Toronto Tourist Venues – See them All if you stay at the right Hotels

Visiting Toronto Canada is a lot easier if you know where the tourist sites are and book a room at a Toronto hotel with a convenient location. There are hotels in downtown Toronto, close to the major tourist attractions such as the CN Tower, Rogers Centre SkyDome, Toronto Harbourfront, Casa Loma, Toronto Zoo, Royal Ontario Museum, Air Canada Centre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Eaton Centre Shopping Mall, and Nathan Philips Square. You might well be visiting all of these attractions if you have time. Some hotels are ideally located in the middle of Toronto’s entertainment and tourist district, making it easy to walk or take the Toronto subway system to travel around quickly. If you’re thinking of relying on a car, you should know Toronto’s roadways are congested and rush brings traffic to a crawl.

The Best Toronto Hotels

The best downtown Toronto Hotels are the Delta Chelsea Hotel, Cambridge Suites, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, Four Seasons, Hilton Hotel, Holiday Inn on King, Hotel Intercontinental, Marriott Hotel Bloor, Marriott Hotel Eaton Centre, Marriott Hotel SkyDome, Metropolitan Hotel, Pantages Theatre, Park Hyatt Hotel, Royal York Hotel, Sheraton Centre, Sutton Place Hotel, and The Grand Hotel. These hotels are known for their comfortable rooms and extraordinary service. Each has its own price range of course and available amenities such as parking, waterslides, and restaurants.

The Marriott Hotel SkyDome is a popular destination because it is located in the famous Toronto SkyDome, now called the Rogers Centre. When the roof of the stadium is opened, it covers the Mariott Hotel. Some of the rooms in the Marriott SkyDome Hotel have views of the field. Rooms are commonly booked when major events are taking place in the SkyDome, such as a music concert, baseball game, football game, or Monster Truck rally. The SkyDome is a magnificent architectural achievement and is a must see for tourists. The SkyDome Hotel staff can direct you to the tours of the stadium. The hard rock café is still located in the SkyDome which is now 20 years old. The restaurant also overlooks the floor of the skydome and getting reservations during baseball and football games and other events may be difficult.

SkyDome Hotel

The Marriott Hotel SkyDome sometimes known as the SkyDome hotel is located near the waterfront near the CN Tower. This area is a little noisier due to its proximity to the Gardiner Expressway, which is an elevated highway that runs past the SkyDome stadium. It is quite far from Casa Loma, Eaton Centre, Nathan Philips Square, and the Royal Ontario Museum and several blocks from the nearest subway stop. If you’re starting out from the Marriott, you’ll have a very long walk to get downtown.

The Marriott Hotel’s 70 rooms come with internet access however there is no hotel pool or waterpark.

For better access to most of Toronto’s top tourist draws, in the heart of the Entertainment district is the Delta Chelsea Hotel. It is the flagship hotel location for what is Canada’s major hotel chain. As one of the largest Toronto hotels, the Chelsea offers more than 200 comfortable rooms and three great restaurants. One of these restaurants is located on the 27th floor with great views for a very different kind of breakfast.

For fun, you and your kids will love Chelsea’s indoor waterpark which has a 4-storey Corkscrew waterslide. It is the only indoor waterslide in downtown Toronto and is definitely a thrill for youngsters.

Toronto Entertainment District is Where you Want to Stay

The Entertainment district of Toronto is an area roughly bordered by Yonge Street to the East to Spadina Ave to the West and King Street on the south to Gerrard Street to the North. Here you’ll find the popular movie theatres such as the Scotia Theatre on Richmond Street west of University Avenue and the top live theatre venues. The Princess of Wales Theatre, Canon Theatre, Diesel Playhouse, and the Royal Alexandra theatre are not far from the Delta Chelsea hotel. Classics such as the Sound of Music and Dirty Dancing plays draw huge audiences throughout the fall and winter seasons. The Chelsea is considered Toronto’s entertainment hotel and you’ll find numerous show biz people and theatre people staying there. Its theatre packages and shopping packages make it ideal

For shopping, the Eaton Centre and the underground PATH system has hundreds of fine shops and boutiques, and restaurants. In winter, you can walk around parts of the entertainment and business districts without going outside. The PATH system has an amazing 27 kilometres of shopping, services and entertainment. Near to the intersection of Yonge Street and Queen Street, you’ll find many large department stores such as The Bay and Sears. The Yonge Street strip is famous for its eclectic and sometimes unusual retail stores.

The area of Bay Street and Adelaide has become the heart of Toronto’s business and financial community. Here, towering skyscrapers house many of Canada’s leading financial services companies. Just northwest of this location is Toronto’s city hall and Nathan Philips Square. The area is well photographed and is the location of Toronto’s New Year’s celebration. If you visit during the winter, there is a large skating rink on the property.

The rest of the downtown Toronto hotels listed above are also well located however some will require you to use the subway or walk 7 to 15 blocks to get to the popular venues such as the Skydome and theatres.

With the low Canadian dollar, Toronto may be the best vacation bargain for American tourists. Search for Toronto hotels on your favorite search engine and find the hotel that suits your budget and is close to the right tourist venues you intend to visit.

Terrifictoronto.com is an online guide to events and attractions in downtown Toronto. From live theatre events at the Princess of Wales Theatre to the latest films at Toronto Movie theatres, there’s plenty of entertainment for a great weekend getaway in TO. Find out more about what’s happening in Toronto at terrifictoronto.com.

Author: Gord Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Beading Necklace

Canada and the United States have long been the world’s largest trading partners with over one billion dollars of commerce between the two countries on any given day. Both have long prided themselves on sharing the world’s “longest undefended border”, and rightfully so. Things have gotten tighter lately.

With the state of the world today and certain issues and insecurities hitting closer to home, making the quick trip across isn’t quite as simple as it used to be. It now requires some planning, as most people don’t like to carry their passport around everywhere they go, to ensure that you have what they need at the border checkpoint. What began as the statement, “Everyone needs a passport to enter”, from the United States in the aftermath of 9/11 has slowly changed into, “OK, this is a big project. We need security, but the border areas of both countries depend on the flow of people and goods. How can we accomplish this and still allow this relationship to flourish as before?”

As of Jan 31, 2008 the requirements (non-commercial) for entry over land into the United States of America for citizen of Canada and the U.S. are:

o A valid passport; or

o A NEXUS card; or

o An Enhanced Driver’s Licence (EDL); or

o A Certificate of Indian Status (CIS); or

o Government issued photo ID, such as driver’s licence, PLUS a birth certificate or citizenship card; or

o For persons under 18, a birth certificate only

Eventually the photo ID plus birth certificate option will be dropped from this list as the Enhanced Driver’s Licence takes hold. The EDL program is currently only available in British Columbia, Canada and initial results are being tested on a group of 500 BC born Canadian citizens. What we are probably seeing with the EDL is the beginning of an “all-in-one” card that may eventually go on to become global and may include all kinds of information such as banking, health, insurance, in addition to licence and ID.

First things first though. What the government of both the United States and Canada have tried to do with the creation of the EDL program is to satisfy their need to have a secure form of ID that is practical to obtain, useful to the owner and that will allow for spontaneous travel. This last point is really the key. Day trips both ways are such a huge part of trade between these two partners.

Going from Windsor to Detroit for the casinos, major league sports, and big time entertainment; Niagara Falls to Niagara Falls, NY for the outlet stores; Vancouver to Washington state for coastal drives and camping; St. Stephen, NB to Calais, ME for Wal-Mart. There are many locals who will not go through the trouble of obtaining a passport just so they can do the above. But what about an Enhanced Driver’s Licence? Sure. Everyone needs a licence anyways and they always have it with them.

For those living near the border, the EDL is coming. Where it’s going from here is anyone’s guess, but it will be interesting to watch how this new form of ID continues to evolve.

Darren Brown is a travel writer and blogger and runs travel sites specializing in Detroit Hotels and Casinos [http://detroitcasinos.blogspot.com] as well as Niagara Falls Hotels and Casinos.

Author: Darrens Brown
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Duty tariff

I went out to the hazel wood,

Because a fire was in my head,

And cut and peeled a hazel wand,

And hooked a berry to a thread;

And when white moths were on the wing,

And moth-like stars were flickering out,

I dropped the berry in a stream

And caught a little silver trout.

-The Song of Wandering Aengus, William Butler Yeats

When Richard White decided to open the Hazelwood Herb Farm in 1987 he may not have had a fire in his head, but he certainly had a fire in his belly to pursue his passion for gardening and cooking with herbs. Today Richard, 57, and his partner Jacynthe Dugas, 55, grow one of the largest selection of herbs in Canada; over 400 species on 1.75 hectares (4.3 acres), half a hectare (one acre) of which is devoted exclusively to herbs.

Occasionally they have misgivings about the wisdom of giving up secure and lucrative careers – Jacynthe ran a department of the Canadian federal government in the nearby city of Nanaimo and Richard was a well-paid maintenance mechanic in a sawmill – for the hard work, long hours and economic uncertainties of herb farming. “But,” says Richard, “The thanks and appreciation of our loyal customers make it all worth while and gratifying. And we’re doing what we love.” When asked to explain the most satisfying aspect of running the Hazelwood Herb Farm, Richard replies unhesitatingly, “Customer response. Helping them with their needs; finding plants and offering gardening and cooking advice.” The most aggravating? “Never being able to get away from it,” says Richard.

Richard and Jacynthe divide the work according to aptitude. In a double role reversal (Richard is a native of England and Jacynthe is French Canadian), Richard does all the cooking, runs the cooking classes and creates the culinary herb products. He also looks after the three greenhouses and the actual herb farm and garden. Jacynthe operates the gift shop, does the bookwork and ordering and formulates and prepares the herbal bath & beauty, cosmetic and medicinal products such as salves and creams. The only exception is the Echinacea tincture, which is Richard’s responsibility.

When asked about his favorite or most popular culinary creation, Richard cites his Rosemary and Orange Chicken. Here’s the recipe:

ROSEMARY AND ORANGE CHICKEN

4 skinned and boned chicken breasts

1Tbsp. oil

Juice of 2 oranges

½ cup dry white wine or apple juice

2 Tbsp. rosemary and orange jelly

1 Tbsp. herbed vinegar

½ tsp. salt

Pepper to taste

1 clove garlic finely chopped

1 tsp. cornstarch mixed with ½ cup of whipping cream

1Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary.

Heat oil in a skillet: sauté chicken breasts on one side for 2-3 minutes, turn over add the wine, garlic and orange juice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
Remove chicken and keep warm, bring the liquid back to a boil and add the jelly and vinegar. Reduce the liquid by half. Add the rosemary, and then swirl in the cornstarch mixture, stirring until it thickens. Add salt and pepper. Serve chicken sliced with the sauce and pasta. Serves four.

And Richard’s favorite herbs? Rosemary (Tuscan Blue), Greek oregano and basil. Jacynthe also lists basil among her favorites, but reflecting her penchant for healing she names comfrey and chickweed as the top two. In addition to Jacynthe’s healing herbal studies and creations, she has just completed her studies to become a medical intuitive.

One of Jacynthe’s most admired remedies is her Lemon Balm Cold Sore Salve:
She first makes a sun extraction by placing a half-cup of tightly packed, clean lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves in a glass jar and covers them with 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil. The lid is then tightened on the jar, which is placed in a warm sunny spot such as a windowsill or greenhouse. The jar is shaken daily to ensure that the oil is always covering the herbs. After one month the infused oil is strained and used in this recipe:

½ cup infused lemon balm oil

¼ tsp. camphor crystals (available in most drug stores)

25 grams beeswax (slightly less than 1 ounce)

1 Tbsp. honey

1 tsp. lemon essential oil.

Over a low heat the oil is warmed and the camphor crystals are stirred in until dissolved. The beeswax is added and the mixture stirred until it is melted. It is then removed from the heat and the honey and lemon essential oil are added. It is then poured into containers and allowed to cool before being covered. Instructions are to apply several times daily at the first sign of a cold sore.

Richard and Jacynthe picked this particular property, four miles north of the town of Ladysmith, BC, for two reasons: one was the abundance of excellent water on the property. Says Richard, “I used to drill wells for a living so I know the headaches associated with poor quality or insufficient well water.” The other was its peaceful, quiet location while being sufficiently close to the main Vancouver Island highway to make it easy for tourists and visitors to find.
They bought the 30-year old house on 4.3 acres in 1985. It required extensive renovation, most of which they did themselves. Richard’s skill and expertise as a millwright was also put to use building the three greenhouses. They named it the Hazelwood Herb Farm after the two hazel nut trees on the property. Within the first year they were selling 30 varieties of herbs. Then came the nursery, gift shop, display and working gardens. Today their shop boasts a huge variety of their own products, including potted plants, fresh cut herbs, gift baskets and culinary, medicinal, cosmetic and bath & beauty herbal preparations. They also give classes on gardening and cooking with herbs and Jacynthe shares her herbal soap-making talents with enthusiastic students.

Complimentary garden tours are held – rain or shine – on the first and last Saturdays of the month from June to September. Guided tours for groups are available by appointment.

Special events at Hazelwood Herb Farm throughout the year include Mother’s day complimentary Tea and Cake in the Gardens (held in the kitchen if the weather is disagreeable); Father’s Day Barbeque; Sampling Saturdays (for Richard’s culinary creations); Tea Thyme every Sunday afternoon with fresh baked herbal treats and the annual pre-Christmas “Shopping by Candlelight” event every November. This popular affair involves lighting up the shop, kitchen and garden entrance with hundreds of candles to create an inviting, cozy ambience. Complimentary food and drinks are served and Richard and Jacynthe showcase their new products.

The Hazelwood Herb Farm and the town of Ladysmith are located at the northern edge of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. “Cowichan” means “The Warm Land” in the language of the native Coast Salish First Nations people. The rich, fertile valleys and mild climate here have spawned a burgeoning viniculture and the region is being hailed as the “New Provence.” To the west a rugged spine of mountains bisects the whole of Vancouver Island. A scenic drive through this heavily forested vista will bring you to the rugged west coast and pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean. The region is bordered to the east by the Strait of Georgia. These waters are rich in Pacific salmon, Dungeness crab, prawns and oysters and local restaurants pride themselves on their own unique ways of preparing these regional delicacies.

The picturesque hillside town of Ladysmith – with stunningly beautiful views over the strait – sits precisely on the 49th parallel, which marks the US-Canadian border across most of the continent. The town – nicknamed “Heritage by the Sea” – was bred from the coal mining industry, which dominated central Vancouver Island around the turn of the last century. By the 1930s coal mining had fallen victim to exhausted seams, crippling labor problems and the Great Depression. Slowly forestry and fishing become the economic linchpins of the region, but now even these once dominant industries are in decline. Today cultural and eco-tourism (e.g. kayaking, scuba-diving, sailing, fishing, hiking etc.) are increasingly important and the area has much to offer. Ladysmith itself has recently undergone a remarkable renaissance; the town has done an admirable job of restoring its quaint fin-de-siecle ambience, winning a national Mainstreet Canada Award for the revitalization of the downtown. Harrowsmith Country Life magazine recently named Ladysmith one of the “10 prettiest towns in Canada.”

Ladysmith is about a 90-minute drive north of Victoria, British Columbia’s capital and famous for its very English colonial tone. The drive will take you over the beautifully scenic Malahat Pass with stunning views of the Saanich Inlet and BC’s Gulf Islands. Three ferry terminals in greater Victoria bring visitors from mainland British Columbia and from Seattle, Anacortes and Port Angeles in Washington State. Victoria is also home to the world famous Butchart Gardens. A 20-minute drive north of Ladysmith brings you to the city of Nanaimo with two more ferry terminals servicing mainland BC.

HOW TO GET THERE:

The Hazelwood Herb Farm is open daily April-September from 11.00am to 5:00pm and from October-December, Fridays-Sundays, 11:00pm to 5:00pm. It is located at 13576 Adshead Road, Ladysmith, BC V0R 2E0 Canada. From Ladysmith drive north on the Island Highway three miles and take the Cedar Road exit to the right (east). After one mile turn left on Adshead Road. Hazelwood is 600 yards down this road on your left.

From Nanaimo drive south on the Island Highway to the hamlet of Cassidy, about seven miles. Immediately after crossing the bridge over a creek to the south of Cassidy turn left on Haslam Road. After one mile Haslam Road forks left. Take the right fork, which is Adshead Road. Hazelwood is another mile along this road on your right.

Bruce Burnett, has won four Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold awards for travel journalism. Read more of Bruce Burnett’s writing on his websites:

1. [http://www.globalramble.com/]

2. http://www.bruceburnett.ca/

3. http://www.herbalcuisine.com/

Author: Bruce Burnett
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty rates

The top 5 cultural communities in Canada are

1 – Edmonton, Alberta – in the more than 125 000 population category

Edmonton, Capital city of the province of Alberta is known for its thriving arts and cultural communities including a downtown arts district where several major centers are located.

2 – Comox Valley, British Columbia – in the 50 000 to 125 000 population category

Comox Valley is a thriving arts and culture community with painters, potters, theatre and dance troupes perform in parks and a myriad of venues including renovated heritage churches, warehouses, sports arenas, resorts and restaurants.

3 – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – in the less than 50 000 population category

Moose Jaw is famous for its Murals on buildings all over the city. Scenes depicting Moose Jaw’s early history can be found on the sides and fronts of buildings throughout the downtown core.

4 – Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec – in the less than 50 000 population category

One of Quebec oldest municipalities, the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, a favorite of Canada’s Group of Seven painters, and a heritage town with over 85 century-old homes, this city still draws
artists to this day.

5 – Wendake, Quebec – in the less than 50 000 population category

Located 10 kilometers north of the city of Quebec, the Carrefour des Nations is a festival of contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, showcasing the First Nations artists and their unique culture. Theatrical productions, exhibitions, literary readings, musical performances, and a traditional pow-wow are testimony to Wendake’s commitment to the arts and culture.
These five communities were unanimously recommended by an independent advisory committee. The Cultural Capitals of Canada program celebrates the unique character of Canadian municipalities and recognizes the important role they play in highlighting the richness and diversity of our culture.”

The Cultural Capitals of Canada Program highlights the achievements of communities that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture. These prizes are awarded for merit, for the quality of proposed projects, and for past achievements of the communities. The 5 communities receive anywhere from $ 500,000 up to $ 2,000,000 to finance projects that celebrate arts and culture in those communities.

Author: Francine Gielis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

We watched in dismay, the dark clouds massing at an alarming rate above the granite peaks of the Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park. An afternoon rain shower was brewing, and it was going to start pouring before we could return to our campsite on the Kicking Horse River.

Fortunately, Canada’s western parks have a strict bare camp policy due to the presence of grizzly bears, meaning that almost everything has to be stowed away before leaving camp. There was nothing laying around our site that could be damaged by rain, so we decided not to worry about the change in weather.

We drove back from our day’s sight seeing and other adventures, scheming for a way to wait out the storm without getting wet and found ourselves sipping gin-tonics at Truffle Pig, a quirky cafe in a little mountain town named Field. With Irish fiddle music playing in the background, we sat on benches by the open door and smelled the cooling rain turn dust into mud.

The challenges of dealing with bears and rain are among the reasons people generally either love or abhor camping. It’s an entirely different sort of vacation from staying in resorts and hotels. And we did a little bit of both on a recent vacation in Canada.

But aside from the question of lodging, all of the visitors to Jasper, Yoho, and Banff National Parks have one thing in common: an appreciation for the dramatic natural beauty of the high and rugged Canadian Rockies.

Tourists from around the world flock to Canada’s western national parks for good reason. Protecting a huge area that spans into two provinces, (Alberta and British Columbia), the Canadian tourism industry is well aware of the value of keeping this large region pristine, maintaining the natural beauty of the high mountains, clean rivers, and old-growth forests.

The park system has established an infrastructure that allows travelers access while keeping the impact to a minimum. Abundant Visitor Centers are manned with friendly Canadian park service staff who help direct tourists by giving excellent information on everything from white water rafting outfitters to fine restaurants.

Just about any amusement you want for your Canadian Parks vacation is available. Here is one you won’t want to miss: The Icefields Parkway.

Billed as, “The Most Beautiful Road in The World,” the Icefields Parkway has a right to make the claim. It is 230 kilometers of continuous World Heritage Site scenery completely protected by Jasper and Banff Parks. The white glaciers against the dark granite slopes with clear blue mountain lakes at their bases make for one breath-taking vista after another. The Icefield Parkway is a must-see for any visitor to the region.

Where — Northern access to the Parkway is from the city of Jasper, and southern access is near the town of Lake Louise on the Trans-Canada Highway.

When — The road is open most of the year, except during severe weather. But summer and fall are the best times to visit because snow obscures the beautiful contrast of glacier, granite, and mountain lakes.

What — There are frequent picnic areas and some lodges for dining along the Parkway. Also, several of the roadside parks have trailheads for visitors to explore in a more personal and focused way than merely passing through by car.

How — Tour buses allow the visitor to completely focus on the scenery. Individually operated vehicles offer more flexibility; the Parkway fee is 17 dollars for the vehicle.

The Icefields Parkway is only one of the many attractions in the area of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks. Visit Canadian National Parks web sites to start planning your trip, and supplement your plans once you’ve arrived by stopping at one of the many Visitor Centers. They’ll help you locate whatever you need to make your visit the perfect vacation.

Judith Schwader loves to travel and tell stories about her traveling adventures. She reviews popular destinations and lodgings, as well as the more off-beat places to explore. Visit A Travel To located at http://atravelto.com/ [http://atravelto.com/for] for travel tips and resources.

Author: Judith Schwader
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

If you are interested in traveling to Canada, you may be even more in living there!

It´s not so difficult as people may think to apply for the Canadian Permanent visa.

Let me share with you some tips if you decide to apply.

There are certain work experience requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible to the Canadian Permanent Residence visa as a Skilled Worker.

The work experience requirements that you must meet are:

- You must have at least one year of PAID full-time work experience;

- Your work experience must be in the following categories on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC): – Category of Skill Type 0, or – Skill Level A or B

- You must have had this work experience within the last 10 years.

Before we proceed, let me explain what the National Occupation Classification (NOC) is.

The NOC is a system used by the Canadian Government to classify the jobs in the Canadian economy. It provides a standardized framework that helps organize the world of work in an organized and coherent system. It reflects the changes in the Canadian labour market.

The NOC system is used by thousands of people everyday to understand the jobs found in the Canadian labour market.

As explained, your work experience must be in the following categories on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC):

- Category of Skill Type 0, or – Skill Level A or B

Alex Berezovsky is author of Step-by-Step Immigration to Canada and founder of http://www.stepbystepimmigrationcanada.com

Author: Alex Berez
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty rate

York Region has a population of over 870,000 people and covers an area of over 1,750 square kilometres. Sitting between Peel Region in the West and Durham region in the east, York Region consists of the Cities of Markham and Vaughan, with the townships of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King, Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Whitchurch-Stouffville.

The two main population centers are the Cities of Markham and Vaughan. Both Cities have average populations with Markham being the largest in the Region with over 220,000. Markham is renowned for being the Hi Tech capital of Canada with several high profile corporate head offices making the city their home. The city is modern with excellent healthcare and schooling. Vaughan has one particular claim to fame in being directly north of Toronto, making them “above” the main city. This too is a rapidly expanding city with great facilities and plenty of new communities springing up.

The York Region is host to over 25,000 businesses which provide 400,000 jobs – a number that is growing by approximately 20,000 per year at current rates. With close proximity to the Pearson International airport and a young, well educated workforce, York Region is one of the fastest growing regions of the GTA and is very popular with Immigrants. The York Region Transit system connects most communities within the Region to each other and the Toronto GO Transit system to give a very effective public transport network.

The Region administers the Healthcare and Education following the Provincial guidelines. The York Region District School Board and the York Region Catholic District School Board are responsible for the day to day operations of the Region’s schools – all of which can be contacted via these sites.

The Town Of Aurora – With a population of over 43,000, the Town of Aurora is another rapidly expanding town. The population is young and has a high average income (compared to most Canadian towns) of around $110,000 per household. The housing is fairly expensive though with an average price of a single family detached home being over $370,000 two years ago!

There is a large variety of employers in the town and it is also commutable to the Toronto downtown core. This gives a low unemployment level of 4% in 2001 with the majority of employment in management/business, finance and sciences/technology. Manufacturing and retail are the other big areas of employment.

The schools and healthcare are administered by the York Region so for more details check out the links above. The town itself is a historical place with plenty of old buildings with lots of character. With close proximity to both the big city of Toronto and the rural areas, Aurora provides excellent recreational opportunities to its residents. This ranges from parks, playgrounds and pedestrian trails to championship golf courses, fine dining and theatre. A full recreational program is offered in the Town which will soon be augmented by a new state of the art Recreation Centre.

The Town Of East Gwillimbury is a semi rural area located only half an hours drive from Toronto. Another historic area with settlement dating back to the 1700′s, the population is now over 20,000 and growing.

Again, East Gwillimbury has an excellent array of recreational facilities including arena’s, trails, play parks and over 135 acres of parkland. There are ice rinks, outdoor sports pitches, the usual golf courses and for the less active a 16 screen movie theatre.

There are a wide variety of employers in the town providing ample employment and the new GO Transit station gives good access to the city. The population also enjoys an above average household income. For the latest business directory to see which companies are in the area, see the town website.

The Town Of Georgina is the most northerly area of the York Region and is made up of several smaller communities. Situated on the South eastern shores of Lake Simcoe, the communities of Georgina have plenty of beaches and open space – especially with the area being known as “Getaway Country”.

The lake offers up year round recreation including swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing and ice fishing to name a few. On top of this the great outdoors is all around and the communities have good facilities. Some of the more prominent communities are Keswick, Sutton, Udora, Jacksons Point and Port Bolster.

Most employment seems to be in the local services and tourism sector though full research can be carried out through the chamber of commerce website.

The Township Of King is home to around 20,000 people and is a fairly rural area. Famous for the Holland Marsh – a fertile area that produces most of the Provinces fresh vegetables – most industry is based upon the support of agriculture. There are a lot of Horse breeders in the area along with livestock and dairy farms. There is some light industry and the Seneca College campus is located on the former Easton estate.

As with most Canadian towns, King has good sporting and leisure facilities including golf courses, trails, parks and 3 arena’s. Most facilities are pay as you use – more details can be found on the township website. The Township has a rich history dating back to the aboriginal peoples and then the western settlers in the late 1600′s. A museum is now dedicated to the area’s history and will be well worth a visit.

There are excellent transport links to Toronto and it’s only around 40 minutes to drive to Pearson International airport (south). A prosperous town, the average income back in 1996 was over 97,000 with an unemployment rate of 5%. In the 8 years since I can only see that the average income would rise to over $100,000 per household.

The Town Of Newmarket is another large town with a population of over 73,000 that is growing fairly quickly. Over 70% of the population are under 45 years old. With all the amenities you would expect for a big town, Newmarket is home to the York Region Administrative Headquarters, the Provincial Court and the District 1 Police HQ.

The Southlake regional health centre is a fully equipped modern hospital with plans for expansion. These combine to make local government the highest employer in the area. On top of this, the local business community is growing at over 3.5% each year with retail stores and manufacturing companies having a large presence. Use the links on the town site to go to the Chamber of Commerce site for the full listing of businesses.

For recreation purposes there is a full program of sports and activities with the new Ray Twinney Rec. centre having two arena’s and an indoor pool. There are several other arena’s, pools and rinks in the town as well as a youth centre with a fully equipped skatepark. All the usual outdoor activities are available in the area including hiking, cross country skiing and golf. For the less energetic, the Upper Canada Mall is an impressive 1 million square feet of shops which should pacify even the most hardy shopper!

House prices are reasonable for Ontario with the average in 2001 being $242,000 for a single family detached home. Being located close to Toronto brings obvious benefits with great transport links including the GTA GO Transit system. The York Region Transit system also operates in the town. Highway 404 will direct you to the downtown area of Toronto in around 30 minutes and Pearson International airport is only an hour away. Buttonville airport in nearby Markham is useful for lighter regional aircraft.

The Town Of Richmond Hill is one of the fastest growing large municipalities in Canada and has a population of over 158,000. Situated directly North of Toronto, (between Markham and Vaughan), Richmond Hill is ideally located for commuting and access to the city for recreation or onward travel. As with the other municipalities, Richmond Hill has the York Transit, Toronto Transit Commission and the GTA GO Transit networks providing great options for transport.

Richmond Hill is renowned for its world class high tech manufacturing and research companies with the lowest R&D taxes in the G7 group of countries. Major international IT companies like Lexmark and Compaq are headquartered here along with MGI software and Shaw Communications. The young population provide a well educated workforce and with the average cost of housing lower than most other areas of the GTA is a popular place to settle.

Recreational opportunities are plentiful with Lake Wilcox providing aqautic fun along with the Lois Hancy Wave Pool and over a hundred parks for jogging, cycling and hiking. Golfers are well catered for and there are movie theatres, the enormous central Library and the David Dunlop Observatory for the less active.

The Town Of Whitchurch-Stouffville is a collection of smaller communities and rural areas and was established in 1792. Located some 24 Km North of Toronto it is on the Eastern/Central side of York Region. There is a population of around 24,000 who enjoy pleasant countryside with farms and equestrian facilities along with the small urban centres.
The area has good transportation links with the York Region Transit and the GTA GO Transit networks. Only 30 minutes from Pearson and 15 to Buttonville airports means you can soon be on your travels.

The major employers are in the Business and personal services sector with the area experiencing a healthy 8.5% growth rate. Only 3% of the population remains unemployed.

A modern Hospital opened in 1990 and with good schools, a library and Museum there are plenty of facilities. The York-Durham heritage railway runs through the area with several stops and there are plenty of golf courses and recreational programs.

For more detailed information and great links please go to http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com/york_region.html

Dave Lympany emigrated to Canada in 2003 and has developed a free information resource for Canadian Immigration and life in Canada – http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com

Author: Dave Lympany
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The Romantic Weekend Getaway is here; however, the only thing missing is you!
You now have the opportunity to surprise your loved one, whisk them off their
feet, and head off into an exciting romantic adventure. Where?…Victoria
Canada; board the Victoria Clipper
and languish in romance at the
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.

This was the perfect choice for my wife, Maria, and I to have the opportunity
to experience a romantic weekend getaway together, away from the routines of
life. Before embarking on this wonderful occasion, we organized the
babysitting for our four kids, finalized various weekend projects and easily
arranged our transportation with accommodations to Victoria Canada.

Getting to Victoria Canada couldn’t be any easier. You can
choose airplane or boat; we chose to travel by boat aboard the famous Victoria Clipper. It’s fast,
comfortable, convenient and provides an appealing romantic atmosphere traveling
across the water. Life
couldn’t be any easier. The Victoria Clipper also offers all-inclusive getaway
packages including: transportation, accommodations and even sight-seeing
opportunities.

Getting to the “Clipper” is effortless. We simply had a
relative drop us off at the Clipper dock located on Pier 69 along Seattle’s
waterfront, 2701 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 448-5000. If you’re
driving and need parking, that’s simple too, check out the
parking facility the Clipper recommends.

We arrived an hour before the scheduled boarding. This gave us ample
time to check-in our bag, pick up our boarding passes and proceed through
security. Be sure to bring the appropriate identification. Check
with the Victoria Clipper before leaving your home if you have any questions
regarding acceptable identification. You don’t want to miss the boat!

Once you’ve gone through all of the check-in procedures, boarding the vessel
is a simple process. Boarding is based on a first-come, first-served
basis. If you’re one of the first passengers through check-in, you’ll
likely board first. The benefit?…You get to pick your seat. There
are no assigned seats for this romantic weekend getaway, you pick what’s right
for you.

Once we found seats, most appropriate for us, we simply relaxed as the
boarding process continued for the remaining passengers. We checked out
the small “Duty-Free Shop”, purchased a breakfast basket and visited the
self-service complimentary coffee bar. With our food and drinks in hand,
we nestled back for a relaxing romantic voyage up Puget Sound to Victoria
Canada, the beginning of our romantic weekend getaway.

The trip takes approximately 2½ hours; however, time goes very quickly. We were easily engaged in conversation with
the Clipper’s crew, explored the aft outside deck and occasionally visited one
of the several restrooms. I was especially impressed with the stability
of the vessel. It was smoother than flying any commercial airliner.
If you’re anxious about boarding a vessel, the Clipper will most likely take all
of your anxious feeling away. Most of the time, you will not even know
you’re moving.

Arriving into Victoria is exciting.

Peering through the windows as we entered the port area created a magical
sensation. After all, this was our destination for a romantic weekend
getaway. We waited patiently in anticipation as we disembarked the
Victoria Clipper, collected our piece of luggage, passed through customs and
gingerly left the dock as the city of Victoria unfolded before our eyes.

The prominent landmarks caught our attention as we walked from the Clipper
Dock. The Parliament Buildings and the Royal B.C. Museum were like a
guiding light showing us the way into the heart of Victoria. Our venue of
romance was all around us as we further entered into the romantic weekend
getaway.

Traveling with one piece of luggage made our
romantic ten minute walk to the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour Hotel a breeze.
To the suggestion of my wife, we utilized a compact over-night travel bag on
wheels. This is the way to travel, light with ease, no heavy bags slung
over the shoulder.

The Marriott is easy to find. You can
easily walk, as we did, or take a taxi. We preferred walking, it added to
the magical mystery of exploring this romantic setting. Pick up a free map
from the Clipper and you’ll find the Marriott just behind the notable Fairmont
Empress Hotel, 728 Humboldt Street.

The Marriott offers some fabulous accommodation
packages, ask the hotel for more specifics. Of course, we
chose the Romantic Package, and the Marriott delivers! After our brief
check-in, with the help of the courteous hotel staff, we pursued to our Romantic
Suite on the 14th floor overlooking Victoria’s inner harbor.

Wow!!! What an elegant suite, all prepared with
the romantic touch, adding the essentials to our romantic weekend getaway. The elegant furniture, beautiful decorations,
accompanied with a gorgeous picturesque back drop of Victoria’s Inner Harbor
added a sensual suggestion. We were mesmerized by the romantic affect
with the room’s preparation. A waiting chilled bottle of wine consorting with
chocolate covered strawberries only amplified the romantic setting.

We took a moment to savor the time as we melted
away on the relaxing couch gazing across Victoria’s Inner Harbor. The
adjacent large bedroom’s soft, warm bedding simply added to the romantic
environment, providing our romantic weekend getaway with a stimulating touch. The Marriott had prepared it all, even the Romantic Aroma
Therapy Soaps.

We found it very appealing to simply enjoy the
romantic arrangement; there was no rush to engage in the typical tourist
activities, just relax in the wonderful romantic Marriott surroundings. The
weather wasn’t the most conducive for thoroughly exploring Victoria, but that
didn’t matter to us, we could spend quality time together in a lush romantic setting,
right in our hotel room. It was simply perfect.

After several hours of relaxation in our
magnificent room we headed out to explore the romantic wonderlands of Victoria.
Strolling hand-in-hand along the waterfront, looking at the glistening Victoria
lights dance on the waters reflection, makes for the most favorable romantic
occasion. We ambled up and down the streets of Victoria, no hurry, no
worries, just enjoying each other’s company.

Our meandering through Victoria’s streets put us
at the front door of a local restaurant, The Tapa Bar. The restaurant’s
outside looked very appealing and inviting. We couldn’t resist exploring
this cultural delight. Tapas are small assortments of food, typical in
Spain, and mouth watering.

We decided to order the “Tapa Platter For Two”
dish, fully loaded with a broad assortment of Latin spice, Spanish influence,
and a dash of Cuban, South American and Mexican delight. The food was
prepared by the specialty chef, Armanda, in the spacious open kitchen. We
were caught in amazement watching Armanda prepare the dish with such delicacy.
And even more so, the food was delicious, a highly recommended treat for the
romantic adventurer and adding the specialty spice to your romantic weekend
getaway. You can find the restaurant in the historic Trounce
Alley, just off Government Street.

For those who want to sliver away in your Romantic Suite, instead of
venturing out into the heart of Victoria, the Marriott provides elegant meals
directly to your suite through their astounding “Fire & Water Fish and Chop
House Restaurant”. You have the ability to enjoy each others company,
romantic style, eating a fabulous meal without venturing anywhere. And,
you’ll find the menu items are very affordable. A highly recommend treat,
and added touch to your romantic weekend getaway.

As time would have it, our romantic weekend
getaway could not last forever, we had to make the return voyage back to Seattle
aboard the Clipper. Our departure time was late in the afternoon so we had
ample time to check out of the Marriott, stroll the streets of Victoria and pick
up a few gifts for the kids. The Marriott offered to “watch” our luggage
while we strolled around Victoria one last time. This was very helpful, it
eliminated the hassles of pulling a piece of luggage throughout Victoria. (The
Clipper will come by and pick up your luggage too; however, you’ll need to have
it in the lobby before noon. If that interests you, check with the
Marriott staff.)

Upon boarding the Clipper for your departure to
Seattle,
it’s recommend to arrive an hour early. Similar to your departure in
Seattle,
you’ll check in your luggage, pass through customs and board the Clipper.
It’s a pretty simple task, just abide with all the security rules.

Our voyage back to Seattle allowed time to
recount our romantic time together. The moments we shared in
Victoria was like “time in a bottle”, it was priceless and appeared endless.
Our short time away seemed like days, for we had ventured miles together into a Magical Romantic Wonderland.

Now it’s your turn to participate in a Romantic
Weekend Getaway, remember the only thing missing is YOU! Mark Twain says
it best;
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the
bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor…Explore. Dream.
Discover.”

Craig Dahl – The Romantic Travel Expert

Craig Dahl, a veteran professional travel/tour operator, has traveled the globe on numerous occasions. Through his travels he has uncovered a host of exotic romantic hotspots, the best our planet has to offer. And he reveals those secrets to you. [http://www.luxury-romantic-vacations.com]

Author: Craig Dahl
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Occupying most of North America, Canada is the world’s second largest country in terms of area. Its fusion of British, French and indigenous Canadian influences give this country its diverse and multicultural nature which attracts so many travellers every year.

Perhaps Canada’s most outstanding attractions are its unrivalled natural beauty and spectacular wilderness. From the dominating rocky mountains to the gorgeous Banff and Jasper National Parks.

So from up and coming cities, to wilderness that’s ideal for spotting bears and other such wildlife, Canada really does offer an abundance of adventure holiday options and experiences, some of which are detailed below.

1. Horse riding in British Columbia – Follow game trails, cross rivers, and enjoy open-air lunches with the world’s best views. There are sweeping vistas, turquoise green glaciers, snow caves, and abundant wildlife including mountain goats, Bighorn sheep, Mule deer, moose, wolf, Grizzly and Black bear. Travel mountain-top passes and experience wide U-shaped valleys with their mosaic of wildflowers, wild hay meadows and big-game mineral licks.

2. See polar bears in Churchill – Churchill, the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, is the only human settlement where Polar Bears can be observed in the wild and it lies right in the bears migratory path. This is perhaps the ultimate in adventure travel in Canada.

3. Spot whales, porpoises and dolphins – In the summer months the wildlife is prolific here with June to August being exceptional months for sighting Humpback Whales, Orcas, Dall’s Porpoise and Pacific White-sided Dolphins.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, for more adventure travel in Canada you’ll have to travel there to experience it for yourself!

Hannah G is a writer for http://addictedtotravel.com – providing detailed travel guides and a collection of the best holidays from operators across the globe.

Come and see our stunning collection of Canadian adventure holidays.

Author: Hannah G
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Some people like to lie on beaches. Others like to immerse themselves in the culture and history of a particular location. But many people will only get really excited by a holiday that takes them out and about; keeping them active and breathing in the fresh air the whole time.

If this sounds like the kind of holiday you would look forward to, why not consider Canada as your next destination?

From glaciers to rivers, and mountains to streams, you’ll be overwhelmed by the possibilities that are available when you set foot in this country. For example, have you thought about taking on the rapids and indulging in a white water rafting experience like no other? You’ll need a strong stomach and a sense of fun, but you’ll probably end up going home fitter than when you arrived!

But if you prefer something a little less energetic, you will really appreciate the various hiking trails that weave their way through the Canadian countryside. Day hiking on a well worn route will guarantee that you will see some of the history of the country – not to mention the wildlife.

Some of the tours are guided, but you can venture off on your own if you wish. Just make sure you know where you are headed, you have a map and a fully charged phone. But for the best hiking experience, try heli-hiking, which as the name suggests, involves a helicopter.

Just imagine being able to take in the majestic glaciers and alpine areas of Canada in a helicopter, before hopping out and hiking back down through the breathtaking countryside to get back to where you are staying. This is one holiday where you will definitely want to take your camera!

As you can imagine, Canada puts you very close to some of nature’s most spectacular animals too. Whale watching is a very popular activity on those days when you want something a little more laid back to do. But of course there are more energetic boat rides than this – you can board a jet boat to see the famous Niagara Falls from a very unique angle – if you’re prepared to get a little bit wet.

Canada holidays are one of the most amazing and versatile trips you could take when you go abroad. The range of activities and sports that you can take part in is enough to keep you busy on any length of holiday. And when you need some downtime you can take full advantage of sitting back in a restaurant or bar, gazing at the scenery while you sample some of Canada’s finest dishes. In short, it’s one of the best places on earth you can be.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Author: Isla Campbell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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