There's a lot more to Toronto than just the CN Tower. Get the basics of this popular Canadian city.

Related reading:

• Toronto Canada Basics
• Toronto Travel Guide
• How To Save Money in Toronto
• Toronto Hotels

As summer sets in, Toronto heats up with a roster of festivals and activities that is sure to keep visitors entertained. Global celebrations, food festivals or even just a stroll on the waterfront are just some of the summertime activities Toronto offers.
(Photo of Caribana: Getty Images)

Related reading:

• Summer in Toronto
• July in Toronto
• August in Toronto
• Toronto Travel Guide

This Wednesday, July 1, 2009, Canada turns 142.

Canada Day is celebrated every July 1st, when across the country, people chill beer, prepare burgers for the barbecue and otherwise get ready to party with friends to celebrate Canada's birthday. Canada Day celebrations also include parades and firework displays.

Ottawa has the biggest Canada Day celebration, that starts with a parade, includes an RCMP musical ride, concerts, and caps off with a fireworks display.

If you're planning a trip to Niagara Falls and need to find a Niagara Falls hotel, check out some of the most popular places to stay in this U.S. / Canada border town.

Niagara Falls is one of Canada's most popular destinations and thus many bargains are available year round, but also beware the tourist trap.

Be sure to ask all the right questions to ask when booking your hotel room.

Photo © Tourism Niagara

Toronto hotels are vast and varied, so when it comes to choosing one for your visit to Toronto, get a little help with our guide to Toronto hotels.

Related reading:

• Toronto Travel Guide
• Summer in Toronto
• Save Money in Toronto

Photo of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto courtesy Fairmont Resorts & Hotels

The InterContinental Hotel Toronto (read our review), with rooms that usually start around Cdn$200 in the summer, is offering a Cdn$99 room rate per night from from June 19 - July 26, 2009. Book by June 20. Blackout dates: July 9-11.

Having stayed at the InterContinental Hotel Toronto recently, I think this seems like a great deal. The hotel is clean, modern and situated centrally for visits to Toronto's top attractions.

Book online or call 1-416-597-1400 and quote group code TZ9.

Related reading:

• InterContinental Hotel Toronto Review
• Top Toronto Luxury Hotels
• Toronto Travel Guide

June is a splendid month to visit most any region of Canada. Temperatures are pleasant but rarely scorching and outdoor festivities, including some of the most popular Canadian festivals get underway.

Find out what you need to know about visiting Canada in June , such as what to pack, what kind of weather to expect and what events are taking place.

Know where you're going in Canada? Check out our city-specific June guides:
Vancouver in June
Toronto in June
Montreal in June

The InterContinental Hotel Toronto is a downtown Toronto hotel, especially attractive to business travelers, but suitable for a wide range of guests. What's it like staying at the InterContinental Hotel in Toronto? Read more........

Related reading:

• Top 10 Luxury Hotels Toronto
• Top 10 Cheap Hotels Toronto
• Summer in Toronto

The Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls has launched its 2009 season and the ride is as exciting as ever.

The closest you can get to the Falls without going over them in a barrel, the Maid of the Mist is a 15-20 min boat ride that takes you right into the dense spray of both the American and the Canadian Falls, also known as the Horseshoe Falls.

Don't like getting wet? This may not be the ride for you; rain ponchos are provided for a reason!

Related reading:

• Niagara Falls Travel Guide
• Top Niagara Falls Attractions
• Free Things To Do in and around Niagara Falls
• Great Wolf Lodge

Well, the world's longest undefended border is getting a little tighter. Starting June 1, 2009, people travelling to Canada from the U.S. will need to show a passport or valid passport equivalent no matter if they drive, fly, take a train, boat or ride over on a unicycle.

Some exceptions apply to children's passport requirements.

The new, stricter passport requirements have been a long time coming.

Passport requirements have been a complicated and everchanging issue for U.S. travellers to Canada for the past few years due to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which was introduced in 2004 by the U.S. government to strengthen U.S. border security and standardize travel documentation. Since its introduction, the WHTI has had some amendments and postponements, but it looks like the June 1, 2009 date will go ahead as planned.

Have you gotten your passport? Do you think the implementation of these new requirements will go smoothly?