Program
107:
Toronto—A
City That Sparkles
Next, we travel north to Toronto, one of the most dynamic, most significant,
and safest big cities in North America.
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| Toronto
is a world-class international city... |
It is Canada’s leading urban center and its main inland port,
home to nearly four million residents. Toronto has grown and modernized
but has also managed to maintain its Old World charm; it draws millions
of tourists each year (a SARS outbreak in 2003 reduced those numbers
for several months). My visit takes me to some of the most interesting
parts of this Ontario metropolis, from the top of the mighty CN Tower
to the underground shopping districts. There’s some wild and
wacky footwear at the Bata Shoe Museum, often called Toronto’s
most unique museum. The collection spans the ages, from ancient times
to the present. The footwear belonged to the unknown and to the well
known.
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| There
is plenty to do downtown... |
In the middle of the city lies a majestic castle, Casa Loma. Once
the ninety-eight-room mansion of Canadian financier Henry Pellatt,
it’s now a sight for travelers. It’s a house of lavish
suites, secret passageways, tall towers, and an underground tunnel
to the stables.
We also pause at Canada’s largest museum of natural history
and human cultures. The Royal Ontario Museum has more than five
million objects of art, science, and archaeology.
Toronto is brimming with exciting neighborhoods, and I stop by at
the trendy Bloor-Yorkville area. Those who seek nightlife are also
lured to the Distillery Historic District, the city’s newest
cultural, entertainment, and dining area in a former distillery.
And along the way, I sample some Canadian delicacies, including
a special sandwich called a peameal: Canadian bacon in a special
“wrapper.” The locals love it and eat if for breakfast
and lunch. Ask for it if you visit.
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| The
CN Tower on a clear day... |
Millions
of people visit the CN Tower each year, most during the summer season.
To avoid the crowds, plan to visit early in the morning, before
11 a.m. or later in the afternoon, between 3 and 5 p.m.
To
get more information about this charming city, contact Tourism Toronto
on the Web at www.get2toronto.com.
And
here are the Martini recipes, courtesy of Sasi Gourmet Thai Restaurant,
323 Jarvis Street in Toronto:
Lychee Martini
1
measure of vodka
4 teaspoons lychee juice
1/2 teaspoon cranberry juice
Crushed ice
1 lychee, peeled and stoned.
Shake together vodka, lychee juice, and ice and strain into a martini
glass. Add the lychee. Sip slowly.
Mango Martini
Crushed
ice
1/4 ounce lime juice
1 ounce pineapple liqueur
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces mango juice
Pour all ingredients into a blender. Blend well at high speed. Pour
into Martini glass. Enjoy.
www.torontotourism.com |
