Vacation Travel Archives - Page 10 of 15

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Vacation Travel

How to Spend a Day of Spring in Toronto

March 31, 2017

Spring in Toronto is a welcome ray of sunshine after a long, cold and snowy Canadian winter. When those days start to get longer and the temperature starts to rise, everyone puts away their winter coats and breathes a sigh of relief. It just feels so good to be able to walk around without trudging through ice and snow (except for yesterday).

How should you spend spring in Toronto? Here are some ideas for ushering in the season which are close to your furnished apartments in downtown toronto apartments!

Spring in Toronto with Cherry Blossoms in High Park

In late April to early May, High Park will come alive in a flurry of pale pink blossoms. It is truly a gorgeous sight to see and you’ll probably get some gorgeous photos. The trees are located all around Hillside Gardens, as well as surrounding the duck pond. You can check back with the High Park website for updates on when the flowers are blooming. Even better – pack a picnic with you so that you can relax in High Park and enjoy the view while feasting.

Take a Coffee Break at a Cafe With a Patio

Chill out in a sunlight-flooded cafe patio while fueling up on caffeine. There are many great spots that will awaken in springtime, such as Fika Cafe – a green oasis that even has a hammock! Or, try Jimmy’s Coffee in Kensington Market, right in the heart of one of the coolest areas of the city. Or, pull up a seat at one of the long communal tables at Full Stop, an independent coffee shop in The Junction.

Oogle Adorable Baby Animals

Spring in Toronto is the season when adorable baby animals are born, so if you can handle the cuteness then consider visiting the Toronto Zoo. It was recently reported that they are experiencing a “baby animal boom” which has lead to a spike in attendance (I’m not surprised.) What could be better than ooing and ahhing at ridiculously cute creatures? If you need more of a baby animal fix you could also check out some of Toronto’s farms and petting zoos, including Round the Bend Farm, High Park Zoo, Riverdale Farm, Far Enough Farm and Springridge Farm.

Watch Some Thought-Provoking Documentaries

Melt any icicles that may have gathered on your mind throughout the winter by checking out some of Toronto’s great spring documentary film festivals. There is the Hot Docs Film Festival which runs from April 27th to May 7th. You’ll be able to check out an outstanding selection of hundreds of films from around the world. You are sure to find some interesting food for thought that will give you something to talk about with your friends.

Why not also check out some of the new restaurants in Toronto too? What are your favourite things to do when spring starts to bloom in Toronto? Let us know about them in the comments below.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Markham, Relocation, Vacation Travel

Markham Things to Do

March 24, 2017

The city of Markham, located in the Greater Toronto Area, is a vibrant municipality that is alive with culture, theatre, history and art. It is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Canada and there is always something happening there – from world class theatre to art gallery openings to museum exhibits. It’s only 25 minutes from downtown, but if your accommodation is based in Markham (such as at DelSuites Circa location) then there is plenty you can do in this area.

Markham Attractions and Activities

Here are a few fun things that you can do in during your stay in Markham:

Check out the great exhibits and the fascinating historic village at the Markham Museum. This is an excellent place to go with kids, as there are a lot of interactive things to discover.
Visit the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery. There are always some intriguing art exhibitions at the gallery, plus a great calendar of camps, art classes, workshops and more.
You can also check out some fantastic art by local contributors at the McKay Art Centre.
In the winter, go skating at the Markham Civic Centre Outdoor Skating Rink, located on Town Centre Blvd. Don’t worry if you haven’t brought your skates, you can rent them there.
Play a few games at Markham Bowl, a bowling alley with 8 lanes of 10 pin and 12 lanes of 5 pin. It also has a snack bar and a full bar, so that you can refresh yourself with a beer.
Every Saturday from 8am until 1pm you can check out the Main Street Markham Farmer’s Market on Robinson Street. You will be able to find delicious fresh produce straight from the farm, as well as handmade artisan crafts and much more. There is also live music to entertain you while you shop.
Take a walk through the Milne Dam Conservation Area, which is the largest park in Markham with 123 hectares of area. There are many lovely trails through the lush forests and this area is a stop off point for many species of migratory birds.
Test your smarts with an escape room experienced at Trapped. You will be locked in a room in a realistic scenario and you will need to solve puzzles and mysteries to escape while the clock is counting down!

There is plenty to see and do in Markham, so whether you are visiting for business or pleasure you won’t be bored. If you know of any other interesting things to do in this Greater Toronto destination, let us know in the comments!

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Vacation Travel

The Best New Restaurants in Toronto to Try

March 1, 2017

Fantastic new restaurants in Toronto are popping up so quickly that you would have to dedicate yourself to eating out several times per day just to see them all. (Sounds pretty fun, to be honest…) With so many great eateries to choose from, you’ll never go hungry when you are exploring this vibrant Canadian city.

Let’s take a look at some of the restaurants that have opened in recent months and should be on your foodie bucket list for 2017.

New Restaurants in Toronto : La Banane

This sophisticated French restaurant, run by Chef Brandon Olsen, opened its doors on January 3rd, 2017. It is pricey, but if you want to treat yourself to a date night the cuisine is superb. Olsen gives a modern twist to traditional French dishes such as liver and onions and fluffy omelettes. Try the mussels marinated in an espelette pepper vinaigrette or the duck breast with charred endive and jus. Make sure that you make your reservation in advance and dress your finest, this is a swanky spot!

Calii Love

Start your morning off with a bit of healthy nourishment at this Hawaiian inspired cafe. The new restaurants in Toronto focuses on superfood smoothies, healthy snacks and poke bowls that are heaped with nutritious ingredients such as shredded coconut, blueberries, strawberries, chia seeds and more. It is a breakfast that will give you the energy to conquer anything.

Imanishi

This Japanese gastropub hasn’t been around for very long, but it’s garnered a lot of interest due to its top notch food. It features homestyle Japanese cooking made with fresh high quality ingredients. They have excellent dishes such as sticky, smoky short ribs, spring rolls filled with curry chicken, squid tentacles with soy sauce and butter and seared beef tataki. The Japanese soul music sets the scene in this Dundas Street spot and the staff wear vintage sweatshirts, salvaged denim and Toronto Blue Jays caps.

Charidise

This new gourmet Taiwanese restaurant opened in January and is already well known for its authentic cuisine and friendly staff. The food is steeped in Taiwanese tradition and includes classic dishes such as Basil Chicken Rice, Hot & Sour Sweet Potato Noodle and Golden Squid Balls. Charidise also has a great selection of bubble tea flavours such as Honeydew, Mango and Taro. It’s a great place to stop for a drink or a snack if you are walking around downtown Toronto.

El Local Loco

This new Mexican restaurant on Church Street is work checking out. It’s laid back and welcoming, with heavy wooden tables and brightly coloured Mexican-inspired murals on the walls. How about braised beef rib with roasted corn and a cerveza chipotle reduction? Or maybe cod ceviche with jalapeno, cucumber, sweet peppers, citrus, avocado and honey? They even serve up a whole lobster tail taco that sounds muy deliciosa.

These are just a few of the exciting new restaurants in Toronto that you can check out this year. However, there are many others that we don’t have room to list here. Toronto is paradise for a foodie, as there is always something new and exciting on the menu. Dont forget to check out our picks for healthy restaurants and cafes!

Business Travel, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Vacation Travel

Enjoy Your Destination on Business Travel

October 18, 2016

So you’re visiting a really cool city – but the reason why you are there is for business travel; to attend an important conference, business meeting or complete a work project. You’d love to visit this city on a vacation, but this time your visit is professional… which means that you won’t get a chance to enjoy it. Or will you?

When you are visiting a destination for business travel it is possible to be a tourist as well, it simply takes a little bit of planning ahead and creative thinking. If you do it right you can enjoy a visit that encompasses both business and pleasure.

Here are some tips for squeezing a little vacation into your next business trip:

During lunch breaks and after meetings, instead of eating the food at the conference take the time to hit up some of the local restaurants that get the best reviews and see what they have to offer. You can get a chance to taste the cuisine of the area, which is one of the best parts of business travel.
Bring along a travel daypack with you so that you can take it with you when exploring the city.
See if you have any friends or family living in the city you are visiting. You could possibly arrange to meet them in between business activities and let them show you around the city.
See if you can book your trip with a couple of extra days so that you have more time to explore. For example, if you are attending a conference from Monday to Friday, book your flights so that you return on Sunday so you have the weekend to sightsee. (If your business trip is being covered by your company you might have to pay for the extra two nights yourself.)
Most destinations will have walking tours of the city for free or a for a small fee. This is a great way to walk around the city and learn about the history and culture of the area.
If you are in a major cultural hub such as New York, Toronto or London, consider taking the opportunity to go to a performance. You can find a huge selection of plays, musicals, operas, concerts and other experiences. Since the evenings are usually when you have time to spare when travelling for business, this works out quite well.
Take a walk in nature at one of the lovely parks or natural areas within the city. It will help you to relax, recharge and be more focused and productive in your business dealings.
Read travel blogs written about the city you are visiting and see what they recommend.
You can also reach out on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, and ask people to suggest things you should check out on your visit.

When it comes to having fun on a business trip, you’ll will be much more comfortable in a furnished apartment rather than a hotel. You’ll have so much more space, the convenience of amenities such as laundry and a fully equipped kitchen, so you will feel much more relaxed and recharged on your business trip. Read here to find out more details on how staying in a furnished apartment has many more advantages to staying in a hotel.

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

Furnished Apartments for Family Travel

October 12, 2016

Travelling with kids can be tricky, which is why having the right accommodation is so important. Furnished apartments are a great solution for family travel. They offer plenty of space, a separate living room, bedrooms and dining area. You can also enjoy the amenities of the buildings which is usually included in the rates such as a swimming pool, fitness centres and a billiards room.

So why are furnished apartments so great for family travel? Here are a few of the advantages that they offer.

More Room for the Kids to Play

Any family that has tried to squeeze kids into a hotel room and ended up stepping on Legos, tripping over toys and having no room to relax will really appreciate the added space of a furnished apartment. Kids will have room to have fun and be kids, without being completely underfoot as they would be in a cramped hotel room.

The Little Ones Can Go to Bed While the Parents Stay Up

If you are in a hotel room with your little ones, it’s lights out at 8:30, because everyone has to abide by the same bedtime. However, when you have a furnished apartment with a separate bedroom you can put the kids to bed and then the adults can still stay up for a while, relax with a bottle of a wine, watch a movie and enjoy some adult conversation.

You Can Cook Your Own Meals

One of the best parts of travelling can be eating out in restaurants, but when you have kids with you this can sometimes be more trouble than it is worth. Sometimes having the option to whip up a simple, easy and healthy meal in the comfort of your accommodation for your tired and hungry little ones is a life saver.

This is especially convenient in the mornings when everyone is still tired and cranky and you want to be able to put together a few bowls of cereal without having to get dressed and leave the room. Plus, being able to cook a few of your meals will save you a lot of money on your travels.

The Extra Amenities Make Life Easier

Having your own washing machine is so much more convenient if in case your 5-year-old spills milk on himself. You can wash his shirt rather than having to rinse it out in a hotel sink and hang it to dry. High speed Wi-Fi means that you can have a Skype conversation with Grandma and Grandpa back home that doesn’t freeze every two minutes.

Having a convenient parking area makes the trip from the car with the baby carriage and all the bags so much easier. Using the gym within the building makes it very convenient to keep up your active lifestyle without having to go too far from your partner and the kids. It is all of the little amenities in your furnished apartment that add up to making it a great option for family travel. If you are visiting Toronto, be sure to check out these family fun activities!

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Vacation Travel