Toronto

Fashion and Falls in Toronto

Whether your employees enjoy the outdoors or city life, Toronto is the perfect destination.

On our most recent incentive trip to Toronto, the urbanites had a special reason to get excited: It was Toronto Fashion Week.

In anticipation of the fashion shows, the first two days in the city were spent on a tour with a private shopper. It was a great way for our clients to get their bearings in the largest city in Canada. At one point, the men and women parted ways so that the women could explore the many boutique stores and jewelers while the men got the full cut-and-shave treatment at a traditional barbershop.

As our visit to Fashion Week was around the corner, the women visited a store that rents out designer dresses for the evening. Trying on the gorgeous dresses was an experience to be relished, and our clients did just that. Everyone tried on multiple dresses as they put on a fashion show of their own while the others cheered and whistled between sips of champagne.

Once dresses had been selected and fitted, the ladies were ready for the big show, where more primping awaited. They congregated at a tent replete with appetizers and cocktails before getting to peak backstage. More than just observers, the women had their own makeup done among the professional models and makeup artists.

Toronto Fashion Week was really a sight to behold. Multiple catwalks streaked through David Pecaut Square as celebrities, industry executives, and the fashion media not only observed, but also took part in the glamour themselves.

The next day was spent at the historic city of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Founded over 200 years ago, the city offers a glimpse into Canada’s British history. Our group took carriage rides along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town. The tree-lined streets and beautiful homes seemed to transport us back in time as our carriages clopped along.

Our next destination is a can’t-miss: Niagara Falls. We chartered a helicopter to get the best view of the famous natural wonder as possible. But first, we needed some sustenance. So we made a quick pit-stop at Peller Estates, one of Southern Ontario’s many sensational vineyards, for some wine-tasting and lunch. Peller is especially well-known for its ice wine, which is produced from frozen grapes. It’s a delicate process, and the wine is very sweet, making it a perfect dessert.

There’s not much to say about Niagara Falls that hasn’t already been said. It’s breathtaking, and you need to see it for yourself.

The final gala dinner took place at the CN Tower, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. We dined at 360, the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower, which is also the highest wine cellar in the world. The views were absolutely amazing, and it was a nice reminder of everything we had experienced and explored since arriving in Toronto.

Our time spent in Ontario’s capital and its southwestern region struck the perfect balance of urban spectacle and natural wonder. As more of our clients in America and abroad look for destinations that are exotic but not disorienting, we expect to make many more trips to Toronto in the future.