Toronto is the largest city in Canada, with a population of around 2.8 million, and sprawling suburbs which can make it, on first glance, seem a bit daunting. Indeed, being so large there are many facets to Toronto: it has world-class theatre, a cutting edge art community, thriving food scene, an excellent range of galleries and museums, splendid parks, lively markets and historical buildings, and all right on the edge of Lake Ontario which stretches as far as the eye can see. Where to start?

Many of the attractions are contained within a relatively small downtown area, which slopes down to the lake. Brimming with multi-cultural influences you can really indulge your inner culture vulture here, whether it be spending the day perusing the galleries or sampling the food and people watching on the bustling harbour-front. A short ferry ride away are Toronto Islands, a wonderful oasis of car-free parkland which can be explored on foot or by bicycle, alongside lovely beaches which offer a welcome opportunity to cool off in the sometimes blistering summer heat.

Despite its size and population Toronto still manages to feel somewhat laid back and the people are friendly, perhaps due to the good quality of life which is often uncharacteristic of a city this large. You therefore don’t have to scratch very far under the surface to ‘get’ Toronto, and once you do you’ll find it’s unexpectedly beguiling.