Art & Architecture - Toronto: A City on the Verge

Itinerary

• Ontario

  Ontario is a province located in east-central Canada, the largest by population and second largest, after Quebec, in total area.
   Ontario is bordered by the provinces of Manitoba to the west and Quebec to the east, and five U.S. states (from west to east): Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania (the latter two across Lake Erie) and New York to the south and east. Most of Ontario's  border with the United States runs along water.  The capital of Ontario is Toronto, Canada's most populous city and metropolitan area.  Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is also located in Ontario.

• Toronto

  Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational and cultural facilities. It is the largest city in Canada, with a population consisting of over 2.5 million people. Toronto is the home of seven professional sports teams and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London. It is one of the world's most multicultural cities, home to more than 80 ethnic communities (half of people living in Toronto were born outside Canada). A dominant force in the business and economy of the nation, it is also the cultural centre of English-speaking Canada. Toronto is known as a city of neighborhoods. Districts are often centered one of the main streets (Queen, College, Bloor etc), and packed tightly together, with each having something different to offer each visitor. The relative compactness of these neighborhoods makes exploring on foot easy and pleasant, especially in the warmer months.

• • Toronto
  • Dish at Canoe
  • Ritz Carlton Exterior

  Day 1: Toronto

  Upon arrival, make your way downtown to your home for the next three nights. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring Toronto’s prime shopping area

  On your way to dinner, stop off to admire the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, an opera house like no other and the first of its kind in Canada. Designed by pre-eminent Toronto architect A.J. (Jack) Diamond, the Four Seasons Centre is Canada’s first purpose-built opera house, and is the home of the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada. Highlights include the world’s longest freespan glass staircase and a horseshoe-shaped, European style auditorium featuring phenomenal advancements in modern engineering and acoustical design.

  The concierge at your hotel can easily arrange a cab, or just hail one of the many ones passing by for the short transfer to Oliver and Bonacini’s restaurant, Canoe, for an unparalleled view of the city, through wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass, paired with an unparalleled taste of contemporary Canadian cuisine. The design, created by the noted team of Yabu Pushelberg, is clean and simple, yet absolutely stylish—a brilliant reflection of this country’s rich raw environment. That same brilliance is captured through the flavours and textures of Chef Anthony Walsh’s inspired regional Canadian cuisine.

  Accommodation: Ritz-Carlton (5*)

  Among the newest Toronto luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto welcomes guests to the heart of the city’s financial district with a world-class spa, exceptional dining, impeccable service and 267 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Just steps from landmark locations, including the Design Exchange, CN Tower and the Entertainment District, this luxury hotel in Toronto provides convenient access to all this one-of-a-kind city has to offer.

• • Art Gallery of Ontario
  • Art Deco Entrance
  • Chef Jamie Kennedy in action
  • Shoe store at Yorkville
  • C5 restaurant and lounge

  Day 2: Toronto

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  With breathtaking art, a spectacular new building and innovative ideas, the transformed Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is both a preeminent art museum and an international cultural destination. With a permanent collection of more than 73,000 works of art spanning more than 11,000 years, it is among the most distinguished art museums in North America. Thanks to the Transformation AGO expansion project designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry, the new AGO features 190,000 square feet of new and renovated space, including a 47 percent increase in art-viewing space. With its dramatic sculptural staircases, bold use of wood and galleries infused with natural light, the Art Gallery of Ontario is an extraordinary new home for extraordinary new art. Enjoy a private guided tour of the gallery choosing between various themes such as Architecture, Canadian, African, contemporary or opt for a sample of everything. If you feel like a bite to eat afterwards, consider stopping by FRANK - the in-house restaurant which has proved very popular with locals.

  So impressive were Toronto’s 1920’s art deco skyscrapers that Toronto born Joe Shuster, the co-creator of the Superman comics,  after his family had relocated to Cleveland he used the early Toronto skyline as a blueprint for Superman adopted Earth home ‘Metropolis’.

  In an interview he gave to the Toronto Star newspaper before his death in 1992 Joe said…. ``Cleveland was not nearly as metropolitan as Toronto was, and it was not as big or as beautiful. Whatever buildings I saw in Toronto remained in my mind and came out in the form of Metropolis.''  Many of the gorgeous art deco buildings that inspired a young Joe Shuster are still around tucked away like blades of grass surrounded by mighty oaks. 

  Tour some of the city’s great Art Deco masterpieces include the former Stock Exchange built in 1937 (now known as the Design Exchange) with its 75 foot long carved-in-stone frieze by Charles Comfort showing workers who laboured under the industries that were well served by the Exchange.

  Visit the remarkable Canada Permanent Building with its awe-inspiring interior banking hall when first built in 1928 was inspired by the opening of King Tut’s tomb.

  Then onto to the extraordinary Concourse Building with its mosaic lobby designed by Group of Seven’s JEH Macdonald and his son, Thoreau. The tour also includes a visit to the Sterling Tower, at 20 stories once the British Empires tallest structure when built in 1928. Also a stop at what many still call the most beautiful banking hall in North America, the CIBC building on King West. This 1929 restored Bank of Commerce building with its magnificent banking hall comes complete with a vaulted ceiling of gold leaf and hand painted murals.

  The tour finishes at the restored Dominion Bank of Canada at Yonge and King Streets now a luxury hotel and condo renamed Suites at 1 King West with one of the most breathtaking bank lobbies’ inCanada fully restored to its former glory.

  The tour will also include visits to modern skyscrapers like the TD Centre built in 1966 by famed International Style architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Commerce Court built by IM Pei in 1972

  Consider having a great lunch at The Gardiner Museums' Cafe which is a supporter of local and organic ingredients, Chef Jamie Kennedy offers an accessibly priced selection of delectable sandwiches and salads for lunch menu seven days. Then maybe take a stroll through the museum which offers an intimate look at one of the world’s oldest and most universal forms of art and material culture—ceramics. Complemented by special exhibitions, the collection exceeds 3,000 historical and contemporary pieces and spans continents and time, giving you an extraordinary glimpse into the development of the ceramic process, decoration and shape.

  Discover the chic neighbourhood of Bloor-Yorkville in the heart of Toronto- the ultimate fusion of historic charm and modern seduction. This is the city's most celebrated neighbourhood of style and culture and offers a unique blend of designer boutiques, fashionable restaurants, plush hotels and world class galleries... 700 in all! Spend time strolling along the various streets and pedestrianised alleyways and enjoy some time shopping!

  A suggestion for dinner this evening that you may like to consider is the C5 restaurant lounge in the ROM museum. C5, located at the pinnacle of the new Leibskind designed Crystal, is a unique dining destination that provides superlative gastronomic experiences and a sophisticated lounge environment, not to mention one of the most chic locations in the city to unwind.

  Accommodation: Ritz-Carlton (5*)
• • Distillery District
  • Colborne Table

  Day 3: Toronto

  Transfer using a local taxi. Please note that this is not included in trip price and is payable locally.

  Today meet up with Toronto’s most famous local historian for a guided walking tour of the historic village of the Distillery District.

  Learn of the fascinating history (the site dates back to 1832) of this incredible factory complex with its original cobblestone pathways including the years it was visited by 1920’s gangsters during the heyday of Prohibition.  After touring the Distillery the group will head out to the surrounding area and visit what most historians regard as the most famous spot in Toronto, the site of the First Parliament Buildings (the forerunner to Queen’s Park) where the roots of Ontario’s democracy got its start.

  Then we proceed through the fascinating remains of the great Toronto Gas Works of the 19^th century.  At one time this enormous industrial complex (once home to the Consumers’ Gas Co) took up over 30 acres of prime downtown real estate. Today while most of it was demolished in the 1960’s some outstanding buildings still remain and have been converted into the new Police Station and the Canadian Stage Company both of which we will tour inside. Another stop is Berkeley Castle once a 19^th century knitting mill and now one of the hidden treasures ofToronto. Its six buildings were converted into an enclave of prime office space surrounding an exquisite garden that is simply breathtaking the first time visiting.

  For dinner tonight, why don't you consider Colborne Lane, where the servings are nothing short of culinary magic. Located in a soaring heritage loft space, it is the current epicentre of molecular gastronomy in Toronto. Every plate is composed with ferocious attention to detail and passion for both taste and texture. Try licorice and burnt honey sauce married to ridiculously juicy Peking duck breast, or perhaps pickled cape gooseberries and silken squash flan.

  Accommodation: Ritz-Carlton (5*)

• Day 4: Toronto

  This morning after breakfast, check out of the hotel feeling uber-relaxed after your city escape!

  Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)

Accommodation

• Local Diversions

  Toronto is best explored on foot, to discover its cultural neighbourhoods, bustling markets, inspiring architecture, the unique ravine system and lush parks. More than 7,000 restaurants are scattered across the city, serving an array of cuisine from the flashy kitchens of leading edge chefs to authentic ethnic favourites. The theatre scene rivals London and New York, and festivals throughout the year draw tremendous audience for theatre, film, music and dance. Toronto is the ultimate urban destination.

• Ritz-Carlton (5*)

  Among the newest Toronto luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto welcomes guests to the heart of the city’s financial district with a world-class spa, exceptional dining, impeccable service and 267 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Just steps from landmark locations, including the Design Exchange, CN Tower and the Entertainment District, this luxury hotel in Toronto provides convenient access to all this one-of-a-kind city has to offer.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

• Request a Quote