On the go with Vivian » Toronto

Toronto’s Caribana Festival

vivian is virtual — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:07:48 +0000

What	Toronto’s Caribana Festival
Where	Toronto, Ontario hosts North America’s biggest street party
When	Countdown from July 15, 2010 to the big draw – the July 31^st Caribana Parade
Why	Over one million partiers let loose along the Lakeshore, to pulsating soca, calypso, reggae, steel band & salsa rhythms, wild costumes & scantily-clad samba dancers
How	Throughout the season? See Kings & Queens duke it out for the throne, sample the food fest’s Caribbean flavours, swank it up for the Gala & take the family to a real “lime.” Look for deals getting there by train!

For the complete lowdown, visit Caribana Festival 2010.

Toronto’s Waterfront Blues Festival – June 4-6, 2010

vivian is virtual — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:52:36 +0000

What:	Waterfront Blues Festival
Where:	Woodbine Park in Toronto, Ontario
When:	June 4 to 6, 2010
Why:	Blues concerts (featuring stellar performers such as James Armstrong, Paul Reddick, Michelle Malone), BBQ stands, fabulous prizes up for grabs… and your entry is FREE!
How:	By train! From Toronto’s Union station it’s only a short hop by public transit to the fest. Plan your train trip and find out how to get to Woodbine Park.

For even more details, visit the Waterfront Blues Festival site.

Ontario & Quebec travel deals with VIA Rail

vivian is virtual — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:30:27 +0000

♪ lala laala lala…DOOWWNNTOWN! ♫

Tired of the same old scene? Try out a new city!

This winter, find amazing downtown-to-downtown deals on train travel in Quebec and Ontario. VIA Rail’s bringing you one-way fares starting at:

	Economy class	Business class
Toronto – Montréal	$69*	$129*
Toronto – Ottawa	$69*	$129*
Toronto – London	$38*	$59*
Toronto – Windsor	$54*	$99*
Montréal – Ottawa	$31*	$59*
Montréal – Québec City	$44*	$79*

*Some conditions apply.

How can you lose?

Valentine’s Day: Surprise your sweetheart with a deal of a train trip

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:51:21 +0000

Looking to treat your darling? Buy your tickets no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2010, for travel between February 12 and 15, 2010, inclusive.

Find four tempting offers. Choose between these one-way fares when you buy round trip travel in Business class:

Montréal <-> Toronto $99
Ottawa <-> Toronto $99
Montréal <-> Ottawa $49
Toronto <-> Windsor $79

Book online using the discount code: LOVE. Some conditions apply.

No time for cold feet! This Valentine’s surprise is only available for three days.

Valentine’s Day: 5 Perfect Train Getaways

vivian is virtual — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:39:35 +0000

Still got a sweet spot for Valentine’s Day? Skip the cards and candy. I’ve found all-inclusive deals to the most romantic spots in Canada, including train travel, luxury accommodations and guided adventure!

My Top 5 Valentine’s Train Getaways are…

Montréal and Québec City – A Moment in Time Whisk by train for a 4 star stay within the Old Walls of Québec, a St. Lawrence cruise and tours of both cities’ historic quarters.
Niagara Falls - Romance Travel by rail for a trip that includes a room view of Niagara Falls and sampling the region’s famed wines.
Jasper – Getaway by Rail Get onboard in Edmonton for a weekend jaunt to Jasper! Spend the day skiing, or try a snowshoe adventure or the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.
Toronto – Experience Book a whirlwind tour of Toronto’s best, including the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the ROM, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Zoo and even a Medieval Times dinner show!
Vancouver to Edmonton – The Canadian See ocean, mountains and prairies whiz by onboard one of the most romantic train journeys ever – the Canadian! Enjoy a comfy cabin and fine dining.

Happy Valentine’s!

Feasts, Fun and Fire at Toronto’s WinterCity Festival

vivian is virtual — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:37:41 +0000

Free shows and wallet-friendly fine dining. That should warm you up to Toronto’s WinterCity Festival! This January 29 – February 11, 2010, over 500,000 people will pack the scene with:

Foodies. 150 of TO’s best restaurants slash prices for hugely popular prix-fixe menus during Winterlicious. Plus creative cuisine and top chefs at ten culinary events!
Theatre Buffs. A high-tech vertical stage wows crowds with acrobatics, dance and special effects from Compagnie Les Passagers. Catch three free shows with Chinese, Bollywood, or Biblical themes.
Families. Don’t miss the themed skating parties at Nathan Phillips Square or the breakdancing Mounties at the Bunch Family Dance Party.
Music lovers. Take in the Klezmer-Pop sounds of the Flying Bulgars in their multimedia concert spectacle Tumbling Into Light.
Pyromaniacs? Join the Flaming Lotus Girls and their “Angel of the Apocalypse,” a giant bird-shaped installation whose fiery wings are fanned higher by the audience!

So what are you waiting for? Start making your plans today for Toronto and the WinterCity fest!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2010 Across Canada

vivian is virtual — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:54:08 +0000

Cheering in 2010 from Times Square? Fuggedaboutit! Canada’s got plenty of family-friendly, outdoor parties to ring in the new year this December 31:

	HALIFAX “A” New Year’s Eve Show 10…9…8… Countdown with free concerts, fireworks, TV personalities and a huge crowd, starting at 10pm on the Grand Parade.
	MONTRÉAL New Year’s Eve Grand Bal Join over 40,000 revellers at Place Jacques Cartier for fireworks, music and dancing through the cobblestoned streets.
	TORONTO 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Family Countdown Get your party animal on at the Toronto Zoo! Snag tickets for the whole family to enjoy furry friends, free concerts and a Kids Countdown. From 6pm to 9pm.
	NIAGARA FALLS New Year’s Eve in Queen Victoria Park Billed as Canada’s largest free outdoor extravaganza, this year delivers a double-bill of STYX & Glass Tiger, plus fireworks at 9pm and midnight.
	EDMONTON New Year’s Eve Downtown Skating, concerts and dancing outside. Clowns, crafts and more kiddie fun inside. All capped by a fireworks show at midnight.
	VANCOUVER Polar Bear Swim Get your new year off to a great start by plunging into the icy waters of English Bay on January 1. An annual tradition since 1920.

Happy new Year 2010!

Toronto: Top 5 What to See and Do

vivian is virtual — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:32:20 +0000

No matter how many times I make the trip between Toronto and Winnipeg on the Canadian, I am always eager and excited to capture as much as I can with my camera. This last trip was no exception!

In fact, there are three new photo sets on my Flickr photostream – check out Toronto-Winnipeg train and CN Tower, Toronto and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

And as a bonus, here’s my top five fun things to do in Toronto when you get there.

1. CN Tower	As those glass elevators climb higher and higher, the CN Tower’s stake as one the world’s tallest free standing structure hits home. Face the heights on its outdoor observation deck, revolving restaurant, and glass floor panels with a view almost 350 metres below.
2. Casa Loma	For sheer architectural folly, Casa Loma can’t be beat. This gigantic castle offers 98 lavishly decorated rooms including tunnels, turrets, and even secret passages.
3. Centre Island	Head down to Toronto’s Harbourfront for a ferry ride to Centre Island, where parks, beaches and a picturesque car-free town await. Visit the marinas and restaurants, and thrill kids with a stop at its amusement park.
4. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)	Housing one of North America’s largest natural history and cultural collections, the ROM features galleries devoted to dinosaurs, Burgess Shale fossils, Chinese artefacts and First Nations art. Add a dose of “starchitecture” with Libeskind’s controversial Crystal.
5. Hockey Hall of Fame	Get up close with the Stanley Cup, relive hockey’s finest moments and view incredible amounts of memorabilia, including a replica of the Montreal Canadiens’ dressing room.

VIA Rail’s Top 5 winter travel packages

vivian is virtual — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:32:52 +0000

Organizing your winter vacation? Getting those skis ready for another season?

To help with your planning, I went browsing on the TrainPackages.ca website for all-inclusive packages that deliver an unforgettable experience. Not only do they take you to Canada’s best winter destinations, these packages also include travel, accommodations and (oftentimes) excursions.

How’s that for one-stop-shopping? Here are my top 5 favourites:

Rockies – West Coast Explorer: A cross-Canada voyage from Toronto through the Prairies and Rockies to Vancouver.
Urban Winter Connection: Experience winter in the Rockies on this trip to the heart of Jasper National Park.
City & Ski: Departures from TO or OTT towards Montreal and the ski resort town of Mont-Temblant. The best of both worlds
Christmas At The Château Frontenac: Celebrate the holidays at the most romantic hotel in Québec City. Snow, music, and a calèche ride included.
Québec to the Maritimes: See the charming Quebecois and Maritime landscapes magically transformed by snow.

Happy planning!

Toronto-Montreal train: New 5pm experience

vivian is virtual — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:31:52 +0000

At the end of your business day, take the most relaxing way home – the train!

Business class travellers taking trains 66 and 67 between Toronto and Montreal now enjoy more perks than ever:

Privileged access to in-station Panorama lounges (where available)
Welcome aperitif
Choice of three delicious meals – including appetizer, main course and dessert
Exclusive lounge with wide screen television (just in time for the hockey season)
Choice of comfortable single, double or double-facing seats

Are you ready for a new 5 o’clock experience?

Book your Business class ticket today!