Toronto Family Travel Archives - Page 9 of 19

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

Toronto Art and Culture

July 29, 2016

If your idea of the perfect day is spent within the walls of a museum or an art gallery, contemplating the creative works of humanity, then you’ll love Toronto. A destination in Canada when it comes to the quality and diversity of Toronto art and culture. There’s an impressive abundance of great museums, galleries and much more – so here are some Toronto art and culture attractions to check out if you are visiting and staying in your furnished rental. Or, better yet, be a tourist in the city you live in!

The Art Gallery of Ontario

Let’s start with the main art institution in the city – the Art Gallery of Ontario aka the AGO. It is one of the biggest art museums in North America and is housed within a cutting edge building designed by architect Frank Gehry. This impressive gallery features a collection of works that totals over 80,000, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and photographs by artists such as Richard Serra, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman and Brian Jungen.

Casa Loma

Now a museum, this Gothic Revival house and gardens in Toronto was built as a residence for the incredibly wealthy financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt in 1911. The castle-like architecture seems strangely out of place in a Canadian city and at the time it was built it was the largest private residence in Canada. Sir Henry imported several artisans from Europe to design Casa Loma, taking his inspiration from castles from across the pond. Take a tour of this fascinating building and imagine what life would be like enjoy its lavish excesses, including a pool, three bowling alleys and an oven large enough to cook an ox.

Angell Gallery

Since it opened in 1996, Angell Gallery has been known for representing cutting edge artists who take bold risks in their work. You’ll see a wide range of thought provoking work in several different mediums including painting, sculpture, video art and digital art.

Stephen Bulger Gallery

Founded in 1994, this gallery has an impressive collection of over 15,000 contemporary and historical photographs. Several international and Canadian photographers are represented, including Sunil Gupta, Pete Doherty and Jeff Thomas. Make sure that you check out the gallery bookshop, which has over 3,000 titles on photography.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

History buffs will love this historic village, carefully recreated to depict life in early Ontario in the 1800s. It’s an opportunity not just to see history, but to smell it, taste it, hear it and experience it first-hand. Within the 40 restored heritage homes you will find artisans and costumed interpreters recreating the lifestyle of the early settlers.

Daniel Faria Gallery

Located within a converted warehouse in Bloordale Village, Daniel Faria Gallery is a contemporary art space that has exhibited some of the biggest names in Canadian Art. The gallery showcases work from some superb Canadian artists including Kristine Moran, Chris Curreri and Shannon Bool.

These are just a few of the art and history attractions you can enjoy for Toronto art and culture.

Business Travel, Mississauga, Mississauga Travel, Toronto Family Travel

Delsuites Skymark West Mississauga

July 14, 2016

Featuring Style and Comfort

DelSuites Skymark West Mississauga has a great location close to the Mississauga Convention Centre and Square One Shopping Centre. These furnished apartments in Mississauga features a private balcony and a spacious separate living area equipped with a DVD player and a TV where you can enjoy more than 100 channels, premium movie channels & HBO. You can even directly order specialty language and sports packages with no additional administration costs applied. The fully equipped kitchen features 4 major appliances including a fridge, dishwasher, stove and microwave.

Our furnished rentals in Mississauga are bright and airy and have a modern design. During your stay the staff at Delsuites will help you with anything you need, ensuring that you are comfortable and well looked after. The facilities also feature a gym and an indoor pool, so that you can stay active and fit during your visit to Skymark West Mississauga. Wifi is available in all of the suites free of charge, which means that this location is also great for business travellers who need to communicate and get work done during their stay.

Modern Convenience

The newly designed suites have a contemporary colour palette and a calm, tranquil feeling. They are decorated with trendy and stylish furniture and modern artwork. The suites also offer a sofa bed in the living room, so that you can host more people if necessary. There is an in-suite washer and dryer, which saves you the hassle of having to get your clothes laundered during your trip.

The services feature inclusive weekly housekeeping service (based on your reservation) and 24/7 on-call services for emergencies. There is also a 24 hour security personnel as well as controlled building access, so you can count on being safe and secure.

Enjoying Mississauga

This is a location that is ideal for summer travel. There is a lot to do in Mississauga so it will be hard to be bored while you are enjoying this gorgeous area. Check out the spectacular waterfront district at Port Credit, which features a great selection of boutiques, marinas, restaurants and craft shops. If you are travelling with kids they will love Playdium, which is a 40,000 square foot interactive games playground. Mississauga is also a great place for shopping. It is home to Erin Mills Town Centre which has over 175 shops and Square One Shopping Centre which has over 360 stores . It is also where you will find Dixie Outlet, a great place for bargains.

Another great area of Mississauga is Streetsville, which is where the mayor lives. It has a number of interesting shops and restaurants to enjoy. Art lovers can check out the Art Gallery of Mississauga, which has an impressive collection of national and international exhibitions.

The Delsuites Skymark West Mississauga location is ideal for exploring, as you will be close to many of the best attractions. To find out more about the furnished rentals and suites and what they have to offer, or to ask us any questions, please feel free to contact at any time.

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Getting around by Toronto Public Transport

May 20, 2016

If you are visiting Toronto without a car – don’t worry. As one of Canada’s major population hubs it has one of the best Toronto public transport systems in the country. It’s quite easy to get from point A to point B while you are exploring Toronto, so that you can make the most of your time in the city.

Toronto’s public transport system is known as the TTC and it consists of a network of subway lines, streetcars, buses and rapid transit lines in a network across the city. Of course, if you have never been to this city before it might take you a while to get used to Toronto public transport. Here are some important things that you should know when making your way around Toronto:

Paying Your Fare

In Toronto you can buy a token or a ticket for the TTC at most convenience stores and subway stations. You will need to buy tickets and tokens before you board. If you are boarding the subway for example, use the turnstile near the station agent window and drop your ticket or your exact change into the clear receptacle.

Getting a Transfer

It is possible to get a transfer, which you can use for another leg of the journey. Ask for your transfer when you pay your fare on the bus or the streetcar. Alternatively, you can get one from the machine that is located just past the turnstile in the subway. Make sure that you give the transfer to the driver or the station agent on the next leg of your journey.

You Might be Better Off With a TTC Day Pass

If you think that you will use the public transport system more than once for a day of exploring all over the city, a TTC Day Pass might work out to be a better deal. The pass costs $12 and it offers you unlimited travel for a full day.

If you are planning on spending the day traveling all over the city of Toronto and visiting several different locations this might be the best deal for you. Usually it pays by itself by the 4^th trip. You cannot buy the pass from the bus driver, you will need to purchase it in advance from a convenience store or subway station booth agent.

What About Outside of the City Centre?

If you want to travel anywhere in the outlying areas of Greater Toronto, you will need to travel on Go Transit. The GO trains and buses depart from Union Station in downtown Toronto at several times throughout the day, so check to see which one goes to your destination. You will need to pay a separate fare for the Go trains and buses, they are not covered by your TTC tickets or passes.

These are just a few important tips that you should know when you are travelling on Toronto public transport. Of course, if you are lost or confused don’t be afraid to ask one of the friendly locals for help.

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto Condos, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Make Your Toronto Vacation Rental Feel Like Home

May 12, 2016

If you’re travelling far from home, the impersonal surroundings can get to you after a while and make you feel a little bit lonely and homesick. Staying in a Toronto vacation rental is a much better option, as you will have the conveniences of home such as being able to cook your own meals, wash clothes and have separate areas for sleeping and socializing. A Toronto vacation rental can be a home away from home and can really help you to enjoy your trip in comfort.

So what can you do to make your Toronto vacation rental feel even more like home? If you are staying for a while and you are starting to miss where you came from, here are some ideas for creating a cozy and welcoming home away from home.

Fill the Room with Your Signature Scent

Do you have a favourite type of candle or incense that you like to burn when you are at home? Or perhaps you have a particular room freshening spray or essential oil that you always use? Take it with you on your trip so that your Toronto vacation rental can smell just like home. Scent is strongly linked to memory and emotion so when you take a deep breath you will immediately feel calm and centered.

Put Up Your Pictures

Buy a few cheap picture frames and print out a few pictures of your most beloved family and friends. You can place them on the bedside table or the mantelpiece of your vacation home so that you can be reminded of your loved ones even when you are away. There are even digital photo frames that you can buy which will display a memory card filled with photos on a slideshow.

Cook a Favourite Meal

Do you have a favourite dish that reminds you of home? Whether you are on a business trip by yourself or a family getaway with all the kids, bring the recipe and cook it up in the kitchen of your vacation home. If it requires special ingredients that you can only get at home, make sure you pack them with you! The kitchen will be filled with a comforting and familiar smell and you will enjoy a taste of home.

Bring Your Own Music

Why not bring your favourite music from home to listen to at your Toronto vacation rental? Many Toronto vacation rentals will have a stereo system with an iPod or iPhone jack so that you can plug in your own playlist. If not, there are also many great portable speakers you can travel with so that you can listen to any music anywhere.

These are just a few ways that you can make your Toronto vacation rental feel more like home when you are staying in an unfamiliar place. With all of these wonderful little touches you will be so comfortable in your holiday home that you won’t want to leave! Dont forget to check out these top 10 things to do before you head out on vacation.

Downtown Toronto, Downtown Toronto Condos, Fitness and Health, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Trails and Parks in Downtown Toronto

April 15, 2016

Even when you are staying in a furnished rental, a tranquil and green escape to a walking trail or quiet parks in downtown Toronto is not as far away as you might think. The city of Toronto offers many beautiful parks and walking trails where you can get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Let’s take a look at some of the natural areas close to the city centre where you can enjoy the fresh air and listen to the birds. Here are some of the best trails and parks in downtown Toronto:

The Finch Meander Trail

Head to the east end of Toronto where you will find this out-of-the-way trail that leads through gently sloping terrain to the bank of the Rouge River. Beyond the trail you will find grassland, forest and a scenic bluff to the southeast.

Bluffer’s Park

This is a gorgeous little slice of wilderness that is located in an easily accessible part of Scarborough. Take a hike down the gravel trail and explore the Scarborough Bluffs, an impressive 14 kilometre geographical formation formed by the Wisconsin Glacier 12,000 years ago.

The Don Valley Trails

These trails consist of 11 kilometres of trails that will take you through tranquil and steep-sided green spaces within the city of Toronto. They are asphalt, so they are perfect for cycling or jogging and there are also wide open spaces and narrow ravines to explore when you venture off the beaten path.

High Park

High Park is an enormous 161 hectare park that is located right within the centre of the city. It offers plenty of quiet leafy spaces and seven kilometres of trails to explore. One third of the park has been left in its natural unspoiled state with the original oak savannah and the rare plant species that once covered much of the area.

The Humber River, Old Mill and Marshes

The Humber River and the marshlands around it make up the largest watershed in Toronto, an important wildness corridor for butterflies and birds. The waters here are home to more than 60 species of fish, which make it a fascinating place to explore within the middle of the big city. The Toronto Carrying Place Trail – also known as the Humber Portage, is an important route for traders and natives and is a trail that is rich with wilderness and history.

Mast Trail

This trail is formerly a logging route over two centuries ago where lumber was sent to Europe for ship building. This 200 year old trail that will take you through a lush fern forest and groves of mature trees. It covers challenging terrain and will take you from Little Rouge Creek to the Rouge River.

These are just a few of the best hiking trails and parks in downtown Toronto that you can access easily. During your visit, why not strap on your hiking boots, leave the busy streets behind and venture out of the city to one of these rejuvenating green spaces?

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Toronto Family Travel