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Toronto: A Signature City

Program Number: 8937RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/7/2013 - 7/12/2013; 8/11/2013 - 8/16/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/20/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Price starting at: $1,270.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities
Meals: 10; 5 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Discover how Toronto has become a unique urban success story. Traverse the city with prominent Torontonians as they contrast the dynamics of Toronto to other cities. Examine world treasures at the Art Gallery of Ontario, uncover a few billion years of history at the Royal Ontario Museum, explore the entertainment district and learn the historical significance of Chinatown on expert-led walks. Indulge in diverse culinary delights that reflect the intriguing cultural diversity and rich texture of the city.




Highlights

• Discover Old Town Toronto with a noted historian and discover hidden gems that are often overlooked.
• Explore some of Toronto's multicultural neighborhoods and indulge in culinary delights that reflect the cultural diversity and rich texture of the city.
• Examine the city’s urban architecture, including Daniel Libeskind’s dramatic and controversial expansion of the Royal Ontario Museum.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles daily over paved surfaces (up to three miles on Day 4); some stairs. Standing up to one hour on field trips. Use of public transportation.




Date Specific Information

7-7-2013, 8-11-2013, 9-15-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Routes to Learning Canada.




Toronto

This world-class city located on the north shore of Lake Ontario is a mosaic of distinctive neighborhoods with numerous parks and miles of beaches, boardwalks and trails. Canada’s largest city is home to a vibrant downtown core, thriving fine and performing arts groups, extensive green space and a global citizenry.
Accommodations
Full service hotel in the heart of the downtown Toronto.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Bruce Bell
Bruce Bell — journalist, author, playwright, actor and curator — is considered Toronto’s most famous historian and was named the Official Historian of St. Lawrence Hall by the city of Toronto. An award-winning playwright, he also published “Amazing Tales of St. Lawrence Neighbourhood” and “TORONTO: A Pictorial Celebration.” Bruce’s mission is to tell Toronto’s history through his writings and lectures, including his sold-out shows at Toronto’s famed Winter Garden Theatre.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
  Toronto, Ontario 5 nights
 Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: Experience the largest full-service Courtyard by Marriott in the world, Courtyard Toronto Downtown. One of the great Toronto hotels downtown, we are near shopping, entertainment, businesses and subway transit. The Eaton Centre, Canada's premier Toronto shopping destination is minutes away and find some of Toronto's finest restaurants and entertainment on trendy Yonge Street.
  Contact info: 475 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4Y 1X7 Canada
phone: 800-847-5075
web: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yyzcy-courtyard-toronto-downtown/
  Room amenities: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bottled water, coffee maker/tea service , iron and ironing board and hair dryer. Luxury bedding - crisp linens, thicker mattresses, custom comforters, fluffier pillows. Free high speed wireless Internet in public areas and guest rooms
  Facility amenities: Fitness centre (open 24 hrs), indoor lap pool and whirlpool. On site restaurants - Yonge Street Grill, The Bistro and Second Cup coffee shop. Free high speed wireless Internet in public areas and guest rooms.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Contact hotel for rates Contact hotel directly for current rates and availability.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact hotel for rates Contact hotel directly for current rates and availability.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Independent arrivals to the hotel in Toronto. Check-in after 4:00 p.m. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. You will be staying at Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown) that night.
  End of Program:
Independent departures from the hotel after breakfast. Check-out is 12:00 noon. Breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m. You will be staying at Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown) the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. PASSPORTS: Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html for up-to-date info.
  Parking availability:
On-site parking available, contact the hotel directly for parking details. A parking fee will apply.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Toronto, Ontario
  Nearest city or town:  Toronto
  Nearest highway: Queen Elizabeth Way or Highway 401
  Nearest airport:  Pearson International Airport-Toronto
  From End of Program
  Location: Toronto, Ontario
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Toronto

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Express
phone: 800-387-6787

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $30.00 one way
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 - 45 minutes depending on traffic 
   

Terminal 1. Shuttle departs from Posts B and E. Customer service locations at arrivals level (outside domestic baggage claim area) and arrivals level international (U.S.) (located behind the "blue clock"). Terminal 3. Shuttle departs from Curbside area #25. Tickets can be purchased at customer service counter or from bus driver. www.torontoairportexpress.com. The shuttle stops at the Delta Chelsea hotel - less than a five minute walk from our hotel. Gerrard St. to Yonge St.

 

Toronto

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $60 - $65
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30-45 minutes depending on traffic 
   

Taxis are available at curbside from arrivals level at all terminals. Alternate transportation: Public Bus service, $3 (one way)

 

Toronto

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Airport Express
phone: 800-387-6787

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 - 45 minutes 
   

The nearest airport shuttle pick-up location is less than a five minute walk from our hotel - at the Delta Chelsea hotel around the corner on Gerrard Street.
 

Toronto

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately $60 - $65
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30-45 minutes depending on traffic 
 
Driving Directions
  From Highway 401 (via Don Valley Parkway) Starting from the 401 east or west, continue in your direction to the Don Valley Parkway (DVP). Travel south on the DVP all the way to the Gardiner Expressway. Take the Yonge Street exit, continue north on Yonge. The Courtyard Marriott Downtown Toronto is just above College/Carlton Street on your right. Turn right on Wood Street - the entrance to the hotel and parking are on Wood Street.
  QEW (Toronto) From the QEW Toronto, continue to the Gardiner Expressway East. Take the Yonge Street exit continue north on Yonge. The Courtyard Marriott Downtown Toronto is just above College/Carlton Street on your right on the corner of Yonge and Wood Street. Turn right on Wood Street - the entrance to the hotel and parking are on Wood Street.
  Toronto Pearson Airport From Toronto Pearson International Airport: Upon exiting the airport, take highway #427 south to Gardner Expressway (EAST). Follow directional signs to downtown Toronto. Exit onto Yonge Street north (LEFT), continue until you come to Wood Street (one block north of College Street on right hand side). The Courtyard Marriott Toronto Downtown hotel entrance is located off of Wood Street just east of Yonge Street.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrivals and Orientation
(Sunday, July 7)
   
 Arrive To: ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN: Independent arrivals and transfers to the program hotel. Please note that rooms are not generally available until mid to late afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
 Evening: INTRODUCTIONS: Following dinner, you will meet for introductions, a review of the program and site orientation including detailed information regarding use of Toronto's public transportation (buses and subways), and optional sites to explore while you are in Toronto. A weekly transit pass will be provided to participants.
   
Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Toronto: Past and Present/Gooderham & Worts Distillery/Architecture/Royal Ontario Museum
(Monday, July 8)

Note: Today we will use the TTC (public transit). Stairs will be encountered.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: LECTURE: Toronto: Past and Present. Join Bruce Bell, a local Torontonian author and well known historian for an entertaining and enlightening presentation on the city of Toronto and "how it went from here to there".
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Toronto's Neighborhoods. Explore the enchanting neighborhood of Corktown and the popular Distillery District. Learn about the fascinating history of this incredible factory complex, dating back to 1832, with its original cobblestone pathways. Walk through Corktown, now a highly sought after residential and business district of Toronto, it was once the great Irish slum of 19th Century Toronto See Toronto's oldest Cemetery, one of the finest examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture. Hear about the lives of some of Toronto's most prominent residents who are laid to rest there.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch in the Distillery District.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: The Royal Ontario Museum. A guided exploration of the ROM will provide an overview of the many galleries and exhibits followed by free time to explore on your own. Explore an exceptional array of themed galleries throughout the Museum, spanning both world cultures and natural history. The ROM is the fifth largest museum in North America and contains more than six million items and over 40 galleries. It is also the largest museum in Canada and has notable collections of dinosaurs, Near Eastern and African art, East Asian art, European history, and Canadian history.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Evolution of the ROM and the Crystal. A presentation by an architect or member of the design team will explore the evolution of the ROM's architecture from the beginning of the 20th century to the June 2007 opening of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The Crystal, a structure of organically interlocking prismatic forms, turn this important corner of Toronto into a luminous beacon, a veritable showcase of people, events and objects, transforming the entire museum complex into a world-class destination.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to sample local fare. Choose from the many dining options Toronto has to offer.
   
Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Explore Old Town Toronto and St. Lawrence Market/Fort York
(Tuesday, July 9)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: St. Lawrence Market & Old Town Toronto. Discover Canada's largest and most ethnically diverse city with Toronto's foremost historian Bruce Bell. Bell is the official historian of St. Lawrence Market and St. Lawrence Hall and will take you to places that even locals don't even know about - the hidden gems often overlooked. Explore Old Town Toronto on foot with stops at The Farmers Market, St Lawrence Hall, Toronto's First Post Office (1834) St. James Cathedral as well as various historical sites along the way. The fusion of classic architecture and modern amenities is enhanced by the stunning view of Toronto's skyline.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch (at your own expense) at St. Lawrence Market.
 Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON: The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Some options: Performing Arts (Sony Centre, Young Peoples Theatre, Canadian Stage Theatre); Gardens & Historic Homes (Toronto Sculpture Garden, Mackenzie House, Allan Gardens Conservatory, Casa Loma); Museums (Art Gallery of Ontario, Bata Shoe Museum Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Tatar Gallery, University of Toronto Art Centre, Gardiner Museum);Other (Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings, University of Toronto). Historical sites: Fort York
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Multicultural Toronto/Chinatown and Kensington Market Walk /Art Gallery of Ontario
(Wednesday, July 10)

Note: Walking up to 3 miles on flat terrain on today's field trip. Stairs are encountered to access transit and in the Art Gallery.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Toronto's Multicultural Landscape. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and celebrates over 100 different cultures with over 180 languages spoken. A local expert will provide an in-depth talk on Toronto's vibrant multicultural landscape.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Chinatown/ Kensington Market. Following the presentation, start your adventure into Chinatown and Kensington Market. The very epicenter of the city - it is a combination of Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, and the Meatpacking District with the culture and excitement of a great multicultural city. Starting at the "Table Top Building" (Ontario College of Art and Design) walk to Grange Park and hear the history of the Grange Manor. See the house of former Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King and George Brown House. Brown was the first publisher of the Globe newspaper and one of the Fathers of Confederation. Continue into Chinatown and Kensington Market and learn about this area's fascinating history.
 Lunch: Enjoy an authentic Dim Sum lunch in Chinatown.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Uncover the treasures of the AGO with a local artist. Founded in 1900 by a group of private citizens as the Art Museum of Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America. The AGO expanded its facility in 2008 with an innovative architectural design by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. The Canadian collection vividly documents the development of the nation's art heritage since pre-Confederation, including one of the largest and finest Inuit art collections in the world. The AGO also houses the world's largest public collection of works by internationally renowned British sculptor Henry Moore.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own to sample from the array of dining options - there's a restaurant to suit every taste.
   
Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Elgin Winter Garden Theatre/Free Afternoon/Farewell Dinner
(Thursday, July 11)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. This morning visit the historical Elgin Winter Garden Theatre, a National Historic Site and hailed as one of the most beautiful theatre complexes in the world. It is the last operating double-decker theatre in the world – containing two completely separate and restored Edwardian theatres. With its history of vaudevillian roots, the Elgin is now a sumptuous affair with royal boxes. Magic casts a spell in the Wintergarden so named for its lovely trompe l'oeil paintings and pastoral ambiance. Only open to organized groups when the theatre is not booked for specific special performances.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own to enjoy the many culinary venues.
 Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON: The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Some options: Performing Arts (Sony Centre, Young Peoples Theatre, Canadian Stage Theatre); Gardens & Historic Homes (Toronto Sculpture Garden, Mackenzie House, Allan Gardens Conservatory, Casa Loma); Museums (Art Gallery of Ontario, Bata Shoe Museum Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Tatar Gallery, University of Toronto Art Centre, Gardiner Museum);Other (Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings, University of Toronto).
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at Bodega Restaurant. The ambiance in this elegant Victorian Manor provides for a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere while offering a meal that is luxurious and classically French with a cooking style that is fresh and health conscious.
   
Accommodations: Courtyard by Marriott Toronto (Downtown)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Independent Departures
(Friday, July 12)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast with the group before departing. Breakfast is served starting at 6:30 a.m.
 Morning: Independent departures after breakfast. Check-out time is 12:00 noon.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Toronto, Ontario Performing Arts
Toronto is home to a number of theatres and other performing arts venues. Mirvish Productions owns and operates four magnificent theatres in downtown Toronto - the Royal Alexandra, the Princess of Wales, the Ed Mirvish (formerly the Canon) and the Panasonic - each offering its patrons a unique theatre-going experience. Visit mirvish.com/theatres. Other venues include: Sony Centre for Performing Arts, Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts, Young Peoples Theatre, Canadian Stage Theatre, Peoples Theatre, Canadian Stage Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, Four Seasons Centre, Massey Hall and many more. For additional information, visit www.torontolivetheatre.com/index.cfm
  Gardens & Historic Homes
Toronto is home to an array of gardens, green spaces and historic homes. Casa Loma, Toronto Botanical Garden, Toronto Sculpture Garden, Kew Gardens, Toronto Music Garden, Mackenzie House, Allan Gardens Conservatory. For additional information, visit www.toronto.worldweb.com/SightsAttractions/ParksGardens/
  Arts, Culture, History
Toronto has a number of world-class museums and historic sites including the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Bata Shoe Museum, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Museum of Inuit Art, Gardiner Museum, Tatar Gallery, University of Toronto Art Centre, Textile Museum, Queen's Park and the Parliament Buildings and historic Fort York. www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/locations.htm For additional information, visit www.toronto.worldweb.com/SightsAttractions/Museums/
  Other
Other sites of interest: St. Lawrence Market, CN Tower, McLaughlin Planetarium, Canadian Air & Space Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, Air Canada Centre, Toronto Islands, City Hall, University of Toronto, The Distillery District, Chinatown and P.A.T.H. the underground city. For additional information, visit www.toronto.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Toronto: A Pictorial Celebration


Author: Bruce Bell


Description: Bruce Bell's latest book on Toronto, including fantastic photography. A look at the top 100 sites in Toronto. Bruce is a noted historian, journalist, author, playwright, actor, and curator and is part of this program experience.



Lost Toronto


Author: William Dendy


Description: An intriguing portrait of the 19th- and early 20th-century city, Lost Toronto fills in the gaps of architectural history. Using almost 150 archival photographs, William Dendy identifies and discusses buildings destroyed or significantly defaced as the 20th century progressed. Not just an architectural history, Lost Toronto is a plea for more stringent regulations to preserve historic buildings. Lost Toronto and Toronto Observed: Its Architecture, Patrons, and History (1986) won Toronto book awards.



Unbuilt Toronto: A History of the City That Might Have Been


Author: Mark Osbaldeston


Description: Unbuilt Toronto explores never-realized building projects in and around Toronto, from the city's founding to the twenty-first century. Delving into unfulfilled and largely forgotten visions for grand public buildings, skyscrapers, highways, and subways, it outlines projects like St. Alban's Cathedral and the Queen subway line. Readers may lament the loss of some projects, be thankful for the disappearance of others, and marvel at the downtown that could have been. Featuring 147 images, Unbuilt Toronto casts a different light on a city you thought you knew.



No Mean City


Author: Eric Arthur/revised by Stephen Otto


Description: First published in 1964, it sparked the preservation movement of the 1960s and 1970s and became its bible. This reprint of the third edition, prepared by Stephen Otto, updates Arthur's classic to include information and illustrations uncovered since the appearance of the first edition. (CND395, $43.95)





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