Toronto

Air Transat Review: Flying Canada’s third largest airline from Toronto to Montreal

While most commonly used for Canadians looking to travel abroad, Air Transat do have a number of domestic services in a network dominated by the country’s two biggest airlines – Air Canada and Westjet. One route that just about all these airlines share is the quick hop from Toronto (either Billy Bishop or Pearson) to…

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Flight Review: Westjet Encore – Toronto Pearson Terminal 3 to Nashville, USA

I’ve talked quite a bit about Toronto Pearson International of late, and while there’s been plenty in the press about the delays in the airport, not every airline nor terminal is necessarily facing the same issues. Also, across the board, my own experiences have been more positive of late. For instance, take last month’s flight…

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Matt Berry joined Gorillaz on stage at their Toronto show (See the video and full setlist!)

Los Angeles may have gotten a special appearance from Beck and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala last week, but last night, Toronto fans also received a treat. As Gorillaz kicked off their 5 1/2 song encore at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena last night, Damon Albarn commented “I didn’t think we’d ever play this song again”, before…

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Flight Review: American Airlines – Washington DC (DCA) to Toronto, Canada (YYZ)

I haven’t flown American Airlines since before the pandemic, but recently I had the chance to jump on their regional “American Eagle” service between DC and Toronto. So what is their in flight offering now? And what Covid-19 precautions remain in place? Here’s a look at the experience on that service. Flight Number: AA 5667…

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Toronto Pearson Delays: Flying to the USA with Air Canada – how early do you need to get to the airport?

It’s no secret that flying out of Toronto Pearson International is currently fraught with issues and delays. In fact, you may have seen the airport make headlines for having the most delays – affecting more than 50% of outbound flights – of any airport in the world. Simply put, due in large part to short…

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Review: Flying Canada’s budget carrier Flair Airlines – Montreal to Toronto

We’ve spoken a lot over the years about the differing experiences flying Canada’s two main airlines – Westjet and Air Canada – as well as the shorter range journeys with Porter. But on a recent trip between Montreal and Toronto, I decided to try one of Canada’s more recently established budget (“Ultra Low Cost”) carriers…

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Air Canada vs Westjet: What is pandemic travel like with Canada’s biggest airlines from Toronto to Vancouver (Updated)

In Toronto, after enduring the world’s longest continuous COVID-19 lockdown – accumulating almost 400 days by the time indoor dining restrictions came to an end earlier this month – we’re finally coming out of what we hope are the darkest days of the pandemic. Vaccination rates are approaching 80% – placing us amongst the most…

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Porter Airlines vs Air Canada: Flying to and from a reopened Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Earlier this month, Toronto’s central Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport re-opened for the first time to travellers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the airport’s primary commercial carriers, Porter Airlines, resumed domestic services. The airport – which I’ve previously called one of the world’s most convenient – is unique due to its location…

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10 Films Not To Miss at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival

This year’s Toronto International Film Festival is welcoming back a sense of normalcy after the year that wasn’t.  Ticket buyers – both those attending TIFF in person and those staying at home with TIFF’s virtual platform – are spoilt for choice, with over 100 films on the line-up, ranging from blockbuster special events, gala screening…

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WestJet are finally offering complimentary meals on flights from Toronto, Canada to London, UK

You don’t think of Trans-Atlantic airlines as being ones where you don’t get a complimentary meal on board. But sure enough, there are plenty that don’t offer the service. Most of them are branded as “Budget Carriers”, however, like Norwegian Air, who fly out of the U.S. East Coast to the UK and Europe. Others,…

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What to expect from Elton John’s Australian Tour? We caught his final ever show in Toronto to find out.

It’s not long now until the legendary Elton John returns for Australia for what he promises to be the last time, in his swan song, “Farewell, Yellow Brick Road” tour. It’ll see him take in a mountain of dates across several months – with both major city and regional appearances. So what do Australian fans…

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Live Review: Noah Gundersen proves a talent beyond his years at spellbinding Toronto Lover show

It’s been 7 years since I last saw Seattle based singer/songwriter Noah Gundersen. Then, he had a lot less tattoos. Me, a lot less facial hair. In that time he’s gone on to release four more albums and work with Glorietta. His latest, Lover, hit our headphones at the end of August. It’s a stunning record that deserves to…

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Travelling around Canada by train isn’t just a beautiful experience – it can also be cost effective luxury

You may have heard over the years of the expensive nature of travelling around Canada, especially by plane. It’s a country where internal flights are almost entirely serviced by two airlines – Air Canada and Westjet – both of whom have a mixed reputation, especially when it comes to their ticket prices. And these are…

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Eric Andre confirms The Eric Andre Show return in 2020 as he readies his “Black Borat movie”

Last night, comedian Eric Andre hit the stage at the Meridian Hall in Toronto as one of the headliners of the annual Just For Laughs comedy festival. Part of his Legalize Everything Tour, the hilarious hour and a half show was something of a tamer affair than what you might have seen on his popular…

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Live Review: The Smashing Pumpkins cover “Old Town Road” (sort of) as they shine on tour with Noel Gallagher

A surprising mix of artists descended on the Budweiser Stage in Toronto tonight, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds shortly into their set when I arrived, after an earlier set from openers AFI. What does link these acts though are ever growing, rabid fanbases. You mat not feel like you’ve heard much new music from these…

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Flight Review: Delta & Westjet from JFK to Prince Edward Island via Toronto’s Pearson International

Transiting from a domestic to an international flight at Toronto’s Pearson International, as we’ve talked about in the past, can prove to be a bit of a nightmare. But how does it compare when you’ve got to connect from international to domestic? You may not have to clear US customs post security, but you still…

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Flight Review: WestJet’s “Simplicity” route from Toronto to New York City

Two months back, I talked you through the transfer process at Toronto’s Pearson. One way to bypass some of these difficulties is by flying one of the WestJet “Simplicity” routes, which are their short haul services between Toronto and either New York, Ottawa or Montreal. They promise priority access in the queue, a snack with…

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Live Review: Yeasayer take Erotic Reruns on the road in North America

On Saturday night, New York trio Yeasayer hit Toronto, Canada for the third date of their Erotic Reruns North American tour – celebrating the group’s fifth full length record of the same name. Along the ride for the first few weeks of this tour are Olympia based outfit Oh, Rose. The Washington quartet reeked of beauty;…

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Live Review: Middle Kids impress with their new EP as they tour North America with Local Natives

It it feels like Sydney trio Middle Kids haven’t stopped touring the globe over the last few years, you’re probably not wrong. It’s been one success after another for the group – and a lot of it has been happening quietly overseas. Currently, the troupe are on the road in North America supporting Local Natives,…

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The Strokes kick off first tour dates in years with rare headline show in Toronto: Here’s what happened

Last night in Toronto, Canada, iconic New York group The Strokes officially kicked off their 2019 tour – their first since 2017. The headline show was a part of the band’s “global comeback” that also saw the group play a surprise, intimate warm up show in Los Angeles earlier this month. The gig, which kicked…

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Live Review: Passion Pit’s Manners turns ten with a spellbinding live show in Toronto

Back in 2009, a band by the name of Passion Pit – hailing from Boston, Massachusetts – made waves around the world with their debut LP Manners, just as their debut EP Chunk of Change had done the year prior with tracks like “Sleepyhead” and my personal favourite, “Cuddle Fuddle”. But Manners was truly a…

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Live Review: Foals promise a spicy night of rock ‘n’ roll in Toronto with Preoccupations and Omni (and deliver)

Fresh off the release of the first part of their two part record Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, UK quartet Foals are on a world tour that tonight saw them play Toronto venue Rebel supported by Canada’s Preoccupations and Atlanta outfit Omni. First up, three piece Omni were singing songs with entertaining lyrics like…

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What to expect when transiting from Canada to the USA at Toronto Pearson International Airport

Late last year, I flew with Canadian carrier WestJet from Halifax, Nova Scotia to LA via Toronto. It’s a long journey – about as far from one side of North America to the other as you can get. And there’s no way to do it direct. You start off with a two hour flight from Halifax…

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Live Review: Muse deliver unrivalled rock spectacle in Toronto

In a spontaneous, last minute decision, tonight I attended the latest arena spectacular by rock legends Muse in Toronto, Canada. The show comes off the back of their latest record Simulation Theory, with the tour in question given the same name. Hype articles have been floating around over the last few weeks talking about how the current arena show…

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Is Toronto home to the world’s most convenient international airport?

Located “just three kilometres from downtown Toronto”, the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport sits on an island off the city’s centre; accessible by ferry or a relatively new underground walkway. And it may just be the world’s most conveniently located airport, as they go out of their way to make sure every passenger feels like a…

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5 reasons why you need to experience Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour at least once in your life

We got the chance to experience Taylor Swift in Toronto this weekend, and in anticipation of her imminent tour of Australia, we’re counting down the 5 reasons its a show not to be missed… and a look at the songs she played along the way. Indoor fireworks!! Selling out Toronto’s Rogers Centre two nights in…

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5 reasons why Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour is an unmissable experience

We got the chance to experience Taylor Swift in Toronto this weekend, and in anticipation of her imminent tour of Australia, we’re counting down the 5 reasons its a show not to be missed… and a look at the songs she played along the way. Indoor fireworks!! Selling out Toronto’s Rogers Centre two nights in…

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Flight Review: Business Class Flatbed with Etihad Airways – Abu Dhabi to Toronto (EY141)

It was Christmas night in Abu Dhabi, and a surprise Business Class upgrade at the gate (thanks to my Platinum Velocity Status and an overbooked aircraft) was nothing less than a Christmas miracle. It’s nothing short of a dream for a 14 hour flight – among the longest in the world. My first time flying…

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Hotel Review: The Doubletree by Hilton in Toronto (Canada) delivers everything you expect from the reliable brand

There’s a warmth to the approach by the Doubletree by Hilton brand – though maybe I’m just blinded by the warm chocolate chip cookie they give every guest on check in. But it’s that sort of consistency – cookies, comfortable rooms, soothing colour schemes – that has made them the sort of chain that people become…

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Kimpton Hotels opens new hotel in Music City, Nashville; details plans for Toronto location

Kimpton Hotels continue to expand its Boutique luxury accommodation around the world, with the opening of a brand new hotel in Music City USA, Nashville, last month and plans for a Toronto, Canada location mid-2018. Making its debut in the heart of Nashville’s lively Midtown neighbourhood, the Kimpton Aertson Hotel opened its doors on the…

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