Travel and Adventure by Various Travel Authors

By Suzie Rodriguez

Sure, you wanted to take the family to Europe or Asia this summer. But with the economy sputtering and money so tight, how can you possibly justify the expense?

You don't have to. You can visit England, Greece, Portugal, China, and quite a few other global destinations — all at bargain rates — simply by hopping across the Canadian border to that renowned city of ethnic neighborhoods: Toronto.

Amazingly, nearly half of Toronto's 3 million residents were born outside Canada (approximately140 languages and dialects are spoken here). While many immigrants meld into the mainstream fabric of Canadian society, others gravitate to one of the city's vibrant ethnic neighborhoods — places with names like Greektown, India Bazaar, Kensington Market, or Little Malta — where the food, language, and culture is reminiscent of home. The resulting diversity helps make Toronto one of the most exhilarating cities on the planet.

But there's much more to Toronto than its fascinating neighborhoods. As Canada's cosmopolitan capital — a major center of finance, culture, and commerce — it offers everything you'd expect to find in one of the world's great cities: top-notch museums, terrific theatre, cutting-edge cuisine, great shopping, stunning architecture, a go-go nightlife, beautiful parks, and an awesome list of activities.

This summer, thanks to an exchange rate that favors U. S. residents, Toronto offers superb value to visiting Americans. Still, travel is costly no matter where you go. The following tips, geared to popular activities and basic necessities, will keep your summer vacation expenses in Toronto way down:

Discounted/Free Entry to Popular Attractions

Note: All amounts are in Canadian dollars.

Toronto CityPass: Many popular attractions — including the CN Tower, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Center, and the Toronto Zoo — rarely offer discounts but are considerably cheaper with a Toronto CityPass. At a current cost of $49 for adults/$32 for kids, the pass, which is good for nine days, allows free entry to those four attractions as well as to the Royal Ontario Museum (see below). www.citypass.com/city/toronto.html

Live Theater: Toronto theater is hot! In fact, it's the world's third-largest English-speaking theater scene outside New York and London. Find half-price/discounted tickets at T.O. TIX (www.totix.ca) on performance day.

Royal Ontario Museum: The award-winning, family-friendly ROM specializes in natural history and round-the-world cultures. Admission: $22. Entry free each Wednesday, 4:30 until 5:30 closing. Half-price entry on Fridays, 4:30-9:30.

Art Gallery of Ontario: The continent's 10th largest art museum, with a stunning new Frank Gehry addition, has an immense collection of Canadian art and world masters. Admission: $18. Go free Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:30.

Bata Shoe Museum: A hit with adults and kids alike, this lovely little museum tells the story of footwear throughout human history. You'll see Marilyn Monroe's red spike heels, hand-embroidered shoes worn at the court of Louis XIV, tiny slippers made for bound feet, 1930s Olympic gold medalist Sonja Henie's ice skates. Admission: $12. Thursdays between 5 and 8 p.m. it's pay-what-you-can ($5 suggested).

Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art: A look at ceramic arts of the Ancient Americas, Italian Renaissance, English Delftware, and an exciting display of contemporary ceramic art. Admission: $12. Free Fridays, 4 to 9.

LOW-BUDGET ACTIVITIES

Hop a ferry for the 10-minute ride to car-free Centre Island, where you'll enjoy spectacular city views, a small amusement park, an up-close look at the 1809 lighthouse, and bike/hiking trails. Or just bring a picnic, claim a spot of beach, and chill.

Walk the neighborhoods. In summer, the Harbourfront area brims with activity, including live music and festivals. The pedestrian-only Distillery National Historic District, comprised of beautiful Victorian Industrial Architecture, is home to many galleries and shops.

Posh Yorkville, with Victorian buildings occupied by restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, is fun to browse. Kensington Market is a colorful, multicultural mix of food purveyors, restaurants, and shops — a must for any visitor. And there are dozens more neighborhoods to choose from!

Take a ROMwalk. From May to October, Royal Ontario Museum volunteers lead themed, two-hour walking tours, discussing the architectural and historical significance of various landmarks. Sundays (2 p.m.) and Wednesdays (6 p.m.)

Explore the St. Lawrence Market. Named one of the world's Top 25 Markets by Food & Wine Magazine, it's housed in an 1844 building and is chock-full of the best in local and imported edibles. Imagine two big floors jammed with every culinary delight imaginable. The charcuterie, the breads, the olives, the produce, the cheese, the fabulous Kozlik's mustards.

Hit the city's countless free parks and gardens. Toronto Botanical Garden offers free tours and children's events in summer. The waterfront Music Garden's design was inspired by Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello (the Courante movement is interpreted as a "swirling path through a wildflower meadow"). The Franklin Children's Garden is an adventurous wonderland for tots. There are about 100 parks in Toronto, and at this time of the year they blaze with color.

Seek out festivals. Toronto's summer weekends are studded with festivals ranging from lively celebrations in ethnic neighborhoods to star-studded mega-entertainments. The annual Caribana Festival, the continent's largest street fest, celebrates the Caribbean with steel drums, dancing, costumes, and a huge parade. Two other popular summertime fests: the Corso Italia Fiesta (Italian culture celebrated with non-stop food and music) and The Beaches International Jazz Festival (this year's stars include Tab Benoit and The Young Divas).

Enjoy the Canadian Opera Company with free noon and evening performances of top-notch music and dance. Among the summer's offerings: Art of the Spanish Guitar with classical guitarist Raffi Altounian, the Toronto Chamber Choir singing pieces by Renaissance masters, and a high-octane celebration of world drumming.

FOOD

Toronto is a major culinary destination, replete with famous chefs and award-winning restaurants. Try a few out—at a discount, of course—during Summerlicious (July 3-19). That's when 150 of the city's top restaurants establish low-priced, three-course menus that let you learn firsthand what the fuss is about.

Putting together a fabulous picnic for outings usually costs less than a restaurant lunch. Loblaw's waterfront Superstore has a wonderful selection of freshly-prepared salads and sandwiches, or head to the St. Lawrence Market and design a sensational feast.

Chinatown has dozens of inexpensive eateries, including Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and other Asian cuisines.

IF YOU GO

Getting to Toronto: All major U.S. airlines fly into Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

Getting Around: Taxis are plentiful but expensive. The Toronto Transit Commission's efficient network of buses, streetcars, and subways provide a convenient alternative. A ride is $2.75, but you'll save money with an unlimited-travel pass: one day, $9; one week, $32.25. Maps and info, www3.ttc.ca

Hotels: The elegant Fairmont Royal York is within walking distance of most Toronto attractions, www.fairmont.com/RoyalYork; located on the waterfront, Westin Harbour Castle offers moderately-priced packages geared to families, www.starwoodhotels.com

Take Note: Effective June 1, 2009, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will requuire U.S. citizens 16 years of age or over who re-enter the U. S. by land or sea to have a passport. Learn more from the Department of State, www.state.gov

To learn more about Toronto, visit Tourism Toronto at www.seetorontonow.com.

Suzie Rodriguez is a freelance travel writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.