Toronto Has been Described As one of the world's true northern lights

Drink it in: Toronto's trendy Distillery District

As a cure for jetlag after an eight-hour flight to Toronto, you can’t get much better than dinner at The One Eighty.

This fine restaurant on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre in the swanky Bloor-Yorkville area has two of Canada’s highest patios – perfect for enjoying spectacular views of the city.

It also has an award-winning menu by executive chef Zach Jacobs with fish, meat and ­vegetarian dishes including my choice, delightful buttermilk fried chicken and waffles with crispy jalapenos and cherry chutney.

My home for the holiday was the impressive InterContinental Toronto Yorkville, a great base for exploring North America’s fourth largest city.

I started my first full day in Toronto with eggs Benedict at the hotel before setting off on a trip back in time on a tour of Yorkville and the Old Town.

My guide was the knowledgeable and passionate historian, columnist and former actor Bruce Bell. He took me on a journey through the years of British rule, the 1812 War, the founding of an ­independent Canada and the days when Toronto was ­transformed from a straight-laced “Victorian” city to a progressive, modern metropolis.

The CN Tower by night

Along with the black squirrels (yes, black), the highlight was a visit to the 200-year-old St Lawrence market, where you can buy virtually any food under the sun. Next up was a visit to the Distillery District. Once the largest whisky producer in the world, it’s now home to galleries, shops, restaurants and theatres as well as the microbrewery Mill Street – whose Tankhouse Pale Ale I particularly recommend.

It’s easy enough to explore this area on foot, or speed it up a bit by hiring a Segway from Segway of Ontario in Gristmill Lane. Next up was a whistle-stop tour of Queen Street West by art expert Betty Ann Jor­dan, who brought to life the galleries, artists and characters of this gritty neighbourhood.

Of course no trip to Toronto would be complete without going up the 1,815ft CN Tower which, for 34 years until 2010, was the tallest building in the world.

I dined at the revolving 360 Restaurant enjoying incredible views of the city and Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes. The next morning it was time for another tour, this time of ­Chinatown and bohemian Kensington Market.

For organic coffee, tacos, Jamaican patties, gourmet cheese, Indian spices and the best bagels you’ve tasted outside New York, this eclectic neighbourhood is THE place to be (hat tip to Jason Kucherawy of Urban Adventures for his fantastic market tour).