Family Vacations in Toronto Archives - Page 13 of 14

Business Travel, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel, Uncategorized

The Top 5 Essentials to Keep in Your Suitcase

July 10, 2014

Even if travel isn’t a regular part of your schedule, it pays to have certain items in your suitcase at all times. Having some key essentials to keep in your suitcase will not only help make your travel preparations easier, but it will also reduce your chances of forgetting something when you’re in a rush. Read our list of essential items to store in your suitcase so you’re always ready to hit the road when you need to.

Wellness kit – While you’re likely to keep your prescriptions close at hand, putting together a health kit that you can stash in your suitcase is always a good idea. Pick up small sizes of antacid, band aids, antiseptic ointment, throat lozenges, anti-fungal medication and decongestant will save you the hassle of trying to find an open drug store in a city you’ve just arrived to.
Toiletries – Keeping travel-sized versions of your favourite personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and shaving cream packed in your suitcase is one less thing you have to worry about, should you need to travel at a moment’s notice. Be sure to check your supply of toiletries when you return from your trip so that you’re stocked up for the next time you travel.
Electronic cords and chargers – From your laptop to your smart phone, there’s nothing worse than having the battery life of your electronic device end abruptly. Keeping an extra set of cords and charging devices in your suitcase is a quick and easy solution that ensures neither you (nor a colleague) find yourself without power.
Travel clock – Sure your smart phone can double as an alarm, but having a backup doesn’t hurt either. Let’s face it, when you’re in a new location, you’re out of your regular routine and you might need a little extra help waking up. Have the alarm on your smart phone set for your desired wake time and then use your travel clock as a backup that’s set for five minutes later. This ensures you’ll never sleep through your alarm.
Rain check – When the weather forecast predicts sunny skies, rain isn’t something you think about. But, keeping a small-sized umbrella and folded rain poncho in your suitcase at all times is a terrific way to avoid being stuck in the rain.

Whether you’re in town for vacation, or enjoying a short term rentals Toronto on a business trip, we highly recommend packing these five essential items to ensure you’re prepared anywhere you go!

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

Top 10 Places to Visit in Toronto

June 26, 2014

From cultural to historical, educational or whimsical – Toronto offers a multitude of attractions suitable for any day of the week. All of these attractions are either within walking distance of Union Station in downtown Toronto, or a short ride on the city’s transit system. For visitors planning to see multiple attractions, a City Pass offers admission discounts and VIP access. Whether you’re in town for vacation, or enjoying a short term rentals Toronto on a business trip, we highly recommend the following top 10 places to visit in Toronto.

Toronto Eaton Center
One of the city’s largest shopping attractions – the Eaton Centre – features an arched glass ceiling that not only allows natural light to filter through, but is also of architectural interest. From bargain hunters to high-end shoppers, the shopping centre houses more than 250 stores making for an enticing shopping experience.

CN Tower

Although it’s no longer the tallest spire in the sky, at more than 1,800 feet, the CN Tower is a classic way to see the heights of Toronto. Rather than opting for the price of admission, book a reservation at the Tower’s 360 restaurant and enjoy exceptional dining with the view.

Casa Loma

Step back in time to an era of European splendor at Casa Loma. The home of former financier Henry Pellat, the majestic Canadian castle features exceptionally decorated suites, hidden tunnels and passageways and a five-arcre garden perfect for exploring. Open May through October, you’ll find Casa Loma also features special events on weekends including musical performances.

Centre Island

Rest and relaxation is the theme at Toronto’s Centre Island. Take the 10-minute ferry across to the Island where you’ll bask in peace and tranquility while enjoying the view of the cityscape. Whether going solo or with the family, pack a picnic, rent a bicycle and take time to recharge.

Royal Ontario Museu Entrance Royal Ontario Museum In Toronto m

Celebrating its second century, the Royal Ontario Museum is home to feature exhibitions curated from around the globe along with galleries including Natural History and World Culture. Those who enjoy hands-on experiences can view galleries such as the Kid’s Discovery Zone, which encourages interactive learning through a variety of displays and games. Guided museum tours, along with walking tours of Toronto are also available through the Museum’s guest services.

Art Gallery of Ontario

From European to Canadian and Modern to Contemporary, the Art Gallery of Ontario houses an incredible diversity of collections. Whether you wander through the galleries solo or by a guided tour, you can reserve a spot at the Gallery’s restaurant Frank, which offers a menu incorporating global cuisine.

Chinatown

With crowds of people and a buzz of activity, Toronto’s Chinatown is the second largest in North America. Situated in the heart of Toronto’s fashion district, the Dragon City Mall offers elegant Asian fashions and restaurants. From the corner of Spadina Avenue, fresh food markets run along Dundas Street West as well as restaurants featuring Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai fare..

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Situated at nest to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium boasts 15,000 different types of sea creatures, including what many find most appealing – the wide scope of shark species. Swimming above you in observations decks, this sea spectacle appeals to a range of audiences. Avoid the mad rush on weekends and check the place out during a summer week night.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Home to the Stanley Cup, the Hockey Hall of Fame is an interactive attraction that allows you to experience Canada’s game while learning more about the legendary hockey teams that changed the face of the sport. From taking shots on goal to calling the play-by-play on some historic goals, hockey fans of all ages will feel as though they’re standing at centre ice.

Bata Shoe Museum

Featuring collections from historic time periods, geographic regions and cultural groups, the Bata Shoe Museum is your opportunity to get your foot in the door. With more than 12,000 artifacts, the Museum’s permanent collection highlights the diversity and scope of footwear while time-limited exhibitions feature fashion and style icons. The Museum also offers family-friendly programs for children including fairy tale themed exhibits.

With these top 10 places to visit in Toronto in mind, we hope you will have a wonderful stay in Ontario’s capital.

Business Travel, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Relocation, Toronto Family Travel

How to Get the Best Deals on Flights

May 28, 2014

While booking your flight is easy enough, we all pay more than we’d like to. Whether you’re traveling for business or taking your family on vacation, there are some quick and easy ways to save on airfare — and it doesn’t involve cashing in your travel rewards miles. Here are four quick and easy ways to score the best deal on your next flight. Who knows, maybe you’ll even save enough to extend your vacation by a day or two!

Shop Around – With travel and airline websites abound, it’s important to compare flights among multiple sites. Although travel websites will often give you what looks to be a terrific price, make sure you read the fine print for restrictions on flight schedules including days of the week and time of day. If you’re flying at 2:00 a.m. to a make a 9:00 a.m. business meeting, the money you save may not be worth it. When you’re schedule permits, take advantage of the deals on flights that airlines may offer that make booking flights well in advance worthwhile. That means, when you know you’ll be traveling to a destination within a certain time frame when discounted rates apply, then book two flights at once.

Check out Social Media – Travel companies including Trip Advisor, Travelocity, Travel Alerts and nearly every airline regularly post links to discounts and other special promotions through Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels. Get in the habit of following tweets and wall posts regularly to find out when and how to get the best deals on flights. Some airlines will even provide promotional discounts for retweets on Twitter or posting to their Facebook wall.

Sign Up For Alerts – Although no one wants a regular influx of email alerts going straight to their inbox, it can be worthwhile to filter travel and airline email alerts to a destination mailbox. This gives you the benefit of seeing the best deals on flights without having your inbox spammed. You can also be selective to which email alerts you sign up for, opting for the websites you don’t check as regularly rather than those you do which is another smart way to shop around for deals.

Know When to Buy – You may often hear that ‘timing is everything’, and booking your flight is no different. It’s not uncommon for websites to offer discounted rates on mid-week flights. In a similar way, travelers can also score deals when booking their flights mid-week – usually, Tuesday mid-afternoon is an optimal time to strike a killer deal.

With these tips in mind, we’re confident you can become a pro at snagging deals across the country! Looking for more cost saving tips? Read ‘Tips for Traveling on a Budget’ to learn more how to about having an amazing trip, without breaking the bank.

As always, DelSuites is proud to offer short term rentals Toronto and downtown toronto apartments in Toronto. Keep us in mind should you ever come out our way!

Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk

Tips for Traveling with Your Family

May 16, 2014

Happy family going on holidays and traveling by airplane Traveling with a family is unlike traveling solo. In fact, it’s unlike traveling as a couple. Whether you’re traveling for business and bringing the family or relaxing on vacationing with them, keeping everyone in good spirits takes a little added planning. These days logging frequent flyer miles with your whole family has become a lifestyle and for many families, here are some ways to ensure the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Be Kind to Fellow Travelers: Just because you’re traveling with your family, doesn’t mean that everyone else is too. While your family takes priority, being aware of travelers en route to your destination makes the experience pleasant for everyone. Extending a little advanced courtesy to fellow passengers while on your flight or train ride will make them more accommodating should your children burst out into tears or a full-on sibling squabble.

Find Family-Friendly Accommodations When you’re traveling with the whole family, budget friendly stays are essential, which makes a hotel stay nearly unaffordable. But choosing extended stay accommodations means that you’ll save big by having the flexibility to purchase groceries and prepare some meals in the rental’s fully-equipped kitchen.

Walk Everywhere: Sure renting a vehicle may seem like a great idea, but nothing beats touring a new city on foot to soak up the local culture. Although you may not cover as much ground as you would in a car, your family will truly get to experience a new city in a very up close and personal way. For families with older children, bicycle rentals are also a great way to get around and explore.

A Room of Your Own: Hotel rooms are short on space and when you’re traveling with your family, a little extra wiggle room can be essential to keeping the peace. A short term apartment rental offers additional living space, along with the option for separate bedrooms. In addition, amenities that families may require during their stay including swimming pools, fitness areas and other recreational facilities will keep everyone occupied even when you’re not out exploring. What’s even better? These amenities are included in the cost of your rental.

Enjoy the Adventure: Without a doubt, things will go wrong. But family vacations aren’t about perfection but rather about enjoying life as it happens. Missing some spots on your tourist map? Relax, that just means you’ll have more to explore the next time. Keep it simple and enjoy the journey!

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

Tips for Traveling on a Budget

April 14, 2014

Whether you’re taking your family on vacation or traveling solo, your next holiday doesn’t have to empty your bank account.
Here are five tips for traveling on a budget.

1) Make a Budget. From transportation and accommodations to meals and entertainment, decide the amount you want to spend and plan your vacation accordingly.

2) Choose Accommodations Wisely. Renting from a short-term housing provider adds value to your vacation in more ways than one. By offering you a fully equipped kitchen to prepare some meals as well as having access to on-site fitness centers and swimming pools, you’ll enjoy value-added entertainment without spending extra money.

3) Be Adventurous. Considering destinations that are a little off-the-beaten-path will help you maximize your budget as these locations are often looking to attract more tourists. For instance, traveling to smaller towns close to metropolitan cities, give you the opportunity to explore lesser-known areas while still enjoying tourist hot spots.

4) Make A Deal. Contact the travel and tourism board in the city you’re traveling to. This is a great resource for scoring deals on everything from theatre and sports tickets to finding out about the latest restaurant openings and family-friendly dining spots.

Music Festival 5) Go Local. Be on the look out for music festivals, street parties and carnivals that are often held during the summer months. These events are often free to the public and offer a variety of entertainment for all ages. Check the municipality’s online calendar before you travel to find out more about events wherever you’re heading.

Inevitably you can’t plan for every situation when you’re traveling the open road. That said, plan for those extra expenses by keeping a few dollars stashed in a safety fund. You’ll be happy you did when you find for those last minute concert tickets you just can’t pass up.

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Family Vacations in Toronto