Five things I love about Toronto!

Last year my sister and I celebrated our 5th annual Sisters Trip in Toronto, Canada! To celebrate our 5th anniversary, I’m sharing five unique spots that I would definitely recommend to any traveler. Next time you head over to Toronto, make sure to check these off your list!

 

1. The Distillery District

The site that was once the Gooderham and Worts Distillery is now home to  a brick lined pedestrian area filled with unique boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Make sure to stop by Mill Street Brewery for a beer flight and the Soma Chocolatemaker for a chocolate snack! Don’t forget to check out the events calendar to increase your chances of seeing an art show, festival or concert!

 

2. St. Lawrence Market

I don’t think you can find a better spot to buy all your local fruits, vegetables, spices, meats and bakery items in Toronto! This was a perfect place to stop for lunch, do a little shopping and most importantly….people watch! We even managed to buy one of my favorite travel souvenirs… maple leaf mittens!! On Saturday’s, visit the outdoor farmers market and make a point to grab some fresh flowers!

 

3. Open Air Books & Maps

Calling all fellow travelers!! If you’re in Toronto, you MUST visit this hidden bookstore. It’s FILLED, floor to ceiling, with travel books and maps. You could spend hours trying to find the perfect selection and you’ll leave feeling inspired to start your next journey! Can’t find a book? Ask the attendant (if you can find them buried under the pile)! The books are definitely overpriced, but it’s worth it to have a fun experience.

 

4. Fika Cafe on Kensingon Street

I’m not sure what makes Kensington Street so special, but it was in every travel book and article I read while preparing for this trip. I normally would say to skip it, but I know most of you won’t if it’s your first time to Toronto. So…carry on to Kensington street if you must, but promise me that you will stop in Fika Cafe! It’s. So. Yummy.

 

5. Dark Horse Expresso Bar

Queen Street was a “must visit” street according to just about every travel book, so we made sure to walk and shop during our weekend trip.  After walking…and walking…and walking, we needed a coffee…BAD! Dark Horse came to the rescue and it was the perfect spot to enjoy a nice iced coffee and organic chocolate brownie!

Have you been to Toronto? What are some of your favorite spots?

What I crossed off my non-existent ‘Bucket List’ in 2013

This week I decided to look through some of the blogs I follow as a activity given to me from WordPress via ‘Zero to Hero’ Challenge (30 days to a better blog in 2014). I stumbled on something that really caught my eye – 30 Tested Adventures for your 2014 Bucket List from Bucket List Publications.  It’s a collection of pictures to inspire you while you’re creating your 2014 Bucket List and you should all check it out ’cause it’s pretty amazing! (Thanks Lesley!)

There’s only one little problem to this….I don’t actually have an official Bucket List! ….Gasp!!

I like to think that I’m a very organized person and I travel quite a bit so I should technically have one, but I don’t. I’m more of a traveling free spirit and have some ideas on where I would like to go but most of my trips just kinda…happen. I’m officially changing this for 2014 and going to focus on something more…official. Check out my newly expanded Andiamo Pinterest Page! For 2014 I’m hoping to cross off Carlsberg Visiting Center for a Brew Tour, Pulpit Rock in Norway, Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Tivoli Park in Copenhagen, stay in the town of Bergen to view the fjords of Norway and see all the amazing architecture in Dubai!

For a recap of what I crossed off my non-existent Bucket List in 2013…see below!

If you have a ‘Bucket List’ Pinterest Page, I want to follow it! Let me know the address and I’ll be sure to check it out!