A weekend in Toronto with Mamma Mia

Toronto is a gastronomical paradise! And with the very positive currency exchange if you are an American, you can feast on the absolute finest. Also take advantage of the theatre that Toronto has to offer. Toronto is becoming almost as well known as London, England and Broadway for the number and caliber of plays that it offers.To check on tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/ Make a point to visit the islands via ferry from the lakefront area downtown. Charming, and with something to offer every age group...picnic, fish or take the kids on some of the amusement rides. http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks/to_islands/island_index.htm

Quick Tips:

The Childrens Museum in Toronto is one of the finest in the world. Plan a whole day with the kids to see and experience everything. It is a "hands on" museum that all ages will enjoy. Currently they exhibits include the circus, Circue du Soleil at the Omnimax and an exhibit on the live human cannonball. enjoy.http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/home.html

Best Way To Get Around:

Toronto is a city of neighborhoods. You can visit Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Korea, Germantown, Yorkville, the Bloor and Broad street area and more. All are easily walkable if you are in that region. However, Toronto is a geographically large city and to get from Chinatown to Germantown you need to drive or cab it. Parking your car in downtown Toronto is expensive, plan for about an addition of .00 (Canadian)per night added on to your hotel bill.

Rate was $102.00 U.S. The hotel is a four star hotel that is very centrally located to the theatre district and the bayfront/downtown area. The rooms were pretty and very well maintained. The hotel is in the process of building a major spa area that will be done sometime in 2002, that looks to be gorgeous.

Amenities include: Bar, Coffee Maker, Concierge Desk, Copy Service, Exercise Gym, Hairdryer In Room, Iron, Mini Bar, In Room Movies, Free Newspaper, Small Pets are Allowed, Pool (outdoor and indoor)Refrigerator, Room Service, Safe Deposit Box, Sauna, Turndown Service, and Laundry/Valet.

Staff was very helpful and personable.

This is one of my all time favorite restaurants anywhere in the world. If you have been to Toronto, you know that there are hundreds of restaurants, each one better than the last, but I still have a hard time going elsewhere than Marche Movenpick!

The atmosphere of Marche is extravagant to say the least. It is an 18,000 square foot hive of culinary and market activities. It abounds with color from the mounds of baked goods, meats fishes, pastries, fruits and other foods. Hand made tiles, flagstone floors, bright awnings and ceiling hangings, barrels, and wagons create the atmosphere of a European market.

Whether you're looking for groceries to pack for a picnic on the islands (they will make it all for you), or strolling around the neighborhood, this creative market/restaurant offers gourmet international delights that will have your mouth watering. Take a tray (or basket if you're planning to take out) and load up with freshly squeezed juices, the seafood grill cooking any fresh seafood to your order,five or six homemade soups, Italian sandwiches, Indian specialties, and entrees like meatballs paprika or salmon steaks on a bed of curry rice. Come back for a gorgeous French pastry and espresso and finish it off with a scoop or two of Marche's signature ice creams. Enjoy it all on one of three outdoor patios or in the cozy indoor eating area and you'll be hooked.

The wine cellar stocks over a million dollars in wine, so no matter what your dining choice is, you can find a wine to compliment it. Everything is made fresh daily, the bread, pastas, sauces, salads, soups, etc. If it is not sold by the end of the day they continue to mark it down until it is sold that night. Nothing is held over. They are open from 7;30 AM till 2 AM every day. Don't miss it!

Mariposa line offers harbour tours that are scheduled to depart the bayfront five times per day. Live narration informs and entertains as you cruise through Toronto’s scenic Harbourfront and Island Parklands. Cash bar and snacks available.

They also offer a Sunday Brunch Cruise. We enjoyed this cruise on a sunny Sunday afternoon that allowed us to catch some sun and enjoy a scenic cruise with a delicious buffet that was exceedingly well-prepared considering that it was prepared hours before we ate it. Reservations needed at least one week in advance and more in the busy summer months. They also had a cash bar available for those who wanted.

While we did not take it, the brochure lists a nightclub on the water cruise. The brochure advises you to dance the night away in the fresh air breezes to sounds of their disc jockey’s latest tunes. Cash bar and light menu available. Groups welcomed. Reservations recommended.

They also list a lunch cruise which we did not take either. They list this a two-hour cruise through Toronto’s impressive harbourfront while sampling a light buffet-style luncheon.

Again reservations are recommended especially in the summer months.