If you don’t have a vacation planned for summer 2018, consider heading to Paris!

A round trip flight from Toronto to France on super-cheap carrier Primera will now cost you about $500.

The airline has officially announced that it'll  service a host of new destinations by next year, of which Toronto is one. 

Flights to London, Paris, and Birmingham U.K. are scheduled to begin in May and June respectively. Trips leave from Toronto to both U.K. locations three times weekly, and to Paris four times weekly.

The service is obviously no-frills, though. The cheapest flight option only allows one carry-on bag. If you’d like to check a bag, get a meal, or upgrade your seat, it’ll all cost you extra.

That said, heading to Europe for a few hundreds bucks is nothing to complain about.  

It looks like Toronto is getting yet another escape room for all of your corporate team building and kooky date night needs – only this one comes with axes.

A poster announcing the new venture is currently hanging in the window of what used to be Europe Bound Travel Outfitters, which recently closed on King Street West after more than 30 years in business.

"Coming soon: Escape Manor," reads the sign. "international award winning escape rooms / lounge / axe-throwing."

That's right; a recreational axe-throwing spot right along the 504 streetcar line.

Escape Manor's website doesn't yet have any information about the new Toronto location. According to the aforementioned poster, it'll open this spring – and if the company's other escape rooms are any indication, it's going to be pretty cool.

"Twelve different rooms. Twelve different themes," reads Escape Manor Ottawa's site, which boasts such adventures as "The Tomb," "The Boudoir," "Psycho," and "Escape the Cornwall Jail."

We'll update you on the axe situation as information comes.

While many of the province's finest waterfalls are within an hour's drive of Toronto, they tend to be overrun with crowds out to soak up their natural beauty. Those in search of a more intimate and secluded experience will have to look beyond Hamilton and Niagara.

Fortunately there are some hidden gems out there that offer amazing scenery without the need to battle other people for interesting camera angles or spots to set up a picnic. The Gut Conservation Area is one such place.

The picturesque trail that leads to the waterfall. Photo by Derek Flack.

The name doesn't exactly conjure images of beautiful scenery, but the Gut refers to the 30 metre deep gorge that cuts across the area and leads the Crowe River to cascade rapidly through a narrow chute as a surprisingly powerful waterfall. 

The top portion of the Gut waterfall, which drops off into a 30 metre gorge. Photo by Colin J. McMechan (cropped).

It's not a terribly tall, but the speed of the water and the ability to get right next to it (please be careful!) makes it a thrilling attraction. When hiking in from the parking lot, the urgent sound of the rapids guides you to the falls.

Precambrian basalt lava formations. Photo by Dan Delong.

The less adventurous can head a bit up stream and set up a picnic beside the other fascinating geological feature here: an exposed basalt lava ridge, which dates back to the Precambrian period. Here you can wade in the still pools of water outside the rapids.

A post shared by Kevin (@klarnold.3) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:42pm PDT

This is Ontario's rugged landscape at its finest, and the best part is you're unlikely to see more than a handful of people as you explore the area, which also features hiking trails and a lookout. 

Crowe River rapids below the falls. Photo by Derek Flack.

At one point this section of the Crowe River was referred to by locals as Buttermilk Falls, but when the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority acquired the land a few decades ago, the entire 400 acre area took the name of the Gut. 

The somewhat hard-to-spot sign for the Gut. Photo by Derek Flack.

To get here, take Highway 46 north from Havelock to Lasswade Rd. (which heads northeast at the 504 junction). Follow the road for about five kilometres until you see the sign on the left (here you turn right). Park somewhere before the final hill, which isn't friendly to cars.

The TTC is really getting into the Halloween spirit tomorrow, but it's all in the name of our collective safety. 

As part of the final testing stages of the new Spadina extension, the TTC is planning a staged emergency disaster at the new York University Station. 

This is to give first responders, medical teams, and other involved personnel a chance to practice in the event of a real situation. 

While an emergency drill is typically not very interesting, the TTC is kicking it up a notch for this one. The drill will include smoke, a mock hospital on York campus, and even "victims" in stage makeup to simulate injuries. 

To give you an idea of the scale here, around 600 participants will be involved in the mock emergency. 

So if you see smoke, ambulances, and "zombies" walking around the area, don't worry. It's [probably] just a drill. 

Barbecue lovers in Toronto just got some very good news.

Hogtown Smoke, one of the city's most popular BBQ joints, is expanding downtown. Where the first location was all about feeding the Beaches, the new location will draw hungry flocks of office workers from the nearby Financial District. 

The restaurant announced on Facebook and its website that it'll take up residence at 55 Colborne St. in November. 

Known for enormous portions and lots of draft beer, you can bet that this will be a popular spot beyond just the lunch rush. Make sure you bring a bib and an appetite.

Things could get messy (in a good way).

King Street is about to undergo some serious changes.

Toronto has been working on plans for the King Street Pilot Project for quite a while now, and has just released a document showing exactly how it'll all work.

From new right turn signals to dedicated streetcar lanes, let’s take a trip along King Street to see all the new rules and changes that will take effect next month (November 2017).

Vehicles other than streetcars, emergency vehicles, and deliveries will no longer be allowed to drive through intersections. Image from the City of Toronto.

Left turns are not allowed onto or off of King. Dedicated right turn lanes will be marked. To prevent being blocked by streetcars, the streetcar stops have been moved to the far side of the intersections. 

Parking has also been completely removed (though there are some designated areas for deliveries and pick ups and drops offs).

Bicycles will also have new rules, including the bike boxes at Peter and Simcoe which will permit left turns. Image from the City of Toronto.

Cyclists, unlike drivers, are permitted to drive through intersections.

Drivers looking to pick up and drop off passengers must do so on north-south streets or in the designated passenger drop off zones. 

Taxis will be allowed at night, and will have their own dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones. Image from the City of Toronto. 

The new right turn advances will be something for both vehicles and pedestrians to adjust to. 

Public spaces like benches, seating, patios, and other things will be added curb-side. Image from the City of Toronto. 

The pilot project ends at Jarvis Street in the East, where the street resumes in its former configuration. However, drivers will still not be able to drive through the Jarvis/King intersection and must instead must turn off of King.

People who typically drive down King may have to endure a bit of a headache for the time being, but the project will hopefully help with transit congestion, and provide a faster trip for many through the downtown core. 

Feeling nostalgic? Toronto will soon be home to a retro convenience store-themed restaurant, named Convenience Bar, which aptly references its design as both a convenience store and a bar all in one.

Equipped with all the fittings of a corner store of your childhood, this West Queen West restaurant will fill not only your hunger for food, but your hunger for the past. 

Entering the space is promised to be like teleporting to an era long passed. A hopscotch pad will greet you in the entrance-way, through the convenience store in front to the bar and restaurant in the back. Neon signs, He-Man, and She-Ra will line the walls, and the basement will feature party-line phones. 

A post shared by Convenience Bar (@conveniencebar) on Jun 1, 2017 at 3:16pm PDT

The store will sell grab-and-go options for lunches and snacks, but will also have traditional corner-store options like sodas and candy.

As far as sit-down options go, look for comfort food, but also hefty  vegetarian options. Some examples menu items being played around with are Venezuelan hot dogs, yuca fries, and an assortment of different corn dogs, like lobster and jalapeno.

A post shared by Convenience Bar (@conveniencebar) on Aug 23, 2017 at 2:59pm PDT

Beer, wine, and staple cocktails will all be served on tap, which is an interesting twist on the soda bar theme.

If the decor is anything like their Instagram feed, the aesthetic should be on-point.

A post shared by Convenience Bar (@conveniencebar) on Sep 1, 2017 at 3:27pm PDT

Convenience Bar is set to open in November at 1184 Queen West in the former Addis Ababa space. Until then, the staff will be selling pumpkins on the patio to prepare for Halloween from October 25 to 30. All proceeds will go to West Neighbourhood House in Parkdale. 

Oh, and there will be free apple cider. Now that's a welcome way to enter a neighbourhood.

Toronto's most high-profile sky bridge is finally ready for some actual  pedestrians.

Almost.

Cadillac Fairview just announced that its hotly-anticipated new walkway will officially open on Thursday, November 2 at approximately 10:15 a.m. – just over a week from now.

Designed by the London-based architectural firm WilkinsonEyre (with help from Zeidler), the new bronze and glass sky bridge was built earlier this year in the middle of James Street next to Old City Hall.

In July, the bridge was transported to its permanent location between the historic Hudson's Bay building and Toronto's Eaton Centre.

Residents and visitors have since watched the helix-shaped tunnel progressively become prettier and prettier, many of them documenting the process on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

"This meeting and blending of the two building's form and materials becomes a beautiful and metaphorical 'handshake' extending out over Queen Street," said bridge designer Dominic Bettison when the project was first announced. 

Will it look as cool inside as it does outside? We're all about to find out!

Location is everything in the real estate game, a point which is driven home with much emphasis when you scroll over the listing for this house in the heart of Yorkville.

As condos rise to the sky all over this formerly Bohemian neighbourhood, its remaining brick homes have skyrocketed in value. Few, however, carry price tags quite so rich as 129 Hazelton Ave., which is currently offered at a whopping $7.38 million. 

If you're first reaction is that it's not that nice, that's fair. It's worth keeping in mind, however that this is one of only six detached houses on the street. A property like this is all about prestige. 

Toward that end, it boasts the luxury finishes that you'd expect. Interior design comes from Brian Gluckstein, there's radiant floor heating, each bedroom could be a master unto itself, and the central elevator is a talking point, to be sure. 

If we're going to complain, though, let's ask what's up with that wine cellar? For $7 million plus, I expect some wood in there!

The Essentials 

• Address: 129 Hazelton Ave.
• Price: $7,338,000
• Lot Size: 28 x 105 feet
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5
• Parking: 2
• Walk Score: 98
• Transit Score: 94
• Listing agent: Lisa-Marie Doorey
• Listing ID: C3957654

Good For

The 0.1 percent. This is a dream house for someone who could live anywhere but wants to be in the heart of the city with all its retail, entertainment, and restaurant options.

Move On If

You'd like a bit of seclusion. If the idea of tourist shopping right outside your door is unappealing, then this one isn't for you. Well, that and the whole price tag thing.

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring out house of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO. 

Some of Mexico's finest illustrators and designers are in town to show off their best work. Meanwhile Fort York gets spooky, a multi-chef feast kicks off, and a huge rock band takes over the Air Canada Centre. 

Toronto's favourite geodesic dome will soon be back in action as a full time IMAX movie theatre – and you don't even have to be from Hollywood to use it.

The province is expected to announce this week that the historic Ontario Place Cinesphere, first built in 1971, will re-open to the public for regular screenings this November.

Once winter hits, the unmistakable lakeside bulb will reportedly play host to a series of public events meant to showcase its potential as a new hub for sports and culture downtown.

The open-air pavilion in #TrilliumPark provides an ideal space for activities and gatherings! #OntarioPlacepic.twitter.com/8vguEWpHIQ

— Ontario Place (@OntarioPlace) September 29, 2017

The province has been making great strides over this past year in its quest to revitalize Ontario Place. 

Much of the 50-acre site, which was shut down in 2012 due to financial constraints, is once again open to the public. It was a veritable hot spot for food events this summer and Torontonians have been raving over the property's brand new Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail.

By fully reopening its famous Cinesphere – the world's first-ever permanent IMAX movie theatre – the province will bring even more attention (and people) to the burgeoning waterfront hub.

Award-winning local architecture firm Partisans, along with landscape architects at Janet Rosenberg & Studio have been tapped to "provide a vision for the interim revitalization of the site," according to The Globe and Mail.

The programming and design details are still being developed, but it looks like we can expect some significant changes to the existing site's landscape – and, of course, some spiffying up of that majestic 19-metre dome.

As the weather starts to cool down and scarves come out of closets, Toronto begins to gear up for winter.

And with winter comes the holiday season. What better way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year than with a massive fireworks show and tree-lighting ceremony?

On November 25, the City of Toronto will be flipping on the switch for its official Christmas tree in Nathan Phillips Square. The 51st annual Cavalcade of Lights will be a giant festive party.

A post shared by KNGKYLIE (@in.hershoes) on Dec 16, 2016 at 6:26pm PST

The towering tree will be lit with almost 600,000 LED bulbs and hundreds of ornaments. Last year’s tree capped out at 60-feet tall and took 3,810 metres of lights to cover.

Along with the fireworks, a free concert featuring Canadian artists will take place in the square. This year’s lineup has not yet been announced, but last year was quite the show.

A post shared by Winston Sih (@winstonsih) on Nov 26, 2016 at 5:56pm PST

Also, bring your skates! The ever-popular skating rink at Nathan Phillips will be up and running. What’s more romantic than skating under fireworks with a hot chocolate in hand? That’s right, nothing.

A post shared by daveau16 (@davisurdaneta) on Dec 7, 2016 at 6:18pm PST

The event is completely free and starts at 7 p.m. on November 25.

Toronto-born singer and former Crystal Castles frontwoman Alice Glass is sending shock waves through the music industry right now with a series of startling allegations against her former bandmate.

Glass, 29, formed the popular electronic music duo Crystal Castles with fellow Torontonian Ethan Kath (Claudio Palmieri)  in 2006, but left the band in 2014 for "both professional and personal reasons."

Yesterday, the musician elaborated on those reasons in an online statement she says was inspired by the #MeToo movement and recent controversy surrounding Harvey Weinstein.

this is why I had to leave Crystal Castles. here is my story: https://t.co/bs9aJRwgms#metoo

— ALICE GLASS (@ALICEGLASS) October 24, 2017

"I met 'Ethan Kath' (Claudio Palmieri) when I was in the 10th grade. The first time he took advantage of me was when I was around 15," reads a portion of the 1,000+ word statement on Glass' website.

"He berated me and yelled at me, telling me that I was a joke, that all the people that came to our shows were only interested in his instrumentals and that I was ruining the band," it continues. 

"He forced me to have sex with him or, he said, I wouldn’t be allowed to be in the band anymore."

Kath has since denied the allegations through his attorney, writing in a statement obtained by Pitchfork:

"I am outraged and hurt by the recent statements made by Alice about me and our prior relationship. Her story is pure fiction and I am consulting my lawyers as to my legal options. Fortunately, there are many witnesses who can and will confirm that I was never abusive to Alice."

Still, in light of this controversy, all remaining shows on the Crystal Castles 2017 concert tour have been cancelled.

This includes the Toronto show that was scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Danforth Music Hall.

Sometimes Toronto is united, and it’s beautiful.

One of these times was last night, when thousands of people gathered downtown to sing in celebration of Gord Downie. The Tragically Hip singer, who died last week, was honoured in song by a huge crowd organized by Choir! Choir! Choir! 

A post shared by Karen Petruzziello (@kerpindrella) on Oct 24, 2017 at 8:36pm PDT

The classic Hip songs were all heard, like Bobcaygeon, Courage, and many more.

Towards the end of the show, Mike Downie, the older brother of the late singer, took the stage.

A post shared by J (@dewucme) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:45pm PDT

He spoke about Gord’s charity work, especially the Secret Path project and the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund. Fans attending the event were asked by Choir! Choir! Choir! to bring a small donation. The charity works to help with reconciliation and education with Indigenous communities.

A post shared by Alan Van Sprang (@alanvansprang) on Oct 24, 2017 at 5:13pm PDT

Many dressed like Downie for the event, wearing Canadian tuxedos and fashionable hats in an effort to pay tribute to the singer’s iconic style.

The show closed with Ahead by a Century, one of the band’s most recognizable songs.

The best coffee in Toronto uses high-quality roasted beans and an ideal water-to-grounds ratio to produce the perfect cup of joe. Usually more affordable than espresso-based beverages and arguably just as good, the best drip in town can be found at these discerning independent cafes.

Here is the best coffee in Toronto.

Big changes may be coming for Airbnb hosts in Toronto.

The home-sharing app company has just signed a deal with a Toronto building that could change the way the service operates in condos throughout the city. 

Neptune Waterpark Condos has signed onto Airbnb's Friendly Buildings Program. The agreement allows condo management staff to see data on Airbnb rentals in the building.

How many units are being rented on the app, the number of guests, and check-in and check-out times are just some of the information that management will be able to monitor.

The purpose is to allow greater transparency between Airbnb hosts and the building, ensuring neighbours and management feel safer and more secure.

Another part of the agreement dictates fees for common area upkeep. As Airbnb renters come and go, there's a toll on hallways, pools, and other shared areas. Hosts will pay a small fee to help with upkeep of these spaces.

A percentage of the rental cost (between five and 15 percent), decided on a case-by-case basis, will be given to the building as well.

The deal is the first of its kind by Airbnb to take place outside of the U.S. The company may bring the agreement to other buildings with high numbers of Airbnb listings as well.

Greater transparency and security may help to refocus Toronto's attempts to crack down on the service, which the city has been exploring for some time now.

Someone in Toronto is trying to make marijuana delivery happen, but it's not going to happen (if angry local parents have anything to do with it.)

Weedora is a new service that purports to allow adults in the GTA to order cannabis products right to their door. You may have seen hot pink flyers advertising it in your neighbourhood, in your mailbox or on the internet.

The company has been on a marketing tear lately, distributing door hangers all over town that promise "7 free grams when you order your first ounce." 

The back of a Weedora flyer shows how the service is supposed to work. Photo by blogTO.

A simple graphic on the backs of these flyers shows how the service apparently works – "text, relax, smoke" – but many people are still confused about how this is even a thing. And with good reason.

Marijuana isn't set to be legalized in Canada until next July, which technically makes Weedora an illegal recreational drug operation.

If dial-a-bottle services can't legally deliver alcohol past a certain time, how are Torontonians able to order an illegal substance to their homes, at any time, with no penalty?

@TheCurrentCBC@Weedora_TO My 11-year old boy found this hanging out front door last week andtold me is the the advertisement for Marijuana! pic.twitter.com/ng2Tq0zEM3

— Cynthia (@Cynthia9983068) 23 October 2017

"These criminal drug dealers need to put in jail and assets seized," wrote someone on Twitter today after learning of the flyers. "They put vulnerable individuals and neighbourhoods at risk."

Some people in the city – particularly parents of young children – are more angry about the door hangers themselves than the threat of getting dinged by the cops for having weed.

Talk about overreaction, get a grip. Ads for beer send her into meltdown as well? https://t.co/Zy6wpr8SZs

— Joseph V. (@UrbanArtPhoto) October 25, 2017

Others in Toronto seem delighted, or at the very least amused by the idea.

Between this and McDonald's delivering now, I never have to leave my house on the weekends

— [ halloween pun ] (@AnnStann) October 22, 2017

Unfortunately for them, business is off to shaky start.

Weedora's Twitter account has been flooded over the past week with mentions from customers who say they're unable to access the company's website or place an order via text message.

Oh, and on Friday, we learned that Foodora (the very much legal food delivery brand) had served Weedora with a cease and desist notice for copyright infringement.

So parents might not have much to worry about, after all. The weed delivery firm is already experiencing legal troubles – just not the type you'd normally expect.

Toronto may be a lot of things, but apparently “elegant” is not one of them.

Perhaps it’s the fact that almost every street is inundated with construction vehicles or maybe it's our consistent raccoon infestations. It might even have something to do with the hulking concrete expressway that lines our waterfront.

Whatever the reason for Toronto's absence, it appears fashion retailer Zalando prefers Montreal and Vancouver to Canada’s largest city.

A recent ranking of the world's most elegant cities, which was unsurprisingly topped by Paris, compiled a list of 80 urban centres around the world. Montreal came in at 31, with Vancouver not far behind at 46.

The list was narrowed from 400 global locales, all known for their fashion industry, schools, and architecture. It’s unknown where Toronto ranked in the grand scheme, but we didn't make the the top 80.

It might be time we clean up our act, Toronto. Or perhaps the ranking system itself is flawed. Look at our skyline! Now that's an elegant looking city to me.

Remember when we told you that Drake kept it low key for his birthday this year with an intimate dinner at Casa Loma?

Apparently that was just the pre-party. 

TMZ reports that our boy had another, much more-raucous bash in Los Angeles on Monday night with his friends Leonardo DiCaprio, Kelly Rowland, Rae Sremmurd, Tobey McGuire, G-Eazy, Jamie Foxx, Hailey Baldwin and Lamar Odom.

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:15pm PDT

Like the Andy Warhol-themed Casa Loma event, Drake's second 31st birthday party was planned with a single motif in mind: the bar mitzvah.

Being that 31 is 13 in reverse, the age at which a Jewish boy celebrates his bar mitzvah, it was a fitting choice for Drake (who himself had a bar mitzvah in Toronto when he was 13 – and famously danced at others).

My bar mitzvah board 😂

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 22, 2017 at 11:29pm PDT

Monday night's party, billed as "Aubrey's Re-Bar Mitzvah," featured Papi-themed pizza...

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:15pm PDT

Many beautiful pimp cups...

⛪️

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:19pm PDT

Drake's dad, Dennis Graham...

@treyrichards @jaerichards

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:20pm PDT

Plus lots of champagne and ice cream for Drizzy.

🦂

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 24, 2017 at 7:22pm PDT

For the third day in a row, Happy birthday Drake. And happy re-bar mitzvah.

Toronto's in store for yet another TTC subway closure this weekend, this time on the Yonge side of Line 1 where crews will tackle much-needed track work.

There will be no subway service between St. Clair and Lawrence stations on October 28 and 29. All trains on Line 1 will turn back northbound at Lawrence Station and southbound at St. Clair Station. Shuttle buses will operate between these stations during the closure.

Subway service will resume on Monday morning. The next scheduled closure will halt weekend service on Line 1 between Sheppard West and St. George stations on November 4 and 5 due to signal upgrades.

It's also important to note that trains on Line 1 will be bypassing Queen Station both ways starting at 11 p.m. each evening until late November due to fare gate construction. Service will resume at the regularly scheduled time each morning.