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The Most Popular Summer Art Shows To Visit In Toronto

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Woman Posing Looking At Paintings

The city of Toronto hosts a number of art and craft fairs throughout the year, drawing a large number of art enthusiasts. Apart from this, different organizations or individual artists also put up shows in art galleries or other places to highlight their works. This year too, is not an exception. It would be great to check out the art exhibitions this year in Toronto.

Ongoing And Upcoming Art Shows In Summer

If you wish to see art by renowned artists, visit the exhibition held at the Art Gallery of Ontario from 1st July to 18th September. It is organized in association with the Hammer Museum located in Los Angeles and the co-curator of this show is Steve Martin. The exhibition titled the Idea of North brings to you around 30 paintings by Lawren Harris, one of the most popular artists in Canada.

Chihuly is yet another art exhibition that started off on 25th June this year in the Royal Ontario Museum and will run till 2nd January, 2017. It displays some of the most fragile and finest installations of Dale Chihuly, the famous glass artist. This show is very promising and intends to draw a large crowd.

If you wish to purchase art at an affordable price, from painters who require support, you can visit some of the places like Nathan Phillips Square for the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition running from 8th July to 10th July. Also, visit the exhibition to be organized by the charitable organization Queen West Art Crawl on 1st and 2nd of October, 2016. This particular exhibition aims to promote and celebrate the diversity, art and culture of Toronto’s Queen West.

Art Exhibitions Already Held In The Past Months

There were also some art exhibitions held around the months of January through May. If you have not seen these, you indeed have missed some great artistry.

From 12th March to 29th March, the Art Gallery of Ontario brought the works of some of the ‘misfit’ artists such as Nan Goldin, Kenneth Anger and Diane Arbus. This show, called Outsiders, exhibited American film and photography between the 1950s and 1980s. It was a very promising and relevant show.

On its 20th anniversary, the Angell Gallery held an art show from 9th April to 23rd April. Some good art forms were exhibited.

If you are a lover of cityscapes and panoramas, then the exhibition at the Power Plant held between 30th January and 15th May was meant just for you. Named as “Aude Moreau: The Political Nightfall”, this exhibition highlighted a number of cities, including Montreal and Toronto.

One of the finest exhibitions in the Art Gallery of Toronto depicted the paintings of J.W.M. Turner. This show titled J.W.M. Turner: Painting Set Free, was an extremely impressive one, and ran till 30th January 2016. It presented two of the most famous paintings by the artist, namely Peace- Burial at Sea and War- The Exile and the Rock Limpit, amongst others. This show attracted a lot of interest and enthusiasm with mesmerizing depictions of sunrise and sunsets, mythical stories and maritime scenes.

Toronto’s Parks That Also Are The Perfect Picnic Spots

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People Enjoying Their Time In High Park

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Nearly all of Toronto’s parks get a flood of people when summer comes knocking. The same parks are also the best places to have a picnic. Thus, it is a common sight to see the parks covered in a sea of picnic blankets and couples making the most the time with small talk other activities. Whichever your picnic fancy, here are some of the park within the city that are perfect spots for picnics.

Trinity Bellwoods

The H-Bar and several BBQ stands are the reason why most local like going for a picnic at Trinity Bellwoods. They can get a pre-ordered basket of food from the stand or even opt to pick a spontaneous basket from Nadege, Poutin’s or Chippy’s.

High Park

A picnic is often in a lush green space with ample shade to head for the hot sun, and the High Park has plenty of all this. With eighteen designated picnic sites in the park, visitors are left to enjoy their day just as long as they will not do any barbecuing.

Christie Pits

A picnic cannot be complete without something to bite. Hence, Apiecalypse is a good option to consider when thinking of what to buy when you get to the park. The other option is the Tacos El Asador. After you get your meals, find a spot on the park furthest from the sports field and relax.

Ashbridges Bay

Just a few feet from the Ashbridges Bay parking lots is a section with shady trees and pristine tables. Located on a lakeside, the park is very popular with the locals. They go there for a swim and merry making.

Scarborough Bluffs Park

If a picnic next to Lake Ontario is not enough, then the open expanse that is the Scarborough Bluffs Park should suffice. Either ample picnic opportunities may be hard to find anywhere else in Toronto. The park is a 15KM stretch of land running across the lake.

Dufferin Grove

If your idea of a picnic is something romantic during the late hours of the day, then Dufferin Grove is the place to go for a late picnic. It has gazebos and bonfires that give that a unique edge above most parks.

Cherry Beach Park

A picnic can also be on sandy ground, not just a grassy one. The Cherry Beach Park can be an ideal location for a picnic as one is amazed by the waterfront view. The drive-in located nearby can be an excellent distraction if you get bored and need something to spark up the end of the day.

East End Beaches Park

The east end park is a mix of green spaces and sandy shores. It is a stretch of land with several stands and shops to purchase provisions for the picnic.

Withrow Park

A fire pit in a grassy field that has green trees are the hallmark of Withrow Park. Such a setting is perfect for picnics. But, plan to go for the picnic when the farmer’s market is open so that you can stock up on farm fresh produce.

Fun Things To Do In Toronto With Kids

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Picture Of Bata Shoe Museum

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Toronto is one of the most popular cities in Canada and is also a popular tourist destination. There are a number of places you can visit here when you’re on a holiday with your family. Here’s a list of some of the fun places your kids will enjoy.

Art Gallery Ontario

This is one of the most popular art galleries in Toronto which has been recently redesigned by Frank Gehry. This gallery has some of the most amazing artworks present, but this is not what attracts the kids here. The gallery has some of the best activities for kids. All kids enjoy drawing and this is where they can have some fun.

Bata Shoe Museum

The museum offers an insight of a collection of over 4,500 years of footwear that has been neatly arranged. There is a fairy tale themed section which is popular amongst the kids. This section is called All About Shoes. There are also some treasure hunts in the galleries that kids can enjoy.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

This is a great place to visit with your kids if you want to know what it felt like to live in the 19th century. There are 40 heritage buildings here along with detailed explanations about the heritage. Kids will love to pose here to get some classic pictures wearing those costumes of that time period.

Canada’s Wonderland

This is the largest amusement park in Canada that has a number of fun things to do including some fast roller coasters, splash rides and some large mechanic dinosaurs that look alive.

Casa Loma

This is a famous castle on a hill that has an amazing historic feel. Constructed in 1914, it took 300 men and a total of 3 years for this structure to complete. There are some amazing stables, towers, secret passages and gardens that are a must see when here.

CN Tower

The kids will surely enjoy a visit to the highest tower in Toronto. This is a 112-storey building that has a glass elevator that has an amazing view for people to enjoy. You can see the Niagara Falls from here and even take the thrilling EdgeWalk here.

Fort York

This was the military base for the Torontonian and Canadian history that holds the history of the war that was fought in 1812. There are a number of buildings and some historical artifacts that belong to that time period.

Hockey Hall Of Fame

If you’re a hockey fan this is a great place to be. Kids can test their hockey skills here and check out some of the most popular sports memorabilia.

High Park Zoo

The High Park Zoo is the largest zoo in Toronto which has some amazing animals that your kids will enjoy checking out.

Ontario Science Centre

This is where young dreams are formed. IT has some great exhibitions for various topics related to science. There is also an Imax Theatre where some documentaries are shown. These are entertaining and educational for the children.

Great Things That Can Be Done in Toronto With Kids

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View Of The Science Centre At Ontario

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Toronto is a great place that one can visit with kids. Toronto has multiple support places which can be regarded as the kid’s paradise. The Greater Toronto Area promises awesomeness, and the Latinity required to keep the children active and going. Before you can book a hotel, it is recommended that you look for the available packages which include tickets to the points of attraction for the kids. The list below would guide you through the things that you can do with the kids at Toronto.

Visit The Zoo 

The Zoo at Toronto is pretty great and covers the area of 10 km. It has walking trails so the day would be well spent if you are visiting the place with your little one. It is recommended that you pack snacks and lunch with your little one and keep some extra cash, in case you decide to buy something from the nearby stall in the zoo. The park has a guide-map which can help you to plan the route of your trip Other things that you must remember during this visit is that the trolley tours would cost extra dollars, restrooms are too far apart and there is a splash park so don’t forget to bring your swimsuits.

The Science Centre At Ontario

The science centre is the most fun place where everything is interactive. It has a play learn areas, where people of all ages can enjoy.  You must check out the Planetarium in the hall of space for sure. You must walk through the rainforest and catch an IMAX. There is an ever-evolving art and science installation.

The Wonderland At Canada

Your little thrill seekers would be over the moon if you take them to Canada’s Wonderland. There are roller coasters, which ranges from wooden and old-timey, to the once that leads you to urinate yourself. There are multiple adventure zones for your little ones. It is recommended that you do not forget the death rides, dinosaurs’ park and live entertainment centres.

Must Get A Walk Around The CN Tower With Your Little One

The most fascinating sight is standing directly under the CN Tower and looking up. The Tower is a great place to visit and the glass floor is delicate and unique. Once inside the elevator, try to look outside with your little one. Make sure they do not have height phobia.  It can be assured that your little heroes would enjoy it if they are in love with height. 33 stories above, CN Tower provides more holistic and mesmerising view of the area. There is also an opportunity of edge wall in the area. But you must take it only if you have left your kid at home. Keep your little one near to you and keep a close eye on them so that they are safe next to you. Make a reservation at 360 and visit it too. You can take your kid here.

Toronto – The New York City of Canada

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Toronto, the capital of Ontario, Canada is often compared with New York due to the similar city feel and is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Toronto is the fourth largest city in North America and recently gained popularity amongst immigrants and tourists.

Toronto offers its visitors with a wide range of things to do and places to see from the Niagara Falls to witnessing the city’s popular music and dance shows. Some of them are briefed below:

  • Niagara Falls
    Niagara Falls, one of the World’s wonders is located at a 90 minute drive from the city. Witnessing 750,000 gallons of water a second of the Falls being hurtled down from the curved cliffs from the Table Rock site or standing barely a meter from the edge of Horseshoe Falls is a memorable sight. One can also take a helicopter ride and soar over the falls. The Niagara Falls are also located at the Canadian- United States border, the World’s longest international border.
  • CN Tower
    This 1815 foot tower is the World’s tallest tower from where one can view the city or walk on air on the Glass Floor and outdoor Sky Terrace.
  •  Hockey
    Canada’s national sport, Hockey and team, Toronto Maple Leafs can be viewed showcasing their talents in various outdoor ice rinks over the city including the popular, Nathan Philips Square.
  • Haunted Walk
    One can test their sense of fear with the Haunted Walk which offers spooky tales and gory facts from the earlier days.
  • Shopping
    Toronto has various popular shopping destinations such as the Toronto Eaton Centre which is jammed with shops, from high street brands to local designers, St. Lawrence Market offers fresh produce, books and antiques.Toronto also holds the One of a Kind Show, the largest consumer craft show in North America twice a year where domestic and handmade items a resold.
  • Eateries
    Toronto offers food from all over the world with various eateries available at Chinatown, Little India, Little Italy and many others such as the Hungary Thai for fusion cuisine. Toronto also holds Taste of the Danforth celebrations for commiserating Greek history with Greek ford every summer. Canadian favourite, poutine is also a dish to look forward to.
  • Be a Lumberjack
     One can learn howto throw an axe with the Backyard Axe Throwing League. Archery tag games are available at the ArcheryDistrict along with foam arrows, paintball, archery and dodge ball.
  • Dancing
    The Entertainment District draws over 30000 clubbers every Saturday night and is termed as one of the most concentrated party scenes in the world. The Hoxton and Uniun are two of the popular clubs.
  • Casa Loma Castle
     Casa Loma designed by prominent architect EJ Lennox for Sir Henry Pellat in 1914 is Toronto’s castle which has eloquent marble floors in the stables and lavish rooms.

Besides the above, Toronto also houses the famous Spadina Historic House and Gardens, financier James Austin’s lavish mansion, the Canadian Opera Company, Canada’s premiere ballet company, the National Ballet of Canada and Toronto’s popular theatre scenes which have termed the city ‘North Broadway’.

Travel Hacks for Frequent Travelers

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Woman looking at a map

So you’ve started traveling more frequently lately, or you’ve been traveling for a while, traveling by air can be daunting, more than you know. Even for seasoned travelers, long-haul trips are a scary idea. Read through our list of travel tips that will help you avoid the hassles of frequent flying:

  • Back up Important Documents in the Form of Electronic Data:

Back up documents that would be catastrophic to lose, such as passport, travel insurance policy, itinerary confirmations etc. You can use a remote approach and put backups on a service like Dropbox, or for even more security, use InfoSafe.com, which uses encrypted and password-protected security process to protect your information while allowing access from any Internet-connected computer.

  •  Pack Like A Pro:

The rule of thumb, for frequent flyers, is smaller the suitcase, the better. A bulky suitcase adds to unnecessary strain and don’t forget about the extra luggage money you have to pay at the airport counter! To create more space in your bag, use a vacuum compressor. Simply roll up your clothes, seal them in vacuum bag to squeeze the air out and you’re ready to go.

  •  Check Multiple Airline Seating Chart Websites:

Airlines sometimes change their seat configuration and numbering systems. During these states of flux, even reliable sites may not be in position to provide 100 percent accurate information. If the airline, you’re boarding, has undergone recent changes, it’ll be wise to check more than one seat review site to ensure you’re getting the most current info.

  •  Get Friendly with Your Smartphone:

Traveling has become a lot easier than ever before, thanks to the abundance of apps you can download at your fingertips. There are many important apps for business travelers which you can download to make your travel easier and better. One noteworthy example is Tripit. Using this app you can have an access to your flight details, hotel bookings, meeting information, etc. on your smartphone, accessible whenever you want. iTranslate is another app which comprises of over 80 languages so that won’t have to stumble over your words while trying to order the chicken special at a local cafe.

  •  Minimize Jet Lag by Eating Right:

Lay off caffeine and booze as they tend to dehydrate, making jet lag worse. Eating meals that is served at your destination can help adjust to your circadian rhythm, which is disturbed due to Jet lag. If the processed food served on planes dehydrates you, skip a meal and prefer healthy snacks that are high in protein.

  •  Sleep Right:

Jet lag i.e. when you cross time zones a lot faster than your body can adapt, it takes a day to adjust according to every time zone when traveling west, and almost two days when traveling east. However, you can cut down on this recovery time by loading up on sleep before your trip, as well as shifting meals and bedtime closer to those at your destined place. This takes some forward planning, but if you can, start going to bed an hour earlier each night and getting up an hour earlier each morning a few days before heading east, and an hour later each night/morning for a few days before heading west.

7 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone

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Woman traveling

Traveling makes you a better person and that is probably one of the major reasons why we love it so much. But, often we prefer traveling to new places with someone because, for obvious reasons, it is better, more fun, safer and what not. But, we often forget that there is nothing like traveling alone. Traveling alone is an incredibly unique experience that everyone should try out once in their life.  Here is a list of 7 reasons why you should pack your bags and leave to discover yourself and the world alone:

  • Change

Traveling changes you. While traveling, you will come across millions of things and these encounters are bound to create an impact on you. These life changing expanders have the power to makes you so much better. It helps you in changing without having an obligation to change. Your perspective towards things undergoes a change and you see the world differently when you have traveled alone.

  • Liberating

Traveling alone can be completely liberating, which can give you a different kind of rush. It also gives you the freedom to find yourself and that is the ultimate goal in life, isn’t it? It helps you realize that sometimes the only company you need is yourself. It gives you a great sense of fulfillment and independence.

  • Confidence

When you do things that you have no knowledge of, it is bound to boost your confidence. When you don’t have any help with you, you gather the confidence to do it alone because, well, what other options are there? Traveling builds your self-esteem and confidence in a way that they become an imperative part of your personality.

  • Stress Buster

We all need a vacation every once in a while. In this hustle-bustle of life, we get so stressed that we forget that there is always an escape. A lot of times we even cancel plans because the people we want to go with are busy. But just imagine that whenever you want to travel, you can just pick up your bags and leave. You wouldn’t have to wait for anybody else to be stressed to have a little vacation for yourself. That itself sounds very appealing.

  • Find Yourself

We get lost in living up to the expectations of people, fulfilling our responsibilities and get engrossed in our busy lives. We lose ourselves a little each day. Taking a vacation alone will not only help you find and discover yourself, it will also help you reinvent yourself. You can become who you want and improvise on it.

  • Experience

It gives you so much of life experience. When you travel alone and have no assistance, you end up doing things yourself that you otherwise would not have. It teaches you so many things. You also get to learn about many places, people and how to live with yourself.

  • Perception

When you see and meet new people, it changes your point of view in so many ways that you might not even notice. It makes your perception a lot better. It gives you an edge over the others.