Towering strengths in Toronto

Sep 3 2010 By Paul House

From striking landmarks to festival favourites, Paul House finds Toronto high on the dream holiday agenda.

Toronto. You know the name, but do you know the city?

Think of Canada, and you tend to think of Vancouver, Ontario and Montreal. But since the G20 summit, Toronto is back on the map.

They call it ‘a city of contrast’ and that’s an understatement.

My stay was planned around two of Toronto’s famous festivals – Luminato Culture and North by North East, an eclectic mix of song, dance, theatre and an all-round celebration.

I’d been told that arrival at Toronto’s Pearson airport was an experience in itself. The largest airport in Canada handles more than 30 million people a year. But it’s slick and speedy, less hassle than in the UK.

We took a limousine from the airport to our downtown hotel. Before you take a sharp intake of breath, it was only £10 more than a “normal” taxi, and it’s worth the expense, especially if the weather is warm.

The indulgence of arriving in style and air-conditioned luxury sets your stay up nicely.

Our hotel, the downtown Sheraton Toronto, was an imposing building facing the city’s original Town Hall.

Inside awaited a Dr Who-style TARDIS experience. The hotel is built around a huge sunlit atrium which also houses a garden and waterfall. And our 22nd floor room was an extensive suite overlooking the CN Tower and city hall.

Our room was very well presented and had an extensive lounge with plasma screen and all the usual facilities. The bedroom was huge, with enough storage space for at least a family of six

Book in as a ‘preferred guest’ and you enjoy access to the hotel’s 43rd floor, which offers a panoramic view of the city. If you want to get higher, then the CN Tower – one of the world’s iconic buildings – is so tall that, on a clear day, you can see New York.

The tower holds several other surprises, notably a revolving restaurant. It turns full circle every hour or so, and the opulent surroundings are not reflected in opulent prices. An absolute must is a trip to the observation deck, which has a glass floor. But be warned: you’re standing nearly 1,500 feet above Toronto with nothing but fresh air beneath you.

Really got a head for heights? Then an extra £10 gets you into the Pod, 33 floors above the restaurant, and an amazing spectacle.

Next up was a trip around the city’s stunning – and sometimes seriously weird – architectural gems.

The bustling Eaton Centre is like any other shopping mall with one exception: its neighbour is the serenely calm Church of the Holy Trinity, set in a courtyard from which a stream flows into the heart of the city.

You can get lost, too, in the labyrinth. Based on the 13th century Chartres Cathedral in France, this 20-minute maze is a regular place for contemplation for Torontonians and travellers alike.

With so much to see, an official tour guide is a good bet. Their personal knowledge, not only of the city but also the characters who populate it, will result in some nice surprises.

My guide Bruce, took us to a host of places that may not automatically feature in your plans.