Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary – Part 2: Day Trips Outside Saigon
Having spent your first few days in Saigon centre, it is now the time to explore away…
You might not expect to find a castle in the middle of the city when you travel to Toronto, but Casa Loma is just that. It is the only full-sized castle in North America. Today, Casa Loma is a museum that offers a taste of Edwardian era splendour with secret passages, stables and a stunning conservatory. You can also stroll in the beautiful gardens for breathtaking views of the city. This is also a venue for special events like escape games and concerts in the garden.
Take a trip around the world in Toronto’s Kensington Market. This diverse market offers crafts from as far away as the Middle East and Asia. You can also find goods from the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. Open seven days a week, excluding holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, this market is the one-stop shop for everything you need — and some things you don’t. After the rush of the morning farmers market crowds, you can enjoy the jazz bars and restaurants throughout the day and into the evening. Bonus surprise if you visit on the last Sunday of every month from May to October.
Toronto is home to some of the best murals, street and graffiti artists and art in the world. These artists and artworks have transformed Toronto’s public streets, laneways and parks into a city-wide art gallery!
Graffiti Alley is hands down home to some of the city’s most iconic street art and easily the most photographed. It’s also always changing, encompassing the artsy Queen West vibe and reflecting political and social activism, like most recently when a group of 40 artists painted the city black in support of Black Lives Matter. You’ll quickly find that making more than one visit is definitely a must. Start at the corner of Rush Lane and Portland Street and head east.
We also recommend heading over to Milky Way – Yes, ‘Milky Way’ is an actual name of a street and it’s full of colourful street arts which you can admire in relative quiet, away from the crowds.
Trinity-Bellwoods park is the hippest park of Toronto – come for the scene, stay for the great coffee & ice cream from White Squirrel (at the southern end of the park, on Queen Street), or pick up foods from Agora and have a picnic like the locals do. The park has everything for everyone: the tennis courts, kids’ play area, a community recreation centre that offers an indoor public pool and many activities, as well as a farmer’s market on Tuesday afternoons in the summer. In the winter, there is an outdoor skating rink.
Walk on Queen West, one of Toronto’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and art galleries are all within walking distance – many of them among the city’s best. Some of our favourite local spots include Fresh, Sam James Coffee Bar across from the park, nearby Terroni for a quick bowl of Southern Italian pasta, North of Brooklyn for a quick slide of thin crusted pizza.
Bonus: if you like parks in general, try also High Park on the West end and Evergreen Brickworks on East end of the city
Toronto Islands offer unbeatable views of the city. Bring a rental bike, rollerblades or a picnic basket or take advantage of various on-site sports facilities, kayak and canoe rentals as well as stand up paddle boarding. Kids will enjoy the Centerville Theme Park with numerous rides, food and drink options for the whole family.
Each city offers a lot of attractions that can satisfy people of many interests, from sight seeing to sports to arts, there’s something for everyone. For a detailed curated experience during your visit, please use the printed guide book left at your Homes by IDG home or ask us any questions at homes@idogood.ca
Having spent your first few days in Saigon centre, it is now the time to explore away…
Known as both Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Saigon, this city in southern Vietnam…
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