November 2017

Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk, Toronto History, toronto toursim

Toronto Neighbourhood: Little Italy

November 17, 2017

Little Italy

Also referred to as College Street West, Little Italy is known for it’s superb Italian-Canadian restaurants. During the weekends the streets are buzzing with visitors and locals dining on the outdoor patios. The Italian trattorias have a casual, family-friendly vibe and they are all about good, traditional recipes cooking with fresh ingredients.

Little Italy isn’t a 100% Italian neighbourhood – while there is a strong Italian community there is also a significant Portuguese population located around the Portugal Village shopping centre and the First Portuguese Canadian Cultural Centre.

Must Visit Spots in Little Italy

La Forchetta Ristorante is the classic Italian dining experience, with pasta and meat dishes originating in the Old Country. Plus – they have a superb wine list to pair with your entree.
If you are into live music there are a lot of great places to check out in Little Italy, including the Mod Club or the basement of Nightowl.
Check out Cafe Diplomatico. Known as “The Dip” by locals, this coffee shop and restaurant has become an institution for caffeine fiends in Toronto. It also serves up all of the Italian classics including paninis, pizzas and more. If it looks familiar to you, it’s because filmmakers often use it as a set.
Rita’s Italian Ice serves up delicious frozen treats in a ton of different flavours – the ultimate treat for a warm day.
Check out the Italian Walk of Fame – where stars line the sidewalk with the names of famous Italian Canadians.

History

Large numbers of Italian immigrants came to Toronto in the early 20th century, settling in the area around College Street in the affordable Edwardian homes there. Most found work on the railways or in road construction and many started businesses in the area.

It was during the 1920s that Little Italy really became recognized as the commercial and residential centre of the Italian community in Toronto. These days the area is home to the largest Italian community that is located outside of Italy and it is a popular area of the city for visitors to explore.

How to Get There

It’s quite simple to get here via the TTC. You can arrive from Queens Park or start from College Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina Line. Then, from there you can catch the 506 Carlton streetcar towards High Park traveling west on College Street. You can disembark anywhere between Bathurst Street and Ossington Avenue.

You can also travel from Bathurst Station on the Bloor-Danforth Line. When you exit, catch the 511 Carlton Towards Exhibition streetcar traveling south on Bathurst Street. You can disembark at College Street West. Exploring this street on foot is a delight, give yourself plenty of time to dip into the little shops and cafes to sample what they have to offer.

What’s your favourite Little Italy spot? Let us know in the comments below.

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DelSuites Announces Pet Friendly Travel

November 10, 2017

DelSuites welcomes pet friendly travel accommodations; any domestic cats and dogs that are 25 lbs or less.

DelSuites is known for providing top notch accommodation with five star Tridel amenities, located in some of the most desirable neighborhoods in Toronto. The suites, equipped with full kitchens, laundry facilities and parking, are ideal for vacations, family travel, business travel, home renovations, insurance claims, relocation or medical stays.

Whether you are moving house and need to take your pet with you, or you simply want to bring Fluffy or Fido along on your vacation, you can book with DelSuites knowing that they will be welcome. When you arrive at your suite, you’ll receive a custom DelSuites food and water dish that you are free to use during your stay.

Pet Friendly Travel Accommodations

We only ask that your furry travel companion follows a few simple guidelines, such as:

Pets should be leashed at all time, or carried through common areas.
Pets are not permitted within the building’s recreation areas.
If your pet is left alone on cleaning day, please contain them within a crate for the safety of the pet and housekeeping personnel.
A $300 non-refundable Pet Cleaning Fee will be charged.
Service or Assistance animals can stay at no additional charge.

Please note that the guidelines may vary slightly depending on the location where you plan to stay, so please check the building page for specific pet allowances. Be sure to specify in your booking that you will be bringing your pet along with you.

The Benefits of Traveling With Your Pet

Here are some of the reasons you might want to consider bringing your furry companion along with you on your next trip.

There have been multiple studies that prove pets are good for your health. They can reduce stress levels, lower your blood pressure and boost your mood. Travel can be stressful, so bringing along your animal friend will help keep you calm and happy.
There’s no need to worry about finding a pet sitter or leaving them behind at a kennel.
Your pet won’t have to experience the loneliness and anxiety of missing you when you are gone.
You’ll be more motivated to get out and be active when traveling, as your furry friend will need walks.
Having your pet with you can help you feel safer and more comfortable when you are in an unfamiliar setting.

After a full day of exploring in Toronto, you and your furry friend can come home to a relaxing sanctuary right in the heart of the city. To find out more about our pet friendly travel accommodation and the guidelines for bringing your pet with you, please feel free to contact us at any time.