January 2016

Business Travel, Community Events, Entertainment, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk

Toronto Cafes for Warming Up with a Hot Drink

January 22, 2016

After walking around Toronto in the winter chill for hours, checking out the attractions, admiring the sights and doing some shopping, you might be in the mood for a hot drink. You can head into one of these lovely Toronto Cafes for warming up with a hot drink whether it be a warm cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

Tealish
If you are passionate about a good cup of tea, you’ll love this beautiful and cosy place. There are several different loose and pre-bagged teas to choose from, so you are sure to find your favourite blend. The staff are tea experts and if you let them know what flavours you like they will be able to recommend the ideal tea for you to try. You can even get a pot and stay for a while if you don’t want to go back out into the winter cold. Check out the tea latte bar and order yourself a London Fog.

Dark Horse Espresso
There are four locations of this great coffee shop throughout the city, so you will never be far fro Toronto Cafes for Warming Up m your next delicious cup of coffee. They offer delicious drinks and a great range of yummy and filling snacks and treats, as well as reliable fast Wifi. The décor is cosy and rustic and it’s a great atmosphere in which to relax after a busy day of exploring Toronto.

The Rooster Coffee House
In the east of the city you will find the Rooster Coffee House, a lovely place that feels like home. They offer really great coffee within a welcoming atmosphere and they also have a delicious selection of baked goods. You’ll love it so much that you won’t want to venture out into the cold again.

Bivy
This is another great cosy little café with only eight tables and a warm and welcoming vibe. It serves up delicious lunches as well as great coffee and hot drinks. Check out the pancakes and the open top sandwiches – perfect for filling up your belly when it is cold and dreary outside.

Tango Palace Coffee Company
Tango Palace is one of the cosiest cafes on the east end, so when the winter chill gets too much for you it’s the best place to warm up with a hot drink. It is a neighbourhood institution – being around for 17 years and offering a huge range of drink and food options.

Boxcar Social Toronto Cafes for Warming Up
This coffee shop is set within a warm and inviting two storey house and it has a great selection of high quality coffees. The décor is rustic – the tables are made from thick cut raw wood and the walls are exposed brick. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic and will make you feel comfortable as you hide from the cold.

Sip your favourite hot drink at our Toronto cafes for warming up and let it warm you up from the inside. Savour the bustling atmosphere and welcoming vibe of these great hangout spots.

Business Travel, Fitness and Health, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Vacation Travel

Home Workout Exercises in Your Furnished Condo

January 19, 2016

It can be difficult to stay in shape when you are on vacation or travelling for work, as you are jostled out of your healthy at home routine. You might end up eating out more and having a few drinks – which often means that you return home with a few pounds under your belt as a souvenir. In addition to using the fitness facilities at your furnished apartment in Toronto, you can also do these great at home workout exercises anywhere so that you can keep in shape while on the go:

1. Superman
This exercise will strengthen your core while providing you with a great stretch. Start by lying on your stomach on a mat or on the floor with your legs outstretched behind you. Your toes will be pointed toward the wall and your neck should be relaxed. Exhale while you squeeze your core muscles and reach both legs up a few inches off the floor. While your legs are lifting, float both arms a few inches off the floor as well. Hold for 20 seconds, then slowly release.
2. Push Ups
This classic exercise is great for working the upper body, but it also works to strengthen your core as well.
3. Prisoner Squats
These are basic squats, except with your arms up and your fingers laced behind your head. The hand position forces you to keep your chest upright and works your core muscles.
4. Downward Facing Dog
This yoga position gives you a great stretch, as well as strengthening your abs and back.
5. Front Plank
This exercise is harder than it looks. Lie on your stomach and then raise your body up on your elbows and toes, keeping your torso and legs stiff and strong. Your body should be as straight as a plank and the only thing touching the ground should be your forearms and toes. Hold this position for as long as you can, breathing deeply, then lower yourself back to the floor.
6. Tuck Jump
Stand with your knees slightly bent and then jump up as high as possible, bringing your knees to your chest while you are in the air while extending your arms straight out.
7. Mountain Climber Home Workout Exercises
Start on your hands and knees and bring your left foot under your chest while straightening your right leg. Keep your hands pressed to the ground and jump and switch legs.
8. Burpees
One of the most difficult but effective full body exercises. Start with a squat position and put your hands on the floor. Jump your feet back into a push-up position. As soon as you have completed one push-up, jump your feet back to the squat position. Leap up into the air as high as you can before you squat and repeat.
9. Wall Sit
Slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground and stay that way, like you are sitting on an invisible chair. It won’t take long to feel the burn.
10. Side Plank
From the plank position, roll to the side and come up on one of your elbows and the corresponding foot. Hold it for 30 seconds.

The advantage of staying at one of our furnished condos is that all buildings have on-site fitness centres, including swimming pools, cardio machines and much more. With the on-site recreational centres and these 10 quick at home workout exercises, you can keep a healthy routine without having to worry about the weather or go out to find a gym in an unfamiliar city.

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Fun Things to Do in Toronto this Winter

January 13, 2016

Toronto is a great place to be during the winter! The fun doesn’t stop when the streets freeze over and this bustling metropolis knows how to make the most of the coldest months of the year. If you are visiting Toronto during the winter you’ll have plenty of things to do and thats close to your furnished apartments Toronto, whether that means outdoor activities that embrace the snow and cold to indoor activities that will keep you cozy and warm.
Here are some ideas of fun things to do in Toronto this winter:

Cross Country Skiing
There are many nature trails in Toronto that look absolutely magical when they are covered with a dusting of snow. You can bundle up, strap on some skis and take a tour through some of the best trails in the city. Earl Bales Park and Ski Dagmar is now open. Why not bring a thermos with some hot chocolate and a few snacks so that you can stop in the peaceful, quiet snowy forest for a winter picnic?

Late Night Skating
Although many of the outdoor rinks in Toronto are closed by 10pm, there are a few rinks that are open until late at night so why not bundle up and go for a midnight skate? Try the rink at Nathan Phillips Square or the Ryerson Rink on Gould Street. Skating can be a lot of fun and it’s a great workout, so you can indulge in some late night snacks afterwards without any guilt.

Go to a Museum
If you want a break from the bitter cold, you could spend the day within one of the many excellent museums in Toronto. For example, the Royal Ontario Museum is home to a massive collection of artworks and historical items from all over the world. Or, you could visit the fascinating Bata Shoe Museum, which is home to a collection of over 13,000 footwear items.

Go Shopping
Another way to get out of the cold is to take advantage of the amazing shopping scene in Toronto and pick up gifts for all of your loved ones. Toronto is home to the Eaton Centre, which is full of many great high street brands and unique designers. Also, check out the St. Lawrence Market where you will find many unique antiques, books and handicrafts.

Drinks on a Heated Patio
Torontonians love to enjoy a drink on an open air patio and thanks to large heaters and covers they have found a way to do this all year round. Relax in the laid back atmosphere of a heated patio bar such as El Catrin, the Drake SkyYard, The Cadillac Lounge, Hemingway’s or Cold Tea and enjoy a drink in the fresh air without freezing.

These are just a few of the fun things to do in Toronto this winter that you can do when visiting. This exciting city never stops, even during the coldest months of the year, so get out there and enjoy its lively vibe!

Fitness and Health, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Tips to Stay Warm in Toronto in the Winter

January 7, 2016

Let’s face it, Canadian winters can be cold. The streets ice over, the cold wind blows, the snow piles up and the temperature drops well below zero. If you are visitor to Toronto during the winter and you aren’t used to the Canadian chill, it might be a little bit of a shock to your system!
How do the locals survive? It’s all about being prepared and knowing how to handle the cold weather. Here are some valuable tips to stay warm in Toronto if you are visiting.

• You will absolutely need to bring with you a warm winter coat which will keep you warm and cozy on the bitterly cold winter days. It should be waterproof and wind resistant so that you can stay dry.
• You might need to shop for your coat as soon as you arrive in Toronto, if you are coming from a place where winter coats are not a common clothing item. Some good places to start are The Bay or Winners. You could also find a second hand coat at a cheaper price at a store such as Value Village. If you have Canadian friends you are meeting in Toronto, they might even have a spare winter coat you could borrow during your visit.
• If your coat doesn’t cover your neck, you will need to wear a scarf to keep the cold air from blowing down your collar.
• Wearing gloves or mittens is also very important, as your hands and fingers will get cold very easily.
• Also, you will need a pair of insulated waterproof boots, which will keep moisture away from your feet and keep them warm.
• You will lose a lot of body heat through your head, so make sure that you wear a warm hat to prevent heat loss. In Canada this is known as a “toque” and you can find them sold in stores all over Toronto.
• In extreme cold temperatures in Toronto, fingers, ears and other exposed flesh can be at risk for frost bite. Make sure that you are fully covered up.
• The temperature can vary significantly throughout the day. Wear layers so that you can adjust your clothing to the environment you are in.
• When choosing the underneath layer that will be close to the skin, avoid cotton. It tends to absorb water, which will end up making you feel colder as it evaporates. It is better to wear synthetics, wool or silk.
• Make sure that you eat well before you go outside. It will help to get your metabolism going which will keep your body warmer.
• Limit your time spent outside and if you start to feel numb, tired or overly cold you should go indoors to warm up.
• Get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids in order to keep your immune system strong.

Keep these tips to stay warm in Toronto so you can be comfortable in the chilly winter weather. Do you have any tips to stay warm in Toronto in the winter?

Toronto Cafes for Warming Up with a Hot Drink

Home Workout Exercises in Your Furnished Condo

Fun Things to Do in Toronto this Winter

Tips to Stay Warm in Toronto in the Winter

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