Toronto lies along the north west shore of Lake Ontario. With a latitude of 44ºN, this is comparable to Mediterranean Europe. Whilst Toronto may enjoy hot summers, its location in the heart of the North American continent leads to cold winters with temperatures below zero for three months.
The capital of Ontario, and hence the most populous city of the province, Toronto is a city of skyscrapers in the Downtown area, though arriving by ‘plane reveals layers of suburbs in an orderly, concentric pattern away from the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The major tourist attraction, completed in 1976, is the CN Tower, named after – Canadian National – the railway company on whose land it was built, standing at over 500m tall.
Arriving in Toronto
Toronto has two airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) located to the west of the city, and the smaller Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). The UP Express is a public transit service which runs frequently from YYZ to Union City Station in Downtown Toronto.
Billy Bishop is located on an island directly opposite the CN Tower. The drop-off is on the mainland, one then walks through the tunnel to the terminal proper. There is a ferry option, allegedly. A free shuttle connects the drop-off terminal to Union City train station.
If one is staying in the Toronto area and using public transport, then the PRESTO card is what you need. This is available at TTC subway stations and UP Express train stations. There is also a Google Wallet option.
Brewery, bars, restaurants, eatery and cafe visited:
Steam Whistle Brewing – 255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3M9
Jack Astor’s Bar and Grill – 144 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 2L7
The Loose Moose – 146 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1G2
La Vecchia Restaurant Lakeshore – 90 Marine Parade Dr, Etobicoke, ON M8V 4G1
Karahi Point Oakville – 2501 Hampshire Gate Unit 8A, Oakville, ON L6H 6C8
Mr. Souvlaki – Simcoe Place, 200 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3K2,
Tom’s Dairy Freeze – 630 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1K5