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IT’S THE PERFECT TIME IN THE YEAR TO VISIT TORONTO

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Perfect Time To Visit Toronto

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Compared to America’s “The Big Apple”, Toronto is not as big but is as, if not more, majestic and the New York City. Being the fourth largest of Canada’s cities, Toronto is big on being a hub for what is hip and happening in Canada. It is a reputation that noted as the New York Times listed the town in its “52 Places to visit in 2016”; giving Toronto the seventh position on the list.

The city has caught up with the big players such as Montreal and Vancouver in terms of annual visitors. It had over 14.3 million visitors in 2014. Its demeanor that is less intimidating and noticeably friendlier than the other cities may be the reason it has caught the interest of travelers.

Summer is always the best time of the year to head on to Toronto. The sights and sounds are just to “die for”; a joy to experience. But then again, even when the cold weather comes knocking, the town still has plenty to offer, and you should plan to visit someday, soon. In regards to hospitality, Toronto has an array of hotels to choose from at affordable prices.

Many prefer the Chelsea Hotel because of its size and location. The hotel has 1,500 rooms to choose from and is located next to the Eaton Center shopping mall. The Center houses a lobby bar, two restaurants, a nightclub, shopping malls, and two pools (an outdoor and an indoor pool) as well as a kids’ indoor water park.

A walk in Distillery District is sure to be fun as you explore the different shops and took a stroll through Allen Gardens. Head down to the Carbon Bar for some mouthwatering barbecue-themed gourmet meal after having a day of some spectacular sightseeing. The bar is among the many trending eating joints in Toronto for both the locals and visitors.

With a full belly, head over to the Royal Alexandria Theatre to watch “Kinky Boot”, a dazzling upbeat musical whose casts included Alan Mingo among others who mostly were Canadian actors. The theater was constructed in 1907 and is among the many other architectural sights in Toronto that include museums and galleries.

However, the main structural attraction is the CN Tower, an 1815ft free standing structure and it’s the third tallest tower in the world. It was completed in 1976 and stands as one of the iconic parts of Toronto’s skyline. From its revolving gourmet restaurant, you can have a magnificent view of the Niagara Falls. Speaking of dining, the Bannock, Sassafras, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, and the Sultan’s Tent as jus some of the best eateries you will find in Toronto.

So, we can conclude that no visit to this upbeat town would be complete without visiting the falls. It is one thing to view the Niagara Falls from afar, atop the skyscrapers and another to be a few feet away from the freefalling water and hearing the raging sounds of the water as is blazing water sprays hits you. In a unique way, Toronto was a mix of cultural surprises, and you will enjoy every minute of your visit there.

TORONTO BREAKS RECORD WITH MORE THAN 14 MILLION OVERNIGHT STAYS IN 2015

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Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto

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In the six years leading up to Toronto’s record-breaking 2015, the Canadian powerhouse had seen its popularity reach new heights. In addition to the 14.04 million overnight visitors, the city saw 26 million day visitors. The increase in tourism has given the economy a boost, with 7.2 billion USD spent by tourists in 2015 alone.

INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

Of those 14 million visits, 4 million were international, with 2.48 million from the United States, and 1.75 million from China and the United Kingdom. These visits generated 7.2 billion USD in direct spending within Toronto, which according to Tourism Toronto’s report is the highest economic stimulus ever created by the tourism sector.

Despite the fact that US visits have been increasing since 2010, 2015 saw an even stronger 10% rise. Air and land crossings from the US have ballooned, breaking records for the number of American visits to the city. 65% of American visitors get to Toronto via air, a rising number.

Visits originating from China and India increased 13% from 2014 to 2015. Mexican and Brazilian visits were up 24% each; the United Kingdom, 10%; Japan, 3%; and Germany down by 1%.

FOCUSED EFFORTS

Tourism Toronto CEO and President, Johanne Bélanger, credits the increase in tourism across the board to more aggressive marketing efforts. These efforts have been mainly focused in the US, and include the Toronto Stopover program offered through Air Canada for Americans travelling overseas. In addition to the Stopover Program, partnerships with national and provincial marketing agencies have helped to create the surge in visits.

AN ECONOMIC AFFAIR

Bélanger cites the hard work of the hotel industry as a positive economic impact of the growth. “Every day there are 110,000 visitors in our destination – 38,000 of them staying in a hotel. On average there are 6,800 American travellers and a further 4,800 visitors from other countries in Toronto every single day, and that speaks to the growing appeal of Toronto on a global scale. It also speaks to the hard work our team and our partners do selling and marketing Toronto in key world markets and the results those efforts are producing,” she says.

Overall, hotels in Toronto in 2015 sold over 9 million room nights, a 2.6% increase from 2014. The growth in Toronto tourism has contributed over 600,000 room nights every year to the hotel industry.

The tourism industry of Toronto employs more than 300,000 people in various sectors of economy, from hospitality to goods and services. In addition to accommodations, tourists spend money on food, music and theatre events, nightlife, transportation, and shopping. The tourism sector is of great significance to the overall economic condition of Toronto, as well as the community affairs.

Toronto was also the host of many meetings and corporate events in 2015. They brought over 350,000 representatives who spent 417 million USD during their stays. Tourism Toronto and their partnerships also have more than 750 future events booked for the city. These future events are planned to bring in 350,000 people and 375 million USD.

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN IN TORONTO

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Toronto skyline

Toronto has been described as the most diverse and multicultural city on Earth.   It is home to some of the finest venues in setting, ambiance, and food.

360 THE RESTAURANT AT THE CN TOWER

View the breathtaking city of Toronto, and on a clear day even Niagara Falls, from a seat over 1,000 feet in the sky. The restaurant gently rotates a full 360 degrees in 72 minutes.  Featured as one of Toronto’s finest, with its unforgettable market-fresh Canadian cuisine, featuring regional ingredients to enhance the culinary experience. The elegant surroundings and uptown ambiance, along with an attentive, knowledgeable staff make for an unforgettable experience.

FLO DE SAL

Described as one of Toronto’s most romantic restaurants, featuring gourmet Mediterranean cuisine, white linens and candlelight. In addition, an elegant patio offers an intimate place to share a cocktail. The chef’s approach is to honor the traditional cooking methods and historical roots of Southern Europe in a beautiful contemporary style. The menu changes seasonally, to include local market foods from farmers and producers that have developed a relationship with the restaurant for many years.  The chef and staff strive to make this an extraordinary sensory experience.

PALAIS ROYALE

Spend a Wednesday evening on a 4,000 square foot waterfront patio with a glittering dance floor and the air filled with jazz and dining overlooking Lake Ontario. Palais Royale has been home to great musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie for over 90 years. The 20s and 30s jazz ambiance and cool lake breeze only add to the exquisite menu and breathtaking sunsets. Events such as weddings and corporate functions can also be reserved and menus tailored to individual tastes.

GALLERY GRILL

On the University of Toronto campus stands a neo-gothic building with a dining hall to rival a king’s castle. Many tables overlook the Great Hall featuring exquisite vaulted ceilings, huge original portraits, stained glass windows, and massive oak paneling. An eclectic Canadian menu is offered for lunch September through June and other hours for private events.

LA MAQUETTE

This historical landmark is located on King Street East near Church Street. It compliments a large patio that is housed within the sculpture garden. The main floor restaurant boasts of high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, exquisite staircases and extraordinary architecture. Nightly live jazz adds to the romantic ambiance as well as the twinkling fires in the massive fireplace.  From appetizers to entrees to the extensive wine list, a foodies heaven.

SOTTO SOTTO RISTORANTE

An upscale Italian restaurant serving traditional, authentic dishes from Southern Italy. It is open from to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for dinner. Serving unique cuisine such as antipasti caldi and risotto as starters followed by pasta as a second course.  The main course features seafood, veal, poultry, or beef.  Desserts include traditional tiramisu, crème caramel, gelato affogato and numerous other tantalizing dishes to satisfy your sweet tooth. Catering is also available for a group of 8 at a formal dinner party to a group of 250 at a venue of your choice.

Travel Hacks for Frequent Travelers

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Woman looking at a map

So you’ve started traveling more frequently lately, or you’ve been traveling for a while, traveling by air can be daunting, more than you know. Even for seasoned travelers, long-haul trips are a scary idea. Read through our list of travel tips that will help you avoid the hassles of frequent flying:

  • Back up Important Documents in the Form of Electronic Data:

Back up documents that would be catastrophic to lose, such as passport, travel insurance policy, itinerary confirmations etc. You can use a remote approach and put backups on a service like Dropbox, or for even more security, use InfoSafe.com, which uses encrypted and password-protected security process to protect your information while allowing access from any Internet-connected computer.

  •  Pack Like A Pro:

The rule of thumb, for frequent flyers, is smaller the suitcase, the better. A bulky suitcase adds to unnecessary strain and don’t forget about the extra luggage money you have to pay at the airport counter! To create more space in your bag, use a vacuum compressor. Simply roll up your clothes, seal them in vacuum bag to squeeze the air out and you’re ready to go.

  •  Check Multiple Airline Seating Chart Websites:

Airlines sometimes change their seat configuration and numbering systems. During these states of flux, even reliable sites may not be in position to provide 100 percent accurate information. If the airline, you’re boarding, has undergone recent changes, it’ll be wise to check more than one seat review site to ensure you’re getting the most current info.

  •  Get Friendly with Your Smartphone:

Traveling has become a lot easier than ever before, thanks to the abundance of apps you can download at your fingertips. There are many important apps for business travelers which you can download to make your travel easier and better. One noteworthy example is Tripit. Using this app you can have an access to your flight details, hotel bookings, meeting information, etc. on your smartphone, accessible whenever you want. iTranslate is another app which comprises of over 80 languages so that won’t have to stumble over your words while trying to order the chicken special at a local cafe.

  •  Minimize Jet Lag by Eating Right:

Lay off caffeine and booze as they tend to dehydrate, making jet lag worse. Eating meals that is served at your destination can help adjust to your circadian rhythm, which is disturbed due to Jet lag. If the processed food served on planes dehydrates you, skip a meal and prefer healthy snacks that are high in protein.

  •  Sleep Right:

Jet lag i.e. when you cross time zones a lot faster than your body can adapt, it takes a day to adjust according to every time zone when traveling west, and almost two days when traveling east. However, you can cut down on this recovery time by loading up on sleep before your trip, as well as shifting meals and bedtime closer to those at your destined place. This takes some forward planning, but if you can, start going to bed an hour earlier each night and getting up an hour earlier each morning a few days before heading east, and an hour later each night/morning for a few days before heading west.

Best Minerals for Your Skin

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Almond oil

Just like vitamins, minerals too are important for healthy, beautiful and youthful skin. One of the best ways to achieve it is to eat a well-balanced diet that contains fresh fruits and vegetables, good amounts of protein, plenty of water and essential fatty acids. It is also important to exercise and meditate regularly as they reduce stress and improve blood circulation in the body.

Being deficient in one of the essential minerals might make your skin look dull and tired. Mentioned below are the top minerals that must be present in your body in the right quantities.

  • Zinc – Zinc is quite essential for people suffering from acne as it controls oil-production in the skin and works on those hormones that cause acne in the first place. Its antioxidant properties help to protect the skin and muscles against premature aging. The right amounts of zinc help heal skin injuries and boost the immune system.
  • Magnesium – Magnesium is essential for the skin, teeth, bones, hair and muscles and keeps the nervous system running smoothly. Your skin starts to age rapidly if you suffer from magnesium deficiency as the elasticity of the skin is no longer retained.
  • Selenium – Selenium is a mineral that is also a strong antioxidant. It maintains the flexibility and elasticity of the skin and protects the skin from the sun’s UV rays.
  • Calcium – As we all know, calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth but is also important for the skin. The skin becomes thin and the nails brittle when suffering from calcium deficiency.
  • Copper – The production of elastin and collagen is promoted by copper that makes the skin strong and elastic. It enhances the function of antioxidants and prevents oxidative damage on the skin. If your body has all the essential vitamins, zinc and copper the creation of elastin becomes easier and the skin remains flexible for many years to come.
  • Silica – Silica helps to strengthen the body’s connective tissues such as tendons, hair, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, bones, and nails. It also plays a vital role in maintaining young and healthy skin. The skin loses its elasticity if you are deficient in this mineral and gives way to slow healing of wounds and premature aging.
  • Potassium – Potassium and Sodium regulate the amount of water in the cells of your body. This is why potassium deficiency leads to dry and rough skin. It helps cells to function normally by holding an electric charge as potassium is an electrolyte.

Best Vitamins for Your Skin

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Woman holding citrus fruits.

No matter how many fruits, vegetables and multi-vitamin tablets you consume daily, if your skin care products do not contain vitamins in it, you are surely missing out on a vital part of skin care. Vitamins can do your skin a world of good with anti-aging benefits being the most important of them all. Let us understand which vitamins work wonders for the skin:

• Vitamin A – Vitamin A is generally found in skin night creams and lotions. It has been seen to reduce wrinkles on the face, make the skin smooth and also helps brown spots to fade. Vitamin A derivatives are commonly known as retinoids that make the skin look softer and smoother than before. Applying Vitamin A infused products at night is recommended as sunlight has the power to inactivate forms of Vitamin A.

• Vitamin B3 – This vitamin is commonly found in serums and creams. It is known as niacinamide on the product’s label. Vitamin B3 has been proven to increase the production of fatty acids and ceramides that are the two essential components in a skin forming its outer protective barrier. With a strong barrier, the moisture remains locked inside, and the irritants are unable to enter within. It is great for women with sensitive or dry skin. B3 Vitamins are best applied in the morning and evening.

• Vitamin C – Being known as the best anti-aging vitamin, Vitamin C s commonly found in moisturizers and facial cleansers as well. It helps to get rid of the free radicals in the skin that lead to wrinkles, sagged skin and rapidly aging changes if not taken care of. It also makes the skin smooth and firm and fades all types of spots on the skin. Vitamin C is best applied in the morning right before putting on sunscreen to protect skin from free radicals generated by the sun’s UV rays.

• Vitamin E – Vitamin E is commonly found in after-sun products and sunscreens. It is known for helping the skin retain its natural moisture by getting rid of the dryness and also neutralizing those free radicals that can damage the skin immensely. It is essential to apply Vitamin E infused products both before and after sun exposure.

• Vitamin K – It is commonly found in eye creams as it helps to lighten dark circles with ease. Dark circles are the cause of leaked blood capillaries, and this vitamin helps to stop the leakage by taking care of the clots of blood present. Such products work best when applied at night just before hitting the bed.