Winter is a long season in Toronto, but -- believe it or not -- that's actually a good thing. There is so much going on in town that it's entirely possible to forget about the snow. After all, Toronto is in the middle of a metamorphosis, and this season brings with it the first taste of some of the results, as well as a series of excellent new exhibits and shows. In case that wasn't enough of an inducement, there's the dynamic WinterCity festival, which showcases the best of the city . Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow -- because whatever the weather is doing, right now Toronto really is the place to go.
Planning
Toronto's WinterCity festival is still a new addition to local calendars (2006 will be its third year), but it has already become an institution. Running from January 27 to February 9, 2006, it mixes indoor and outdoor events. It's most popular offering is Winterlicious (see the Dining section below) at venues as diverse as Casa Loma, and the Toronto Zoo. Visit www.toronto.ca/special_events/wintercity for more information.
Whether the month of March is in a lion or lamb phase, one of its highlights is Canada Blooms (www.canadablooms.com). As the country's largest indoor garden and flower show, it reminds locals and visitors that spring is right 'round the corner. Running from March 8 to 12, it includes visual displays, lectures, demonstrations, competitions, and other events.
Accommodations
As a chronic insomniac, I'm in love with the latest offering from the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel: the Sleep Concierge program. This isn't simply about bedecking a bed with luxurious linens (not that I object to that); instead, the hotel offers a menu of snooze-inducing options, such as tea and biscotti before bed, a wide selection of neck and body pillows, and a "soundscapes" machine (which lets you unwind to the sound of the ocean or a thunderstorm, to name a couple of choices). See www.metropolitan.com for more about this ongoing option (it will be available throughout the year).
And since I'm very fond of Toronto's great shopping scene, I'm also intrigued by the Hotel le Germain's new Pampered Shopping program. From now until May 14, a couple can stay for a night, have breakfast, and then take a 4-hour shopping tour via chauffeured limo. The itinerary is put together by the hotel, which promises access to designer ateliers, fine antique shops, showrooms, and top boutiques. The cost is C$835 (US$715) per couple; see www.hotelboutique.com.
Over at the Fairmont Royal York, there's a new program called Engaging Proposals, which offers special packages and services that are designed to create a romantic and unforgettable proposal. While this program is intended to run for the foreseeable future, it's something that those planning a Valentine's Day engagement may want to start inquiring about now. See www.fairmont.com for details, or call tel. 1-866/ON-1-KNEE. The Fairmont Royal York has also entered into a partnership with Canada's Empress of Etiquette, Adeodate Czink. Looking for coaching in business or social manners or for a crash course in graceful behavior for kids or teens? If you visit the hotel before the end of March, you can easily mix this into your plans. Visit www.fairmont.com/royalyork for more information.
Many of Toronto's best hotels have created winter packages to spark visitor interest. Some good bets are the Park Hyatt Toronto (www.parktoronto.hyatt.com), the Four Seasons (www.fourseasons.com/toronto), the Sutton Place (www.suttonplace.com), the Sheraton Centre Toronto (www.sheratoncentretoronto.com), and the Delta Chelsea (www.deltahotels.com). Another great reason to visit Toronto at this time of year is the fact that deals and special packages abound.
Dining
Winterlicious is an essential part of the WinterCity festival from January 27 through February 9, 2006. Many of Toronto's best chefs offer prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner. Altogether, 126 restaurants will participate in 2006 offering three-course lunches that will cost between C$15-C$20 (US$13-US$17) and three-course dinners that will run between C$25-$35 (US$21-US$30). Check out www.toronto.ca/special_events/wintercity/winterlicious for details about participating restaurants and a complete listing of the special menus.
Toronto's renowned Cantonese restaurant Lai Wah Heen is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2006, and will mark the event by making some changes. For starters, its menu is evolving and expanding to include dishes from several regions of China. Classic cuisine from Beijing, Szechuan, Shanghai, Chiu Chow and Guangdong will be available for dim sum, lunch, and dinner. Another innovation is the introduction of a program to bring some of China's best chefs to Toronto throughout 2006. Check out www.metropolitan.com/laiwahheen for more information.
Attractions
If you visit Toronto on or before January 1, 2006, you must make a stop at the Art Gallery of Ontario for its stunning exhibit Catherine the Great: Arts for the Empire -- Masterpieces from The State Hermitage Museum, Russia. The AGO is in the midst of its own major renovation project, but that hasn't stopped it from staging this ambitious and inspiring show. The Imperial Russian paintings, sculpture, gemstones, furniture and decorative arts are intended to dazzle, and they do. See www.ago.net for information and tickets.
But there's even bigger news over at the Royal Ontario Museum. On December 26, 2005, 10 new galleries encompassing 90,000 square feet will open to the public. This is the first phase of the unveiling of the tremendous Renaissance ROM project, and it includes a new wing for Chinese, Japanese and Korean art and archaeology, and a gallery of art and artifacts from Canada's native peoples. There are also two special exhibitions opening on December 26, 2005: Deco Lalique, and Korea Around 1900: The Paintings of Gisan. Visit www.rom.on.ca for more details.
The Ontario Science Centre is currently home to Body Worlds 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies. This provocative show features more than 200 real human specimens, including individual organs, body slices, and 25 whole-body plastinates. The show will be on view until February 26, 2006; for more about it, see www.ontariosciencecentre.ca. (A note to the squeamish: There's a fascinating show, Playing with Time, which opens here on January 29, 2006; it will let you experiment with high-speed photography, time-lapse videos, and other media to measure our relationship with time.)
The year 2006 also marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic CN Tower. To celebrate, the landmark is showing a new 20-minute film, The Height of Excellence, which documents the construction of the world's tallest building. Visit www.cntower.ca for information.
Nightlife
Toronto loves its blockbuster shows, and there's nothing bigger than the stage production of the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. It will open in previews at the Princess of Wales Theatre on February 2, 2006; the gala premiere will be on March 23, 2006. The show is stocked with local talent, including the Tony-award winner Brent Carver, who will play the wizard Gandalf. For information and ticket orders, visit www.mirvish.com.
Side Trips
Dessert wine connoisseurs take note: the 11th annual Niagara Icewine Festival will take place from January 13-22, 2006. Ontario's sumptuous icewine -- which keeps on winning gold medals in international competitions -- is one of the best things about winter. The festival features special winery tours, culinary seminars, tastings, a dinner series, and many other events. Visit www.niagarawinefestival.com for information or to book event tickets.
But if your mind is all ready turning to spring, remember that two of Canada's greatest theater festivals have just announced their 2006 lineups. The Shaw Festival (www.shawfest.com) in Niagara-on-the-Lake will open on March 30, and will feature the world premiere of The Invisible Man (adapted from the H.G. Wells work), as well as Arthur Miller's The Crucible. The Stratford Festival (www.stratfordfestival.ca) in Stratford, Ontario, will open on April 24, and its offerings will include Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Henry IV, as well as Ibsen's Ghosts, and the well-loved musical Oliver!.
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