#313: Four Seasons (pg 766)

 

July 25, 2022

From the outside looking up, this blends in with the city as it looks like "just another skyscraper."  

But then you notice that the other skyscrapers don't have gorgeous fountains in their round courtyard, fancy SUV's with tinted windows waiting in their circular driveway and doormen waiting to greet you as you enter.

The lobby.

A view of the city and outdoor courtyard from the ballroom area. 

Cost: Rooms vary, of course, depending on time of year, size of room, etc.  But on average, you can expect to pay ~$1000 CAD (currently $1CAD = 0.75USD, so this would be $750USD)/night.  The book mentions it's main restaurant Truffles as a "must dine" but that restaurant is no longer there.  You now have three options: DIBAR, Diazur and Cafe Boulud.  Entrees average ~$50CAD and desserts average ~$15CAD.

Verdict: The Four Seasons currently has 124 resort properties throughout the world.  And I understand why this one is in the book in the sense that Four Seasons is based out of Toronto, so this is considered their "flagship."  I think everyone should spend at least one night in a luxury hotel and I've been lucky enough to stay in a few: Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Ritz Carlton in both Chicago and Cleveland, Park Hyatt in Paris and a few more.  But I don't think it has to be this one.  If you have the money to stay here while in Toronto, go for it.  You'll be pampered, waited on, eat well and sleep well.  But it's not a must do before you die. 

#312: Art Gallery of Ontario (pg 763; 2nd Ed "Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum" pg 932)

 

Monday, July 25, 2022

Excited to go check out the AGO!

But wait.... why won't the door open?  If you zoom into the pic and see the hours listed, you'll notice this museum is open six days a week and happens to be closed on, you guessed it, Mondays!! Ugh!  Of all the rotten luck.  Shame on me for not researching that better ahead of time, but seriously - why close on every Monday if you're a world class museum and have lots of people that want to check you out on Mondays!  Sigh....  So, I did the best I could.  They have some outwork outside the museum that we looked at and I peaked in all the glass windows all the way around and looked on their website to do a virtual tour while I was waiting outside.  While I was lamenting my rotten luck, this guy walked by (who had attempted to walk into the museum, only to see it was closed) and said "I've lived in Toronto all my life and had no idea the AGO was closed on Mondays!"  He suggested we check out the nearby park that also housed some outdoor sculptures/art pieces.

So, we did!  Here are my two daughters at Grange Park on Henry Moore's "Large Two Forms." Henry Moore donated more than 800 of his works to the AGO, which now holds the largest collection of his art.

Cost:  $25 for adults over the age of 25.  All those under 25 are free!

Verdict: Okay so I'll admit, I did't get the full experience (I'll get it again in the future since I still have to come back to Toronto for the International Film Festival!) but I'm convinced it wouldn't change my verdict.  It's not a must do before you die.  The architecture of the building itself is really a sight to behold.  It was designed by Toronto native Frank Gehry who also designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbau.  And it's known as one of the finest museums on the North American continent, so if you're an art buff, then this should be on your list.  Just make sure you go on a Tuesday - Sunday 😉🎨

#311: Death Valley (pg 573, 2nd Ed pg 715)

 

July 11, 2022

Welcome to Death Valley National Park!

First stop: Zabriskie Point

Great views from Zabriskie Point!

Next stop: Furnace Creek Visitor's Center to get some tips on where to visit while in the Park.

We were greeted by a sign documenting the temperature..... it was HOT!! 🔥

Little did we know, it would get 7 degrees hotter later that day.... more on that later!

The guy at the Visitor's Center suggested we visit the Mesquite Flat Dunes.  This is where the scene from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope was filmed where R2D2 and C-3PO land in their escape pod in the Tatooine Dunes after fleeing Darth Vader.

There were signs warning people not to walk out on the dunes and to keep your car in sight.  There were warnings that "Sand temperatures can be hot enough to melt candles" right off your feet.  In fact, two people died at Death Valley just last month.  One died after he ran out of gas and he overheated/dehydrated before help arrived and another died for the same reason after getting a flat tire.  The heat is no joke!  We took the warnings seriously.  We stayed close to our car.  We made sure we had a full tank of gas.  We brought plenty of water and we only stayed on paved roads, which our routinely checked by park rangers and other visitors. 

Next, my brother did a round of golf at Devil's Golf Course 🏌

And then a visit to Badwater Basin - the reason why Death Valley is a National Park.  It is 282 feet below sea level.

The salt flats are pretty cool - for something so hot anyway 😜

Left to right, this is my son Tanner, my brother Ryan, my nephew Eli and my niece Sophie.

Then we drove the 9 mile scenic loop around Artists Drive.

Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope shot a couple scenes here as well including the scene with Jawas' Sandcrawler and where R2D2 does the solo trek up the desert canyon.  

And it was also here that the temperature got up to 121 degrees!  

We got out of the car and ran around to celebrate and make a memory of being the very hottest any of us had ever been.  How did it feel?  Well, I felt my eyes drying up every second they were open and I felt my mouth drying up with every breath.  It was HOT!

Cost:  $30 vehicle entrance fee (although we had a 4th grader with us with a 4th grade pass which made it free for us - yeah!).  Although make sure you arrive with a full tank of gas!  There is only one gas station (located by the Visitor's Center) within a 70+ mile radius, so they charge $9.22/gallon!

Verdict: So, I'm not really sure what to say on this one.  The five of us talked about this on our way home.  I called my husband and was telling him about how hot it was, all the warnings, how you couldn't stray far from your car, how the sand could melt your shoes, etc.  And his response was, "So why do people want to go there??"  Well, I think that's exactly it!  It's such a totally unique place.  I've never been anywhere quite like it.  And that's what makes me want to give it a "yes!"  Having said that, if you can't handle the heat, this place is definitely not for you!  In that case, best to visit another valley that's not quite so deathly 😉

#310: Wimbledon

 

Every once in a while I experience a must-do life experience, only to come to find out, it's not in the book!  And yet, it absolutely should be!  Well, technically Wimbledon is in the book, listed on pg 22 as an event to do in London.  But Wimbledon is not a side note.  Wimbledon deserves it's own, stand alone post!  

June 30, 2022

Ready to watch some world-class matches!

Simone Halep, a 2-time Grand Slam winner. 

Nadal!  A 22-time Grand Slam Champion.

Make sure to squeeze in some time for Wimbledon's famous fresh strawberries and cream.

And if you experience a rain delay, soak in the rainbow...

And then head indoors to peruse the museum and check out the actual trophies!

Make sure to check out the board that is updated manually throughout the day.

And go on a shopping spree to pick up some cool Wimbledon merchandise! 

Then make your way to Centre Court.

And check out the Royal Box.

And say goodnight to Wimbledon after soaking it in for 12 solid hours.

Verdict: Yes!  Even if you're not a tennis aficionado, this is still worth doing.  It's just so cool and so much fun to be in the atmosphere of it all.  I'm not a tennis-lover myself, but I'm married to one.  So being there with a tennis lover definitely adds to the fun and excitement of it all.  So try to at least go with someone who appreciates where they are and sweeps you up into their appreciation and excitement!

Cost:  The cost is not the issue.  Tickets are very reasonable - they vary depending on what day you go, what court, etc.  But I think we paid maybe 60pounds/ticket or something along those lines.  The issue is in getting the tickets.  You have to enter a lottery and hope your name gets drawn.  So enter that lottery every year until you get to experience this must-do event!

#309: The Connaught (pg 25)

 

July 2, 2022

Fresh flowers in the lobby of the Connaught, just to the right of the well-known mahogany staircase.

My husband soaking in the luxury of Connaught.

The Connaught Hotel is named after Queen Victoria's third son, the Duke of Connaught.  It houses 92 rooms and suites as well as the highly acclaimed restaurant, The Grill.

COST:  Rooms start at ~1100 pounds/night.  Entrees at The Grill average ~40-80pounds.  

Verdict:  There's no doubt that this hotel is high class in every way.  It's well-appointed.  The service is impeccable.  Amenities are plentiful and the history runs deep.  But even with all that, it's not something you need to experience before you die.  It's a very nice place to stay if you have the money, but nothing more than that.  Truthfully, I liked St. Ermine's better, which is ~400 pounds/night cheaper.  

#308: Tea At The Ritz (pg 26)

 

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Welcome to the Ritz!

Let's do tea!

Pinkies up!

I had the Lemon Verbena (don't recommend, but then again, I'm not much of a tea drinker).

But Dave had the Passion Fruit and Orange which he really liked.

Don't mind if I do.....

This one was my favorite of the pastries.

Dining on cakes and tea sandwich while listening to a live harpist.

Cost:  Traditional Tea is 67 pounds/person (including tax and tip, this ends up being ~$92/person).  You can also choose to get champagne with your tea; if you do, then the charge goes up to 89-94 pounds/person depending on the champagne you choose.

Verdict:  This was super fun.  It was a high end, delightful splurge, but not something you have to do before you die.  If you do decide you want to go, make reservations well in advance (at least 4-6 weeks; longer if you have a party bigger than 2 people).  Also, make note of the dress code - women should wear dresses, skirts or similar and men should wear jackets.  This is enforced.  Something we learned..... the Ritz is not affiliated with Ritz Carlton.  They are two totally separate companies.  There are only 3 Ritz in the world: Paris, Madrid and London and they are all privately owned by three separate people/families.