Canada Trip.co.uk

I’ve been to Canada so many times, experienced so many traditionally Canadian things, yet i had never been to a baseball game. And like in the USA, Baseball is just as big in Canada. This year however i decided to change all this!
Nestled right beside Toronto’s iconic CN Tower lays a giant almost Armadillo lookalike building, although lower to the ground – some could say it was equal to the CN tower’s impressiveness in how vast it actually is ~ this building is the Rogers Centre, and home to Toronto’s own Baseball team, The Blue Jays.

The date was Sunday 2nd May 2010, and The Blue Jays were playing Oakland Athletics at home in the Rogers Centre, this was the only time during our visit they were going to be playing at home, so we made sure we were there!
The weather forecast had been that of misery to be honest, sunny to start with but soon turning into thunderstorms, so although it looked sunny as we set off on the journey to Toronto, with the hot sunny weather outside, we expected to be sat inside a pretty well protected environment, the Rogers Centre, keeping us dry from the rain. Baseball is a summer sport. It’s supposed to be played when the weather is good, hence baseball caps! The Rogers Centre is purpose built however, being designed to be played in whether its raining or sunshining, providing the spectators as well as players with a rain proof roof during rain, but being open to allow in the sunshine when it’s sunny! The venue was the first major team sports arena in North America to sport a functional, fully retractable roof. The roof is composed of four panels and covers an area of 345,000 square feet (32,100 m2). The two middle panels slide laterally to stack over the north semi-circular panel, and then the south semi-circular panel rotates around the stadium and nests inside the stack. It takes 20 minutes for the roof to open or close.
We parked up in the city centre, at the closest possible Car Park, sure it was $20 to park for the day, but it was as close as you could get – and with the CN Tower next door, you could always visit that after the game!
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While in Toronto, if you’re interested in castles and stately homes, why not check out Casa Loma. Casa Loma is now a museum and landmark in uptown Toronto. It was originally a residence for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. Sir Henry was by all accounts a very colourful, flamboyant character. In his youth, he set a new world record for running the mile (4:42). He created a fortune in business and investments. One of the most successful of those investments was in early electric utilities. Casa Loma was constructed over a three-year period from 1911-1914. The architect of the mansion was E. J. Lennox, who was responsible for the designs of several other city landmarks and was also who designed the powerhouse at Niagara Falls.

In 1903 Sir Henry Pellatt purchased 25 lots from developers Kertland and Rolf. Sir Henry commissioned Canadian architect E.J. Lennox to design Casa Loma with construction beginning in 1911, starting with the massive stables, potting shed and Hunting Lodge (a.k.a. coach-house) a few hundred feet north of the main building. (more…)

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If you’re interested in looking at some of the world’s most prized collections, the pretty interestingly-shaped building of the Royal Ontario Museum will be a place you don’t want to miss out on any trip to Toronto.

The Museum is an incredibly varied world class museum which has a number of exhibitions which are on show for a limited time, as well as its many permanent collections – so even if you come back the next year, there’s always something new to see and explore.
Personally, I’m a great lover of history, and when i go to other countries i love to find out it’s history and past culture along with its current one. The Royal Ontario Museum gives you just this opportunity, with its Exhibitions such as the “Daphne Cockwell Gallery of Canada: First Peoples”, a gallery which has on display amongst many things, arguably one of the most famous of all First Nation Chiefs, Chief Sitting Bull’s Headdress, and four Iconic Totem Poles carved by the Nisgaa and Haida peoples of Canada’s Pacific Northwest Coast – these particular artifacts are some of the absolute must see treasures the museum has on show.

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The Canadian National Exhibition has been around for well over 75 years, taking place on the outskirts of downtown Toronto, this exhibition shuts down an area of 8 city blocks around the Direct Energy Center in the historic ‘Exhibition Place. The exhibition started in 1879, after the success of the last years traveling fair, it has always been host to the most state of the art technology. The shops and attractions have always represented the interests of the Canadian public, which has drawn in well over 6 million people from around the world in the last 10 years of the CNE.

(The kids fair ground at the CNE, Photo© 2009)

In this article I’ll take you through the pride of Canada’s aviation history, and long time partner of the CNE, the Canadian International Airshow.

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Toronto is a fantastic city, but while you’re there why not take a day or two to explore more of the places around it. We’ve already covered a number of places out and about – one of them being Niagara Falls but there is so much around the city you’ll want to get out there and explore. As it says on the licence plates in Ontario it’s literally “Yours to Discover”! So the place we’re reccomending today is Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County (“the County”) is a region of southeastern Ontario that juts out into Lake Ontario. With its abundance of water, fresh air and wide-open spaces, the area has become increasingly popular with visitors, artists and Toronto residents… oh and it’s only 130 km / 81 miles (about 90 min drive) away from down town Toronto! The perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. (more…)

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Now. like I’ve said before, I’ll always keep my eyes open for deals on flights, especially to Toronto, and there’s only one place i look these days – I’ve looked everywhere else and Canadian Affair beats everyone else hands down on costs.

Fancying a week away in October? Canadian Affair are doing outbound flights from Manchester to Toronto for £129 on 13th October and a return flight on 22nd October for £131.50 – 2 return flights to Canada for 2 people coming to an incredible £522.80, INCLUDING all taxes!

Toronto as seen from the CN Tower

Or, if you’re planning on booking for next year – try May
Flying from Gatwick – flying out on Sunday 2nd May the flight to Toronto is only £129 and if you fly back May 16th – 2 return flights to Toronto would only cost £648.40 including all taxes.

Flying from Manchester – flying out on Saturday 1st May the flight to Toronto is again only £129 and if you fly back Sat May 15th, again two return flights to Toronto would only cost £648.40 including all taxes.

Check out the prices for yourself at their Website!

So, what about my experience with Canadian Affair? Well every time i have ever visited Canada, i have always booked through Canadian Affair. This is because back in 2005 i went hunting for the best prices and Canadian Affair won hands down every single time. Since then I’ve been on 12 separate flights booked by Canadian Affair and I’ve never had any major problems what so ever. (more…)

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Toronto has many attractions, as a couple of our articles have featured – as well as a lot more to come – However, something not covered yet – is the fact that Toronto is a shopping hot spot! We’ll start with the Toronto Eaton Centre!

The Toronto Eaton Centre is a bright and airy shopping mall in the heart of Toronto’s downtown that houses more than 250 stores – the third largest mall in Canada and measured by visitors, Toronto’s biggest tourist attraction. Millions of tourists from around the world visit this world-class shopping centre for its architecture, culture and urban atmosphere. The stores will appeal to the budget conscious and spendthrifts alike. The Guest Service Info Desk offers a wide selection of brochures on Toronto attractions, theatre and entertainment. Visit the Info Desk on Level 2 for a free city map!
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WELL, I’m now on my way to Canada! If you’re reading this in response to seeing it posted at 10:10am – then I’ll be flying as you read!
But this isnt the subject of the article!
It’s now half way through August, so, time for summer holidays is drawing short, and Kids will be back at school in 2 weeks (or if you’re in Scotland .. in a few days!) so maybe it’s time to start dreaming again.. Many of us have had our holiday for the year – and we could get down thinking about how long it is until our next time off from work.. But instead, how about we have a look – at what could be in store for us next year huh? Optimism is always the best way of seeing things!

A My Travel A330 - my outbound flight in 2006, taken through one of the windows in the (now converted into a resteraunt) viewing area at Gatwick Airport

OKAY! Lets think earlyish next year.. In Ontario – particularly Toronto you get some absolutely perfect weather in May – the temperature never gets too hot, and usually is a comfortable teen temperature – with a nice warm sun. Also, booking a holiday in May also helps you save a valuable holiday day – as there are two opportunities to book your holiday over a bank holiday – so you only use 9 days instead of 10 over a two week break! – So! lets get planning!
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While you’re in Toronto – why not take a day to visit Canada’s Premiere Themed Amusement Park! Whether you have kids young or old, or even if you dont have any – Canada’s Wonderland is guarenteed to be a day you wont forget!

Canadas Wonderland Entrance

Canada’s Wonderland is a 330-acre (1.3 km2) theme park in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, 30 kilometres north of downtown Toronto. The park is open seasonally from May to October and contains more than 200 attractions. It opened in 1981 and was Canada’s first major theme park.
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Hi everyone! yep! it’s one of those quick posts! BUT seriously – have a look at what I’ve just found! – Now you may or may not know, but i always am pottering about trying to find deals on getting to Canada (that’s good for all of you!) So, i think you may be pretty impressed with what i just come across!

2 return flights to Toronto (giving you 11 nights there) for £523.00! and your total price including flights and accomodation for two people: £845.86

Toronto sky scrapers

Here’s how to find it! The Flights are booked with Canadian Affair with their current sale that’s on! – Click their logo below and then search for these dates:
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