In August 2025, I made a 10h 30 minute journey to Toronto, Canada from Geneva, Switzerland. I flew with Aer Lingus and had a layover in Dublin for 1h 30 minutes. Despite living in the United States for four years, I never had the opportunity to cross the border into Canada. It was a country that was on my bucket list years ago. I had heard so much about “the 6ix” and thought it would be a great place to explore. After 10 hours crossing to the other side of the pond, I was determined to make the most of my trip.
Renowned for being one of the world’s most ethnically and multicultural nations, Canada is a sight to see. It is a country that is overlooked when it comes to travelling, as it is highlighted more for migration purposes. From its majestic and snow-capped mountains, thriving vineyards and lush green forests, vibrant cities, intimate communities and cuisines, and fascinating architecture, there is something for everyone.
For anyone planning a trip to Canada or considering it as a possible destination, here is a travel guide to help you plan your trip there and make the most of it.
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About Canada
To some people, Canada is the hat that sits above the United States. To others who are familiar with Canada, it is a country that offers endless experiences. These include the world’s longest coastline and the world’s second highest mountain peak in the continent. It has coastal beaches, snow-capped ski hills and indigenous cultures with untouched landscapes. Moreover, it’s a country in North America where three oceans meet on its coastline. What makes this country a unique place to visit is that each province and territory offers something distinctive. In short, it has to be explored in several visits.
The Best Time To Go To Canada
Canada has four distinct seasons throughout the year. Spring runs from mid-March to May, with summer starting from June to early September. September and October is usually when they get their Indian summer, think warm weather during the day with chilly evenings. In addition, September to November is autumn time, with December to mid-March being winter. Canada is vast country so the weather can vary massively from one coast to another. I went on the tail end of August 2025 to early September 2025. The average temperatures ranged from 17 to 26°C with 50 to 60% humidity. It did rain for a few days while I was there. I did have to wear my jumper a couple of times as it was cold for me. For the majority of my trip, short sleeves and dresses were my main uniform.
Getting To Canada
I flew from Geneva to Toronto via Aer Lingus – there were a lot of options to choose from here. Some of the options were either going through Montreal or New Jersey. Others were going through Paris, Frankfurt, Dublin, Munich, Amsterdam or London. Whenever I travel internationally, there are certain airports that I completely avoid (i.e. Paris and London). The former are notorious for having random strikes. The latter is very expensive to travel through as they are no longer part of the EU. Moreover, I avoid international layovers in the United States. Once you land on their soil, you are no longer treated as an international traveller. Therefore, the majority of my layovers tend to be in European cities when I travel to that side of the Atlantic.
The airport that you want to get to is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Mississauga, it is the only international airport so it is not hard to miss. However there is another airport, Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ), a regional airport that serves the United States and Canada only. Make sure to check that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport as most countries won’t let you leave your home country if it is less than that.
Where To Stay In Toronto, Canada
There are a variety of places to stay in Canada. In the cities, you will find luxury and boutique hotels, guest houses, Air BnB accommodations, apartment hotel such as a Sonder and the possibility to rent entire homes and apartments. In certain locations, you’ll find unique home stays, bed and breakfasts etc. Whatever is your preferred type of accommodation you will find something for your budget.
During my trip, I mainly travelled within Ontario and ended up staying with a friend in Etobicoke. Etobicoke is one of the main six boroughs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It is very easy to get to Downtown Toronto via public transport (bus, subway and streetcars). Uber is very popular form of transportation to get around the city and surrounding neighbourhoods. I used all transportation options quite frequently including my friend driving her car. When I was researching my trip, I did have a list of options regarding accommodation.
Toronto is the capital of the province Ontario, it is a major Canadian city and is located in Southeastern Canada. I tend to seek out boutique hotels when I travel as I love the intimacy and bespoke experiences. Toronto is an expensive city so I had always planned to jump between staying in a hotel and staying with a friend. Here are some of my recommendations: Sonder in Liberty Village and Le Germain Hotel.
Sonder Recommendation
I have stayed in a Sonder both in Dubai and Rotterdam and I have had very good experiences with them. They are secure and manned with 24/7 security, which is fantastic for solo travellers who don’t feel comfortable staying in Air BnBs. They tend to be located in the centre of specific neighbourhood, which gives you the opportunity to explore the variety of food options and what that area has to offer. I would recommend staying here in a Sonder if you like to explore outside of the grounds of a hotel.
Le Germain Hotel
The entire aesthetic and architecture of this hotel attracts me. When I go back to Toronto, I will be staying here for a few days. It is a retro-modern boutique hotel that was built in an old factory. Based on the photos, videos and reviews that I have seen and read, it looks intimate, upscale and the furnishings look warm and inviting. A lot of hotels that are switching to be identified as boutique hotels, are putting a lot of effort into making themselves stand out in distinctive and sustainable ways. I love this seeing this change.
What To Do In Canada
Toronto has a lot to offer depending on the type of traveller you are. Luckily, I happened to be there at the end of their summer season and was able to go to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) for their 18 day annual fair. If you visit Toronto before Labour Day, this is something to look forward to. Here are my top activity recommendations to do:
1) Spend a day or go on a tour in Downtown Toronto
Downtown Toronto is where the major tourist attractions are located. I suggest starting early in the morning so you can take your time viewing everything. I recommend going to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Distillery District, Lawrence Market (closed on Sundays and Mondays) and walk around the Eden Center. If you choose to take a tour, I would recommend taking one that includes Old Toronto.
2) Visit Casa Loma
Casa Loma is a Gothic castle-styled mansion and garden in mid-town Toronto. You’ll recognise its unique architecture from movies and TV shows such as X-Men. If you love historical visits, escape rooms, hidden passages and more, it’s worth booking a visit here.
Nature and Water Activities
3) Take a water taxi and cycle through the Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands is a chain of 15 separate islands that are all connected and make up an urban car-free community. Take a break from all the skyline buildings for lots of green space only 15 minutes away by water taxi. It’s a great opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. I rented a bike there and cycled through all the islands, it was an exhilarating experience. You’ll need to download the Bike Share Toronto app and data to access and rent a bike. There are two options to get there: a water taxi from Queen Quay Way (expensive and faster) or take a ferry (cheaper and slower) from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
4) A day trip to the Niagara Wine Region
Trade the concrete jungle for some scenic views and lush green vineyards in the Niagara Wine Region. It’s a four-season destination with farm-to-table experiences and picturesque towns. It’s worth spending a day or two out there if you want to dress up and do some dilly dallying at some of the coolest vineyards.
5) Visit the Niagara Falls
You can’t leave the Niagara Wine Region without a visit to the Niagara Falls. It is such an iconic experience to admire nature’s beauty and walk through the mist of the Falls via the guided route. It is also located in a separate city that is filled with so many attractions. You can book a package tour here.
Unique Activities
6) Go to a hockey game
I believe that going to a sports game, especially if it is one of the country’s national sports is an experience that you can’t miss. You don’t have to be a sports fan to go to a game. Experiencing a hockey game is an emotional rollercoaster both on the ice and off the ice as so much can happen in a 60 minute game. Take a look at their schedule.
7) Take a scenic helicopter ride of Toronto
Experience Toronto from above by taking a scenic helicopter ride of the city! It’s another opportunity to see the city from a different and unique perspective. You can find all the information here.
8) Go to the Toronto International Film Festival
If you have an opportunity to go to an international film festival, I would take it. I went to the one in Geneva last year. It’s a great way to discover independent films, engage in discussions with film directors and support the art of cinema. The 2026 festival is scheduled for September 10th to 20th and it always starts the Thursday after Labour Day.
Where To Eat
Toronto’s cuisine is a reflection of its multicultural and ethnically diverse nation. There are a lot of options to choose from. However if you want to try something that is quintessentially Canadian, Poutine is their national dish. It is a combination of French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. You will find it with other additions but it’s best to try the regular one first. The best places to try this dish are: Nom Nom Nom and Fresco’s.
Some other cuisines that I recommend trying are:
- Lao Lao Bar for authentic Laotian food
- Leela Indian Food Bar on Gerrard Street East for amazing Indian food
- Chiang Mai Thai Kitchen for a variety of Thai dishes
- Boku Distillery for Japanese eats and drinks
- Naija Eatery for those who who want a taste of home
What To Wear
Canada has four distinct seasons that can vary from coast to coast. Depending on when you go and the activities that you plan to do, pack accordingly.
- Clothing: Pack a mixture of breathable linen and cotton items. Bring a pair of jeans, jumpers and a light jacket for the chilly evenings.
- Footwear: Closed shoes for city walks and cycling. Sandals or ballerina flats for dilly dallying in the vineyards.
- Sun protection: This is a must all year round. My go-to lately has been Caudalie’s Vinosun, it’s very lightweight and sinks into the skin.
- Body oil: For days when your skin is out, I’ve been using Kopari’s Golden Aura all summer and my skin glows all day.
Final Thoughts
Canada is a travel destination that is both vibrant and rich in nature and city activities. Toronto and the Niagara Wine region should be on your radar when visiting this city. To truly enjoy what this country has to offer, multiple visits are necessary. Montreal, Québec City and Alberta are other places that I would love to visit. I hope that this travel guide provided you with captivating sights on what to do when visiting the 6ix. Whether you are travelling for bespoke experiences, history and architecture, food and more, there is something here for you! Thank you for reading this guide and share this with a friend that might be interested in visiting.
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Until next time,
Folakemi
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