Date travelled: 10-12 October 2007
Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, and close to the border with the United States, is Canada's financial centre, and largest city, Toronto. Toronto contains a blend of natural and man-made treasures, all within easy reach.
From Lester B. Pearson Airport (be prepared for lengthy security queues when you arrive on Canadian soil), take the Toronto Airport Express coach service to the city centre (journey times up to an hour, depending on traffic). It is cheaper (by 10%) to pre-book your tickets online before you arrive (C$18.50 single if you pre-book). The coach drops passengers off at various stops in the city centre. I stayed at the Downtowner Inn, which is 5 minutes walk from Dundas subway station, in the centre of the city.
Perhaps the most famous building in Toronto, or indeed Canada, is the CN Tower. Built between 1973 and 1975 by Canadian National, this communications tower is the 2nd tallest free-standing building in the world (behind the Burj Dubai in Dubai).
The CN Tower.
Visitors can take a lift to the observation deck to witness magnificant views of the city of Toronto, Lake Ontario, and on a clear day the United States.
Toronto from CN Tower.
Inner Harbour & Lake Ontario
The tower also has a comprehensive gift shop, where you can find pretty much every souvenir you can think of. If you're after a real Canadian gift, then look for genuine Canadian maple syrup, or a nice bottle of Gibsons, a Canadian sweet Whisky.
As Toronto has many tall buildings, you don't really appreciate how impressive the skyline is, until you take a boat trip from the harbour. There are many companies on the harbour front offering short and long trips around the inner harbour and Lake Ontario. I chose the two hour trip, which involved a guided tour of the inner harbour, and photo opportunites of the beautiful skyline.
Toronto Skyline.
After the boat trip, spend a nice hour or so walking along the picturesque harbour front, where there are plenty of bars and restaurants. In terms of the cuisine, Toronto has something for everyone, whethers it's chinese, indian, italian, mexican, english etc. In terms of prices, Toronto is slightly cheaper than the UK.
Toronto has an easy to follow subway system, which acts as a good way around the city, especially between the shopping area and harbour front. Grab yourself a day pass for C$8.50, which gives you unlimited use of the subway system.
The main shopping area of Toronto can be found around Yonge Street, the world's longest road, which stretches from the harbour front to State of Minnesota in the United States, over 1000 miles!
Yonge Street and Dundas Square.
If you like your history, head to Fort York at the west of the city, where in 1813, American troops destroyed the British held Fort. Today the site has been restored to its past glory.
If you like your beers, you may see Steam Whistle served in Toronto's bars. The Steam Whistle brewery has a visitors centre located by the Rogers Centre (the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team). Visitors of the brewery can sample the highly refreshing lager, as well as take a tour of the brewery, and purchase murchandise.
Steam Whistle Brewery.
About 90 minutes away from Toronto, and on the border with the United States, is one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world; Niagara Falls. You can easily find a tour operator in Toronto which organises trips of various lengths.
Toronto makes a pleasant start to a North American adventure.
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