TORONTO

DESTINATIONS A-Z TORONTO Drucken
DESTINATIONS A-Z

FACTS

According to Sir Peter Ustinov (1987) Toronto is administered by the Suisse, like New York. In fact, the Canadian metropolis is save, structured and clean and its inhabitants come from all over the world,like in New York.

Originally, the English used Toronto as a site for fur- trade with the Indians of the backland. Until the1850ies the city was called "York", only in the 1950ies it developed towards a metropolis.In the 1980ies many enterprises located their business in the city. That is how Toronto became the city with the highest population density and strongest economy of Canada. Many different immigration ethnies with their shops and cultural institutions became significant for the cityscape. Official administrational languages are English and French, but in the streets of Toronto you hear Spanish and Mandarin, Russian and Arabique. According to the city there are about 100 different languages represented.
More than 50% of the inhabitants were not born in Toronto. People are proud of their open-minded,tolerant and social society, which could be a role model for the US- Americans, according to many Canadians. Sir Peter Ustinov, however,revised his judgement five years later: "I have realized that Toronto is governed by the Canadians in fact."


DESTINATIONS A-Z

FIGURES

Moscow, Montreal and Toronto are the coldest touristical cities in the world. The highest average temperature in January is about -1°C, the lowest about -8°C. It is no exception to have -20°C or less.

Name in national language
Toronto
State
Canada
Geographical position
43° 38' 53" N, 79° 24' 15" W
Altitude
76 m above sea level
Population
2.503.281 (2006)
Area code
+1 416 and 905
Currency
1 Euro = 1.42948 CAD (Canadian Dollar)
Time difference of UTC
- 5 h (summertime - 4 h)
Time difference of CET
- 6 h
Official website
www.toronto.ca
Surface
630,18 km²
Population density
3.972 inhabitants/km²
Festivals per year
More than 1000
Trees in urban area
More than 3 million
DESTINATIONS A-Z

GET AROUND

Lester B. Pearson International Airport is situated in the north - western outskirt, about 20km from downtown. The easiest way to get to the city is by taxi or by the airport express. The airport express buses circulate 24hours a day between the airport and the city. The ride takes about 20 to 35 minutes , a one-way ticket is about CAD 16,–. You can also take buslines of the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) to get to the airport. Line 192 is the best connection to downtown.

Toronto consists of a well-structured local public transport systeme. You find two tube-lines, many tram and buses as well as local trains and night-liners. Taxi prices are fixed by a zone- system, starting with CAD 2,50, rising with duration and distance. A 5 to 10 minute ride should be about CAD 10,– . Usually you give a tip about 10 to 15 percent of the price. There are several highways towards the east-west and north-east directions for individual transport. Highway 401 is the main traffic road, located northwards of the city .

DESTINATIONS A-Z

SIGHTSEEING

CN Tower
From top of the CN Tower, 553m high and highest freestanding tower of the world, you have got a view over more than 100km. You will find a viewpoint in 447m, a turning restaurant and a nightclub in 354m.On the ground-floor, there are a cinema and a flight simulator.
301 Front Street W, Tel.: 416-868 69 37 www.cntower.ca

Hockey Hall of Fame
You can find out all about the ice sport and the legend Wayne Gretzky,from uniforms of all over the world to the Stanley Cup.
BCE Place, 30 Yonge Street, Tel.: 416-360 77 65 www.hhof.com

Royal Ontario Museum
You find 6 millions of exponants, a global archeological and paleontological collection and an interesting selection of Chinese and European art. It is linked with a planetarium and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.
100 Queen's Park Crescent W, Tel.: 416-586 80 00 www.rom.on.ca

Bay Street
The street is also called "Wall Street of Canada", due to its office towers and enormous enterprices, like the BCE Place, designed by Santiago Calatrava. A must-see: The Royal Bank (corner Wellington Street)- 2500 ounces of gold are melted in the windows of the glassen office tower.

DESTINATIONS A-Z

INSIDER TIP

Toronto Music Garden
This unique sculpture garden has been created in cooperation with the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. It is supposed to express Bach´s 1st suite for cello in scenic forms. Each motive is vitalized by a different part of the garden: There is a curvy brook, an arched group of conifers, an intricated path through a flower field, and an amphitheatre on lawn. In summer concernts take place here. No entry.
475 Queens Quay W
www.toronto.ca/parks/music_index.htm

Due to the law of the province of Ontario, localities that give out alcoholic drinks also serve food. Therefore you can get lovely food in bars. Alcohol is legal from 19 onwards. Smoking is frowned upon in many parts of Canada and very expensive. There is no-smoking in all public buildings, airports and bars. In some restaurants and bars you find a "smoking section".You find free updated information on clubbings and live- music in the weekly magazines "NOW" and "eye" : www.nowtoronto.com, www.eye.net

DESTINATIONS A-Z

EAT & DRINK

Juice For Life
Highly- frequented, low-cost health-food- restaurant , offers more than 40 different juices and generous portions. Its highlight: the Bhudda-dish with tofu, rice and bio scions. Yu also get French fries with Miso-sauce. Vegans and vegetarions will also find a variety of juices and dishes.
326 Bloor Street West, Tel.: 416-531 26 35, www.juiceforlife.com

Dhaba Indian Excellence
Perfect for dinner before starting the cultural program: the Princess of Wales Theatre, the Roy Thomson Hall and the Royal Alexandra Theatre are in the mere distance. Great food! Also Indian extended families dine here.
309 King Street West, Tel.: 740 66 22

Alice Fazooli’s Crabshack
Absolute up-to-date bar with Italian food, prices ok, bar and live-music.
294 Adelaide Street, Tel.: 416-979 19 10

Bistro 333
In the entertainment part of downtown, bistro , scene restaurant and nightclub in one, avarage prices and good food.
333 King Street W, Tel.: 416-971 33 36

Sultan's Tent& Café Moroc
Moroccan restaurant with great atmosphere. Many cushions, dimmed light, one sits very comfortable here but the servings do not look too good. Belly dancing shows!
49 Front Street East, Tel.: 961 06 01

Pure Spirits
Great wines, fantastic food, famous for the oyster and fish dishes. During summer one can sit outside. Indoors one feels comfortable – successful combination of old building fabrics and modern-cool interiors.
55 Mill Street (Distillery District), Bldg. 62, Tel.: 361 58 59

7 West Café
For the hunger at night: this cafe is opened twenty-four-seven. They offer snacks as well as 7 warm dishes. Also they have breakfast around-the-clock.
Charles Street West, Tel.: 416-928 90 41
www.7westcafe.com

DESTINATIONS A-Z

HOTELS

Neill Wycik College Hotel
Student dormitory used as tourist hostel during the holidays (May- August). Rooms are small and simple, but clean.
96 Gerrard Street East, Tel.: 800-268 43 58, DR from about € 20,– p.P.
www.neill-wycik.com

Bond Place
Simple and clean hotel close to Eaton Centre.
65 Dundas Street E, Tel.: 416-362 60 61, DR from € 37,– p.P.
www.bondplacehoteltoronto.com

Fairmont Royal York
Prestigious, historic city château located in the centre.
100 Front Street W, Tel.: 416-368 25 11, DR from € 83,– p.P. www.fairmont.com

Hotel Le Germain
Cool design hotel in the entertainment district
30 Mercer Street, Tel.: 416-345 95 00, DR from € 125,– p.P. www.germaintoronto.com

Toronto Bed & Breakfast
Agency that arranges private lodging.
253 College Street, Tel.: 705-738 94 49, www.torontobandb.com

DESTINATIONS A-Z

NIGHTLIFE

Rex Jazz Blues Bar
Bar in the trendy Queen-West district, more from inside that from outside: Stars of Blues and Jazz performing.
194 Queen Street W, Tel.: 416-598 24 75 www.therex.ca

The Docks
Dance- and nightclub in the centre of the entertainment giant The Docks, spectacular sound-light-systeme. Several floors, sandy beach and pool.
11 Polson Street, Tel.: 416-461 36 25 www.thedocks.com

The Horseshoe
Popular After-work bar for locals. Small stage with live- concernts from Rock to Coutry and Blues.
370 Queen Street W, Tel.: 416-598 47 53 www.horseshoetavern.com

Phoenix Concert Theatre
Complex of several parts with Dance Floor, bars and lounge. Stars like the Rolling Stones have already performed there. Frequent live- performances and DJ-clubbings with radio- transmission, that specially attract young people.
410 Sherbourne Street, Tel.: 416-323 12 51 www.libertygroup.com/phoenix/phoenix.html

Royal Alexandra Theatre
The place to be for fans of Broadway-Musicals .The splendidly renovated Royal Alexandra Theatre with its pompous interior in gold and velvet still reminds of its construction in 1907.
260 King Street, Tel.: 416-872 12 12 www.royal-alexandra-theatre.com

DESTINATIONS A-Z

SHOPPING

St. Lawrence Market
Market place with a lot of fresh fish, three delicatessen shops, five bakeries and farious fruit and vegetable shops with a diversity of products.
Front Street/Jarvis Street www.stlawrencemarket.com

Eaton Centre
Four-floor, downtown shopping mall, based on Yonge and Dundas Street. Shop till you drop: over 360 shops, a million visitors a week.
220 Yonge Street, Tel.: 416-598 87 00, www.torontoeatoncentre.com

Queen’s Quay Terminal
Chic shopping mall at the harbour, over 100 shops and restaurants
207 Queen's Quay West, Tel.: 416-203 05 10 http://queensquay.sites.toronto.com

Bloor-Yorkville
12 street blocks surround the world´s famous brand shops.
In between Bloor St. West, Avenue Rd., Davenport Rd. und Yonge St., Tel.: 416-928 35 53 www.bloor-yorkville.com

Path
Torontos Fußgängernetzwerk ist laut Guinnessbuch der Rekorde der größte Untergrundeinkaufkomplex der Welt. Über zehn Kilometer lange Fußwege verbinden Läden, Restaurants und diverse Attraktionen miteinander. Karten zur Orientierung sind in vielen Hotels erhältlich.
www.toronto.ca/path


In Toronto you can go shopping 7 days a week, shops are usually open from 10-6pm, some of them even until 10pm, specially from Thurday to Sunday. Usually you have a 7% purchase taxe , but the province puts an additional taxe of 8% of the indicated price on most of the goods. If prices pass a certain limit, visitors can get reimbursed the supplementary purchase taxe for goods and lodging. Find Information and forms at the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/visitors/

DESTINATIONS A-Z

SOUVENIRS

The best souvenir shops you find in Chinatown (westwards of Spadina Avenue between Dundas- und College Street). Kensington Market is also located there- existing since the 18th century. In narrow strees you find numerous fruit stands, butchers, Cafés and Asia markets as well as shops of local designers.

Oh Yes Toronto! Store
Typical souvenirs of Toronto and its vicinity. T-shirts, coffee mugs and even local delicatessen.
53 Front Street E., Tel.: 416-203 06 07; Queen's Quay Terminal (207 Queens Quay W.)

Bounty
Souvenirs and present Canadian arts and crafts. You find local artists working there.
235 Queens Quay W. (Harbourfront Centre), Tel.: 416-973 49 93, www.harbourfrontcentre.com

The Bay
The store of Hudson’s Bay Company sells clothes, household chores, souvenirs and arts and crafts.
176 Yonge Street, Tel.: 416-861 91 11 www.hbc.com

DESTINATIONS A-Z

MAP