Travel Blog - Information, Destinations & Tips

You never know who you’re going to meet when you travel!

2012-01-14T15:39:00.000-05:00

During your travels, you never know who you’re going to meet!

On a Delta flight many years ago on my way to Austin, Texas, I was sitting in my seat, trying quietly to amuse my two young children, ages three and five at the time. Just prior to take-off, there was an older gentleman getting situated, handing his guitar case to the flight crew, placing his carry-on luggage in the over-head storage. He looked back and smiled at us. I was seated just behind first class, in my bulkhead row. I recognized his face, but not too sure of exactly who he was. You know that feeling? Where have I seen him before? Was he a rock star from a past generation? Sure looked it to me. He then said hello, and winked at my three year old daughter, not just a one eyed wink, but a left eye wink, then a right eye wink, which made her laugh. We all patiently sat buckled in our seats, waiting for the flight to take off as the bantering continued. Up in the air, the winks never ceased. My children found this to be very amusing! He then began to teach my daughter how to achieve this great talent. Again I asked myself “who was this man?”. I later overheard the flight attendant say “Mr. Jennings”, just then it registered with me. ‘Waylon Jennings’, the country singer, WOW! After some lengthy conversation, I realized how wonderful and down to earth this man really was. What a memory I have of the late, yet great “Waylon Jennings”.

Boarding a short flight on American Airlines to the “Big Apple” spending a few days away with just family, a much needed vacation for all of us. The flight to New York was uneventful. I took in the last few minutes of silence upon arrival. Trying to enjoy the calm before the storm, as I knew once we landed in NEW YORK, I would only hear the noise of the traffic, the cabs, tourists, all unavoidable. Combining the sights and sounds that all contribute to a BIG CITY!

When we arrived by taxi to our destination, I then proceeded to the check-in counter at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The line up consisted of many other patrons. During my wait, I had plenty of time to observe my surroundings. What a beautiful, elegant hotel, I thought to myself. There was a man playing on the grand piano in the lobby, he was dressed in a black tuxedo. The staff’s attire fit the hotel ambiance, very impressive to say the least.

After a few minutes, to my surprise, guess who’s standing right behind me in the hotel lobby? Who else, but the famous “Jerry Springer”, what type of comment could I possibly say to him? He started up a conversation by saying “hello”. I replied “hello Jerry Springer!” He then replied back by saying “how do you like my show?” My reply, “well, to be honest, I don’t!” We both laughed, as he agreed it was a trashy show to say the least.

Another very memorable flight to date would have to be one of my trips out to Los Angeles. A few years ago I booked an Air Canada flight from Toronto to LA. Because I was flying out of the country I obviously needed to check in at least two hours prior to take-off, so I gave myself plenty of time.

After all the line-ups including security, and customs, we had plenty of time to relax before boarding, get something to eat, and obviously enjoy the airport scenery! I was travelling with my sixteen year old daughter and her best friend. Leave it to them to discover a group of extremely handsome men, as I noticed long before they had, little did they know. We assumed they were not just four good looking men travelling together, they were somebody! Again, here we are playing the guessing game.

After pondering awhile, I had the nerve to ask them who they were. Low and behold, they were truly somebody, “The Canadian Tenors!” Wow, what an opportunity that was! These guys gave us their undivided attention until it was time we were called to board the flight.

Walking down the aisle of the plane, a few rows down we located our seats. You’ll never guess who was seated in the row directly in front of us?

A five hour plane ride with the “The Canadian Tenors” lead to a fascinating conversation, great company and of course, the time just flew by.

Arriving at LAX, we proceeded to baggage claim, the group followed by our side. With continued conversation, before saying our goodbyes, a few group pictures were taken. What a memory!

One last little bit of excitement. Here goes... I was travelling with my two daughters, which in itself can always be an experience! Bahamas was our destination. An entire week of uninterrupted bonding time should do us all a world of good. With an ocean view from our hotel room, the sun and the surf, what could be more relaxing?

The trip was wonderful, pure enjoyment for all. After seven incredible days, our trip came to an end. It was time to go home, back to reality. As for the ride back to the airport, no rental cars for us, the good old taxi was our form of transportation. The driver, well, not so great. It felt like an eternity in that cab, our lives at risk, but, thankfully we arrived in one piece.

Waiting at this very small airport in Nassau, with little time to spare before we needed to board the plane, we sat inside in a secluded area. The only reason we were excluded from the rest of the travellers was not because we wanted to be, but because we had no other choice. There weren’t any available chairs for us to sit on.

My daughters and I began to converse, wrapped up in our own conversation, oblivious to our surroundings. Ironically we all looked at the man seated alone directly across from us. There was this guy strumming away on his invisible guitar. His headphones attached closely to his ears, singing so quietly to himself, almost lip-syncing. He looked up, and it just happened to be, of all people, “John Mayer”. Not a word was exchanged, we tried not to stare, but what could we possibly say to someone at that level of fame?

Through your travels, whether it be at an airport, on a flight, in a hotel lobby, on a cruise ship; it really doesn’t matter wherever your destination may be, running into someone famous could just be the most memorable part of your trip.

My Unexpected Travel Adventure

2011-11-15T08:58:00.061-05:00

A business trip to Minnesota claimed to be more than just a business trip, it was a real experience to say the least.

I booked my trip well in advance to take advantage of cheap flights, as I planned to fly out a day early, caught an early flight, thought I’d do a little shopping at the Mall of America in Minneapolis during my stay.

I arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on time, in fact, surprisingly a little early. I then proceeded to hail a cab from the airport to my hotel, no need for a rental car, at the time, maybe it would have been the best choice in the end!

Checked into my hotel room, did the usual ‘observation’, all seemed to be in an orderly fashion, up to my specifications anyway. Clean room, clean bathroom, etc. I gently placed my large suitcase and carry-on bag onto the hotel room floor, as I wasn’t going to need to take anything with me to the mall. I’d require both hands to carry all my purchases! What was I shopping for anyway? Nothing, just a woman on a mission to shop.

Now, it was time to hit the stores! Imagine, an entire day to myself? That doesn’t happen too often. I took the hotel shuttle across to the mall, tipped the driver, and off I went.

WOW, what a place, levels upon levels of everything from amusement rides to shops to restaurants. I'm thinking I should have booked a few extra days, not just one.

After an entire day of shopping, I was completely exhausted, but happy with my mall experience.. The question was now “how was I going to stuff all that I bought into my suitcase? I knew I could do it, but the real question was “how was I possibly going to lift it?”

The weather in June was scorching hot in Minnesota, who would have thought? The forecast for the following next few days would remain the same. I unfortunately hadn't checked ahead of time. 100 degree temperatures to contend with, one fall weight business suit, and two pieces of luggage.

The next morning I woke refreshed, slept in a little later than I should have, but still enough time to shower, dress, but no breakfast. I was hungry, but ready for my day. My transportation from the hotel to my business meeting location was about a two hour drive. Again, rather than a car rental, I thought I would arrange this transportation through the hotel. Maybe a limo to chauffeur me there. The cost wouldn’t be much more than a cab. I could spend time preparing for my meeting during the trip. Great idea, I thought!

The limo ended up being a Lincoln Navigator arranged by the hotel. Plenty of room, and most importantly, a comfortable ride. As we left the hotel parking lot, a little idle chit chat with the driver, and off we went. The ride seemed a little bumpy, the driver assured me it was just the road. I trusted his words. About 30 or so miles into the ride, I was beginning to question the road conditions, I was beginning to believe it was the vehicle. My seat belt was fastened securely, otherwise I would have had some serious brain damage. I felt as if I was on a roller coaster ride, my head would have hit the interior ceiling of the SUV if I weren’t belted in.

Up, down, up, down, up down, I was bouncing in my seat, this was no exaggeration ..this was beginning to worry me. The driver admitted he was having car trouble, what was my first clue? At this point, he needed to immediately pull off the road, the back end of the SUV had some serious issues, as I knew it wasn't me. I was almost feeling ill at this point, all the up and down motion which seemed to get progressively worse after each mile.

He took the next exit, pulled into a convenience store/gas station in the middle of nowhere, and told me I needed to find another source of transportation, and demanded I pay him the entire cost. I told him I’d pay him half, considering he only got me this far. He called a tow truck, and off they went.

Left standing in one hundred degree plus temperatures wearing a business suit, two pieces of heavy luggage stranded in literally the middle of who knows where.

My business meeting was scheduled to begin in an hour, I was now in panic mode.

After standing outside pondering for quite some time, I walked inside the convenience store, explaining my situation to the young man behind the counter. I asked him who I should call for a cab, and how long he thought it may take for one to arrive. He answered “most likely an hour, there is no cab company close by.” As we further discussed the predicament I was faced with, a young man of an ethic background walked in, overheard my dilemma, and offered to help. He said he was on his way to where I needed to be, and would be willing to drive me there. How kind was that?

As excited as I was to jump on the offer, I was also a little hesitant, not because of his ethnic decent, it wouldn’t have mattered who offered me a ride, it was just the fact that it was total stranger. I obviously wasn’t thinking too clearly at the time. I seemed to be more concerned about making the meeting than what was at risk, that being my life. As desperate as I was, I took his offer.

I followed him to his car, wheeling my suitcase behind me, carrying the other bag over my shoulder. I made sure I had my cell phone in hand, 911 already keyed in, ready to hit if needed.

When I approached his very small car, he mentioned his trunk was completely full, therefore I had to sit with my luggage on my lap.

The car windows were down, I noticed two others sitting quietly. One in the front, one in the back. Two women covered from head to toe in their native dress. All that was noticeable were their eyes. I reluctantly got in the back seat, placing my large suitcase across me, the other next to me. We then drove off.

No words were spoken to me. The only words exchanged were between them, sadly enough in their language, which was completely foreign to me.

After what seemed like hours in the car, it was only about 15 minutes. I then tried to make small talk in order to break the silence, our situation was noticeably uncomfortable. I only realized these women feared me as an American Citizen, as much as I feared them as who they were. My cell phone rang, I immediately answered, it was my daughter! A comforting voice just when I needed one. After a very brief conversation, my last words to her were “I love you too.” Just those few words, "the international language" broke the ice. I then showed them the screen on my phone which presented my beautiful daughter. Arriving safely at my destination, we all built a trust in one another.

No matter where you travel, it’s always taking a risk. Whether you take a flight, rent a car, hop on a cruise ship, stay at a five star resort, you just never know what may become of your next vacation. The experience is just part of the adventure.

Planning My Vacation Getaway

2011-10-08T13:20:00.001-04:00

I was feeling the need to escape immediately. I was ultimately at a point of desperation, ready to jump on a plane and head out of town today, but obviously not realistic. The question I needed to ask myself was “Where would I plan my family vacation”? Just the thought of the word “vacation” can mentally exhaust me prior to my trip even beginning, to say the least!

Decisions, decisions... First off, where’s my destination going to be? Secondly, the airline, third, the hotel accommodations and “car rental, as well as travel insurance if needed. Final question. What’s the cost? How much was I prepared to spend? That’s the sixty-four thousand dollar question.

Initially, I need to turn on my computer. Thankfully, with today’s technology this makes it a little easier...well, maybe not, depending upon how technologically challenged I may be! Booking a vacation online seems to be less expensive than through a travel agency, as I’ve always booked through an agent in the past, this time; it’s my turn to impress myself!

Here I go... as I sit down, I turn on the computer, I type in “Cheap Flights”... About 62,900,000 search results appear, are you kidding me? Where do I even begin? On the first page, I see seat sales, last minute vacations, cruises, hotel discounts, etc. etc. This has now become a little overwhelming. Maybe I need to contact an agent after all!

My original time slot that I’ve allowed myself to book this trip would be approximately half hour..no more, no less. It’s only been two hours since I’ve begun my search for the ultimate vacation destination. I ask myself “am I any further ahead than I was a few hours ago”? No I’m not, but my excuse.. I got a tad bit carried away with all the options available. Now, dazed and confused, the only issue that’s been resolved is where I’m going, answer is “CRAZY”! I really need that vacation now, more than ever before..

I’ve just come to the realization that it’s now late fall, winter’s just around the corner. I’m soon going to crave the warmth of the sunshine when I’m removing the snow from my driveway, which I’m assuming will be not far off. Book that trip for next month, I told myself ! Locating a last minute deal, a cheap flight, maybe even a seat sale shouldn’t be too difficult to track down. I have a plethora of options to choose from.. Could it be WestJet, Delta, American Airlines, United, Air Canada, Air Transat ? I’m in search of the best travel deal available, who’s is going to be ? The winner is.. I’ll leave you in suspense.

Now that I’ve chosen my flight and destination, next step, the accommodations… I would call myself “a hotel snob”, always looking for a five star rating with countless, yet positive reviews. I’ve acknowledged the fact that we should never judge a book by it’s cover. As I’m viewing the most breathless pictures of white sandy sprawling beaches, lounge chairs, umbrella’s, pools, and patio bars. In my mind, this is where I’m destined to be. The hotel, and lobby look beautiful, the rooms seem spacious enough, and the view from the balcony is priceless. Hoping it’s all that it’s cracked up to be upon arrival.

Next question to myself “do I require a car rental for transportation“? What’s a vacation without a little sight-seeing? Excursions a must. I can’t possibly sit on a beach for a week and do absolutely nothing. Being a woman, shopping is a major priority on my list, although I seem to buy just for the sake of buying when on vacation. That dress looked great at the island boutique, but will I ever wear it at home? You’d think I’d learn from past purchases that those dresses are still hanging in my closet, tags attached. As for the last minute souvenirs for friends and family, those are usually purchased just prior to boarding the plane at the airport. I won’t tell them, will you ?

Now that I’ve booked my perfect vacation destination, I can’t say it was uneventful, but can only hope my trip will be. This has definitely been a learning experience with so many options to choose from and decisions to be made regarding the airline company, flight, and hotel accommodations. I’m fully aware there will be many more choices I’ll have to decide upon my arrival, such as menu options, cocktails, and how much time to spend at the beach and pool each day.

Upon arrival next month to the ideal vacation spot, with my camera in hand, the memories obtained will far outweigh the stress it took me to book this trip. Thinking back, I truly believe it took me longer to book this trip than it will the flight to get there !

Adventures in Orlando - More Than Theme Parks

2011-04-08T08:22:00.000-04:00

by Pam Stellini

My recent visit to Orlando was intended to learn a little more about what the area had to offer Canadians and when our WestJet flight landed early on a Tuesday morning, it was the beginning of five days of unexpected pleasures in a city known more for its thematic treasures.

I didn’t need to be sold on Orlando. It was a destination I had shared enthusiastically with my children when they were young, and then again when they were teens. I had visited on an incentive trip and I had also hosted a team of Canadian travel agents. I once did a secret handshake with Pumba. I was familiar.

Relaxing at The Peabody Hotel

As guests of the Peabody Hotel we were privy to the volume of conference business this city hosts in the adjacent convention facility. With 1,641 rooms the hotel is the largest non-gaming four-star in the nation and it serves the business guest with flawless consideration.

Our evening started with a drink at the Rocks Lounge. If there is an example of this bar catering to a professional clientele it would be with the beverage menu. Rocks offers an expansive wine list and creative cocktails with ingredients that are more savoury than syrupy, including Serrano ham, peppers, cucumbers, watermelon, sage and dill.

Our dinner at Napa ,was described as ‘farm to fork freshness.’ Ingredients are grown locally by a number of farms in central Florida exclusively for the restaurant. Produce, such as kale is delivered within four hours of harvesting and served with distinction by staff as proud as if they had planted the gardens themselves.

Outdoor Adventure: Forever Florida

For past investors of “swampland in Florida” we checked out your real estate. It looks fine. In fact it is all part of the 4,700 acres of conservation area of Forever Florida where we partook in the Zipline and Coach safaris.

I opted not to take the Zipline, but regretted it once I saw the calibre of the facility, the training, and the guides. The brave ones who made aerial visits across the wetlands got to zip past the iconic resident who was apparently purring in anticipation of mating season. George is a 13’ gator and his bellowing sound caused ripples in his pond that could be seen from the height of the zipliners.

Once George was distracted by his view in the sky, the rest of us boarded the coach that travelled across nine ecosystems hoping to not be greeted as ‘meals on wheels.’ We came across stunning fauna, herds of cattle and sunning gators.

Outdoor Adventure: Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Winter Park feels like good manners, argyle sweaters and classic novels, and makes so much sense when you know that it is the location of the summer home of the late children’s television personality Mr. Rogers.

Our capable skipper navigated us through the calm waters and canals with compelling stories of the town’s origin. For a peaceful hour we passed manicured estates and historical properties sharing the tranquility on the lake with sailboats and students among palm trees and cypress and an unexpected garden of bamboo.

Outdoor Adventure: Boggy Creek Airboat Rides

Boggy Creek Airboat Rides began as the original airboat company in Central Florida with just one six-passenger airboat in 1994. At that time, it was unheard of to stay in the Orlando area and take an airboat ride.

The Florida Everglades in south Florida are known worldwide as the location to go out on an airboat tour. It took years, according to Boggy Creek’s Airboat Rides, to make visitors aware that the headwaters to the Florida Everglades actually start right in Orlando, and the chance to visit the "Real Florida" is only minutes from Orlando's attractions.

We boarded boats propelled by large fans that skim over inches of water to see the natural habitat of many bird species as well as the famed Florida ‘gators.

Culture: The Morse Museum

The most comprehensive collection of work by Louis Comfort Tiffany is housed in the Morse Museum.

The Tiffany collection includes the leaded glass windows and lamps the artist is known for, as well as jewellery, pottery, paintings and art glass all displayed in a building as captivating as its collection.

The Laurelton Hall exhibition includes many architectural features rescued from Tiffany’s Long Island home including his original marble terrace that looks out to the garden.

Entertainment: The Blue Man Group

If I told you that the evening ended with giggling people in the audience passing along toilet paper in long unbroken sheets over our heads to the people in front of us you might think our evening was silly.

Image the competence of the Blue Man Group whose performance before the TP came out made it feel okay for us to pass toilet paper. And we didn’t just pass it, we owned it.

Entertainment: Cirque du Soleil, La Nouba

It was my first Cirque du Soleil. I will have to be forgiven the chronic gasps I emitted throughout the performance. I marvelled at all the harmonies: the human forms linking and unlinking and the energy powered by the music; gravity being defied in juggling, inertia defied in cycling. Rope skipping was a momentous event.

After the show, another joy as we met ex-Montrealer Benoît Jutras, the Musical Director since 1998 responsible for composing the music and insuring its harmonious delivery technically in sync with movement from all levels of the stage.

Theme Park: Universal Studios, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The place is magic; from imposing historical buildings; the steam engine train, the flying car wedged in a field with a simulated engine running you are captivated by the Harry Potter aura.

At the end of a long day of magic I highly recommend the refreshing supplement of a Butterbeer or pumpkin juice, both non alcoholic. Though after my first one I thought the people in the paintings of the Portrait Gallery were talking. It may have been my imagination.

Indoor Pleasure: The Spa at The Peabody

I had the purifying facial. I didn’t want to leave. My skin was so soft and I smelled so good and the treatment room was lovely and tranquil and my towels were heated. In a sophisticated place like the Peabody, they are too refined to ask you to leave. Of course I did leave, but only after I followed a woman who prepared me a delightful beverage infused with lemon.

Shopping: Premium Outlet Shopping

There are 150 stores at this outdoor shopping centre. I highly recommend a map and a plan. I would also encourage a zigzag pattern and a speed of increasing intensity, because just when you think you have hit all of the stores you have wanted to, you will come across a new desire.

Getting there

And remember folks, WestJet, Air Canada, Sunwing and Air Transat all fly to Orlando from various Canadian gateways. Be sure to check out the cheap flights to Orlando that make amazing vacations possible!

Reprinted with permission from Travel Industry Today

Cheap Flights To London Enabled Me To Explore A New Place

2011-02-28T22:03:00.001-05:00

If it were not for cheap flights to London, my trip to England would not have become reality. Working from home, my budget is very tight, so overseas travel is usually not feasible. After doing a search online, I found some inexpensive cheap flights. This permitted me to plan the vacation of a lifetime. It was such a great trip that I plan to make a return visit next year.

The flight was a direct non-stop flight to London, something that a traveller like me greatly appreciates. The process of changing planes frustrates me. In addition, the possibility of bags getting lost on the wrong connecting flight is not something a person wants to deal with when travelling overseas. Instead, my flight to London was pleasant and comfortable, providing me with some time to review the travel guides.

When I disembarked from the airplane at London Heathrow Airport, my excitement began to build. After retrieving my bags, it was off to the car rental counter to pick up the vehicle that I would be driving for the week. Service was friendly and I got a nice-sized, clean car within minutes. It did not take long to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road and I was soon zipping along to my hotel.

When it came to hotels, there were so many to choose from during travel planning. I opted for one in the city. Prices vary depending on location, amenities, and whether the lodging is part of a worldwide chain. By booking in advance, I was able to get about 20 percent off the best available rate offered by the hotel. My wallet was very happy and I was equally pleased when arriving at my room that featured a queen size bed and excellent views of the city.

The room was bright, modernly decorated, and featured a nice plasma television and a desk. I quickly made a cup of tea and sat down to review the available on-demand movies. This hotel charged for in-room high speed Internet access but I had already researched the local Wi-Fi hotspots and located a nearby coffee shop. After a shower and some fresh clothes, I headed there to check emails and get a lay of the land.

While enjoying a scone and some more tea (I would have quite a bit of that on this trip), I made some inquiries regarding the best restaurants. My hotel actually housed one of the London dining institutions, Trader Vic’s, so I knew that French Polynesian restaurant would be the dining locale that night. After getting some additional recommendations, these were incorporated into the itinerary. They included the Fish Club, Morito, and Launceston Place, with more surely to be added based on my travels.

Back to the hotel for some rest and then an excellent dinner at Trader Vic’s, where I had to have a Mai Tai, of course. Now wide awake, I ventured back out to 1 Lombard Street, a local bar that came highly recommended. After arriving, I could see why, because at the circular bar, customers can choose from about 50 wines, numerous types of vodka, and an assortment of pub fare.

After a night of excellent sleep came a full day of sightseeing, which took full advantage of the free tourist attractions. First, to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard and the on Horse Guards Parade. Since my vacation took place during September, I was able to tour the Palace. It is open to visitors only during August and September, providing them with an opportunity to visit the Big Ben clock tower and the Houses of Parliament.

The love of fairy tales took me next to the London Bridge, actually called the Tower Bridge. I was one of the more than 40,000 people who would pass over the bridge on this day. Since the Tower of London was nearby, it could not be missed and the Beefeaters were well worth the visit. History was a large part of the reason for this trip so a visit to the British Museum was next. It was amazing that it housed so much in one place and offered free admission.

During the rest of my trip, I visited Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, rode the London Eye, and visited some of the beautiful parks in the city, including Kew Garden and Hamstead Health. The week flew by like a day, and soon I was on a plane headed home. Were it not for cheap flights to London, this memorable vacation would never have been possible.

Two days in Delhi

2010-08-21T20:30:00.003-04:00

It was with some trepidation that I arrived in Delhi, the capital of India. Everyone I'd spoken to said it was a place to go straight through, but as I normally like big cities I thought I'd give it a go. I have to say that after sampling clean India in Himachal Pradesh, I didn't really want to go back to dirty, smelly India, and I think I'd generally had enough of the stresses and strains of the country after 5 weeks. But Delhi had another draw - friends from England, Kay and Steve, were arriving in Delhi on the same day as me at the start of a 4 month trip around India and Bangladesh.

With Nepal on my mind, the first thing I did was book a train ticket to Agra, then stopped off for a croissant at one of Paharganj's great German bakeries - one of the few good things about this grotty, tacky tourist enclave. I set out to see the sights of Old Delhi, starting with the Central Mosque. Well, the mosque is certainly big, but at 200 rupees just to get in (plus 100 more to climb the minaret), it's a waste of money compared to the multitude of other more beautiful religious landmarks in India - even accounting for the comical patterened gowns that inappropriately dressed tourists are made (and charged) to wear.

Next stop was the Red Fort, but on my way there ok stopped and turned around - I didn't want to see another fort, and more importantly I wanted to get out of India! Thankfully, I met Kay and Steve that evening for a few beers, a thali and a backstreet lassi. India is decidedly more attractive when you dive into the chaos and enjoy it for what it is, but I think I was beyond that point by now. I met Kay and Steve again the next morning for a farewell brekkie before they caught their train, and agreed to meet up again as our paths would probably cross in Varanasi - me heading north to Nepal and they east to Kolkata and Bangladesh. I should say that Kay and Steve never take a camera with them on their travels, and requested that their photo not appear on the blog... but they do exist, honest!

My second day in the capital was spent exploring New Delhi, the Lutyens-designed extension grafted onto Old Delhi like a mismatched limb. It's all tree-lined boulevards and roundabouts - not really India, but a nice respite for a day. I went first to Humayun's tomb, a spectacular mausoleum big enough to rival the Taj Mahal and Khufu's Great Pyramid for the most outrageously extravegant monument to a dead person. A long, boring walk along New Delhi's streets (most of which are being beautified for the impending Commonwealth Games) brought me to Lodi Gardens, a lovely oasis of green, sprinkled with ruined mosques and yet more mausoleums - and best of all, it's free! Enjoying an ice cream in the shade of a tree, away from all the noise of Delhi was a good way to avoid the heat of the day.

Leaving Lodi Gardens, I headed for the main artery of New Delhi, Rajpath, which connects the grand India Gate with the Prime Minister's residence and the Secretariat buildings. It's a grand boulevard, and the Secretariat buildings still evoke thoughts of the British Raj, looking like a little slice of Whitehall but with Hindustan Ambassadors instead of Jags, and kites perching on the lampstands. Curiously, not a single rickshaw driver would take me back to Paharganj from New Delhi, so I decided to try out a decidedly un-Indian mode of transport - Delhi's metro. Sitting in the clean, quiet car, I felt a little bit homesick for the tube - even the announcements were made in a clipped English voice, and the station signs are a blatent ripoff of LUL's famous roundel. For the princely sum of 8 rupees I was back at my hotel in less time than it would have taken to barter a price for a rickshaw, and without all the pollution and stress... a big thumbs up!

My last morning in Delhi was probably the worst moment of my trip so far. Waking with a bout of Delhi-belly, I spent a few hours in bed before deciding that I needed to catch my train to Agra at 2pm... rather than spend even longer in the capital! What should have been a 10 minute rickshaw ride to New Delhi station turned into a 40 minute journey to hell, as my cycle rickshaw wallah drove through every bump as he circumnavigated Delhi and got us stuck in a traffic jam where we didn't move for 20 minutes. The smell of shit, fumes and other general Delhi aromas made me vomit, after which I decided to shoulder my bags and walk to the station to avoid missing my train. I then found out that the station was 10 minutes in the opposite direction... if I'd seen my rickshaw man again I probably would have smacked him! I made the train with 5 minutes to spare and collapsed onto my sleeper bed... happy to be leaving Delhi and excited about going to see what I hoped would be one of the highlights of my time in India - the one and only Taj Mahal.

Experience your own adventures in Indian with cheap flights to Delhi.

Reprinted with permission from SmithyWorldWide

Winging it out of BuffaloThe Welcome Mat is Out

2010-07-11T17:30:00.000-04:00

15 JUN 2010: Buffalo, New York is famous for the best chicken wings, its hard-luck Buffalo Bills football team and some brutal snowstorms. It is also becoming a very popular departure city for Canadians to fly out of instead of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. I know many in and out of the travel industry who love flying out of Buffalo. On a recent business trip I decided to check it out myself for value and convenience.

I needed to fly into Boston on business. I had been looking at our own Canadian based airlines and fares to Boston. The price kept creeping up as my departure date got closer. As travel agents know it’s always a gamble whether to wait to see if the price will go down. In this case they kept going up. For whatever reason the dates I selected were popular, so seats were falling by the wayside but not the price – it only had a straight vertical rise.

I could get a cheaper fare on one US carrier if I wanted to fly Toronto-Fort Lauderdale-Washington DC-Boston. Now doesn’t that sound like fun!

Panic, frustration and reality set in since my trip was now only a couple of days away and I had to co-ordinate my flights with other members in a group. I was about to rent a vehicle and just drive to Boston (about 10 hours from Toronto). But then the land of the Buffalo wing set me straight.

I had never considered flying out of Buffalo before but checked out the fares and a US based commuter carrier had non-stop flights to Boston. It was between 25-40 percent of the price compared to the price of the other flights from Toronto even though the flight time is about the same. I immediately booked the flights.

Yes, there would be a two hour drive to Buffalo. But I just saved over a thousand dollars. A taxi from my place to Pearson airport – about $65 each way. That’s $130 return. And I haven’t even left the city yet. It would be far less in gas to drive to Buffalo even with the high fuel prices.

After crossing the border (a 15 minute wait) it’s a short 30 minute drive to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. The airport was actually larger than what I was anticipating. It was modern, clean and efficient.

I did the Preferred Long Term Parking which is adjacent to the airport. An Airport shuttle was there in less than a minute. I stepped on the shuttle and the driver immediately said, 'Welcome to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport – how are you doing today?'

It’s only a two minute drive to the departures drop-off. When I chatted with the driver and I said I was from Toronto he replied he was pleased and appreciated the fact I chose Buffalo to fly out of.

Wow! A person who appreciates my business. I think this is the first time an airport employee has said this to me. I’ve had friendly service from Canadian airport personnel (and definitely unfriendly as well, but never before has anyone said they appreciated my business.

The check-in was done in a minute and with no customs to go through a short walk to security, where they were efficient but friendly, and off to wait for my flight. I wasn’t expecting to be done so quickly – maybe a total of 10 minutes from being left off from the airport shuttle to passing through security.

My appetite was calling so decided to grab a bite. This is the one area that the airport can work on – they need to offer a better variety of food services but it was adequate. The Wi-Fi is $7.95 per 24 hour period (and can be used at some other airports) but hopefully that will change as more airports are offering free internet access now.

The other pleasantry about smaller airports – no long taxi out to the runway, or huge line-ups of planes waiting to take-off. At Pearson half the flight sometimes seems to be the taxi to or from the gate.

My flight back to Buffalo was delayed so I didn’t arrive until just before midnight. After leaving the plane and going to the baggage claim area my bag was coming off the belt – now this I love!

I then waited a couple of minutes for the shuttle. I probably had an 'It’s been a long day, haggard look' and the airport shuttle driver said, 'Tell me exactly where your car is in the lot and I’ll drop you off there.' Another customer service 'wow' moment. And, like the other driver, he said how he’s happy that I chose Buffalo airport. Since it was so late I decided to stay in Buffalo and he ran down a list of possible hotels – some just across the street or some cheaper ones a bit further down the road. Nice.

The service at the airport is friendly and genuine. It extends to their website with a Canadian information section providing information on real time border crossings, directions to the airport from various border points, Canadian ground transportation and Nexus Pass information.

I laughed at the image used on the Canadian information page of the website. It’s a young Canadian couple with the guy wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs’ hockey jersey. I wonder what the Buffalo Sabres’ fans say about that!

Even with the hotel cost, gas, I still saved hundreds of dollars on my flight compared to the price I would have paid out of Toronto. No wonder you see the parking lot filled with Ontario licence plates.

I prefer to support Canadian airlines and airports – we have some great ones here too, and no doubt travel agents feel the pressure from their clients when searching for the most inexpensive fares that it makes sense to fly out of Buffalo or other US border city.

The federal government needs to wake up and see revenues being lost due to the excessive fees they charge airports and airlines which are then passed along to the traveller.

Even more satisfying than the money I saved what impressed me the most was my business was genuinely appreciated. Customer service is alive and well in Buffalo.

Reprinted with permission from Travel Industry Today

A baboon stole my breakfast!

2010-05-22T09:27:00.002-04:00

After leaving the Swazi border, I drive north to the town of Nelspruit, from where I start a 4-day tour of one of Africa's best-known game reserves - Kruger. The size of Kruger Park is difficult to comprehend... 350 kilometres from north to south, covering an area of nearly 2 million hectares. It was established in 1898 as the Sabie National Park by Paul Kruger, and now comprises the park itself, along with a collection of private reserves which together form the larger Kruger eco-system.

My safari experience at Kruger will be split between the main park and the Guernsey Private Reserve, located an hour or so from Kruger's Orpen Gate. After driving to our lodge from Nelspruit, we embarked on an evening drive in Guernsey. We came across rhino, wildebeest and giraffe, and about an hour into the drive our guide received a report of a leopard, resting not far from the reserve's boundary. We drove there to find a female leopard reclining in the grass - presumably after a kill. This was the closest I'd been to one of these beautiful creatures, and it didn't seem to be phased.

No sooner had we left the leopard in peace, our guide received another report of a sighting... this time a cheetah. We arrived to find more than we were expecting... a female cheetah and her three cubs, sprawled out on the grass with their bellies full. We watched as they cleaned and relaxed... the cubs not much smaller than their mother. After enjoying a beer and some nibbles from the front of the jeep (how civilised?!), we went for a short night drive then headed back to the lodge.

The next day was our full Kruger safari. Setting off at 5am, our small group of 3 (Margaret, Theresa and myself) were in the park for 6am, and set off in search of Kruger's legendary collection of game. Unlike the private reserve, our driver didn't have a radio and the spaces within which we were driving were much larger, and so our sightings were less frequent. That didn't stop us from seeing a herd of elephants, plenty of zebra and giraffe, and a solitary lioness ambling along a dry riverbed - all before breakfast! We stopped for breakfast at one of the main rest camps, and tucked into our picnic. Our guide Fanwell left us briefly to buy some airtime from the shop, and within seconds we were rushed by a male chacma baboon, who'd been hiding behind the nearby fence. Shocked, we grabbed whatever food we could, but he nabbed a bag of apples and retreated to scoff them in about 30 seconds! A few minutes later, and just as I was about to tuck into my second scone, the baboon (whom we'd named Bertie, which I still think is too jolly a name for such a creature) returned. Looking straight at me, ignoring Margaret and Theresa (baboons know that women are no threat...), he ran straight up onto the table and grabbed whatever food he could while looking me square in the eyes. I tried to wrestle something off him, but he bared his teeth and snarled... so I thought better of it! Theresa managed to salvage Margaret's bag before Bertie ran off... taking my scone with him! He retreated further when one of the park guards came to see what all the fuss was about - apparently they recognise uniforms, but they know that tourists are easy pickings.

Feeling slightly violated and shell-shocked, and wondering where we could file a police report, we climbed back into the jeep and headed back into the park. Our afternoon was dominated by three lionesses, who we found stalking a watering hole populated with zebra and impala. As two lionesses took position under a nearby bush, the third waited near the roadside, with the job of flushing the impala back towards her waiting accomplices. We drove alongside the single lion as she stalked the impala, but a car coming in the other direction managed to stop right between the lion and the impala - losing sight of her prey, the lioness turned and lunged for impala in the other direction, but they saw her and made an easy escape. Flustered and a little dejected, she sat down in a clearing, panting from the effort - and seemingly a bit embarrassed by the whole affair.

The next morning, Theresa and Margaret departed... Margaret excelling herself by spotting a teabag in a tree, when she didn't manage to spot a white rhino in open ground or a giraffe stood right next to the road in Kruger! Good skills Marge!.

My final day on the tour was spent relaxing at the lodge, and going for a second evening game drive at Guernsey. Just when I thought we'd had enough luck, the Kruger eco-system delivered me with more sights... first a large herd of buffalo, rutting for dominance, then a solitary male cheetah, spraying trees to mark his territory, and then one of the most enchanting sights in Africa - a male lion. Lying in some long grass, we realised that our lion had just survived a scrap with another male, as we watched him lick a series of wounds on his paws and legs. Once finished, he did what every cat in the world loves to do, and sprawled out on his back! There remain few animals as majestic as the lion... and seeing a male so close will never lose its excitement for me.

Kruger's reputation as one of the best safari experiences in Africa is indeed well-founded. It's sheer size and wealth of wildlife is difficult to beat, and my experiences there rivalled those of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. If you ever go to Kruger, keep your eyes open for a large, well-fed male baboon, with big teeth and a maniacal look in his eyes... and stay well away!

Enjoy your own safari experience with cheap flights to South Africa.

Reprinted with permission from SmithyWorldWide

Train from Christchurch, New Zealand to Kaikoura

2010-04-16T23:02:00.000-04:00

I would like to introduce everyone to Caleb. If you want to be given some reasons to come visit New Zealand (which frankly, everyone should do at least one time in their life), there is no better ambassador than this particular 12-year-old Kiwi.

As much as I love trains, during the two months I staying in New Zealand, I was only able to take one train trip, which just gives me more reason to come back and visit another time in the future. The one short train jaunt I was able to take was an early morning departure from Christchurch up to Kaikoura, where I intended to try to do a little whale watching.

Caleb’s birthday was the day after our shared train ride. His mother, Jenni, was taking him up to Kaikoura to meet the rest of their family, who were all driving up from Christchurch to save money. As a huge train fan, his birthday present from his mother was the train ride. Through the luck of random seating, they sat opposite me over the table we shared for the ride up. His level of enthusiasm was inspiring. I wish I had that level of enthusiasm for. . . well, anything. Not that I remotely want to go back to that age, but being able to look upon it and remember was a nice belated, non-prime number birthday present for me. It was an exceptional few hours.

Caleb wants to work for the Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand, which to my eyes, he seems already well qualified to do. He told me about the only native mammal of New Zealand, a small bat, whose name he knew, but I could not jot down quickly enough as he raced to the next highlight of “the greatest country in the world.” I was told of many things and places I needed to see: Stewart Island, the original steam train at Waipura, Doubtful Sound, Lake Taupo, and Mount Hut for skiing in the winter. He could have been a tour guide – hell, I’ve had far less informed tour guides plenty of times on my journey. His mother was concerned that he was rambling on, and he was, and tried to hush him a few times, but frankly, I wanted to hear everything he could throw out there.

There was an open-air car on the train that you could go to in order to get a better view of the passing scenery. As the train got close to our final destination, to a part of the track where it ran right next to the ocean, Caleb and Jenni invited me to join them up there to look for seals. As the fresh air whipped through the open cabin and the morning sun reflected off the Pacific Ocean, Caleb turned to me and said with the absolute certainty that only a twelve year old can muster, “New Zealand is the best place ever.”

Can’t argue with you there, Caleb. Can’t argue at all.

Book your cheap flights to New Zealand, and visit "the best place ever".

Reprinted with permission from The Mobile Lawyer

Texan in Vietnam

2010-01-22T11:02:00.006-05:00

In Hoi An, Vietnam there is a restaurant written up in all of the guidebooks I have seen called Café des Amis. It’s run by a Vietnamese owner/chef named Mr. Kim, who by his own proclamation has “the best food in Hoi An.”

There is no menu. You have a choice of vegetarian, seafood or meat. Once you choose what general variety of food you want for the evening, you get a three or four course meal of whatever Mr. Kim is serving for that evening. No options. No changes. And you have no idea what you are going to get until it hits the table. As a bonus, Mr. Kim or one of the other servers also shows you how to eat each course (chopsticks with one, spoon with another, chilies on this one, etc.). My dinner wasn’t that fabulous, but the entertainment value was high. By the way, the set cost for my dinner and beer was about $7 U.S. dollars.

Mr. Kim also has about 12-14 books that are stacked out front at the table Mr. Kim sits at soliciting prospective patrons that walk by his waterfront location. His pitch is two-fold: “best food in Hoi An” and “where are you from?”

“Where are you from?” is one of those lines that you get used to hearing in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Almost everyone asks you: shop owners, hawkers at the local market, tuk-tuk drivers, or kids begging. Once you say “the United States” or “Germany” or “Japan,” invariably whoever has asked you is able to say something in your native language and give you some fact about where you are from. It annoys some people, but I think it is very a creative and ingenious way to try to get you to stop and talk.

Mr. Kim’s “where are you from” pitch comes with a very unique twist. I told him I was from the U.S. He asked where in the U.S. and I said Texas – I find it a lot easier to just say Texas, rather than Arkansas, because so few people know where Arkansas is. He nodded and walked away to his books. About three minutes later he came back with one of the books and put it down on my table. The books are full of comments from previous customers raving about the food and Mr. Kim has an almost photographic memory of the home locations of everyone that has written in them. He’d opened one of the books to a comment from someone that signed from Dallas and went on and on about how great the food was. I read it and flipped through the rest of the book slowly, reading comments from people all over the world. A few minutes later, he brought me another book with another comment from someone from Texas.

Priceless.

In case you can’t read it too well, let me retype it in its entirety:

“While on business in Da Nang, I made the short trek to Café des Amis on the recommendation of my fiancée-to-be, an ever so-slightly voluminous Swede who knows a thing or two about inconspicuous consumption. In any event, although the much vaunted ‘Goat Cheese Sandwich’ wasn’t on offer today, the four-course seafood outlay was simply spectacular. Morever – miracle upon miracles – I actually enjoyed a Tiger beer served at something appreciably less than ambient temperature.”

I am a typical guy in a quite a number of respects. One of those is my love for quoting various movie lines at a frequency that seems to discourage my ability to find a woman that will put up with me. In this case, let me go with a classic from “The Princess Bride. . .” 'I don’t think that word means what you think that word means.'

You think his girlfriend – and what the hell is “fiancée-to-be” mean?? – would like to be described as “voluminous?" As my good friend, Ken Kendrick, would likely chime in at this point – “yes, quite Rubenesque.” And conspicuous consumption, inconspicuous consumption – guess that’s about the same thing. “Seafood outlay??” “Ambient temperature??” Really?

Such an effort to impress with one’s linguistic skills. I got the feeling that this particular individual was proud of their excellent college education and wanted to make sure that everyone else that read this particular comment would be impressed also. This was all verified when you scrolled down to his signature:

Get your guns up! Go Red Raiders!

Reprinted with permission from The Mobile Lawyer

New York makes the perfect getaway

2009-11-13T08:04:00.006-05:00

10 NOV 2009: Recently a friend Helen Tilston and I took off for a way-too-short “girl’s weekend” in New York. I am regularly amazed at the number of people I meet across Canada and the US, who only an hour’s flight, or less than a day’s drive away, have never visited Manhattan. With one of the world’s three greatest cities (my opinion of course - the others - London and Paris) on your doorstep, you stay home. That’s just mindboggling.

Anyway, Helen and I decided to drive (always my first choice) so we set off Thursday morning bright and early from Toronto, stopping only at Duty Free to stock up, and at US Customs and Immigration where the officer had some unusual questions as to how long we had known each other and where we met. We managed to provide pretty quick answers – “over 25 years” and “Wardair” so I guess we passed and he let us go with a wave and a “have fun”.

Getting there

I love the drive through New York and Pennsylvania which, once you get off the New York Thruway and past Syracuse is lovely all the way through the Poconos and The Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area. We stayed overnight at Clark’s Summit in Pennsylvania about two hours out of New York and headed for the city bright and early.

With just one unintended detour, (“keep to the right” said Helen as I veered left), we soon zoomed through the Lincoln Tunnel and into the cacophony of midtown Manhattan. People are sometimes concerned about driving in New York, but while, certainly the traffic (especially the cabs, can be intimidating, it’s easy to navigate. It’s a grid and it’s got (for the most part) a logical system of alternating one way streets. In no time we were heading up Sixth to The Midtown New York Hilton.

Then came the sirens, the police cars, and the stopped traffic. For a moment we thought the Hilton was on fire – but no, it was the building next door which had smoke pouring out of somewhere (turned out to be a manhole). The streets were of course barricaded and police were redirecting traffic and fire department officials were scurrying about. I dropped Helen at the entrance with the luggage and scooted around to the hotel garage entrance on the next street.

Nice and easy

The way parking is handled is usually a dead giveaway as to the service levels of a hotel. In this case I drove into a brightly lit area (parking lots in New York can be horribly dingy) and there was an attendant at my side in less than 30 seconds. He asked if I needed any assistance with luggage, handed over a ticket and directed me to the main lobby – through glass doors leading into the hotel - right there.

The process was completed in under a minute. It was convenient, efficient, professional and pleasant. I reached the check-in counter at the same time Helen did.

Check in was smooth and swift and handled with a smile. We were soon following a porter up to our room.

The room was a good size with two queen beds and all the mod-cons including a LCD flat screen television, coffee/hospitality area and mini-bar (untouched by us). There was also a multi-functional rolling desk which was quite a neat innovation.

The phones are two-line cordless with speakerphone and voicemail capability, and there is desktop-level data port and plug. I don’t know about anyone else, but for me who has to pack a computer at all times, and often has to conduct phone interviews, these are convenient touches that make the difference in a choosing a hotel. The other thing that ranks high with me are sufficient pillows and comfortable beds. The Hilton is tops in this department.

Our bellman was helpful and pleasant without being obsequious, and helpfully went a fetched a bucket of ice.

Our view overlooked the burning (well, smoking) building leaving Helen and I to reminisce that the very first time we had a “Girl’s weekend” in New York, which was not far off 20 years ago, we stayed at the same Hilton and had arrived (via the now defunct People’s Express airlines) and checked in about ten minutes when the fire alarms went off and looking out our window we could see a small fire on the awning over the entrance. Looking at the smoke pouring out the manhole on the street below, felt as though the years had just vanished and here we were again standing at the window - same place – same smoke.

Ever so cultured

With a brief relaxation we decided to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was a beautiful autumnal day – sunny and crisp so we took off on foot. One of the biggest plusses of the Hilton, is its proximity to everything. You can walk almost everywhere.

Strolling along Fifth Avenue across from the Park, we could almost believe we were New Yorkers. Two beautiful young men came jogging by. Probably in their early twenties, well built, dressed identically in below the knee tight running pants and grey sweatshirts, they had identical below shoulder length dreadlocks and were identical twins. Absolutely identical. It was quite a sight as they ran in perfect synchronization with each other.

We decided to stop for lunch before hitting the Met and found an Italian Restaurant with a long narrow front section, leading a few steps down to a pair of dining rooms bright with original paintings, and crammed with late lunchers. Squeezing into a small heavy wooden table and had an excellent and quite reasonable lunch.

It was only a few minutes from there to the Met where for US $30, we spent an entire afternoon and much of the evening enjoying the art. There was a Vermeer exhibition on, and as is frequently the case, famous paintings are usually much smaller than what one has imagined them to be.

I particularly enjoyed a trip to the roof garden where aside from a fabulous view of the city, on exhibition was a sculpture called Maelstrom by American artist Roxy Paine. The stainless steel installation (130 feet by 45 feet) encompasses the entire roof garden for which it was especially created, and one can actually be right in it, giving a sensation of almost walking through a shiny silver treetop.

At some point we checked the time to discover that the afternoon had sped by and we were exhausted.

We grabbed a cab back to the hotel stopping at a small grocery store across the street to buy some essentials - cheese, tapenade, bread, grapes, apples, and a dubious bottle of red wine, we staggered back across the street to the hotel.

Well, dubious turned out not to be the word for the wine. The last time I tasted anything of quite this vintage the Vietnam war was in full swing, and a friend and I pooled our payday-is-just-around-the corner-resources (about $5) to buy a jug of Andreas red. Back then we drank it and solved the problems of the world too boot, these days we took a sip, ditched it, and switched to Talisker, a rather nice single malt.

After deciding on all the things we could/should do on a night in New York we fell asleep.

Relax and enjoy

The next day, both being painters we packed tiny watercolour boxes and books and set off for the West Village. The destination was my favourite lunch spot (no pun intended) – the Spotted Pig. Arriving (intentionally) early we set up across the street and spent an hour or so creating little masterpieces (!)

I say this every time I talk about or write about New York. Go to the Spotted Pig. It’s not fancy. It’s just a pub. A very Englishy pub. But the food is superb and the atmosphere just “real”. Of course, all the servers are ’resting’ actors or dancers.

We walked off lunch strolling through the west village and the boutiques and galleries of Soho, and ended up on Canal Street where we picked up a couple of bargains and Helen witnessed a pickpocket team in action.

Finally we made our way back to the Hilton, stopping for a drink and some people watching in the lobby bar which is well suited for both activities.

After a brief rest we decided to take a stroll and find a restaurant for dinner. Well, that took all of about five minutes, as we found a charming spot just up the street from the hotel. Great food, excellent service and there sitting at the bar across from us was one of the jogging twins from the previous day. Serendipity!

Heading home

The following morning, retrieving the car was as simple as checking it in and we waved goodbye to the Hilton and headed for the Holland Tunnel and home.

Easier said than done – a marathon had closed the tunnel, so adjusting to the situation and once again navigating New York with relative ease we headed downtown and crossed at the Lincoln Tunnel.

We were back in Toronto by dinner time. It may seem a long way to go to not do a huge amount, but New York is invigorating all on its own. Rather than a packed itinerary I have always preferred to do one or two things (in this instance the Met, some watercolour painting and the Spotted Pig) and then spend time browsing through stores or galleries, just people watching and soaking up the atmosphere of a city.

If you are looking for a short getaway, there are any number of flights available, and if flying from Toronto don’t forget Porter Airlines at Toronto City Centre Airport. I will always recommend the midtown Hilton for great service and great location – walking distance to Broadway, theatres, any number of restaurants and steps from Central Park and shopping on Fifth Avenue or Madison Avenue.

These days when quick, short getaways are increasingly popular, New York is a perfect location.

New York views

Reprinted with permission from Travel Industry Today

Top 5 Hotels In Havana, Cuba

2009-04-21T08:10:00.006-04:00

Havana, Cuba offers many great, luxurious Cuban hotels - here are just a few that come highly recommended:

1 - The Hotel Saratoga

The Hotel Saratoga in picturesque Old Havana. Overlooking the intersection at Paseo del Prado and Dragones Street, it faces the Capitolio building with an astonishing view of the world renowned Partagas Cigar Factory and the Gran Teatro de La Habana. Each room is equipped with a minibar, security box, private bathroom, telephone, and satellite television. While perhaps standard in American hotels, these are rare conveniences in Cuba. The hotel itself provides a laundry service, car rentals, cyber cafe, room service, a swimming pool, a bar, and an in-house babysitter. The Saratoga has recently been refurbished in the neo-classical style, with a mezzanine bar and a spectacular rooftop pool that allows views of the old town and port.

2 - Melia Habana Hotel

Business visitors will enjoy accommodations at the Melia Habana hotel in the heart of Miramar, the center of Havana's business trade. In-house food facilities are extensive, offering a Miramar restaurant buffet, as well as a la carte restaurants featuring Cuban, Italian, and Barbeque cuisine. Hotel features include a fitness room, tennis court, beauty salon, medical services, events hall, sauna, swimming pool and internet access.

3 - Parque Central

Hailed as the most luxurious international hotel in the city, Parque Central offers modern facilities in the heart of historic Old Havana. The terrace holds a tropical bar with a swimming pool.

4 - Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Hotel Nacional de Cuba is situated atop a prominent promontory overlooking the pristine coastline. Amenities include restaurants, convention halls, car rentals, currency exchanges, fitness rooms, massages, laundry services, medical services, a pool, a cigar shop, and virtually every convenience a visitor could ask for.

5 - Santa Isabel

Santa Isabel holds its traditional, historic charm and features, despite being recently renovated and reopened in the 1990s. Features include an in-house babysitter, cyber café, bar, car rental, restaurant and art gallery.

Brought to you by Floridita Travel

My trip to Varadero, Cuba

2009-02-24T11:39:00.009-05:00

We just got back from a week-long trip to Varadero, Cuba with Signature Vacations.

We flew from Vancouver to Varadero on Skyservice Airlines and we were booked into Star Class both ways. My overall experience traveling in Star Class was that I found it well worth the upgrade charge to take Star Class. This is still 3 and 3 seating, so it's not a wider seat, but the leg room is much more than the regular seating. Also, there are so many extras that come along when booking Star Class - advance seat selection, priority check in and priority luggage, 30KG luggage allowance, headsets and bar service on board complimentary. The meal service was the same for all of the passengers, and our morning flight was served a Western baked egg omelet with cheddar cheese on an English muffin, orange juice and Yoplait yogurt. It made for a comfortable journey traveling in Star Class. We did have the luggage come off first both in Cuba and back in Vancouver, so the priority luggage tags that are put in when checking in do work and bags came out on the carousel first!

My last trip to Cuba was about 5 years ago and I did notice a few things that have improved/changed, and that is the quality of food and variety certainly is better to what was available on the previous trip. Cuba is rich in culture and I found the people very friendly. A trip to Havana even just for the day is a must. To see Old Havana is quite incredible and very interesting rich in history of the country. Currency is the CUC (Convertible Cuban Peso) which is on par or higher than the US dollar so this does make Cuba a bit more expensive for Canadians when there, however there is not a lot of shopping to be had so one will not spend a lot of money. Of course Rum and Cigars are good deals and if you make the trip into Havana check out the Rum factory you will get some great rates on Rum and cigars. Hotels will exchange Canadian Money to the CUC but be sure to only change small amounts as you need it, for you will lose again when you have to convert it back to Canadian money. You cannot convert CUC outside of Cuba so you must do this before you leave the country. The airport does have a currency exchange however if you had an early flight it would not be open.

Tipping is quite the norm now and one will find they will tip small amounts even in the all inclusive resorts. We did find service a bit better if we had tipped and I still brought some small gifts for the maids and I left a small amount of money at the end for the maid. They really appreciate this and I had the maid leave me a nice note to thank me for the gifts. Any excursions taken you should expect to take some money to tip the tour guides etc at the end of the trip. Guideline would be the same as tipping in Canada for tour guides etc. They really do just appreciate any amount and they are very friendly and helpful one does not mind tipping for the great customer service.

Here is some information about the hotel where we stayed in Varadero:
Hotel Sirenis La Salina Varadero

Large hotel - 1035 rooms

New hotel and largest in Varadero - Opened in 2007

This hotel is built in a Ecological park so a lot of the area respected and protected when built

There is a relaxation pool as well as the main activity pool

7 a la carte restaurants

10 handicapped rooms located on the main floor nearest the lobby area

Centre Square, as it is called in the resort, is where the theater area is located at this resort

Piano bar- which turns into the disco later in the night

Waterslides off the main pool area with swim up bar in the main pool area

Mini club with 2 kids pools

Baby club – 0-4 years – mini club for 5-12 years

Standard rooms with either 1 king or 2 double beds

charge for safe of 2 CUC per day

Netherlands River Cruise

2009-01-09T10:59:00.003-05:00

We took a river cruise last spring on the Viking Europe from Amsterdam to Volendam. Small river cruise ships allow you the opportunity to see much of the countryside along the canals and rivers, and they can also dock in small villages, enabling you to visit places that are not accessible with larger ships. Our Dutch Journey cruise on the Viking Europe river cruise ship spent the first day and a half in Amsterdam and then sailed northward to Noord Holland late one afternoon, just in time to have a dinner cruise on the way to Volendam, which is about 20 kilometers north of Amsterdam. Although I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Amsterdam on previous vacations, none of those trips gave me time to venture out into the Netherlands countryside.

Soon after leaving Amsterdam on the Viking Europe, we came to our first lock of the cruise. The Netherlands is covered with many rivers and canals. The locks were built to help with flood control, and ships must plan their time in the locks in advance since they can only be opened during certain stages of the tide. Ships can only use the locks when the tides are almost at a standstill. This means the locks are available only four times a day for just a few hours on either side of high and low tide.

After leaving the lock, we entered Gouwzee Bay, which is part of the Ijsselmeer (Ijssel Lake). While enjoying our dinner, we watched the other ships on the lake and small cottages scattered on the many islands in the Ijsselmeer. The Netherlands is a very flat country, and it's easy to see why flooding is such a concern. We also got a close-up look at the new 'Dolly Parton' bridge. We had driven past the bridge earlier on our way to the Floriade but we hadn't seen it up close. Its two large spans make it seem aptly named.

We reached the village of Volendam after dark. I had heard both positive and negative things about Volendam. Some friends had raved about how charming and quaint Volendam was, while others had complained that it was simply a tourist trap. Since it is close to Amsterdam it makes it an easy day trip for throngs of tourists, and its numerous sailboats and rows of wooden houses make Volendam very picturesque. Volendam was once a busy fishing port, but when the enclosure dike was completed in 1932, the subsequent change of the Zuiderzee (South Sea) from salt water to the freshwater Ijsselmeer ruined the fishing.

Early the following morning, I went outside and was amazed to see how charming the city was. Volendam was very beautiful in the early dawn. Sailboats were rocking peacefully in the water, and the sun was trying to peek through the morning clouds. It was a terrific way to start the day! We left Volendam early that morning by bus to visit Hoorn and Edam before meeting the ship again in Enkhuizen. As we walked through Volendam to meet the bus, I noticed that most of the quaint buildings were souvenir shops. Maybe there was something to the "tourist trap" label after all! I'm glad that we left Volendam early, and my memory of it will always be as it looked in the early morning: peaceful, calm, and nearly deserted.

During our first night at sea on the Viking Europe, we saw demonstrations of several Dutch folklore dances by a dance troop in traditional Dutch costume. If you're looking for glitzy Las Vegas-type entertainment on a cruise, then a small ship river cruise is NOT for you. Our river cruise ship featured local talent such as these dancers and the ship's crew.

The small dance troop were all seniors, but they had a lot of energy. You could tell that were proud of their heritage and loved the traditional dances. The women each wore 4 petticoats under their dresses, and the men were wearing heavy woolen jackets and pants, along with knitted socks. I'm sure they were sweltering hot after all of that dancing. The women wore traditional lace caps that were held in place with silver pins. Where were the cute little Dutch girl pointed caps that we always associate with Holland? We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the dances and hearing about the history of the costumes. One of the gentlemen asked me to dance, and we did the "famous" skating dance. I didn't embarrass myself, but don't think I am ready to change careers!

New Sensatori Hotel in Cancun

2008-11-26T12:38:00.004-05:00

I just came back from Cancun last week, and had a chance to stay at the new Sensatori Hotel that just opened 2 weeks ago. This hotel is approximately 35 mins from Playa Del Carmen, and is exclusive to Signature Vacations. From my experience, I think you will find this hotel to be just great.

The Sensatori Hotel is very kid-friendly. Here are some of the amenities available for families.

Strollers are offered at no charge

They have playpens/cribs and they are offered at no charge you can either preorder or there is a check list you can fill in upon arrival and they will then have items sent to your room

Gourmet Gerber baby food and there is a kid menu that they have in each restaurant so that kids can have that if they do not want what is on the main menu for adults

Baby monitors are available at no cost

Onsite store to buy diapers and misc items for the children

There is the splash pool that has kids things to play on

Toy lending library at the kids club - just sign out what is needed to take back to the room

Staff can be hired to babysit for a cost of $15.00 per child per hour – all staff that do this service have first aid and have completed a babysitting course

Toddlers welcome package includes smoothie shake with sprinkles, and an activity book.

There is the area by the Italian restaurant where the teens club is, so they can hang out with other teens on their own, and have things to do there that would be more what teens are looking to do. This area is always supervised so parents can let the teens go on their own, as there will always be adult supervision.

All rooms come with the mini fridge. Tipping is included, however, like at any resort if you wish to tip for service above and beyond that is fine. The beach was good, swimmable and was the powder white sand.

Although the hotel is not promoted as wheelchair accessible, the property seems fairly flat with ramps around. As with other Mexican hotels I've stayed at, the rooms are not equipped with the full bathroom for handicapped but the wheelchair will go through the door. Actually, as we were there a gentleman did arrive who was in a wheelchair, so that was good to see to know that one could get around in a wheelchair.

Airline Baggage Allowance

2008-11-19T17:36:00.003-05:00

Many airlines have recently changed their policies for free checked baggage allowance. Check out each airline's web page below for the most up-to-date baggage allowance for your flight.

British Midland - BMI

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Korean Air

LAN Airlines (previously LAN Chile)

LTU International (Air Berlin)

Lufthansa German Airlines

Scandinavian Airlines

SkyService

South African Airways

Sunwing Airlines

Swiss International Air Lines

Walt Disney World Vacation - Orlando, Florida

2008-11-10T14:17:00.006-05:00

My family and I just returned from DisneyWorld in Orlando, Florida. We had one of the best vacations ever and look forward to visiting again. DisneyWorld is for all ages, and is truly magical for all who visit. We visited during Halloween, and we actually dressed up and went "trick or treating" throughout The Magic Kingdom. Epcot was fantastic, their new ride Soarin' is the best by far and is great for everyone!

DisneyWorld's Animal Kingdom Park was amazing. The Safari Ride was just like a real Safari, and we were able to see many animals in their natural habitat. No two Safari's are alike, so you need to take this at least twice. The park was amazing and beyond my expectations.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort was lovely and actually had that Caribbean theme and feel. The complimentary transportation was very efficient to all Disney parks we and never a long wait. Our hotel room was a good size for all 4 of us and was decorated with Finding Nemo and Caribbean themes. The staff at the Caribbean Beach Resort were very friendly and helpful.

Our SunWing Airlines flights were extremely comfortable. SunWing staff were all very courteous and efficient. The flights were always on time and, in fact, we arrived early on the return. They did offer complimentary meals and headphones on each flight, which was a nice surprise.

New York Times Square Hotel Mela

2008-11-03T17:10:00.003-05:00

The Hotel Mela in New York City is ideally located less than one block off Times Square. This boutique hotel features small rooms, as with most hotels in central Manhattan. The following photo of a standard room with a queen bed shows the WHOLE ROOM (except for the bathroom).

However, if you arrive at the Hotel Mela with this expectation, then you won't be disappointed. The price is great for the location. Times Square and the Broadway Theaters are all within easy walking distance. The front desk staff were always courteous, and offered directions and maps. I highly recommend this New York hotel for those seeking a central location at a smaller, boutique property.

There are essentially 4 ways to get transportation from New York Airports to downtown Manhattan.

a) the infamous yellow cab - approx $50 from JFK, $30 from La Guardia, and $55 from Newark.

b) Super Shuttle van service - approx $21 per person from JFK, $16 from La Guardia, and $21 from Newark. While this is door-to-door service directly to your hotel, the route depends on the destinations of everybody onboard, and it could be a while before you reach your hotel.

c) bus service - New York Airport Service - $15 from JFK, $12 from La Guardia - bus service with direct service to Grand Central Station and Port Authority. Other destinations require transfers, and additional fares. One negative about NY Airport Service, it first makes a loop through all of the airport terminals before departing, so you can easily spend 45 minutes on the bus before leaving the airport property. From Newark, Olympia Bus to Port Authority is $15.

d) Public transportation - from JFK take the AirTrain ($5) and connect to the subway ($2), from La Guardia take the M60 or Q33 bus ($2).

Las Vegas at the Red Rock Resort

2008-10-28T20:44:00.004-04:00

I recently attended a business conference in Las Vegas at the Red Rock Resort and Casino. As with most conferences, I spent the majority of my day in the hotel, and very little time experiencing the Las Vegas nightlife!

The trip started with an early morning in Toronto. I pre-cleared US customs in Canada in about a minute, using my Nexus card. The same was true on my return to Canada. The Nexus card can also be used at land border crossings. It's only $50 and is valid for 5 years. It's great to have if you travel to the USA often.

I flew from Toronto to Las Vegas on nonstop flights with WestJet. The flights were on time, and time passed quickly with WestJet's satellite TV. WestJet recently changed to Terminal 1 in Las Vegas. Terminal 1 offers several shops for your last minute purchases, but the walk from the gate to the baggage is quite a distance. Although, since it took so long to get to the baggage claim, my bags were already there before I arrived.

I had a Dollar car rental during my trip. In Las Vegas, all of the car rental vendors are in a single off-site location, with efficient and frequent bus service. There is always a bus loading for the car rental centre, and it's only a 5-minute drive. Unfortunately, after the quick trip to the car rental center, I spent 45 minutes in line to pick up my car. All of the other car rental companies had similar lines, and the only way to avoid the wait is to get a frequent renter account in advance with your preferred car rental company.

The Red Rock Resort is a great place for those looking for a vacation getaway without all the busyness of the Las Vegas strip. It's located about 16 miles NorthWest of the Las Vegas airport/strip area. The adventure spa offers kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, river rafting, and more. Traditional spa experiences include manicure, pedicure, and massage. And, don't forget the kids, with a 16-screen movie theatre, a 72 lane bowling alley onsite, and Kids Quest, a floor-to-ceiling climbing maze and play structure. Or, leave the kids at home and enjoy the Red Rock Casino, nightclub, and many restaurants.

I highly recommend the Red Rock Resort for a "non-strip" Las Vegas vacation. There is so much to do onsite. A car rental is a necessity, since cab fare from the airport is about $50 one-way. Add an excursion to the strip, and you can quickly spend $200 or more on taxis.

Welcome to our Travel Blog

2008-10-28T19:29:00.000-04:00

Hello Bloggers,

Welcome to our Travel Blog. We invite you to submit your travel stories and adventures as you have explored this great world of ours, and share them with our other readers!

Thanks,
FlyForLess.ca