BY Clay Larroy
There is nothing more exciting than travelling. Whether
you are going for a road trip to see something new in your own state, or
heading off to Canada for the very first time to visit a city you have always
dreamed of, there are some travel
basics that you should know. Travel in the
off seasons from November to April, to avoid crowds,
save money and enjoy temperate weather. In those months, many families with
children cannot travel due to school commitments, making many tourist
attractions much less crowded. This may also result in lower costs for airfare
and hotels. When
you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!
Shopping
& nightlife in Ontario
Toronto offers everything
from antiques to luxury lingerie, if you have the money and time to spend.
There are large suburban shopping centers (including Vaughan Mills, one of the
province's newest mega-malls, with almost 200 shops). The Eaton Centre, a
glass-domed galleria in the heart of the city, is linked to 4.8km (3 miles) of
interconnecting underground shopping malls with hundreds of retail outlets.
Toronto's villages are full of colorful streets of renovated Victoriana, with
garment shops, art galleries, antique stores and open-air cafes in summer.
Kensington Market and its surrounding neighborhood is a popular jumble of food
stalls, vintage clothing shops, décor stores and quirky restaurants.
Ottawa also has a wide choice of shops and handicraft centers. The Byward Market is a popular area of craft shops, farmers' market stalls and cafes. The Glebe, Wellington Village and Westboro are charming neighborhoods that are home to a selection of independent retailers selling everything from art glass to yoga clothing.
Ottawa also has a wide choice of shops and handicraft centers. The Byward Market is a popular area of craft shops, farmers' market stalls and cafes. The Glebe, Wellington Village and Westboro are charming neighborhoods that are home to a selection of independent retailers selling everything from art glass to yoga clothing.
Opening
Hours
Shops are open daily
1000-1800 in most parts of Ontario (Thurs-Fri until 2100, Sun from 1200). Many
city and suburban shops are open until 2100 Mon-Fri.
Nightlife in Ontario
Both main cities have
establishments offering all forms of entertainment, from quiet clubs featuring
a lone pianist, through Latin American combos to dance and rock bands and
big-name international entertainers. Toronto is recognized as the third most
important theatre center after London and New York, and cabaret/dinner theatres
are also especially popular in Toronto. Toronto is also known as a good jazz
and blues town. Both Toronto and Ottawa host jazz festivals in the summer.
Theatres with classical entertainment are also found in Ottawa.
Food
and Drink in Ontario
You can enjoy
international cuisine in all major towns. Toronto is rated as one of the best
cities for dining out on the continent. Bars and restaurants offer an
international selection of alcohol. Each September, the Niagara Wine Festival
is held in St Catharine’s. Alcohol is sold in Liquor Control Board of Ontario
(LCBO) outlets. Domestic beer is available at outlets known simply as The Beer
Store and at some LCBO stores. Domestic wines are also sold through company
stores.
Regional
Specialties
- Maple syrup can
accompany everything, from waffles and toast to pancakes and even baked beans!
- As well as a wide range of artisanal cheeses, Ontario producers make outstanding cheddars.
- Try one of the dazzling varieties of fish from the countless lakes and rivers.
- As well as a wide range of artisanal cheeses, Ontario producers make outstanding cheddars.
- Try one of the dazzling varieties of fish from the countless lakes and rivers.
Things
To Know
Liquor stores are run by
the government; beer stores are run by a consortium of brewers. Licensing hours
are daily 1100-0200 (although not all licensed premises are open for the full
range of possible hours). It is illegal to consume alcohol unless you are in a
residence or a licensed establishment.
Tipping
It is customary to tip
between 15% and 20% at bars and restaurants in Ontario.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
It's amazing: it's so cool being from Brampton, Ontario, and being able to travel
the world and being embraced by so many countries.
Alessia Cara