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The best of Toronto
Written by: Anita Lišková & Todd Shaw
Photo by: allphoto images
On the shore of Lake Ontario is a collection of glimmering skyscrapers,
calm residential areas, and leafy parks. Initially claimed by the
French in the 18th century, Toronto - which means "meeting
place" in the Huron Indian tongue - is now the cultural hub
of English-speaking Canada.
Daniel J. Rosický
attorney, Procházka, Randl, Kubr
Favorite hotel: Four Seasons, 21 Avenue Road, tel.:
+1 416 964 0411
Favorite restaurant: 44 North, 2537 Yonge Street, tel.: +1
416 487 4897
Favorite night club: Big Bop, 651 Queen Street, tel.: +1 416
504 6699
Favorite attraction: Toronto zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Scarborough,
tel.: +1 416 392 5900
Best-kept secret: Centre Island
Favorite shop: YorkDale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin Centre,
tel.: +1 416 787 8733.
Advice: Go see a "broadway" show. |
Petr
P. Formánek
president, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Favorite hotel: Toronto Marriott
Eaton Centre, 525 Bay Street, tel.: +1 416 597 9200
Favorite attraction: SkyDome, 1 Blue Jay Way, tel.: +1
416 341 3034
Definitely go to see a baseball game there.
Best-kept secret: Saint Lawrence market, 95 Front Street
East, tel.: +1 416 392 7120
Market in the center of the city.
Favorite shop: The Bay, 176 Yonge Street, tel.: +1 416
861 9111
Advice: The best time to visit Toronto is September and
early October, when the weather is warm and pleasant.
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Michal Kužel
general manager, America Tours
Favorite hotel: Radisson Plaza Hotel Admiral, 249 Queens
Quay W, tel.: +1 416 203 3333
This hotel is outside of the city bustle, but at the same
time it's 10 minutes walk to the center. From most of the
windows there is a beautiful view of the lake, where you
can rent a boat.
Favorite restaurant: Hometown Buffet, Typical buffet restaurant,
where you pay at the entrance and then you can eat and eat.
The chain is common in the US and Canada, but this particular
location is unusual, because it's made from different train
coaches connected together, featuring historical interiors.
Favorite attraction: Toronto Hippo Tours, 31A Parliament
Street, tel.: +1 703 4476, www.torontohippotours.com
Sightseeing in an amphibious bus. At the end of the tour,
the bus plunges into the lake and floats.
Best-kept secret: The Helicopter Company, Toronto City Centre
Airport, Suite 212, tel.: +0 416 203 3280, www.thehelicoptercompany.com
Fly in a helicopter above Toronto. The bird's-eye view over
the city and the CN Tower is one-of-a-kind (you have to book
it in advance).
Advice: Take enough time to discover Toronto - it's worth
it. |
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Basic facts
Location: Ontario, Canada.
Country dialing code: 1.
Population: 2,481,494 (city); 4,682,897 (metropolitan
area).
Ethnic mix: English 63%, Chinese 6%, Italian 4.5%,
other 26.5%.
Time zone: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in
April to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60 Hz; flat two-pin plugs
are standard.
Average January temp: - 4.5° C (23° F).
Average July temp: 22° C (72° F).
Annual rainfall: 689 mm (27.1 inches).
Annual snowfall: 1,350 mm (53.1 inches).
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Where on the web?
For further information, we suggest the following websites dedicated
to Toronto:
www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/toronto/ - aimed
at the executive traveler, this site can help you with everything
from flight tickets to accomodation
www.toronto.worldweb.com/ - a clean, easy-to-follow layout on
this comprehensive portal page.
www.mytravelguide.com/city-guide/North-America/Canada/Toronto - another good all-around guide to sightseeing and other activities
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/toronto/ - the
good folks at Lonely Planet offer their take on this popular
destination
www.travelcreek.com/Toronto.htm - the opening page here offers
visitors several tips for things to do and see.
www.toronto.com/ - this aptly-named URL claims it contains "all
you need to know about TO".
www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/cities/usonlinecityONToronto.shtml - this site offers listings of venues in the city that welcome
dogs.
Business profile
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Prices
· 1.0-liter bottle of mineral water: CAD 1.50
· 33-cl bottle of beer: CAD 1.50
· Financial Times newspaper: CAD 2
· 36-exposure color film: CAD 8.50
· city-center bus ticket: CAD 2.25
· adult football ticket: CAD 7-57
· three-course meal with wine/beer: from CAD 20
1 Canadian Dollar (CAD 1) = CZK 20.50; EUR 0.62;
GBP 0.41; USD 0.74
(Currency conversion rates as of press time.)
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· Virtually all of Canada's major companies locate their head
offices within the city's modern skyscrapers, including half the
country's chartered banks. Although the city historically had a
strong manufacturing base, the service economy now dominates, accounting
for over 70% of jobs, while finance is the city's defining professional
industry.
· The city is Canada's main center for traditional media and new
media companies are also flourishing in Toronto, with many start-ups
locating their offices slightly west of the city center - and taking
advantage of the city's 100% fiber-optic telecommunications system.
· The largest manufacturing plants produce airplanes, computers,
electronics, and auto parts. Education is also a major employer,
as Toronto is home to three universities - University of Toronto,
York University and Ryerson University.
· Toronto is the largest convention destination in Canada. One
of its many convention facilities is the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre, next to the SkyDome, offering over 186,000 m2 of space.
· The city's largest private-sector employer is the Hudson's Bay
Company, a retail giant with roots in the country's fur-trading
past.
Source: www.cityguide.travel-guides.com
Business etiquette
· Torontonians are hardworking, efficient employees. A little
chit chat here and there about golf or other sports is welcome,
but generally people like getting to the point.
· Men and women wear business suits and rarely drink alcohol at
lunch. Business cards are normally exchanged after meals or meetings,
not during introductions. The giving of gifts in business situations
is unusual and might be treated suspiciously. Superiors and co-workers
are usually addressed by first name. Working hours are typically
Monday to Friday 0900-1700, although slight variations are not
uncommon.
· The best time for one to visit Toronto for business purposes
is between September and May, as the summer is the most popular
time of year for holidays.
Source: www.cityguide.travel-guides.com
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