Toronto, Ontario

Oft thought to be Canada's capital city, it's not surprising that Toronto overshadows our nation's capital, Ottawa. Toronto is home to the world's tallest freestanding structure (the CN Tower at 553.33 meters or 1,815 feet), the world's longest street (Yonge Street at 1,896 kilometers or 1,178 miles), and the world's first stadium with a fully retractable roof (the Skydome). And we're not so egocentric that we always have to be first; we're quite happy to come in third – as in the third largest theatre industry in the world (behind London and New York, and the third largest producers of film and television in North America (after Los Angeles and New York).

Toronto is the world's most ethnically diverse city with more than 100 ethnic groups speaking more than 100 languages and dialects (which wouldn't surprise you at all if you've ever ridden the subway!). And each of those cultures brings it's own cuisine, which translates into more than 8,000 restaurants. Toronto is a foodie's mecca. Before moving to Toronto, the most exotic fare I had ever experienced was sweet 'n' sour chicken balls. Now, I regularly eat Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Middle Eastern, authentic Chinese, Korean, Greek, Italian (so much more on offer than spaghetti with meat sauce), and Scandinavian... and I still haven't tried Balkan/Albanian, Jewish, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Afro-Caribbean cuisine. There just aren't enough meals in the day!

And if, like me, you're regularly guilty of the best of the seven deadly sins (gluttony), redeem yourself by hiking or walking in one of Toronto's 1,500 parks. Toronto is home to over 8,000 hectares (1,9768 acres) of parkland, 187 kilometers (116 miles) of bike paths, and 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles) of pedestrian paths.

Or enjoy one of Toronto's many festivals such as the world-renowned Toronto International Film Festival, the Grand Prix, the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, Caribana, the Pride Parade, and still my favorite, the Santa Claus Parade. In fact, Toronto hosts so many community/cultural celebrations, parades, and races/marathons that in 2002 there were more than 310 street closures!

Or, if you're not an outdoor person (or if the weather outdoors is just too darn cold) and culture is your thing, why not visit one of Toronto's museums or galleries such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, or Bata Shoe Museum? Or take in a show at one of Toronto's 50 ballet and dance companies, six opera companies, and two symphony orchestras? Or find something pretty (or manly, depending on who you are) at the Eaton Centre or in the upscale shopping district of Bloor/Yorkville?

Or, if you just want to sit back and relax, you could while away the day reading one of our the daily papers, such as The Globe and Mail or The Toronto Star, or one of special interest, or one of the 79 ethnic publications distributed throughout the city.

So if you're looking for a feast for the senses, come to Toronto, where there is always something new to see or hear or taste!

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