Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) christens cruise ship ... Deal of the Day

The Duchess of Cambridge, aka Kate Middleton and wife of Prince William, took part in a royal tradition today by christening the newest ship from Princess Cruises.

The Duchess, looking her usual resplendent self in a leopard print coat and sporting her baby bump, smashed a champagne bottle (oh, the waste) on the new Royal Princess, a 3,600 passenger ship.

William didn't make the trip to Southampton, England for the christening, leaving his wildly popular wife to take care of things, the Daily Mirror (UK) reported, calling her a "real smasher."

The duchess is due to have her baby next month but isn't letting that stop her from wearing fashionable outfits. She was sporting black high heels for the Princess Cruise event and also showed off a spiffy black fascinator.

 

“I name this ship Royal Princess, may God bless her and all who sail in her,” Middleton said before cutting the rope, according to ABC News.

Very cool lady. And not a bad bit of publicity for Princess Cruises, don't you think?

SPEAKING OF CRUISES...

On a related note, I see that the fire-damaged Carnival Triumph is back in action.

Four months after an engine fire left it to drive for days in the Gulf of Mexico, the nearly 900-foot Carnival Triumph is scheduled to sail today from Galveston, Texas on a four-night cruise to Mexico and the western Caribbean, Associated Press reports.

The ship became disabled during a February cruise of the Caribbean. Passengers had to endure cold food, unsanitary conditions and power outages while the vessel was towed to Mobile, Alabama.

A company statement says the ship underwent $115 million in repairs and upgrades in Alabama and at dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas, before returning to Galveston on Tuesday.

Not sure if Carnival put on a fire sale (I'm so sorry about that), but the cruise was sold out.

CALGARY STAMPEDE APPROACHING

There are only 3 weeks left before this festival kicks off and right now Expedia.ca is offering a savings of up to 50 per cent on select Calgary hotels – just in time for the most famous stampede in the country. If not the world.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal today for a divine 7-night cruise in the western Caribbean, priced at $1,253, including $568 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

 

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $650 per couple, compared to the cost of booking your air, transfers and cruise separately!
• 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise sailing aboard the MSC Divina
• Departs from and returns to Miami, Florida. Ports of Call include: Falmouth, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

• The Divina is a luxurious cruising experience, complete with marble staircase and Broadway-style theatre
• Enjoy a fully packaged cruising experience, including flight and transfers

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on November 30, 2013
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale and round-trip airport/pier transfers 
• Accommodations available in an Inside Stateroom (Category 1/2/3), Oceanview (Category 4/5) or a Balcony (Category 7/8/9) stateroom
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Inside Category (1/2/3):
  $685 + 567.86 tax
  
  Oceanview (Category 4/5):
  $825 + 567.86 tax
  
  Balcony (Category 7/8/9):
  $895 + 567.86 tax
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

Hamilton Airport folks worry about Pickering plans (rightfully so) ... Deal of the Day

It's what Hamilton airport supporters have dreaded for years.

On Tuesday, Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who represents the riding of Whitby-Oshawa and looks after the GTA for the Tories, stood up at an announcement east of Toronto and said it's time to start planning for the long-mothballed Pickering Airport.

This despite the fact that Toronto Pearson is nowhere near capacity and Hamilton's Airport has, according to the Hamilton Spectator, seen passenger volumes actually fall instead of increasing.

In a story in today's Star, York University business professor Fred Lazar calls the Pickering Airport concept "a dumb idea."

"There is no demand for that airport,” said Fred Lazar, a business professor at York University. “If there was the demand, Hamilton (see photo from 2010) would be a thriving airport.”

I could be wrong, but isn't most of the growth in the Toronto area still to the west, out around Brampton and Milton and Mississauga, more than Pickering and Ajax and Oshawa? If so, wouldn't a boost to Hamilton's lagging airport make more sense from a geographic standpoint?

I think Pickering has a major chance of being Toronto's Mirabel, the Montreal airport that was built out on the sticks to take pressure off Dorval Airport (now Trudeau Airport). It never, pardon the pun, took off. It's now only for cargo and was a colossal waste of money.

In a story in the Spectator, Ron Foxcroft, chairperson of TradePort International Corporation, which manages Hamilton's airport under a long-term lease with the city, initially was quoted as calling Pickering "a waste of money when we have the infrastructure right here in Hamilton."

With details, however, he agreed "it makes sense" to start planning for the new field now — as long as that planning includes honest consultation with aviation industry players such as Hamilton.

"We've been assured that Pickering will only be developed after consultation with all the other southern Ontario airports and when they are at their capacity," he said. "The key is after consultation and when we are at capacity."

Despite those assurances, Foxcroft said supporters of John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport remain "concerned" about the potential impact of the Pickering proposal on Hamilton.

"Of course we are concerned about this announcement. It comes as a shock in the sense that there appears to have been no consultation, which frankly has not been the case with this government in past," Mayor Bob Bratina said in an email exchange.

"Council has made the development of the Hamilton airport one of the key elements in our long-term economic growth strategy, so we hope that we won't see a diversion of scarce resources to this new facility at a time when John C. Munro is on the threshold of becoming the regional alternative to Pearson," he added.

A 2011 federal study said southern Ontario's existing network of airports, including Hamilton, will reach capacity sometime between 2027 and 2037, and planning and building a new field could take at least 10 years.

Although it has an enviable reputation as a cargo airport, Hamilton has long struggled to attract and keep regular passenger service, the Spectator reported. "For a few years it was WestJet's eastern hub and handled 1 million passengers a year, but WestJet moved to Pearson and passenger volumes have dwindled," the paper said.

So why would anyone think it would be at capacity in 2027 when there's still plenty of room at Pearson, the more popular option? And at a time when the Canadian economy is still in the relative doldrums?

Oh, I forgot, Hamilton isn't next to Jim Flaherty's riding...

AIR CANADA SALE (OF SORTS)

I got a note from Air Canada today, launching what it calls a Discover America sale. The savings are said to be for flights booked by June 14.

Just for fun I went online and looked for a ticket for a trip from Toronto to Los Angeles in July, from a Wednesday to a Wednesday. The cheapest seats I saw were for a combined, return fare of $579.

I found a Toronto to Vancouver round trip, also July 17 to July 24, for $522.

Pretty sad that that counts as a sale, folks.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal today for a cool, eight-day trip to Colombia, priced at $2,864, including $65 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

 

• 8-Day/7-Night Highlights of Colombia Private Tour, including visits to the Boyacá Bridge, San Francisco church, the coffee region of Armenia, San Agustín Archaeological Park and more!
• Includes transportation via air-conditioned vehicle, accompaniment of local English speaking tour guides, private tours & entrance fees as per the itinerary, domestic flights as per itinerary and more!

• We can't mention it enough: take a look at Colombia's best sites in the company of your own guide on this private tour
• Colombia's culture is rich and fascinating and matches perfectly with its extraordinary tropical landscape
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Offer Details

• Valid for travel on Sepember 14, 28; October 19 & November 9, 23, 2013
• Meals include daily breakfast throughout the tour
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Standard Hotel Accommodations:
  Double: $2799
  Single: $3199
  Tax: $65
  
  Superior Hotel Accommodations:
  Double: $2969
  Single: $3469
  Tax: $65
  
  
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• Accommodations Included (or similar):
  
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  • Superior Hotel Accommodations: Hotel de la Opera, Bogota (3 nights); Finca Bosque del Saman, Coffee Region (2 nights) and Hacienda Anacaona, San Agustín (2 nights)
  • Want to learn more about Colombia? Check out our dedicated destination page HERE
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada.
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

Pickering Airport rises again/Pearson punished in poll/Deal of the day: Arizona

Here we go again.

The federal government today unveiled plans to resurrect the highly controversial Pickering Airport east of Toronto; a move that surely will spark huge environmental protests.

The airport was talked about decades ago and land acquired by the feds in 1972, causing a lot of grief to folks in the area. The plan was later mothballed, leaving many people's lives up in the air. The Pickering Lands encompass approximately 18,600 acres of land in Pickering, Markham and Uxbridge.

Today, at a press conference, Finance MInister Jim Flaherty and others from the Harper government unveiled a new Pickering airport plan, part of what they call a '''balanced approach" that sets aside land for not only airplanes but economic development and for the Rouge National Urban Park.

 

"For residents of Durham Region and the GTA, the Harper government is ending decades of uncertainty about the future of the Pickering Lands," said Flaherty. "There will be land for an airport, there will be urban and industrial development and there will be considerable green space on these lands. We are striking a responsible balance that will allow us to preserve our quality of life, while creating jobs and long-term prosperity in Durham Region and the GTA. With the Buttonville Airport closing, with Highway 407 being extended eastward, and now clarity around the Pickering Lands, Durham Region is well positioned to be a hub for transportation, business development and job creation."

"As we protect land for a future airport, a considerable tract of land will also be made available for job-creating development that will bring new opportunities to Pickering and Durham Region," Flaherty said.

As part of the Harper government's continuing commitment to plan for, protect and responsibly manage the federally owned Pickering Lands and promote the region's continued development and economic prosperity, Transport Canada plans to transfer nearly 5,000 acres from these lands to Parks Canada towards the creation of Rouge National Urban Park.

The new park will be more than 13 times the size of Stanley Park in Vancouver, officials said.

Sounds decent in theory. But I suspect there will be a lot of controversy. And I'm not sure what airlines will want to use Pickering, versus Pearson.

Don't forget what a  white elephant Mirabel became after officials built Montreal's new airport way out in the sticks a couple decades ago....

Pearson punished in poll

We still don’t like it. But it may be winning our grudging respect.

A new poll by flightnetwork.com found that an incredible 71.3 per cent of Canadians name Toronto’s own Lester B. Pearson airport as the nation’s worst.

On the other hand, 49.1 per cent of folks named Pearson as the most improved airport. So perhaps the changes they’ve made lately, including new food options and moves to make security lineups shorter, are working.

Asked to name the worst airport in Canada, the overwhelming majority of respondents gave the nod to Toronto. Second was Pierre Trudeau airport in Montreal at 12.8 per cent, then Vancouver (8.1). I suspect there's an element of "familiarity breeds contempt" at work here, in that far more Canadians travel through Pearson than any other airport in the country.

Trip Advisor tricked

Many of us have often wondered about the veracity of hotel reviews we find on the Internet. Now we know why.

Accor's general manager of communications has put TripAdvisor reviews into question again by acknowledging that he posted more than 100 hotel reviews on the site using a made up name, travelmole.com reports.

Peter Hook, an Accor general manager of communications based in Sydney, has been posting generally good reviews of Accor properties and mostly critical reviews of its competitors for the past few years, travelmole said. He was identified by Kwikchex, a software company, after allegedly writing up favourable comments on Accor properties.

Hook acknowledged that he wrote the reviews under the name Tavare, and told the Telegraph that "every review I have written has resulted from personally experiencing the product".

Noting that he regularly reviews destinations, attractions, restaurants, and other non-hotel products, he said that "because I cover such a wide range of travel experiences, it would not be appropriate to review them as a company representative, hence the pseudonym. However, it is a fair to say that my professional position should have been mentioned in any reviews of hotels".

Hook said he will desist from writing any more hotel reviews.

Light saber scare

Not even Chewbacca and his light saber get a free pass with airport security before being cleared to travel.

Transportation Security Administration agents in Denver briefly stopped Star Wars franchise actor Peter Mayhew (on the right) recently as he was boarding a flight with a cane shaped like one of science-fiction's most iconic weapons.

Airport officials say they wanted to inspect the huge walking stick before allowing Mayhew, who is more than 7 feet tall, on the plane.

Bye bye to room service?

The good news is you won’t be looking at a menu for an overpriced cheeseburger. The bad news is you might have to slip on some clothes and sneak down to the lobby for a late-night snack.

In one of the more interesting experiments I’ve seen in the travel business in some time, the Hilton Midtown hotel in New York City says it’s going to eliminate room service. Entirely. Instead, hotel officials say they’ll open a self-service food shop in the lobby.

Reuters reports that Hilton officials said the move was prompted by cutbacks in spending by business travelers, many of whom face tight expense-account rules, and the changing tastes of leisure travelers,

Air safer than cruising?

A recent Harris Poll in the U.S. found that perceived quality of major cruise lines is down since the Carnival Triumph fire in the Caribbean earlier this year.

More worrisome for the industry is that half of Americans (51 per cent) said they were less likely to take a cruise now than a year ago.

None of that seems surprising. But I was taken aback to see that 62 per cent of respondents feel air travel is more reliable than cruising and that 56 per cent agreed that air travel is safer than a cruise.

That’s definitely something for cruise folks to worry about.

Jaunt.ca deal of the day

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal today for a trip to sunny (wouldn't that be nice?) Arizona, priced at $742, including $143 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

 

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Two travellers save up to $80 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: FREE seat selection in the USA
• OPTIONAL ADD ON: Enhance your vacation by adding a car rental to your stay (Economy - Chevrolet Aveo or similar) – see pricing below
• 5-night stay at the Hotel Indigo Scottsdale, located in Downtown Scottsdale

 

• A boutique hotel means more attentive service and a more intimate feel
• The hotel's shuttle service will take you anywhere within three miles of the property, so you'll have no trouble checking out downtown Scottsdale's vibrant art scene, scrumptious restaurants and historical, Wild West charm

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on July 5, 2013
• Includes return air from Toronto to Phoenix
• Accommodations in a Standard room, featuring 2 queen-size beds or 1 king-size bed . Maximum occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children
• Daily breakfast is included
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $599
  Single: $761
  Triple: $554
  Quad: $533
  Child: $456
  Tax: $143
   
  
  Toronto with Car Rental:
  Double: $674
  Single: $911
  Triple: $604
  Quad: $573
  Child: $456
  Tax: $143
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
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• To book option with Car Rental CLICK HERE
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
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• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
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WestJet eyes Island airport (and maybe Porter)/More wi-fi in sky/Deal of day

It's hardly a surprise, but it has to be a tad disconcerting to opponents of the Toronto Island airport.

In Toronto on Thursday to take ownership of his company's first Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft, the ones they'll use on their Encore service starting June 24, WestJet president and CEO Gregg Saretsky said he would, indeed, like to fly out of Toronto's Billy Bishop island airport someday.

Star business reporter Vanessa Lu quoted him in today's Star as saying that he's; "interested in every airport that this beautiful aircraft can get into."

There aren't any slots available at the island airport right now but taking control of their first turboprops at least makes Billy Bishop a feasible spot for WestJet.

"This changes the game in Canada and we intend to be a player," Saretsky said.

He also issued one of his stronger comments on the future of Porter Airlines that I can remember. There's tons of talk in travel circles that Porter, which is aiming to use jets at the island airport, is interested in a takeover. Most folks have mentioned WestJet as the most obvious candidate.

Asked about a Porter purchase, Saretsky said that "anything is possible."

"Would we fly one to day to London, Paris, Shanghai and Beijing? Absolutey, that's possible. Would we buy another airline? That's possible, too."

In a story in today's Globe and Mail, meanwhile, Saretsky said WestJet should have a definite Wi-Fi agreement in place by the end of the year and that the company's first aircraft should be outfitted with the service pretty quickly after that.

It's about bloody time. Air Canada has been trying out paid Wi-Fi on flights from Toronto and Montreal to Los Angeles since around the time of the Diefenbaker administration. They hint at various problems with the service and say they're still studying it but, honestly, does it really take this long?

AIR CANADA BUMPING PETITION

Another good story here from Vanessa Lu talks about how more than 12,000 travellers have signed an online petition to demand that Air Canada boost the money it pays out to people who get bumped from an overbooked flight.

The petition, which can be found online at www.change.org, comes after a Canadian Transportation Agency ruling last week that called "outdated" the current $100 cash or $200 travel voucher Air Canada gives out.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on offer for a cruise to the balmy and beautiful Bahamas on the new Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas, priced at $1,551, including $122 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• Be one of the first people to experience the Quantum class of ships featuring a skydiving experience, the largest indoor sports & entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars and roller skating, the most advanced staterooms ever including a virtual balcony and more!
• 7-night Bahamas Cruise sailing on the RCI Quantum of the Seas

• The Quantum of the Seas is a brand new cruise ship outfitted with amazing onboard activites that include skydiving, bumper cars and more
• You'll have the luxury of relaxing on a private island plus visiting family friendly ports

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on December 27, 2014
• Departs from and returns to Cape Liberty, New Jersey. Ports of Call include: Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and CocoCay, Bahamas
• Accommodations in a Inside with virtual balcony (Category M), Oceanview (Category I), Balcony Oceanview (Category D3)
• All meals on board are included
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Inside with virtual balcony (Category M):
  1st/2nd Passengers: $1429
  Tax: $122
  
  Oceanview (Category I):
  1st/2nd Passengers: $1409
  Tax: $122
  
  Balcony Oceanview (Category D3):
  1st/2nd Passengers: $1739
  Tax: $122
  
  We also offer Other DATES and FLIGHTS and QUAD stateroom option.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Want to know more about the Quantum Experience? Check out our microsite HERE
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• To book dining times please fill out the 'Requests' form specifying preference for first or second seating at time of booking
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on September 9, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

Anne Green Gables disapointment / Wine in a can on Spirit: ugh! / Deal of day

Visitors to Prince Edward Island are coming away disappointed, according to a report on CTV news. CTV Atlantic says Parks Canada is saving money by restricting operationg hours at Green Gables, closing on Sunday and Monday in the month of June.

"It's supposed to be a national treasure and they (tourists) were here and they wanted to see it on a Sunday and they couldn't," said tour guide Harry Moreland. "Definitely I don't think it is of any advantage to tourism on this island, for the Green Gables house to be closed up so early."

The grounds will be open seven days a week in July, the network said.

WINE IN A CAN - PLEASE NO!

Another sign the apocalypse surely is upon us? Or just another sign of how unglamorous air travel is these days?

Either way, the news that Spirit Airlines will begin serving wine (or something they call wine) in cans is surely not welcome news. The U.S. carrier, known for its extra fees and fun advertisements (which we don't see much in Canada) says it will save weight on board by selling its white moscato or strawberry moscato (sounds AWFUL) wines in aluminum cans. The cans are easier to stack and store on airplanes and also weigh less.

Spirit will continue to sell mini-bottles of Sutter Home wine, which is kinda drinkable last time I checked. But strawberry moscato? Why not just suck on some strawberry licorice?

The cans will cost $7, or two for $12.

Spirit, in case you've never had the pleasure, charges $3 for a drink of water. Want a bag in the overhead bin? That'll cost you $35.

And you thought airlines were nickel and diming you in Canada ...

RECORD REVENUE FROM FEES

Speaking of nickel and diming,a report by IdeaWorksCompany and CarTrawler says ancillary revenue reported by airlines grew to $27.1 billion (all figures U.S.) in 2012. That's up a sizeable 19.6 per cent over 2011 and represents more than double the ancillary revenues that airlines brought in in 2009, when the figure was $13.47 billion.

"The blueprint for an airline business has changed dramatically over the past 10 years," said Mike McGearty, CEO of Car Trawler.

No kidding. We get hit for excess baggage. We get hit for change fees. We get hit for sandwiches and wine in cans. And, if you're on Spirit, even water.

A chart of the top airlines showed that United raked in $5.35 billion in extra revenue, followed by Delta at $2.58 billion and American at almost $2 billion. No Canadian airlines made the list of top ten revenue producers.

The study also showed that Qantas brings in an average of $56.21 per passenger in ancillary revenue, tops in the world, and that Spirit gets 38.5 per cent of its revenue from ancillary fees; also tops in the world.

One odd note: the study said Aeroflot sold $171.3 million of duty free goods on its flights in 2012 and attained a 115 per cent mark up on cost. That's a lot of perfume and, probably, vodka.

MONTREAL JAZZ FEST

The 34^th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, will take place from June 28 to July 7, is coming up soon. On the menu this year : Oliver Jones, Martha Wainwright, Nikki Yanofsky, Wayne Shorter, Pink Martini, Charles Lloyd, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, George Benson, She & Him, Vijay Iyer, Alpha Blondy & the Solar System, Oliver Jones, Belle & Sebastian, Madeleine Peyroux… and many more acts.

BOMBARDIER SENDS PLANES TO WESTJET

In a ceremony in chilly Toronto today, Bombardier Aerospace today delivered its first Q400 NextGen aircraft to WestJet.

WestJet has ordered 20 of the planes with options for an additional 25, and will use them on its new regional carrier, WestJet Encore. WestJet Encore launches June 24 and will provide flights to a series of regional destinations in Canada, including places like Saskatoon, Fort St. John, B.C., Brandon, Manitoba, Grande Prairie, Alberta and Nanaimo, B.C.

BIG VEGAS RESORT

Travelmole reports that plans have been unveiled by Eurasia Resorts for a massive new development in Las Vegas, including six hotels, 39 casinos and a six-million-square-foot convention centre.

Located off The Strip, the complex would also include indoor and outdoor theme parks, the world's largest Ferris wheel (800-feet tall), a sports arena with a visitor-participation XTREME Sports World, three PGA-quality golf courses and a shopping mall (naturally) with 15 million square feet of retail space.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal today for a terrific, nine-day trip to Scotland, including visits to Edinburgh and Loch Ness. It's priced at $2,807, including airfare and $609 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Save up to $1576 per couple, compared to the cost of booking your air, accommodations, touring and meals separately!
• BONUS: Extend your flights for up to 14 days at no additional cost, and return from anywhere Transat flies in the UK or Ireland
• BONUS: $150 Future Travel Voucher per person to be used on future vacations with Transat or Nolitour
• 9-day/7-night Scottish Dream Tour featuring a Loch Ness cruise, visits to Edinburgh Castle, Speyside Distillery and more!
• Includes all transfers in Scotland via luxury coach, services of a professional English speaking tour guide, and all sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary, Ferry to the Isle of Skye and more
  
  

• October in Scotland means less tourists and the continuation of fair fall weather. As one of the local Scottish sayings goes: "There's no such thing as bad weather; only the wrong clothes!"

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on October 5, 2013
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Glasgow on Air Transat
• 7-nights' accommodation in Superior First Class hotels (based on double occupancy). Hotels include the following (or simmilar):Glasgow Marriott Hotel, Glasgow (1 night); Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish (1 night); Newton Hotel, Nairn (1 nights); Ardoe House Hotel, Blairs (2 night) and Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
• Includes full breakfast daily (except day one), and 6 dinners throughout the tour
• Pricing (Rates are per person, and based on double occupancy):
  
  Toronto:
  Single: $2598 + tax
  Double: $2198 + tax
  Tax: $608.82
  
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prague mayor warns against visits due to flooding ... Jaunt.ca deal of the day

Here's something you don't see every day; a mayor telling tourists to stay away from his or her city.

Travelmole.com reports the mayor is warning against travel until the state of emergency is lifted in the Czech capital.

Travel around the city centre is difficult as the Prague metro service is expected to remain closed for several days, there is disruption to several tram services (although bus services have been increased) and the Petrin funicular service is unavailable," travelmole said, adding there also is disruption on trains between Prague and Dresden, Germany and that traffic on a number of local roads has been suspended.

Health authorities have warned that flooded areas face a higher risk of water-borne diseases, including hepatitis A, salmonella, tularaemia, and dysentery.

No doubt the city, which is hugely popular with tourists visiting Europe, will rebound quickly enough. But you might find some pretty good deals as things begin to dry out.

MAN OF STEEL ON DISPLAY IN T.O.

Movie fans eagerly awaiting the June 14^th release of Man of Steel will have a unique opportunity to get a firsthand look at the official Superman costume as worn by the man of steel himself, actor Henry Cavill.  The costume was unveiled on Monday night by director Zack Snyder and producer Charles Roven at an exclusive event above the clouds at Toronto’s CN Tower.

The Tower will showcase the costume, a North American exclusive, until Monday, June 10^th after which it will be displayed at the Ontario Science Centre until the end of the month.

Superman, in case you didn't know, was a creation of Toronto cartoonist Joe Shuster. Originally Clark Kent worked at the Daily Star, as Shuster as a boy delivered what was then the Toronto Daily Star. It was later changed to the Daily Planet.

AIR TRAN TEEN TERRORS?

Associated Press reports that a group of about 100 high school students travelling from New York to Atlanta were thrown off a flight, along with their chaperones, after the pilot and crew lost patience with some kids who wouldn't sit down and put away their cellphones.

The teenagers, all seniors at the Yeshiva of Flatbush, in Brooklyn, were ordered off the AirTran flight around 6 a.m. Monday as it sat at a gate at LaGuardia Airport.

AirTran's parent company, Southwest Airlines, said in a statement that flight attendants asked passengers several times to take their seats and put their mobile devices away. The airline said that when some didn't comply, the captain repeated the request. When that didn't work, either, the whole group of students was ordered to disembark for safety reasons, the airline said.

The flight was delayed for about 45 minutes while the students filed out of the Boeing 737, which seats about 137 people, leaving the plane mostly empty.

Rabbi Seth Linfield, executive director at Yeshiva of Flatbush, said that administrators were still looking into the matter Tuesday, but that he believed adults on the trip who said the students weren't behaving that badly.

"Preliminarily, it does not appear that the action taken by the flight crew was justified," he said in a statement

WEST JET NUMBERS

WestJet today reported its load factors for May were down slightly; weighing in at 78.5 per cent. That's down slightly from the 79.2 per cent in May, 2012. But revenue passenger miles (RPMs), or traffic, increased 8.2 per cent year over year, and capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), was 9.1 per cent higher over the same period.

The airline flew 1.5 million guests in May, a year-over-year increase of 7.9 per cent or approximately 110,000 additional guests.

On May 13^th, WestJet announced the third new community that will be serviced by WestJet Encore. On September 3, 2013, WestJet will begin daily service from Calgary to Brandon, Manitoba. "The excitement is building as we draw closer to WestJet Encore's inaugural flights beginning on June 24, 2013 with service to its first two new communities, Nanaimo and Fort St. John, BC," said Ferio Pugliese, Executive Vice President and President, WestJet Encore.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great trip to Las Vegas, priced at $746, including $301 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

 

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Two travellers save up to $300 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: Receive a resort credit per room of $100 for a 3-night stay or a credit of $150 for a 4-night stay and a FREE room upgrade     
• 3 or 4-Night Stay at the 5-Star Wynn Las Vegas, located on the Las Vegas Strip featuring world-class shopping, sizzling nightclubs and lounges, a designer golf course, and exceptional shows, such as Le Rêve by Cirque du Soleil and more!

• Wynn has won more Forbes Five Stars than any other casino resort
• Your free room upgrade gives you a stunning view of the city below
• Resort credit can be used towards Wynn's stellar entertainment and dining

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Thursday Departures (3-night stay): July 18, 25 & August 8, 15, 22, 2013
  Sunday Departure (4-night stay): July 7, 14, 21, 28 & August 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013
• Includes return air from Toronto to Las Vegas
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Resort Room, featuring 1 king or 2 double beds and Wall-to-Wall, floor to ceiling window. Maximum occupancy: 4
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Sunday Departure (4-night stay):
  Double: $445
  Triple: $415
  Quad: $405
  Child: $405
  Tax: $301
  
  Thursday Departures (3-night stay):
  Double: $495
  Triple: $475
  Quad: $465
  Child: $465
  Tax: $301
  
  

• Your Resort Credit is valid toward items charged to your room at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore excluding room rate, room tax, retail items, casino play, resort fee, gratuities, Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub
• A daily resort fee of $25 plus tax will be added to your Resort-level room reservations

• Room upgrade will be made upon check-in and is subject to availability
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

Troubles in Turkey ... Japan aims to triple tourism ... Jaunt.ca deal of day

Few countries have been as "hot" in tourism circles as Turkey in the last few years. I've seen story after story about beautiful coastlines and rugged mountains and idllyic, historic islands. Ditto for great stories on the cool restaurant/bar scene in Istanbul.

Riots and protests in the streets of Istanbul the last few days, however, could put a damper on things. In case you've missed it, protestors have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against a government plan for a shopping mall on bustling Taksim Square in Istanbul (see photo at left of the famous Hagia Sophia). Many demonstrators seem to think Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is leading the country, which is heavily Muslim but also has a significant Christian population, down the road of Islamization.

The British government has warned its residents to steer clear of demonstration in the country but hasn't issued a travel warning in general for Turkey. The Canadian government's site this morning suggests citizens exercise a strong degree of caution, but it says the same thing about a lot of places in the world, including Thailand. The Canadian site makes no mention of the riots, at least they didn't as of Monday morning on June 3.

Istanbul's riots probably aren't helping the city's bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. But International Olympic Committee types are used to unrest all over the globe and I doubt the riots are making much of an impact. The vote is a couple months away (Sept. 7 in Buenos Aires), so there's plenty of time to get the demonstrations in the city's rear view mirror...

JAPAN AIMS HIGH

The Japanese government is hoping to triple its tourism numbers in the next 17 years; an ambitious target.

A story in the Japan Times says the government wants to "ramp up promotional activities: and increase visitor spending from 1.3 trillion Japanese yen in 2010 to 4.7 trillion yet in 2030. They also want to boost travel industry-related jobs from 250,000 in 2010 to  830,000 in 2030.

Interesting to note that Tokyo is bidding against Istanbul for the 2020 Summer Games, as is Madrid.

I've been to Tokyo twice and enjoyed it immensely. It's a huge and bustling place, for sure, but the food is tremendous and the attention to detail is remarkable. There are gorgeous temples in the city and beautiful parks with traditional architecture. Not to mention wonderful hotels and great transit and wickedly good bars and nightlife and super friendly people.

I've also spent some time checking out the endless temples in and around Kyoto, including the majestic Heian-jingu Shrine, the fabulous Kiyomizu-dera Temple and, out away from town, the Arashiyama Daihikaku Sensoji Temple. The latter is, or was when I was there, a rather ramshackle but utterly delightful spot. It sits on a small hill overlooking a river, just a few minutes walk from the sumptuous Hoshinoya ryokan/inn, one of the best places I've ever stayed.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap today for a great trip to sunny Aruba. And given the fact it was down around 10 degrees Celsius here in Toronto Sunday night, a bit of warmth doesn't sound like a bad thing.

Jaunt Highlights

 

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: FREE upgrade to an Oceanview Room
• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Two travellers save up to $310 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• FREE CONNECTOR FLIGHTS: The cost of your connector flight from Kingston (ON), Ottawa or Montreal to Toronto is FREE (subject to departure gateway tax)
• All-inclusive 7-Night stay at the 4-Star Occidental Grand Aruba, located on Aruba's Palm Beach

• Beachfront property gives you direct access to the Caribbean sea

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on September 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2013
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Aruba, and round-trip airport/resort transfers in Aruba
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Ocean View room, featuring 1 king-size bed plus sofa bed, and balcony or terrace with gardenview
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $1349
  Single: $1769
  Triple: $1299
  1st child (2-11yrs): $599
  2nd child (2-11yrs): $1169
  Tax: $320
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
  Earn & Redeem Aeroplan® Miles, in-flight seat-back entertainment on most flights, airline service and reliability of Air Canada, and more!
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invasion of the travel bloggers: TBEX takes over Toronto ... Deal of the day

More than a thousand travel bloggers from around the world are in Toronto, attending a TBEX travel bloggers conference at the Convention Centre downtown.

It’s a huge and growing event that Tourism Toronto officials were eager to host given the growing importance of social media and on-line media coverage, said spokesman Andrew Weir.

TBEX is “the kind of event every destination wants to host because it brings some of the most influential travel voices,” Weir said. “In Toronto’s case many have been here before and many others are visiting for the first time. Every one of them will experience something new because even for the repeat visitors there is so much new to experience and share.”

Weir said he’s already seen dozens of blog stories about Toronto and that the Twitter feed for TBEX and Toronto was relentless, even days before the event began. I've certainly seen a ton of stuff on Twitter with the hashtag #TBEX, including some fun bits of people taking photos of places Weir shot for a photography contest.

Tourism Toronto has organized 75 city tours for delegates in the days just before and after the conference, including everything from the 501 Queen streetcar experience, to architectural and graffiti tours to culinary and markets, neighbourhood diversity and biking on the islands. The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership and Canadian Tourism Commission also worked with Tourisn Toronto. OTMP offered 14 pre- and post- tours around the province to all sorts of destinations, everywhere from Stratford to Niagara to Ottawa to Thunder Bay; places that don't always get a lot of ink - or cyberspace.

The CTC has 25 bloggers from overseas markets such as the UK, Australia and Japan on trains meeting in Toronto. One group started in Vancouver and another in Halifax and a third group started in St. John’s.

Some of us, of course, happen to live in this pretty cool city and don't need to travel across the land, not that I'd mind.

The TBEX event was fairly low key in New York when I attended a couple years ago. I seem to recall a few hundred attendees, although there might have been more. I certainly don't recall 1,100 of us being around, and I sure don't remember having to choose between five or six or more parties to go to on a Friday night!

It's a shame the mayor's situation is taking so much attention, but someone once said that any publicity is good publicity so perhaps it won't really matter in the long run. There's certainly a lot to be gained from having so many active bloggers and tweeters talking up Toronto and Ontario and Canada. So welcome one and all. And see you around the town.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great cruising trip to fabulous Hawaii, perhaps my favourite destination on the planet. The package is priced at $2,913, including all taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Save up to $667 per couple, compared to the cost of booking your air, accommodations, touring and cruise separately!
• 10-Day/9-Night vacation including a 2-night in Waikiki Beach followed by a 7-Night Hawaiian Islands Cruise sailing aboard the NCL Pride of America
• Pre-cruise enjoy hotel accommodations in the 4-Star Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel in Honolulu, Q&A session with Canadian celebrity Chef, David Adjey, Arizona Memorial & Honolulu city tour and more!

• A great way to see Hawaii for the first time, with trips to all the islands and stops in the most popular cities
• An exclusive Q&A with celebrity chef David Adjey, plus a signed copy of his brand-new cookbook
• Pre-cruise accommodations at the Aston Waikiki, a four-star hotel on the famous Waikiki Beach

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on December 5, 2013
• Includes return airfare from multiple destinations to Honolulu on board WestJet and 3-way transfers (airport to hotel, hotel to pier, pier to airport)
• Cruise departs from and returns to Honolulu, Hawaii. Ports of call include: Maui (Kahului), Hawaii; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii and Kauai, Hawaii
• Meals include 2 breakfasts at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel and Freestyle Dining on board the NCL Pride of America offering tons of complimentary and specialty dining options
• Pricing (Rates are per person, based on double occupancy):
  
  Vancouver:
  1st/2nd Passenger: $2913 tax included
  
  Calgary:
  1st/2nd Passenger: $3032 tax included
  
  Winnipeg:
  1st/2nd Passenger: $3171 tax included
  
  Toronto:
  1st/2nd Passenger: $3179 tax included
  
  Montreal:
  1st/2nd Passenger: $3384 tax included
  
  Halifax:
  1st/2nd Passenger:$3538 tax included
  
  For Other DATES, GATEWAYS and CRUISE ONLY option,
  call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Accommodations on board the Pride of America available in an Inside (Category IA) stateroom
• Accommodations pre-cruise at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
• Cruise itinerary subject to change
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

A taste (or three) of Chicago cuisine...New Air Canada gift cards ... Deal of Day

I have to remember to pinch myself now and then as a reminder of how lucky I am to have this job.

Even when I don't travel much there are still some great perks, such as a night in Toronto with Chicago tourism on Wednesday. To celebrate the city and its incredible cuisine (some of the world's best restaurants are in the Windy City), they brought in one of their top chefs to whip up a meal at the Summerhill LCBO kitchen. Paired, of course, with some fabulous wines.

They had some trouble with Canada customs and had to scramble with a late menu change (or two, or maybe three) but they pulled off a fabulous meal, courtesy of Sarah Grueneberg, the lively and feisty and talented executive chef at Spiaggia, apparently the only four-star Italian restaurant in Chicago.

"I thought I knew Italian food but what I knew was garbage," Grueneberg said with a laugh, explaining her education at Spiaggia over the years. She went on to explain to us how real balsamic vinegar is cooked down wine with no additives and is aged in wood barrels like sherry might be. She also advised us to look for the word "traditionale" on the label.

She served a creamy burrata cheese from the Puglia region of Italy with fresh cherry tomatoes, mint, basil and roasted eggplant. (Not everyone knows how to make eggplant properly, she told us, adding that the secret is plenty of salt. She slow cooked ours with olive oil for a couple hours and it came out like a tapenade; rich and smooth and delicious).

She also made a pasta dish with clams that was out of this world. Again, she explained a secret, which is to cook the pasta maybe five minutes on its own and then pour it into your sauce to cook the rest of the way. Also, she insisted one should NEVER pour water onto the pasta but instead scoop it directly onto your plate to keep the starchy goodness.

There were other tips but I was so focussed on the clams I couldn't remember to write them down. The dish came with bacon, whole leaves of tarragon (more flavour than if you slice the leaves, she said), leeks and chives, topped with a small bit of bread crumbs and lemon zest. The main course was an enormous roast pork loin topped with artichoke honey from Italy, served with asparagus, grapefruit and artichokes. Unbelievably good. And then there were several small pices of chocolate and biscotti and fruit gelees for dessert.

Of course, they brought out great wines, too; a Georges Gardet Brut champagne ($37.95; a good price for real Champagne), a lovely Lornano Chianti Classico (just $16.95 here in Ontario) and an out of this world Barolo from Franco Conterno ($45).

Awesome.

Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza and hot dogs. But it also has some of the top-rated restaurants in the world by celebrity chefs such as Grueneberg, who's an absolute delight.

There's also, of course, everything from shopping on the Magnificent Mile to great theatre, fabulous architecture, terrific sports (Grueneberg will be SO happy with the Blackhawks overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night), an outstanding waterfront, world-class museums and so much more.

There's lots of new stuff coming, too, including the opening of the Langham Hotel this summer in a landmark Mies van der Rohe building on the river, Sir Richard Branson's first ever Virgin Hotel in an art deco building a block off Michigan Avenue in the fall, and a SOHO House Hotel next spring.

Events this year include a Stingray exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium through the fall, the Chicago Blues Festival June 6 to 9, the Taste of Chicago food festival June 9 to 13, the Grant Park Music Festival all summer, the chinatown Summer Fair July 21 and the Chicago Air and Water Show Aug. 17 and 18.

AIR CANADA GIFT CARDS

Air Canada has announced its the first airline in Canada to be selling gift cards, which probably means more little squares of plastic that I can put in my drawer at home and forget that I have and never cash in, which is why businesses love them so much.

Anyway, the cards are available in both Canadian and U.S. dollars and start from $25. Which ain't much considering the enormous cost of a flight these days. Probably it would get you a couple of Subway sandwiches on board, a snack and a beer.

Still, it's probably a good idea and should make them a bit of money.

OUTLET SHOPPERS REJOICE

Good story in today's Star business section from Francine Kopun, outlining how Toronto Premium Outlets is on track to open Aug. 1 in Halton Hills. I don't know what the prices will be like (I'm sure higher than the U.S.), but Premium Outlets usually does a fine job and offers some great deals.

GUN FOUND AT DISNEY WORLD

Did anyone see that news note about how someone found a loaded gun on a ride at the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World in Orlando? Apparently it fell out of a guys' pocket.

Geez, really? Guns at Disney World? Everyone sing along now: "It's an NRA world after all, It's an NRA world after all ... "

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CANCELLATIONS

Travelmole.com reports that Royal Caribbean has been forced to cancel all cruises on the fire-damaged Grandeur of the Seas until mid-July.

The cruise line said the 2,446-passenger ship was not expected to return to service until July 12 due to the damage caused by a fire that broke out early on Monday morning during a Caribbean cruise.

All passengers booked on the cancelled sailings between June 7 and July 5 will receive a full refund and 25 per cent of the fare they paid towards a future cruise with Royal Caribbean. Those who had planned to sail on May 31 will get a refund and 50 per cent credit.

Company CFO Jason Liberty said the cancellation of the cruises during the peak summer season would cost the company about $22 million.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a week at the Barcelo Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic for an amazing price of just $588, including $389 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Two travellers save up to $192 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer exclusive check-in/check-out, 10% spa discount, turndown service and in-room beach towels
• FREE CONNECTOR FLIGHTS: The cost of your connector flight from Kingston (ON), Ottawa or Montreal to Toronto is FREE (subject to departure gateway tax)
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the Barcelo Puerto Plata, located in the Dominican Republic

• Beachfront property gives you direct access to the Caribbean sea
• The resort offers unique activities like dance lessons and horseback riding
• Barcelo is located directly on the beach at Playa Dorada, five minutes from downtown

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 12, 2013
• Includes return air from Toronto to Puerto Plata, with hotel/airport transfers
• Accommodations in a Double Room, featuring 1 king or 2 twin beds and a balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $199
  Single: $249
  Triple: $173
  Child (2-12yrs): $199
  Tax: $389
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
  Earn & Redeem Aeroplan® Miles, in-flight seat-back entertainment on most flights, airline service and reliability of Air Canada, and more!
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

A fine time in Philadelphia ... Air Canada bumping rules ... Deal of the day

Full confession: I haven’t been to Philadelphia in years.

But I recall there being quite a lot more to the city than we Canadians might sometimes think. I mean, we know about Rocky and the Phillies (remember 1993?) and the Flyers and probably some of us know about the Liberty Bell.

But I think it’s a city that, perhaps like Toronto, gets overshadowed by the likes of New York (only an hour and a bit away), Washington D.C. and Boston.

The Philadelphia tourism folks held a cocktail reception in Yorkville Tuesday night and I had a chance to catch up with Donna Schorr, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. director of communications.

“We have an authentic history, not a re-created history like some places,” Schorr said. “You can walk down cobblestone streets where people walked 300 years ago.”

I remembered some great Italian places and record stores on funky South St. when I was there last. And I also loved the cheesesteak and hoagie food trucks and the small but extremely beautiful Rittenhouse Square, a lovely green space surrounded by towering, old buildings with style and flair. It was one of five original squares in the city laid out in the 17th century by William Penn, for whom Pennsylvania is named.

There’s also the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art from "Rocky" (see photo above) and a Rodin museum with more Rodin pieces than any museum outside London, plus the Barnes Foundation, one of the top art collections in the world, and nearly six centuries of architecture.

Toss in Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the Liberty Bell Center and great restaurants and bars and you’ve got a city that probably deserves more acclaim.

Oh, one more thing from Schorr.

“We have great hotels, and they’re a lot cheaper than New York or Boston.”

I went online today and found a room for June 8 at the downtown Sheraton for $155. Most of the better or name hotels, however, were $200 or more. Not cheap, but probably better than New York City.

BUMPING FEES TO GET BUMPED?

It’s nice to see someone looking after us regular folks.

In case you missed it in today’s Star, business reporter Vanessa Lu reports that the Canadian Transportation Agency has ruled that Air Canada passengers who get bumped off a domestic flight because of overbooking should get more than the $100 cash or $200 travel voucher that AC currently gives out.

The agency said it’s reasonable for Air Canada to overbook (something WestJet says it simply doesn’t do, by the way) but that the compensation being offered is “unreasonable.”

Passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs has suggested the numbers should be much higher. Lu reports that in the U.S., there’s no compensation if a passenger is rerouted within an hour of getting bumped. Between one and two hours, compensation is twice the airfare, up to a maximum of $650. If a delay is more than two hours, the compensation is four times the airfare, up to a maximum of $1,300.

Those are reasonable numbers. Let’s hope Canada somehow follows suit.

Air Canada has 30 days to respond to the CTA’s ruling, and AC spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick says they’ll be consulting with the agency.

On an unrelated note, Air Canada has followed the lead of WestJet and asked Transport Canada to let it reduce the number of flight attendants on board its aircraft.

WestJet got a ruling a few weeks ago that allows it to staff airplanes at a ratio of one attendant for every 50 passengers, versus the former rule of one for every 40. The airline said that would bring WestJet into line with international carriers and allow it to be more competitive.

Now Air Canada is asking for the same treatment, and it’s hard to see how they could get turned down…

Airline officials, of course, say there will be no reduction in safety. But in an emergency, wouldn’t you rather have one attendant for every 40 passengers rather than 50?

BOOK YOUR BANFF TRIP ONLINE

Visitors to Canada’s iconic Banff National Park in Alberta are now able to pay park entry fees and purchase annual passes to the famed Rocky Mountain park and UNESCO World Heritage Site online via Banff Lake Louise Tourism's website.

Banff National Park welcomes more than 3 million visitors from near and far through its gates annually, with the majority of them purchasing a pass to the park upon arrival at the entrance gates.

Parks Canada, in collaboration with Banff Lake Louise Tourism, has introduced an online purchasing service, providing a convenient one-stop shopping experience for visitors.

“With so many wonderful activity and accommodation options available from our partners via banfflakelouise.com, the ability to purchase a park pass at the same time, from the same site, helps visitors by delivering a convenient and complete travel planning service,” said Julie Canning, President & CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism.

SOUTHERN ONTARIO BIKE ROUTE

Cool to see talk of a 600 km long bike route from Cobourg to Niagara, as detailed in today's Star. It would be quite the ride. Too bad it doesn't go through the city of Toronto but a greenbelt trip is better for recreation and for avoiding cars, for sure.

MORE WI-FI IN THE SKY

Air France and KLM today introduced Wi-Fi on board two of their Boeing jets. The service will cost $15 for an hour or about $27 for a full flight. It was introduced today on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Panama and on an Air France flight from Paris to New York. They also have a free inflight website with TV news and sports and other features.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal today for a 3-night, 4-day bus tour of Washington D.C. (a city we're featuring, by the way, in the Thursday, May 30 Travel section). The tour is priced at $479, including all taxes.

 Jaunt Highlights

 

• 3-Night/4-Day Washington Bus Tour with transportation from Toronto via Deluxe Motorcoach
• Guided tour of Washington City including visits to Lincoln Memorial, Reflection Pond, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House, plus an ample amount of free time for shopping, sightseeing, or even a show!

 

• Not only is Washington D.C. rated as one of TripAdvisor's Top 25 Destinations in the U.S., but it ranks 6th on the list
• It's a city over-flowing with fascinating museums and monuments; a complete feast for your eyes (and your mind)! Don't miss the National Museum of American History or a walk around the Lincoln Memorial
• You'll be visiting right in time for the Capital Fringe Festival, an independant theatre festival that features all kinds of performing arts

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on July 19, 2013
• 3 nights' accommodation in Washington at the Hampton Inn Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Maryland (or simmilar)
• Meals include 3 breakfasts and 1 dinner
• Depart from any of the following pick-up locations:
  
  5:00 am:
  Scarborough Town Centre (near YMCA, parking not available at this location)
  230 Town Centre Court
  Scarborough, ON
  M1P 4Y7
  
  6:00 am:
  Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre
  55-3175 Rutherford Road
  Vaughan, ON
  L4K 5Y6
  
  6:45 am:
  Square One
  151 City Centre Drive
  South of Square One Mall
  (In front of Timi Hortons)
  NO parking available at this location
  
  7:45 am:
  Real Canadian Superstore (parking not available at this location)
  361 South Service Road,
  Grimsby, ON
  L3M 4E8
• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to pick-up time. All departure times are dependant on traffic
• Please indicate in the requests box at checkout the specific pick-up location of your choosing. Default pick up location is Vaughn Mills
• 'Includes complimentary parking at Sarracini Travel, located at Vaughan Mills departure location
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Single: $679
  Double: $479
  Triple: $459
  Quad: $429
  
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking