World Destination of the Week - Toronto
Canada is often overlooked in favour of its brasher neighbour America, but it has so much to offer visitors. Toronto is one of Canada’s most vibrant and interesting cities.
There is culture and history aplenty, along with all the buzz you’d expect from a North American metropolis. It’s incredibly easy to navigate thanks to a well-planned grid road system and top-notch subway (the TTC).
As for weather, Toronto escapes the intense snowstorms that batter northern and central Canada, thanks to its location on the south-eastern edge of the country. Nevertheless, winters are still freezing. Summer is the perfect time to visit. Spring and Autumn are pleasant too, but there is more happening in the summer months.
One of Toronto’s biggest draws is its fantastic museums. If you’re a fan of a bit of culture and history, you’ll feel right at home. The Textile Museum has over 10,000 items from Latin America, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and India, as well as modern Canada. There’s also the living museum at the First Post Office where you can write a letter with a quill pen and pay to have it sealed and sent with an 1883 postmark. For something a bit out of the ordinary, try the Bata Shoe Museum which displays everything shoe-related from 19th century French chestnut-crushing clogs, polar boots, and pairs worn by Elton John, Indira Gandhi and Pablo Picasso.
When you’ve had your fill of museums, head to Ontario Place. This huge recreation complex is built on three artificial islands. Buy a ‘Play All Day’ pass for access to the rides and attractions, which include Soak City water park and Cinesphere.
Cabbagetown may not be the most evocative name for a district, but it has some of the best buildings in Toronto, such as the grand Romanesque Dance & Theatre School.
Downtown Toronto is home to the famous Canadian National Tower - the highest freestanding structure in the world. The main purpose of the CN Tower is a radio and TV communications mast, but visitors can tour the two observation decks for a birds’ eye view of the city. On a clear day you can see for about a hundred miles. Downtown also has the Old Town district with its Flatiron Building, St Lawrence Market and North Market clock tower.
If the bustle of the city gets too much, relax at the Toronto Music Garden - a sculpted garden designed to express Bach’s Suite No 1 for Unaccompanied Cello. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma helped create the landscape, with its arc-shaped grove of conifers, wildflower meadow and outdoor amphitheatre which hosts free summer concerts.
Toronto has a vibrant and varied nightlife. Broadway shows premier here before hitting the main American theatres, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is world famous. The city is a hot bed of comedy talent. Its clubs have nurtured stars like Jim Carrey, Mike Myers and John Candy. There’s also a buzzing nightclub scene as well as plenty of smaller pool bars and pubs.
See it for yourself! Find cheap flights to Toronto at FlightComparison.co.uk.