A wolf howls on a frost-bright, moon-cold night, its call slicing the pristine wilderness's icy air. Only two hours away cosmopolitan city lights block out the stars and sometimes the Northern Lights, too, embracing multicultural, drool-inducing restaurants, sizzling night life, and world-famous tourist attractions. Toronto may be far to the north but it's home to the world's peoples who have chosen to live them, and it welcomes business people, shoppers, and sophisticated travelers alike. The Canadian dollar makes it a bargain.

A city of cultures; a city of enclaves; a city of pockets--and this is reflected in a wonderful mosaic of distinctive neighborhoods. Some can be described as ethnic, while others reflect a particular lifestyle, business, or leisure activity.

In many cases, an area's personality will change rapidly over the years, transformed by its new residents and retailers. "This is a testament to Toronto 's amazing ability to adapt and flourish, while remaining essentially Canadian--gracious, broadminded, clean, environmentally aware, safe, and friendly.

To truly experience a local's Toronto , neighborhood-hopping is essential.