1) If you are flying to the international airport (YYZ), be prepared to spend 60$ for a taxi to Downtown Toronto. Another great option is to take a bus and subway (metro), which costs only 3$ and is only little inconvenient.
2) Check out gay bars even if you are not gay. Such a great experience!
3) Use credit cards with no international transaction fees. For example, all Capital One cards are fee-free for transactions aboard. Check out their offers here: Capital One credit cards. Other banks have similar cards, so shop around.
4) While most places take US dollars, some would not, so have some Canadian cash.
5) A lot of places offer coat check. Most of them charge a fee for that.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Toronto, Canada, Day 5
On the fifth and final day I took advantage of the free afternoon and made reservations at a Ritz-Carlton's restaurant DEQ lounge for an afternoon tea. For a price fix of 48$ per person you were guaranteed great service, good food and ambient atmosphere, which was exactly what I was looking for. Not every day do I go to Ritz-Carlton!
The place was really luxurious! I have been to five star resorts before, but this hotel (and restaurant) was really special. It was the first day the restaurant hosted a benefit to donate teddy bears to the children in need, so every table had a small bear. The server provided us with a sampler of teas to choose from, which was truly unique and fancy :)
Each of us chose a different type of tea and soon enough it was delivered to us and placed on the white tea pot holder with a tea light candle warming it up. Small details, but very special.
A glass of champagne added to the tea atmosphere a small kick :)
First we were served small bites of food such as smoked salmon on a croissant, beef baked with cheese etc. My favorite was a tiny sandwich with a cucumber. I have never thought a cucumber can taste so great!
Pastries were the next and final part of the tea ceremony, but unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of them :( Trust me, they were delicious, although I could not try all of them due to the lack of space in my stomach...
As a final note for this restaurant, I would like to emphasize the excellence of the service. The waiters were attentive to details, prompt, courteous and friendly. Absolutely the BEST service I have ever experienced.
Read the reviews here
The evening (and the whole trip) was celebrated at Panorama Lounge located on the top of a building giving you the best night views of the city. While the restaurant's service left MUCH to be desired, the cocktails and the atmosphere was very good.
This brings my trip to an end. Toronto impressed me with its culture and cleanliness. Its European-like look and American service create a perfect combination of a city to live in. I would absolutely go back.
The place was really luxurious! I have been to five star resorts before, but this hotel (and restaurant) was really special. It was the first day the restaurant hosted a benefit to donate teddy bears to the children in need, so every table had a small bear. The server provided us with a sampler of teas to choose from, which was truly unique and fancy :)
Each of us chose a different type of tea and soon enough it was delivered to us and placed on the white tea pot holder with a tea light candle warming it up. Small details, but very special.
A glass of champagne added to the tea atmosphere a small kick :)
First we were served small bites of food such as smoked salmon on a croissant, beef baked with cheese etc. My favorite was a tiny sandwich with a cucumber. I have never thought a cucumber can taste so great!
Pastries were the next and final part of the tea ceremony, but unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of them :( Trust me, they were delicious, although I could not try all of them due to the lack of space in my stomach...
As a final note for this restaurant, I would like to emphasize the excellence of the service. The waiters were attentive to details, prompt, courteous and friendly. Absolutely the BEST service I have ever experienced.
Read the reviews here
The evening (and the whole trip) was celebrated at Panorama Lounge located on the top of a building giving you the best night views of the city. While the restaurant's service left MUCH to be desired, the cocktails and the atmosphere was very good.
This brings my trip to an end. Toronto impressed me with its culture and cleanliness. Its European-like look and American service create a perfect combination of a city to live in. I would absolutely go back.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Toronto, Canada, Day 4
On this warmer day a lunch at CN Tower was reserved. CN Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world and is absolutely a must for travelers to visit. You can get general admission for about 40$ or reserve a lunch or dinner at 360 restaurant that offers magnificent views of the whole city. The perk of the restaurant comes from its name "360", which obviously represents 360 degrees. The restaurant slowly spins around for the duration of lunch or dinner. It takes 72 minutes for you to see everything withing 360 degrees while comfortably eating a price fix lunch or dinner. Really an incredible experience!
CN Tower
A newly opened Aquarium right by CN Tower attracts a lot of residents of Toronto as well as tourists. On this Saturday afternoon the place was packed, and even the line "For ticket holders" was about 20 minutes wait. The place was packed, to say the least. It was a bit exhausting standing and waiting in line to see one tank with fish. The tunnel was truly amazing though! You stand on a belt moving you through the tunnel in the aquarium.
This video shows the cool creature I did not figure out the name of. Do you know who that is?
Great experience!
CN Tower
A newly opened Aquarium right by CN Tower attracts a lot of residents of Toronto as well as tourists. On this Saturday afternoon the place was packed, and even the line "For ticket holders" was about 20 minutes wait. The place was packed, to say the least. It was a bit exhausting standing and waiting in line to see one tank with fish. The tunnel was truly amazing though! You stand on a belt moving you through the tunnel in the aquarium.
This video shows the cool creature I did not figure out the name of. Do you know who that is?
Great experience!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Toronto, Canada, Day 3
The third day of my trip was planned as an entertainment day. My cousin offered to stop by a male strip club and then a female strip club followed by a night club. But that was all in the evening, so during the day we walked in the city a bit more and found a very impressive coffee shop which really looked less than presentable from the street. My Yelp app was telling me something different. Following the reviews of many other people on the website we decided to walk in. And did not regret it.
The place has kind of industrial feel. There was a separate room with tables. Cappuccino and its presentation was really fantastic (and you hear it from a coffee snob who roasts herself).
The place has kind of industrial feel. There was a separate room with tables. Cappuccino and its presentation was really fantastic (and you hear it from a coffee snob who roasts herself).
So was the hot chocolate ordered by my cousin:
The reviews and the information of the coffee place you can find here.
Our next stop was a nail salon where unfortunately we did not have an appointment. We waited about half an hour and were rushed for our manicure and pedicure. Generally speaking, I was not impressed... There was no feel of spa or even a hint of relaxation. Everyone was rushed in and out. Other people's opinions you can find here.
Now for the clubs...
The male club we chose was Remington's. If you are looking for professional dancing, this place is not for you. But to have fun and have a few laughs with the girls (and guys) - that's a possibility. remingtons.com
Female club was much better and was located only a few minutes away. It was more crowded with no cover charge and a charge for coats.
The last place we went to was a night club. And let me tell you, this was the WORST night club I have EVER gone to. I can't believe we spent there 15 minutes. Gravity is a small, shady, smelly, extremely loud nightclub with awful staff. A woman in the bathroom ASKED me for a tip! Or wait, she actually TOLD me to give her a tip, to which I responded by walking away. If you read this, trust the other people who reviewed the club. DON'T go there!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Toronto, Canada, Day 2
The second day of my Toronto trip was spent sightseeing. My cousin and I walked in the Downtown Toronto where she showed me the financial district, sort of like Wall street in Manhattan. I absolutely loved a supermarket right by the apartment called Loblaws. It was super clean with a whole variety of food products and, most importantly, dessert! You wonder why on earth I am writing about a supermarket, but the truth is that I consider it part of the European/American culture blend of Toronto.
And here is a gingerbread house which was really impressive. During the holidays children bite pieces off and adults enjoy the view:
The Bay store is similar to Macy's in the US, and arranges Christmas story in its windows. Pretty impressive, and the music adds to Christmas spirit.
One of the paintings we found was quite peculiar, or even rather suggestive, yet no one seemed to pay attention to the ability of the artist to express him/herself.
And here is a gingerbread house which was really impressive. During the holidays children bite pieces off and adults enjoy the view:
The Bay store is similar to Macy's in the US, and arranges Christmas story in its windows. Pretty impressive, and the music adds to Christmas spirit.
One of the paintings we found was quite peculiar, or even rather suggestive, yet no one seemed to pay attention to the ability of the artist to express him/herself.
One of the restaurants we went to was Guu Izakaya. When you walk in, everyone of the staff greets you. Very loudly, so that everyone can see you :) Great place and good service!
Later that night we decided to stop at Screen Lounge for a couple of cocktails. The place was empty, so we enjoyed a quiet conversation and a few moderately well prepared drinks.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Toronto, Canada, Day 1
I have visited Toronto before, but by car, not air. So this time it was my solo trip for Thanksgiving holidays to see a cousin who moved to Toronto a few years ago.
JFK airport in New York is not famous for its on-time flights, so together with the bad rainy weather my flight was 45 minutes delayed. I arrived to Toronto at 1.15 PM and was met by my cousin who decided to take a cab for which she spent about 60$. Half an hour ride in the cab and we were in her apartment on College Street in Toronto. I was grateful to have finally arrived at the destination and really wanted to take a nap, but my cousin offered a glass of wine, and a bottle of white Chardonnay later we successfully celebrated my arrival :)
Having lived on Long Island for the past 5 years, I could not get used to the city noise outside. Luckily, Android phone came in handy in the difficult moment and a "White Noise" app download solved the problem (free, by the way).
This is me and my new room:
JFK airport in New York is not famous for its on-time flights, so together with the bad rainy weather my flight was 45 minutes delayed. I arrived to Toronto at 1.15 PM and was met by my cousin who decided to take a cab for which she spent about 60$. Half an hour ride in the cab and we were in her apartment on College Street in Toronto. I was grateful to have finally arrived at the destination and really wanted to take a nap, but my cousin offered a glass of wine, and a bottle of white Chardonnay later we successfully celebrated my arrival :)
Having lived on Long Island for the past 5 years, I could not get used to the city noise outside. Luckily, Android phone came in handy in the difficult moment and a "White Noise" app download solved the problem (free, by the way).
This is me and my new room:
And this is my cousin Yana with a compromising glass of wine:
While Day 1 was relatively uneventful, the fun was just beginning...
Welcome!
I wanted to create this blog for two reasons:
1) I would like to remember the details of my trips
2) Every time I go to a new place, I spend hours planning everything out. My blog might just save someone else's time
1) I would like to remember the details of my trips
2) Every time I go to a new place, I spend hours planning everything out. My blog might just save someone else's time
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)