Recently, I walked the edge of the CN Tower located in Toronto, Canada. For those who aren’t aware, the EdgeWalk is the CN Tower’s most thrilling attraction, and the first of its kind in North America. It is the world’s highest full-circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft- (1.5 m-) wide ledge encircling the top of the Tower’s main pod, 356m/1168ft (116 storeys) above the ground. EdgeWalk is a Canadian Signature Experience and an Ontario Signature Experience.
With that said, I did it all alone. As we know, some experiences are better with others. So, I went on a quest to find the best experiences with others on the east coast and I met two remarkable individuals. Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce the best “experience makers” on the east coast:
Niagara Falls Tour
Spotlight: Michael Angeletti, Niagara Toronto Tours
The Regional Municipality of Niagara
As one of Toronto’s most recognizable tour guides, Michael is not only a driver and tour guide, but the newest owner of one of the most reputable tour companies in Ontario, Niagara Toronto Tours. With over four decades of history, the company welcomes visitors from all over the world to experience various experiences in the Niagara Falls region, including those who want to be a tourist in their own town, like myself.
As the honeymoon capital of the Americas, Niagara Falls is home to the second largest waterfall on the planet. The Falls are 167-feet high, and have a water flow of over two million litres of water per second. From the pick-up spots in Toronto to the entertaining and informative ride to Niagara-on-the-Lake region – Michael ensures that a good trip turns into a great trip! His attention to detail, charisma, fun facts, jokes and customer service empowers a sense of safety and security. He truly is the ideal companion for solo or group travellers alike.
His first stop was at the award-winning, Pillitteri Estates Winery, the world’s largest estate producer of Icewine and the official Team Canada Wine – presenting the finest of red and white wines.
With a background in theatre, motivational speaking and coaching — Michael entertains from 3-130 tourists at a time with his wit and charm, to various locations such as our next stops to the: historic town of Niagara-on-the-lake (site of the War of 1812), Niagara Parks Floral Clock, views of the Hydro Power Stations, the Whirlpool Rapids & Niagara Gorge and then the opportunity to make a splash by experiencing a Hornblower Niagara Cruise.
The tour also provides time to relax and enjoy over 3 hours of free time at Niagara Falls for lunch or sightsee by exploring Clifton Hill, the “strip” of Niagara, with casinos, arcades, wax museums, restaurants, concerts, street performers and more – all on one street. The street begins at the Falls and the town’s main tourist attractions are centrally located within easy walking distance of it such as the Niagara Sky Wheel, located halfway up the hill.
If you get hungry, dine at Skylon, a 775-foot tall revolving tower restaurant with a 360-degree view of both the city and falls. Skylon is especially great for dinner at sunset. However, a hack that many don’t know is that truly the best views of the falls are up close at the Secret Garden Restaurant. Sit on the patio in the summer and enjoy a glass of vino and authentic Italian style cooking by a family-operated restaurant and enjoy a variety of North American cuisine options. After this, walk off the delicious meal at the Niagara River Walk, a boardwalk built in the Fall’s walls that lets you get an even closer glance at the three falls — Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls — overlapping the border between Canada and the United States.
Michael advertises his services through his Instagram account (@niagaratorontotours) or the official website (www.niagaratorontotours.com)
———————————————–
Pizza Tour
Spotlight: Anthony Falco, International Pizza Consultant
New York, New York
Pizza in New York is common ground for many, unless you are fortunate enough to receive an exclusive pizza tour of some of the best NYC pizza hot spots by renowned, pizza consultant Anthony Falco — where every description of the food science and beauty behind every bite is a life-changing slice.
Recently, I had the opportunity of touring locations such as: Upside Pizza, Scarrs Pizza and Joes Pizza in NYC , for example with the celebrity consultant himself. Anthony Falco is known all over the world to help restaurateurs develop the ideal pizza for their concept and then moves on once his job is complete.
Generations of famous pizza-making families follow their recipes like scripture, while waves of chefs from Manhattan to Brooklyn slice wood-oven-baked testaments to Neapolitan traditions—or newer pizza styles. However, Anthony Falco orchestrates next-level ingredients to the most seductive crust that one can say he is arguably the originator of some of the most innovative concepts of pizza around the world. It’s no wonder, General Assembly Pizza in my own city in Toronto, Canada have even hired him as a pizza consultant.
Falco advertises his services through his Instagram account (@millennium_falco) and website (piz.za.com). He helps create ideal kitchen layouts, build brands and develop new pizzas by helping each pizzeria capitalize on local flavours and ingredients. He’s consulted at a variety of restaurants all over the world so far and has created over 50 different pies.