Toronto Globe newspaper which today is known as the Globe and Mail.
Bruce enlightened us that George Brown was an important figure in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that allowed African slaves to escape from the United States to Canada in the 19th century. Ironically, as much as George Brown supported the cause of freeing black slaves, he remained a staunch anti-Catholic. Bruce elaborated that while the United States was characterized by an ongoing conflict between Blacks and Whites, early Canada's conflicts mostly unfolded between Protestants and Catholics. Bruce added that in 1880 George Brown was shot by one of his former employees at the Globe newspaper, a certain George Bennet who had been fired from his job for drunkenness. Although George Brown only suffered a leg injury at the time he died about 6 weeks later from the wound.
Just a few steps further west we saw the mansion of Robert Baldwin, a member of the Parliament of Upper Canada and a key public figure around the time of the 1837 uprising of the Toronto population against the entrenched British power structure. The unsuccessful Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837 was an uprising against the British colonial government, particularly about the issue of land allocation. Most of the land in and around the old City of York was owned by the "Family Compact", a group of extremely wealthy Anglican conservative families that represented Canada's elite at the time. Robert Baldwin was instrumental in establishing Responsible Government, which advocated increased independence from Britain and self-government for Upper Canada.
We had finally arrived on Spadina Avenue, the expansive north-south artery that is the centre point of Toronto's Chinatown. This historic neighbourhood, one of three Chinatowns within Toronto's city boundaries, is centered around Spadina and Dundas and is the largest Chinese shopping area in the city. Old Chinatown is actually one of North America's largest, not surprisingly as Toronto features the second largest Chinese population in Canada after Vancouver.
Recent years have seen a migration of Chinese immigrants to the suburbs which has led to the closure of some of the local restaurants. Many former Chinatown residents, originally from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong have moved outside the City's boundaries and the void has been filled by many ethnic Chinese people from Vietnam. As a result an increasing number of store signs are now in Vietnamese, in addition to the well-established Chinese stores.
Goods sold include fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, low cost clothing and general merchandise, all of which are sold at very reasonable prices. Recently there has been a noticeable local increase in Latin American immigrants, testament to the fact that Toronto's demographics continue to be in flux.
The same story applies even more to Toronto's Kensington area, roughly bounded by Spadina Avenue, College Street, Queen Street and Bellevue Avenue. As Bruce explained, it is one of Toronto's most ethnically diverse and eclectic neighbourhoods and has been attracting immigrants from different countries of origin for the last 130 years or so. Originally the Denison estate, the Kensington area became a residential area for Irish and Scottish immigrant labourers. The small working-class houses in this historically inexpensive area have been inhabited by successive waves of immigrants from different places. From 1910 onwards, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe as well as some Italians started to stream into the area. The entire Kensington area became known as "the Jewish Market", and about 60,000 Jewish residents lived here in the 1920s and 1930s who worshipped in about 30 local synagogues.
We stopped at the Minsker Synagogue at 10 St. Andrew Street, home of the Congregation Anshei Minsk, Toronto's Downtown Synagogue. Construction of the synagogue commenced in 1922 and was finally completed in 1930. As a result of the out-migration of many of the Jewish residents from Kensington, today it is one of the few synagogues still in active operation in downtown Toronto.
Captivated by the colourful and unusual variety of stores we walked through narrow streets filled with a jumble of vintage clothing stores, bakeries, restaurants, shops selling anything from fish, cheese and meat to dry goods and assorted merchandise. At about 7:30 pm most of the stores had closed or were in the process of closing, but the diverse and unusual storefronts and murals illustrate the Bohemian flavour of this area. Bruce pointed out numerous favourite hangouts: places such as Cob's Bread, Graffiti's Bar and Grill, My Market Bakery, the Chocolate Addict and many other unique nooks and crannies illustrate the free-spirited character of this unusual neighbourhood. At the intersection of St. Andrew and Augusta we stopped to admire a "half a house" that was attached to some flat-roofed houses and the complex was then capped off on the other side by another "half a house".
One of the most poignant symbols of Toronto's multi-ethnic mixing is a restaurant called the "Hungary Thai", an eatery that surprisingly combines European and Asian culinary traditions originating in Hungary and Thailand. There is no better area than Kensington Market to come face to face with Toronto's culturally diverse makeup. Today's Kensington features residents and merchants from all over the world, including people of Latin, Caribbean, European and Asian origin.
Southwest of Augusta Avenue we turned onto Bellevue Square Park, a green space that is frequented by a very Bohemian crowd of people, representing some of Toronto's artists and counterculture. Kensington Market is one of the few areas that features Cannabis cafes and products, and there is a distinct marijuana culture that pervades the area, particularly on Bellevue Square Park. The northwest end of the park features a statue of Al Waxman (1935 to 2001), a Toronto actor who starred in a popular television series "The King of Kensington" and was involved in numerous charitable organizations and events. Bruce pointed out that Al's wife Sara is immortalized on a bench right next to the statue in a carving that says "Sara loves Al".
Right opposite the Al Waxman statue at the corner of Bellevue Avenue is another relic from Kensington's Jewish history. The Kiever Synagogue on Denison Square was built in 1912. Its twin towers are crowned with Stars of David which give it a distinct middle-eastern or Byzantine feel. Although many Jewish residents have left the Kensington area over the last few decades to move further north in the City, the Kiever Synagogue continues to be active and to offer religious services every Sabbath as well as educational services to the remaining Jewish population.
We proceeded southwards on Augusta Avenue until we reached Queen Street. At the corner of Augusta and Queen we stopped and Bruce made us aware of one of the emblematic statues guarding the entrances of Kensington: an oversized cat prancing on a globe, an appropriately offbeat symbol of this colourful neighbourhood.
Across the street Bruce pointed out the former Alexandra Park public housing complex that has been renamed the Atkinson Housing Co-op. Bruce explained that this residential complex was a major urban planning mistake and had become one of Toronto's most crime-ridden areas. In 2003 the former Alexandra Park became Canada's first public housing complex to be converted into a tenant-managed, non-profit housing cooperative, a move which has greatly improved the safety in this area.
At the intersection of Dundas and Queen Streets, right in the heart of Chinatown, Bruce stopped again to show us the Art Deco Victory Theatre, a former vaudeville theatre. He also explained that this theatre had at some point morphed into the Victory Burlesque, home of famous Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous burlesque dancer who became known for putting the "tease into striptease".
The history of the Spadina area is colourful indeed. Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe settled in the area from 1832 onwards, but major immigration got into full swing in the 1890s. Many of these poor Jewish immigrants had little language skills and began to work in low-paying jobs in the garment factories that had sprung up near Spadina.
Numerous Jewish delicatessens, tailors, cinemas, Yiddish theatres, synagogues and other political, social and cultural institutions developed in the area. Indeed, as Bruce pointed out, Spadina Avenue became the centre of the Garment District which still survives on a much smaller scale today - even today there are numerous fashion and fur stores that sell their merchandise to the public at wholesale prices. Bruce also elaborated that many of the buildings and warehouses became gradually higher, a direct result of the invention of the Otis safety elevator which made it feasible to carry out industrial manufacturing on higher level floors.
Our group then stopped at the Glen and Paul Magder Fur Store which was a pioneer in reforming Toronto's Sunday shopping laws by staying open on Sundays, despite heavy fines. Right around here we also got to admire the former location of a theatre owned by the parents of Mary Pickford, the famous Toronto born-actress, "America's Sweetheart" who became Hollywood's biggest star of the Silent Era. Together with Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford was a cofounder of United Artists film studios.
We then walked east on Queen Street which features a whole stretch of eateries, restaurants and eclectic bars and taverns, including the Rivoli, an extremely popular bar, restaurant and pool hall. At the Horseshoe Tavern Bruce explained that many famous music acts of Toronto, including Blue Rodeo, got their start at this tavern.
Incidentally this was also a favourite hangout for the notorious Boyd Gang, a 1950s gang of bank robbers led by Edwin Alonzo Boyd. The gang garnered a lot of media attention due to its sensational actions, including bank robberies, jail breaks, liaisons with beautiful women, gun fights and daring captures. Two of the gang members were captured and hanged for the murder of a policeman in 1952 while Edwin Boyd, by then a Canadian folk hero, was sentenced to eight life terms plus twenty seven years concurrent. He was paroled in 1966, relocated to British Columbia and died in 2002.
Just steps further east is the "Friendship House", where Russian refugees were taken in, it is also the centre of the Communist League of Toronto and the former location of the 1980s television series "Street Legal".
A few steps east is a series of Victorian townhouses that, as Bruce explained, were owned by two sisters who had had a serious falling out. Although the buildings were symmetrical in appearance the sisters did their best to modify the architecture to ensure that each of their sides would look different from the other sister's property. Bruce pointed out a couple of former vaudeville theatres, explaining that in the era before cinemas and podcasts, almost every city block had one or more of these theatres which were popular entertainment spots for the locals.
At the Corner of Queen and Soho is the Black Bull, a decades old hotel and tavern that features a spacious outdoor patio. Bruce explained that in the 1800s Toronto's city limits extended to Peter Street, and the tavern housed in this building was the last tavern on the way out of town. This was at a time when a horse and carriage ride to Niagara Falls could take two days, so a final watering hole on the outskirts of town was important.
Another significant Toronto landmark rose up impressively in front of our eyes: Toronto's CHUM City Building, the main studio complex of CTV Globemedia. The building houses City TV and its famous Speakers Corner video booth (which allows members of the public to voice their opinions on any topic), Cable Pulse 24, MuchMusic, Star! and the Fashion Television Channel. Its 1914 Neo-Gothic terra cotta façade make it an instantly recognizable landmark in downtown Toronto, and the news truck with the turning wheels that is built into the eastern façade make it a real icon of the downtown core.
Well, our informative and https://startupheretoronto.com  entertaining Chinatown-Kensington Tour had come to an end. Bruce, with his dramatic abilities, was able to educate us and entertain us at the same time, introducing us to historically significant parts of the city that we had never seen or simply walked by without noticing.
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victoriaapaiige · 3 years ago
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Burnin’ For You
This song is Burnin’ For You by Blue Oyster Cult.
  This holds a very dear part of my heart because I discovered it at a very important transition in my life. It was 2013 and I was 21, working at a BBQ restaurant that would play the same old same rock songs on repeat. This song would come on and I could never hear it properly and would only catch the chorus. For months I would search lyrics and hums into google with no luck. Eventually I managed to point it out to the manager, lets call him Daddy Dave*. Daddy Dave was a mellow man with the insane ability to rage. He was a 19-year-old Woodstock kid trapped inside a small, married 45-year-old body. Frank loved to rock out and our greeting was always “duuuuuuude”. This goes without saying, but he knew what the song was. At the time I had just gone through a long overdue breakup with my boyfriend of 3 years and was in the process of moving out. I worked alongside a hot, younger guy named Peter*. Peter and I would finish up at work and neck in his car, heck we even went on a couple of dates over the summer months. Peter was cool but I was nowhere near interested in being in another relationship. He was nice but very vanilla. At this point in my life, I was so young and careless, almost to the point that I cared too much. I had just been accepted into Concordia University while still having no idea on how I managed to get through college. I was tired of Montreal but didn’t know how to get out and was far too broke to even imagine doing anything about it.
  I randomly booked a train to visit some family up in Oakville Ontario. While there, I tagged along to my aunt’s friends house for an end of August BBQ (My family is cool and likes to party). That’s where I met Jack*. Jack was my aunt’s friend’s son. He was younger than me by 2 months and was a tall and skinny guy wearing a black zip up with a bad brains patch sown onto it. Jack automatically got my attention and I caught myself regretting my decision to wear my basic girl, white pants that night. He was loud, his energy was kind of reckless, and he made himself known. He drank whisky and lived in the city and was such a foreign character to my life that I was completely drawn to him. Our eyes locked from across the firepit, and I could feel the heat on the back of my neck. I have looked into a lot of people’s eyes and have felt a lot of glares but lemme tell ya, when I’m on my deathbed this will be one of the flashbacks I have. His eyes were cold and piercing but warm and welcoming. For the first time I felt like a guy wasn’t just imagining what I looked like naked but instead staring into my lack of confidence and shyness, he was begging me to come out. It was love at first sight and I knew that I had to have this person in my life. We hung out all night and I tried my best to match his energy, but he was too much to keep up with. I wasn’t a big drinker, and I didn’t frequent punk shows or art galleries. I mean, I worked at a BBQ restaurant and was sleeping with the 18-year-old busboy in his 2009 Mazda behind my old high school. Jack and I exchanged numbers with the promise to meet up the next day. We ended up hanging out the entire weekend. He showed me music, made me drink whisky and forced me to live a little. I remember the dreaded feeling of having to get onto the train, my stomach was heavy with sadness. I was on my way back home to start university and live a life that I felt was no longer my own. My world had been opened and I didn’t want to turn back.
  Jack and I kept in touch over the weeks, chatting quite a bit. Within a month my second trip was booked. I stayed with Jack in his Toronto condo shared with his friend Diana*. They both welcomed me with open arms and a bunch of fun activities. I felt like I was at home, and they made it very apparent that I was always welcomed there. After a month or two and a couple more visits, just before my 22nd birthday, I made the decision to pack up all my stuff and make the move. I dropped out of university after one week of classes, quit my job and had to break poor Peters heart. On my 22nd birthday I had my uncle drive me with my belongings in a laundry hamper and garbage bags out to Toronto. I was dropped off with no idea of what I was doing or what my life was going to look like for 2 years but I knew I wanted to do it, so I did.
  The relationship with Jack was an oxymoron. It was bittersweet to say the least. I quickly learnt that Jack was indeed a functioning alcoholic, and that good times were usually fueled by cocaine or MDMA. Jack loved to frolic around and knew every bartender within a 15km radius. He was selfish and would disappear some nights. I think the pressure of me moving there started to freak him out a bit. I did my best to do my own thing, but I was so young, working odd jobs for a couple of weeks and completely lost in a big city. I had $800 in my bank account and was working overnights at the Burrito Boys still high on MDMA to help pay my share of the rent. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I missed my friends and wondered why the heck I had done this. On nights that Jack was good, he was great. He seemed to like the way I would cook a home dinner, chill and not have to be doing lines to be a good time. When he was coming down, he would crawl into me, and for a second, I felt like the held the power of taming the beast.
  To this day, I still don’t know why Jack loved me or what he saw in me. I like to think I offered a safe space for vulnerability, a shoulder to cry on and a second in his life where he didn’t feel the need to be on the go. Every week he would be quitting his drinking or drinking and not doing blow. I did my first line with him, made out with girls that he had hooked up with and tagged along to every show he got tickets for. I met people I would have never met, discovered places I would have never known and became someone I would have never recognized. My entire time in Toronto spent with Jack was a string along, I literally had no idea what the next day would bring. I slept on couches, worked character building jobs and moved my stuff in a laundry hamper a handful of times. After two years of fights, other lovers, making up, Swiss Chalet Christmas dinners and punk rock concerts I found myself living in a penthouse condo in downtown Toronto, 50 floors up paying $800 a month to rent a room. I was telling roommates that I was going out for toilet paper but was just getting into my dealer’s car to help him on drug runs for free blow. I would walk around the entire city and hit my favourite spots. Working as a waitress in a super busy part of Downtown Toronto, money was flowing and life was good.
  I can still vividly picture the last time I ever saw Jack. He slept at my place and had to get up early for work. I watched him get dressed and I gave him a big kiss and hug before he closed the door. I never saw him again. He called me later that week and told me that he couldn’t do this anymore and I accepted it because I was also tired of this lifestyle. I was heartbroken but I understood it. I often think about the two random girls I bumped into one night at a 7evelen who let me cry, they listened to how my boyfriend had just dumped me and how bummed I was. Stranger hugs just hit different.
  I hold this song so dearly because it went from being a simple song that I searched for high and low in a time of my life that my circumstances were no longer serving me, to the song that Jack randomly put on at a NYE party after the countdown. Even though he had spent the entire night trying to impress some girl visiting from Australia, he put this song on and locked eyes with me from across the room like I was the only one there.  He ran up to me, grabbed my face, looked into my eyes and kissed me. He forced me to dance and laugh with him. This song is my reminder that you have no idea what the future holds or who’s gunna tag along for the ride, even if just for a bit.  Enjoy it.
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randylavalley · 5 years ago
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FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER VISITING TORONTO
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Toronto is one of my much-loved cities worldwide. I have actually lived here for over 3 years currently and also I'm still yet to get ill of it, and for a person who has wanderlust running through my veins, that's claiming something.
But there's something that constantly seems ahead up when I fulfill travelers abroad that have visited Toronto, and also it's typically that it's an incredibly underrated city. Individuals think about taking a trip to New york city, Chicago, London, Vancouver, but why don't they consider taking a trip to Toronto?
Expedia.ca recently asked me what my main reasons were for people to visit my city, so I wish by the time you're done analysis this article you'll be reserving your airplane ticket to come see me!
It's a modern hub
Toronto is house to nearly all of the world's culture groups, with fifty percent of Toronto's populace being born beyond Canada and also over 180 languages as well as languages talked. So there ought to be no surprise that Toronto has actually been said to be among the most multicultural cities in the world.
Because of the multiculturalism in the city, neighbourhoods and also areas have actually established around these cultures. From Little Italy to Chinatown, as you go through the streets of Toronto, you ought to anticipate to stroll in and out of pockets of what seems like a various country. This is among my favourite components concerning the city, due to the fact that as a person that likes to travel, I can go explore a brand-new culture without also leaving!
In addition to the areas that you can check out at any time of the year, cultural occasions and events are of lots. In the summer season especially, you can discover at the very least one celebration taking place in the city every weekend break, yet when it comes to cultural occasions, a few of the celebrations the city hosts are:
Event of India
Preference of the Danforth (Greek).
Caribana.
Taste of Little Italy.
There's a varied (and yummy) food scene.
I don't understand about you, however one of the most crucial things to me when taking a trip is the food that I can try. When I travel, I'm continuously asked what "Canada food" is like, and also my answer is always that it's extremely heavily influenced by various other societies. A city like Toronto is an excellent instance of that as each area and street is lined with dining establishments large and small. If you're wanting to accomplish a specific yearning, there's no question that you will certainly locate a place in this city that does it surprisingly.
From remarkable Thai food at Pai or Khao San Roadway, to the local market suppliers at one of the World's Best Food Markets (as ranked by National Geographic), St. Lawrence Market, there is seriously something for every type of eater.
The arts and culture.
Toronto is additionally loaded with galleries for almost every rate of interest, and also you can capture some remarkable performances too!
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) features short-term exhibitions and also long-term galleries, plus deal totally free ROM walks that allow people check out and discover different parts of the city.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) flaunts long-term collections and also rotating exhibits for every one of you art enthusiasts out there.
For those searching for even more distinct museums, The Hockey Hall of Fame lies in the heart of midtown as well as is house to the Stanley Mug, The Bata Shoe Museum has over 1,000 shoes on display screen from different eras, and The Fabric Gallery of Canada brings you back 2,000 years through different garments, fabrics and materials.
3 years back, Ripley's likewise opened up an outstanding fish tank in the heart of the city (right near Heavy steam Whistle Brewery) which can be fantastic for kids as well as us huge kids too! In some areas there are relocating floors that bring you via a passage of fish, sharks and also various other sea urchins.
Finally, if you're looking to be amused, Toronto has some of the most effective performances you'll discover in Canada. You can catch a ballet at the National Ballet of Canada, pay attention to the musical marvels of the Toronto Chamber Orchestra, or the check out among the Broadway reveals that routinely hit the Toronto theaters and also place on some remarkable efficiencies. I've directly seen whatever from The Nutcracker, to the Lion King and Mom Mia!
The excellent regional breweries and also beer.
The one point I do understand about Torontonians is that they enjoy beer, and also they enjoy craft beer and supporting neighborhood breweries. Toronto has a wonderful beer scene as well as there are a lot of bars as well as bars throughout the city that use a vast choice of brews from Toronto as well as the surrounding areas. The Toronto Star assembled this great list as well as overview for beer fans in Toronto, but some local favourites, and tourist must-dos are:.
Steam Whistle Brewery:. Found in a 17 acre park in the downtown core on the grounds of the previous railway, this is just one of the best spots in the city. Vapor Whistle sits right under the CN Tower, and best alongside the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. They offer one sort of beer, as well as you can take a tour of their really great center.
Amsterdam Brewhouse:. Situated precisely the water, the Amsterdam Brewhouse is home to some wonderful beer, as well as no matter what type of beer you enjoy, they possibly have something for you to attempt. Order a flight to try their various mixtures, or attempt among their seasonal favourites. On top of that, this brewery has one of the very best patio areas in the city that is located precisely the water.
Mill Street Brew Bar:. Situated in the heart of the Distillery District, a historic and also stunning neighbourhood, Mill Street beer has actually come to be a Toronto staple and can be located at most bars, clubs and also restaurants in the city.
Benefit Suggestion: I likewise just recently found Trinity Commons in Kensington Market (an unusual neighbourhood in the city) which has a truly trendy rustic/modern area and a mean beer checklist!
On top of the fantastic breweries, Toronto likewise holds a collection of beer occasions. My favourite, and the biggest is the Toronto Festival of Beer that takes place each July, yet other prominent ones the Winter months Craft Beer Event every January, as well as the Roundhouse Craft Beer Celebration every August, both held by Vapor Whistle Developing. Plus, those are just 3 of the many various other smaller events that occur for beer enthusiasts around the city.
There's something for everyone.
Last but not least, my 5th and also essential factor to see Toronto is that there is properly something for everybody. This post only touches on a few of the amazing things the city needs to use, yet there actually is so much extra. Whether you're an adventurer who desires exterior sporting activities and activities, or a foodie who is wanting to eat their way with the most effective food scenes, Toronto can be a wonderful spot to add to your must-travel checklists!
The post “ FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER VISITING TORONTO “ was first appeared on twirl the globe
Toronto Naturopathic Doctor - Dr. Amauri Caversan, ND
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larrytcamp · 5 years ago
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Falling in Love with Toronto: Insider Tips & Tricks for Your Next Visit
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Welcoming a document 43.7 million visitors last year, Toronto has actually become one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Canada's most populated city has seemingly unlimited possibilities for where to go, see, consume, and sleep, so just how to tighten it down? Experts Karolína as well as Andrew are here to aid with their best Toronto tips.
Karolína and also Andrew are an international couple that got rid of 7000 kilometers to fulfill for the very first time in Toronto, a city that is currently close to and dear to their hearts. Together, they circumnavigate the globe as well as share their experiences with viewers on their blog site, Canadian Slovak. I talked with them concerning why Toronto means so much to them and all the best places to take a look at when visiting Canada's greatest city.
What do you like regarding Toronto? What makes it unique to you?
Toronto is an incredible city with lots of points to do, food to attempt or time to spend. It was my very first Canadian city to visit, and also I need to state that I fell in love right away-- as well as not just with the city but my Canadian partner, who I fulfilled for the first time in Toronto!
Well, that's a quite wonderful factor to enjoy it! What's your all-time preferred area there?
My personal fave was the markets. Toronto is well-known for its markets such as St Lawrence or Kensington Market. We checked out both of them and also have to claim that you can locate practically anything you are looking for there, whether you seek components or you come for breakfast, as we did! Whether its fruits or veggies, every little thing is fresh and also prepared to utilize! We completely took pleasure in the ambience therein, mainly on the weekend breaks.
If a vacationer just had 24-hour in the city, what are some locations you would certainly tell them they absolutely can't miss?
If a traveler only had 1 day in the city, I would without a doubt suggest that they take a look at the CN Tower, either at the base of the tower or take the journey up. And also if they enjoy purchasing, I would certainly tell them to take a look at the Eaton's Centre, which has a big selection of preferred stores, from clothing as well as shoes to house decors. I would additionally suggest that they take a trip to the waterside area, as there is a remarkable ambience and sight with several interesting dining establishments to take pleasure in.
What should travelers know about the neighborhood culture or people of Toronto?
Toronto is an extremely lively and also international city with a combination of different societies from all over the globe. The city provides everything one needs; no matter where from worldwide you are taking a trip from as well as no matter what you are searching for, you can certainly locate precisely what you are searching for. Individuals of Toronto are very pleasant and also practical. For instance, if you are lost as well as need assist with directions, many people enjoy to direct you in the best direction.
What's a cool community you 'd suggest to visitors seeking something a little different?
Chinatown is an extremely one-of-a-kind and also fascinating place to go to while in Toronto. Right after entering, you forget that you remain in Canada, as the design, individuals and also the ambience make it so authentic. You can locate anything in below, from Chinese food specials to souvenirs from Canada. We purchased much of them in one of the stores, as they offer a large spectrum for a good cost. Likewise, if you feel worn out after so many days of strolling as well as exploring the city, there are lots of health clubs and also day hair salons in this part of the city.
Inform me about your favorite restaurants in Toronto.
Our favorite breakfast area was Cora's. Located near the Blue Jay's stadium, Cora's offers an authentic Canadian morning meal that will not leave you hungry-- in fact the contrary! There are lots of points to choose from the food selection, including sandwiches, pancakes or eggs. Caution, it gets a little bit crowded so you may invest a min waiting for a table, however the food deserves it!
If you are looking for a lunch place and also you enjoy Italian food, we visited Scaddabush and had a charming and also fulfilling dinner there. Their food selection provides pastas, steaks as well as salads, so everybody discovers something they such as. We went for meatball pastas as well as penne pasta with couple of drinks as well as their signature mozzarella as a starter, as well as it was really tasty.
If you have a sweet tooth like us, we have an incredible area to show to you! Nadege Patisserie is a bakery/ice lotion shop situated right beside the Trinity Bellwoods park where you can get an ice cream in a homemade waffle or macarons or gelato with the macarons on it (yes, it is possible!) as well as go appreciate the day in a park.
Where would you suggest tourists stay when going to?
The benefit of remaining near to the city center is that you do not require to utilize any kind of sort of transport; rather you walk. If you select either Style, Entertainment, Financial Districts or Waterfront, every little thing ought to be reachable within maximum twenty minutes of strolling. Concerning holiday accommodation, we used Airbnb to rent a home, but I am pretty sure you can locate plenty of cellar homes, which are really typical, hostels or personal rooms.
What are one of the most photo-worthy or Instagrammable spots? Any type of fantastic hunts or otherwise photogenic places?
There are many places that are worth an appearance, however if you are truly searching for a wonderful shot of the city, I certainly recommend the sight of the city from the Central Toronto Island. It is an excellent opportunity to record all the essential features in one picture just as I did.
One more place I would visit once more is the Style District with numerous art/street art paints on the wall surfaces! One of the most well-known ones was actually right behind the building we lived in, the painting of Kate Moss.
Seems stunning! Any type of must-see museums or monoliths?
Standing at 553 metres, the CN Tower is a trademark symbol of Toronto as well as most definitely a monolith to appreciate! Either you select to just check it out from the outdoors, or you have the courage to climb and have supper overhead or attempt the EdgeWalk!
Furthermore, another essential attraction that is definitely worth a see is the Royal Ontario Gallery or ROM for brief. It has a wide variety of exhibitions from virtually every society as well as time period. It even has numerous interactive areas that are kid-friendly as well if you are taking a trip with your household.
What suggestions do you have for travelers looking to avoid the crowds?
We entirely advise walking the quieter backstreet rather than the major one. Additionally, it is much better to plan your journey as well as check out during functioning days, as it obtains a bit more crowded throughout the weekend, mostly in the museums as well as such.
What should visitors know about transport around the city?
Transportation in the city provides a selection to pick from. If you are not on a spending plan and choose to pass by car, Uber is a great pick for a longer drives. Yet while in the city, you can take a trip on a tram or use the metro. Another excellent option is to rent out a bike; rental places can be discovered all across the city. It's a great means of transport and enjoyable activity at the same time. Another transportation utilized is a ferryboat, which takes you to the islands and back.
Any other favorites in Toronto?
If you are traveling with youngsters or you just enjoy pets, you certainly need to visit Ripley's Fish tank! Found right under the CN Tower, it's a fun location with not only fish, sharks or jellyfish however with interactive presentations as well as panels to play. You can discover and explore the underwater life from throughout the world as well as the Canadian ones. You can touch a few of the fish in the end, go through the shark tunnel, have a treat while viewing the aquariums or acquire some mementos in the memento patronize the exit.
The post “ Falling in Love with Toronto: Insider Tips & Tricks for Your Next Visit “ was seen first on Venga, Vale, Vamos
Intravenous Hydration Clinic Toronto Ontario - Dr. Amauri Wellness Centre - Dr. Amauri Caversan, ND
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shannrussell-blog1 · 6 years ago
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Toronto has a lot of names. The ‘Foodie City’, ‘the Baby New York’, ‘T.O’ (T as in Toronto and O for Ontario), are just a handful of them. I never categorise a complete city experience into one label, I certainly do see why Toronto is the city you come to, to eat… or get an entree of the Big Apple, but served up on a friendly plate.
With a population of nearly 2.8 million, it’s a sizeable city. I must admit, when I first arrived last month, I was a little, let’s say, confused. Sure, I had come from New York (and we seem to have a special talent for comparing every city to NYC after living there), but I was surprised at how spread out Toronto is.
“People leave the city to do things, actually”, a new friend said, when I was looking for Toronto’s ‘Manhattan equivalent.’ The penny dropped.
Welcome to Toronto, the baby New York.
Toronto’s lively neighbourhoods & nooks
Alright, this is where the action happens. Just like New York (sorry, I can’t help myself), you can pick where you hang out, according to what you feel like doing (or eating).
I’m smack-bang in between ‘Little Portugal’ and ‘Little Italy’, which could easily be mistaken for the ‘burbs. But, wandering around the main streets and you’ll find coffee shops, bars and boutiques a-plenty.
Explore the coffee shops, boutiques and bars in the city. 
West Queen West
My two favourite spots so far are West Queen West and Chinatown. Follow two main thoroughfares, Queen Street and King Street, which connect the two areas.
Having an affinity for street art, which both neighbourhoods are known for, I enjoy tackling sections of these two main streets, stopping in the various eateries and shops along the way.
Explore the streets and check out the street art along the way. 
Chinatown
In Chinatown, Graffiti Alley is worth a look (especially if you’re familiar with and love Melbourne’s laneways). Slightly north is the Kensington Markets – the famous and colourfully quirky area that attracts both tourists and local weekend market-goers.
Distillery District
St. Lawrence Market, further east in Toronto’s trendy Distillery District (a spectacle in itself with its 19th Century whiskey distillery buildings), is another Saturday activity, as it’s shut on Sunday. Meander at your ‘market-pace’ around the 100+ vendors, bakers, butchers, artists and collectors.
While the quaint Distillery District has enough indie restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, outdoor sculptors and music performances to keep you occupied, you’re in for a special treat if you visit in November or December – as this is when Toronto’s Christmas Markets is on. Picture a big Christmas tree, fairy lights, mulled wine, sweets, carols and, most probably, snow.
Again, there’s plenty of opportunities for more food eating, but that’s okay!
Wander through the old distillery district to see what it has to offer. 
Where else should you visit?
If you’ve got time, visit the world’s tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere – the CN Tower.
And, if it’s warm enough, head to the Toronto Islands which is only a short ferry ride from downtown Toronto.
The CN Tower is an iconic landmark to visit in Toronto. 
Poutine, pancakes & coffee
You can literally eat your way around the world without leaving Toronto… Latin American, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, Polish as well as many Canadian-themed dishes.
Get ready to eat more than you should (but it’ll be worth it) consuming triple-stacked pancakes, sweet Canadian bacon or poutine – french fries, cheese curds, brown gravy and usually some delicious meat.
And yes, it’s as good as it sounds. Forget the calories.
Toronto is known for its food, so sample as much as you can!
Enjoy some craft beer tasting
Brunch is also religion here, as is craft beer tasting. Check out Bellwoods Brewery, Kensington Brewing Company and Junction Craft Brewing.
If you’re stuck in food choice paralysis, Blog TO is a great resource for finding somewhere to dine.
Daily brunch is not to be missed during your visit. 
Organising your trip to Toronto
Life in Canada is pretty darn close to home, culture-wise. You don’t need to worry about vaccinations or learning the basics of a new language.
Organising and planning a trip here is fairly straightforward. 
Transport to and from the airport
When you’re booking your flight, keep in mind there are two airports. If you’re travelling from Australia, you’ll most likely arrive at Pearson International Airport. Jump in an Uber to the city, which should only be around CAD$24 vs. a $55 taxi.
However, if you’re connecting in North America, you might land at Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island. Walk 10 minutes in the underground tunnel and you’ll come out in downtown Toronto.
Getting around the city – Uber Pool and the Subway system
Getting around the city depends on two things: the weather and where you want to go. I use Uber pool most of the time, but there is an underground subway system, Toronto Transit Commission, and something locals call ‘the trolley’, which is like Melbourne’s tram system. Visit TTC for more information.
But given that Toronto’s public transport is notoriously poor, many Torontonians ride their bike. And yes… that’s in sunshine, rain, hail or snow.
Ride, walk or use ride-sharing services when getting around the city. 
Booking accommodation – where should you stay?
As for pre-booking your accommodation, don’t assume that you need to be right in the city’s downtown (near the water). Remember, the outer neighbourhoods are where it’s at. I’d suggest looking for AirBnb’s around Chinatown, Little Portugal, and King West Village. I spent most of my time in the Chinatown district. It’s always best to book a week or two earlier, especially during the warmer months.
Packing for the weather
The last part of your preparation, and probably the most important part, is packing for the weather. The summer sits at a perfect mid-twenties, but as soon as we get closer to November, it gets chilly… and I mean bone-aching kind of cold. Rug up, Aussies.
Pack your warm down jacket, a beanie and a scarf to keep yourself warm. 
What gear to bring to Toronto
Thermals
Thick socks
Gloves
A scarf or /shoes
Daypack for sightseeing
It’s cold here, particularly in winter! So pack accordingly. 
Visas and getting there
As for the visa, Australians can enter Canada (and stay for up to six months) on something they’ve recently introduced called an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
You can apply for your eTA through the Government of Canada website. As for the currency, they take Canadian dollars, which is virtually one for one with the Australian dollar.
  What’s your favourite city in Canada? 
The post The Essential Guide to Visiting Toronto appeared first on Snowys Blog.
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shelleycollinsna · 3 years ago
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22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Toronto
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Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the country's biggest and most diversified metropolis. It has a diverse range of tourist attractions, including museums and galleries as well as the world-famous CN Tower. Niagara Falls is also only a short drive away.
From the busy Entertainment District, which has the newest musicals and exquisite dining, to the historic Distillery District, which features unique stores and restaurants housed in beautifully restored buildings, there's much to do.
With several of the city's key attractions within walking distance of one another and a subway system to cover larger distances, the city center of Toronto is reasonably straightforward to explore. If you're in Toronto during the winter, take advantage of the huge PATH network of subterranean walkways that connect retail, entertainment, and attractions. Summertime is a great time to stroll along the lovely coastline and visit the beaches and parks.
See our list of top tourist attractions in Toronto for a comprehensive list of things to do.
Due to recent worldwide health and safety challenges, certain companies may be temporarily shuttered.
1. Take a look at the view from the CN Tower.
The 553-meter CN Tower, Toronto's most recognizable landmark, is one of the city's must-see attractions and also the most difficult to miss. This Canadian symbol, which rises above the city, can be viewed from practically anywhere in the city.
You may either admire the structure from the ground level or take a journey up to one of the observation platforms or restaurants for spectacular views of the city and Lake Ontario. The CN Tower, which was constructed between 1972 and 1976, was originally the world's highest freestanding building, although it has since been surpassed.
The Sky Pod, which is 447 meters above the city and offers views of Niagara Falls and New York State on clear days, is the highest viewing platform on the CN Tower. To reach here, you'll need to use two elevators.
The LookOut level, at 346 meters, with floor-to-ceiling windows and the new Glass Story, which looks down to the original Glass Floor, one floor below, where the Outdoor Sky Terrace is located, is located below this, at the top of the main elevator. The Glass Floor, as its name indicates, provides a bird's-eye perspective of the city.
The "Edge Stroll," which comprises a hands-free walk around the outside edge of the main pod on a 1.5-meter-wide ledge at an elevation of 365 meters, is for those searching for a bit more adventure, or perhaps a lot more adventure. A safety harness and rope are fastened to each participant.
The 360 Restaurant, which rotates at 351 meters, offers superb cuisine and some of the greatest views in Toronto from each table. 360 is available for lunch and dinner, with complimentary access to the tower's LookOut and Glass Floor levels for those who dine there.
The ideal way to explore Toronto is to stay in the city center, preferably near the CN Tower. See our list of suggested luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels in Toronto for more information.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 301 Front Street West
2. The Royal Ontario Museum is worth a visit (ROM)
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is one of Canada's most prestigious museums, having a worldwide reputation for quality. It has an exceptional collection of natural history, art, and culture from all around the world, spanning a wide range of ages. It's also recognized for hosting exhibitions from all around the world.
The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, a contemporary wing with glass and sharp angles, was added to a highly traditional older structure in a contentious extension in 2007. It's currently one of Toronto's most well-known structures.
100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3. Canada's Ripley's Aquarium
The Ripley's Aquarium, located near the foot of the CN Tower, is one of Toronto's newest top attractions. This fantastic facility exhibits a wide variety of aquatic life and is one of the most popular family attractions in Toronto.
The largest underwater tunnel with a moving walkway is the most amazing feature. As sharks glide by and sawfish loiter on the tunnel ceiling above, you can see the water world move by all around you. For people of all ages, this is a genuinely relaxing experience.
The jellyfish exhibit, which is enhanced with imaginative lighting, is another surprise delight. Touch tanks containing stingrays and tiny sharks are also available for a hands-on experience. The open architecture of the structure also provides for a glance inside the facility's Life Support System and filtration equipment for the engineering inclined.
288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4. Ontario Art Gallery (AGO)
The renowned Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of North America's major museums. The more than 95,000-piece collection comprises works from all over the world, from European masterpieces to contemporary art, as well as an excellent collection of Canadian art, including a large collection of Group of Seven works. Throughout the year, a succession of temporary exhibits are held.
On the west side of the city center, the AGO is housed in a unique-looking structure with a combination of historic and modern architecture. The Ontario College of Art and Design, which stands high above the street on stilts that resemble pencils, is just next to the AGO.
317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON
5. Niagara Falls Day Trip
A easy day journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls is definitely worth the time if you have never gone. In just over an hour, you may be standing on the edge of the falls.
If you don't want to drive alone, a trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto is a convenient option to see the falls. Tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as a Hornblower Niagara Cruise, which brings you up close to the iconic Horseshoe Falls' crashing wall of water.
Whirlpool Rapids, the Floral Clock, and the lovely tiny town of Niagara-on-the-Lake are among the highlights of the tour.
In the summer, from late June to the beginning of September, as well as Thanksgiving weekend in October, a train (Go Train) travels from Union Station to Niagara Falls. You may even ride your bike aboard the train on weekends and enjoy a journey around the Niagara Parkway.
If you have enough time, try staying the night at Niagara Falls to explore the downtown area and see the falls lighted up at night.
Where to Stay in Niagara Falls: The Best Areas and Hotels
6. In the Entertainment District, you may see a show or dine.
The Entertainment District in Toronto encompasses a major section of the city center and is home to several of the city's most popular attractions, including the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and a number of museums. It's also recognized for excellent food and, most importantly, live entertainment. The majority of the action takes place between Spadina Avenue and University Avenue on King Street.
In front of Roy Thomson Hall are Muskoka chairs.
The Entertainment District, Toronto's version to New York's Broadway, comes alive in the evenings and is a terrific spot for nightlife. This is where you may witness big theatrical performances such as musicals, concerts, and other forms of entertainment.
Roy Thomson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre, which hosts the most recent musicals, are two of the most famous venues in this neighborhood.
7. Visit the Toronto Zoo to see the animals.
With around 5,000 creatures, the Toronto Zoo offers an amazing and diversified collection. Pygmy hippos, lions, tigers, giraffes, penguins, orangutans, and other animals are among the most popular. The zoo is separated into numerous parts, each of which represents a different part of the world.
The Gorilla Rainforest, the Tundra Trek, which has polar bears, and the Great Barrier Reef are among the main attractions of the Toronto Zoo. The Discovery Zone is a popular spot for families, and a splash pad is open during the summer months.
The zoo is around 40 kilometers northeast of the city center, on the Rouge River.
361A Old Finch Road, Toronto, ON
8. Take a tour of Casa Loma.
Casa Loma is an outstanding edifice that resembles a medieval castle and stands amid nicely managed gardens. It was built in 1914 for Sir Henry Pellatt, an eccentric Canadian multi-millionaire who was one among the first to identify and capitalize on Niagara Falls' financial potential.
The home is now a museum, with about 100 rooms and three dozen bathrooms. Visitors may go back in time to a time when Europe was a place of grace and magnificence. Decorated apartments, hidden tunnels, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and five acres of estate grounds make up Canada's premier castle.
1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON
9. Stroll through the St. Lawrence Market.
The St. Lawrence Market is home to a diverse range of vendors providing food, flowers, and specialized items. The St. Lawrence Hall was erected in 1850 as a public gathering space and a performance venue in Toronto.
If you've been shopping or sightseeing in the area, this is a great place to get a bite to eat or catch up with friends over a cup of coffee. In the summer, raised outdoor patios allow you to enjoy some of the warm sunshine.
The hall was rebuilt in 1967, yet it still possesses a lot of its original beauty. The structure gives the market a distinct ambience and is occasionally utilized for film and television filming. A majestic staircase and a gas-lit chandelier grace the inside.
Once you've left St. Lawrence Market, continue north (away from the lake) along Front Street to Front Street, then west for a block and a half to Church Street to see the architecturally magnificent Gooderham building. This structure, placed in front of downtown Toronto's buildings, is an iconic image of the city.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 92 Front Street East
10. Nathan Philips Square and City Hall
The Archer, a bronze sculpture by Henry Moore, dominates the wide Nathan Philips Square. The new City Hall is still highly regarded. Viljo Revell, a famous Finnish architect, planned and completed it in 1965. City Hall is made up of two arc-shaped high-rise blocks, each 20 and 27 floors tall, that are wrapped around a smaller core structure with a flattened dome.
A man-made pond in the area in front of City Hall serves as a popular skating rink in the winter and is home to the frequently photographed Toronto sign. This is a lovely place to visit in December, especially at night when it's all decked out for the holidays.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 100 Queen Street West
11. Eaton Center is a great place to shop.
At the north end of the Central Business District sits the massive Eaton Center mall. This ultra-modern shopping complex, which has its own metro station, spans several blocks and is constantly being refurbished and expanded.
Strangers can quickly become lost in the maze of department stores, specialized shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafeterias, and snack bars that cram the various floors above and below ground. Eaton Center has a skywalk connecting it to the Hudson Bay store and is also a metro stop in Toronto.
12. Yonge Dundas Square is the place to be if you want to see what's going on.
This neon-lit public park, modeled after Times Square in New York, is a favorite gathering location for Toronto residents. The space has sitting places, dancing fountains, and a stage where summer performances are held.
Yonge Dundas Square is best experienced in the evening, when the flashing neon lights come to life and the area takes on a lively atmosphere. It is, without a doubt, the best site in the city to people watch. Restaurants abound on the neighboring streets, several of which have patios.
The square may be reached by using the metro or parking in the big underground parking lot just beneath the square.
13. Take a stroll through Kensington Market.
Kensington Market is a trendy and ethnic neighborhood in Toronto. The fragrance of incense wafts through the air on a normal summer day, music from a street musician can be heard, and the various shopkeepers, most of whom operate from of ancient two-story brick homes, set up their wares on designated parts of their deck-covered lawns or on the streets. This is an excellent spot for a walk.
The businesses sell everything from Tibetan blankets to jewelry, bags, handbags, and vintage apparel, and there are even a handful of cheese shops, many of which have vivid murals and street art. Restaurants and coffee shops here serve a diverse range of cuisines, including Jamaican, Mexican, Tibetan, and more basic fare such as pizza and smoothies. Natural food stores, tattoo parlors, and fruit and vegetable vendors are also available.
14. At the Toronto International Film Festival, you may see the stars (TIFF)
The Toronto International Film Festival is a highlight on Toronto's yearly activities calendar. This world-famous film festival, which takes place every year in early September, gathers some of the most well-known figures in the industry.
You might go attend a movie or simply hang out in the hopes of spotting someone famous passing by. The weather in Toronto is still scorching at this time of year. As limos go by and photographers and reporters are out in force, dining alfresco in the evening and relaxing on an outdoor patio is a popular pastime.
The atmosphere in Toronto is electrifying for this eleven-day festival. Thousands of people flood the city. If you plan to visit Toronto at this time of year, make a hotel reservation as soon as possible.
15. The Distillery District is a great place to eat and shop.
The Distillery Enclave in Toronto is a renovated historic zone that has been turned into a hip entertainment and commercial district. The historic buildings are filled with charming stores, galleries, artist studios, and eateries. This is a fun site to visit at any time of year, whether it's day or night.
The annual Toronto Christmas Market is one of the most well-known of the many entertainment events conducted here. Unique products are sold from wooden booths that have been decorated for Christmas; a gigantic Christmas tree sits in an open square; and warm outdoor spaces have been put up, frequently with couches and enormous fire pits for people to congregate around. Despite the cold, restaurants provide outside eating with warming lights and lap blankets. This time of year, hot chocolate is always easily accessible.
16. The Aga Khan Museum is a must-see.
The Aga Khan Museum is one of North America's top museums dedicated to Islamic art. It's located in a stunning, light-filled contemporary structure with lovely, quiet surroundings that include enormous reflecting pools.
The late Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and Princess Catharine Aga Khan founded the permanent collection in the 1950s. Manuscripts, pottery, and textiles, spanning from the 9th to the 19th century, are among the highlights. The objects were obtained from all around the world, from China to Spain.
On the museum's second level, in addition to the permanent collection, there are visiting exhibitions.
The museum's restaurant is a popular eating place in Toronto.
17. High Park is a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Sunken gardens, hanging basket gardens, nature pathways, natural ponds, and streams abound throughout High Park. The Howards originally held the 165-acre rural property, which was deeded to the City of Toronto in 1873. The park was to remain "for the free use, profit, and enjoyment of the residents of Toronto, and it be named High Park," according to the deed.
The High Park Zoo is located within the park and is home to a variety of animals, including bison, reindeer, llamas, wallabies, and Toronto's renowned capybaras, Bonnie and Clyde, who escaped their cage and came to celebrity in 2016, building their own social media channels.
Swimming and wading pools, playgrounds, picnic spots, and a beautiful train journey are among the park's other activities and attractions. There are also replicated 19th-century gardens, a Coach House, and the Howards' Tomb on the grounds.
The sakura cherry trees blossom for a week or ten days in the spring, signaling the arrival of warmer weather. The inhabitants of Toronto adore this brilliant show, which always draws large crowds. Near the duck pond is the greatest area to observe the trees.
During the months of July and August, the Canadian Stage Company presents "Shakespeare in High Park," a production at the park's open-air theater.
18. Take a Trip to the Islands of Toronto
The boat ride from Queen's Quay Terminal to the Toronto Islands, which are approximately a kilometer offshore, is the start of a fantastic day. On the islands, there are beautiful hikes as well as opportunities for rowing, sailing, swimming, and other outdoor sports. Throughout the summer, the Toronto Islands host a variety of open-air activities. The view of the Toronto skyline is spectacular when the weather is nice.
The Centreville Amusement Park, on Centre Island, one of Toronto's islands, has a variety of children's rides. The Toronto Islands Ferry Service goes from Queen's Quay to all of Toronto's major islands.
19. The Ontario Science Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to
The Ontario Science Center is a family-friendly attraction featuring a variety of fun displays for kids. It is located about 10 kilometers northeast of the city center, with a view of the Don Valley.
This futuristic structure, designed by renowned architect Raymond Moriyama, was finished in 1969. With 12 permanent exhibitions, a planetarium, and an IMAX OMNIMAX Dome theater, the focus is very much on guest interaction.
The center's visitors are exposed to the most recent advances in technology, telecommunications, optics, biology, physics, space travel, meteorology, and much more, all presented in an engaging and innovative manner.
770 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
20. Hall of Fame for Hockey
A visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto is a must for hockey aficionados. This is the spot to learn about the greatest players, teams, and games in hockey history. The Stanley Cup, as well as a variety of historic artifacts, are on exhibit, and an interactive display allows you to put your hockey talents to the test.
Brookfield Place is located at 30 Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario.
21. Graffiti Alley is a street that is lined with graffiti.
Canadians who have seen the long-running TV comedy series Rick Mercer Report would recognize this lengthy alley in Toronto. This is where he recorded his infamous news rants. This is a magnificent place that appears to go on forever, even if you have never seen the performance. Tourists flock here to pose in painted doors and windows and take pictures at all hours of the day and night.
From Spadina Avenue to Portland Street, Graffiti Alley runs adjacent to and between Queens Street West and Richmond Street West.
22. Rogers Centre for the Performing Arts
The Rogers Centre, a gigantic domed sports stadium adjacent to the CN Tower and home to the Toronto Blue Jays, is located just across the street (MLB). The unusual design incorporates a retractable roof that slides back and may be opened when the weather is nice.
This mega-structure, which was finished in 1989 and can hold tens of thousands of people, is also utilized as a location for other important events, such as concerts. The center also provides one-hour guided tours of the facilities that provide a behind-the-scenes peek.
The Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel is connected to Rogers Centre and has accommodations with views of the field. Staying here is a practical alternative and a bit of a unique experience if you're in town for a game.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1 Blue Jays Way
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Toronto with Tips and Tours
Sightseeing:
When it comes to sightseeing in Toronto, the Toronto CityPASS is unbeatable in terms of value. This is a nine-day pass that starts the day you use it and saves you money on entry to some of Toronto's most popular sites, including the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Zoo, Casa Loma, and the Ontario Science Center.
The Toronto City Hop-on Hop-off Tour is the greatest option for going to the sites or for general sightseeing. This is a three-day pass that gives you the freedom to explore the city at your own speed while riding in the comfort of a double-decker bus. If you have a CityPASS, you can visit all of the attractions mentioned on your card.
Day Outings:
The Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto is a must-do if you wish to see Niagara Falls during your trip. This is one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations, yet it's only an hour and a half away. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation to Niagara Falls, a boat ride at the base of the falls, buffet lunch, a visit to the Whirlpool Rapids viewing platform, and a stop in the lovely town of Niagara-on-the-Lake are all included in this package.
The article “ 22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Toronto “ was first seen on Planet Ware
Functional and Naturopathic Medicine Clinic - Toronto Functional Medicine Centre
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viewittoronto · 7 years ago
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The Wesley Tower AT MISSISSAUGA CITY CENTRE | Condos for Sale | Mississauga / Peel Region
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The Wesley Tower is a New Condo development by Daniels located at City Centre and Confederation , Mississauga.
The Wesley Tower is the newest addition to Daniels City Centre in Mississauga. This master-planned community by Daniels is in Mississauga’s top location with retail, restaurants, and the amazing community of the Mississauga City Centre.
Daniels City Centre Master Planned Community Daniels City Centre is a 23-acre master planned community that has been a wonderful contribution to Mississauga. Along Living Arts Drive it is right in Mississauga’s most inspiring and creative street. The development includes a 3-acre community park. Impressively, Daniels City Centre has won multiple awards.
Daniels 10% FirstHome Deposit Program! First-time home buyers may be able to purchase their Wesley Condo at just 10% thanks to Daniels 10% First Home Deposit Program.
Location – Mississauga City Centre Mississauga’s downtown has such a beautiful culture with the Living Arts Centre, Opera Mississauga, Art Gallery of Mississauga, and Mississauga Celebration Square all walking distance from this pre-construction Mississauga condo. There is always something exciting taking place at Celebration Square such as Movie Night, Special Holiday Events, and Farmers Markets.
Area Amenities Living at The Wesley Tower at Daniels City Centre you’ll benefit from the close proximity to SquareOne Shopping Centre and the numerous blocks of plazas surrounding them. Mississauga flourishes from its diversity of all cultures; there is Vietnamese food at Pho Mi 99, Italian at Alioli, and the superb steakhouse Canyon Creek Restaurant.
A perfect location for families as they can enjoy awesome outings at the nearby Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Playdium, and the Cineplex Cinemas. There are schools for all ages from Nursery Schools to Sheridan College.
Builder Award *Daniels received the Tarion Homeowner’s Choice Award for Ontario High-Rise Builder of the year 2016
The Wesley Tower Highlights: – 40 Storey Tower – A 23-Acre Master-plan Community – Daniels awarded with Ontario High-Rise Builder of the Year 2016* – Right in Mississauga’s City Centre – Walk Score 91/100 – Transit Score 83/100 Miway, Erindale GO Station, Cooksville GO Station – 3-Acre Park – Near Hwy 403,401, and 407 – Nearby UofT Mississauga and Sheridan College
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The post The Wesley Tower AT MISSISSAUGA CITY CENTRE | Condos for Sale | Mississauga / Peel Region appeared first on Viewit.
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torontotravelblog · 4 years ago
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10 of the Prettiest Places in Toronto
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Toronto is filled will certainly pretty areas, both inside your home as well as out. Some are covert away, while others are out in the open and apparent. I've currently discussed the very best places in Toronto to Instagram, however this time around I'm focusing on several of the prettiest areas you can discover in or near the city.
These are areas that make it very easy to leave busy city life if you need a break, or just want a tranquil spot to believe or bliss out in nature for a while. Oh, and also they're all rather Instagram-worthy too should you seem like snapping a couple of photos (and also why not?).
01 of 10 Toronto Music Yard.
ADDRESS. Harbourfront, Toronto, ON M5V, Canada. PHONE +1 416-973-4000.
A slow-moving stray with the Toronto Music Yard at Harbourfront Centre never ever gets old and also it is indeed a very rather find to uncover on a warm, bright day in the city.
Made by globally popular cellist Yo Ma as well as landscape developer Julie Moir Messervy, the style of the stunning green space was inspirited by Bach, especially, his Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello, BWV 1007 and every section of the garden corresponds to a movement in the piece. So essentially, the garden is designed like a lilting, relocating piece of music. Admission is cost-free and also the garden is open year-round. You can additionally take place a cost-free guided excursion, supplied June with the end of September.
02 of 10 Platform Eco-friendly Roof at City Hall.
ADDRESS. 280 The PATH - Town Hall, Toronto, ON M5H 2N3, Canada.
In can feel hard to run away the bustle of Toronto when you're right downtown, however there is a slice of serenity you can conveniently gain access to. City Hall is residence to Toronto's largest openly available green roof, which opened in the springtime of 2010. What was previously a gigantic spot of concrete is currently a prospering eco-friendly room in the heart of the city and also an excellent area to get some fresh air in beautiful environments. You'll discover designed gardens, twisting walkways, yards, balconies and seating, in addition to some great views of the city below. Access to the roofing system garden is free and it's open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as well as weekends and vacations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
03 of 10 Edwards Gardens.
ADDRESS. 755 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3C 1P2, Canada. PHONE +1 416-392-8188.
Edwards Gardens offers visitors a double dosage of garden beauty since it also takes place to be the place of the Toronto Botanical Garden. The calm room is house to rock yards, floral gardens, fountains, a water wheel, greenhouses, enchanting wood arc bridges as well as countless walking tracks where to enjoy all of it. If you wish to actually learn more about the attractive plants you're passing, the Toronto Arboretum offers numerous garden scenic tours as well as other instructional programs as well as workshops for both adults and also children.
04 of 10 Allan Gardens Conservatory.
19 Horticultural Ave, Toronto, ON M5A 2P2, Canada. If your suggestion of pretty includes a myriad of tropical plants, you'll definitely wish to make your method to Allan Gardens Sunroom, house to six greenhouse breaking with vibrant plants from all over the world. The conservatory itself is over 100 years of ages as well as an elegance per se. Head here to see gardens having every little thing from hands to bromeliads to cacti. The permanent collection of unique plants covers over 16,000 square feet. Admission is free as well as you can see 356 days a year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
05 of 10 Cloud Gardens Conservatory.
ADDRESS. 14 Temperance St, Toronto, ON M5H 1Y4, Canada. PHONE +1 416-392-7288.
Sort of a surprise gem within the downtown core, Cloud Gardens Sunroom is a method to seem like you've gone on a miniature trip someplace tropical without every leaving the city. Put in between office towers downtown, the park is residence to a range of plants, however the greenhouse is the real celebrity. With a comforting waterfall and also a host of hands, brushes and other greenery you would certainly or else discover in a rainforest, it's simple to believe you have actually been hair transplanted to the tropics.
The sidewalk in the greenhouse goes from the reduced level entryway to an upper degree departure, something that truly makes you seem like you're walking up into an exotic forest. You can locate the sunroom on the south side of Richmond Street between Yonge Street as well as Bay Road.
06 of 10 Simcoe Wavedeck.
ADDRESS. 243 X Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8, Canada. PHONE +1 416-214-1344.
Watching out onto the Simcoe Wavedeck can be a trip for the eyes. The undulating wood wavedeck on Toronto's waterside is a whopping 650 square metres with large curves that swell almost three metres above the lake. The wayward style of the deck is what makes it so interesting the eye and also it creates a perfect place to hang around by the water. In the evening the wavedeck is lit from under making it even more gorgeous.
07 of 10 Sherbourne Common.
ADDRESS. 61 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON M5A 1B6, Canada. PHONE +1 416-338-4386.
This waterfront park is yet one more quite place to check out in the city. The almost four-acre park covers more than 2 city blocks and includes a vast swath of eco-friendly space, an ice rink in the winter months which becomes a dash pad in the summer and water network that's residence to three huge pieces of public art. The three sculptures rise up almost nine metres over the 240-metre water network producing a result that's as significant as it is distinctive. The art piece is entitled "Light Showers" by musician Jill Anholt.
08 of 10 Crothers Woods.
ADDRESS. Crothers Woods Route, East York, ON M4H 1P6, Canada. PHONE +1 416-392-2489.
You'll locate Crothers Woods in the Don River Valley and the 52-hectare woodland places you within easy accessibility to nearly 10 kilometres of routes to discover. The timbers themselves are house to lots of trees that more than a century old. Hiking these routes is an excellent method to shed yourself in nature without needing to leave the city.
09 of 10 Distillery District.
Distillery Area, Toronto, ON M5A, Canada. Toronto's historical Distillery District is a nationwide historical site as well as among the prettiest places to walk in the city. Explore the pedestrian-only patched streets as you stroll amongst Victorian-era Industrial design. The Distillery District is full of a variety of shops, theaters, cafes, restaurants (lots of with extensive patio areas) as well as art galleries so you can quickly spend a whole day right here and not get bored momentarily. There are likewise various occasions organized here throughout the year, from concerts to markets.
10 of 10 Tommy Thompson Park.
ADDRESS. 1 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M4M 3M2, Canada. PHONE +1 416-661-6600.
If you want to be among the biggest existing all-natural habitat on the Toronto beachfront, make your method to Tommy Thompson Park. One of one of the most fascinating things about the city park is that it lies on the Leslie Road Split, a synthetic peninsula that stretches out 5 kilometres right into Lake Ontario. The location is home to whatever from cobble coastlines and also sand dunes, to marshes and wildflower meadows. This is likewise a good spot for bird enjoying in Toronto.
The article “ 10 of the Prettiest Places in Toronto “ was first appeared on tripsavvy.com
The IV Lounge - IV Therapy Toronto Drip Clinic
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letsdiscoveron · 7 years ago
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Guest Post By: Mike Hess & Amanda Marcotte, Weekend Explorers at @tillyann7
We met intrepid outdoor explorers Mike and Amanda at the Outdoor Adventure Show this winter, when they won our Facebook ticket giveaway.  They couldn’t stop talking about hiking and the Bruce Peninsula and told us we must go there immediately!  So we sent them on a scouting-party preview to one of their favorite places.  Our legs hurt just reading this but we can’t wait to take them up on their challenge for a full Let’s Discover ON style adventure!
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Mike and Amanda – Our weekend adventurers.
The trade-economy and an early-season hiking opportunity:
For those of you who don’t know us (hi mom!) we are fairly adventurous people.  Our hiking logs include Ontario notables like Killarney Provincial Park, Algonquin, and Lake Superior Provincial Park.  But even for all of those beautiful places, the Bruce Peninsula is near and dear to our hearts.  With stunning views, soaring cliffs, turquoise waters, and charming towns, the Bruce is hard to beat for anybody who likes anything about the outdoors.  So when Mike’s computer-fixing savvy got us an offer for a cottage weekend trade, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit one of our favorite places.
We ditched work early on Thursday to make for a long long-weekend and headed up to Tobermory.  About 5 hours drive for us, and only 3.5 from Toronto, Tobermory is at the very top of the Bruce Peninsula, which separates Georgian Bay from Lake Huron.  A bustling tourist town in the summer, Tobermory is everything you’d want in a summer cottage getaway.  Shops, art galleries, boat tours of the nearby islands and shipwrecks, restaurants bars and breweries, plentiful camping, kayak rentals, and a candy shop that Willie Wonka would approve.  Not to mention Flowerpot Island and the Grotto – an iconic half-submerged cavern that is wildly popular in tourist season.
At the end of March, though, we got to beat the tourists for a quiet relaxing weekend in a sleepy little town.
Getting your hiking legs under you:
We woke up early on Friday morning and decided to do an ambitious hike around Lion’s Head Provincial Nature Reserve.  About 30 minutes down Highway 6 from Tobermory, Lion’s Head has one of the nicest long hiking loops in the area.  This loop is 18km around, and follows the Bruce Trail for kilometers of stunning views on the cliffs 200 meters above Georgian Bay.
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The iconic turquoise waters of Georgian Bay get frozen in the winter ice but refuse to lose their glow.
(The Bruce Trail is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, stretching 900km from Niagara to Tobermory following the Niagara Escarpment.  Mike backpacked the entire 168 km Peninsula section in 2015 and still can’t get enough!)
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Views from the cliffs at Lions Head show a landscape in transition.
The springtime sun made for a beautiful day, perfect for hiking.  The length and terrain of this hike might make it daunting to casual hikers, but in the summer it’s a great challenge and at an estimated 5-6hrs for novice hikers would be a solid and enjoyable full day of nature.  Bonus points for taking the pair of short side trail to see the potholes.
On the way to the trail we stopped at an adorable bakery in the Lion’s Head village (delicious apple blossoms) and the baker warned us sternly to be careful on the cliffs.  Even in late March there were a couple feet of snow in some places and he wasn’t wrong about the treacherous ice near the edge.  With the snow and ice, even as seasoned veterans, we were happy for our Yak Trax and occasionally wished for snowshoes.  The views and the great outdoors, though, more than made up for any tractional inconvenience.  We didn’t see a soul on the entire hike, and relished the solitude of a deserted wilderness walk.
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Use the Ilse Hanel Side Trail to form a loop with the Main trail around Lion’s Head Provincial Nature Reserve.
Tobermory Off-Season:
Burgers and beer are a hard-and-fast post-hike tradition, and Tobermory Brewing Co. did not disappoint. In the off-season, the sleepy little one-street downtown is closed up and quiet, except for a few businesses who get enough locals-love to stay open year round.  Tobermory Brewing definitely gets a lot of love.  With delicious tap staples and rotating seasonal brews, it’s often hard to get a table in the summer, but the crowd was light and friendly on the holiday Friday afternoon.  We split a burger and fought over the fries – which we found out from bartender Chris were so delicious because of a not-so-secret process that even Malcolm Gladwell would approve of (http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/19-mcdonalds-broke-my-heart).
With no other pressing plans, we checked out the boats in Little Tub harbor and hit up the tiny but well-stocked grocery store.  Frozen pizza and an evening by the fire was the perfect cap to a chill evening.
Out like a lion?:
Saturday we wanted to opt for a shorter hike with an eye to the forecast, so we used the Bruce Trail App to find a 7km loop just outside of Dyer’s Bay.  This section of the trail takes you to some sweeping views of Georgian Bay from the cliff top, clear south to Cape Chin and north to Cabot Head.  The trail then meanders through a peaceful birch and pine forest.  Easier terrain than Lion’s Head, this off-the-tourist-path loop would be great for anyone who can finish a 5k and is up for dodging some rocks and roots (wear sturdy footwear!).
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Don’t try this at home. Or here, either. In fact, stay away from the cliffs, please.
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Take the Bruce Trail trailhead at Dyers Bay Road and use the Juniper Flats side trail to make a loop for a nice 7km walk.
After the hike, we decided to check out Burnt Point Loop trail – an old favorite of tourists and locals alike, just steps from the visitor’s center in Tobermory town.  An easy hike with varying length loop options and pretty scenery, this is easily accessible for even the first-time hiker.  After taking a climb up the 65ft Visitor’s Center Lookout Tower, though, we noted that the weather was already ahead of us.  So we took in some views of the Fathom Five islands and headed back to the car.
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No visit is complete without taking in the scope of the scenery and Tobermory town from aloft.
We swung by the Big Tub lighthouse to check out some frozen turquoise waves and the ice patterns on the rocks of the harbor before giving in to the siren call of those Tobermory Brewing Co fries.  With a filled-up growler of IPA in-hand we headed back to the cottage.  Watching the wind, rain, and waves out the window made for a cozy, relaxing afternoon while we waited for our slow-cooker to finish cooking the meal we started earlier that morning.
With limited options, and inclement weather, the off-season is the perfect opportunity to slow it down and make your own fun. Sometimes the best weekends are homemade.
Gauntlet Thrown!:
As if the hikes, beer, and fries didn’t already convince you, we issue a challenge to Tony and Petula to make Tobermory a Let’s Discover ON destination!  Take a hike, grab a kayak, see a shipwreck, and relax with a drink on the 2nd-level patio of one of Little Tub’s summer restaurants.  We’ve shown you our Tobermory – what will YOU find?!
Mike and Amanda are weekend explorers from Wallceburg, ON.   You can follow their adventures on Instagram at @tillyann7
Have any photos or videos of your visit to Tobermory that you would like to share with us?  Send them over to @LetsDiscoverON.
Remember to subscribe to our Blog & YouTube Channel and follow us along as we Discover ON!
Tobermory Scouting Party Guest Post By: Mike Hess & Amanda Marcotte, Weekend Explorers at @tillyann7 We met intrepid outdoor explorers Mike and Amanda at the…
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plathway · 7 years ago
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End of December so that means it’s BEST OF/END OF/WORST OF List time! As evidenced by the blog title I’m just going to be doing a summary (not in ranking order) of my favourite memories from 2017. I won’t even bother with a “Worst Of” because we all know about the terrible things that happened this year, things that we will still be dealing with long past 2018.
I personally am a huge fan of New Year’s Eve. Yes practically resolutions are never fulfilled and everything is extra expensive but I love the hopefulness that usually permeates around this time of year. The new year looks so shiny and new and there really is something seductive about (hopefully) becoming a new or better person. 
The last day of 2017 is a chiller. I was out taking a walk at around 4:30 and the air was so crisp and sharp but the light was so soft. It made me think about the year ahead, all shiny and new; hard and cold as yet untouched with familiar warmth. Daylight seemed to try it’s hardest to cling to the very end. The sky was all pale blues and soft rosy pinks. It made me the streetlight glow feel so golden yellow and the moon is full and such a pure perfect white, it looks like a pearl in the sky. 
I hope I become a better person than I was in 2017. I hope that I will have a lot of fun memories as I did in 2017. And now, in no particular order, my favourite 2017 memories. 
Art Shows: Mystical Landscapes, Blue Whale @ ROM and Georgia O’Keeffe @ AGO
I got to see some really cool gallery exhibits this year thanks to Helen. Mystical Landscapes was nice, got to see some of the classic Monet’s and Van Gogh’s. My favourite ones that I saw was the Blue Whale during one of the ROM’s Friday Night Lives and and the Georgia O’Keeffe at AGO’s First Thursdays.
The Blue Whale was really cool; whales are gigantic and everyone knows that but seeing it was really awe inspiring. I think it’s heart is like the size of a Fiat lol. I really really loved the Georgia O’Keefe exhibit. It was quite big and some of my favourite pieces were: – Lake George Reflection – Flower Abstraction 1924 – Abstraction White Rose – Horse’s Skull with Pink Rose – Farmhouse Window and Door (this one is really cool to see in person because it looks 3D or layered paper but it’s just paint.) – Mule’s Skull with Pink Poinsettias – From the Faraway, Nearby – Rust Red Hills – Red Hills and Bones – Red and Yellow Cliffs – Wall with Green Door 1953 – My Front Yard, Summer
I wish that you could see what I see out the windows – the earth pink and yellow cliffs to the north – the full pale moon about to go down in an early evening lavender sky behind a very long beautiful tree-covered mesa to the west- pink and purple hills in front an the scrubby fine dull of cedars- and a feeling of much space- it is a very beautiful world. Georgia O’Keeffe
Lol my celebrity encounter of the year happened when I was at the O’Keeffe show, I saw Camila Mendes from Riverdale walk by. I was honestly star struck. She walked by and I literally stood there gaping and then had a moment of panic because I wanted to chase after her but I also had to find Helen who had gone up ahead. I finally found her and then we spent the rest of the night running around the AGO looking for her but she had went back to her hotel to live tweet Riverdale lol. 
Women’s March
The Women’s March was the first protest that I’ve ever been to. My mom thought it was dumb of me for going because, “what is it really going to do?” which is a sentiment held by a lot of people. 
I went with Rebekah and it was a really fun experience. The turn out was much greater than I expected, not just in Toronto but all around the world. It felt nice being part of that crowd all with a similar goal. 
Brunch Club 
Brunch times with my Y&E girls and seeing baby Celeste! Lol it’s nice seeing Mei’s 1st OG team and Celeste who is the cutest baby in the entire world. 
Dangerous Dan’s
All the times Rebekah, Precillia and I would go to Dangerous Dan’s. We’d always get the same thing, a coffee shake for me and an uber Amy grilled cheese, with fries or onion rings on the side. Precillia would always get the gyros with a side of pierogies and Rebekah would get a grilled cheese and the owner would always tease her for being a vegetarian. And the very best, we’d get a cookie cow pie to share.
Unfortunately it closed due to the increasing gentrification, but the memories of going there starving with Precillia and Rebekah, hearing the rest of the staff yell at Heather (or Helen? I don’t remember) just laughing and eating the most delicious food was truly some of the best times. 
My first time at a vape lounge
The day of the TRL sale, (Rebekah and I made out like a bandit, the books were like FIFTY CENTS!!!!) Rebekah took Precillia and I to a vape lounge for the first time. I don’t know if it was what she rolled or if it’s because other people were smoking but I have never gotten that high in my life. 
We were discussing middle school crushes and it was my turn, I stopped right in the middle of my story and I felt like it was so hard for me to speak and I could not stop laughing, my voice got so high it was practically a squeak. 
Birthday Party @ BATL
This year for my birthday we went axe throwing and also shot bows and arrows. I don’t know what was my favourite part… seeing old friends and catching up, when they gave us photos of Trump to put in the bullseye… 
Actually, the highlight was when we played the most intense game of gigantic Jenga of my life. 
Escape Rooms
This year we really got into escape rooms. Two of the ones we did were super scary and one of them we beat! The first one we did we were all locked in individual stalls and had to work our way out of them, the second one was a diamond heist so I got to live out my dream of being an actual cat burglar. 
By far the scariest one we did was for Precillia’s birthday. The theme of the house is that we broke into a haunted house but it really turned out to be a murder house. And we had to break through a series of clues to try to escape. I am a big fucking baby so I was useless and spent the whole time screaming. As far as escape rooms went it was really atmospheric. It gave us a lot of fun puzzles to solve that were really hard. And we got to move around the small room by climbing through a hidden cabinet, running up and down the stairs, pulling things out of grates etc.  The hardest part was the actual physical component. We had to make it across this set of monkey bars, I went first and fell into the foam–Rebekah was the only one to make it across. Unfortunately we ran out of time but we made it nearly to the end. Rebekah was the Judas and would have sacrificed us all if we had the time. 
All the visits to Doc
Whether I was freezing in the winter, or getting a sun burn during the summer or any of the visits by myself… hanging out at Doc was always a fun time. Riverdale park is gorgeous. My favourite thing is to go there listening to opera and reading. 
Summer in Port Dover
This summer Precillia told us about Port Dover which is one of the few beaches in Ontario that has palm trees. There are only three of them but a guy wanted them here so badly he planted them and they stand there lol. Port Dover is truly one of the best beaches I’ve been to in Ontario. I wish we were near ocean water but the water in Port Dover is pretty nice for lake water.  We’ve only been three times but each time was amazing. I think my favourite was the second time when Precillia, Rebekah and Ayan went. I think it was after a storm or a storm was coming but we stayed out in the water as the sky turned clear to grey to all these different shades of blue. We saw a rainbow and that day Rebekah and Precillia found twenty dollars in the water and we also got a football from these guys that were chilling near us.  Sitting in Precillia’s car, loose limbed and sun kissed eating salty messy Subway sandwiches before Precillia sped us off into the night that was so blue it felt like we were being wrapped up in it, it was so thick. Every time I hear “Sex on Fire” I can feel Precillia’s car flying down the road and the blue of the night blocking out the sound of the world as that “YeahhhHhHhHhHhHHHHhhh” fills my ears. 
Bruce Peninsula
So, we did everything right starting off the trip lol. We set out really early, got all of our snacks and drove all the way up there… only to stand in the woods for a bit. The Bruce Peninsula has grown so much in popularity, especially because of the Canada Park’s Pass that there were only a few slots during the day that we could go and all of those were filled up. In the end we ended up going to Port Dover. 
Kudos to Precillia for the drive because it was long AF. We eventually got so hungry we were looking for the nearest place to eat and I think we drove to an A&W in some small town. It was full of old white people but it was easily the cleanest and nicest looking A&W we’d ever been in lol. 
Rebekah had an edible that she split with me and it really gave me a new appreciation for Ontario. I truly live in a beautiful province, there were so many gorgeous fields and fields of flowers and farm stands and we saw Mennonites just trundling along beside us in their horse and buggy.
Carly Rae Jepsen @ TSO
For Canada’s 150th birthday, actual Canadian treasure Carly Rae Jepsen played her greatest hits accompanied by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. I went with Precillia and it was truly a magical night. Everyone was dancing and singing along, it was just a fun night with great pop music full of love. 
Janet and Petr visiting
Janet is officially back in Canada with her husband Petr!!!! They came up to visit me for a week and I was ecstatic because I had my foodie buddy back. We ate at some of my favourite restaurants in Toronto such as Descendant for Detroit style pizza, Maha’s for Egyptian food, Hot Star fried chicken, Patois, FuZen, Tsujiri and some of my Kensington Market favourites as well.
Friendsgiving2k17
The second annual Friendsgiving was even more lit than the first if you can believe it! We got a beautiful house with a sauna and stuff this time because I got a credit from AirBnB because they cancelled my original reservation. I have like 5 memories from that night because I decided to compete with Tsering but I cherish all 5 of them. I know we did White Elephant, we had a lovely family dinner, I think Beer Pong was played and we played Monopoly for a few rounds and then Precillia and I murdered a unicorn cake. 
Expectations are HIGH for #Friendsgiving2k18 but know that Precillia, Rebekah, Ayan and I are going to pull it off. 
Anyways, those are some of my favourite memories of 2017! I know I had many more and I’m excited for what 2018 has to offer. I hope it’s nothing but good things for all of us.
Happy New Year’s Eve!
xoxo Cat
Today's featured image is by Pedro Miranda Filho
lmaoooo down to the wire here is my last 2017 post!!! End of December so that means it's BEST OF/END OF/WORST OF List time! As evidenced by the blog title I'm just going to be doing a summary (not in ranking order) of my favourite memories from 2017.
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turnandchasethewind · 8 years ago
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Ahh I had forgotten that you live in Toronto! Could you rec some places to check out, both in general and more so for a wlw? I'm finally going there during my spring break and searched a bunch of places, but in my experience locals also know the best ones :p
okay so a friend actually just messaged me about this like yesterday and i luckily saved it haha here are some suggestions under the cut:
food (my fave part of anywhere):
lisa marie 
really great food, my fave restaurant in the city, gotta try their pad thai fries…they also do a really fun ‘burgers, beers and bingo’ night on tuesdays + good music i believe friday or saturday nights
WVST 
amazing saugages w/ variety of meats to choose from i.e. boar, kangaroo etc., and lots of craft beers + really good duck fat fries
starving artist 
wicked brunch place, everything on their menu involves waffles, whether they are dessert or savory items…i suggest their eggs benny with potato waffles
la carnita, grand electric, seven lives:
these are all good taco/mexican places
chadwick’s
AMAZING brunch place i fucking love it there
trattoria nervosa 
really good italian place, cute rooftop patio in yorkville (a rich bougie neighbourhood so you’ll feel fancy af but it’s actually not that unreasonable in price)
terroni 
another really good italian place, cute outdoor patio in the summer...my fave location is the queen west one
urban herbivore
really good vegan food
fat pasha 
rly good jewish/middle eastern food
home of the brave 
wicked restaurant, has a lot of “american” inspired stuff which is hard to explain but just know the food is fucking amazing and the atmosphere is sick
apiecalypse now! 
vegan pizza place, you don’t really sit in, but it’s near this park called christie pits so if it’s spring/summer it’s nice to grab a slice and bring some tall boys to drink and just chill out on the grass and enjoy the weather
rose and sons
cute little place with good food and literally the best pb milkshake i’ve ever had in my entire life
mykonos
my fave greek place in the entire city!!!!!!!!!
okay so here’s specifically poutine places:
smokes (there’s locations like all over toronto)
poutini
fresh - they added ‘dragon fries’ to their menu and it’s not technically poutine cause there’s no cheese but they’re so fucking good (it’s a miso gravy, chives, sesame seeds, chili oil and banana peppers on top of fries)...also fresh is a really good vegan place in general
here’s some bakeries/dessert:
bang bang 
AMAZING ICE CREAM…honestly it’s probably my fave ice cream place in the city…they make homemade ice cream and cookies etc, i suggest getting an ice cream sandwich on your first try. if you go it’ll look like a long line up if it’s spring/summer but the line moves pretty quickly, like at most you’ll be waiting like 10-15min
sweet jesus 
another really good ice cream place
bobette and belle 
very very cute bakery! both locations i’ve been to are really pretty and it’s really nice to go have a coffee and cupcake/scone/piece of cake etc
rolling pin
i haven’t had their donuts yet but that’s what they’re famous for because they do gourmet donuts, but i have had their desserts and they’re really good but i rec this one because their coffee is fucking amazing
wanda’s pies in the sky 
really good bakery!! i rec their peanut butter chocolate pie/tart
some cool places to check out:
queer shit
okay so obvs there is the village (church st), we sadly closed our only lady bar on there years ago, but you can still go check the area out and maybe try crews and tango if you’re looking for girls/want a mixed crowd...they usually do cool drag shows too so you can also check that out
but there are lots of other places outside of the village and i actually prefer a lot of them, here’s a link to 10 places outside of the village that are queer-friendly...my faves are gladstone, the steady and the beaver
ALSO apparently there’s a queer sports bar that opened recently called striker sports bar (i haven’t been yet so i don’t know what it’s like/the crowd, but if that’s something you’re into check it out)
snakes and lattes 
board game cafe/bar…it’s super fun and this is the best one in the city, it’s only $5/person and you can just play as many board games and shit as you want + they have food and drinks (incl. beer!) available to order as well
kensington market 
super cool neighbourhood, a mix between stoner/hippies and hipsters lol just a lot of culture and lots of great thrift shops and honestly so many good food options too…i’d go on a sunday in the spring/summer if possbible because they close down all the streets for like lil street markets
ago/the rom
if you’re into art and/or history check out the ago (art gallery of ontario) and/or the rom (royal ontario museum)...i haven’t been to the rom in forever so i can’t remember if there are any free/discounted days/nights, but i know weds night at the ago is free after like 5/6pm !!!! def check it out i love the ago so much
trinity bellwoods, christie pits
these are really popular parks that people go to…it’s pretty common to bring some tall boys and just drink if you’re being discreet, so it’s a pretty chill and fun thing to do if you just wanna relax…plus!! trinity bellwoods is also a dog park so you’ll get to see lots of cute doggies
queen west
this area is good for shopping and also just some cool lil stores to check out, plus lots of good restaurants too
track and field 
haven’t been yet, but it’s apparently a bar where you can also play like shuffleboard and shit like that so i’d check it out if possible
spin
also haven’t been yet, but it’s an indoor table tennis bar that’s really popular
harbourfront
in the summer it’s really pretty because it’s got lots of stuff by the lake and there’s little shops and restaurants too, and a little mini beach kind of to just chill out
sugar beach 
another little mini beach (it’s actually where they filmed the carmila movie trailer if you’ve seen that)
okay that’s all i can think of for now i hope that helps !!
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