COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM -2009 PRE, POST & SOCIAL TOURS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 TH 2009 TOUR 1 NIAGARA FALLS with focus on NIAGARA ON THE LAKE WITH WINE TASTING Approx 10hrs (8:00a departure from Vaughan Hotels) On this day you will experience the beauty and grandeur of Niagara Falls and its splendid surrounding areas. A natural phenomenon second in size only to Victoria Falls in Africa, Niagara Falls sees between four and six million cubic feet of water go over its crest every minute. The Falls are 188 feet high, with the deepest section of the Niagara River just at their base-going down 170 feet. The rim of Horseshoe Falls measures 2200 feet across-the same height of Yosemite's famous Cathedral Spires. You will have a close encounter with the falls as you embark on the famous Maid of the Mist for a most unique experience. Leaving Niagara Falls you will enjoy the drive along the Niagara Parkway, the scenic route to Niagara on the Lake with a stop at the Floral Clock, a perfect setting to take some great pictures. Just 15 minutes north of the falls, rests an impressive array of vineyards many of which produce award-winning wines, including the region's famous ice wines. The Niagara climate is ideal, being that it is positioned at a similar latitude to the Bordeaux region of France and Napa Valley. Next, we will stop at Peller Estate Winery for a tour of the estate and winery. Here you will enjoy a gourmet three course meal, each course paired with a different wine. After lunch we will depart to the Historic Town of Niagara on the Lake to enjoy a leisurely walk and browse through the many quaint shops and cafes. COST: $220.00 PER PERSON INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER GUIDE, NIAGARA FALLS LOCAL GUIDE, WINE TOUR, WINE TASTINGS, GOURMET LUNCH, WINE FLIGHT, ATTRACTIONS, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 TH 2009 TOUR 2 TORONTO BY DAY TOUR (CN TOWER, TORONTO WALK & CASA LOMA with BOXED LUNCH) Approx 6hrs (12:00p- Departure from Vaughan Hotels) Experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, and the most spectacular view of Toronto while having fun and receiving good value. The perfect destination to do all that is Toronto s CN Tower, Canada s National Tower. Each year, approximately 2 million guests from around the world soar to the top of the CN Tower to look out at Lake Ontario and the City of Toronto sprawling at its feet. On a clear day, visitors can see over 160 km (100 miles), often picking out Niagara Falls and Rochester, NY in the distance. And with three observation levels, the view just gets better and better. Built as a telecommunications hub for Toronto, the management of Canadian National Railways wanted the CN Tower to be a symbol of the strength of Canadian industry. This engineering marvel which took 40 months to construct, ranks as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is in the same class with the Golden Gate Bridge and the Panama Canal, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. For over 32 years the CN Tower has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World s Tallest Building, Tallest Tower and Tallest Freestanding Structure and it is designated a Wonder of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. After 29 years, this engineering marvel continues to thrill visitors from all over the world. The CN Tower is 1,815 ft 5 inches tall (553.33 metres) and it weighs the equivalent of 130,000 tons (117,910 metric tons). Plus, at the base of the Tower, green spaces have been transformed in tribute to Canada s Communities In Bloom representing the natural beauty and the distinct charm of Canadian communities from coast to coast.
CN TOWER: Look Out Level Rocket 58 seconds in one of six glass-fronted elevators to the Look Out Level located at 346m / 1,136 feet with breathtaking views. Horizons Café is located on this level with casual fare. With seating for 130 and a party capacity of 300 (or 600 expanding out to the entire level), a dance floor and full A/V capabilities, Horizons is perfect for memorable special events and casual dining. The Glass Floor Imagine walking on air 1,122 feet above the ground on the highest Glass Floor in the world. You can see Toronto from a breathtaking new perspective. The Glass Floor is 256 square feet of safe, solid glass that is five times the required weight bearing standard for commercial and institutional floors. Dare to walk on air! WALKING TOUR OF TORONTO: Enjoy a leisurely walk through Toronto s liveliest entertainment district. You will have the opportunity to walk around the area and view the Roger s Centre, formerly called the Skydome, the Toronto Convention Centre and other area attractions and if time permits, a stroll down to the beautiful waterfront. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR OF THE CASA LOMA ESTATE: Constructed between 1911-1914 by renowned Toronto architect E.J Lennox, Casa Loma was born out of the Romantic imagination of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent Canadian financier, industrialist and military officer. Toronto s famous Castle is situated within five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and features 98 rooms, antique furnishings, stained glass, elaborately carved wood detailing and an 800 foot tunnel which connects the house to an equally grand stable, once home to Sir Henry Pellatt s beloved horses. Experience this one-hour tour highlighting the lives of Sir Henry and Lady Mary Pellatt, the construction of the Casa Loma estate, and includes general information about the interior design and decorative features of the castle. (Designed for the Adult/Senior Market) INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE, BOXED LUNCH, ATTRACTIONS, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 TH 2009 TOUR 3 TORONTO BY NIGHT WALKING DRIVING TOUR Approx 4hrs (7:00p- Departure from Vaughan Hotels) This tour is a driving and walking tour that will showcase some of the finest areas of downtown Toronto illuminated by the city s skyscrapers. Admire the attractions that Toronto is most famous for and then take a walk while enjoying our night life, perhaps stopping for a gelato or a cappuccino. COST: $60.00 PER PERSON INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE & GRATUITIES.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 TH 2009 TOUR 4 ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM WITH BOXED LUNCH AND WALK TO QUEENS PARK Approx 8hrs (8:30am - Departure from Vaughan Hotels) Today you will journey through several museum galleries focusing on various points of interest in Canada s largest museum of world cultures and natural history. With six million objects in the ROM s collections there s something new to discover around every corner. Your guided tour will showcase the newly constructed section of the museum and you will also have the exciting opportunity of viewing and learning about The Dead Sea Scrolls. After the Museum Tour you will then stroll through Toronto s streets passing the trendy Yorkville district, leading you to Queen s Park to relax and enjoy your lunch and view statues and monuments dedicated to Canadian Heroes. INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE, BOXED LUNCH, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 ST 2009 TOUR 5 THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT, ST.LAWRENCE MARKET & KENSINGTON MARKET with TORONTO HISTORIAN BRUCE BELL (Boxed lunch included) Approx 8hrs (8:30am- Departure from Vaughan Hotels) Today you will enjoy touring some of the most interesting ethnic neighborhoods of Toronto with Toronto Historian, Bruce Bell. "Bruce Bell, the most entertaining historian you've ever met, is an engaging storyteller who knows more about the history of Toronto than possibly anyone." Jim Byers -Travel Editor -Toronto Star So much of Toronto's history is either buried under parking lots or confined to dusty history books hidden on the top shelves of libraries or just plain forgotten. Using his wealth of knowledge and experience well known historian and author Bruce Bell is determined to look under those parking lots to see what secrets are held in Toronto's much overlooked colonial and 19 th century past. And you don't have to live in Toronto to fully enjoy his unique tours. Visitors from all over the globe have been fascinated in how Bruce has connected their own country's history to Toronto's. Bruce Bell has been the popular monthly history columnist for the Bulletin, Canada s largest community newspaper since 1999. In 2002 he was named by the city of Toronto the Official Historian of St. Lawrence Hall and St Lawrence Market. In November of 2003 Bruce was asked by the Ontario Heritage Foundation to host the 200 anniversary celebrations of St. Lawrence Market. In May 2004 Bruce was appointed official historian of Toronto s King Edward Hotel as part of the famed hotel s centennial celebrations. In October 2004 Bruce was appointed Honourary Historian of the Hockey Hall of Fame Heritage Building. In June 2006 Bruce was appointed Curator in Residence for the spectacular Dominion Bank Building (built in 1914). In October 2006 Bruce was bestowed the title Honourary Historian of the 51 Division Heritage Building by Toronto Police Services for his work as a historian in 51 Division. Bruce sits on the board of the Town of York Historical Society and is the author of two books Amazing Tales of St. Lawrence Neighbourhood and the just published TORONTO: A Pictorial Celebration. Bruce is also the official tour guide of St Lawrence Market where visitors from around the globe are constantly being impressed with his expert knowledge. In April 2007 as part of the Fairmont Hotel & Resorts 100 year bithday celebrations, Bruce was named Honourary Historian of the famed Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Bruce s History Project a plaque program marking historical sites with large bronze markers to date includes Toronto s First Jail, The Great Fire of 1849, the hanging of the Rebellion of 1837 leaders Lount and Matthews and the birthplace of Canadian Statesman Robert Baldwin. Bruce s mission is to tell Toronto s history through his tours, writings and lectures including his sold out shows at Toronto s famed Winter Garden Theatre, in an informative and entertaining way.
Tour Highlights: THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT (Formerly known as the Gooderham & Worts Distillery) - 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 t heyday of Prohibition. A chocolate tasting at SOMA chocolate factory will be arranged and possibly a beer tasting at the Mill Street Brewery if open. The tour ends with a 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 when thousands of starving Irish refugees escaping the horrors of the famine back in Ireland came to our shores looking for a better way of life. ST. LAWRENCE MARKET/OLD TOWN FOOD & HISTORY TOUR The main and lower levels of the South Market contain over 50 specialty vendors, known for the variety and freshness of their fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, grains, baked goods and dairy products, as well as for the uniqueness of the non-food items for sale. The second floor of the South Market is home to the Market Gallery, the official exhibition centre for the City of Toronto Archives. This tour includes a guided walk through St. Lawrence Market hearing about its fascinating 200 year history as well as stops along the way sampling food from various vendors, usually 6 stops both vegetarian and meat. Then after covering the Market we ll go walk around Old Town Toronto including 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. Food samples that will be offered on the tour of St. Lawrence Market Carousal Bakery-Coffee and Danish with an option of succulent Canadian back bacon & Nova Scotia smoked salmon separately served on freshly baked bread Quick Sushi- Japanese vegetarian dumplings served with home made dipping sauce Mustard tasting-10 various mustards from Mustard World Eves Temptations- Crunchy caramel brownies Cheese and cracker tastings-various cheeses from around the world Shefflers Deli Bisque a Basket- A variety of home made jams served on crackers Honey World- Taste the world s best honey including the famous Manuka honey from New Zealand European Delights- hand made perogies, voted the top perogies in Toronto by Toronto Life Magazine Busters Cove- Delicious deep-fried Calamari with secret recipe seafood sauce KENSINGTON MARKET Enjoy a leisurely walk through Kensington Market, an entire neighbourhood made up fruit stands, cheese stores, fish shops, butcher stalls, coffee houses and vintage clothing outlets. This tour ends back at your hotel. INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE, BOXED LUNCH, TASTINGS, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 ND 2009 TOUR 6 ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO WITH BOX LUNCH - DUNDAS SQUARE CITY HALL Approx 8hrs (8:30am- Departure from Vaughan Hotels) THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO After undergoing a 276 million dollar transformation and being closed for just over a year, the Art Gallery just opened its doors in November 2008 to a spectacular transformed building housing over 73,000 pieces of art, displaying over 4000 pieces. This spectacular building has been designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and is a piece of art itself. The expansion of the Art Gallery of Ontario increased the art viewing space by 47% representing 97,000 square feet. The Art Gallery of Ontario also houses a restaurant, cafe and retail store. WHERE ART MEETS ARCHITECTURE: Tour the transformed AGO, designed by Toronto born architect Frank Gehry. Discover the new tinted titanium-and glass four story south tower, with its splendid urban views; climb the spiral staircase that
soars from the second floor; admire the surrounding cityscapes from the sculpture atrium, Galleria Italia. The combination of new materials and Douglas Fir, natural light and diverse gallery spaces makes a stunning showcase for more than 4,000 pieces of art in 110 galleries. CITY HALL: Following your tour of the Art Gallery of Ontario, your next stop will be to City Hall, where you can enjoy your Boxed Lunch. City Hall is one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city. Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell (with Heikki Castrén, Bengt Lundsten, Seppo Valjus), landscape architect Richard Strong, and engineered by Hannskarl Bandel, the building opened in 1965; its modernist architecture still impresses today. It was built to replace Old City Hall which was built in 1899. In addition to providing services to local residents, Toronto City Hall is a popular tourist attraction. Located just outside of City Hall is Nathan Phillips Square - a popular entertainment venue offering free concerts, ice skating, and an annual New Year's Eve celebration. DUNDAS SQUARE: After Lunch, we will walk to the well known area of Dundas Square. Enjoy some free time to enjoy this exciting area, home to the famous Eaton Centre Shopping Centre. INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE, BOXED LUNCH, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 RD 2009 TOUR 7 THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF TORONTO & VAUGHAN (A TASTING TOUR) Approx 8hrs (8:30am Departure from Vaughan Hotels) This incredible tour will take you on a tasting journey through some of the most culturally preserved neighbourhoods in Toronto and Vaughan sampling their traditional specialties. This tour is not to be missed and showcases the beauty of multiculturalism that Toronto embraces. Bring your appetite! HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE TASTINGS IN THE FOLLOWING DISTRICTS: -LITTLE INDIA -GREEKTOWN -KOREA TOWN -LITTLE ITALY -LITTLE PORTUGAL -CHINATOWN -THE CITY OF VAUGHAN INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE, TASTINGS & GRATUITIES. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 TH 2009 TOUR 8 NIAGARA FALLS with focus on NIAGARA ON THE LAKE WITH WINE TASTING Approx 10hrs (8:00a departure from Vaughan Hotels) On this day you will experience the beauty and grandeur of Niagara Falls and its splendid surrounding areas. A natural phenomenon second in size only to Victoria Falls in Africa, Niagara Falls sees between four and six million cubic feet of water go over its crest every minute. The Falls are 188 feet high, with the deepest section of the Niagara River just at their base-going down 170 feet. The rim of Horseshoe Falls measures 2200 feet across-the same height of Yosemite's famous Cathedral Spires. You will have a close encounter with the falls as you embark on the famous Maid of the Mist for a most unique experience. Leaving Niagara Falls you will enjoy the drive along the Niagara Parkway, the scenic route to Niagara on the Lake with a stop at the Floral Clock, a perfect setting to take some great pictures. Just 15 minutes north of the falls, rests an impressive array of vineyards many of which produce award-winning wines, including the region's famous ice wines. The Niagara climate is ideal, being that it is positioned at a latitude similar to the Bordeaux region of France and Napa Valley.
Next, we will stop at Peller Estate Winery where you will enjoy a gourmet three course lunch with each course paired with a different wine. After lunch we will depart to the Historic Town of Niagara on the Lake to enjoy a leisurely walk and browse through the many quaint shops and cafes. This tour will end back at your hotel in Vaughan. COST: $220.00 PER PERSON INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER GUIDE, NIAGARA FALLS LOCAL GUIDE, WINE TOUR, WINE TASTINGS, GOURMET LUNCH, WINE FLIGHT, ATTRACTIONS, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 TH 2009 TOUR 9 TORONTO BY DAY TOUR (CN TOWER, TORONTO WALK & CASA LOMA with BOXED LUNCH) Approx 6hrs (09:00am- Departure from Vaughan Hotels) Experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, and the most spectacular view of Toronto while having fun and receiving good value. The perfect destination to do all that is Toronto s CN Tower, Canada s National Tower. Each year, approximately 2 million guests from around the world soar to the top of the CN Tower to look out at Lake Ontario and the City of Toronto sprawling at its feet. On a clear day, visitors can see over 160 km (100 miles), often picking out Niagara Falls and Rochester, NY in the distance. And with three observation levels, the view just gets better and better. Built as a telecommunications hub for Toronto, the management of Canadian National Railways wanted the CN Tower to be a symbol of the strength of Canadian industry. This engineering marvel which took 40 months to construct, ranks as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is in the same class with the Golden Gate Bridge and the Panama Canal, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. For over 32 years the CN Tower has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World s Tallest Building, Tallest Tower and Tallest Freestanding Structure and it is designated a Wonder of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. After 29 years, this engineering marvel continues to thrill visitors from all over the world. The CN Tower is 1,815 ft 5 inches tall (553.33 metres) and it weighs the equivalent of 130,000 tons (117,910 metric tons). Plus, at the base of the Tower, green spaces have been transformed in tribute to Canada s Communities In Bloom representing the natural beauty and the distinct charm of Canadian communities from coast to coast. CN TOWER: Look Out Level Rocket 58 seconds in one of six glass-fronted elevators to the Look Out Level located at 346m / 1,136 feet with breathtaking views. Horizons Café is located on this level with casual fare. With seating for 130 and a party capacity of 300 (or 600 expanding out to the entire level), a dance floor and full A/V capabilities, Horizons is perfect for memorable special events and casual dining. The Glass Floor Imagine walking on air 1,122 feet above the ground on the highest Glass Floor in the world. You can see Toronto from a breathtaking new perspective. The Glass Floor is 256 square feet of safe, solid glass that is five times the required weight bearing standard for commercial and institutional floors. Dare to walk on air! WALKING TOUR OF TORONTO: Enjoy a leisurely walk through Toronto s liveliest entertainment district. You will have the opportunity to walk around the area and view the Roger s Centre, formerly called the Skydome, the Toronto Convention Centre and other area attractions and if time permits, a stroll down to the beautiful waterfront. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR OF THE CASA LOMA ESTATE: Constructed between 1911-1914 by renowned Toronto architect E.J Lennox, Casa Loma was born out of the Romantic imagination of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent Canadian financier,
industrialist and military officer. Toronto s famous Castle is situated within five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and features 98 rooms, antique furnishings, stained glass, elaborately carved wood detailing and an 800 foot tunnel which connects the house to an equally grand stable, once home to Sir Henry Pellatt s beloved horses. Experience this one-hour tour highlighting the lives of Sir Henry and Lady Mary Pellatt, the construction of the Casa Loma estate, and includes general information about the interior design and decorative features of the castle. (Designed for the Adult/Senior Market) INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE, BOXED LUNCH, ATTRACTIONS, ENTRANCE FEES & GRATUITIES. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 TH 2009 TOUR 10 TORONTO BY NIGHT WALKING DRIVING TOUR Approx 4hrs (7:00p- Departure from Vaughan Hotels) This tour is a driving and walking tour that will showcase some of the finest areas of downtown Toronto illuminated by the city s skyscrapers. Admire the attractions that Toronto is most famous for and then take a walk while enjoying our night life, perhaps stopping for a gelato or a cappuccino. COST: $60.00 PER PERSON INCLUDES: TAXES, BUS, DRIVER, GUIDE & GRATUITIES. ALL SOCIAL TOURS FOR THE COMMUNITY IN BLOOM 2009 SYMPOSIUM HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED BY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 1.888.833.2089 - (905).833.2089 -EMAIL: jen@mytripdesigner.com