Looking for a holiday spot with the cosmopolitan feel of New York and the style of London? Then visit Canada's jewel, Toronto, the place to shop, party, people-watch and generally have a good time.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada's largest city. It's also one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world.

The many flavours, sights and aromas of this multicultural metropolis, chock-full of restaurants, cool bars, fabulous hotels and great shopping, have placed Toronto at the top of the world's cool list of places to explore. The UN declared Toronto the world's most ethnically diverse city, with more than 100 languages spoken.

Take a walking tour:

Slip on your walking shoes and get to know Toronto's unique neighbourhoods.

Walk the Danforth Ave strip known as Greektown and discover there's far more than just fabulous Greek restaurants to entertain. Several scenes from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding were filmed here.

If you're looking for uptown chic in a relatively downtown neighbourhood, start with Bloor St West between Yonge St and Avenue Rd, which is lined with upscale stores, such as Canada's premier luxury department store Holt Renfrew, as well as Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

A few steps north will take you to Yorkville. This former hippie hangout of some of Canada's finest musicians, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, is now one of the chicest neighbourhoods in the city. Nearby, Chinatown is a colourful place to be any time of the year and actually one of five distinctive Chinatowns in the city.

Just east of downtown you'll find the Distillery District, where 19th century stone warehouses and 21st century design merge to become an architecture lover's dream. In the past few years the Distillery District has become one of the most romantic and enjoyable destinations in the city.

If you're to explore the streets or Toronto, you must take a tour (whether by car or on foot) with Bruce Bell tours. Both entertaining and enlightening, Bruce will show you the city's heart and soul from a true Torontonian perspective.

Visit www.brucebelltours.ca

Blow it all sky high

Be sure to take in the endless view from the CN Tower, probably Toronto's best-known landmark. It's the tallest completed freestanding land structure in the world. Those who don't get vertigo should check out the glass-bottomed floor. You can choose to bound fearlessly on this platform or just peer tentatively over the edge in wonder.

Celebrity spotting

Each September, the eyes of the world are on Toronto as it hosts its annual International Film Festival. A-list celebrities descend on the city for this, the world's largest film festival, which is open to the general public. The city is also often used to film music videos and big budget movies, including X-Men and Chicago.

To Go: Stay three nights at The Royal York (see right) for the price of two, from $296 per person twin share. Valid to April 30, 2008. Conditions apply. Call Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15, visit www.qantas.com.au/holidays, or drop in to your travel agent. For more, visit www.fairmont.com/royalyork

Stay in Style:

After enduring the long flight to the other side of the world, one must recover from jet lag in style. For that, The Fairmont Royal York is the place to stay in Toronto. Once the tallest building in the British Empire, The Royal York has featured in Hollywood movies including John Cusack's romantic comedy Serendipity and Russell Crowe's boxing epic Cinderella Man.

The hotel has also played host to a number of celebrities, including even Winston Churchill way back in 1929. Other guests have been Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Prince Charles and The Queen. With its central location, The Royal York is very handy to everything and right across the road from Union Station (which can take you all the way to New York City!) The clock in the lobby is a popular rendezvous point for locals.

Niagara Falls:

After soaking up the city streets of Toronto, you're only a two-hour train ride away from the thundering Niagara Falls, one of the great wonders of the world. Jump on board the carriage and take in the view while feasting on free cheese and wines from the local Niagara on the Lakes region.

Go back in time at the Brock Plaza Hotel, known as the grand dame of Niagara hotels. The hotel is located directly across from the falls, allowing a spectacular view. In 1952, room 801 became Marilyn Monroe's temporary home while on location shooting the movie Niagara.

For a bird's-eye view of the Falls, see this magnificent landmark from the sky on a helicopter. The large panoramic windows are ideal for sightseeing and snaps.

To get even closer, go on the Maid of the Mist boat ride. As you get closer and closer to the falls and feel the mist on your face, you feel like you can't take enough photos to justify the intensity of your surroundings.

The Journey Behind the Falls tunnel tour will take you so close that the yellow plastic poncho you must wear will come in very handy. Niagara Falls also boasts Canada's largest observation wheel. At 53 metres tall, the Niagara SkyWheel offers unique views of Niagara Falls and the city.

To Go: Book your Niagara Falls helicopter ride with Qantas Holidays from $132 per person twin share, valid until April 30, 2008. Or ride the Maid of the Mist - get picked up from your hotel in Toronto and escorted to Niagara Falls to view the highlights of Niagara, take a ride on the Maid and enjoy plenty of free time. $140 per person, valid for travel to April 30, 2008. For more information about Qantas Holidays, call Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15, visit www.qantas.com.au/holidays, or visit your travel agent. To book the Brock Plaza Hotel, visit www.niagarafallshotels.com

For more information on Canada, visit www.canada.travel

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