Visit Toronto and Roam the World
Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and dotted with
diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity. This guarantees
that there is always something exciting happening somewhere in the city. In
one day, you can travel from Chinatown to Little Portugal and onward to
Little India while stopping to get some Greek cuisine. With such diversity,
it comes as no surprise that Toronto African Violet Society members have
chosen “VIOLETS ROAM THE WORLD” as the theme of their 2014 AVSC Convention.
Our Convention will be held at the Westin Prince Hotel which is located
close to several must-see places. While the hotel itself offers excellent
dining, directly across the street you will find over 15 restaurants
offering a variety of foods from pizzas and burgers to Vietnamese, Thai,
Chinese, Japanese and Korean fare. For dessert or just a casual break, you
can stop by Tim Horton’s, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt or Artisano’s Bakery.
* Shopping
Shopping is a breeze when you visit Fairview Mall, one of
Toronto's largest shopping centres with 175 stores, cinemas, restaurants and
patios. Located just 2 km north along Don Mills, it also sits on the Toronto
subway line, allowing you a convenient access for visiting downtown Toronto.
http://www.fairviewmall.ca/
* The Shops at Don Mills
Only 2 km south along Don Mills Rd. is
Toronto’s first open air mall. Nestled in the heart of Don Mills, Canada’s
first planned community, it has quickly become a local social and foodie
gathering place offering great restaurants and shopping. It has a town
square which features live music and a kid’s splash area in the summer while
in winter it becomes a free outdoor skating rink. Whatever the season, the
patios surrounding it are filled with people sipping coffee or dining.
http://www.shopsatdonmills.ca/
* Parks and Gardens
No trip to Toronto would be complete without a visit to the Toronto
Botanical Garden, home to the Toronto African Violet Society. The
TBG has over 17 themed gardens that illustrate what can be grown in a
typical Toronto garden with our soil and weather conditions. Whether you
have lime soil, a shaded area or just want to see what can be grown on a
balcony, the TBG has solutions that will often surprise you. The most common
comment you hear at the TBG is: “I didn’t know you could grow that in
Toronto….”
The TBG also houses the Weston Family library, the largest private
horticultural library in Canada. It houses over 10,000 books and since
October 2012, has also been the new home for the TAVS library collection.
http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/
You can continue your botanical excursion by walking through Edwards
Gardens, a public park adjacent to the TBG. As the former estate
garden of Rupert Edwards, it features perennials, roses, wildflowers,
rhododendrons and an extensive rockery in the valley. The rhododendrons and
azaleas might be in bloom during the convention, offering a stunning display
of color.
Finally, if you are looking for a very unique garden, you might consider
going downtown by the waterfront to visit the Toronto Music Garden.
Inspired by Bach's Suite No. 1, this 3 acre public garden has been a
collaboration between internationally renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma and
landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy. Visitors can take a guided or
personal audio tour and experience the relationship between the music and
the garden.
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/music-garden/index.htm
* Tourism Toronto
You can visit the website of Tourism Toronto for a complete listing of
what’s happening in Toronto.
http://www.seetorontonow.com/
We are looking forward to your visit and sharing our wonderful city with
you.
