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Family Vacations in Toronto

Business Travel, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

Top 10 Things to do Before Leaving on Vacation

June 5, 2014

Organization is the key to travel success. When your schedule involves frequent business trips, having a set plan will ease the frantic pace that can be an unwelcome part of the journey. While you know that a short term rentals Toronto has been the secret to a smooth and seamless stay during your travels, it’s sometimes a little more challenging to have peace of mind that you’ve left everything at home in working order. Here are 10 quick and easy things to do before leaving on vacation that will help keep you on track the next time you head out the door. By using this checklist as a starting point, you won’t have the feeling as though you’ve left something (or someone) behind.

1)     Keep an emergency folder. Include a copy of your flight or train itinerary, the address and contact information of the furnished apartment at your destination and personal information such as your credit card and passport. Having these resources available at your office and home not only ensures that your colleagues and family members will be able to reach you if needed, but that you’ll be able to have access to the information you need should you lose something during your travels.

2)     Home sweet home. Ensure that one or two of your closest neighbours are aware of your departure dates as well as when you’ll be returning. Keeping neighbours in the loop means they’ll have a watchful eye on your home should any unusual activity occur. Arrange to have a close friend or family member check in on your home while you’re away, collecting any mail and double checking that your home is in order – just be sure your neighbours are aware that someone will be stopping by.

3)     Phone home. Have your home phone number forwarded to your mobile device. This will ensure that you’ll be available, and give the impression that you’re in the area to prevent your home from being compromised.

4)     Pet Care - KennelOrganize pet care. Whether you’re having someone come into your home to pet sit or bringing your pup to a kennel, it’s important to have the arrangements made well in advance. Along with keeping additional pet food and treats available, you may want to purchase a new toy or two for the caregiver to give to your pet. During the first few days you’re away it may be a difficult adjustment period for your pet and a surprise may be a good distraction.

5)     Rearrange plants. Keep your plants in a sink during the time you’re traveling will not only make it easier for the person who is watching your home to water, but it will also ensure they don’t forget to keep plants well hydrated.

6)     Electric reduction. Turn off any electronics and unplug small appliances such as your blender or coffee maker to help reduce your home energy consumption.

7)     Clean your kitchen. From the fridge to the compost to the dishwasher, clean your culinary space from top to bottom. Freeze any leftovers, pitch the perishables and make a list of what you’ll need when you return. While it may be a bit of a chore to do before you leave, you’ll be happy you did once you’ve returned from your travels.

8)     Refill prescriptions. Even if you’re mid-way through your current prescriptions, having refills in your carry on is essential. You’ll be happy you did if your luggage containing medication gets delayed, or worse – lost.

9) Landscape    Hire outdoor maintenance help. Keeping freshly cut grass or a shovelled driveway is a good indication that people are home. Hiring someone to do your yard work while you’re away will help you keep up the appearance and illusion that the house isn’t vacant.

    10)  Contact your credit card company. Keeping your credit card company aware of your travels will help prevent any potential fraud that can happen while you’re traveling.

Keep DelSuites’ top ten things to do before leaving on vacation in mind and we know you’ll have a stress and worry free trip. Happy travels!

Business Travel, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

How to Get the Best Deals on Flights

May 28, 2014

Image of business woman holding suitcase looking at airplane inWhile booking your flight is easy enough, we all pay more than we’d like to. Whether you’re traveling for business or taking your family on vacation, there are some quick and easy ways to save on airfare — and it doesn’t involve cashing in your travel rewards miles. Here are four quick and easy ways to score the best deal on your next flight. Who knows, maybe you’ll even save enough to extend your vacation by a day or two!

Shop Around – With travel and airline websites abound, it’s important to compare flights among multiple sites. Although travel websites will often give you what looks to be a terrific price, make sure you read the fine print for restrictions on flight schedules including days of the week and time of day. If you’re flying at 2:00 a.m. to a make a 9:00 a.m. business meeting, the money you save may not be worth it. When you’re schedule permits, take advantage of the deals on flights that airlines may offer that make booking flights well in advance worthwhile. That means, when you know you’ll be traveling to a destination within a certain time frame when discounted rates apply, then book two flights at once.

Check out Social Media – Travel companies including Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Travel Alerts and nearly every airline regularly post links to discounts and Young man relaxing on the sofa with a laptopother special promotions through Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels. Get in the habit of following tweets and wall posts regularly to find out when and how to get the best deals on flights. Some airlines will even provide promotional discounts for retweets on Twitter or posting to their Facebook wall.

Sign Up For Alerts – Although no one wants a regular influx of email alerts going straight to their inbox, it can be worthwhile to filter travel and airline email alerts to a destination mailbox. This gives you the benefit of seeing the best deals on flights without having your inbox spammed. You can also be selective to which email alerts you sign up for, opting for the websites you don’t check as regularly rather than those you do which is another smart way to shop around for deals. 

Know When to Buy – You may often hear that ‘timing is everything’, and booking your flight is no different. It’s not uncommon for websites to offer discounted rates on mid-week flights. In a similar way, travelers can also score deals when booking their flights mid-week – usually, Tuesday mid-afternoon is an optimal time to strike a killer deal.

 Airplane passengers relax during flight cabin sleep businesspeopWith these tips in mind, we’re confident you can become a pro at snagging deals across the country! Looking for more cost saving tips? Read ‘Tips for Traveling on a Budget’ to learn more how to about having an amazing trip, without breaking the bank.

 As always, DelSuites is proud to offer short term rentals Toronto and downtown toronto apartments in Toronto. Keep us in mind should you ever come out our way!

 

 

 

Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk

Tips for Traveling with Your Family

May 16, 2014

Happy family going on holidays and traveling by airplaneTraveling with a family is unlike traveling solo. In fact, it’s unlike traveling as a couple. Whether you’re traveling for business and bringing the family or relaxing on vacationing with them, keeping everyone in good spirits takes a little added planning. These days logging frequent flyer miles with your whole family has become a lifestyle and for many families, here are some ways to ensure the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Be Kind to Fellow Travelers: Just because you’re traveling with your family, doesn’t mean that everyone else is too. While your family takes priority, being aware of travelers en route to your destination makes the experience pleasant for everyone. Extending a little advanced courtesy to fellow passengers while on your flight or train ride will make them more accommodating should your children burst out into tears or a full-on sibling squabble.

011-A-Brand-New-KitchenFind Family-Friendly Accommodations When you’re traveling with the whole family, budget friendly stays are essential, which makes a hotel stay nearly unaffordable. But choosing extended stay accommodations means that you’ll save big by having the flexibility to purchase groceries and prepare some meals in the rental’s fully-equipped kitchen. 

Walk Everywhere: Sure renting a vehicle may seem like a great idea, but nothing beats touring a new city on foot to soak up the local culture. Although you may not cover as much ground as you would in a car, your family will truly get to experience a new city in a very up close and personal way. For families with older children, bicycle rentals are also a great way to get around and explore.

018-Master-BedroomA Room of Your Own: Hotel rooms are short on space and when you’re traveling with your family, a little extra wiggle room can be essential to keeping the peace. A short term apartment rental offers additional living space, along with the option for separate bedrooms. In addition, amenities that families may require during their stay including swimming pools, fitness areas and other recreational facilities will keep everyone occupied even when you’re not out exploring. What’s even better? These amenities are included in the cost of your rental. 

Enjoy the Adventure: Without a doubt, things will go wrong.  But family vacations aren’t about perfection but rather about enjoying life as it happens. Missing some spots on your tourist map? Relax, that just means you’ll have more to explore the next time. Keep it simple and enjoy the journey!

Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Uncategorized

Tips for Traveling on a Budget

April 14, 2014

Two young sons watching parents load luggage in car trunk      Whether you’re taking your family on vacation or traveling solo, your next holiday doesn’t have to empty your bank account.
Here are five tips for traveling on a budget.

 1) Make a Budget. From transportation and accommodations to meals and entertainment, decide the amount you want to spend and plan your vacation accordingly.
009-Kitchen-and-Dining-Area

2)    Choose Accommodations Wisely. Renting from a short-term housing provider adds value to your vacation in more ways than one. By offering you a fully equipped kitchen to prepare some meals as well as having access to on-site fitness centers and swimming pools, you’ll enjoy value-added entertainment without spending extra money.

 3)    Be Adventurous. Considering destinations that are a little off-the-beaten-path will help you maximize your budget as these locations are often looking to attract more tourists. For instance, traveling to smaller towns close to metropolitan cities, give you the opportunity to explore lesser-known areas while still enjoying tourist hot spots.

4)    Make A Deal. Contact the travel and tourism board in the city you’re traveling to. This is a great resource for scoring deals on everything from theatre and sports tickets to finding out about the latest restaurant openings and family-friendly dining spots.

Music Festival       5)  Go Local. Be on the look out for music festivals, street parties and carnivals that are often held during the summer months. These events are often free to the public and offer a variety of entertainment for all ages. Check the municipality’s online calendar before you travel to find out more about events wherever you’re heading.

Inevitably you can’t plan for every situation when you’re traveling the open road. That said, plan for those extra expenses by keeping a few dollars stashed in a safety fund. You’ll be happy you did when you find for those last minute concert tickets you just can’t pass up.

Customer Service Experience, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Uncategorized

3 Tips for Childproofing Your Home

December 11, 2013

Safety at HomeWhether you’ll be living away from home for a month or longer, learning to be flexible with your living arrangement is a part of the process. While you can likely get used to different furniture or kitchen appliances, maintaining a safe living environment for your whole family is top priority. From downtown condominiums to suburban dwellings, DelSuites takes safety very seriously, which is why guests have access to a variety of safety features from baby gates to cabinet locks to electrical outlet plugs to childproof your home. Along with the safety features, here are three ways to keep everyone safe and feeling right at home.

Spout It OutSpout Covers for Bath Time!

Let’s face it there is nothing worse than having your child knock their head, face or teeth on spout of your bathtub while splashing around. Not only can this be a very painful accident but it’s also a totally avoidable one. Spout covers are available through guest services which can help make bath time a fun and familiar evening activity for everyone. 

Tighten Up
From your television to lamps to your laptop, cords and cables can be tough to get around. Especially when you’re not in your usual surroundings, children can easily forget where they are and trip over cords or wires that they don’t realize exist. For toddlers and younger children especially, keep cords and cables from the same electronic devices fastened together with a few nylon cable ties. Make it easier on your whole family by keeping additional devices such as laptops, in one area so that that no one gets tripped up by surprise.   

Safety at HomeSafe Inspection
As a parent, you’ll know the rooms in your own home that present the most safety issues. When you’re in a new place, check out those areas first before you allow your children to roam freely. Check the windows and doors and request additional child safety systems from guest services if you’ve got a more adventurous child. It’s also wise to check the shelves in closets and open bookcases and remove heavier items that may fall.

For more information on how DelSuites can make your stay comfortable and safe for the whole family, contact us today.