Furnished Apartments Toronto Archives - Page 13 of 27

Business Travel, Fitness and Health, Lifestyle talk

How to Relax After a Busy Day at Work

November 18, 2016

A few suggestions for recharging your batteries and how to relax after a busy day at work.

Some work days can be so exhausting that even though you were simply sitting at a desk all day, you feel like you have run a marathon. Perhaps you had to speed through some work to meet a deadline, or you had to mediate in tense and stressful meetings, or you had to do a mind-numbing task that leaves you mentally drained. If you have had a day at the office, when you come back to your home in your furnished accommodation, your priority should be to relax, recharge and rejuvenate yourself. Here are some simple tips on how to relax after a busy day.

You might be tempted just to put on some trashy reality television and zone out with a bag of potato chips, but here are a few different ideas for relaxing after a busy and draining day at work:

Create an at Home Spa

You can totally immerse yourself in a soothing spa-like environment, without having to pay the expensive prices that spas charge these days. With a few little touches you can turn your bathroom into your own private home spa. Scatter a few tea light candles around the room and turn the lights down. Burn some incense or use an oil diffuser with a relaxing scent such as lavender. Treat yourself to some luxurious bath bubbles and run the hottest, bubbliest bath ever. As you ease yourself into the hot bubbles while the candlelight flickers around you, you’ll forget about everything that was stressing you out.

Take a Walk

Walking is a great way to relieve stress and help you feel more calm. The physical exercise will release endorphins in your brain which will improve your mood. Plus, the fresh air and sunlight will also benefit your mood and overall well-being. Look for a nearby park in Toronto or nature trail and go out exploring. It doesn’t matter if you walk with a friend or a four legged friend or just by yourself – you’ll benefit either way and will help you relax after a busy day.

Work On a Creative Hobby

Many people find that having a creative hobby that they enjoy really helps them to relax and recharge when they come home from a stressful day at work. It allows them to turn off their analytical left brain and use their creative right brain for a while. Often being immersed in the act of creating something can put you in a calm “flow state” and allow you to forget about everything else for a while. Your creative hobby can be anything you are interested in, whether it is knitting, painting, wood working, jewellery making, drawing or anything else.

Watch Something that Makes You Laugh

Another great way to unwind after a busy day at work is to put on a funny movie or TV show or watch videos of your favourite comedian. Researchers at the University of Maryland in the USA have linked laughter to healthier blood vessels, reduced stress, higher anti-body production and a stronger immune system.

These are just a few ideas for relaxing after a busy day on the job – what’s your favourite way to relax after a busy day?

Business Travel, Customer Service Experience, Entertainment, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk

Tipping Etiquette in Toronto

September 23, 2016

If you are visiting Toronto and you are from a culture where tipping is not the norm, you might be wondering what the appropriate local tipping etiquette might be. Who should you tip, and how much money should you give?

In Canada the tipping culture is similar to in the USA – tips are expected for many staff in the service, hospitality and food and beverage industry. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when it comes to tipping etiquette while visiting Toronto.

In a Restaurant

Unlike some destinations in Europe, a gratuity is not included in the bill at most Canadian restaurants. Instead, you should calculate approximately 15-20% and add that onto your bill. If the service was unsatisfactory, you can give less and if the service was exceptionally good you can give more. You essentially tip based on the service experience.

Sometimes if you have a table with a large group, usually 8 or more, the restaurant will add an automatic gratuity to the bill. Some servers may rely on tips to bump up their wage and may feel frustrated by a large group who take a lot of time and effort to serve but don’t tip.

If you have a poor restaurant experience and you are considering not leaving a tip as a response, consider whether your experience was the fault of the server. If the food was bad or the service was slow because there weren’t enough staff, this is the fault of the kitchen and the manager. Consider asking to speak to the manager so that you can voice your complaints in a constructive way – you might even be offered a discount or a free meal as an apology.

Other Places to Tip

Tipping is also customary in other situations in Canada. You would be expected to tip your taxi driver, valet parking attendant, hotel room attendant, hotel concierge, hairdresser and manicurist. If you visit a spa during your visit to Toronto it is expected that you will tip your spa service provider around 10% of the cost of your treatment. Also, if you go on a guided tour and your guide offers you great service it is good to tip them around 10-15% to show your appreciation. When you are drinking at one of the many great bars in Toronto it is customary to leave around $1 per drink for the bar tender, depending on the cost of the drink.

In some situations, there will be a “Tip Jar” on the counter of a business, such as in a coffee shop, cafeteria and sometimes even in retail stores. However, in these situations the tip is optional. You can put a tip in these jars if you have enjoyed great service but you don’t have to – and it won’t be considered rude not to.

It can be tricky at first to remember who to tip while visiting in Canada, but if you are unsure you can always ask a Canadian friend or colleague about the appropriate tipping etiquette. Make sure to carry around a few small bills, loonies and toonies so that you have the right change whenever you need it!

Remember to tip on the sub-total, and not on the taxes!

Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Toronto History

Cool and Quirky Toronto Markets

September 2, 2016

Toronto is an intriguing and multi-faceted city with a lot of different layers to uncover. One of the most interesting aspects of the city is its abundance of quirky and unique markets. These Toronto markets have a fascinating collection of everything from locally grown produce to antiques to handmade jewellery and much more. You can spend hours searching through, finding treasures and chatting to the friendly local sellers.

Here are some of the most interesting Toronto markets to check out during your stay in your furnished rental nearby:

Brick Works Farmer’s Market

This Saturday morning market is the ideal place for foodies to scout out delicious local treats. It offers a great selection of eggs, produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, tea, preserves and much more. It is one of the largest farmer’s markets in the city and is only 6KM from the Republic furnished apartments in Toronto. It’s a fantastic place to find your next favourite treat, whether that is a homemade vegan brownie, a strawberry basil ice pop or fresh gluten free spicy Mexican salsa.

Parkdale Flea Market

Parkdale is a cool and quirky west end neighbourhood and this great market features beautiful handicrafts made by the creative locals. There are many great finds here, such as handmade jewellery, antiques, locally designed clothes, vegan baked goods and so much more. It has a lively and welcoming atmosphere and runs the second Sunday of the month from 10am until 5pm.

Withrow Market

The Withrow Market happens every Saturday from 9am until 1pm rain or shine at Withrow Park. It has a fantastic selection of regionally grown produce and baked goods, as well as yummy treats such as preserves and ice cream sandwiches. Shopping here is a great way to support the local farmers around Toronto and buying locally grown produce is so much better for the environment. The James Cooper Mansion short term rentals is only a 10 minute drive.

Sunday Antique Market

If you love antiques you will be in heaven at this Sunday Market, a treasure trove of old fashioned finds from vintage jewellery to old books to home décor and much more. There is a great collection of items that is ever changing and you can find everything from quirky retro items to pieces that are quite old and valuable. It takes place at the historic St. Lawrence Market which is only about a 5 minute drive from the 300 Front St. West furnished rentals.

Junction Flea Market

Every second Sunday of the month from 10am until 5pm from June 8^th to October 12^th you can check out the Junction Flea market, a very trendy hipster hotspot. There is a lot to discover here, from food to vintage clothing to records to antiques and much more. There’s something for everyone and a great friendly and laid back atmosphere.

These are just a few of the coolest and quirkiest markets that Toronto has to offer. Give yourself lots of time to explore these Toronto markets so that you can meander through slowly, taste all of the yummy treats, hunt for a vintage treasure and chat to some of the local sellers. It’s not just a market, it’s a Toronto cultural experience.

Announcements, Customer Service Experience, Feedback and Reviews

DelSuites Achieves TripAdvisor Certificate

August 19, 2016

The Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence is an impressive accolade that is awarded to the best businesses listed on the review website. It honours restaurants, hotels and attractions that receive great traveller reviews consistently. There are many establishments around the world that have earned this award for delivering superior customer service and DelSuites is proud to announce that it is one of them for the third consecutive year.

DelSuites is thrilled to have qualified for this distinction three years in a row, which is a reflection of the fact that they have dedicated themselves to offering their customers an excellent experience. Cliff Norton, Director of Sales, states “It is very easy and common for a company to call itself customer centric, however, there can be no greater measure of being a customer focused company than actual customer reviews and an award based on their reviews.”

Qualifying for the Certificate of Excellence

The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is now in its 6^th year. In order to qualify for this award, a business must have an overall Tripadvisor rating of at least four out of five stars. Also, it must have a minimum number of reviews in order to qualify, including a minimum volume of reviews that have been received within the last 12 months.

Only the top 10% of the businesses on the review website qualify for this prestigious award. The winners include top notch hotels and restaurants from all over the world. Because the award is based on the reviews of the customers, it is truly a reflection of those businesses that go above and beyond to make sure that their customers have the best possible experience. DelSuites is honoured to be named among the other businesses that have qualified for this award.

TripAdvisor – Your Source for Travel Reviews

TripAdvisor is one of the most valuable resources for travellers, as it allows users to view millions of reviews of hotels, hostels, resorts, tour agencies, attractions, restaurants and more. These objective user reviews allow travellers to plan their trips based on real experiences by other visitors. TripAdvisor was one of the first websites to adopt this model and it pioneered the way in user-generated content, creating an example for many other types of review websites that came after it.

TripAdvisor also operates more than 24 other travel brands, including Vacation Home Rentals, TravelPod, Airfare Watchdog, Cruise Critic, Jet Setter, Flip Key, Gate Guru, The Fork, Smarter Travel and much more. It is one of the biggest brands on the travel scene and the go-to place that travellers go when they want to read an unbiased review before booking a trip.

After receiving the Certificate of Excellence for the third year in a row, DelSuites will continue to go above and beyond to provide the best possible travel experience for its guests from all over the world.

View the DelSuites TripAdvisor press release.

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.

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Furnished Apartments Toronto