Toronto Expert

Mauricio de Sa

"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien

1: TIFF attracts a massive number of celebrities every year in September. Just hang around Yorkville and you will bump into a few. Just play it cool - like most Torontonians do - and admire from a distance.
2: You might be surprised with Toronto's extreme diversity. It doesn't matter how unusual someone might look or dress. Be respectful and discrete and you will fit right in.
3: Canadians' best kept secrete is that they are NOT more resistant to the cold. They simply know how to dress for it. If you're here in the winter, ask someone for help on how to brave the weather.

Mauricio's Picks

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Restaurant

One of my favourite Thai restaurants is Khao San Road on Adelaide West. It's got a young, hip vibe and the dress code is casual. They don't take reservations and there's always a line up - confirmation that the food is worth the wait. After a gre...

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Restaurant, Weekend Escape, Daytrip

Webers Hamburgers

A trip to cottage country in Muskoka is incomplete without a stop at Webers Hamburgers. For forty years this burger joint has been a mandatory stop for hungry travelers on Hwy 11. All the fresh food is prepared in front of you on a massive charcoa...

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Parks, Historic, Weekend Escape

Explore the Thousand Islands by Boat

The Thousand Islands constitute an archipelago of 1,864 islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River where it emerges from Lake Ontario. The most common Canadian tours depart from Kingston or Gananoque. If you're coming...

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Parks, Historic, Trails

Toogood Pond

Toogood Pond is a piece of paradise just 20 minutes drive north of Toronto. Steps away from historic Main Street Unionville, walking around the pond with an ice cream cone and your favorite company is a must. The beautiful landscape around the pon...

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Restaurant

Satisfy your Inner Italian at Terroni

The uptown Rosedale/Summerhill location of Terroni is my favourite among their 3 locations in Toronto, but if I had to pick the most interesting building, the one in the financial district on Adelaide would be the winner. The high ceilings of t...

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Specialty Foods, Historic

The Passionate Cook's Essentials

Cooking lessons? Call me a skeptic. If I had recipe in front of me, I didn't need anyone telling me what to do. But I found out that cooking classes can be fun, especially at this beautifully designed boutique for passionate cooks located in Uxbri...

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Mauricio's Blog Entries

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blog entry

Tips from a Carioca to Enjoy Rio During World Cup

Tips and local recommendations from a Rio native to help visitors to blend in and enjoy the city through the eyes of the locals.

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blog entry

Rio - I am Carioca

Surrounded by controversy, speculation, terrorist threats and tens of billions of dollars in spectacular facilities, the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics are now behind us. Now the world's focus and attention shifts to my home country. Poised to host t...

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Toronto blog entry

Welcome to Prince Edward County

If you find Niagara to be too crowded for your taste, perhaps the laid back atmosphere of Prince Edward County will be more your style.

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Toronto blog entry

Family Pride at Toronto Pride Week

Toronto's Pride Week is a huge celebration for the LGBT community and draws crowds from around the world. This was our first trip to Family Pride with our son and we're already looking forward to next year.

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blog entry