Are you a tourist or a traveller? Do you know the difference? Basically, a tourist is someone who sightsees the top noted attractions when on vacation, whereas a traveller might venture off the beaten path to discover hidden gems that perhaps only locals might be aware of. This can often be true in one’s home city or country as well.

As a traveller myself, I was quite intrigued when I heard of a new “foodie tour” in Toronto that wasn’t focused on the downtown core which most other tour operators typically focus on. Delicious Discoveries recently launched with their first tour offering of the St. Clair West/Casa Loma area, which is located in the northwest part of the city. It’s an area full of culture, architecture delights, and an international mix of cuisine.

The owner and tour guide, Maya, is also a traveller, and has been to several countries around the world, and taken plenty of local food tours herself. Upon meeting her, you can tell she has a strong passion for travel, food, and people. Her friendly demure and knowledge of the area makes this tour a most wonderful and educational experience, and one that the majority of visitors to the city, or locals, might never think of as a destination to visit.  

The tour begins with a bit of history about the area, how it got its name, and a bit about the various forms of architecture that can be found within a short radius of each other. Not only the main throughfares are covered, but treks down resident streets and back alleys are also part of this adventure. If you’d like to learn more about this exciting and evolving neighbourhood, there’s a great historical website offering plenty of additional information.

   

As for food, be sure to come with an appetite as there’s more than enough delicacies to indulge in that you’ll most definitely be full by the time you leave. There are five different stops along the way, providing guests with a taste of savoury and sweets. From the Middle East to Mexico, Jamaica and beyond, there’s stops at upscale restaurants and traditional cantinas, with an assortment of delicious delights to be enjoyed. 

 

The tour then passes through the Wychwood Barns community arts hub, before wrapping up at the iconic Casa Loma via a walk along the tree-lined Austin Terrace, home to some famous Canadians. The view south from Casa Loma overlooks the entire city, and is one of the most magnificent views to behold. From there, it’s just minutes from the Dupont subway station that can get you back downtown, or wherever you’re off to next.

So, whether you’re a travelling foodie looking for your next culinary adventure, or a local eager to uncover the hidden treasures in your own city, the St. Clair West & Casa Loma Food and Walking Experience offers something different to the downtown core walking tours.

   

Tours run weekly during the afternoon, and a new Saturday evening tour was recently added. The tour runs approximately 3.5 hours and covers 5 km along mostly flat terrain, making this very accessible to all. Check the website for dates and times, and to make your booking. Keep checking back for new tour offerings on the horizon, and be sure to leave your review on Google and/or TripAdvisor

 

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.