Cannabis Europa is crossing the Atlantic to bring its expertise on the budding European market to Toronto, Canada, for its Cannabis Europa: Transatlantic Forum. We encourage our attendees to make the most of the conference and the incredible sights a cosmopolitan city like Toronto has to offer. The Cannabis Europa: Transatlantic Forum will take place at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel situated in Old Toronto. Dating back to 1929, the Fairmont Royal York Hotel is a classic example of French Renaissance revival ‘Château-style’ architecture and comes with all the charms of art deco-inspired design, hand-painted wood ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The Fairmont Royal York Hotel is conveniently located just in front of the iconic Union Station, the Hockey Hall of Fame and is a stone’s throw away from the majestic CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, meaning you can jump straight in to some sightseeing after the conference.
The neighbourhood:
Old Toronto is the historic downtown district of the city and offers incredible views of the harbour as well as easy access to all the main sightseeing destinations. Take a walk along the harbour to HTO Park or enjoy a stroll to the Toronto Sculpture Garden and its innovative installations. Also within reach is one of the world’s greatest markets, the bustling St. Lawrence Market, with over 120 independent vendors selling anything from local delicacies and seasonal produce to artisanal home accessories and clothes. A trip to Toronto wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame, established in 1943 to commemorate those who developed Canada’s favourite winter sport: ice hockey! Also on the list of go-to places is the CN Tower where the not-so-faint-hearted can take the notorious ‘EdgeWalk’, and the rest can enjoy the mesmerising views from the many observation points.
Where to stay:
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, where we’re holding our Cannabis Europa: Transatlantic Forum, is a great choice for your stay in Toronto, but if you’re looking to explore beyond this historic hotel then look no further than the Shangri-La. Situated within a stone’s throw from the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (home of the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company) as well as the CN Tower and the Scotiabank Arena, home of the 2019 NBA Champions, Toronto Raptors, the Shangri-La Hotel is the perfect place for our guests to relax and explore the city. If you wish to stay in the area but want something a little more hip, then stay at the Thompson and get ready for this hotel’s jet-set rooftop lounge with 360-degree views of the bay, its own nightclub and sleek ultra-modern rooms designed to look like upscale apartments. Yet, if you’re after glitzy boutiques and chic cafes, head to Yorkville, one of Toronto’s most captivating neighbourhoods, and book yourself into The Anndore House. This Instagram-friendly, industrial-chic, quirky hotel is perfect for those who wish to enjoy Bloor Street’s luxury shopping, Mink Mile’s upscale boutiques and the artsy LGBTQ+ neighbourhood.
Your guide to drinks, food & clubs:
Done with sightseeing? Take a well-deserved break in one of Toronto’s famed cocktail bars. Bar Chef offers a very unique approach by combining the finest, freshest ingredients with artisanal spirits and house-made bitters into a molecular mixology-style drink that would do Heston Blumenthal proud. Try the Gala cocktail, a riff of the classic champagne cocktail that comes with a sugar cube doused in anise-heavy house-made apricot bitters with the addition of sparkling wine and elderflower liqueur. Alternatively, if you’re more of a craft-beer aficionado, head to C’est What, Toronto’s first choice for comfort pub food and craft beers, with a whopping 42 Canadian brews on tap. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, head to Yorkville’s Buca, located on the ground floor of the Four Seasons condo building, for a refined Italian food experience, prepared with the best locally sourced Canadian ingredients. Alternatively, if you want the proper American diner feel without compromising on taste, grab yourself a burger at Harry’s Charbroiled where you can enjoy the city’s best burgers with perfectly fat, crispy fries or the legendary poutine. Want to dance the meal off? Then look no further than Coda, where the killer sound system and energetic DJs will keep you going until 5am. If you’re looking for something with a decidedly more rock ’n’ roll attitude then stomp your feet at the Bovine Sex Club, the moody, dark punk-rock venue par excellence that has been inspiring the Toronto alternative scene since 1991.
Experience Toronto’s natural beauty:
Toronto is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city but the Canadian wilderness is just on your doorstep! The monumental Niagara Falls, with its 750,000 gallons of water hurtling down per second, is the largest waterfall in North America and definitely worth a visit. You can reach Niagara Falls within a couple of hours from downtown Toronto, making it the perfect choice for a day trip out of the city. If you’re looking for something closer, take the 13-minute ferry across to Toronto’s Island Park where you can enjoy walks, rent a bike or canoe, or visit the 200-year-old lighthouse.
Toronto is a city that presents both breathtaking natural scenery and a sophisticated urban skyline. We encourage our attendees to make the most of both our conference and the great amenities this city can offer.
