U.S. Invasion

This past winter season saw an upswing in the sale of vacation packages to Cuba.  In my own opinion, it was largely due to the announcement that soon, Americans will be able to travel freely to and from Cuba.  March 20, 2016, was the first visit by a US president to Cuba in 88 years marking the beginning of the end!

Several U.S. air carriers, including United, Delta and American Airlines have submitted applications to approval to fly directly from the States into Cuba and service may begin as early as fall of 2016.  Cruiselines such as Carnival have also began the necessary steps for approval to offer a seven day 'cultural exchange'.  The work around for the current travel restrictions is that Americans must spend at least eight hours each day involved in some type of cultural experience.  This is not to say that sitting at an all-inclusive resort chatting up the bar tender over mojitos would qualify as a 'cultural experience'!

With the influx of American tourists wanting to taste the forbidden fruit, so to speak, it will suddenly increase the demand for accommodations and other amenities on the island.  For the most part these have been in short supply and notably lacking the luxurious amenities and services many of the other Caribbean destinations and resorts.  Many hotel chains are scrambling to get out in front and begin renovations and rebranding to bring experiences more in line with that of their brands in locations such as Mexico and Dominican Republic.  This sort of undertaking does not happen overnight however hoteliers such as Starwood have already begun the task set before them with hopes of completion before the end of 2016.

For American tourists, this all sounds well and good, but one can't help but wonder what it all means for Canadian travelers.  For many years, Canadians have been accustomed to essentially having Cuba all to ourselves so exactly how the "new" Americanized Cuba will look remains to be seen.  Certainly increased demand will mean a boost to the local Cuban economy and enhanced infrastructure but it's a double edged sword for the budget conscious traveler.  Hotel companies will want to maximize their return on their investments so an upward pressure on overall rates would be expected causing an increased cost for Canadian travelers.  In addition to rising vacation prices, Canadians can also expect that in time, a more 'Americanized' look and feel to the island and it's cities will be inevitable.  The prospect of having McDonald's golden arches and Starbucks on every corner seems to have Canadians flocking to Cuba to get in one last visit before the transformation takes place. 

No one can be certain what the new Cuba will look like or ultimately cost in the long run but one thing most Canadian travelers seem to agree on is that change is coming.  I for one, hope Cuba is able to maintain it's authenticity and charm.

Visit Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada!

Winnipeg, at the heart of Canada, has a lot to offer and to give you a brief overview of some of the fantastic things to experience, here is a sampling!



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Safe Destinations for Solo Female Travellers

As a travel consultant, I'm often asked  where it's safe for women to travel on there own or with one or two other women. Here are 10 of what I consider to be some of the safest destinations for  female travelers!
 

1. ICELAND

Even though Iceland’s nickname of “The Land of Fire & Ice” sounds intimidating, solo travel is totally comfortable and easy here. The city of Reykjavik is famous for its music scene and nightlife, so you’ll have no problem meeting locals and fellow travelers. There are countless reasons to visit Iceland but it’s her natural beauty that steals the show for most everyone.

 

2. SCANDINAVIA

The countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden are filled with amazing architecture and beautiful sights. Forget about Disneyland, Norway and Denmark have even been ranked as the #1 and #2 happiest places in the world!

 

3. NEW ZEALAND

Adventure awaits in the glaciers, beaches and fiords of New Zealand. In New Zealand, you’ll come across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.  With 2 very different islands to discover, there is something for all women travelling in New Zealand.

 

 

 

4. COSTA RICA

The sandy beaches and rainforests of Costa Rica are the perfect scenery for a solo trip in the sun. Whether you’re looking for a surf safari down the Nicoya Peninsula or a yoga retreat in Nosara, there’s something for every type of solo female traveler.

 

5.  IRELAND

Ireland may not be known for the best weather, but the Emerald Isle is a place of happiness and beer. Cozy up in a local pub, catch a football game or head out to the countryside for an incredible Irish experience.

 

6. SOUTHEAST ASIA

Southeast Asia will never be lacking in awesome things to do. Going to Thailand on your own will give you so many opportunities to explore beautiful beaches, enjoy delicious street food and take in the unbelievable scenery of the mainland. It’s a great destination for both budget and luxury travelers, with inexpensive accommodation as well as 5-star resorts.

 

7.  CRUISE

While it’s not a specific destination, a cruise in any part of the world is a great travel experience for solo female travelers. Enjoy the convenience of an itinerary and secure accommodation. Unpack once and arrive at multiple destinations without having to book flights or accommodation.

 

8.  AMSTERDAM

Known around the world for its liberal lifestyle and super chilled out vibe, Amsterdam is an amazing place to hang out on your own. The canals are yours to explore as you discover the unique culture and nightlife of the city. Rent a bike and run into (not literally of course) some friendly and laid back Dutch locals.

 

9.  BALI

Temples, yoga, relaxing beaches and inexpensive food & accommodation are just a few reasons why Bali is the ultimate solo female travel destination. With a great backpacking culture for young people, budget travelers will always find someone to hang out with. And with all those beautiful beaches, you bet there are some incredible resorts for a little bit of luxe if that's what you'd rather.

 

10.  CANADA

Nearly everywhere you go in Canada, you’ll be surrounded by multiculturalism and some of the most breathtaking landscapes your eyes have ever seen. Canadians have a reputation for being friendly so strick up a conversation and you'll see for yourself!

 

#WPGWhiteout  #GoJetsGo

 

The excitement and energy at the MTS Centre for the 3rd game of  round one of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs  had fans showing their true colors!  It is precisely this pride that is putting Winnipeg on the map as a city to visit!

 

Most of my professional time is spent sending clients to other destinations outside of this wonderful province of Manitoba but this most recent #JetsFever has me realizing just how much we have to offer, not only within Winnipeg but throughout the province.  Everywhere you look right now, the province is displaying their belief in their team.  We even took part here at Travel Quest, as did the town of Gimli!  Perfect strangers have united to rally behind this hockey club and in my opinion, what could be better than bringing people together to celebrate!

 

From the great arctic safari's of Churchill to the diverse culture of Folklorama, the historic Forks or the sand dunes of Spruce Woods, this province has incredible offerings for everyone! Visit the Human Rights Museum, a world class and an architectural marvel, or experience the fall migration at Oak Hammock Marsh. Try golfing, fishing, Portage Potato Festival, camping, Blue Bomber game, Morden Corn and Apple Festival, dragon boating, Assiniboine Park, a picnic, Folkfest or maybe the Prairie Ripples Art tour!   It's all right here...in Manitoba...a province packed with pride!  And to think, it all started with a #GoJetsGo!!

Destination Weddings

Congratulations!  You've chosen each other and will be tying the knot! 

Live an unforgettable day in an absolutely magic setting surrounded by those who mean the most to you.  If that sounds wonderful but you're beginning to feel overwhelmed by the endless array of destinations, documentation, flower choices and so on, that's were you need the help of an expert! 

A Destination Wedding Specialist will be able to sit down and speak with you about the many options available to couples these days.  Together, we will be able to focus in on a few key destinations that have the vibe and feel you're after for your dream day and weigh the pros and cons of each. A DWS has planned and worked with resorts and venues literally around the world so the ability to remain impartial and realistic is paramount. You are able to benefit from their knowledge, expertise and relationships that have been built throughout the industry.

A Destination Wedding Specialist does differ somewhat from a Travel Consultant in that every aspect of your wedding from airfare, accommodation, documents, the wedding ceremony, decorations and often even right down to the menu.  Specialists do charge an additional fee to arrange and manage all of these details but it's certainly worth it to ensure all is seamlessly cared for.  In our opinion, it's well worth it!


And speaking of budgets and money matters, let's do some math.  Couples are often spending thousands and thousands of dollars creating their magical day and find themselves exhausted with the process. 


Cost
Home - Average cost: $25,000
Destination - Average cost: $5,000

Venue
Home - Ceremony, photos and celebration typically at different locations
Destination - Everything typically takes place at one location

Duration
Home - One day celebration
Destination - Week- long celebration

Planning
Home - Stressful and time consuming especially as it leads up to the big day
Destination - Wedding coordinators, destination wedding specialists and consultants manage all of the details

Honeymoon
Home - Additional savings and planning required
Destination - Begins upon your arrival

Ultimately, if you decide a destination wedding is right for you, it's important to work with a professional you feel comfortable with.  The options are only limited by imagination but your travel professional is there to make everything you dream about, come true!  


       
   

Desert Oasis of Palm Springs

"Think warm and sunny thoughts" is what I kept telling myself as I sat in the Calgary airport.  I was awaiting a connecting flight back to Winnipeg where reports from earlier in the week had snowflakes swirling around back on the prairies. I was returning from a 5 day travel conference in sunny Palm Springs. 

This was not my first visit to Palm Springs but it was great to see how some things had changed and some had remained very much the same over the years!  P.S. is a desert oasis and really took off back in the era of the “Rat Pack”.  In the 50’s it was the playground of the rich and famous.  Today, it’s golf courses, excellent restaurants, incredible shopping, luxury resorts and even the second home to many Canadian Snowbirds.

 

From the airport I hopped a shuttle to take me to the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells where my conference would overtake the resort as well as the neighboring Renaissance Esmeralda.  The transfer, about 25 minutes long, allowed me to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the views out the window.  One view in particular was of El Paseo which is affectionately referred to as the Rodeo Drive of Palm Springs.  The street is lined with high end stores and designer brand names plus plenty of restaurants to encourage taking a rest from shopping.

 

Palm Springs is fairly spread out and although the driving is generally quite easy, you don’t realize as you leave one city and enter another.  There are 7 cities that make up the area.  On the most western side is Palm Springs where the airport is located and the original mecca centre in the 1950s. As you move east you find Cathedral City which was booming in the 80s with new condo builds at the time, then Rancho Mirage came along in the 90s with their country club atmosphere, Palm Desert, a golfer’s paradise, La Quinta, Indio and finally Indian Wells. 

Although this trip did not allow any free time to shop  <insert disappointment here>, I highly recommend going just a bit further west of the airport to the premium outlet mall of Cabazon.  Here you will find a mid to high end range of stores with every brand you can imagine!  It’s a shopper’s dream for sure! 

The summers are extremely hot...it is after all a desert area!  As winter approaches the day time temperatures become much more mild and moderate.  Throughout my time spent in Palm Springs this October, each day was 29 to 32 degrees and evenings only dipped enough to maybe require a light sweater.  It was the perfect recipe for a morning of golf, afternoon by the pool and a fantastic dinner out in the evening. 

Palms Springs is also a great place to use a launching point to visit other places like Los Angeles (2 hour drive), San Diego (2.5 hour drive), Joshua Tree National Park (30 minute drive) or even to take in some skiing or snowboarding in the near by Summit and Bear mountains (1.5 hour drive). 

It had been many years since I had visited the Palm Springs area but it certainly will not be my last!  Until then....

To Book Now or To Wait...that is the question

So often we as travel agents are asked "when is the best time to book my sunny beach vacation?"  The truth of the matter is that there is no one answer to this as so much depends on the travelers expectations and flexibility. 


If you have to request your holiday schedule well in advance, maybe even looking a whole year ahead as some do, then you're best to book as early as possible.  Take advantage of the early booking discounts that are typically offered through the summer months and into the fall.  It may require full payment several months before you even intend to travel but the savings is worth it!


If you have several options as to when you can go (ie: say a 5 or 6 day window to departure) and you're not set on any one destination or resort then you're a prime candidate to wait it out for the last minute sell offs.  Deep discounts are often available when tour operators have not been able to sell all the air seats or fill the hotel rooms.  With this option you need to be ever mindful that there is never any guarantee that your "first holiday choice" will still be available or that it will be the perfect resort for you.  It's a gamble but if you're so inclined, then why not save!


Now, that said, here is my own personal prediction for how the 2013/14 winter season is going to play out.  The tour operators have secured their contracts with the hoteliers nearly a year in advance and have negotiated prices based on the US dollar.  This is very advantageous with our current strong Canadian dollar.  All of the banking experts have been long suggesting that our Canadian dollar will weaken and if that happens the tour operators will be forced to add a currency surcharge to recoup their costs.  Add to that the ever increasing price of fuel and it's the perfect storm!  I anticipate seeing prices taking a sharp turn upward to cover the increased fuel costs and the stronger US dollar. 


So, what does all this mean?  Simply put, the sooner you book, the more likely you are to get a better price.  If there is an early booking discount, take it!  If you have the option to secure your vacation well in advance, seize the opportunity because my best guess is that prices will continue to soar once we hit the peak of the winter selling season.