Travel to Toronto, Ontario, one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
Trip tips: The Lonely Planet recently named Toronto one of the best cities to travel to in 2015. There are more than 100 different cultures (residents speak over 180 languages) represented in 140 neighborhoods ranging from Greek Street, Chinatown, Little Portugal, Little India, Little Italy, the pedestrian-only Distillery District to hip and trendy Queen West. Watch for a green ear logo as you stroll the city. Call the phone number beneath the logo to hear unique anecdotes about the place you're seeing (http://murmurtoronto.ca). Catch popular Broadway and London West End productions in the downtown Theatre District (www.torontolivetheatre.com). Purchase a Toronto CityPASS to save nearly 50 percent on admission to five must-see attractions and skip the lines: CN Tower Experience, Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Toronto Zoo and the Ontario Science Centre; $58.98 ages 13 and older; $37.98 ages 4-12. Booklets are valid for nine consecutive days. PATH is downtown Toronto's underground walkway linking over 18 miles of shopping, major attractions such as the Hockey Hall of Fame and six subway stations.
Getting there: Round-trip rates from $645 on Air Canada or Delta, nonstop. Alternatively, rates are $392 round-trip to Buffalo (under a two-hour drive) or $214 to Detroit (less than a four-hour drive); nonstop Delta or Southwest. All rates based on a 21-day advance purchase.
BUDGET
Stay: Comfort Inn City Centre, near the CN Tower and the entertainment districts, offers guests complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, weekday newspaper and coffee. Room rates from $119. 321 Jarvis St., 416-967-6781, www.choicehotels.ca.
Eat: The cozy Bistrot92 offers a fixed-price lunch special for $12 (11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays), which includes soup or salad, a bistro entree choice (steak sandwich with sauteed mushrooms, red onions and fries; fillet of wild sole with a vegetable ratatouille or linguine with pesto and pine nuts), and a dessert choice (creme brulee, mascarpone with berries or crepe a l'orange). 1885 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-519-6050, www.bistrot92.com.
Experience: Toronto Greeters offers free visits to the city's vibrant neighborhoods and themed districts on two- to four-hour walking tours led by a proud resident. Give a one-week advance notice of which neighborhood you wish to explore. www.toronto.ca.
MODERATE
Stay: Elegant guest rooms at Hotel Le Germain feature goose-down duvets and pillows, Egyptian linens, fluffy bathrobes, Molton Brown toiletries, Nespresso coffee machine and a Bose stereo. Rates from $216 include Wi-Fi and deluxe continental breakfast. 30 Mercer St., 416-345-9500, www.germaintoronto.com.
Eat: The Queen and Beaver Public House serves classic British dishes (prepared by a British chef) alongside a good pint or glass of wine. Toasts and sandwiches, $4-$13; supper, $14-$27 ($17 for the popular vegetarian pie). 35 Elm St., 647-347-2712, http://queenandbeaverpub.ca.
Experience: Discover the fun of one of Canada's oldest and most popular activities at one of the many outdoor ice skating rinks. http://cityrinks.ca/wiki/wiki.php. A popular location is Nathan Phillips Square in front of City Hall; $10 two-hour skate rental. The city's most scenic rink, Natrel Rink, is set on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Ontario; $8 adult skate rental. Catch live, hard-hitting hockey action at an NHL Toronto Maple Leafs game; $45-$380. http://mapleleafs.nhl.com.
SPLURGE
Stay: In the heart of downtown, the Ivy at Verity has just four boutique rooms with balconies overlooking a romantic courtyard. Guest rooms feature handcrafted Hastens beds with Italian linens. On site are a private cocktail bar, a spa and fitness center, and the award-winning George Restaurant. This family-operated inn offers 24-hour concierge service. Rates from $349. 111d Queen St. E., 416-368-6006, www.theivyatverity.ca.
Eat: Patria Restaurant is an authentic Spanish tapas eatery and listed as one of the Top 10 Best Restaurants of 2013 by Toronto Life. Fresh seafood is sourced daily. The menu features daily specials, tapas ($4-$14), cheeses, sharing plates called "raciones" ($8-$22) and traditional meats and paella ($26-$49). 478 King St. W., 416-367-0505, http://patriatoronto.com.
Experience: Enjoy a full day out of the city with a dog sledding and gourmet winter picnic adventure in the countryside destination of Muskoka, noted for its scenic national parks, rivers, lakes and forests. Per person rates of $425 include all meals, drinks, activities, guided service. Other unique culinary and food tours available. 1-877-317-4870, http://culinaryadventureco.com.
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