Collected tidbits from The GATE, an online entertainment magazine based in Toronto, Canada.
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Toronto has been named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the 5 ‘best places to go in 2013’, citing its stunning architecture, diverse selection of cultural arts, hot new hotels and a vibrant restaurant scene.
Photo: The Thompson Toronto via Condé Nast Traveler
Love everything about this.
The Drake Hotel is celebrating summer with style as they launch their unique take on the traditional summer fairground on Queen Street West in Toronto. Dubbed Drakeland, the special summer-long event includes an art exhibit, hotel packages, parties, and a fresh menu to celebrate the season.
Starting now, with the “When Sparks Fly” art exhibit, specials and events include Drakeland’s Sunday Lobster Fare, which happens each Sunday from July 15 to August 26 and offers up a one-pound lobster, grilled corn, herb and butter potatoes, coleslaw, biscuit and shortcake for dessert for $32. You can also explore the hotel with the Merry Go-Round Package which is available now until August 30, with rates starting at $239, and includes a city adventure on two cruiser bikes, gourmet picnic lunch, and a one night stay at the hotel.
Visit the Drake at 1150 Queen St. W. and online at www.thedrakehotel.ca.
As often as I can, I head to New Brunswick to be with my family, but I’ll be the first to admit that it’s no as often as I would like.
The thing is though, once I’m there, everything about the place comes rushing back. I grew up in New Brunswick, right up until I went to university, and I think it’s safe to say the province, and the whole way of life there, played a big part in shaping who I am.
On the obvious side, the people in New Brunswick, and the East Coast in general, are far friendlier than most anywhere else. It’s like a whole province filled with good neighbours and people who want to be part of a community, and that rubs off a little if you visit, and a whole lot if you’ve lived here. (Sure, there are bad neighbours too, but they seem to be a bit fewer and more far between than in other places somehow.)
“Land of Dreams” by Rosanne Cash
I had no idea that the “Land of Dreams” song from the Discover America ads was by Rosanne Cash. Seriously love it.
Christopher Heard at the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk
A good friend of mine (Josh Stone from the Fairmont Royal York Health Club) was looking for something unique to give me for a birthday gift–what he came up with was unique all right, im fact it was uniquely unique! He treated me to walk around the outside of the roof of the CN Tower, an adventure known as the EdgeWalk.
For the longest time the CN Tower could sell itself to tourists and locals alike as a trip up the tallest man made free standing structure in the world–then of course we were usurped by that gargantuan monstrosity in Dubai (soon to be heavily featured in Mission Impossible 4)–this put the CN Tower in a difficult spot since it isn’t quite the same ad campaign when you are the second tallest building (although one of my favourite West Hollywood eateries, Barney’s Beanery, does boast the distinction of having the second best chili in the world) so they responded in a truly spectacular fashion by designing the Edge Walk–which allows adventure seekers to not just walk outside along the edge of the roof of the CN Tower but to actually hang out over the edge suspended by nothing more than a couple of cords slung over a guide bar.
Toronto’s CN Tower is set to debut their latest attraction this summer: EdgeWalk, a thrill-seeker’s dream that lets visitors walk “hands-free” around a 1.5 m ledge that circles the structure’s main pod… 116 stories in the air.
The CN Tower will honour their 35th anniversary on June 26, 2011, and the new attraction is set to open some time this summer.
The Great White North didn’t get this nickname for nothing. Wintertime adventure abounds, and you can ski till May.
By Masa Takei
Say “Canada” and many people think ice and snow. Despite the unseasonably warm spring-like weather, February’s Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games likely underscored this perception, with millions watching as we turned our white into gold. The home-turf terrain and natural resources certainly helped our athletes. But you don’t need to be an Olympian to sample the epic sporting and recreational possibilities our deep drifts afford.
The holidays are over but Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. No matter what you got him or her last month, taking your sweetums to one of these five Canadian romance spots will keep you in the good books for a little while longer.
The infinity edge pool at Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos.
The terrace of a garden view room at Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos.
