Why Toronto should be top of your 2017 travel list

Torontois back on the travel map, partly due to Prince Harry (everyone'sfavourite royal has been spending a lot of time in Toronto where his girlfriend, actress Meghan Markle – best known for her role as Rachel Zane in US legal drama Suits - is based). And partly because the city’s calendar is creaking with exciting events and festivals in 2017, as Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary of confederation....
Here’s 10 reasons why you should consider Toronto- with its beautiful waterfront and mix of cultures, concert halls and clubs- for a city break says Kaye Holland

Ascending the CN Tower
Visiting Toronto and not scaling the 553m CN Tower is akin to visiting Paris and passing up the Eiffel Tower or heading to New York and leaving out the Statue of Liberty… you get the gist. Sure entry, at around $30 a pop, is expensive but experiencing the CN Tower is the one thing you just have to do while in Toronto. If lady luck is on your side and the skies are clear, expect to look down over Toronto, Lake Ontario and beyond.
www.cntower.ca

Culture fix
Mad about museums? You’re in the right town.. Toronto boasts some of the world’s greatest galleries and museums but if you only have time for one, make for The Royal Ontario Museum whose collections cover natural science, art exhibits and ancient civilisation. Volunteers from the Royal Ontario Museumoffer one to two hour historical and architectural walking tours on Wednesday and Sunday evenings between May and September.
www.rom.on.ca/en

The fantastic food scene
Toronto is truly a foodie’s paradise. Every year, 55,000 people leave their native lands to call Canada’s largest city home and that steady stream of fresh faces means you can get stuck into every cuisine imagine from Chinese to Thai, Korean and yes, Canadian comfort food. What’s more, you don’t have to spend a small fortune to eat well at places like St Lawrence Market - ranked by National Geographic as the world’s best food market.
www.stlawrencemarket.com

Shop up a storm
Good retail therapy is another one of Toronto’s many attractions. Shopping in areas such as Kensington Market (www.kensington-market.ca), aka Toronto at its most multicultural, is a blast owing to the multitude of kitsch boutiques, staffed by hip, young things. In the market for music and vintage shops? Check out Queen West and West Queen West, while if you just want to pick up all your favourite American brands for a fraction of the price you’d pay back home, head to the enormousEaton Centre (www.cfshops.com) - a veritable temple to consumerism.

Hockey heaven
Toronto is heaven for ice hockey lovers and if you’re a fan of the speedy sport, chances are you’ll want to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs (www.nhl.com/mapleleafs) - who have won the prestigious Stanley Cup no fewer than 13 times - play over a National Hockey League game over at the Air Canada Centre.
Even if you aren’t Toronto Maple Leafs devotee, do head to the Hockey of Fame (www.hhof.com) for an insight into the game that defines Canada . Much more than a sports museum, the Hall of Fame offers something for everyone: the finest collection of hockey artefacts, state-of-the-art games, themed exhibits dedicated to the game’s greatest players, teams and achievements, larger-than-life statues; a replica NHL dressing room; and an unrivalled selection of hockey-related merchandise and memorabilia.

Island escape
Toronto’s jewel like islands – there are nearly two dozen islands covering 240 hectares –  is where locals head when they want to relax, especially during the summer. Islands like Algonquin Island and Ward’s Island are only a short 15 minute ferry ride away from downtown Toronto, but feel like another world and are the perfect place for those who want to experience the great outdoors - or simply escape the hustle and bustle of the big smoke for a bit.
www.seetorontonow.com/explore-neighbourhoods/toronto-islands/

Make for mighty Niagara Falls
It would be criminal to venture to Ontario - the Canadian province of which Toronto is a part - without making time to admire the sheer grace and power of one of Canada’s most magnificent waterfalls. Yes there plenty of taller waterfalls in the world (Niagara is ranked at 50th) but make no mistake: the volume of the Falls invariably wows first time and veteran visitors alike. One caveat: get used to hearing Niagara Falls referred to as Viagra Falls (somewhat bizarre the Falls are a popular honeymoon destination).
www.niagarafallstourism.com

Walk this way
Never heard of the Toronto PATH? Allow TNT to enlighten you….it’s a 28km network of underground connections between buildings in Toronto’s downtown that acts as a weather-proof way to get around. (If you’re in town during Toronto’s scorching summer or freezing winter, then trust TNT when we say that you’ll be spending a lot of time in Toronto’s subterranean corridors keeping cool/warm respectively.) The underground walkway- which connects downtown sights, skyscrapers, subway stations and shops - is however confusing to navigate so expect to get lost (a rite of passage for visitors and residents alike) at least once.
www.torontopath.com

Discovering the Distillery Historic District
Recognised as a National Historic Site, the Distillery Historic District is arguably one of Toronto’s most picturesque sites owing to its cobblestone laneways and Victorian era buildings. It was Toronto’s first distillery–which produced almost half of Ontario’s total spirit production in 1871–and is now home to high-end boutiques, buzzy restaurants and art galleries. It’s easy to while away a morning or afternoon, strolling the lanes and courtyards and getting a feel forToronto’s history and heritage.
www.thedistillerydistrict.com

Look to Lake Ontario
Lovely Lake Ontario often gets overlooked by Torontonians which is a shame, because the lake - whose name derives from Skanadario, an Iroquois word meaning ‘sparkling water’ - is surprisingly beautiful. It’s also impressively large being the 14th largest lake in the world.
However for all of the aforementioned, Toronto’s true charms –  its tolerance and the characters you meet daily – are subtler and best experienced in its street life.

Where the experts holiday: Luis Rubén Cuevas, director of Travel Times

Luis Rubén Cuevas,  director of Mexican travel magazine – Travel Times – talks travel

What do you like to do on holiday?
Tourism is an important part of my life. When I’m not travelling for work, I like to go to unknown places in the company of my family. I have a big family with different preferences so, as a result, we chose different destinations to vacation all the time.

Where did you last go?
Recently we went to Xalapa, Veracruz’s state capital, which is the birthplace of my Father. I have many happy memories of childhood holidays in Veracruz. You’ll find good food, brilliant beaches, ecotourism and much, much more in Veracruz.

Do you know where you’re going this year?
In November I’ll spend the Day of the Dead in the Mayan area of Campeche and Yucatán. There are many traditions and folklore: the Day of the Dead is one of the most important celebrations of Mexican culture. For us it is a celebration to remember our family members and friends who are sadly no longer with us. Each region of the country, has a different way of celebrating this special day. I want to discover the Mayan traditions.

Of all the places you’ve been to, what was your favourite and why?
Tough question – I have many favourites! I love Tulum on the Riviera Maya: you can see both the beautiful Caribbean Sea and the Mayan pyramids. Ensenda in the north of Mexico, is another highlight thanks to its vineyards and fine dining scene. Outside of Mexico, I have a soft spot for Scotland – especially Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. I also spent time in southern Italy and loved  Salerno and the Amalfi Coast – an area full of natural beauty and outstanding Roman architecture.On the city front, Toronto and San Francisco stand out for their cosmopolitan flavour.

Which destination do you wish to travel to, but haven’t yet been?
I want to see the Northern Lights: I need to see this natural spectacle with my own eyes. It is a dream I have had since  childhood.

In your own country, what would you recommend tourists see that isn’t in the travel guides? When the Spanish arrived in what we know today as Mexico, they  built beautiful churches and monasteries but many do not appear at all in the tourist guides. They are hidden treasures and worth seeking out.

How do you plan your trips?
I rely a lot on recommendations from friends and suggestions from people I follow on social media sites. That said I also refer to websites, magazines, TV programmes and specialised guides.

How often do you go away?
I usually travel for work twice a month and take vacations three times a year.

Who do you travel with?
It depends on what I want to do. I have family and friends for every occasion: some to relax with, some to party with, some to seek out adventure with and other with whom I like to visit museums and galleries with. It is important to choose your travel companions carefully, to ensure a successful holiday.

Where do you see tourism in your country, in 10 years?
In Mexico we have a reputation for being very hospitable, it’s true. We are now preparing better and offering more organised travel services to exploit the beauty of our attractions. Tourism will be one of the engines of our economy.

Tempting Toronto

Want a break from the Big Apple? Try Toronto. Canada’s largest and most cosmopolitan city packs quite the punch owing to its beautiful waterfront and mix of cultures, concert halls and clubs. Kaye Holland shows you the way to go

Why go
Whether you’re a fashionista or a foodie, Toronto is sure to have something to tempt you. Spend even the smallest amount of time in Toronto and you’ll quickly discover the delights of this tolerant town - a city worth stopping in, rather than just rushing through.

Must see and do
Toronto has a deep bag of attractions to entice tourists but ascending the 553m CN Tower, while expensive (expect to pay around $23 for an adult ticket), is the one thing you just have to do while in town. On a clear day, you’re guaranteed astounding views from the Observatory Deck of the city. Cashed up? Splurge on lunch or dinner in the award winning revolving restaurant, 360.
The Royal Ontario Museum also comes highly recommended. ROM’s collections take in natural science, art exhibits and ancient civilisation. Volunteers from the Royal Ontario Museum  offer one to two hour historical and architectural walking tours on wednesday and sunday evenings between May and September. Toronto’s true charms, those that get under your skin -  its tolerance and the characters you meet daily - are subtler and best experienced in its street life,

Best bites
Eating out in Toronto is a delight. Every year, 55,000 people leave their native lands to make Toronto home and that steady stream of fresh, new faces means you can chow down on everything from Thai to Chinese, Korean and good old Canadian comfort food: think pancakes swimming in maple syrup. Half the fun is taking a chance on any place you like the look of but I love St Lawrence Market . You don’t have to spend a lot to eat well here: there are more than 50 specialty food stalls selling Montreal style burgers and peameal bacon sandwiches for a snip.

Top shops
Chances are your food orgy will be tempered by another vice: shopping at Kensington Market, aka Toronto at its most multicultural. Shopping here is a blast thanks to the area’s kitsch boutiques, staffed by uber cool young bohemians. For music and vintage shops, seek out Queen West and West Queen West and to see how the other half shop, check out chichi Bloor-Yorkville. For big name chains (think Gap, Guess and the like), make for the modern shopping mall that is the Eaton Centre.

After dark
See the 13 time Stanley Cup winning Toronto Maple Leafs play over at the Air Canada Centre in the National Hockey League. Fans of the super fast sport can enjoy more hockey nostalgia at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
However Torontonians are sport obsessed so if hockey isn’t your thing, try for tickets to watch theToronto Blue Jays play baseball or the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League   - both at the Rogers Centre.

Best kept secret
Toronto’s jewel like islands - nearly two dozen islands covering 240 hectares -  is where locals head for some 'P and Q' in summer. The islands are only a short 15 minute ferry ride away from downtown Toronto, but gorgeous islands like Algonquin Island and Ward’s Island feel like another world and are the perfect place for those who want to hike, cycle or simply enjoy the quiet of elevated territory. Elsewhere Lake Ontario often gets overlooked by Torontonians which is a shame, because the lake is surprisingly beautiful - its name deriving fromSkanadario, an Iroquois word meaning ‘sparkling water.’ If you’re a fan of stats, you might like to know that Lake Ontario is the 14th largest lake in the world.

Best excursion
If you choose just one adventure, make it Niagara Falls - you really can’t venture to Ontario without admiring the power and grace of the mighty Falls. True there are tonnes of taller waterfalls in the world (Niagara ranks pretty far down the list at 50th) but nonetheless the volume of the Falls never fails to awe first time and veteran visitors alike. Don’t be surprised if you hear Niagara Falls referred to as Viagra Falls: love it or loathe it, the Falls have developed into a honeymoon destination so expect motels, sex shops, fast food joints and casinos aplenty. Several companies run tours from Toronto to Niagara Falls - most include a Maid of the Mist boat ride and a stop at Niagara on the Lake for around $50-$60.

Sleepover
Toronto has a handful of historic hotels such as the Fairmont Royal York, which has hosted the likes of Tina Turner and Henry Kissinger, and boutique bolt-holes but they can be pricey. If you don’t want to spend big, try the award winning Hostelling International Toronto which offers affordable private accommodation, character and charm rather than inflated prices.

Getting around
If you’re there in summer or winter, keep cool/warm respectively by ducking into Toronto’s underground PATH system - 28km of subterranean corridors connecting downtown sights, skyscrapers, subway stations and shops. It is however confusing to navigate, so don’t skimp on time.