July 11, 2003 -- "You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need" wails Mick Jagger. That song seems an appropriate tune for Torontonians in recent months who desperately wanted to stay off the WHO's travel advisory list during the SARS epidemic, to no avail. A sharp decline in the city's tourism ensued. Despite the removal of the city from the "Don't fly there" list, Toronto's tourism and economy has remained sluggish.
But as the lyric goes, Toronto just might find that it will indeed gets what it needs. On July 30th, The Rolling Stones and other big name acts rock into town at the city's Downsview Park to invigorate the city's tourism and economy. And with such a famous group of friends -- including not only classic rockers AC/DC and The Guess Who, but some of today's pop music heavy hitters like Justin Timberlake, the Flaming Lips and Sam Roberts, to name just a few of the guests -- The Stones should have no problem energizing the whole city.
The festivities will be hosted by funnymen Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. Perhaps best of all, you won't have to pay rock star prices to see them: general admission is only $16 USD and are on sale now. Click here for tickets.
Airfare Only
"But how will I get there?" you ask. Don't worry. We here at Frommers.com wouldn't be who we are if we didn't offer you some deals sweeter than brown sugar (last Stones reference, I promise). In celebration of the Stones' arrival, Air Canada is slashing prices for the period right around the concert for roundtrips to Toronto departing from July 23-29 and returning July 31-August 3. Sample fares include $118 USD from either Newark or Washington, D.C. From Chicago you fly starting at $146 USD and $285 USD from San Francisco. Of course, many additional departure cities are available. As an added bonus you save an additional $5 USD when you book online.
Tickets are subject to availability and prices do vary. Taxes and fees are not included in the price. The tickets are non-refundable and a Wednesday stay is required for the special fare. Book now at www.aircanada.com or reserve by phone at 888/247-2262.
Room Specials
If you want to stay in the city just long enough to catch the concert and a couple of sights, Toronto.com has two good offers for you with its "Time for T.O." deal. Though you'll have to fly over on your own, both packages are just $95 CAD a person based on double occupancy and include a night's accommodation at a participating upscale downtown hotel and a ticket to a Toronto Blue Jays Baseball game.
Package A also includes a 3-course dinner at a participating restaurant and a ticket to "The Second City," a sketch comedy and improv group. Package B offers a ticket to Tony and Tina's Wedding, a wacky interactive theater experience, which also includes an Italian buffet dinner. Both packages are good now through August 3, 2003. All activities are subject to availability. For more information, surf on over to www.toronto.com. Note that the package is being offered through "The Second City" Box Office (www.secondcity.com), linkable from the Toronto.com website, or book by phone at 416/343-0011.
The Whole Package
If you prefer to have your flight and accommodations taken care of in one step, United Vacations is offering a package deal starting at just $389 USD that will let you see the concert and catch some of Toronto too.
For $389 per person double occupancy, you get roundtrip airfare from New York on United or Air Canada and 3 Nights Accommodation at the Sutton Place Hotel. If you want to go a bit swankier, you can also choose the Delta Chelsea ($454 USD) or the Fairmount Royal York ($479 USD). To depart from Chicago add $10 to the listed prices, and for San Francisco add $180 USD. Additional departure cities are also available.
The offer is good for travel now through August 31, 2003 and is subject to availability. The price does not include taxes and fees. The package is good only for departures on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (the concert is on a Wednesday, for those reaching for a calendar). To book, check out their website at www.unitedvacations.com or call at 888/328-6877.
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