Blog

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting countless business travellers from all corners of the globe. Along the way, we’ve picked up a few excellent travel tips that can make a good business trip great. Here are 5 ways you can ensure that your next business trip is the smoothest one yet.

Fly Non-Stop
​Spending half a day waiting around in the airport for a connecting flight is a massive waste of time and energy. Flying non-stop is almost always worth any extra expense or arrangements that need to be made. Ideally, you need to arrive at your destination as fresh as possible ready to get down to business.
 
Bonus Tip:Ensure your flight is non-stop and not just direct. Direct flights can have a stop where the plane lands, refuels, and takes on passengers without you leaving the aircraft – this is better than a layover, but it’s still less than ideal.

Join Loyalty Programs
If you’re making several trips a year, it pays to be loyal – both in the air and on the ground.
 
Many airlines have frequent flyer schemes that can provide you with a range of benefits including lounge access, free upgrades, and priority boarding. Not all airlines are going to fly to every destination you want to go to - so try and pick one or two major ones and stick with them whenever possible.
 
Similarly, most hotel chains will have loyalty programs that provide you with rewards to thank you for sending your repeat business their way – and they can be extremely generous.
 
For example:Here at Monte Carlo Inns we have our Diamond Rewards program with which you can earn free upgrades, complimentary rooms, and enjoy a whole host of other gifts and benefits too.

Try And Avoid Checking Bags
For longer trips and in certain situations this tip isn’t going to be applicable - but if you can avoid checking in your bags, everything about flying becomes quicker and easier. 
 
The most obvious benefit is that you don’t have to wait 30 minutes after you land to collect your baggage, but there’s much more to it than that…
 
•   You don’t run the risk of missing an important meeting or turning up in your traveling clothes because the airline has lost your bag
•   Getting to and from the airport is much easier as you only have to carry one bag
•   If you only have carry on luggage in some airports you can skip the check-in desk completely. Simply print out your boarding pass at home and head straight for security when you arrive instead

Get Your Charging Routine Sorted
There’s nothing worse than leaving for a long haul flight only to find that you haven’t remembered to charge your phone / laptop / headphones. Leave all your essential electronics on charge overnight before you leave and place them next to your wallet or purse so you have no chance of forgetting them.

Order A Vegetarian Meal
On the vast majority of flights, special meals get distributed among the passengers first – which includes vegetarian options. 
 
Even if you’re not a vegetarian, if you’re willing to skip meat for just one meal while you’re on the plane it’s possibly a good idea to order the veggie option when you’re booking your ticket - especially on night flights. 
 
By doing this, you’ll almost certainly get your food before everyone else - which means you don’t have to wait for the entire plane to be fed and for dinner service to finish before you can relax and go to sleep.

Summer is here in Toronto!
We’re currently enjoying glorious days of cloud-free skies, pristine sunshine, and soaring temperatures. Torontonians love it when the sun is out, the city comes alive and the atmosphere of happiness in the air brings a smile to the faces of tourists and locals alike.

But, despite how much fun we have with the sun, sometimes you just need to cool off a bit.

With that in mind today we’re going to share with you 4 ways you can beat the heat in Toronto this summer.

Let’s get started

Eat Some Ice Cream
We’re blessed in Toronto to have some of the most delicious ice cream parlors in the entire country – and nothing cools you down on a summer’s day like an ice cold cone. Wherever you are in the city you’re not going to have to walk far to find a great ice cream, most neighborhoods have their own local legendary parlor.

However, if you’re looking for something extra special, try out Ed’s Real Scoop. They’ve got an almost cult-like following among some locals, and it’s an ice cream you’re never going to forget. The original parlor is the one in the Beaches, but you’ll find them in Roncesvalles, Leslieville, or Roncey too.

Be sure to ask about the ice cream pie, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.

Stand Up Paddle-boarding
While the aim of stand up paddleboarding is to stay out of the water and paddle around on the surface – if you’ve never tried it before, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get wet.

There are numerous SUP rental places around the lake and the islands that will be able to get you started. Classes are optional but will speed up the learning curve – however, most people just grab a board and give it a go on their own.

Note:Remember to wear lots of sunscreen and cover up if you rent a SUP - you’re going to be in direct sunlight. Whenever you feel like cooling down, just jump in!

Woodbine Beach
Who needs the sea when you’ve got a lake like this? Woodbine beach has a happy, electric, and alive feel to it on a hot summer’s day when Torontonians flock to its sandy shores to escape the heat of the concrete jungle.

It’s one of Toronto’s swimmable beaches, and there are lifeguards present at certain points, so it’s great to take a dip on a warm day(it’sa blue flag beach). The beach is pretty large, so you’ll be able to take a soccer ball or some tennis rackets for a spot of beach sports if that’s your thing(andthere are volleyball courts there too).

Note:There can very occasionally be undercurrents in the water here, so be sure to only swim in the areas designated as safe for swimming by the lifeguards.

Chill Ice House
Chill Ice House is the countries largest ice bar, and it’s the coldest place you can be in Toronto on a hot summer’s day(probably).The entire place is constantly kept at-5cand you’ll be drinking out of ice glasses and sitting on ice chairs while being served top quality beers, wines, and soft drinks.

When you arrive you’ll be handed a warm parker coat and a pair of woolly gloves to keep you comfortable while you’re inside(whichis quite a surreal feeling after coming in from the heat). During the day it’s a family friendly place and kids absolutely love the experience, after about 8 pm it turns into a club that’s for adults only where you can dance the night away.