A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Casa Loma is a grand mansion on five acres in downtown Toronto, built in the early 1900s and renowned for its extravagant architecture and expansive gardens. Today, this stunning landmark, often referred to as “Canada’s Castle,” welcomes visitors and offers self-guided audio tours in several languages. Casa Loma has also served as a filming location for numerous Hollywood movies, includingChicagoandX-Men.
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is the biggest Santa Claus parade in Canada and one of the most highly attended parades in North America, drawing about 500,000 people to line the 6 km long route.
For almost 50 years, Toronto has kicked off the holiday season with the Cavalcade of Lights, a festive evening at Toronto City Hall featuring the illumination of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, performances by top Canadian musical talent, a fireworks show, and a skating party at Nathan Phillips Square, a public space outside of city hall. The Cavalcade of Lights is free to attend.
The NEXUS Card offers U.S. and Canadian citizens pre-approval when entering Canada or the United States at all participating NEXUS air, land, and marine ports of entry. Imagine waiting in a long line at the Canadian border, either at the airport or at a land crossing—your NEXUS Card allows you to bypass that long wait and go directly to the “NEXUS Card” lane, potentially saving you hours of time.
Crossing the border is serious business. Even Canadians, who are known to be polite and easy-going, are strict about checking ID at the country’s border.
Autumn is an ideal time to travel to Toronto and other Eastern Canada destinations, like Ottawa and Montreal, for many reasons. There’s a crispness in the air that signals winter’s approach, yet temperatures remain quite mild. This seasonal change invigorates the city, reminding residents to embrace outdoor activities before the chill of winter sets in.
Popular Canadian journalist Allan Fotheringham, known for his “Fotheringhamisms,” famously stated that Vancouver, British Columbia, is the Canadian city with the best climate and the worst weather. While snowfall is rare in winter, rainfall is typical, particularly during November and December, which are Vancouver’s rainiest months.
Old Montreal is conveniently located between the St. Lawrence River and downtown Montreal. It spans about one square km (or 0.4 square miles), bordered by Rue Saint-Antoine, the St. Lawrence River, Rue Berri, and Rue McGill. To truly experience this charming area, walking is highly recommended.
Old Montreal is a unique place: Vibrant and historic. With much of the architecture of this well-preserved Quebec neighborhood dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and a prevalent French culture, you will feel like you have stepped across the Atlantic Ocean.
The most popular activity in Niagara Falls is the Hornblower ferry ride that brings passengers into the mist and roar of the Falls themselves.
Quebec food is heavily influenced by the cuisines of France and Ireland, as many immigrants from these countries settled in Quebec starting in the 1800s. These influences led traditional Quebec food to be hearty yet sophisticated. More contemporary Quebec food has global influences but draws from the flavors of local organic fare.
If you’re visiting Montreal but unfamiliar with the city, choosing where to stay is an important decision to make, and one that can affect your experience significantly. Montreal is vibrant and diverse, with accommodations ranging from high-end boutique stays to budget-friendly options. Most hotels are located downtown and in the old part of Montreal, near the waterfront. Therefore, it is vital to understand your options and know the advantages and disadvantages before your stay.
Hamilton is Canada’s 9th largest city, ranking as the third biggest in Ontario after Toronto and Ottawa. This port city, once renowned for steel production, is conveniently located between Toronto and Niagara Falls in Southern Ontario, serving as an ideal stopover when traveling between these popular destinations. However, Hamilton is a vibrant destination itself, boasting rich culture, history, delectable cuisine, and beautiful outdoor spaces.
Prince Edward County (“the County”) is a region of southeastern Ontario that juts out into Lake Ontario. With its abundance of water, fresh air, and wide-open spaces, the area has become increasingly popular with visitors, artists, and Toronto residents who are buying up plenty of the property in this trendy region.
The Gaspe Peninsula (properly, the Gaspésie or Gaspé Peninsula, pronouncedGa-spay-zeeorGaspay, respectively) is a region of eastern Quebec. Its geography puts the Gaspe Peninsula in close proximity to the Atlantic provinces and features many maritime attractions, including rugged shorelines, fine fishing, and a laid-back, friendly population.
Toronto, Canada, is a fabulous city, but if you have some extra time, why not explore some of the other cities and charming towns near Toronto in Southern Ontario? From the stunning spectacle of Niagara Falls to the quaint charm of Elora and Stratford, the region surrounding Toronto offers a wealth of experiences.
Toronto is a bustling, multicultural metropolis with exceptional restaurants, hotels, shopping, and theater. However, consider balancing a hectic Toronto itinerary with nearby communities that are rich in small-town charm. These small towns convey the unique aspects of Ontario’s history and character, giving visitors a fuller Canadian experience.
Train travel is a comfortable, convenient, and relatively affordable way to get around Canada. However, visitors should acknowledge that the Canadian rail system does not possess the extensive reach, regularity, or overall convenience found in European rail services. Consequently, train travel can be relatively expensive in Canada, although prices are changing in more prominent corridors.
