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

Tips for Summer Relocation

May 28, 2018

Summer RelocationSummer 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 aSummer Relocation 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 RelocationSummer 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

GreektownToronto 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.

Greektown

  • 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

greektownGreek 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

Pet Friendly TravelDelSuites 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

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 yPet Friendly Travelou 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.

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto Family Travel, Toronto History, toronto toursim

Toronto Strange Activities to Do

August 30, 2017

Toronto Strange ActivitiesOnce you have been to Toronto a few times and you have covered the most popular tourist attractions – The ROM, the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma – you might be curious about what else there is to explore. When you go beyond the main sights you can discover a strange and quirky side to Toronto, with plenty of unusual and intriguing spots to visit and things to do. Here are a few Toronto strange activities hiding beneath the surface when you explore a little deeper.

Toronto Strange Activities – The Rage Room

If you are feeling stressed out, the Rage Room in North York offers you the opportunity to take out all of your aggression on inanimate objects with your choice of weapon. You’ll be suited up in protective gear including a face shield and gloves, given a crowbar or baseball bat and you can go to town on plates, glasses and beer bottles – without having to worry about the cleanup.

You can even bring a box of your own stuff to smash. They even have Bluetooth speakers so that you can express your rage to the angry playlist of your choice. Talk about a unique technique for stress relief!Toronto Strange Activities

The Biblio-Mat

The Monkey’s Paw is a cool and quirky bookstore and it is home to the Biblio-Mat, the first device of it’s kind. It is a vending machine that dispenses a random vintage book for $2. A creative alternative to the discount sidewalk bin, the book dispensing machine is a fun novelty. It whirrs and vibrates dramatically before delivering the book and you never know what subject matter or size of book you will receive

The Knit Cafe

If you love to craft sweaters and scarfs, drop in for a knit session at the Knit Cafe, Toronto’s coffee shop for those who love knitting. The cafe offers classes and get-togethers and also serves sweet treats and espresso throughout the day. They also offer a great selection of yarn, so you can stock up for your next project.

Indoor SkydivingToronto Strange Activities

If you don’t have the nerve to actually jump from an airplane but you do want to experience the sensation of freefall, check out iFLY Toronto indoor skydiving. They have a 45 foot tube that has a powerful torrent of air running up through it, strong enough to keep your body aloft. It feels like you are falling through the sky, but it’s a lot less terrifying than jumping out of a plane. It is even possible to organize an indoor skydiving party – so why not think about it as a venue for your next birthday?

What are some Toronto strange activities you’ve discovered? Share your travel tips and discoveries with us in the comments! In addition, be sure to check out these family fun outdoor activities as we wrap up summer in Toronto!

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim, Vacation Travel

A Bookworm’s Choice of Bookshops Toronto

August 25, 2017

Bookshops TorontoToronto has plenty for literature lovers to discover. After all, some of the most well known Canadian novels are set within this city – including works by Michael Ondaatje, Timothy Findley, Robertson Davies and Margaret Atwood. If you are a bibliophile, you’ll find many fascination bookshops Toronto spots.

Bookshops Toronto
The Monkey’s Paw

This quirky and arcane used bookshops Toronto is a treasure trove of the weird and wonderful. You’ll find lots of beautiful, strange and fascinating books there and you’ll want to get lost for hours perusing the shelves. If you can’t decide on a book, you can put a toonie in the famous Biblio-Mat machine, which is a custom-designed vending machine that dispenses a random book.

Balzac’s CoffeeBookshops Toronto

Named after the French novelist and playwright, Balzac’s is the ultimate place to get your coffee and reading fix. It is located within the Toronto Reference Library – a huge storehouse of knowledge within stacks and stacks of tomes. The largest library in the city, it is known for it’s modern architecture and intriguing free event schedule. It is also home to one of the largest collections in the world dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life and work.

Type Books

This gorgeous bookshop is located on Queen Street, across from Trinity Bellwoods Park. You’ll gasp with delight as you enter and are greeted by the shelved packed with fiction, art books, design books and more. Check out the front of the store, where you will be greeted by the staff’s latest selection for books on exciting hot topics. Type Books went viral with this amazing video, which shows what happens in a bookstore at night when the lights go out.

The Library Bar

Bookshops TorontoIf you have had a full day of exploring Toronto’s literary side and you are in the mood for a drink to cap off the evening – why not head to this swanky bar in the Royal York Hotel? The cocktails are named after famous writers, so you could have a Margaret Atwood Margarita or an Alice Munro Rosemary Martini.

Hemingway’s

Another choice for a drink spot is Hemingway’s, named after the famous novelist who one lived in Toronto as a young man. Unfortunately, Ernest really didn’t like 1920s Toronto – which is why he moved to Paris, which he found to be much more of a “moveable feast.” Hemingways is known as one of the best bars in Yorkville. Owner Martin McSkimming is from New Zealand and serves a menu of world-renowned New Zealand lamb and several excellent Kiwi wines.

These are just a few of the many places that book lovers will adore in Toronto. You could also check out A Novel Spot, Another Story, Acadia and many more!