Featured Destination: Toronto
Food stand in Kensington Market
TOP EXPERIENCES Distillery Winter Village From mid-November the historic district transforms into a holiday wonderland as the city counts down to Christmas. Wander the cobblestoned streets of old Victorian industrial buildings, filled with twinkling lights and the sound of carollers. And it’s free to enter Monday to Thursday. Niagara Falls in Winter Niagara is only 90 minutes from Toronto with transfers for frost fans year-round. Although rare for the falls to completely freeze, it’s amazing to venture behind sheets of ice for a totally different perspective. Plus the falls are illuminated with a light festival and fireworks until late February. Ice Skate with Torontonians Apart from the festive Nathan Phillips rink, there are some amazing outdoor skate spaces like Harbourfront and Ramsden Park. The new Bentway Skate Trail running under the Gardiner Expressway offers free lessons while Colonel Samuel Smith rink is set in a stunning 195-acre park.
FOOD AND DRINK
Low Season Traveller
360 Restaurant Located inside the CN Tower, 360 Restaurant allows you to enjoy exquisite fine dining 351 metres (1151 feet) above the ground. The restaurant completes one rotation every 72 minutes giving an ever changing city view while you dine and also homes the world’s highest wine cellar.
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St. Lawrence Market The renowned indoor emporium dates from 1803 and has been named one of the best food markets in the world by National Geographic. 120 specialty vendors known for the variety and freshness of their cheese, pastries, chocolates, seafood, and made to order peameal bacon sarnies. Neighbourhood Diners Experience authentic international cuisine at really great prices in Greektown, Little India, Little Italy, Chinatown, Koreatown, or Little Tibet. Toronto is constantly expanding with over 150 vibrant neighbourhoods, each proudly bringing their own flavours and cultures to the table.
INSIDER TIPS •
The Ice Wine Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake takes place each January in the heritage district. The extravaganza showcases the unusual but delicious beverage, made from grapes frozen on the vine. With music, culinary pairings, spectacular ice sculptures and tours of snow covered vines.
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We love the Kensington Market district for its Bohemian chic, independent shops and vintage finds. It’s our top spot in Toronto for just wandering, cool bars, fab food like that found at the Pow Wow Cafe, and street art. Check out the flamboyant Winter Solstice lantern and fire parade on December 21st.
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Craft breweries offer a rainbow of beers from pale gold to deep browns. The Amsterdam Brewery opened the first example in 1986, and now there are more than 70 city wide. Try Steam Whistle Brewery housed in an old locomotive facility, Leftfield with its baseball theme, or live music at Burdock.
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GOOD TO KNOW •
Locals use the PATH to stay dry on rainy or snowy days. It’s Toronto’s revolutionary underground pedestrian walkway network that spans 20 miles including 4 major subway stations, shops, restaurants and entertainment. Combine with a TTC Presto Day pass for public transport travel.
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Toronto can be pricey with 13% sales tax plus tips expected. Save cash by eating at the neighbourhood delis, or taking yourself on a walking tour. Download self guided directions for graffiti or architectural tours or the distillery district, and look out for a random Banksy or Henry Moore en route.
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The Toronto Islands are so popular in summer, but it’s little known that you can go in winter as well. Only the ferry to Ward’s Island operates, servicing the island’s 600 residents. A fascinating place, but worth the 10 minute trip for that magnificent view over the lagoon to the Toronto skyline alone.
Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto (Right)
