Family Vacations in Toronto Archives - Page 9 of 14

Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel

After School Activities for Kids

September 18, 2015

There is a window of time between when your children return from school and when dinner is served during which your little ones might find themselves a little bored and restless. You could hypnotise them with the television, but why not get them involved in some fun interactive activities instead? They can have some fun and blow off some steam before they start on their homework.

Here are some fun after school activities for your kids:

Recycle Objects
Try taking something from the recycle bin and challenging your child to turn it into something else. For example, a cardboard cereal box can turn into a mask or a paper towel roll can become a musical instrument. It’s a creative challenge that will really get their imagination going.

Drawing with Sidewalk Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is a lot of fun and it’s a great activity to do with your kids after work. You can draw pictures, write your names or even practice homework math problems. Or, draw a hopscotch court and play a few rounds of this simple hopping game.

Playing Board Games
Board games can be a fun activity for the entire family to enjoy together and there are a range of different board games that you can play, from Monopoly to the Game of Life to Snakes and Ladders. Board games are great for kids because they are a way for children to develop their focus and attention. They also teach the value of rules and fair play so that your child can learn to be a good loser or a humble winner.

Do Something Nice for Someone
Why not make a Get Well card for an ill neighbour, bake cookies for a friend, help an elderly relative clean their driveway or volunteer somewhere? You could gather together old clothes or non-perishable foods and make a donation to your local charity shop or homeless shelter. Doing something kind for someone feels great and is a good way to teach your child the value of thinking of others and being nice.

Play Dress Up
Get out all of the costumes, dresses, scarves and hats you can find and play dress up! Let your imaginations run wild and pretend that you are pirates, princesses, kings, queens and witches. You can even make up songs, dances and funny voices for the characters that you create.

Freeze Dance
This is a fun and energetic game that kids of all ages can play. Start by putting on a great song and letting everyone dance around for a while. When your young dancers are getting into it, pause the music. Everyone must stop dancing and freeze instantly – anyone who moves or falls over is out of the game. The winner is the last dancer to be eliminated.

These are just a few fun things that you can do after school with your kids which will not only keep them busy but will also educate, entertain and inspire them. What is your child’s favourite after school activity?

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

Labour Day Toronto Guide

September 3, 2015

Whether you’re staying at home in your furnished apartment in one of our many locations, Labour Day Toronto beckons a few special events. Here are our top five picks to explore the city before the school year kicks off.

The Canadian International Air Show
If you can’t beat the noise of the planes, join ‘em at the Ex, the annual labour day tradition that signals the end of the summer season. Not too far from our downtown properties, this is a great excuse for a picnic and to make the most of the summer sun. Don’t miss the Spitfire planes which will pay tribute to the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Labour Day Toronto
Andy Warhol Revisited
This tribute to the iconic artist of over 120 prints is on display at the pop-up Revolver Gallery at Bay and Bloor. The exhibition ends on December 31 but the long weekend is ideal to wander the gallery and stroll through Yorkville afterwards.

Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray
This exhibit at the lesser-known Textile Museum (near the AGO) showcases the 50 photographic portraits of the famous Mexican artist. The photographs were taken by her friend, photographer Nickolas Muray, and showcases her eclectic and colourful wardrobe. If you’re a fan of the artist or fashion, this will be a fun way to spend the afternoon and in exploring the Dundas and Queen West neighbourhood.

Art Fest
Discover the different exhibitors showcasing art, jewellery and more; another way to explore the Historic Distillery District. Fun for the whole family, there’s a free art workshop for the kids and musical performances as well.

What are your plans for Labour Day Toronto this year? Whether you’re at a park or running errands like finding new decor for your place, have a lovely long weekend!

Community Events, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Neighbourhood Guide: The Toronto Beaches

July 3, 2015

The summer season is one the best times to be in Toronto yet sometimes, city living in the summer can be hot, muggy and crowded (even though our short term rentals Toronto are centrally located). The Toronto Beaches (or “The Beach,” as it has been intensely debated), located on the eastern edges of the Greater Toronto Region is one of those neighbourhoods which feels like a little village, enabling you to escape the city without having to leave it. Here are a few of our favourite things to do if you have a day to explore the Toronto Beaches.

1. Explore the Martin Goodman Trail. The trail extends from east to west from the three separate parts of the beach along the lakeshore: Balmy, Kew, and Woodbine. The best way to see this is by biking if you’re coming from our furnished apartment rentals at our downtown locations. That said, you can easily walk, run, or rollerblade the three beaches. If you map this out with a few key pit stops in between to picnic or to go to a restaurant on Queen Street East, this is a scenic way to explore the city.

2. Swim! Though the water is deemed safe by the Toronto Department of Public Health (you can check for updates here and on your smartphone), you can also take the opportunity to swim at the Donald D. Summerville Olympic pool. Located at the foot of Woodbine Avenue and in the heart of Woodbine Beach, the pool is currently undergoing a $3.75 million capital renovation project to be completed in time for the Pan Am Games. If you are here for a longer term stay with your family or you like to swim, you may want to consider enrolling your kids in the Toronto Swim Summer Camp, or as an adult, enrol in the masters swim program or triathlon club.

3. Volleyball. If you pass by the western edge of Woodbine Beach, also known as Ashbridge’s Bay, you’re lucky to see rows of volleyball nets with lively players jumping up to the net with the music blaring to the skies. Want to go beyond people watching and try your hand at a spike? Check out the Ashbridge’s Bay Beach Volleyball Team or find a league through Beach Blast or the Ontario Volleyball Organization.

4. Events. The Toronto Beaches are home to many events, especially in the summertime. The biggest event is the Beaches Jazz Festival in

Boardwalk- Woodbine beach, Toronto | Photo Credit: Don Gunn

mid-July, which spans for two weeks. All event listings are here.

5. Watch a Movie. Beyond the boardwalk is a lively strip on Queen Street full of businesses, including the Fox Theatre. Located on the fringe of the Beach, this repertory theatre has been in business for over a century and is another way to discover the area and also watch a good film that you may have missed in the theatres.

Whether you’re living in Scarborough, Mississauga, Markham or North York, the Toronto Beaches are a wonderful area to explore and come back to from time to time when you want to escape the “city.”

Community Events, Downtown Toronto, Entertainment, Family Vacations in Toronto, Food & Recipes

Our Top New Places to Eat in Toronto Now

June 18, 2015

Over the past 8 years, Toronto has rapidly risen its reputation as one of the best cities in the world in which to live, mainly in part due to becoming a destination for a variety of quality restaurants that range in tastes, cultures, and flavours. The best part? They are in short distance of your furnished rental in the metropolis. 2015 has been an exceptional year for many anticipated openings. Here are our favourite eateries and places to eat in Toronto this year, thus far.

1. Bar Raval
Following his success at one of our top ten favourite restaurants, Bar Isabel, Chef Grant van Gameren’s Bar Raval was most anticipated opening of the year and it has not disappointed his loyal following. Those who have ever had to wait for a seat at Bar Isabel can now chow down on Gameren’s pinxtos at his stand up bar, morning, noon, and night. The shrimp and cream pinxtos and the Galician octopus are standout dishes. As much as the bar is adored for the food, the architecture by the firm, Partisans, is just as much of a highlight with its all encompassing wooden curves, bars, and peek-a-boo hideouts.

2. La Carnita Eastside
The neighbourhood of Leslieville has embraced La Carnita’s second location in the east and it’s a quick streetcar ride over the bridge across the Don River from your furnished apartment in Toronto. The funky Mexican eatery is serving up the classics like their fish tacos and feature daily specials which range from arctic char and chicken tostadas to shrimp tacos.

3. Dailo
Easily walkable from our downtown furnished suites, Dailo is the perfect restaurant for a special occasion. The Asian-American infused menu bursts with flavour and texture. Try the fried watermelon, the shrimp and the crispy Argentenian red shrimp served with kimchi grits, and tom yum buerre blanc. The 90 day aged rib eye from Oliffe butchers is served with bok choy, radish, soy pickled mushroom, and Asian chimichurri. It is great to share with a group and well worth the indulgence.

4. R&D
This brand new restaurant on Spadina from Masterchef Canada winner, Eric Chong and his mentor, Alvin Leung, is breathing new life for experimentation in the old Strada 241.You’ll be hungry after a short walk from our properties such as the Icon, 300 Front St. and the Element. The Peking duck and lobster chow mein were some of the twists on Chong’s dishes he made for the competition show and getting rave reviews.

What are your favourite new restaurants and places to eat in Toronto? What are your favourite places near your DelSuites home away from home?

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

5 Benefits of Travelling Light While on Business

June 3, 2015

As the cost of travelling continues to rise (especially in air-travel), it becomes more essential to pack light and smart, especially if you are on a business trip and on-the-go. Whether you are staying with us for a short-term stay in our furnished apartments in Toronto, we’ve come up with five benefits of why travelling light will help you.

1. Travelling Light Saves You Time and Money When you only have one carry-on, you don’t have to pay the $25 + checked baggage fee nor do you have to wait at baggage claim for your carry-on (which reduces your time to transfer in destination). At check-in, you can also reduce your time in long lines by pre-checking your boarding pass and entering in your info at a kiosk rather than waiting to get your baggage tagged.

2. Lost Luggage Worries are Gone When you only have one bag or carry-on, you don’t have to worry about it getting lost, delayed, damaged (or worse, stolen). According to the L.A. Times, The total number of bags that were lost, delayed or damaged by airlines around the world were 22 million in 2013 (a 17% reduction from 2012 but there is still a long way to go).

3. Easy Navigation Within Big Cities In a large metropolis like Toronto, you can easily get to the airport via public transport. If you have a bigger bag or more than one bag, however, it will be a more difficult to navigate on a crowded bus or subway. Travelling light enables you to walk through busy train stations, airports, and downtown streets with ease. In many train stations, you also have to take the stairs, which is a simpler task than with a heavy bag or more than one bag/suitcase. Luckily, we do have complimentary airport transportation services as part of our services if you chose to stay with us.

4. You Pack the Essentials Packing light forces you to decide which items are necessary for your trip in addition to simplifying your daily routine of figuring out what to wear each day. If you are traveling on business, choose neutrals to build a base. For instance a crisp white shirt which you can easily iron in your suite, a suit, and a black pair of shoes. You can tuck socks into your shoes to save room when packing and keep your toiletry kit to one simple bag either in the corner of your bag or in an easy to find-pocket of your luggage. (Remember: any liquids in your carry-on can be no more than 100 ml.) Packing smarter also enables you to find your things more quickly. A messenger back or lap-top bag is also efficient when you have to take it out during the customs and security check.

5. Flexibility If your flight or trip gets cancelled or delayed, you don’t have to worry about where your luggage is located. You also don’t have to worry about being able to navigate somewhere nearby because you packed light. For a business traveller, you can immediately take your belongings with you if you have to go straight to the office.

Packing light enables efficiency, cost-savings and flexibility. Do you pack light? What are your favourite benefits of packing light?

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