The #1 Place to Visit in Canada for 2015 | HuffPost

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Vacay.ca's travel journalists placed Toronto at No. 1 because of the Pan Am Games, the new Union-Pearson Express train and the 40th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival.

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The Year of Sport in Canada has begun. Governor General David Johnston declared in October that 2015 will be a 12-month celebration of athletics and there are two big reasons why: the Pan Am Games and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

These two large events have already impacted Canada's tourism industry. Toronto, the Pan Am Games host, will complete a $500-million train that will carry travellers -- for a cost of $27.50 -- from Pearson International Airport to downtown's Union Station, a 25-kilometre journey that can be seriously aggravating because of vehicle traffic. Some of the six Women's World Cup host cities are already reporting sold-out hotel rooms for games. Winnipeg, in particular, is euphoric as it will be home base for Team USA and that powerhouse's fans are expected to arrive in big numbers to cheer on their squad.

The Pan Am Games (July 10-26) will be the biggest multi-sport event ever held in Canada, with more than 6,000 athletes from 41 countries competing. The FIFA tournament, meanwhile, will be credited for what is likely the most anticipated sports event in Canada in 2015, the championship game that will be played in Vancouver on July 5.

Both cities rank in the top five of the Vacay.ca 20 Best Places to Travel in Canada in 2015. Vacay.ca's travel journalists placed Toronto at No. 1 because of the Pan Am Games, the new Union-Pearson Express train and the 40th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. Vancouver ranks fourth while sports-centric destinations such as Revelstoke, British Columbia (No. 2) and Charlevoix, Quebec (No. 16) also placed on the list for the first time.

Voters named destinations for their significance in 2015 as well as notable anniversaries, events and festivals. Some entries -- such as Vancouver Island's Cowichan Valley (No. 13) and Alberta's Cowboy Trail (No. 20) -- were also noted for their unheralded or emerging tourism infrastructure and their uniqueness as a travel offering.

The Vacay.ca guide is in its fourth year and has established itself as an accurate forecaster and influencer of Canadian travel. For 2014, Charlottetown was ranked No. 1 and Prince Edward Island tourism businesses reported a record year for revenue as $401 million was spent on hotels, tours and activities.

In 2013, Vacay.ca ranked Fortress Louisbourg in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia as the No. 1 destination and it saw a 37 per cent increase in visitation from its 2012 levels. In 2012, Calgary topped the list and witnessed record numbers of travellers, many of whom arrived for the 100th Calgary Stampede.

1. TORONTO, Ontario

What's Happening in 2015: The Pan Am Games come to Toronto (July 10-26), along with 6,000 athletes, international media and thousands of fans. To prepare, the city has built several new athletic facilities and what promises to be the games' lasting legacy, a 456-million dollar rapid-transit train linking the city's main airport, Pearson International, with the downtown Union Station. The cost for a single fare on the Union-Pearson Express will be a hefty $27.50, but that is less than half the price of taxi from the airport to downtown and also a time-saving option as the train trip will take 25 minutes, faster than a car ride into the city.

The other major event for 2015 is the 40th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place September 10-20 and figures to attract even more big-name movie stars because of the milestone.

Beyond the two big happenings that will grab international attention, the city is getting noticed for its fabulous art scene, diverse culinary offerings and its talented NBA squad, the first-place Raptors. Oh, and in case you haven't heard, there's a new mayor. That change at City Hall won't impact your visit but it sure will limit the crude jokes about a city that is keen to be considered as world class and sophisticated.

Why You Should Go: Visitors to Toronto are always spoiled for choice. With so many things to do and see, trying to figure out what to do in the time you have is usually the biggest headache. Bad news folks -- that headache just got worse. The city will host the Pan Am Games this summer, an event that is expected to draw 10,000 athletes from across the Caribbean, Latin, South and North America. The event will feature 36 Pan Am sports and 15 Parapan Am sports. It is also expected to bring 250,000 visitors from around the world.

Toronto traffic congestion is well known, and while this event isn't expected to help, there is good news -- Metrolink will connect the airport to the main train station with the Union Pearson Express, expected to be ready in 2015 (hopefully in time for the games). This isn't just good news for locals, but it should make it easier for tourists to get downtown.

One thing tourists will be lining up to see downtown -- besides the high jumpers at the Pan Am Games -- is the red carpet. Now celebrating its 40th year in Toronto, the event should continue to bring some of Hollywood's brightest stars.

Vacay.ca Columnist Adrian Brijbassi writes: "Harmony is cool. Having lived about 10 years of my life on and off in Toronto it is that neighbourliness which I most cherish. There's a place for everyone here. The social conflicts that harangue so many other metropolises mostly do not exist in Canada's largest municipality, which is remarkable given that the population is larger than Chicago but police records about 400 less annual homicides than that Illinois city. For a visitor, it is liberating to know you can travel to an urban capital and enjoy all the great things of such a place without feeling wary about what might happen if you make a wrong turn. In Toronto, you're more likely to walk into a curious space than an uninviting one." Read more of "Toronto Is No. 1 in 2015″

20 Best Places To Visit In Canada For 2015 - Full List

Toronto tops Vacay.ca's 20 Best Places to Visit in Canada in 2015. Toronto welcomes the Pan Am Games and 40th edition of Toronto International Film Festival. Revelstoke, Nunavut, Vancouver and Kingston round out the top five.

Story by Vacay.ca Travel Experts. To see the full list on Vacay.ca, click here.

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Best New Restaurants In Toronto 2014

(01 of52)

Agave Y AguacateWhere: 35 Baldwin St. (Spadina and Dundas)The food: MexicanThe reason to go: "[Chef Francisco] Alejandri’s tostada de tinga – tinga translates loosely as “beautiful mess” – is exactly that: pulled chicken spread over a crispy tortilla, slathered in a chorizo and piquin sauce and topped with beans, avocado, crema and pickled onions." — EnRoutePrice range: Shareable dishes from $7 to $15

(02 of52)

The Atlantic(note: the restaurant has been open since 2010, but the concept behind it changed this year)Where: 1597 Dundas St. W. (Dundas and Dufferin)The food: No menu. According to chef Nathan Isberg, "I choose the best ingredients I can find every day." But don't expect much gluten, dairy or other allergens, and no red meat.The reason to go: "The mad, challenging, soulful, seriocomic Atlantic was without question the most brain-affecting restaurant I encountered in a joyful, food-filled week in Toronto." —Giles CorenPrice range: Pay what you can — chef Isberg can even been known to take barters.

(03 of52)

Bar BucaWhere: 75 Portland St. (King and Spadina)The food: ItalianThe reason to go: "Those bianchetti are tiny fried smelt dusted with fennel salt, and you could eat about a thousand of them, but pace yourself. The cuore is a skewer of Chianti-marinated beef heart cubes with vermouth-spiked cipollini onions and a robiola cheese sauce, tangy and chewy and bloody." — EnRoutePrice range: Shareable dishes from $3 to $1 (credit:Instagram/Bar Buca)

(04 of52)

Barsa TabernaWhere: 26 Market St. (St. Lawrence Market)The food: Spanish tapasThe reason to go: "Barsa Taberna nails the vibe of an Old World Spain, blends in new twists on classic Spanish tapas dishes and tops it all off with a must-try red sangria." — HuffPost Canada editorsPrice range: Shareable tapas from $9 to $13; mains $13 to $32

(05 of52)

ByblosWhere: 11 Duncan St. (University and King)The food: Middle-Eastern varietyThe reason to go: "The octopus is excellent: it’s cut into rounds and set over a Turkish salad: tomatoes, cucumber, mint, chiles, superb olive oil and pomegranate seeds. They do a very good shakshouka here also, that classic Middle Eastern and North African dish of bubbling spiced tomato sauce with eggs." — The Globe and MailPrice range: Small dishes from $6 to $17; large from $13 to $42 (all shareable)

(06 of52)

The Carbon BarWhere: 99 Queen St. E. (Queen and Church)The food: So much meatThe reason to go: "Whether you're there for the after-work bar scene and its accompanying cocktails, or the all-carnivore 'Master Platter' that includes pork ribs, beef brisket and fried chicken to get a taste of everything, this place is geared towards satisfaction." — HuffPost Canada editorsPrice range: Snacks and appetizers from $5 to $15; mains $19 to $27

(07 of52)

Cluny BistroWhere: 35 Tank House Lane (Distillery District)The food: Modern FrenchThe reason to go: "Frog's Legs: These were lightly fried and so delicious that the meat almost fell off the bone. The drizzle atop them was spicy and slightly sweet with a side of Celery kimchee." — YelpPrice range: Appetizers and snacks $8 to $21; mains $12 to $28 (credit:Facebook/Cluny)

(08 of52)

DaiLoWhere: 503 College St. (College and Bathurst)The food: Chinese meets FrenchThe reason to go: "[Chef Nick] Liu steams rice with star anise, ginger and cinnamon, fries it with egg and chili-barbecue tofu, then adds truffle paste, truffle oil and black truffle shavings — it’s sweet, spicy, funky and wholly addictive. — Toronto LifePrice range: Appetizers $4 to $13; mains $16 to $39

(09 of52)

DandylionWhere: 1198 Queen St. W. (Queen and Gladstone)The food: Fresh, seasonally oriented offerings that rely on international tastesThe reason to go: " From the delicate rice paper menu, to the hand-made wool bread basket, to the aptly chosen utensils - everything felt precious and well-thought-out." —ChowhoundPrice range: Appetizers $13 to $16; mains $19 to $22

(10 of52)

Eastside SocialWhere: 1008 Queen St. E. (Queen and Carlaw)The food: East Coast comfort foodThe reason to go: "Moist salt-cod balls dipped in tomatillo salsa or romesco make an irresistible starter, as do brandy-buttered mushrooms on toast." — Toronto LifePrice range: Shareable dishes $3.50 to $21

(11 of52)

Farmer's DaughterWhere: 1588 Dupont St. (Dupont and Dundas)The food: Casual seafood dining, and brunchThe reason to go: "Rashers of crumbly lamb bacon and stalks of spring asparagus criss-cross the plate, the lot finished with a toss of baby red radish sprouts and a butterless hollandaise that borders on foam. I don't know what to do first - slowly inhale or upload a snapshot to my Instagram account." — NOW magazine (RIP Steven Davey)Price range: Appetizers $9 to $17; mains $18 to $25 (credit:Facebook/Farmer's Daughter)

(12 of52)

Fat PashaWhere: 414 Dupont St. (Dupont and Bathurst)The food: Jewish comfort foodThe reason to go: "[Couscous] never had it so good. It’s smooth from butter, hot from harissa and garnished with apricots, figs, dates, prunes, charred onions and olives." — Joanne KatesPrice range: Appetizers and sides $7 to $19; mains $24 to $37

(13 of52)

King PlaceWhere: 236 Sherbourne St. (Dundas and Sherbourne)The food: Pakistani and IndianThe reason to go: "The channa masala, the staple Pakistani/Indian dish that is often so boring was absolutely excellently executed here. Great depth of flavour with a lovely amount of heat." —YelpPrice range: Dishes from $6.99 to $10.99

(14 of52)

Kwan Dim Sum + Chinese CuisineWhere: 1496 Yonge St. (Yonge and St. Clair)The food: Dim sum and Chinese food, of course!The reason to go: "Homemade har gow and siu mai — delicate bundles of steamed shrimp and pork, respectively — are sensationally moist and flavourful." — Toronto LifePrice range: Mains $10 to $20

(15 of52)

Mamakas TavernaWhere: 80 Ossington Ave. (Queen and Ossington)The food: Greek tavernaThe reason to go: "Should you like briny little fish (like I do) the opportunity should be seized when it presents itself. These ones are coated delicately, well seasoned and fried to a pale yellow. Half a lemon and aioli dip come on the side." — BlogTOPrice range: Shareable snacks and appetizers $6 to $22; mains $18 to $24

(16 of52)

Patois TorontoWhere: 794 Dundas St. W. (Dundas and Bathurst)The food: "Caribbean meets Asian soul food"The reason to go: "The winning dish for me is none other than the juicy jerk chicken, done churrasco-style and it lives up to its name." — YelpPrice range: Shareable dishes from $5 to $15 (or the whole menu for $99.99, which feeds three to four people) (credit:Twitter)

(17 of52)

Sea Witch Fish and ChipsWhere: 636 St. Clair Ave. W. (St. Clair and Christie)The food: Fish and chips (along with onion rings and poutine)The reason to go: "The Sea Witch’s battered fish comes out of the oil puffed and sizzling, richly golden mostly, but blistered in places to the colour of stout. The crust is gloriously crunchy and just the right level of greasy, seasoned perfectly." — The Globe and MailPrice range: Mains $10 to $14

(18 of52)

The Good SonWhere: 1096 Queen St. W. (Queen and Dovercourt)The food: ItalianThe reason to go: "The atmosphere, service and decor were great, as was the food (pizzas are the standout, but they also make a mean burger). A place that's easy to return to again and again." — HuffPost Canada editorsPrice range: Snacks and appetizers $7 to $19; mains $14 to $34 (plus a $79 rib eye)

(19 of52)

Wilbur MexicanaWhere: 552 King St. W. (King and Spadina)The food: MexicanThe reason to go: "Besides the extensive choice in salsas and hot sauces, the chicken tinga tacos at this new casual dining spot are flavourful and packed, while the guac can only be described as addictive." — HuffPost Canada editorsPrice range: Appetizers $3.50 to $5; mains $3.75 to $13

(20 of52)

YasuWhere: 81 Harbord St. (Harbord and Spadina)The food: Authentic Japanese sushiThe reason to go: "[What's] extraordinary about eating here, beyond all the fish’s tastes and textures and remarkably different characters, is how the focus and the pace of the meal – one piece at a time – encourage you to do something that people too often forget when eating sushi: to think about what you’re eating."— The Globe and MailPrice range: $80 per person tasting menu

(21 of52)

Small Town Food Co.Where: 1263 Queen St. W. (Queen and Dufferin)The food: British and French-inspired comfort foodsThe reason to go: "[The] menu is made for sharing, with offerings including trendy cauliflower, throwback Oysters Rockefeller and boast-worthy Scotch eggs (a serious egg researcher told us they're the city's best)." — PostCityPrice range: Dishes from $5 to $17

(22 of52)

The ForthWhere: 629 Danforth Ave. (Danforth and Pape)The food: Modern Canadian, with plenty of meat and fishThe reason to go: "The roasted dry-aged duck breast ($28, lead photo) is crusted with coriander, savoury and honey, the skin rendered perfectly crispy while the flesh is moist and just slightly pink." —BlogTOPrice range: Snacks and appetizers $8 to $18; mains $26 to $39 (plus family-style options)

#10: Edna(23 of52)

WebsiteCity: HalifaxType of food: ContinentalThe quote: "Jenna Mooers' North End bistro digs up treasure from the fertile soils of Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley and hauls it out of the brisk Atlantic waters."

#9: Légende(24 of52)

WebsiteCity: Quebec CityType of food: Quebecois culinary heritageThe quote: "Northern Quebec is the culinary hunting ground that Frédéric Laplante mythologizes at his capital-city bistro. Cornish hen gets a boreal accent from balsam fir fleur de sel."

#8: Ayden Kitchen & Bar(25 of52)

WebsiteCity: SaskatoonType of food: Comfort food and hand-crafted cocktailsThe quote: "Top Chef Canada winner Dale MacKay gambled that Saskatoon was ready for lime- and lemongrass- and ginger-dusted chicken wings. Ayden isn't about showing off Prairie cooking to the world – it's about bringing the world home."

#7: The Chase(26 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: Fish and oysterThe quote: "Chef Michael Steh doesn't lean on molecular trickery or audacious ingredients to wow. His food is more direct and more delightful than that, in an atmosphere that makes you want to say yes to things."

#6: Bar Buca(27 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: ItalianThe quote: "Rob Gentile's restaurant likes to pretend it's a simple bar for sipping Barolo. You're here to drink, sure, but you're also here to eat things like tiny fried smelt dusted with fennel salt."

#5: Mallard Cottage(28 of52)

WebsiteCity: St John'sType of food: Newfoundland and Labrador, with an emphasis on seafood and gameThe quote: "Todd Perrin spent two years restoring a heritage property in Quidi Vidi Harbour for this brilliant mash-up of fine dining and comfort cuisine on the outskirts of St. John's."

#4: RGE RD(29 of52)

WebsiteCity: EdmontonType of food: Local and seasonalThe quote: "The heart of Blair Lebsack's kitchen is a wood-burning oven that consumes birch and maple at 700oF, curing honey ham and smoking Salt Spring Island mussels or even dehydrated local milk during the off-hours."

#3: Le Vin Papillon(30 of52)

WebsiteCity: MontrealType of food: Wine barThe quote: "Long-time Joe Beef guru Vanya Filipovic fills massive chalkboards with organic wines to run with a vegetable-focused cuisine from boyfriend and chef Marc-Olivier Frappier."

#2: Farmer's Apprentice(31 of52)

WebsiteCity: VancouverType of food: Vegetable forward/sustainably farmedThe quote: "Each small plate – more often, a bowl – conjured by owner David Gunawan is a precise jumble of textures and flavours. Digging in is a sort of black magic."

#1: Wolf In The Fog(32 of52)

WebsiteCity: TofinoType of food: Local and seasonal seafood and foraged itemsThe quote: "On the extreme west coast of Vancouver Island, where rainforest meets ocean, you stumble up a flight of stairs and into a soaring cedar-clad room above a surf shop where chef Nick Nutting leads a crew trained in the precise details of fine dining."

Agave Y Aguacate(33 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: Mexican

Ask For Luigi(34 of52)

WebsiteCity: VancouverType of food: Italian

Black Pig Bistro(35 of52)

WebsiteCity: CalgaryType of food: Spanish and Portuguese

Blacktail Florist(36 of52)

WebsiteCity: VancouverType of food: Local and foraged

Byblos(37 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: Eastern Mediterranean

Cinara(38 of52)

WebsiteCity: VancouverType of food: Modern European

El Camino(39 of52)

WebsiteCity: OttawaType of food: Tacos and more

Fat Pasha(40 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: Middle Eastern and European Jewish dishes

H4C(41 of52)

WebsiteCity: MontrealType of food: French

Impasto(42 of52)

WebsiteCity: MontrealType of food: Italian

Little Jumbo(43 of52)

WebsiteCity: VictoriaType of food: Local food and hand-crafted drinks

Luckee(44 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: Nouvelle Chinoise

MeNa(45 of52)

WebsiteCity: OttawaType of food: French and Canadian

Mercuri(46 of52)

WebsiteCity: MontrealType of food: "New Montreal"

My Shanti(47 of52)

WebsiteCity: SurreyType of food: Indian

North 53(48 of52)

WebsiteCity: EdmontonType of food: Exclusively Canadian

Patrice Pâtissier(49 of52)

WebsiteCity: MontrealType of food: Bakery

Le Serpent(50 of52)

WebsiteCity: MontrealType of food: French with Italian accents

Rhum Corner(51 of52)

WebsiteCity: TorontoType of food: Haitian

Woodwork(52 of52)

WebsiteCity: EdmontonType of food: Wood-fired cooking and barrel-aged spirits

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