Canada
by Kevin Burton
I visited Ontario, taking in Toronto & Niagara Falls during a bitterly cold spell of weather in March. Thankfully I was prepared for the cold and it didn't hinder my exploration of all that Toronto and the surrounding area offered.
Toronto is recognised by the United Nations as the most multicultural city in the world. Its skyline dominated by the soaring, majestic CN Tower, still the worlds tallest building rising to 1,815ft! A journey to the Observation Deck, located at a height of 1,122 ft is where you will find the glass floor and outdoor observation deck. If height is your thing, then why not go higher, to the Sky Pod - the World's highest public observation deck at 1,465ft! If you fancy an energetic journey to the top, you can climb the stairs, all 1,776 of them!! Erm, no, pass on that one thank you! A revolving restaurant compliments the observation decks, making a full revolution in 72 minutes!
Toronto has it all, 100 different languages, multicultural areas, such as two little Italy's, a Chinatown and a Little Portugal, beaches, islands on Lake Ontario, theatres, museums, parks, the list goes on. Toronto has its own nouveau cuisine, which fuses old French and new Asian flavours, so dining experiences in this city will suit all tastes and budgets and will no doubt bring surprises to even the most ardent food enthusiast.
Shopaholics will not be disappointed with what Toronto can offer, from the huge Eaton Centre, the city's premier shopping centre, to designer stores and quirky boutique shops in the various cultural regions of the city, again, something for everyone.
No visit to Toronto would be complete without a journey to Niagara Falls - just 90 minutes away. When I visited part of the falls were frozen and a trip on the ‘Maid of the Mist' wasn't possible, but to see the mighty Horseshoe & American Falls part thundering and part frozen was spectacular. There are caves behind the Horseshoe Falls and it's worth donning the yellow ponchos provided to view the falls from a completely different angle. Whilst not the highest falls in the world, they are magnificent nevertheless and an aerial view from the top of the Skylon Tower reveals the overall size of the combined falls.
Downtown Niagara is very touristy, with amusements, souvenirs and a general tackiness to it, so I would suggest visiting Niagara Falls for the day. It is easily accessible from Toronto and there are many day trips offered. Alternatively of course, you can hire a car.
Toronto is a great short break destination in its own right, or is ideal as a twin centre city break with other eastern seaboard cities, such as New York. The city is also a starting point for anyone wanting to do more, such as a grand tour of Canada, or a fantastic train journey, from East to West. Canada is a friendly welcoming country and I'd recommend anyone to visit.