What's the weather like in Toronto?

Toronto has hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters with odd fluctuations in between the two.

NOTE: It has been raining continuously for the past week, hopefully that means things will clear up over the next week. Also note that the temperature has been slowly creeping up and will average around between 16-25C in the upcoming week.


Here's an idea of what the forecast is from the 20th of May:
Saturday, May 20:  High of 22C -- Mainly Sunny
Sunday, May 21:  High of 23C -- Light Rain
Monday, May 22:  High of 22C -- Chance of thundershowers
Tuesday, May 23:  High of 17C -- Cloudy periods

What does that mean exactly? 
A high of 23C with humidity could actually feel like 29C in Toronto.
A high of 23C also means that the low may be around 13-17 C. 

What should you pack?
Sunglasses
Layers are key
Light spring attire
A spring coat and/or jumper(s)
You might consider something fit for rain just in case.

Another thing to keep in mind is that mornings and evenings tend to be chilly.

Toronto Architecture

The places below are grouped from the newest bunch to the oldest bunch of architecture, not by actual dates.


Check out Doors Open (May 28/29) if you're interested in architecture. www.toronto.ca/doorsopen
150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and/or social significance open their doors to the public. Admission is free.

AGO (Architect: Frank Gehry)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ago

ROM (Architect: Daniel Libeskind)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Ontario_Museum

Sharp Centre for Design, OCAD University (Architect: Wil Alsop)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OCAD_University

Gardiner Museum (Architects: KPMB Architects)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardiner_Museum

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (Architect: Diamond + Schmitt)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Seasons_Centre

Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research (Architects: Behnisch Architects with architectsAlliance)
www.galinsky.com/buildings/ccbr/index.htm

Graduate House (Architect: Thom Mayne, Morphosis with Teeple Architects)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Toronto_Graduate_House

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (Architect: Norman Foster)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Dan_Faculty_of_Pharmacy

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (elaborate Hindu temple) 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAPS_Shri_Swaminarayan_Mandir_Toronto

Roy Thomson Hall (Architects: Arthur Erickson and Mathers and Haldenby)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Thomson_Hall

Cinesphere IMAX (the world's first)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinesphere

Rogers Centre (the world's first fully retractable roof stadium)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Centre

Brookfield Place aka BCE Place (Architect: Santiago Calatrava)
www.galinsky.com/buildings/bce/index.htm

Toronto Eaton Centre (Architect: Eberhard Heinrich Zeidler)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Eaton_Centre

Toronto Dominion Centre (Architect: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe)
www.galinsky.com/buildings/tdcentre/index.htm

Canadian Bank of Imperial Commerce (Architect: I.M. Pei)
www.galinsky.com/buildings/cibc/index.htm

CN Tower (Architects: John Andrews Architects, Webb, Zerafa, Menkes, Housden Architects) world's tallest free-standing structure until 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CN_Tower

Toronto City Hall (Architect: Viljo Revell)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_City_Hall

Toronto Old City Hall (Architect: E.J. Lennox)
www.toronto.ca/old_cityhall/old_cityhall_tour.htm

Gooderham Flatiron Building (Architect: David Roberts Jr) - oldest in the world
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gooderham_Building

Union Station (Architects: G.A. Ross and R.H. Macdonald, Hugh Jones of the CPR and John M. Lyle)
www.toronto.ca/union_station/history.htm

Casa Loma (Architects: E.J. Lennox)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Loma

Gooderham and Worts Distillery District
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distillery_District

Toronto, so many things to do, so little time.

So you want to play tourist but you're not sure what to do or see?

Below are some suggestions of things to do and places to see. I'll update the blog with restaurants and bars later in the week.


Festivals in May (FREE)
Contact www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com (photography exhibihit at various galleries around town) 
Doors Open www.toronto.ca/doorsopen (May 28/29 ONLY, architectural views of 150 buildings around town)


Comedy: www.secondcity.com
You may not know it, but Canada is home to a lot of great Comedians such as Mike Myers, John Candy, Catherine O'Hara, Leslie Nielsen, Phil Hartman, Eugene Levy, Jim Carrey, Dan Akryod, Seth Rogen, Russell Peters, Lorne Michaels (not a comedian but founder and producer of SNL) and more.


Musicals: 
Billy Elliot: www.billyelliotintoronto.com
Lion King: www.mirvish.com/shows/thelionking

Operas: 
La Cenerentola: www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1011Season/LaCenerentola.aspx
Orfeo ed Euridice: www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1011Season/OrfeoEdEuridice.aspx 

Symphony: 
Via Salzburg Chamber Orchestra: www.roythomson.com/eventdetail?eventId=654

Dance:
La La La Human Steps: www.canadianstage.com/lalalahumansteps
Alic's Adventures in Wonderland: http://national.ballet.ca/performances/season1011/Alice_s_Adventures_in_Wonderland (but this doesn't start until the beginning of June)

Plays:
Fronteras Americanas: www.soulpepper.ca/performances/11_season/fronteras_americanas.aspx
The Aleph: www.soulpepper.ca/performances/11_season/the_aleph.aspx
Zadie's Shoes: www.factorytheatre.ca/zadieshoes.htm
The Cosmonaut's Last Message: www.canadianstage.com/cosmonaut

Points of interest:
CN Tower: www.cntower.ca/Intro.html
ROM (Royal Ontario Museum): www.rom.on.ca
AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario): www.ago.net
Power Plant Gallery: www.thepowerplant.org/AboutUs/History.aspx
Distillery District: www.thedistillerydistrict.com
St Lawrence Market: www.stlawrencemarket.com
Harbourfront Centre: www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Centre Island: http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadiancities1/tp/centre_island.htm
Toronto Eaton Centre: www.torontoeatoncentre.com/EN/centreinfo/Pages/default.aspx
Hockey Hall of Fame: www.hhof.com 
BMO Field (Soccer: 2 home games the week of the 23rd - www.torontofc.ca) 
Rogers Centre (Baseball: Jays vs White Sox - Week of May 23rd, 4 home games - www.rogerscentre.com)

Neighbourhoods (maps: www.seetorontonow.com/Visitor/Explore/City-Neighbourhoods.aspx)
Queen West/Ossington (local designers, artists and trendy restaurants and bars)
Chinatown/Kensington Market
Little Italy
The Danforth (Greek town)
The Beaches
The Annex
Bloor-Yorkville
The Entertainment District
The Theatre District

Some Niagara Day Tours from Toronto:
www.niagaratorontotours.com
www.niagarafallsbustours.ca/tourinfo.html
www.niagarafallstourstoronto.com
www.torontotours.ca/tours/framesniagaratours.htm?gclid=CMukuPGA2KgCFcod4QodjxDIAg
www.niagaratours.ca/details

Most of the tours above are similar with a stop in Niagara Falls, a tour on maid of the midst (a ferry that takes you close to the falls) and the city of Niagara. It also includes a stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake and a winery, and a few small stops along the way with pick up at your hotel or somewhere central downtown in Toronto.


For a quick overview of the city, take a look at Trip Advisor's Best Places to Eat, Sleep and Play Guide:
TA Toronto Guide

Nyood: Location and Parking Details

Nyood

1096 Queen Street West
www.nyood.ca

Please click on the maps below to view the full size image.


Nyood Area Map

Nyood in relation to the downtown center



Nyood Street Level Map

Nyood Street View

Nyood is the Black building with no name and/or street number displayed, next to poppies.



Parking

To find the closest parking spots to the venue:

- Go to http://parking.greenp.com/find-parking/ and

- Type "1096 Queen Street West" and hit enter or click on "go"

- A list and map will appear displaying "Green P" parking spots and parking lots

- Click on each invidividual Green P icon for exact locations, cost and hours of availability.

For further information about on-street parking:

http://parking.greenp.com/parking-info/on-street-parking.html

Map of Green P spots close to Nyood

Thompson Hotel - Wedding Rate

After much discussion with the Director of Sales at the Thompson Hotel, we have a wedding rate! Please note that this is on a first come, first served basis, dependent on availability and is only available for booking between 9 March until 28 April 2011.

To make a reservation, email the Thompson Hotel at exectoronto@thompsonhotels.com

and let them know you are booking a room under "Flora Tan’s wedding party" to be eligble for the group rate.

Here are the rates:

1. Superior King $225 (regular $265)

2. King Deluxe and Double Deluxe $245 (regular King Deluxe $285; Double Deluxe regular $315)

Some of the King Deluxe and Double Deluxe rooms have two double beds that are available upon request.

The Thompson Hotel room size ranges from 320 sq feet and up, maximum occupancy per room is two adults and two children under the age of 13. Unfortunately there are no cots nor cribs available at the hotel.

http://www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/toronto/thompson-toronto%20

Wedding Gifts

We of course request your presence and not your presents but for those of you who are planning a gift....

As we will be flying back to the UK after the celebration, we kindly ask that guests do not bring boxed gifts as they will be difficult for us to ship back. As we will soon have a new house to fill (yay!) we have set up a gift list at John Lewis (we have made the choice easy by asking that you simply select gift certificates so we can decide what we need at a later time). 

The Gift List Number is 456477. The list is open for 8 weeks from 16 April 2011 and the website is www.johnlewisgiftlist.com/giftint/JSPs/GiftList/BuyGifts/GuestFindAList.jsp

Flight Update: Short-Haul Sale at Porter

 

Are you flying to Toronto from New York, Montreal or somewhere else close to Toronto? 

 

Try using Porter: www.flyporter.com

 

Save 30% when booking flights online using the promo code SKY30.

Tdot. aka TO (pronounced Tea Oh) aka Toronto

Looking for details about flights or hotels? Scroll down or click on "February" under the "Blog Archive" in the right-hand sidebar for details.

Coming up next week:  An overview about restaurants, neighbourhoods and sights to see in Toronto.

NOTE:  In the weeks to come before the event, we'll be sporadically listing details about some of our favourite foodie spots, shops and things to do and see in town.We will also suggest road trip/vacation destinations in Ontario for those spending a few extra days or weeks in Canada.

Have specific questions? Email us at tanandwiles@gmail.com

HOTELS

Modern hotels close to the wedding venue

Thompson Hotel: www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/toronto/thompson-toronto

One of the newest hotels in town, Thompson Toronto houses 102 guest rooms and is located in King West Village, close to the financial and entertainment districts. From $265/night. Distance to Nyood: 3 minutes by CAR
** Please note that a wedding rate has been set up at this hotel. For details, click here.

The Drake Hotel: www.thedrakehotel.ca/

Drake has 19 hotel rooms to play in, offering guests a comfortable mix of intimacy, bohemian luxury and high-tech toys. In a once rundown part of town, Queen West/Ossington has quickly become a stylish destination with galleries, bars and restaurants. From $189/night. Distance to Nyood: 3 minutes by FOOT.

Gladstone Hotel: www.gladstonehotel.com/

A historic Victorian/turned Art Hotel, each of the 37 guest rooms is designed by a different artist to reflect the diversity of talent in the city of Toronto. In a once rundown part of town, Queen West/Ossington has quickly become a stylish destination with galleries, bars and restaurants. From $165/night. Distance to Nyood: 6 minutes by FOOT.

Le Germaine: www.germaintoronto.com/en/home

In the heart of the Entertainment District, Hôtel Le Germain Toronto features 122 guest rooms. From $250/night. Distance to Nyood: 5 minutes by CAR

SoHo Metropolitan: www.metropolitan.com/soho/
A design hotel with 89 guest rooms and a three storey loft-style penthouse, situated in the entertainment district. From $260/night. Distance to Nyood: 5 minutes by CAR

All prices listed are in Canadian Dollars and do NOT include tax.

OTHER HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO 

(various neighbourhoods in central Toronto)

HIGH

·         Hazleton Lanes: www.thehazeltonhotel.com/index_main.php

·         Ritz-Carlton: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Toronto/Default.htm

·         Park Hyatt: www.parktoronto.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

·         Four Seasons: www.fourseasons.com/toronto/

·         Fairmont Royal York: www.fairmont.com/royalyork

·         Le Meridian King Edward: www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1912

·        

Sutton Place

: www.toronto.suttonplace.com/default.htm

MEDIUM - HIGH

·         InterContinental Toronto Yorkville: http://toronto.intercontinental.com/

·         Sheraton Centre Toronto: www.sheratontoronto.com/

·         Weston Harbour Castle: www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1084&language=en_US

·         InterContinental Toronto: www.torontocentre.intercontinental.com/

·         Residence Inn by Marriott Toronto: www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/yyztd-residence-inn-toronto-downtown-entertainment-district/

·         Hyatt Regency Toronto: www.torontoregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/

·         Hilton Garden Inn Toronto: hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=WVVU2BUNSSK3OCSGBIVMVCQ?ctyhocn=YYZDTGI

·         Hilton Toronto: www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/TORHIHH-Hilton-Toronto-Ontario/index.do

·         Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre: www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/yyzec-toronto-marriott-downtown-eaton-centre-hotel/

·         Pantages Suites Hotel and Spa: http://pantageshotel.com/

·         Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel and Spa: http://cosmotoronto.com/

·         One King West Hotel and Residence: www.onekingwest.com/

LOW - MEDIUM

·         Howard Johnson Yorkville: www.hojoyorkville.com/reservations.html

·         Strathcona Hotel: www.thestrathconahotel.com/

·         Metropolitan Hotel: http://metropolitan.com/toronto/

·         Cambridge Suites Hotel: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com/

·         Hotel Victoria: www.hotelvictoria-toronto.com/

·         Madison Manor Boutique Hotel: www.madisonavenuepub.com/madisonmanor/index.html

·         Bed and Breakfasts: www.bbcanada.com/ontario/greater_toronto_area/toronto

Want to book your hotel at a discount? Check out one of these websites:

·         Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/

·         Expedia: http://www.expedia.ca/

·         Hotels.com: http://www.hotels.com/

·         Travelsupermarket.com: www.travelsupermarket.com/c/hotels/

FLIGHTS & AIRPORT DETAILS

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
 
The best local carrier for short hauls in Toronto is Porter. It flies out of Toronto City Centre Airport (YTZ), is easily accessible and convenient. The airline provides a free shuttle service to and from the airport to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in the center of town. Porter flies between Toronto and the following cities: Boston, Chicago, New York, Myrtle Beach and most major cities on the east side of Canada. http://www.flyporter.com/

To get to the Toronto City Centre Airport: www.flyporter.com/Travel/Directions-How-To-Get-To?culture=en-CA 

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

The main international airport in Toronto is Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ): www.gtaa.com/en/home/

The main airlines to Toronto from London are as follows:

Air Canada: www.aircanada.com/en/home.html

British Airways: www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb 
Air Transat: www.airtransat.com/

Pearson Airport is about 30 minutes away from the center of town (by car).

There are numerous ways to get to and from downtown Toronto to the airport:

1)   Toronto Airport Express: www.torontoairportexpress.com/
- round trip coach for $36.25 CAD

2)   Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) aka subway: www3.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Airport_service.jsp
- The 192 Airport Rocket route provides all-day accessible express bus service between Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway and Pearson International Airport.

3)   Taxi
       - about $55 CAD plus tip (10% of your bill is an average tip)      

4)   Car Rentals

      Six rental car agencies are available on-site at Toronto Pearson, with support to reserve, pick up and return rental vehicles. Rental car agencies are located on Level 1 of the parking garages adjacent to each terminal.

Avis: http://www.avis.com/
Budget: http://www.budget.com/
Dollar/Thrifty: http://www.dollar.com/ or http://www.thrifty.com/
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: http://www.enterprise.com/
Hertz: http://www.hertz.com/
National/Alamo: http://www.nationalcar.com/ or http://www.alamo.com/

GPS Directions: Enter "Toronto Pearson" in the "navigate to" field and enter "Terminal 1" or "Terminal 3" in the address field.

Driving without a GPS: you can look up directions via mapquest: http://classic.mapquest.com/  Enter “Lester B Pearson Int'l Airport (YYZ)” for the airport location.