Browsing Category

Lifestyle talk

Lifestyle talk, Relocation, toronto toursim

Things You’ll Notice As Soon As You Move to Canada

March 26, 2019

Relocating to the Great White North? Here are some differences you’ll notice right away when you move to Canada.

It is Cold in the Winter

If you move to Canada from somewhere with a mild climate, the intense cold of your first Canadian winter may surprise you.

However, as you will learn from your new Canadian friends and colleagues – there is no such thing as bad weather – only inadequate clothing. Make sure that you invest in a warm coat and a pair of waterproof boots and you will be warm and comfy no matter how hard the cold winds blow and how deep the snow gets.

move to canada

Distances Are Long

Canada is the second largest country in the world (only Russia is bigger) and it’s population density is very low. This means that, once you leave the main cities, the towns are small and spread out.

This means that if you plan to drive or take a train somewhere else in Canada, be prepared to travel. If you are moving from a small place like the UK, driving for 6-8 hours can put you on the other end of the country. In Canada, it will barely get you halfway across the province.

Politeness is Extremely Important

Etiquette is very important in Canadian culture, which is why Canucks have a reputation around the world for being polite. Keep in mind that saying please and thank you is commonplace here, even in the simplest little interactions.

Plus, in general Canadians tend to communicate in an indirect, sugar-coated way and are careful not to cause offense or confrontation. This might be different from your own culture, so take the time to learn and adjust or you might accidently put your foot in your mouth.

Tipping is the Norm

When it comes to tipping, Canada follows the same format as the USA. Tipping is expected and not leaving a tip is seen as a direct protect against terrible service. If tips don’t exist in your home country, it’s important to pick up this habit when you move to Canada or your server will wonder what they did to deeply offend you.

move to canada toronto

Smoking in Public is a No-No

In Canada it is illegal to smoke in any public places, including restaurants, stores, hotels, hospitals, offices and pretty much everywhere else. This also means that you can’t smoke in the common areas of apartment buildings or rental complexes. Smokers can indulge in designated smoking areas, within their own home, in their vehicle or in the great outdoors.

Now you know why the air in Canada smells so fresh and clean!

It’s Wonderfully Diverse

Canada has received many generations of immigrants from all over the world and as a country, it prides itself on being a Multicultural mosaic. For example, more than half of Toronto residents were born outside of Canada.

This is a great thing, because it means that when you move to Canada you’ll be able to experience many different cultures, traditions, cuisines and festivals – without having to travel the world.

Planning to Move to Canada?

Our short term furnished apartments are a great place to stay while you get settled. Contact us for more info.

Business Travel, Corporate Housing, Lifestyle talk, Relocation

Relocating Employees – Common Mistakes Companies Make

March 19, 2019

If your employees are moving to work for you, don’t make it too difficult for them. Relocating employees is a complex process and there are a lot of details that need to be taken care of. However, it’s essential that it is done right – because it can be quite a stressful experience for your employee if the move isn’t handled well.

Unfortunately, many companies drop the ball on this part of the contract, by not paying enough attention to supporting their employees during the move. Here are some mistakes that you should avoid, so that you can help your employees make a seamless transition.

Common Mistakes When Relocating Employees

relocating employees

Not Communicating With The Employee

Do your best to keep the employee informed about everything that will happen during the move, including all of the details about where they will stay, how their belongings will be transported and what paperwork they need to fill out when they arrive.  This will help to keep the employee in the loop and ensure that they are not confused when they arrive. Don’t assume that they will know what to expect!

Not Having a Clear Budget

Relocating an employee can be expensive, but it can be even more costly if you don’t have a clear picture of the costs. Having a budget is important, as it allows you to plan out how much you have to spend on each aspect of the relocation and accurately predict your expenses.

Remember, when making a budget it’s always a good idea to add on an extra 20% at the end, just to account for any surprises that might occur during the relocation process.

Not Helping Them to Get Set up

There are a lot of things that your employee will need to set up when they arrive in their new location – destination orientations, school find, settling services, legal services, temporary housing, bank account, phone number, internet, etc. Do your best to support them with this and help them to set it all up.

They will appreciate the help and it will assist them in making the transition go much more smoothly, so that they can settle into their new home more easily.

relocating employees

Finding Unsuitable Accommodation

Another mistake that companies make when relocating employees is that they don’t put enough thought into choosing the accommodation where the employee will stay temporarily before they can move into their new home.

As a result, the employee ends up staying somewhere in an unsuitable location and without necessary amenities.

Our apartments are a great option for an employee relocation. These fully furnished apartments offer a spacious living area, bedroom and kitchen – so that the employee can settle in and feel at home. Plus the convenient location means they won’t be far from work. To find out more, contact us today!

Lifestyle talk, Markham, toronto toursim

The Ultimate Markham Shopping Guide

January 4, 2019

Markham ShoppingThere are a lot of reasons to live in Markham Ontario – and one of them is excellent Markham shopping.

This region offers plenty of choice when it comes to enjoying some retail therapy –  from designer brands to unique boutiques and enormous shopping malls.  No matter what you are looking for, you’re sure to find it here with this Markham shopping guide.

So, where should you start if you’re in the mood to shop? The following are some of the best options for shopping in Markham, Ontario:

King Square Shopping Centre

Billed as “Canada’s Largest Asian Shopping Centre” – King Square is the newest mall in Markham. It is located on 9390 Woodbine Avenue, near 16th and Woodbine. It has a dazzling selection of retailers, as well as shopping, dining and entertainment space.

Markham ShoppingPlus, it’s centrally located from the major highways, which makes it easy to get to. There are over 500 well known brands to choose from and it’s open until 8pm so you have plenty of time for shopping!

Pacific Mall

Located on the corner of Steeles Avenue and Kennedy Road, this mall is huge – encompassing over 500 stores. It has an Asian theme and the mall corridors are named after streets in Hong Kong – such as Hollywood Avenue, Nathan Avenue and Queen’s Avenue. This is a great place to find electronics, as well as hairdressers, jewelry and other accessories.

As well as the typical retail brands, you’ll also find Pacific Heritage Town, which has been built to resemble a traditional Asian marketplace packed with unique artwork, crafts and other items. Oh, and the food court also has a huge selection of juice bars, noodle restaurants and other great budget eats.

CF Markville Mall and Shopping Centre

Another one of the major Markham shopping centres, this retail hotspot has recently undergone a $110 million redevelopment. It is home to over 160 high quality retailers including Coach, Michael Kors and Aritzia.

CF Markville Mall has many of the big name retailers such as Best Buy, EB Games, Apple, Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart. There are Markham Shoppingalso plenty of other quirky smaller brands to discover, as well as amenities such as a Good Life Fitness, dental offices and opticians.

Main Street Markham Shopping

Another great place to shop in Markham is along the historic and scenic main street. This is the original main street of the village of Markham, which is one of the oldest communities in Ontario and has a rich and storied past.

Today, the historic shop fronts along the street have been transformed into boutiques, art studios, cafes and other businesses. Strolling down main street on a sunny day is a delight and there are so many interesting shops to check out. If you work up an appetite, you can treat yourself to a slice of Uncle Tetsu’s famous cheesecake.

Read on to find out some reasons to Live in Markham here. A city with culture and history!

 

Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Markham

5 Reasons to Live in Markham

December 13, 2018

MarkhamAlthough Markham is part of the Greater Toronto Area, it’s officially its own city. In fact, it’s the 16th largest city in Canada. More affordable than Toronto, safe and conveniently located, it’s a desirable place to live.  Here are 5 reasons why you’ll love life in Markham:

1. The Markham Fair is a Blast

The Markham Fair, held every year on the weekend before Canadian Thanksgiving, is one of the biggest events in the city. Established in 1844, it’s one of the oldest country fairs in the entire country. Watch a gymnastics demonstration, a cooking show or a sheep-shearing competition, take a spin on the midway rides, treat yourself to food truck fare and much more. This fair, which hosts upwards of 80,000 attendees each year, won’t disappoint!

2. The Parks Are Beautiful

The city of Markham has so many beautiful green spaces – perfect for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. For example, there’s Toogood Pond Park, a 81.5 acre park that is known for its pretty pond. (You can even ice skate on it in the winter!) There’s a trail encircling the pond, as well as some lovely quiet forests.

MarkhamBut Toogood Pond Park isn’t the only place to find solitude in nature. There are over 50 different parks within Markham, including Crosby Memorial Park, Berczy Park and German Mills Settlers Park.

3. The Golfing is Top Notch

If you love to golf, you’ll really love living in Markham. There are 9 different golf courses there (4 private, 5 public), so you will be spoiled for choice. One of the most popular golf courses open to the public is Angus Glen Golf Club. It’s known for having been a host to many PGA tour events.

You can also check out Markham Green Golf Club and the Remington Parkview Golf Club. Either way, you’ll find some great places to work on your swing and play a few holes.

4. The Chinese Food is Amazing

MarkhamThis is one of the best areas of Toronto to live in if you enjoy Chinese cuisine. Check out the unpretentious Wonton Hut in Markham Town Square, a mom and pop restaurant that specializes in classic wonton noodle soup. The chef uses shrimp shells, eggs and ground sun-dried flounder to create a delicious broth. Another local favourite is Casa Victoria, known for mouthwatering set menus of Cantonese dim sum featuring dishes such as wok-fried lobster with a coating of salted duck egg yolk.

5. You Can Explore a Historic Neighbourhood

Unionville is one of the oldest areas of Markham – dating back over 200 years. The original storefronts of this charming neighbourhood have been restored as restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Also, Markham Village is another interesting historic area of the city where you can see many fascinating old buildings.

Plus, every year at the end of September the city celebrates Doors Open Markham. This is a community event where buildings and places of interest that are not generally open to the public are free to visit.

To learn more about our properties in Markham, click here.

 

About me, Announcements, Business Travel, Customer Service Experience, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk, North York, toronto toursim

DelSuites and The Keg Partnership Program

November 30, 2018

The KegAs a guest of DelSuites, we want to make your stay in Toronto as easy and enjoyable as possible.  And what better way to do that, than to offer you a great deal on a delicious dinner at The Keg?

We have teamed up with Canadian luxury steakhouse The Keg to offer all of our guests 20% off all food at two Toronto locations (North York and Midtown Toronto). That means you can treat yourself to succulent, juicy steak, artisanal cocktails and other great dishes – for less.  If you arrive at your DelSuites accommodation feeling hungry, we highly recommend that you make your way down to this restaurant – you’ll get a very warm welcome along with the great discount!

What Is The Keg?

If you’re not from Canada and therefore not familiar with The Keg, you’re in for a treat.

Founded in 1971 in North Vancouver, this steakhouse chain has 160 locations all over Canada (as well as locations in five American states). They are known for offering an upscale dining experience and are often built within beautiful restored and refurbished historic properties.

What can you expect from the food at The Keg? Well, first of all – the steaks are their pride and joy.

The KegThey only serve the finest cuts of meat, aged for tenderness and seasoned with a unique blend of spices. You’ll have a choice of cuts, from the grilled top sirloin to the bacon-wrapped filet mignon to the New York striploin. It’s obvious that a lot of tender loving care goes into preparing these steaks, and you can taste the difference. f seafood is more your thing, you can feast on a big juicy lobster, or some spicy

Cajun shrimp.

Not into steak or seafood? They also do some pretty amazing ribs – doused in house-made BBQ sauce and served with cabbage slaw and crisp, chunky Keg fries. The menu also features classic cocktails, an array of appetizers, succulent seafood and a dazzling wine list. Plus, you can finish the meal with something sweet – like a Billy Miner Pie, featuring mocha ice cream on a chocolate crust with gooey hot fudge sa

uce, caramel and almonds.

(Are you drooling already? I know I am. )

It’s a popular spot for getting together with friends, celebrating with family members or impressing your sweetheart on a date night.

The LocationsThe Keg

This special offer of 20% off all food at The Keg is available for guests staying at our Midtown or North York locations. The discount is applicable at the North York or Yonge and Eglinton locations of The Keg – and only for the duration of your stay. It’s a chance for you to discover one of Canada’s favourite restaurants during your visit to Toronto.

So, whether it’s an anniversary meal, a celebration of a promotion, a family dinner or a special meal out “just because” – we hope you enjoy The Keg!

If you have any questions about this special promotion – feel free to reach out to the DelSuites team. We are happy to help!

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username