Toronto, Sans SARS

Peter Mandel last wrote for Travel about Columbus, Ohio's, German Village.

Roundup of Toronto deals, Page P5.

Details: Toronto Deals

AIR: Air Canada is offering discounted fares from Dulles or Reagan National to Toronto, with prices starting at $98 round trip, plus $53.50 in taxes. (Travel by May 27, except May 21; purchase by May 21.) The carrier has waived the $18.60 fuel charge and will shave another $5 off if you book on canadalovestoronto.ca. American Airlines is offering a similar sale, with fares from $102 round trip, plus about $60 in taxes; book on www.aa.com.

If you don't mind the hike to Jersey, JetsGo is the king of deals. Though it recently sold out of its free round-trip tickets from Newark to Toronto, it has an ongoing special of $43 one way from Newark (plus $59 in taxes) and this weekend will offer two-for-one fares for May 24-June 30 departures (book by Monday; fare for two around $166, plus taxes). Details: 866-440-0441, www.jetsgo.net.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL: Until May 20, Greyhound Canada (800-661-8747, www.greyhound.ca) is waiving advance-purchase restrictions on its Companion Ride Free promotion and Go Anywhere fares for coach travel to Toronto -- but all road trips must be within the borders. A sampling: From Montreal to Toronto, two travelers pay $30 each one way. For domestic train rides, VIA Rail Canada (888- VIA-RAIL, www.viarail.ca) is offering 50 percent off fares from/to Toronto and destinations along the Quebec-Windsor corridor as well as connections on eastern and western transcontinental trains. For example, a round-trip fare from Halifax costs $200 (usually $400). Travel by May 20.

HOTELS: Until Sept. 30, the Ontario government is giving a tax holiday on lodging bills, with savings of about 5 percent on hotels, hostels and B&Bs. In addition, Destina.ca (800-563-5633, www.canadalovestoronto.ca/en/hotel.html), part of Air Canada's big Toronto push, has May deals on three- to five-star properties, such as the Strathcona Hotel (from $55 a night) and Westin Harbour Castle (from about $80). At the Delta Chelsea (800-CHELSEA, www.deltachelsea.com), pay the standard rate of about $86 for one night and spend less than 75 cents for the second night, for Friday-Sunday stays until June 15. The hotel will also offer 75-cent menu items and 50 percent discounts on buffet meals in its restaurants, as well as 75-cent harbor and city tours and Royal Ontario Museum passes (with purchase of one full-price ticket).

Expedia (800-397-3342, www.expedia.com) is discounting Toronto hotels by 30 percent until Sept. 1, such as Courtyard Downtown ($57) and the four-star Grand Hotel ($86).

PACKAGES: Destinations Canada (888-475-4226, www.destinationscanada.com) offers a variety of Toronto vacations for under $600 (until June 10). Options include the Toronto Rambler (from $485), which includes round-trip air from BWI, four nights' double accommodations, trolley bus tour and CN Tower tour pass; and Show Time (from $560), with tickets to "Mamma Mia!", "The Lion King" or "The Producers." US Airways Vacations (800-352-8747, www.usairwaysvacations.com) has three- and five-night packages, including air from Dulles or Reagan National and a double room at a choice of six Toronto hotels, such as the Fairmont Royal York ($433 and $519, respectively). Travel May 26-Sept. 1; up to $35 in taxes extra.

For theater buffs, Maxxim Vacations' (800-567-6666, www.maxximvacations.com) "double bill" deal comes with round-trip air from D.C., three ($699) or five ($799) nights at the Quality Hotel, and tickets to "Mamma Mia!" and "The Lion King." Book before June 1 and get a free tour of the SkyDome and tickets to the CN Tower. Travel by Sept. 31; up to $55 in taxes extra. Key Tours (800-265-5888, www.keytoursinc.com) is offering a premium seat for a Friday night performance of "The Lion King" in June, plus a double room at a range of hotels, from $99 (Strathcona) to $139 (Hilton) per person.

With Expedia, spend Memorial Day weekend in a three-star property, including round-trip air from D.C., from $230 per person. For two nights in a four-star hotel June 13-15, pay $22 more.

ATTRACTIONS AND DINING: Until Sept. 30, the 10 percent tax on admission to entertainment venues will be waived if the cover charge is more than $4 Canadian (about $2.90 U.S.). That includes amusement parks, sporting events, circuses, movies, horse races and more.

Flashing an Air Canada boarding pass can get you a slew of perks, such as a half-price ticket to Second City if you buy another at full price (valid for shows Monday, and May 23-26; $20 regular ticket price); 2-for-1 Play All Day passes at Ontario Place (about $35); and 20 percent off clothing at any Roots store (pass must be dated May 15-20). See Air Canada info above for details.

A Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts ticket stub to see, say, Frankie Avalon in "Grease" will win you discounts at a number of restaurants, hotels and attractions. Some examples: 20 percent off Mariposa cruise line's dinner or Sunday brunch cruises or harbor tours; $3 off A Taste of the World's foodies' walk; 25 percent off a meal at the Bottom Line; and 25 percent off the rate of the day at the Fairmont Royal Hotel. Valid for all shows, including the National Ballet of Canada, seen before July 31. Details: 416-393-7469, www.hummingbirdcentre.com.

Root for the home team on Wednesdays (May 28, June 11, June 25), when tickets to the Blue Jays cost about $1.50. Plus free refills of popcorn and soda. Info: 416-341-1234, www.bluejays.com.

INFORMATION: Toronto Convention and Visitors Association, 800-363-1990, www.torontotourism.com.

-- Andrea Sachs