Experience the warmth of Toronto, a vibrant city that welcomes food enthusiasts with open arms. As you embark on your Canada holiday adventure, Toronto is the perfect starting point before venturing into the picturesque vineyards of Niagara.
Steeped in history, Toronto seamlessly blends the old with the new. Immerse yourself in the city's charm as you check-in to the iconic Fairmont Royal York. This beautiful art deco hotel, completed in 1929, stands tall opposite the central train station. Once the tallest building in the Commonwealth, it now gracefully coexists with the towering skyscrapers that have transformed Toronto's skyline over the past century.
Take a stroll through the cosmopolitan streets, where you'll discover a world of culinary delights awaiting you. From quaint cafes to elegant restaurants, Toronto's food scene offers a diverse range of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Feast on delicacies influenced by various cultures, showcasing the city's multicultural heritage.
The rooms in the grand Fairmont are pristine, the beds are seriously comfortable and a pre-dinner aperitif in the elegant bar with its velvet sofas was just the ticket after the long flight. Dinner in the hotel's brasserie, Reign, is a fantastic option if venturing out into the freezing cold doesn't appeal.A signature cocktail followed by the special of scallops and the rack of lamb for mains went down a treat.
But the highlight has to be the breakfast buffet, my eyes were bigger than my belly at the sight of the mountain of delicious food in front of me. There's also an a la carte menu in the unlikely scenario you can't find anything to your fancy.
Embarking on a culinary adventure in chilly Toronto, we joined an enlightening walking tour led by the captivating historian and guide, Bruce Bell. As we traversed the vibrant city, Bruce enchantingly divulged its hidden tales and treasures.
Our exploration commenced at St Lawrence Market, where we delighted our taste buds with Carousel Bakery's signature peameal bacon sandwich. Immersed in history, we then ventured to the famed Anglican Cathedral Church of St James and stood in awe of the iconic redbrick Gooderham Building, known affectionately as the Flatiron Building. Seeking respite from the cold, we descended into the subterranean realm of the underground city, a whimsical maze of delightful shops and enticing eateries.
Experience the irresistible allure of Toronto's food scene as you uncover its rich history and gastronomic delights. Join us on this remarkable journey and discover a warm welcome for foodies.
St Lawrence Market and Gooderham Flatiron building
Emerging from the depths of the city we headed 1,151ft above ground for a slap-up lunch at award-winning 360 Restaurant in the CN Tower (inset, right). It's a little disorientating as the Tower spins slowly round while you eat but the views of Toronto and Lake Ontario are incredible.
Before lunch was over we'd already planned where to go for tea and Eastern Mediterranean restaurant Byblos in uptown Toronto proved a good choice. Sharing dishes make this a sociable meal, helped by a superb wine list.
Our enriching evening concluded at the engaging Toronto Zoo, located a leisurely 45-minute drive away, where we took a captivating 1.5km stroll down an enchanting trail, bathed in a mesmerising light exhibit. This enthralling journey exploded with brilliant light displays and captivating video projections, delivering a truly immersive sensory experience (torontozoo.com/terralumina).
As dawn broke, Toronto's towering cityscape gently dissolved into sprawling rural vistas as we neared the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This stunning corner of Ontario eagerly embraces the annual Niagara Icewine Festival, a popular event celebrating the luscious dessert wine crafted from frost-kissed grapes. En route, two vineyard visits graced our itinerary, initially the delightful family-owned Westcott Vineyards snuggled in the heart of the Jordan village. Not only were we privy to a sampling of their much-acclaimed sparkling wine, but we also discovered that their celebrated wines have crossed oceanic boundaries all the way to the UK (westcottvineyards.com). In 2019, the Westcott Vineyards’ Chardonnay was recognized by the Decanter World Wine Awards. This attests to the vineyard's commitment to creating high-quality wines, and underscores their growing popularity abroad.
Visiting the renowned Niagara Falls is an essential part of your journey.
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The next visit on our agenda was the Trius Winery, known for producing the first Canadian wine awarded as the Best Red Wine globally in 1991.
We ventured through a variety of flavors, sipping on dazzling and fruity rosé, robust reds, refreshing whites, and even pink effervescent wines garnished with cotton candy in a mirror-bedecked room illuminated with whimsical fairy lights (triuswines.com).
After a phenomenal wine-tasting experience, we arrived at the tastefully designed Shaw Club boutique hotel located within prime vicinity of Niagara-on-the-Lake. A cozy room greeted us just off the reception area, boasting a massive array of complimentary beverages - variety of teas, coffees and hot cocoas to be relished next to a warm, comforting fireplace. If you're seeking similar hotel deals in Ontario on www.ontariocahotel.com, you'll find an array of options that can enhance your travel experience, without forgoing the luxury and comfort of a boutique hotel. Whether it's a family vacation or a romantic getaway, you are bound to discover a deal that’s tailored to your travel needs, ensuring that your stay is both enjoyable and cost-effective.
The evening was highlighted by a luxurious three-course dinner, masterfully prepared by a renowned chef. We dined inside a picturesque snow globe, offering a spellbinding view of the Niagara Falls - a truly surprising spectacle. This unforgettable dining scene, the Snow Globe Soirée, offers an atmospheric setting with faux fur blankets and ambient lighting. It's an exclusive part of the Icewine Festival, so early reservation is required. Find more details at this link: niagarawinefestival.com.
Seeing the world-renowned Niagara Falls is an absolute must. We embarked on a 'Journey Behind the Falls' tour the next day. This unique experience takes you through hidden tunnels situated behind the cascading waters, leading to an observatory deck. During especially chilly seasons, magnificent ice formations can be spotted, painting an incredible tableau.
However, a guided tour isn't necessary to feel the awe-inspiring might and hear the thunderous noise of these iconic falls. While high-rise hotels and casinos might seem like a jarring contrast, the power and beauty of the waterfall is sure to capture your attention. More about this unique experience can be found at: niagaraparks.com.
Old colonial building in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Returning to Niagara-on-the-Lake, the main road through the town was closed as the Icewine Festival was in full swing, with stall after stall selling Canada's famous wine.
Make sure to leave enough time to peruse the town's book shops, sweet gift shops and all-year-round Christmas shop.
On the way back to Toronto we couldn't resist a visit to the Ravine Vineyard Estate, a fifth-generation family farm with organic vineyards in the historic village of St David's. Its menu of comforting winter dishes such as braised beef short rib and mushroom ragu pie, each comes with a specially paired wine and be sure to make room for its melt-in-the-mouth hot chocolate pot. (ravinevineyard.com).
There was just time for some last-minute souvenir shopping at the charming independent stores in the Distillery District before departing for the airport for the flight home - a good few (but very pleasurable) pounds heavier.