Destination: Toronto

WHY VISIT?

Looking for a vacation from the norm without traveling too far? Oh Canada!

Toronto is Canada's largest city. It's a fun, clean, safe destination with plenty to see and do. Ontario's capital is nicknamed the "city of neighborhoods" each one of the 240 areas with its own unique character. Toronto is a perfect spot for the family or even just a quick weekend getaway with friends.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

You need a passport, but no visa is needed.

Toronto Pearson International is about 25 miles (30-50 minutes) from downtown Toronto - where I recommend you stay.

A taxi to/from the airport will cost appx. Canadian $50/each way. Typically only cash is accepted.

I do not recommend taking public transportation to/from the airport because it requires multiple connections and longer travel times.

Don't bother renting a car you can get most places on foot, and it's not worth paying the overnight parking fees most downtown hotels charge.

Canadian (not U.S.) dollar is the accepted currency. An ATM withdrawal is the most cost-effective way to exchange money. Common banks include: CIBC, Royal Bank & Scotia Bank.

Tipping is very similar to the U.S.: 10-20% gratuity is customary.

There are 2 official languages in Canada: English & French. You will have no problems speaking English in Toronto.

It's easy to get around on foot or with public transportation. Buses & streetcars are available. The cost is $3/ride for adults, but multiple-day passes are available.

Toronto is less than a 2 hour drive from Niagara Falls. If you have time, make the trip. The Falls are particularly beautiful from the Canadian-side.

TOP 10 TO SEE & DO:

1. CN Tower
   The world's tallest tower, according to Guiness Book of World Records, offers spectacular views of the city. Avoid the crowds and arrive by 9 AM or after 5PM. Hours change seasonally, but typically run from 9 AM to 11PM. Don't miss staring out the 2 1/2 inch thick glass floor for some views which will certainly jump start your heart. Here's a preview:
   

2. Dundas Square
   Toronto's Times Square
   
   
   

3. Rogers Centre
   Baseball may be America's favorite pastime, but our neighbors to the north catch the Toronto's Blue Jays in action at the city's Sky Dome. The locals call it the "concrete convertible" as it's retractable roof was the first of its kind for a major stadium.
   

4. Hockey Hall of Fame
   Great fun for all. Lots of hands-on activities, including touching and posing with the Stanley Cup!

5. Tim Horton's coffee
   Starbuck's, who? Dunkin Donuts, whatever. For Canadians, there's only one true morning brew. The donuts aren't too shabby either.

6. St. Lawrence Market
   This beautiful Victorian building once housed City Hall. The market has a lot to offer for the serious foodie or even the curious tourist. Try it in the morning for a wallet-friendly breakfast.

7. Honest Ed's
   New York has Macy's. London has Harrod's. Toronto has Honest Ed's. The huge sign on Bloor Street makes this bargain-lover's paradise hard to miss. Prepare to dig for deals.

8. Walk on the beach
   Sure, Toronto may not be the first place you think of when you want to dip your toe in the water, but the boardwalk area on the Lake Ontario is a great place to bike, stroll, or catch some rays.

9. Eaton Centre

   250 stores make up this beautiful glass-enclosed shopping center in the heart of Toronto. Ask your hotel about free shuttle service. If you are interested, visit the nearby Hockey Hall of Fame (only a few blocks south) the same day.

   

10. Wayne Gretsky's Restaurant
    Fun bar/restaurant, jam-packed with hockey memorabilia. Swing by after catching a comedy show at nearby Second City or a game at the Rogers Center. Located at 99 Blue Jays Way (at King Street West).

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME:

• Royal Ontario Museum - The "ROM" - the largest museum in all of Canada - is a good museum for families, but can easily become crowded and not worth your time.

USEFUL LINKS:

Maps of Toronto

CN Tower

Hockey Hall of Fame

Eaton Centre Store Listing

Honest Ed's

The Worst Place in the World?

Life is short, and everyone loves a good countdown list.

So why not avoid life's travel unpleasantries and check out "101 Places Not to See Before You Die" a new book and a glib response to the The New York Times bestseller "1000 Places To See Before You Die".

The travel "to-don't" list hits stores tomorrow offering a guide to some of the least appealing destinations and experiences in the world.

Here's a few book excerpts courtesy of USA Today:

• Ibiza:
  The Spanish party isle is a great place —"for the world’s horniest youth”.

• Beijing Museum of Tap Water:
  Unless, of course, you’re obsessed with tap water.

• Euro Disney
  Insert bad joke here.

• Grover Cleveland service area
  New Jersey's preeminent pit stop.

• Mount Rushmore
  Really? Not sure why this one was included.

Other not-so-notables (or realistic, for that matter) include a North Korean gulag, Sohra, India during rainy season, and the inside of a Chinese coal mine.

So when you think you've had a bad vacation, find solace in these 101 other destinations.

It could be worse.

Destination: Baltimore

WHY VISIT?

Seafood and history lovers rejoice! Baltimore is a great city in Maryland, and its temperate climate and location on the Chesapeake Bay make it a perfect year-round destination.

Perhaps Baltimore is most famously known as the city where Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner...but the crabs are pretty well known, too!

The "Charm City" is chock-full of cheap things to do with the kiddos. Check out the sports and water activities and historical sites.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Think safety. Baltimore has quite the reputation for crime. It's smart to stick to the Inner Harbor and the main tourist areas, and be aware of your surroundings.

Take a taxi if it's late, and like in any other big city, don't accept rides from unmarked taxis.

A taxi ride to/from Baltimore's Penn Station is approximately $10 and takes 15 minutes or so.

A taxi ride to/from BWI airport is closer to $30 and takes 30 minutes max.

There is light rail service available, but I think walking and taxis are easier.

Hotels in Baltimore are rarely booked up. Use Priceline Negotiator and make sure to specify 4-star in the Inner Harbor. You can get a great room easily for $75/night or so.

Washington, D.C. is very close. If you have time, try to extend your stay and see the nation's capital. Allow a day or two to see Baltimore. Amtrak and MARC offer train service to D.C. (links below)

TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE & DO:

1. Obrycki's
   This off-the-beaten path crab house is a real food experience. Grab a bib and hammer and enjoy! Make sure to take a water taxi instead of walking from the Inner Harbor.
   

2. Fell's Point
   Cobblestone roads give a historical feel to this hip, young area filled with great bars and restaurants. Use the water taxi to get back-and-forth between here and the Inner Harbor.

3. Crabcakes
   You can find 'em everywhere and each will taste a little different, but it's a must-do when visiting the area.
   
   
   

4. The Horse You Came In On Saloon
   What a name! The Nation's oldest, continuously running bar existing before, during, and after prohibition. It's rumored to be famed Baltimorean Edgar Allan Poe's favorite place to drink.

5. Inner Harbor
   One of America's oldest seaports dating from the 1600's. Touristy restaurants and bars line the shores.
   
   
   

6. Babe Ruth's Birthplace Museum
   A fun museum stocked with memorabilia of the Great Bambino in his childhood home. A quick visit, but worth it.
   
   
   

7. Camden Yards
   One of the nation's most famous ballparks, Camden is the blueprint for all the new stadiums with that old ballpark feel. Catch a game or take a tour in the ballpark that changed baseball. Public-tours are available April - September for $9/adults & $6/children

8. Water Taxi on the Chesapeake
   An easy, cheap way to see the Inner Harbor from the water.
   

9. Ft. McHenry
   A water-taxi ride away, you can learn about the Battle of Baltimore and the historic fort that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the U.S. national anthem.

10. The National Aquarium
    Sharks, dolphins, rays and tropical fish are among the more than 16,000 creatures. Get there early and make a ticket reservation. It becomes really crowded quickly on the weekends.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME:

• The Star Spangled Banner Flag House - Home of Mary Pickersgill, the woman who sewed a U.S. flag during the War of 1812, but there are strict tour times and not much to see.


• Edgar Allan Poe's gravesite & memorial - out of the way

USEFUL LINKS:

Hotel Deals with Priceline

Water Taxi Maps & Pick-up Locations

Amtrak to D.C.

MARC to D.C.