All in the mix in Toronto

ALONG with other Canadian cities Toronto is consistently rated as one of the top 10 best places in the world to live.

This year it came in fourth out of 140 in the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.

However, it has also been ranked as the most expensive Canadian city in which to live. And expensive it is. Be prepared to pay around $10 to $11 (€8) for a pint downtown. Even in local bars beer can be expensive so nights out in Toronto will cost. A word of warning to anyone under the age of 40 heading on a night out in Toronto — bring ID as they have very strict door policies at the bars.

Clothes are also expensive and prices at stores such as GAP or H&M will be similar to Ireland.

The Eaton Centre is the busiest shopping mall in Toronto and given its size, even on a Saturday stores didn’t seem too busy giving shoppers plenty of scope to shop around.

You’ll find stores such as Old Navy and Abercrombie& Fitch here and the centre is open most evenings until 9pm.

Toronto is one of those lucky places in the world that gets real seasons. In the winter it snows, in the summer it’s hot. If you fancy a bit of skiing in January or February then you can head to one of the local mountains.

These, however, are usually closed by the end of March.

The big attraction in Toronto is the CN Tower which is breathtaking in its height. It was once the world’s tallest tower. A big draw is the glass floor, where visitors can look down on the city below them. A note of warning however: make sure you plan your visit on a clear day, because if you don’t, you’ll see very little of the city below.

Given the surge in the Irish population in Toronto, it wouldn’t be uncommon to hear some Irish accents on the subway or in one of the many Irish bars around the city.

One place to venture for a night out is The Madison on Madison Avenue.

It is built out of three Victorian Houses combined to create a lively pub stretching out over six floors. It has five heated patios, a sports bar, pool tables, darts and 150 drafts on tap.

For a lazy afternoon of shopping and wandering, check out Kensington Market in downtown Toronto. You’ll find quirky clothes stores and cafés here and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly.

Theatre is also a big draw in Toronto and shows such as The Lion King and Billy Elliot have made recent appearances.

Getting around the city is simple on the subway. It’s very easy to understand and is extremely reliable. The subway stops running at around 1.30am but buses operate throughout the night. Taxis in Toronto can be expensive. A taxi ride from the airport into the city centre takes around 20 minutes and will cost around $50 (€37).

A trip to Niagara Falls is also a must-do for tourists. It is located only 90 minutes from Toronto and the Maid of the Mist boat will take you close to the spectacular sight. You’ll be provided with rain gear to protect you from the spray.

Given that only about half of people living in Toronto are Canadian you’ll find a mix of many cultures in the city. A great place to see many cultures come together is at the corner of Spadina and Dundas Street West where Chinatown is located.

Oriental shops and fruit and vegetable markets line the streets. There is plenty of Asian cuisine with numerous Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants.

Overall, Toronto is a great city. It is certainly not as hectic as New York but it still has a lot to offer.

The city is very expensive for food, drink and clothes, but on the positive side there are some amazing restaurants and very cool bars.

The transport system is excellent and if you go in winter wrap up warm because it does get very cold.

Unlike countries such as our own, however, the Canadians have plenty of experience of dealing with cold weather and the country won’t come to a stop because of it.

Flights

British Airways operates flights from Ireland via London Heathrow.

They offer two daily services and with its code share agreement with Aer Lingus, it is possible to check-in in Cork, Shannon or Dublin and go straight to your gate at Heathrow. Prices vary starting at about €349 one way.

For details check out: www.britishairways.com

Where to stay

Seven nights at the downtown Alexandra Hotel start from about $645 (€465) for two people (www.alexandrahotel.com)

One night at the central Grand Hotel& Suites start from approx $213 (€154) per room (www.grandhoteltoronto.com)

One night at the Lowther Suites start around $109 (€79) per suite (www.lowthersuites.com)

The sights

The CN Tower is Canada’s national tower and wonder of the modern world.

It is one of the tallest buildings in the world and offers amazing views as well as a glass floor at the top. There is a rotating restaurant located at the top of the tower. Food isn’t spectacular but the atmosphere is wonderful.

Niagara Falls is easily accessible from Toronto and visitors can take a trip on the Maid of the Mist boat to come close to the famous waterfall.

The shopping

The Eaton Centre is the busiest shopping mall in Toronto and is located right in the heart of the city centre. You’ll find all the high street stores here such as H&M, Abercrombie and Fitch, Victorias Secret and Old Navy. For vintage, second-hand finds head to Kensington Market which is a great place to walk around stores and sample some food.