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The City Has Everything

When visiting any large city there are always lots of activities to see and do. If you have chosen a downtown hotel then you are close to the action, and if you are staying at an airport hotel then the action is a short drive from your hotel.

One of the nice things about staying in a hotel is that every hotel, regardless of if it is a downtown hotel, a boutique hotel, an airport hotel, chain hotel or independent hotel, is that there is usually a hotel concierge who can assist you in planning your stay. Additionally, pretty much every hotel has a hotel information kiosk which has information about events and attractions near the hotel you are staying in. Many hotels also provide an attractions map upon check in and show the distance from the hotel to the hot spots.

For those who want to get an overview of the city, it is best to check with the hotel staff as many of the hotels are on a city tour bus route which will pick up passengers right in front of their hotel. If you are visiting on business, many hotels will offer shuttle service to convention centres, and if a hotel hosts a large convention, often there will be a dedicated conference representative in the hotel lobby.

With museums, theatres, shopping, dining and attractions, the best person to get your information from is the hotel concierge or any hotel staff member. As they are from the area, they know the city best. When it comes to dining, a hotel staff member would be able to guide you to some lesser known restaurants near the hotel which may not necessarily be well known, but offer great experiences. Hotel staff can also tell you where all the best shopping deals are close to the hotel. Never be afraid to ask a hotel staff member for their recommendations as they are the ones who know the area around the hotel the best.

Exploring new cities and destinations are what makes a trip more memorable. Venture outside the hotel’s doors and find a world waiting for you. Why dine in the hotel restaurant, when you can explore the local flavors of the city which can be just around the corner from the hotel. And remember, Guide books can only tell you so much, but a hotel employee who has worked and lived near the hotel can offer more information and reveal hidden secrets to the area the hotel is in, so when you arrive, make sure you introduce yourself to the hotel staff and enjoy your stay.

UFC

Website: www.ufc.com

Location: Rogers Centre

The UFC is the premiere Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization in North America, and probably the world. It held its first show in 1993, and is now selling out arenas around the world.

Mixed Martial Arts is a martial arts combat sport that allows for striking (punches, kicks, knees, elbows) and grappling (throws, takedowns, joint locks, chokes, pinning, transitions). Small, open-fingered gloves are usually worn. Generally, strikes are allowed on the feet and on the ground, although the type of ground strike that is legal varies between countries and organizations. Common fouls include head butts, small joint manipulation (twisting the fingers and toes), attacks to the groin, spine, and back of the head, pulling the hair, and scratching or twisting the skin. The action may take place in a cage or a ring; the UFC prefers to use an octagonal cage.

The UFC operates under the Unified Rules, which have been adopted by most US states. Under these rules, it's illegal to kick, stomp, or knee the head of an opponent who isn't standing. The fighters are also restricted to wearing, in addition to protective equipment (mouth guard, groin protector, gloves), only fight shorts, so wrestling shoes, head gear, shin guards, or traditional martial arts uniforms are not allowed. It should be noted that many UFC fighters make their way to the cage wearing traditional martial arts uniforms in order to pay tribute to their background or their teachers, but strip down to just fight shorts before the fight begins.

The UFC has five weight classes: Heavyweight (265lb limit), Light Heavyweight (205lbs), Middleweight (185lbs), Welterweight (170lbs), and Lightweight (155lbs). Other organizations will feature lighter weight classes, different weight classes entirely, and women's matches (also separated by weight division).