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!

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!

Uncategorized

DelSuites Exhibiting at CERC Conference

September 15, 2016

DelSuites is proud to announce that it will be attending and exhibiting at the CERC Conference (Canadian Employee Relocation Council) this year, where delegates from the relocation industry will come together to share insights, build connections and discuss trends. Mobility professionals from all over North America will be attending this conference to exchange ideas and grow their networks. DelSuites is excited to be a part of this important event, which will be held at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver BC from September 25^th to 27^th.

The CERC Conference offers businesses within the relocation industry the chance to better manage the mobility programs and products they have to offer. It is a forward thinking conference, where ideas and innovations for the future are key. The relocation industry contributes over $2.5 billion to Canada’s economy and employs many people in a wide range of jobs.

CERC is the only organization in Canada that is devoted to advancing the issues and interests related to workforce mobility. It is a membership organization that provides leadership, assistance and services to members so that they can better serve relocated employees and their families. CERC strives to address issues that impact workforce mobility, whether internationally and domestically. Founded in 1982, CERC has over 600 members from all over Canada as well as members from the USA and around the world.

The world of mobility is changing rapidly due to demographic shifts, technology and much more. In order to stay on top, it is important to keep up with these changes by attending ground-breaking events such as the CERC conference. The conference will offer networking opportunities with over 300 mobility professionals from around the world, as well as three days of rich, interactive experiences and thought-provoking discussions.

What’s Happening at This Year’s Conference?

The 2016 conference will begin with a Relocation 101 workshop, which will give some valuable tools and insight to those who are new to the world of relocation. There will be plenty of interesting talks from keynote speakers, such as a presentation on the “Importance of Culture and Purpose and How It Can Impact Mobility” by Dan Pontefract. Throughout the day there will also be several other talks about housing cost management strategies, talent mobility, immigration compliance and much more. Conference attendees will also be able to take part in a panel featuring real talk from expats.

The second day will feature more talks about relocation, including information about US Canada Cross Border tax strategies and a talk about cost saving opportunities for domestic mobility programs. The talks at the conference will feature many of the top names and big thinkers in the relocation and mobility industry, so there will be many opportunities to learn and grow.

DelSuites is thrilled to be a part of the CERC conference again for another year. Be sure to drop by the newly revamped DelSuites Booth #20 and say hello!

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.

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