Toronto Family Travel Archives - Page 6 of 19

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How to Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto

October 22, 2019

One of the most popular day trips from Toronto is Niagara Falls. It’s one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world and it’s hard to truly fathom the spectacular rushing flow of water unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

Niagara Falls is located just outside Toronto, so it’s perfect for exploring on a day trip or a weekend getaway. There are several choices for accommodation in the area, from luxurious boutique resorts to simple, affordable and basic hotels. So, it’s easy to stay over and explore the area more.

Since going to Niagara Falls from Toronto is so popular, there are multiple options for getting there.

Can I Take the Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls?

Yes, Via Rail offers direct daily service between Toronto and Niagara Falls. There are two trains daily and an adult return ticket will cost around $55-$75 depending on how far you book in advance. Keep in mind that the evening return trip to Toronto is a train that originates in New York City, so it often runs late.

Go Transit also offers a combination train and bus route between Toronto and Niagara Falls. You’ll need to transfer to a bus in Burlington and then continue onto Niagara Falls.

In the summer months, from May to Labour Day in September, Go Transit runs a convenient direct train service from Union Station to the Niagara Falls train station. It operates on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as holidays only. There is one return trip on Friday evenings and three return trips on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

It’s important to note that the train station is in old Niagara Falls, which is about a five minute drive from the Falls themselves. So, when you arrive at the Niagara Falls Train Station, you’ll need to go a little bit further to get to the Falls. It’s a short taxi ride (which should cost around $10-$15 CAD), or you can use the bus route 104.

Is There a Toronto to Niagara Falls Bus?

You can take the bus from both Megabus and Greyhound to Niagara Falls. They are both direct buses with no transfers and the prices for tickets range from $14-$30 CAD. The journey takes around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the number of stops.

Both the Megabus and Greyhound leave every day, multiple times per day. To get a cheaper bus ride, book online in advance.

There are also shuttle buses between Toronto and Niagara Falls and coming back the other way from Niagara Falls to Toronto. They cost more than public transit, but you’re paying extra for the comfort and convenience. You might even get picked up at your hotel in Toronto and delivered to the door of your hotel in Niagara Falls. Here’s an example of a shuttle bus service.

Can I Drive to Niagara Falls?

If you rent a car in Toronto, you can drive to Niagara Falls during your visit. This gives you the advantage of being able to travel on your own schedule and make stops along the way. The trip will take about an hour and a half to two hours.

The most direct route is along the Queen Elizabeth Highway, alongside Lake Ontario. Keep in mind that this is a major commuter route, so there will be heavy traffic on this road during rush hour. The peak traffic will be going into the city in the mornings until 9am and out of the city between 3 and 7pm. Keep this in mind and try to travel outside of these times, if possible.

You may want to allow time to stop in Burlington along the way. It’s less than an hour from Toronto and it has a beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens that are worth a visit. You can also visit the town of Jordan along the way, home to the well known local winery Cave Springs.

Niagara Falls Tours from Toronto

Another option is to hop on a group day tour to Niagara Falls. There are several companies that offer these tours, including Gray Line, Niagara Tours, North Star Tours, Royal Tours of Niagara Falls Canada, Toronto Tours, Niagara Bus Tours and more.

These tours usually leave Toronto in the morning, take you to the falls for a few hours and then bring you back in the evening. They might include lunch or other activities as well – such as visits to the local wineries. If you aren’t sure which tour is best for you, take a look at the reviews on Tripadvisor.

Taking a day tour might be a great option if you have a limited time in Toronto and you want to sit back and relax while someone else takes you to the highlights of the region.

No matter how you get there, it’s absolutely worth visiting Niagara Falls on your visit to Toronto

Downtown Toronto Condos, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

Spas, Parks and More: Healthy Living in Toronto

April 2, 2019

Healthy living in Toronto is not too difficult.

This Canadian metropolis offers nutritious food, cycle-friendly streets, relaxing spas and plenty of access to green spaces and water. Plus, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy activities such as kayaking, golf and rock climbing – within the city limits.

If you’re keen to keep up your healthy routine during your stay at the Livmore, here are some local attractions you should know about:

The Livmore

That’s right – you can start your journey to healthy living without even having to leave the building. The Livmore has a state of the art gym and fitness center, with cardio machines, weights, exercise balls and more. You can get a healthy, sweaty glow on while admiring the views from the beautiful floor to ceiling windows.

The Elmwood Spa

4 minute walk from the Livmore

healthy living in toronto

Stress can really take its toll on your health, so it’s important to take the time to relax and recharge. For the ultimate rejuvenation experience, visit a local Toronto spa like the Elmwood and let them pamper you. In this historic downtown building, you can treat yourself to a full menu of services – including facials, massage therapy, manicures, pedicures, exfoliation, detoxification and more.

Noah’s Natural Foods

7 minute walk from the Livmore

This Canadian owned health food store has been providing customers with delicious and nutritious goods for over 35 years. They pride themselves on only stocking the purest, highest-quality and safest products available – including organic cosmetics, healthy supplements and so much more.

Nathan Phillips Square

healthy living in Toronto

9 minute walk from the Livmore

In the long, cold Toronto winters it can be difficult to still get enough physical activity per day. However, a fun way to get your heart rate up in downtown Toronto in the winter is to go ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square. The rink is open from November 25th, from 9am to 10pm. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring your skates with you – you can rent them there! (Even if you’re a terrible skater, you’ll still be burning calories!)

Tommy Thompson Park

20 minute drive from the Livmore

An enormous study of more than 290 million people confirms what you probably already figured: being outdoors in nature is really, really good for your health. The report found that being close to nature reduced the risk of a number of diseases, including high blood pressure and type II diabetes. So, if you want to enjoy the sweet health benefits of a walk in the wilderness, head down to this beautiful park. The numerous trails will take you along beaches and wetlands, where you might be lucky enough to spot beavers, cormorants, coyotes and other creatures.

Get active and enjoy healthy living in Toronto!

As you venture out to the parks, spas, hiking trails and sports venues of Toronto – you’ll see plenty of other guests and locals enjoying the active lifestyle this city has to offer. Healthy living in Toronto is not only easy, it can also be a lot of fun.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

Tips for Summer Relocation

May 28, 2018

Summer relocation has a lot of advantages. If you have children, it’s less disruptive than uprooting them in the middle of the school year. Plus, they have some time to make friends and get to know your new neighborhood before school begins in the fall. The weather will mean that you can get outside and explore your new area.

However, there are some challenges for summer relocation. Read on to see our simple tips.

Summer Relocation – Book in Advance

Relocation services are busy in the summertime, as this is the most popular time of year to move. The high demand might mean that it’s hard to book a moving company and that the price will be higher. It’s like trying to book a flight over Christmas or Thanksgiving!

However, you might save money if you book in advance. Also, try to move on a weekday or during the middle of the month, as these times are not as much in demand.

Get Up Early

On a hot summer day it’s a good idea to book your moving company to arrive as early in the morning as possible, when the temperature is still quite cool. It will be much more comfortable than trying to carry boxes and load up the truck in the heat of the afternoon.

Stay Hydrated

Speaking of carrying boxes and other strenuous activity in the summer heat, make sure that you stay hydrated! Keep a bottle of water with you throughout the day. You can also invite the moving crew in for a cold glass of lemonade to give them a break!

Consider How the Heat Will Affect Your Belongings

Keep in mind that there are some things that should not be put in a moving van during the summer months. For example, if you pack your candles they might melt. Or, your electronics can overheat and become damaged. Aerosols should not be boxed up in the heat for long periods of time.

When you are packing items, think about how they will be affected by the heat. You might want to bring valuable or heat sensitive items to your new home separately.

Have a Yard Sale

Summer is peak yard sale season, which is good news. Why? Because you can sell the items that you don’t need anymore and reduce the amount of items you have to move, making the relocation process easier for everyone. If you can advertise your yard sale well, you’ll be able to get rid of a lot of unnecessary items and make some money for the move as well.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when moving during the summer months. It can be a stressful and complicated task, but it doesn’t have to be. Relocation to Canada has taken second place among global destinations preferred for employees moving abroad for work – here’s why.

Contact us to find out more about our furnished, serviced (and air-conditioned!) apartments – perfect for short term accommodation when relocating to Toronto.

About me, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Toronto History

Toronto Neighbourhood Spotlight: Greektown

May 4, 2018

Toronto is a delightfully diverse city and its many neighbourhoods reveal cultural influences from around the world. Let’s take a close look at one of those exciting neighbourhoods – Greektown.

Introduction

Greektown, also known as the Danforth, is a neighborhood in Toronto located on Danforth Avenue between Dewhurst Blvd and Chester Avenue. This was one of the main settlements of Greek immigrants in Toronto after World War I. Several scenes in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding were filmed here.

If you love Greek cuisine, you’ll want to head down to this part of town. It has one of the highest concentrations of dining establishments per kilometre of any other neighborhood on the planet, showcasing mostly delicious traditional Mediterranean dishes. If you visit during the Taste of the Danforth festival in mid-August you can enjoy yummy samples of cuisines from all of the restaurants along this street – not just Greek food but also Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese and much more.

Must Visit Spots in Greektown

Start with a great coffee at Broadview Espresso, where you can lean back on the comfy Muskoka chair on the outdoor patio and enjoy a high quality latte.
The Carrot Commons on Jackman Street is a busy avenue filled with cafes, bookstores and a funky organic food market.

Shopping for cute clothes? Social Butterfly is a chic little shop with a great selection of jewellery, denim, boots, footwear and more.
Get your fill of big tasty Greek gyros at Messini Authentic Gyros.
If you want to enjoy Greek cuisine in a more sophisticated, sit-down setting you can treat yourself to a meal at Mezes. It’s a busy spot with a welcoming vibe and a heated patio. They serve up the dishes that you would find in any traditional greek home, with fresh, quality ingredients.
If you are a music geek, you will fall in love with the huge collection of new and old vinyl at Mike’s Music.
In the mood for some live music? The Danforth Music Hall is a fantastic venue that showcases a range of great talent. Check to see which shows are on during your visit!

History

Greek immigrants came to this area after WWI and by the 1970s and 80s, it was the largest GreekTown in North America. There was also a large influx of Greek immigrants during the 1960s, as they were fleeing the political and economic unrest which resulted in the Greek military junta seized power in 1967-74. This neighborhood became home to one of the highest concentrations of Greek immigrants living outside of Greece.

How to Get There

Greektown is located on the TTC Bloor-Danforth Subway line and can be accessed from Pape, Chester or Donlands stations. If you are visiting in a car, you can reach Danforth avenue by taking the Bayview/Bloor exit off the Don Valley Parkway and following the signs for Danforth Avenue/Bloor Street.

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

About me, Announcements, Corporate Housing, Customer Service Experience, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

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.

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