English Classes In • Blog

Toronto is one of Canada’s largest cities, and with its proximity to Niagara Falls and the American border, it is one that tourists would be sorely disappointed to miss. Home to so many amazing sights, and a ton of famous people, it’s a city that seems to buzz with activity and energy (even in the winter!)

It doesn’t matter what you’re interested in, because Toronto has a little something for everyone.

Photo by Benson Kuta

What to do in Toronto:

Festivals:

There is so much to do in Toronto that if we made it a bullet list, we would carry on for pages upon pages. If you’re into festivals Toronto has Caribana, a Caribbean/carnival inspired street parade that lasts all weekend, and of course there is TIFF, the Toronto International Film Festival, where you can hobnob with celebrities and see some cutting edge cinema. And then there’s Pride, a huge party every year, and one that you definitely shouldn’t miss!

Museums:  

If you’re interested in museums on your trip, check out the ROM, the Royal Ontario Museum, which has a number of interesting exhibitions for both adults and kids. It’s a great place to spend the day – you can check out their current exhibitions on fashion and biodiversity or wander around the Entire City Project to look at some amazing photographs of the city’s industrial spaces.

There’s also the AGO, the Art Gallery of Ontario, which at the moment is featuring exhibits by Alex Colville among others. Then there’s Montgomery’s Inn and Spadina House for those of you more interested in Toronto’s history.

Markets and Gardens:

When you’re finished with those, check out the St. Lawrence Market where you can do a little shopping for fresh and homemade goodies. In fact, this place doubles as a solid place to grab some grub when you’re out and about.  You can also check out Edward Gardens, part of the Toronto Botanical Gardens where you can spend your day wandering around in the refreshing greenery of the gardens: it makes a nice break from the concrete landscape of Toronto.

Sport & Recreation:

Why not check out the Hockey Hall of Fame while you’re in the city? It’s perfect for young and old hockey fans, and you’ll be able to take a look at the Stanley Cup (as long as it’s not playoff season, of course). When you’re ready for a day of interesting shopping, patio dining, and incredible bars and restaurants, head over to the Distillery Historic District to find just about everything you could ever want, and more.

You can also check out Paint Nite events, where you essentially get painting lessons while you drink at a local bar located somewhere in the city. It gives you a chance to meet new people and try your hand at creating something nifty. Tickets can be purchased online.

Photo by Matthew Ingram

What to Eat & Drink in Toronto:

If you like the idea of relaxing with some friends while playing unlimited board games and drinking some delicious coffee and indulging in some yummy snacks, check out Snakes and Lattes. Or if you’re more like myself and enjoy some adult beverages with your board games, try their sister location Snakes and Lagers.

For supremely good espressos and cappuccinos, Boxcar Social has some of the best coffee in the city, and Dark Horse is another staple, with several scattered locations to give you a caffeine fix no matter where you might be.  

Craft beer your thing? Indie Ale House is the place to head for some delicious craft brew. They have four flagship brews that you can sample year-round, as well as some seasonal beers and limited edition drinks that you can try while you’re there. For lunch, dinner or drinks check out the Grand Electric Bar, where you can find pumping hip hop and scaldingly spicy tacos for cheap. With roasted pork tacos, cauliflower tacos, beef cheek tacos, and more on their lunch menu, and tuna ceviche and octopus on the dinner menu, you can’t go wrong – you can even take home a bottle of their famous hot sauce!

Toronto is an amazing place to visit, live, and study, though English is essential for your trip! Why not contact us to see what courses English Classes In has available for you?

Australia is such a huge country with so much to see and explore. We’ve come up with a list of amazing sights to see in Western Australia’s largest city as well as the state’s capital, Perth. With so much to see and do there, this is just a taste of some of the amazing options you have open to you to explore!

1. Visit Little Creatures.

Little Creatures brewery is a place you must go to in Perth, even if amazing delicious craft beer isn’t your idea of fun.  Little Creatures has been around since about 2000, and started when some friends had an amazing Pale Ale from the US, and decided to try their hand at it. At the Little Creatures in Fremantle (there’s a Melbourne Dining hall and a Geelong brewery as well), you can go on a brewery tour, have a couple with some delicious food inside the Great hall or outside on the back patio, or you can grab a 6 pack to take home with you.

2. Spend the day at Kings Park

It’s considered one of the largest inner city parks in the world, and it’s home to some of the most beautiful and diverse species of Australian wildflowers. There are places for you to stop and enjoy a picnic and you can explore the park on a bike, on rollerblades, or even bushwalking if you’d like. You can learn more about the land and its heritage, as well as how to survive in the bush from an Aboriginal guide if you’d like. It’s also one of the best places to see the Swan River, so make sure you bring your camera!

3. Swim  in Cottesloe beach.

Crisp, cold waters so blue it makes you want to dive in before you’ve even hit the sand. Considered the birthplace of surfing in Western Australia,  Cottesloe beach is a beautiful place to relax, swim, read a book and grab some fish and chips. It’s a great way to beat the heat in the summer and a great place to meet locals. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Western Australia, and it’s easy to see why. Swim out to the water marker about 500 meters out, or watch the surfers on the windier, wave-filled days.

Photo by Michael Spenser

4. Take a trip out to Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island is a perfect place to go snorkeling, surfing and swimming on some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. There are 63 beautiful beaches in fact, along with 20 bays and a slew of sea wrecks and amazing coral reefs to explore.  You can even see the quokka, an adorable marsupial found only in Western Australia that seems to be constantly smiling. There are no cars on the island, but there is a bus for you to hop on and off of, as well bikes to rent. The locals call it Rotto, and it’s easy to get there: Ferries leave regularly from Fremantle, Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty and Hillarys Marina.

5. Wander around Fremantle.

If you’re interesting in history, art, or culture Fremantle is an excellent place to spend the day. You can explore museums dedicated to Australia’s maritime history, the original immigrant prisoners and their initial role in establishing Western Australia’s major city of Perth. Walk along the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ to drink in both coffee and beautiful buildings. Stop by the Fremantle market for some interesting fare, be it fruit of a yummy meal. You can also take a ferry down Swan River from Fremantle from Barrack street, to finish off a lovely and educational day of museums, coffee, and beautiful architecture.

Photo by Seanmack

Does the thought of exploring Australia make you want to book the next ticket out? Or maybe you want to practice your English before your trip? Why not contact us now to see the courses in your area!