Lakeside TORONTO
FRIDAY Toronto’s Pearson Airport is only a 45-minute taxi ride from the city centre. For a luxurious setting surrounded by designer shops and high-end cafes, stay in Yorkville and spend the afternoon exploring the University of Toronto’s scenic, leafy campus. Watch the sunset over the city and Lake Ontario from the Canoe restaurant on the 54th floor of the TD Centre in the Financial District.
SATURDAY Take a walking tour with Toronto Urban Adventures, which includes Kensington Markets, for a hodge-podge of cultures and shops, and stop at Jimmy’s Cafe for a butter tart, an Ontario speciality. You’ll finish at the CN Tower, with its panoramic 360-degree rotating restaurant, the vertiginous external Edge Walk or, a little tamer, take the glass-floor walk.
Entertain the kids by taking them to Ripley’s Aquarium with its moving walkway under the shark tunnel. For brilliant, but unassuming, food and wine, go to Nota Bene on Queen Street West. In nearby bars you’ll find a real mix, from eclectic live music to cocktails.
SUNDAY Get up early and hot foot it to Nathan Phillips Square for photos in front of the giant Toronto sign, then head to the famous Dundas Square. For a spot of culture, go to the Royal Ontario Museum on Bloor Street West, where the First Nation display offers a real insight into the indigenous culture. After lunch – maybe try the Asian-style sharing tapas at Kasa Moto (on Yorkville Avenue) – you could rent a bike and ride on the traffic-free Centre Island, which has sandy lakeside beaches that are great in hot weather. For a treat, visit Her Majesty’s Pleasure for a manicure and cocktails. Then for a luxurious setting and trendy crowd, reserve a table for dinner at Drake’s Frings. After dinner, head to the Park Hyatt Hotel’s rooftop bar in Yorkville to see the city lights.
MONDAY Book a late flight, and you’ll have time to visit Niagara Falls – take the Hornblower boat ride or try the Journey Behind the Falls experience for great photo opportunities. If there’s still time, go to St Lawrence market for freshly baked bagels or sample Poutine, Canada’s national dish, made with French fries, cheese curds and gravy. Explore West Queen West, where you’ll find indie shops, trendy bars and alternative restaurants. On a hot day, grab an ice cream sandwich from Bang Bang Ice Cream and Bakery. Then head back to your hotel to get your luggage. Travel with Canadian Affair (canadianaffair.com). A three-night stay, room-only at the four-star, centrally located Intercontinental Yorkville and flights with Air Transat from London Gatwick, costs from £509pp. For more on visiting Toronto, go to seetorontonow.com