The climate in Toronto is moderated by its proximity to the Great Lakes (in particular Lake Ontario). Summer tends to be hot and very humid, while winter is severe with heavy snowfall. The average maximum temperature in January is 28°F (-2 °C), while the average maximum temperature in July is 80°F (27°C). Rainfall tends to occur throughout the year, but summer, though the sunniest season, is also usually the wettest. Autumn is perhaps the best time to travel to Toronto, as temperatures are less extreme than summer or winter, with mild days and cool nights.

Toronto is home to Canada's most exciting restaurant scene, with over 5, 000 eateries and a multitude of different cuisines reflecting the vibrant ethnic make-up of this city, Canada's largest. Great news for diners is that there is a high proportion of good quality, great value restaurants - especially those offering ethnic food. There are fewer top-end restaurants, but enduring favourites like Truffles and North 44 are on a par with the best on the continent.

Certain cuisines cluster in distinct areas: College Street, better known as Little Italy, is home to the city's best Italian restaurants and trattoria. For Greek food head to the Danforth area, while authentic Chinese joints are abundant in Chinatown. For a diverse selection of ethnic cuisine, check out King Street West, home to excellent Indian, Japanese and sushi restaurants, not to mention vibrant bars and nightclubs.

In general, Toronto offers good value dining. Tip 15-20% for good service. City law requires all restaurants, bars and pubs to be smoke-free, so don't even think about lighting up.

Public transport in Toronto is fast, safe and reliable consisting of an integrated system of subways, buses and streetcars that reach every part of the city, as well as a light rapid transit (LRT) line extending to the Harbourfront. The subway is easy to use, with only two major lines, and the buses and streetcar stations are next to every major stop, taking over where the subway leaves off. Fares are standard and a single fare will take you anywhere on a single trip; tokens can be used to avoid the hassle of having to pay with exact change. To freely change from one form of transport to another, get a transfer slip when and where paying for the fare. The subway operates from 6am to 1.30am, the buses and streetcars from about 5am to 12.30am (both start at 9am on Sundays), and the Blue Night Network services main street routes after 1.30am. The Request Stop Program allows women travelling alone late at night to get off the bus anywhere in between stops. Taxis are always available and ferries travel to the Toronto Islands. Driving a hire car is not recommended due to traffic congestion and expensive parking.

Boasting a multitude of attractions and activities, kids on holiday in Toronto will be kept busy for days on end. With great outdoor and indoor opportunities, Toronto is a family holiday paradise with wonderful activities and sights lurking round every corner.

Featuring the largest selection of roller coasters in North America, a great day out for the kids is Paramount Canada's Wonderland, a bit out of town but worth the trip. Ontario Place has the largest outdoor soft play area in Canada, while the CN Tower is a slightly different, yet equally thrilling attraction. When the sun is shining, head out for the day to High Park and explore all that this enormous park has to offer, including the Toronto Zoo, or take a trip out to Centre Island which features the fantastic Centreville Amusement Park. The Ontario Science Centre is also a great place for the kid to enjoy as well.

The official languages are English and French (predominantly in Quebec).

The currency used is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), which is divided into 100 cents. One-dollar coins are also known as loonies (due to the picture of a loon, a type of bird, on the coin), and two-dollar coins as toonies. Banks and bureaux de change will change money and travellers cheques, as will some hotels, but the rate will not be as good. Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful. US Dollars are largely accepted, though due to fraud, larger notes might not be and change is usually given in Canadian dollars.

Toronto has a very trendy nightlife offering bars, lounges, clubs and live music venues. The city's multicultural and cosmopolitan vibe extends into its nightlife, with a variety of entertainment options in various areas of the city. Toronto nightlife is buzzing on weekends, but the city is big and energetic enough that you'll find a party any night of the week if you know where to look.

Provincial law requires venues to serve food as well as alcohol, so many pubs and bars in Toronto are as much restaurants as they are party spots. Little Italy has a number of trattorias that double as bars, while Greektown has its own ethnic flair and party atmosphere. Bars and pubs close around 2am. Dance clubs stay open till dawn, but with late-night buses picking up after-hours commuters when the subway shuts down. Clubs come and go fairly quickly in Toronto, so check out local nightlife guides like the free weekly 'Now' for the hottest spots.

The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19, which is well below the 21 year old limit in the neighbouring USA, but is strictly enforced at most venues. Dress codes tend to be relaxed, but many will refuse entry for people wearing blue jeans or trainers.

Welcome to Canada's shopping capital! Toronto's shopping experience is like no other, combining the best of international brands with incredible local talent.

The most famous arcade is the Eaton Centre, which has everything under one roof including brand name stores, restaurants and various entertainment options. It's fun, but hardly an experience worth traveling all the way to Toronto to have. Vaughan Mills is another outlet option, but you are far better off seeking out some of the local stores that are unique to the city. If you like haute couture look out for Canadian labels such as Lida Baday, Ross Mayer, Crystal Siemens and Linda Lundstrom.

St Lawrence Market has an amazing array of local arts and crafts, plus excellent food to keep up your energy levels. Kensington Market is the place to go for vintage clothing and other eccentric paraphernalia; and the Heritage Antique Market has an amazing selection of vintage items if you can catch it while you're in town.

Queen St West is an essential stroll for the serious shopper. You'll find the best that young and trendy Toronto has to offer. Past Bathurst St you'll come across small, independent art galleries where discerning buyers can pick up a souvenir that just may grow in value! Yorkville, along Bloor Street, is the most exclusive shopping district, home to the boutiques and jewellers originating in Milan, Paris and London.

Hunting for souvenirs? Toronto does suggest some obvious choices like maple syrup, and gifts emblazoned with Mounties or maple leafs, while an alternate choice would be native American art, dream catchers or moccasins.

Shops in Toronto tend to open at about 10am, and close at 6pm Monday to Wednesday, 8 or 9pm Thursday and Friday, and 6pm on Saturday. Nearly all stores will accept all major credit cards.

Toronto has got a great mix of world-class attractions, seductive natural scenery, charming neighbourhoods and the world's highest tower from which to see it all. Its historic districts, such as the Distillery area, have been impeccably preserved while remaining vibrant centres of city life. Toronto so full of things to see and do that you'll never get to everything, but there is guaranteed to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Toronto has a range of fantastic museums, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, the Canadian Air and Space Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are also numerous art galleries like the OCAD Professional Gallery, the Art Gallery of Toronto, and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.

There are also many distinct neighbourhoods to enjoy, like Toronto's huge Chinatown, which is home to the city's 350, 000 Chinese-Canadian residents; Little Italy; the lively Art and Design District; Leslieville with its antique and vintage shops; and the funky West Queen West with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. The Toronto Islands and harbour front areas are perfect places to relax without having to travel far from the city.

No visit to Toronto is complete without a trip up the CN Tower, which dominates the city's skyline and provides spectacular panoramic views of the city.

You can save money on many of Toronto's attractions by buying a Toronto CityPass, which has discounted tickets to places like the Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower, and the Toronto Zoo. The CityPass is available online or at various museums and attractions in the city. You can also get more out of various site around Toronto by looking for signs that have a green ear logo and phone number underneath, which are part of the Murmur Toronto programme. Dialling the number will let you listen to a recording with interesting facts about whatever site you're currently looking at.

Canada covers six time zones, from GMT 8 in the west to GMT -3.5 in the east.