Toronto is a vibrant and sophisticated city located on the north shore of Lake Ontario opposite the Niagara peninsula. It is a wonderful place for a long weekend or a traditional 10 day family vacation.

Air Canada flies you there directly from Bermuda in comfort for a current fare of about $400 per person and sometimes even less if you catch a special like my family did this past summer for about $250 per person.

We stayed in a lovely hotel in the heart of the city and we were within walking distance to the subway station, The Toronto Transit Commission, operated by the metropolitan government.

We learned the basic city routes in a matter of a couple of days with our trusty tourist maps. Torontonians were very helpful when we asked directions.

Toronto extends about 25 miles along Lake Ontario. The British Army Engineers established their first streets in a grid pattern in 1793 and the plan is followed throughout most of the city. Originally the settlement grew from the lakefront.

Bloor Street is the main east-west artery and Yonge Street, which runs northward from the lake for miles, divides the city between east and west.

The main central business district is between King and Bloor streets. The city architecture is very diverse and interesting with high rise office and apartment buildings, hospitals, a college and a university, museums, art galleries and much more.

Many superb restaurants were available and everywhere we ate the portions were fresh, delicious and generous. You could choose from expensive and elegant to casual and moderate, like Subway , where all the sandwiches are made with fresh veggies, cheeses and deli meats on home made French bread and rolls. The aroma of freshly made chocolate chip cookies permeated throughout the small place and was an instant hit with my child.

All of us were hoping for cooler air than Bermuda so we found the 93 degree Fahrenheit heat somewhat oppressive during the day. Everyday there was a tour going different places from our hotel. We had different agendas so we split up the first day.

I had the good sense not to accompany my eight year old daughter, husband and mother-in-law to the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, a modern facility spread over 710 acres.

They walked and walked and toured endlessly on their fantastic zoo safari and complained of sore legs and buttocks for a couple of days. It was a feat of endurance in the heat! When I bade them goodbye that morning, I took my time eating a leisurely, breakfast of French toast and fresh fruit, drank a small pot of coffee, read the newspaper, and meticulously mapped out my route to Toronto's picturesque waterfront.

On the way there I met a very kind, retired school teacher who happened to be going my way. She was an excellent tour guide and accompanied me for a few hours and then we parted company. She lived in a condominium complex across from our hotel and had dinner with us the following evening.

I was hoping for cool breezes off of Lake Ontario and caught a few. It was a lovely day as I explored the area, had a simple lunch of shrimps and chips outdoors, stopped in a few antique stores, and shopped in the waterfront shopping mall.

The courtesy of Torontonians and the cleanliness and freshness of the city were amazing and I felt safe wandering around alone. Besides, other tourists were about.

I called it a day and caught the subway back up town about three in the afternoon. I did not want to get caught in the rush hour traffic. I made it back to the hotel around 4:30 p.m. without getting lost, which amazed my husband who swears I can't find anyplace except a tennis court.

I kicked off my shoes, had a cold drink in our chilled, luxurious room, freshened up a bit, and took a cat nap.

When I awoke I ordered a light tea just as my family straggled in, rather tired, about six p.m. After our tea, exciting chatter and a little television we all turned in for a good night's rest.

The next day we went to the waterfront and chartered a sailing yacht for half the day which took us over to Toronto's tranquil Centre Island, a beautiful area accessible only by boat.

It is a reprieve from city life and is a great place to picnic on the south side with excellent park facilities and beaches.

We saw the world famous CN Tower, the world's tallest free-standing structure.

Later we stopped off at Eaton Centre for a wee `Alice in Wonderland shopping spree'. I'm referred to as Alice by my family because I am mesmerised by all the selections and stand in awe of all the stuff.

One of the highlights of the trip was our delightful tour to Niagara Falls.

The Falls were spectacular but there were crowds of people everywhere, which is expected during summer.

About 50,000 honeymoon couples visit annually to see the Falls which measure in height of about 185 feet and in width, 2,200 feet on the Ontario side. The first eyewitness account was by Father Louis Hennepin in 1678. He was a Spanish Netherlands priest travelling with French Explorer, La Salle.

We visited a winery on the way there, which was both educational and delicious, and made a quick stop at a charming town called Niagara on the Lake.

No trip would be complete without learning a little history and we took in a few museums. The Royal Ontario Museum has one of the finest collection of Chinese antiquities in America. There are six million items on display and more that 40 galleries, impossible to see it all in one day.

The McLaughlin Planetarium is adjacent to the museum and the Gardiner Ceramin Museum is across the street.

The Huron Indian word Toronto means `place of meeting or place of plenty'.

Etienne Brule, one of Champlain's men, was the first European to visit in 1615 and in 1720 the French established the first of three trading posts. In 1787 the British purchased Toronto with the Mississauga.

The evening skies of pink and violet were especially pretty embracing the city's canvas of nightly neon. We enjoyed our tradition of evening walks after dinner.

Visiting Toronto was a satisfying adventure and a memorable family vacation.

We hope to return, particularly with the exchange rate in our favour.

Toronto's waterfront: Take a relaxing boat cruise and explore the harbour.

There are many restaurants and shops around too.

The Maid of the Mist: You really experience Niagara Falls on this exciting boat tour. They give you rain jackets to wear so beware.

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