It wouldn’t be labour day without a mention of the CNE and the air show. As has been the custom for the last 134 years the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or The Ex as it is affectionately known opens Aug 17 closes on Labour Day  (Sept 3) after a 18 day run. The Ex is Canada’s largest community fair that attracts about 1.3 million people each year and offers shows, entertainment, shopping, midway rides .

The Toronto International Film Festival, (affectionately know as TIFF) September 6 to 16th.is the leading public film festival in the world, screening more than 300 films from 60+ countries every September. Stars decend upon Toronto for the screenings which also attracts thousands of fans trying to get a peek of their favorite stars on the red carpet. Take in as many of the 300+ films in ten days, as Toronto rolls out the red carpet to welcome the world at this popular festival.

If you wondering what to do on Labour Day weekend, then make sure the this is part of your plans. Whether you are sitting  at the CNE or anywhere along the waterfront you will be captivated by the Canadian International Airshow that runs from September 1 to the 3^th with daily shows starting at 12:30.  Guests at The Boatel will be able to relax and watch the show from the boat.

It’s a short drive to the annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival in Port Credit (Mississauga waterfront) on September 7-9th. But don’t worry if you don’t want to drive you can take the GO train from Union Station and forget about the parking problems. This fun filled event is on from Sept 7 to 9th and is sure to entertain. Stop by the quaint stores in lovely downtown Port Credit and you will definately want to make this an annual event. Event Location: Port Credit east of Lakeshore & Hurontario

The world premier of Cirque du Soleil new show Amaluna opens in Toronto on September 6th in the nearby Portlands. Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Consult the website for ticket prices and dates.

The Cabbagetown Festival and Riverdale Farm Fall Festival, (Sept 7-9) in the heart of Toronto’s  historic Cabbagetown district is a not-to-be-missed fall event. By the way Cabbagetown got its name from the habit of its first residents growing cabbages on their front lawns and the name stuck. I attended this event last year and I was amazed at the quality of vendors at this event with lots of original art by Canadian designers.

What’s a vist to Toronto without a baseball game, eh? Take me out to the Ball Game . In September the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre hosts Boston Red Socks, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay, Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. Fans will be filling the streets and the Rogers Centre as Toronto plays Tampa Bay (Sept 1-2), Baltimore (Sept 3-5), Seattle (Sept 11-13), Boston (Sept 14-16)  and NY (Sept 27-30). Of course it’s a short walk from the Boatel to Rogers Centre so don’t worry about the traffic, in fact the Rogers Centre is almost in our back yard (see the picture) and when the Toronto Blue Jays hit a home run you can hear them cheer. Let’s play ball!

The Queen West Art Crawl (Sept 14-16) is a “weekend-long festival to celebrate and cultivate the unique  character, diversity and ethos of Queen West – a natural habitat for individual artists, arts organizations, artist run centres and businesses that promote art and culture.” 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the festival. The festival runs along Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles and features 250 jury-selected artists. There are plenty of art events for crawlers of all ages, from the family-friendly Second City KidsZone, walking  tours,  to the edgy and innovative Parkdale Nightcrawl. Festival Location: Queen Street West, Toronto

The Word on the Street September 23rd – Celebrate reading, writing, and literacy at Canada’s largest book and magazine festival: The Word on the Street. Visit any of the 250 book, magazine, and literacy exhibitor booths to discover new writers, new publications, and new talent. Take in readings, ask questions, and get your books signed by almost 200 authors, performers, and storytellers. Enjoy great programming all day at any one of 18 performance venues, which include a Bestsellers Stage, Children’s Activity Tent, and the Wordshop: The Place for Writers. Last year more than 200,000 people enjoyed The Word on the Street; come see what all the type is about! Event Location: Queens Park - University Avenue & College St Toronto .

And finally, but certainly not least, the month comes to an end with the Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (French for White Night) on Sept 29th. For one sleepless night experience as Toronto is transformed by hundreds of artists for Toronto’s sixth annual sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art.  You can discover art in galleries, museums and unexpected places. From a streetcar, alleyways and storefronts to churches, ponds and parks, choose from more than 130 destinations and chart your own path. One night only. All night long. Festival Location: Toronto waterfront and various locations.

As you can see there is lots in store for our Boatel guests. Just don’t forget walking shoes.

The Fringe Toronto’s Theatre Festival – Jul 04 to Jul 15 In a country that hosts the most Fringe festivals in the world, the Toronto Fringe shines. First run in 1989 with 4 venues and 40 productions, the Toronto Fringe now has over ten venues, including KidsVenue, and more than 120 theatre companies participating from the province and around the world. Held annually in July. Festival location: Various Locations Toronto.

Honda Indy Toronto July 6 -8  The roar of the engines is heard as the Indy cars take to the streets of Toronto for a weekend of exciting racing. Event Location: Exhibition Place Address: Lakeshore Blvd Toronto.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition July 6 -8 The largest outdoor art exhibition in Canada is celebrating its 50th year of introducing Torontonians to undiscovered artists and art students while displaying the fine artworks of established artists. Artists will be selling their artwork to visitors as scheduled events occur, such as the Art Talks speaker series, Art Walks tours throughout the exhibition and Art Now performances and installations. For lovers of art and those who are just curious, TOAE is a fantastic place to spend a day within the art community. Festival Location: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West) 10:30AM Free

National Bank Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival – Jul 07 to Jul 08
National Bank joins TLN Telelatino, the Hillcrest Village BIA, the City of Toronto once again join forces to present the second stop on the tour, National Bank Salsa on St. Clair, Canada’s largest Latino-themed street festival which wraps –up Latino week in Toronto.Salsa on St. Clair has attracted over 1.5 million salsa lovers to the streets of Toronto since its launch in 2005. Join in on the parade of FREE family fun as midtown Toronto’s Hillcrest Village, between Winona Drive and Christie Street will be transformed into a showcase of Latin life. Festival Location: St. Clair at Christie and Wynona Toronto

Beaches International Jazz Festival -July 20, 29 The rhythm of world beat, reggae, calypso and big band jazz music fill the air every year in July at the Beaches International Jazz Festival. New to the scene as well as old favourites perform on the crowded yet energetic streets of the Beaches area and KEW Gardens main stage. Admission is free to most events. Festival Location: 1976 A Queen Street East Toronto

Toronto’s Festival of Beer – Jul 27  Beer is the acclaimed beverage at this gathering, which features over 200 products. Lagers, stouts, wheat beers and pale ales can all be sampled. Live entertainment can be heard on all of the three days, and tempting food is available. So come out and toast the brewers of Canada. Festival Location: Exhibition Place Address: Lakeshore Blvd Toronto.

If you have a festival or event going on in Toronto this summer that you want to let us know about, please comment and I will add it.

Doors Open Toronto is a popular annual city-wide weekend celebration, now in its 13th year that features FREE access to more than 135 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings.

In commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial, this year’s Doors Open Toronto theme is 200 Years of Building Our City. The event will take place on May 26 and May 27, highlighting the city builders of these significant buildings; the fascinating personalities who shaped Toronto’s architecture and history. ”Toronto’s Waterfront played an important role in the development of our city,” states Carol Jolly, Executive Director, The Waterfront BIA. “Through Doors Open on Toronto’s Waterfront, visitors will be able to see and experience the excitement of the Waterfront like never before. Tour the ships docked along the water’s edge and take an historical journey of Toronto on the Water, through a unique photo exhibit in Queen’s Quay Terminal featuring over 100 archival images displayed publicly for the first time ever.”

Experience the waterfront’s most distinctive ships at Gangways Open! The charter boat business is one of the main tourism attractions at the Toronto Waterfront and has a rich history. There is no better way to experience Toronto than from the water!All of the 15 participating ships will open their doors (and their gangways!) for FREE public dockside tours. The ships along the dock walls will be open for viewing from 10am to 5pm, subject to availability.

Toronto International Circus Festival – May 19 to May 21  Featuring extraordinary circus artists from around the world, the Toronto International Circus Festival features outdoor stages, rain or shine. Visitors to the festival will experience side-splitting comedy, eye-popping acrobatics and mind-bending daredevil stunts! The show features world-class acrobats, unicyclists, fire-eaters, stilt walkers, live musicians, face painters, balloon sculptors and more. FREE Event Festival location: Harbourfront Centre 235 Queens Quay West Toronto

 Toronto Taste  Sunday, May 27th Tease your taste buds with a gastronomic adventure showcasing 60 of Toronto’s top chefs and 30 beverage purveyors at the Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto Taste is presented by The Daniels Corporation, a supporter of Second Harvest for the past 17 years. Proceeds from the event go to Second Harvest. Tickets are available for purchase for $250 each (with a tax receipt issued for $125). Event location:  Royal Ontario Museum  100 Queen’s Park Toronto ON Telephone: 416 625-6774

Toronto Festival of Clowns – May 31 to Jun 03 Clowns, mimes, bouffons, physical comedians and other performers from across Canada unite to provoke, disturb and treat you with that mysterious and delightful art form known as clowning. FREE Event.   Festival location:  6 Noble St. just west of Queen W and Dufferin Toronto ON http://www.torontoclown.com/

 Annual InspiraTO Theatre Festival  - Jun 01 to Jun 10 Canada’s biggest ten-minute play festival is back and it’s bigger than ever! Featuring 16 exciting new plays by a diverse array of playwrights, this festival is Toronto’s only chance to experience the thrilling genre of the ten-minute play. The InspiraTO Theatre Festival kicks off at the Alumnae Theatre for a limited run. Tickets: $12 – $17 Festival location:  Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St Toronto ON

 Worldwide Short Film Festival – Jun 05 to Jun 12 Some of the most outstanding short films from Canada and around the world hit the screen at this festival. Competitions (both Canadian and International), special programs and gala screenings are just part of the event. Promotion and launching of films, as well as networking for filmmakers, is the goal at the Festival Symposium and Marketplace. Festival location:  Various Locations Toronto ON Telephone: 1 416 445-1446

Toronto Tango Festival  - Jun 07 to Jun 10 Toronto Tango Festival is a four day celebration of Argentine Tango, with workshops for all levels, practicas, milongas, performances and more. Festival location:  Address: Lithuanian Hall, 1573 Bloor St W, Toronto ON

 LuminaTO Festival of Arts and Creativity – Jun 08 to Jun 17 For 10 extraordinary days in June, the vibrant city of Toronto’s stages, streets and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity. Luminato is an annual multidisciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, film, literature, visual arts, design and more. For more information on both free and ticketed LuminaTO events, including dates, locations and schedules, visit www.luminato.com.

Muthadi International Drumming Festival – Jun 09 to Jun 10 Celebrating rhythms from around the globe, this annual music fest features an impressive line-up of live local, national and international acts. Drum workshops, dancing, food and craft vendors, kids’ activities and a parade of drums are added highlights. Festival location:  University Avenue & College St Toronto ON

 North By Northeast Music and Film Festival – Jun 11 to Jun 17 Known as The NXNE, this festival showcases emerging artists from Canada, the United States and other countries. Musical genres performed have included folk, punk and funk. The event, usually held in June, takes place in clubs, outdoor stages and special venues in the downtown area. A conference unites the movers and shakers of the industry with many budding performers. The relatively new film portion of the festival offers special screenings of new films. Festival location: Various Venues Toronto, ON

Toronto Wine and Spirits Festival – Jun 14 to Jun 16 From tastings in the original Fermenting Cellar of the former Gooderham and Worts distillery and gourmet fair in the Boiler House, to seminars in tented pavilions on the brick lined paths, this truly is a unique setting for this kick off to summer … a summer solstice. Festival location:  Distillery District Toronto ON

Taste of Little Italy – Jun 15 to Jun 17 Live music, a crafters showcase and extensive opportunities to sample authentic Italian cuisine are just a few of the festivities available at this three-day, open-air street festival. The events occur in Little Italy along College street from Bathurst street to Shaw street. Festival location:  College St., between Shaw St. and Euclid Ave. Toronto

Ontario Craft Beer Week – Jun 17 to Jun 24 Held at various venues across the city, this annual festival celebrates craft beer brewing through an array of tasting events, brewery tours, live music, cooking demos and much more. Festival location:  Various Venues, Toronto

TD Toronto Jazz Festival – Jun 22 to July 1 For ten days in June a number of jazz types take over Toronto’s downtown venues to enjoy the music of Toronto’s Downtown Jazz Festival. Internationally acclaimed musicians delight the large crowds that flock to one of Canada’s largest jazz music events  Festival location:  Address: Venues throughout downtown Toronto

Toronto International Dragon Boat Race – Jun 23 to Jun 24 Combining both sport and ancient Chinese culture, the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race includes races for adults, youth and families. Over 125,000 spectators and participants attend each year to see dance companies, attend workshops, watch an onsite parade, visit the multicultural village, cheer on race teams and more. Festival location:  Toronto Islands.

Toronto Waterfront Redpath Festival June 21- 24 We agree that it IS better by the water! The Waterfront Festival will expose the best of Maritime Canada to southern Ontario residents in a four-day, non-stop street-level kitchen party on the Toronto Waterfront. Sponsored by the Waterfront BIA Festival location:  HtO park along the Toronto waterfront west of Harbourfront Centre. www.waterfrontbia.com

Toronto Pride Festival – June 22 to July 1  -Toronto Pride Week is an annual event that takes place in downtown Toronto during the last week of June. The event is one of the largest of its kind in the world and celebrates diverse sexual and gender identities, histories, cultures, creativities, families, friends and lives. The week long festival includes a three-day arts fest, a weekend street fair (including a community fair and market place), a Dyke March and a Pride Parade.

Stay tuned for another installment of What’s on in Toronto this Summer. If we have missed an event of festival happening in Toronto, then please let us know and we will include it.

The showcase of Maritime food and entertainment is set for June 21-24 at HTO Park on the downtown waterfront. “It’s a terrific venue and it’s going to be an amazing event,” a Toronto Tourism epresentative said Thursday.

““The event will expose the best of Maritime Canada to southern Ontario residents in a four-day, non-stop street-level kitchen party on the Toronto Waterfront,” said the organizers.

Complete details of the Toronto event will be announced on the Kitchen Stage at the opening Friday of the weekend Saltscapes East Coast Expo at Exhibition Park.

Several government departments from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Sobeys Ontario division, and Subaru partnered with the Saltscapes organization of Bedford for the Toronto event.

It will be a Toronto version of the Saltscapes East Coast Expo consumer show, with supporting roles played by Taste of Nova Scotia and Clearwater Seafoods, organizers say.

The Come East event will be part of the Toronto Waterfront Redpath Festival at HTO Park, which is expected to attract about 750,000 people over four days. HTO Park is near the CN Tower and Rogers Centre. About 100 booths will be set up under canvas, surrounding an elevated central stage for participating Maritime musicians.

There is also a business aspect to the initiative that goes beyond the travel industry, said organizers. Ontario-based grocery retailers are invited to attend a trade day where they will be able to sample East Coast foods and meet suppliers.

Being from New Brunswick I will be flying a NB flag on the Boatel during this event and hosting a cocktail reception on Saturday night for our guests.

I’m sure that you will agree that one of the most exciting things about any large metropolitan city is the vast array of unique and interesting restaurants around every corner and Toronto is no exception. Over the last eight years we have made it our mission to rarely go to the same restaurant twice because; we owe it to our guests to offer an expert opinion on the best cuisine Toronto has to offer.

When it comes to where to eat in Toronto, there are hundreds to choose from but here are three of our favorite restaurants.  Let’s start with an old favorite, The Academy of the Spherical Arts. Dont’t let the small sign on this old stone building fool you, this was the home of the Brunswick billiard factory. Once inside you will get the rare opportunity to play on a billiard table built in the 1800’s paired with good service and great food.  Here’s what Fred & Joyce Dowson from Leeds, UK had to say “Our sommelier offered perfect wine pairing with each of our entrees but the piece des resistance was the scotch selection and the exquisite billard tables”. But it’s not only the billard tables and the extensive scotch selection that will impress you, the artwork throughout the restauant, like the one above, makes a walk through the various rooms a must.

Our second recommendation, Against The Grain is nestled in a modern slate building on the edge  of the newly created Sugar Beach. Sitting on the patio with a full moon and a dockside view of the cruise boats in Toronto Harbour makes for a perfect evening.  You can taste the freshness because they  are committed to sustainable agricultural practises, which means you get  fresh local produce and natural foods that contain no antibiotics or growth hormones. Their website describes it best “Against the Grain is a casual Urban Tavern where people gather to enjoy Maple Chipotle Baked Wings with a local brew, Pulled Pork braised in dark beer and molasses, Stone Baked Pizzas or traditional cocktails with a twist’. Sounds delicious? It was!

Our third selection offers a convenient location and great Italian food offered by a Sicilian father and son team. At Porticello Restaurant everything is prepared fresh and the value price makes it a perfect find.  Remember to leave room for the tiramisu but don’t be surprised if this popular item is sold out.  We think you will like this one because we have never had a bad review from our guests. And the best thing is that it’s across the street from the Boatel so you don’t have to go far to get good Italian food.

Be sure to include at least one of these fine restaurants in your itinerary for your next visit to Toronto.

Bonne appétit

The Academy Of Spherical Arts
One Snooker Street, Toronto, ON  Tel: (416) 532-2782

Against the Grain Urban Tavern
25 Dockside Drive, Corus Quay Toronto, ON  Tel: 647-344-1562

Porticello Restaurant
370 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON (416) 598-2572 ‎

Our first in the series on our discovery train is  a very short version of long and colorful history of the Toronto Island. Best described the Island is an oasis, an escape from the city accessible only by boat, ferry or water taxi across the Toronto Harbour.

Back as early as 1793 the “Island” (althought it was really a peninsula) was a place for wealthy to escape the heat of the new city of Toronto (formerly York). A lighthouse was built in 1808 to guide ships into the harbour. The lighthouse is still there and is a well known landmark on the island. The Island was originally a marshy peninsula until a storm in 1858 created the Eastern Gap turning the peninsula into an island.

In the 1920′s many of Toronto’s wealthy moved to cottage county near Lake Muskoka north of Toronto.  Working modest homes were built on Centre Island and in the 1940 a community sprouted up on Ward’s Island that is still thriving today. In 1954 Hurricane Hazel caused massive flooding resulting in the newly former Metro Toronto government deciding to turn the entire Island in a park. 750 homes were bulldozed but the government found opposition on Wards and Alqonquin Islands. The Islands fought hard to Save the Island Homes and after a 30 year battle the province passed legistation in 1993 preserving the Island community.

Today life on the island is a combination of boating, picnicing, biking, bathing, all living in harmoney with a comunity of summer and year around residents.

We do have our urban beaches in Toronto along the waterfront with sand and beach chairs, but if you want to swim Toronto Island is the place to go.  Along with the public family beaches, there is also a clothing optional beach on the west side of Toronto at Hanlan’s Point. It is one of the few official nude beaches in North America. Just remember to bring the sunscreen!

I would highly recommend purchasing a copy of The Essentail Toronto Island Guide written by two local residents. This guide provides a very detailed and interesting walking tour of the Island. We also recommend a walk along the boardwalk with a stop at Rectory Cafe for lunch or dinner. Returning to the city after dark you are rewarded with a breathtaking picturesque view of Toronto at night.

Ask us for more information to plan your day trip to the Island.

Photo courtesy of Fred Sinclaire

As well, for many of us keeping watch on weight gain is a monumental ongoing battle. Diets of every flavour have been around for years including low fat, no fat, Atkins, Grapefruit Diet, South Beach, and the list goes on. By making long term lifestyle changes many have been able to lose weight and maintain an ideal weight for years through programs such as Weight Watchers or Fit-For-Life.

Going on vacation or traveling for business often causes a disruption to that balance that has been achieved or a setback in the goals that we are trying to achieve. Much like a medical condition requesting a low fat or low carbohydrate breakfast is the responsibility that need not be ignored while on holidays.

For years the Boatel has delighted visitors with its mouth-watering culinary delights including Old Fashioned Belgium Waffles and Apple Pecan Breakfast Lasagna. Guests enjoy eating something new or different that that don’t eat at home.  We have also recognized the need to offer a menu that addresses a variety of dietary restrictions such as calorie-reduce meal plans for low fat and no-fat or sodium-reduced diets. So, please don’t be shy, all you need to do is ask. Perhaps you’ll even discover a new favorite recipe.

Green Travel – 20 years ago we would not even have considered deciding on a hotel or bed and breakfast based on it’s environmentally-conscious or green initiatives however today 12% of respondents from the Tripadvisor survey stated that “eco’friendly” hotels were an important criteria.

Tripadvisor includes questions about Eco-friendly Travel Actions.
1.Participating in a hotel’s linen or towel re-use program – 71%
2.Switching off the air-conditioning or heat when leaving the hotel room – 51%
3.Select a hotel specifically for its “green” or environmentally-conscious credentials – 12%

Being an Eco-friendly accommodation is more that just saving water on towels. It’s all part of a stratey that encompasses trash removal and recycling; using environmentally-conscious products for cleaning; and of-course conserving energy and water. It’s a whole way of thinking and operating to ensure that all of our actions are friendly to the environment.

At the Boatel, our commitment is to sustainable environmental practices for ourselves, our guests and community. We applaud TRIPADVISOR for including this classification in their annual survey and for people who support Eco-friendly travel options. For more about see our blog post under Green Living.

There are lots of reasons why US travellers love Toronto but here are the top 4. Here’s what our guests had to say about Toronto.

CLEAN: “Now I know why Toronto is so clean. I walked down the street and watched as someone picked up a coffee lid that someone else dropped and put it in the garbage. No wonder this city is so clean!”.

SAFE: “We walked back from the theatre at 10:30 at night because it was such a nice night and at no time did I not feel safe walking in Toronto, you can’t say that about alot of US cities”

A WALKING CITY: “Toronto is definitely a walking city. Next time I come I am going to wear my walking shoes. I stayed at the Boatel for 5 days and parked the car and walked everywhere I wanted to go. I love it and Toronto Bed and Breakfast on a Boat is a vacationer’s dream!”

FOOD AND DRINK: “I love the multicultural feel of Toronto and the fact that you can go to Chinatown, Little Italy and Greektown for authentic food. From vegetarian burgers to upscale cuisine – Toronto has it all.”

What is your favorite things about Toronto?

A few years ago I discovered research that shows that the main ingredient in antibacterial hand and dish-washing soaps is triclosan, and that it is now showing up in not only our water supply but has also been detected in human breast milk  and also in our oceans. Alarmingly scientists have not found a way to get rid of triclosan contamination in our water sources. Because of this research we have  made a decision to remove all antibacterial soaps from the Boatel.

One of my big pet peeves is marina’s and munilipaliites that do not recycle.  I personally  refuse to put plastics, glass and cardboard in the garbage bins, put rather hold on to it only it can be properly recycyled even if it means going  out of my way to make sure it does not end up in a garbage bin. We must all lobby to ensure that our marinas support green initatives.

A few years ago we installed dispensers in the showers for shampoo and body wash (both of which dispense bio-degradable products), thereby eliminating hundreds on miniature unused soap and body location containers that end up in our landfills. I would like to see all inns and bed & breakfasts move to eliminating small bottles in favour of a friendly alternative that uses less plastic. We explain to our guests that the products we use are bio-degradable and we prefer that they use our products while they are with us, thereby educating people one guest at a time.  We continue to make every effort  to be environmentally responsible and set a  example for others to follow.

Do you have any suggestions for green living?