Travel and Tourism Blog

Travel Tourist :Planning and Executing an Affordable & Fairly Painless Vacation

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

Travel deals abound! Most seem too good to be true, but that isn’t always the case, you just have to know where to look so that you get the most for your hard earned bucks! Especially now when most people are strapped for cash but still want to take a family vacation! But

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Travel deals abound! Most seem too good to be true, but that isn’t always the case, you just have to know where to look so that you get the most for your hard earned bucks! Especially now when most people are strapped for cash but still want to take a family vacation!

But first, you need to do your research so you know what you are looking for. Below are some helpful tips to plan and budget your vacation.

Trip Research

What type of traveler are you? Are you looking to relax in one place? Or you the type that has an itinerary which involves seeing all there is to see at your chosen destination. Perhaps a balance of both; either way it’s important to know this before delving into the actual planning.

Similar to knowing what type of traveler you are, what about your companion? I once went on vacation with my cousin and it was only great in theory. Once we got there we had totally different ideas of what our “vacation” was and as such we fought a lot. In the end we worked it out, but we could have spared ourselves the aggravation had we taken the time to discuss the situation prior to actually going.

Most important is your budget. Are you trying to travel on a budget or did you just get your tax return and this is your one big chance to go all out and take a trip you have been thinking about for a long time?

After you answer these questions, you can now move on to finding the best travel deals! Below are some helpful tips for making that an easy task.

Social Media Sites

Savvy travelers most likely already know to look to social media sites for travel deals but if for some reason you didn’t already know that, now you do. Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and others can lead you to the best travel deals to be found online. At your fingertips is unlimited deals and information from renting a car, to taking a cruise, cheap tickets, affordable dining and more.

Popular travel providers, such as JetBlue, are in the habit of turning toward social media sites to announce last-minute deals on hotel rooms, airline tickets and more. Make sure you are following those and others!

Travel Sites

Travel sites such as Orbitz.com, which happens to be our favorite of the many online, can save you big bucks; particularly when you have access to an Orbitz promotion code. Sign up for their Newsletter so you can be the first to know about their deals and promotions.

Chrissie Cole is a freelance writer for various blogs, including Speedy Incorporation, which helps new small business owners incorporate online as well as offering advice and information about running their business successfully via their small business blog.

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Travel Tourism :Five travel photography tips for your next vacation

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

(ARA) – Nine out of 10 people are planning to take two or more leisure trips this year, according to TripAdvisor’s 2012 Travel Trends Forecast survey. Of these travelers, 42 percent are planning cultural trips that combine precious downtime with enriching experiences.

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Five travel photography tips for your next vacation

(ARA) – Nine out of 10 people are planning to take two or more leisure trips this year, according to TripAdvisor’s 2012 Travel Trends Forecast survey. Of these travelers, 42 percent are planning cultural trips that combine precious downtime with enriching experiences. But no matter where or why people take trips this year, how can travelers make their getaways more memorable and share their experiences with others?
“Whether you’re traveling half-way around the world or within your home state this year, you can capture these experiences and create lasting memories with your favorite digital device,” says Gail Fisher, former senior photo editor for National Geographic and the Los Angeles Times and current department chair of visual journalism at Brooks Institute, a leading provider of higher education for film, graphic design, visual journalism and photography. “It’s more than just snapping photos during your vacation. It’s about telling a visual story.”

Fisher offers these five tips to help capture your favorite memories on your next vacation:

Do advance research. Buy travel books and look online at photos to get a better understanding of where you’re going and what you’ll see. Talk to tourism centers and ask for recommendations based on your interests. Consider making an advance list of attractions or areas you want to photograph to help plan your trip and the visual story you want to tell about your experiences.

Be a backpack journalist. With technology these days, it’s easy to have a picture or video camera on hand at all times – just like backpack journalists, who have creative control over the stories they tell since they act as reporters, videographers and producers. Travelers can take a similar approach. Consider capturing both still and video images, and spend time interacting or talking with locals who may be able to tell you stories beyond what you’ll read in travel books.

Tell a visual story. Whether you’re an aspiring videographer or enjoy capturing everyday life on your digital camera, it’s all about telling a great story to help translate the feelings you experienced at that moment to others. Go beyond shooting famous landmarks and traditional subjects. Find and capture everyday moments and people who can help bring to life the area’s culture, history and story.

Take your time. Never be satisfied with your first shot. Instead, consider taking several photos to get yourself comfortable with the subject. Then, get creative by trying different angles, camera settings, lenses and lighting. If your schedule allows, return to your point of interest at different times of the day to capture new elements. Early morning light and the ‘golden hour’ before dusk is a favorite for most professional photographers.

Shoot now, edit later. Don’t review each shot immediately after you take it. Instead, take multiple shots and edit later. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to reflect on your experiences and have a keener eye for those shots that invoke the same feelings and memories when you were in that particular moment. Also consider adding audio to your story by collecting natural sound or interviews while you’re in the field, or adding audio narration once you are back home and compiling your memories in a story that tells a narrative.

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Travel Tourism :Four survival tips for your family vacation

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

(ARA) – You know the old saying that the journey is just as important as reaching your destination? It can also be applied to your family vacation. Some even believe that the journey is half the fun of getting there. While you may already have a getaway destination in mind,

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Four survival tips for your family vacation

(ARA) – You know the old saying that the journey is just as important as reaching your destination? It can also be applied to your family vacation. Some even believe that the journey is half the fun of getting there. While you may already have a getaway destination in mind, traveling as a family presents its share of challenges for the journey ahead.

That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead to make sure your trip is a memorable voyage, rather than an endless undertaking. Preparing for vacation travel is all about using your resources, staying organized and snacking smartly.

Whether you’re traveling by car, plane or train, here are a few travel survival tips to ensure a smooth journey during your next vacation:

* Keep a snack stash. Hunger is the happy traveler’s kryptonite, as moods can go south quickly when you’re in need of a snack. The type of snacks you choose is also important, as snacks overloaded with sugar might not help you feel satisfied for long – and sugary snacks can also leave your kids with lots of energy and nowhere to burn it off. Try stocking up on healthier snacks that are convenient for on-the-go situations like Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels. They come in a wide variety of shapes and flavors, including 100-calorie packs and gluten-free varieties, offering something for everyone on board. Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzel Pieces, which range in flavor from Buffalo Ranch to the new Bacon Cheddar are an especially good option for crumb- and mess-free snacking. To learn more about the available options, visit www.snydersofhanover.com.

* Take a clean-up kit. Hand sanitizer, napkins and hand wipes can help keep everyone – and the inside of your car – clean during your trip. If you have younger children, keeping a bag with a change of clothes easily accessible can help you weather any bad spills or accidents.

* Don’t forget the fun. Car games can make the time fly by for children. If you’re driving, games like car bingo and the license plate game are fun ways to help your child discover the scenery. To combine food and fun, use pretzel bits as bingo pieces or a tasty game of tic-tac-toe. Bringing pads for doodling is never a bad idea either, and washable markers are always a good option since they won’t easily break like crayons or colored pencils might.

* Make it easy to get some shut-eye. If you have a longer trip planned, bringing smaller travel pillows and blankets to help your passengers rest when they get sleepy can help keep everyone happy. You may also want to consider sun-blocking screens that still allow the driver to see out the window – although a comfortable pair of sunglasses for the little ones can also help.

* Keep travel-friendly technology handy. Smartphones and tablets make great travel companions for adults, giving you access to helpful maps, restaurant reviews and tourism sites. You can also scan the Web for travel-related games for the kids. Follow Snyder’s of Hanover on Facebook and Twitter for road trip snacking tips, and look for game ideas and travel tips on the brand’s Pinterest board.

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Travel :Anyone can be an adventurer

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

(NC)—Adventure is for everyone—that’s the motto of Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill, the personalities behind popular Canadian travel website The Planet D. In 2008, the couple left their homes and careers to turn their passion for travel into a lifestyle. Today, their travel

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Anyone can be an adventurer

(NC)—Adventure is for everyone—that’s the motto of Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill, the personalities behind popular Canadian travel website The Planet D. In 2008, the couple left their homes and careers to turn their passion for travel into a lifestyle. Today, their travel diary includes chapters on trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, driving in the Mongol Rally from England to Mongolia, studying Muay Thai in Thailand, and cycling the continent of Africa.

“Travel is life-changing,” says Corbeil. “We have climbed, paddled, hiked and biked our way through seven continents and we want Canadians to overcome their arsenal of excuses as to why they can’t do the same. For the most part, excuses are just that—excuses.”

The couple cite lack of funds as the largest deterrent to travel, but say there are creative ways to improve your budget. Rewards programs can really offset costs, they say.

“Collecting travel points is a great way to make the money you spend work even harder for you,” Bouskill emphasized. He suggests focusing on one or two programs in order to get the best return: “We use the American Express Gold Rewards Card because it allows us to earn points quickly and we can redeem them against almost any travel purchase we make, even last-minute seat sales.”

Other common reasons why people put their travel dreams on hold are that they have too little time, family obligations, or are hesitant to travel alone. To this, Corbeil and Bouskill suggest that while there will always be a litany of excuses, making travel a priority ensures it won’t become a box left unchecked on your life list.

www.newscanada.com

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Travel Tourism :Cost-cutting tips to see the world

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

(NC)—What’s better than a flight to Rio de Janeiro? A free one, avid travellers say, pointing to the benefits of rewards programs. For members, these cost-cutting programs are a sound way to supplement the travel budget –and members tell us you don’t have to be a big-time

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Cost-cutting tips to see the world

(NC)—What’s better than a flight to Rio de Janeiro? A free one, avid travellers say, pointing to the benefits of rewards programs. For members, these cost-cutting programs are a sound way to supplement the travel budget –and members tell us you don’t have to be a big-time spender or jet-setter to reap the benefits.

“Be sure to sign up with programs that give you the most,” says Wendy Kam Marcy, an avid traveller and co-founder of the popular Toronto-based lifestyle website Hip Urban Girl.“For example, I use the Gold Rewards Card from American Express, which gives me double the points for things like buying groceries, filling up on gas, or stocking up at the drug store. In one year, I earned enough to fly to Rio and Paris on points—taxes included.”

Kam Marcy offers some additional ways Canadians can perk up their travel and save:

Travel off season—to off-the-beaten path places: If you go where everyone else is going, when everyone else is going, then you’re going to pay top dollar.

Check for partner deals and offers: Often, rewards cards have partnerships with hotels and car rental outlets that offer member deals and discounts. The best cards will allow you to use points to pay.

Be flexible, get better fares: The more flexible you are with travel dates and flight times, the more likely you are to score a deal. Sign up for fare alerts through flight search engines like Expedia or Travelocity.

www.newscanada.com

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Travel Tourist :How to make travel dreams a reality—on a budget

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

(NC)—Today, with smart strategies everyone can fit travel into their budget. Living by that motto, travel bloggers Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill of The Planet D have trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, driven in the Mongol Rally from England to Mongolia, studied Muay

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How to make travel dreams a reality—on a budget

(NC)—Today, with smart strategies everyone can fit travel into their budget.

Living by that motto, travel bloggers Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill of The Planet D have trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal, driven in the Mongol Rally from England to Mongolia, studied Muay Thai in Thailand, and cycled the continent of Africa—all without breaking the bank, they say.

“There are tons of travel deals out there—you just have to know where to look,” says Corbeil. To help Canadians realize their travel dreams, the couple provides the following budget-saving tips:

Be Flexible for Better Fares: The more flexible you are with travel dates and flight times, the more likely you are to find a deal. Sign up for fare alerts through flight search engines like Expedia. If your busy schedule makes flexibility difficult, you’re still ahead if you avoid peak travel seasons like the summer months between Canada Day and Labour Day.

Make Your Points Pay: Collect travel rewards to make the money you spend every day work for you. By focusing on one or two programs that are flexible and free of restrictions, it’s easy to rack up enough points to make a real impact on a travel budget. For example, points earned on the American Express Gold Rewards Card can be used to redeem against virtually any travel purchase with no blackouts or rewards seats. Or, your points can be transferred to a variety of frequent flyer programs, including 1:1 to Aeroplan.

Choose Budget-Friendly Destinations: During peak seasons, the cost of travel to many European destinations can be prohibitive. But if you can’t travel in low season (late spring or early fall) consider a summer path less travelled. If, for example the Mediterranean and Aegean are a must this year, did you know that Croatia is less expensive and has just as much to offer as Greece or Italy? Or, if European architecture is what you’re after, consider a trip to comparatively inexpensive, Argentina.

www.newscanada.com

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Travel Tours :Strong loonie signals cheap international travel for Canadians

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:27 +0000

(NC)—Due to the continuing strength of our dollar, bigger and better vacations may be within reach for more Canadians this summer. The high value of the loonie means travellers can take advantage of more affordable travel deals and favourable exchange rates in places like the United

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Strong loonie signals cheap international travel for Canadians

(NC)—Due to the continuing strength of our dollar, bigger and better vacations may be within reach for more Canadians this summer. The high value of the loonie means travellers can take advantage of more affordable travel deals and favourable exchange rates in places like the United States and Europe.

Christina Panay, vice president for TD Credit Cards, offers her top three tips on how to secure cheap and cheerful international travel deals this summer:

1. Be flexible—Consider holidaying in countries where you’ll have better buying power like the U.S., Turkey or Brazil. Booking last minute deals, standby flights or travelling midweek will help keep your vacation within budget.

2. Review your rewards options— Make sure you are getting the most out of your travel rewards program by using a credit card that gives you the freedom to redeem your points for any travel booked with any agency or travel provider. Also consider a card that gives you the flexibility to redeem your points towards whatever type of travel you prefer, including air, hotel, cruise, car rental, train, parking and more.

3. Take time to budget— Canadians do a good job budgeting for big ticket items like flights, meals and accommodation, but it’s the little extras that often get overlooked. Before your next trip, make sure to budget for smaller costs, such as airport transportation, taxies and souvenirs.

“Incidental travel costs can really add up, so take them into consideration as part of your travel planning,” Panay says. “Be sure to familiarize yourself fully with your credit card features. You might be surprised at how many ways it can help save you money.”

www.newscanada.com

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Travel Tourism :Tips for a stress-free summer road trip

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:26 +0000

(NC)—While we all like to get away to enjoy the summer, cranky kids, congestion, construction work, and scorching hot weather can make for a stressful time if you are gearing up for a road trip. As the saying goes: An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. To ensure your

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Tips for a stress-free summer road trip

(NC)—While we all like to get away to enjoy the summer, cranky kids, congestion, construction work, and scorching hot weather can make for a stressful time if you are gearing up for a road trip.

As the saying goes: An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. To ensure your trip goes smoothly, consider the following road trip tips to keep your passengers safe and entertained until you arrive at your destination:

A matter of maintenance: Be sure to thoroughly inspect your vehicle before hitting the road. Check for proper inflation in all four tires, inspect hoses, make sure all fluids are topped up, and don’t forget to check that brakes and the air conditioner are in good working order.

In case of emergency: A charged cellphone is probably one of the best emergency tools to have on-hand. Make sure you have a vehicle charger for your phone in case the battery starts to die. It’s also a good idea to have basic emergency tools handy like a first-aid kit, jumper cables, various screwdrivers, a wrench, pliers and flashlight.

In-vehicle entertainment: DVD players and portable gaming units can help keep young passengers busy, but don’t forget about good old-fashioned, road trip games like license plate bingo or eye spy. These days, satellite radio is also fascinating, keeping everyone entertained and informed while on the road. Enthusiasts say it has many advantages over AM/FM radio including coverage throughout Canada and the U.S. If your vehicle is not already equipped with satellite radio, there are many models available that are easy to install. A family favourite is SiriusXM. The network tells us that it broadcasts more than 120 different channels including news, sports, talk, entertainment, comedy and commercial-free music, entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. For example, SiriusXM’s Radio Disney channel is perfect for the kids and will help keep the “are we there yet” inquiries to a minimum. Switching up genres and channels will also help change up the mood in the vehicle during your drive. More information is available online at www.siriusxm.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Travel and Tourism :Drop your anchor in Canada’s top boating destinations

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:26 +0000

(NC)—Discover Boating Canada has named 2012′s top Canadian boating destinations where you can spend summer weekends on the water: Northumberland Strait PEI/Nova Scotia The body of water between Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is known for its warm temperatures

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Drop your anchor in Canada's top boating destinations

(NC)—Discover Boating Canada has named 2012′s top Canadian boating destinations where you can spend summer weekends on the water:

Northumberland Strait PEI/Nova Scotia

The body of water between Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is known for its warm temperatures and is reported to have the warmest ocean water north of the Carolinas. It’s a great destination for boaters to drop their anchors to swim and fish.

Lake of the Woods Region, Ontario

Lake of the Woods is North America’s best kept secret. A family sailing paradise, it offers great cruising for power yachts and houseboats with an abundance of beaches and anchorage locations, not to mention some of the best fishing in North America.

Trent-Severn Waterway, Ontario

Known for its warm sparkling waters, the summer months call for house boating in the Kawartha region. With plenty of houseboat rentals nearby, it is a perfect getaway spot as it is less than a two hour drive from busy downtown Toronto.

The Quebec-Levis Nautical Station, Quebec

The regions of Quebec and Levis have developed over the years. Now you can discover this majestic area by ship, sailboat, powerboat and more. There are many rivers and lakes in the region, as well as the St. Lawrence River to explore.

The Ile-aux-Noix / Lake Champlain Nautical Station, Quebec

The Ile-aux-Noix has become a prize destination for both nautical and cultural activities. It is a must for boaters going toward Lake Champlain. Unique historical sites such as Fort Lennox, the Chambly Canal and other historical locks give a special flavour to the area attracting boaters and tourists from all over.

Gulf Islands (Salt Spring Island), British Columbia

Salt Spring Island is located in the waters of the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. It is well known for its beautiful scenery and a warm climate. It is the perfect destination to explore the sheltered waterways and the marine parks nestled amongst the Gulf Islands.

Princess Louisa Inlet, British Columbia

Well-known for its rainbow waterfalls and wildlife, Princess Louisa Inlet is located on the British Columbia coast and is a must-see destination for boaters.

Discover Boating Canada is a national public awareness program managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) on behalf of the North American recreational boating industry. Learn more about how to get started in boating at DiscoverBoating.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Travel Tourism :Celebrity status is not required for the boating lifestyle

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:54:26 +0000

(NC)—Flip through a celebrity magazine and it’s easy to spot stars on exotic getaways, enjoying the water aboard a megayacht—and yet, boating enthusiasts tell us that, boating is not just for the rich and famous. In fact, the National Marine Manufacturers Association reports

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Celebrity status is not required for the boating lifestyle

(NC)—Flip through a celebrity magazine and it’s easy to spot stars on exotic getaways, enjoying the water aboard a megayacht—and yet, boating enthusiasts tell us that, boating is not just for the rich and famous. In fact, the National Marine Manufacturers Association reports that just over half of Canadian boat owners have a household income under ,000.

Take a look at DiscoverBoating.ca to find these four simple ways to enjoy the boating lifestyle without owning one:

Rent-a-Vessel. Renting or chartering a boat is the perfect summer escape that’s surprisingly easy and accessible in a variety of forms, from daily to hourly rentals or week-long charters. Be your own captain or hire one to teach you the ropes. Renting is the perfect way to compare boat types and explore local waterways.

Sharing the Fun. Did you know you can have all the benefits of ownership, if you share? Fractional boat ownership, similar to lodging timeshares, are cost-effective ways to have access to new boats and be able to share costs among a group of friends or other local boaters. Members pre-schedule use of the boat online and often receive the added benefits of lessons, flotillas and additional crew, if needed.

Join the Club. Get outside, enjoy the warm weather on the water. Thousands of boating clubs and organizations are located across Canada and offer everything from watersports and sailing to power boating. Clubs provide inexperienced boaters options to test the waters through access to classroom and on-water trainings, a fleet of boats and member events.

Find Nautical Pals. Boaters are a friendly group often looking to share the lifestyle with novices. Mingle at your local marinas, boat club events, courses, boat shows or even at dock-and-dine restaurants. Put your best foot forward and display good boat guest etiquette. If you offer to lend the captain a hand, bring sea-worthy snacks and chip in for fuel, you may find yourself aboard in no time.

www.newscanada.com

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