Travel Blog – Trip guides and travel tips

Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural cities and because 35% of it’s 700,000 residents comprises of minorities, tolerance is held in very high regard. This remarkable city celebrates cultural diversity and actively promotes  outdoor living, so finding things to do in Toronto is not difficult.

This modern city is perfectly situated by Lake Ontario, one in a series of lakes that connects Canada with the United States. The 9km long peninsula that makes up the Toronto Islands were created by a violent storm back in the 19th century.  Which may explain why the land around the city is flat and therefore easy to cover by foot.

When to go

The Toronto weather switches from extreme cold in winter to extreme heat in summer, so unless you can handle that, Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit.

Toronto Storms

If you are planning on taking a trip to Canada please make sure you confirm you flight plans with your agent.  Toronto weather has a fierce reputation and for good reason – earlier today fierce storms knocked out power to over 500,000 people and caused massive damage to building and road networks. Toronto Airport has cancelled many of their flights as a result.

Torontonians

Torontonians love the outdoor life and embrace it for as long as they can before the cooler months force them indoors. For a large city, the people are incredibly mannerly and considerate but compared to other Canadians they aren’t afraid to express an opinion. Unless you are an American you needn’t have much to worry about as most of their criticism are directed at their controversial neighbour.

This is also a place where community spirit is very much alive and well, recycling, healthy eating, charity and love for your neighbour are all virtues practiced as well as preached.

Toronto University

It comes as no surprise then that Toronto University has a reputation for producing some of the best medical doctors in the world, with wide recognition also received for its biomedicine and social science faculties.

The university’s Hart House theatre produces around four plays a year and if you are in town at the right time, they are definitely worth a look.

My Defining Experience

This Canadian city has something in the air that just makes you want to get out of bed and go do stuff, it really starts you off with a snap, crackle and pop. I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at the St Lawrence Market on your way to the harbour where you can take a ferry to Centre Island.

The pace of life just slows right down, perfect for cycling and enjoying the spectacular flower garden on Ward’s Island. For lunch, hop aboard the ferry and return to the mainland for lunch in the quaint Baldwin Village – there are plenty off good outdoor cafes and restaurants to choose from.

Live Music

If you like shopping for alternative gifts and nick knacks, then Queens Street is the place for you. It has an eclectic mix of shops where you can make all sorts of funky purchases.

Speaking of funk, if you like to get low down and dirty after dark, then Toronto’s famous Cameron House is a must.  This music bar has been hosting diverse music, form Jazz and R&B to funk and soul for 20 years. It’s always a night out to remember.

Strengths

• Art Galleries
• Islands
• The CN Tower
• People
• Diversity

Weaknesses

• Harsh Winters
• Traffic jams
• Homeless people

You may already be somewhat familiar with this city by watching movies like Good Will Hunting, X Men, Chicago and Bulletproof Monk, but there is no substitute for actually being there and experiencing it first hand.

Toronto’s alternative outlook, open mindedness and healthy take on life is addictive, it’s a tough place to leave and even harder to forget.