How far is Niagara Falls from Toronto?

Niagara Falls is about 1 to 1 ½ hours away from Toronto by car.

When should I arrive for the reunion?

Arrive no later than Wednesday, August 9. The Niagara tour starts bright and early on Thursday, August 10.

What is ice wine?

A rich, flavourful dessert wine made by picking grapes that are frozen on the vine and then pressing them before they thaw. In Germany ice wine is called Eiswein. In Ontario and Germany ice wine is defined as naturally frozen. Canadian ice wines of Ontario have won international prizes. The wine tour at Niagara-on-the Lake will be a great opportunity to savour this “gift of winter”.

What is Niagara-on-the-Lake?

It is a quaint town that claims to be the most historic in the province of Ontario. It is also known for producing vegetables and delectable fruits. The finest grapes are harvested in the area and many of its wines are well known around the world. There is also opportunity to shop. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a fifteen-minute drive from Niagara Falls.

Can our batch hold our own mini-reunion in Toronto to coincide with Otso Otso?

The Planning Team of Otso Otso encourages this. Some batches are seriously considering it to take advantage of the venue and the opportunity to maximize the event. Mini-reunions can be held on August 8 or 9 or Aug 12 and thereafter. Email Otso Otso at tanongin@otsootsosatoronto.com

How do I get to the Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel? 

You can go to the hotel by taxi, public transportation, shuttle bus, or limousine.

• By taxi from Pearson International Airport excluding tip - $48 - $50 for 1-4 people.  Ask for a receipt.  Ride reputable taxis such as Beck, Co-Op, Crown, Diamond or Yellow Cab.

• By public transportation.  Toronto Transit System (TTC) is safe and clean.  Fares are valid for bus, streetcar and subway rides.  You must have the exact amount.  One-way fares are as follow:
• If by car
  • from Pearson International Airport (click here).

      Adults $2.50
      Seniors (65 years old and over.  Must show proof if baby faced) $1.70
      Students (13-19 years old.  Must show student card) $1.70
      Children one way 12 or under 60¢                    Children under 24 months free

Go to the TTC bus stop (look for a pole with red, white and blue band).  Have your exact fare.  Take bus 192, the Airport Rocket.  Ask the bus driver for a transfer for each person.  The bus will take you to Kipling subway station, the last stop.  Go downstairs to the subway.  Show your transfer to the teller behind the pay booth but hang on to it.  Go downstairs to the subway trains.  From Kipling, all trains head eastward.  Get off at Bay station.  Exit on Bay Street.  Go to the southbound bus stop on Bay Street.  Board the bus south, show your transfer(s) to the driver.  Ask the driver to let you off at Bay and Dundas.  The Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel is half a block south of the bus stop.

For details go to www.ttc.ca

• By shuttle bus.  There is no direct shuttle bus service to the Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel.  The Airport Express, run by Pacific Western, will drop you off at the Metropolitan Hotel located one block away from the Marriott.  During peak hours the service is every 20 minutes.  During off peak hours the service is every 30 minutes.

Adult one-way fare - $16.45                            Adult roundtrip fare - $28.35
Student/Senior one way fare - $14.85               Student/Senior roundtrip – $28.35
Children ages 11 and under with adult fare - free.  Two children per adult.

For details go to in www.torontoairportexpress.com

• By limousine.

Discuss the fare before you ride the limousine.  Ask what the charge is per person.  Ask for a receipt.  For example Aeroport Services charges:
      $39 for the whole car for 4 people
      $49 people for a mini van for 5 people.

For details go to www.aeroporttaxi.com

How much will tours cost? 

Depends on the sites you want to see and the number of people touring.  Here are examples in Canadian dollars (subject to price change):
Hop-on-hop off city tour     Adult $34         Senior (60 and over) $30          Child ages 5-11 $18     Family (2 adults/2 children) $95
Grand City Tour     Adult $37         Senior $34       Child $18         Family $100

For details go to www.grayline.ca

Maid of the Mist (boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls, Niagara)
Adult $14               Senior no info               Children ages 6-12       $8.60   Child 5 years or under no charge

For details go to www.maidofthemist.com

I’d like see some tourist attractions in Toronto, how do I plan my itinerary?

 Your itinerary will depend on your interests, the number of people accompanying you and their ages.  To help you plan, here are some websites to visit:

The official City of Toronto website is www.city.toronto.on.ca
Provides info about the city, the weather, the transportation system, etc.

For information about Toronto restaurants, events, movies, theatre and shopping go to:  www.toronto.com

For information about a castle in Toronto called Casa Loma go to www.casaloma.org

For information about the stage production of The Lord of the Rings go to www.lotr.com
Provides information about the world premiere, ticket prices, location of The Princess of Wales Theatre, etc.

For information about the province of Ontario go to www.ontarioculture.ca
Provides information about performing arts, visual arts, heritage, festival and events.