Archive for » June, 2010 «

7 Ways to Fly in Comfort
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 /

Arrive at your destination feeling more refreshed, relaxed and ready to have a fantastic vacation by employing these easy, handy tips when sitting in coach:

1) Seek Out the Best Seats - Request a seat that’s away from galleys, lavatories and engines where there can be noise and smells galore.  Visit the invaluable website, www.seatguru.com where you can find out where the good, bad and ugly seats are on the aircraft you’ll be flying on.

2) Quell Queasiness – If you suffer from motion sickness easily, seats in the over wing area are your best as you’ll experience less turbulence.

3)  Compress for Success - Compression socks or flight socks, available at pharmacies, provide a light massaging effect on your legs and keep DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) at bay as they keep blood from pooling at your ankles.

4) Deal with Dryness – Airplanes are dry as deserts so moisturize your skin and lips in flight and wear glasses instead of contact lenses. Drink a few glasses of water before boarding and then a glass of water for each hour you`re in flight. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated drinks which can be deyhdrating and/or unhealthy.

5) Eat the Good Stuff -  Take nutritious snacks such as fruit and veggies, nuts, granola bars and dried fruit.

6)  Equip Yourself – Pack an eye mask, travel pillow and ear plugs. Rather than taking a bulky blanket, dress in warm, comfy clothes.

7)   S-T-R-E-T-C-H – Do stretches in your seat and at the back of the plane. Walk around the cabin every hour or so.

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Featured Traveller: Elinor Warkentin
Thursday, June 24th, 2010 /

It could be because of her grandfather’s stories or growing up on a farm in a small Canadian prairie town and wanting to see the world beyond her horizons that travel became a fascination at a young age for Vancouver-based Elinor Warkentin. Her recent globetrotting has included visits to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. She’s a trustee of Women Welcome Women World Wide, a women’s travel friendship organization with over 2500 members in 80 countries. When she’s not travelling, Elinor is a Professional Organizer through her business Goodbye Clutter! 

1) What tips do you have for how to get organized before a trip?
Create a packing list. I have a master travel packing chart that covers about 6 different kinds of trips, such as trips to family in Canada, Europe for meetings, professional organizing conferences, etc. Each trip gets a column and each item a line, so that I can check off the things I will need. Also, keep a folder called “My Next Trip” on your desk and file necessary papers as they are created, such as your itinerary, key contact info, etc. Book time in your calendar to start packing about 2-3 days before your trip.

2) How can travellers stay organized on the road?
Create a small list of emergency numbers. Laminate the card and keep it with your flight and hotel information. Put a copy in your wallet or purse, and one at home with your emergency contact person. Pack less. You will have less to keep track of and less to cart around.

3) What packing tips do you have?
Pick a colour so that your clothes can be easily mixed and matched. Pack clothes you no longer want that you can leave behind. Don’t be afraid to hand launder your clothes. Take lightweight, wrinkle-free clothes. Unpack when you get to your destination if you are staying any more than one day. Keeping things in your suitcase usually leads to a mess of items that you end up forgetting you brought or aren’t able to find easily.

4) How do you keep travel costs down?
I love exploring grocery stores in other countries and trying their foods. It’s easy and fun to have picnics with a few deli items. Mix low-cost groceries with fresh, take-out sandwiches, and then enjoy the occasional restaurant. Eat where the locals eat. Don’t forget to check your cell phone plan for roaming and long distance charges. Look into their travel plans. Google “free things to do” and your destination.

5) What are some of your favorite travel websites or resources?
For flights, I prefer using a travel agent but I am finding Twitter to be my most valuable resource for countries I want to visit. Twitter introduced me to several Icelandic bloggers from whom I learned many things before my trip. I also ask members of Women Welcome Women for information when I am preparing to travel to a country that has members there.

6) What travel gadgets do you always pack?
My current favorite one has to be my iPhone with maps, contact info, email apps and Google. I also like my ear plugs and those cloths that are compressed to the size of a mint, but expand in water and become an instant face cloth.

Elinor’s Websites:
www.goodbyeclutter.ca
www.twitter.com/GoodbyeClutter
www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk/trustees.asp


Are you a globetrotter who’d like to share your travel tips with our blog and e-newsletter readers?
If so, I’d love to hear from you!
Please email me at info@travelsmarts.ca.

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Winnipeg, Manitoba – Top 6 Downtown Hotels
Thursday, June 17th, 2010 /

Just back from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Having visited there over a dozen times, I’ve found that most travellers journey to Winnipeg more for business than sightseeing. Because of its central location in Canada, it’s a popular city for conferences and meetings so book your lodging early. If you’re heading to “The Peg” for business downtown, here are my top six hotel picks:

1) Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel
An “Insiders’ Select 2010 Winner” on Expedia and one of two hotels Frommer’s guidebooks chose as the best in town,  this hotel is where we had a very enjoyable stay. All rooms come equipped with a full-size fridge and stove AND, you get free internet and local phone calls. Other features include spacious rooms, great bath products, and contemporary décor with a Manitoba twist. On the premises are a restaurant (which served so-so breakfasts), small grocery store and fitness room. Be prepared to run into some interesting characters when walking around the neighborhood. But, I’m told by locals that this is one of the safer areas in the downtown core. Be sure to ask for a renovated room.

2) Humphry Inn & Suites
While the rooms here are your standard blah neutral ones, I’ve listed this as my second choice because of the great selection of amenities it offers. The Humphry’s perks include: complimentary parking, phone calls, hot/cold breakfast and internet access in the 24-hour business center. Rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges and you have access to their pool, hot tub, steam room and workout facility. It’s located on one of Winnipeg’s busiest and most famous streets so do ask for a quiet room that doesn’t face Main Street.

3) Inn at the Forks
This stylish, eco-conscious boutique hotel has received excellent reviews from several websites and guidebooks I consulted. It’s located at “The Forks” (see photo at right) which is one of the city’s best tourist attractions but the hotel is not as convenient to downtown as the others on this list. On offer are a spa, restaurant, workout facility and complimentary in-room internet. If you want a mini-fridge, you’ll need to request that one be delivered to your room. 

4) Fairmont Winnipeg
While I didn’t have an opportunity to do a site inspection of this property, it was either recommended or ranked high on the list of the websites and guidebooks I used during my research. Fairmont is an excellent brand of hotels but from reviews I read, this one is not quite on par with others in the chain which I’ve stayed at or rated when I was a hotel inspector. Guest services include two restaurants, a business centre, spa and health club. Sign up for the complimentary Fairmont President’s Club loyalty program (http://www.fairmont.com/fpc/) and you’ll get such privileges as complimentary in-room internet, free local calls, free health club access, complimentary use of TaylorMade golf clubs and more. 

5) Delta Winnipeg
This is another lodging option with uninspiring room décor but a great selection of amenities and is connected by an indoor skywalk to the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Their health club is the largest in Manitoba and includes indoor and outdoor pools as well as a whirlpool, sauna and workout area. They have a small gift shop, Elephant and Castle pub and a restaurant which combines “prairie fare with a global flair”. Rooms have free internet and local calls. Having grown up on the Canadian Prairies, I was captivated by the Manitoba landscapes (see photo at left) in the lobby and restaurant created by Romanian artist Gabriela Diaconu, who is based in Canada. Check out her work at http://artshock.com/category/image-galleries/prairie-landscapes.

6) Mariaggi’s Theme Suite Hotels
Although this property is geared towards couples rather than businesspeople, it’s such a unique hotel that I wanted to include it on the list. Ranked #1 on Trip Advisor‘s list of Winnipeg 53 hotels, Mariaggi’s is so popular because of its eight globally themed rooms – i.e. India, Rome, China, Indonesia, etc. Each room has a hot tub, steam unit, microwave and fridge. And, many have fireplaces while some even have pool tables and waterfall hot tubs. There are none of the amenities offered up by the above hotels (including telephones!) but with rates starting at $200+/night, there is obviously a demand!

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Should You Hire a Travel Agent?
Tuesday, June 08th, 2010 /

Last week, I rubbed shoulders with hundreds of travel agents from around the world at a conference here in Vancouver. My experience hit home that travel agents should, in a number of cases, be considered over the internet when making travel plans.

When Should You Hire a Travel Agent?
If you’re booking a cruise, I highly recommend that you go to a cruise specialist agent. They can often land you great deals and if you run into any problems during your trip, they can usually troubleshoot for you. And, the specialized knowledge these agents have gained is of great benefit to you. One veteran agent shared with me that she always tries to book her clients on a particular deck on a certain cruise line’s ships because they have larger balconies than other decks, a fact few people know. Another agent told me she steers her clients away from the Hawaii cruises because of so much negative feedback she’s heard from people who have sailed there.

It’s also wise to seek out a travel agent if you:

  • Want to stay at an all-inclusive resort
  • Would like to go on a safari or bus tour
  • Are travelling with a large group
  • Are playing a key role during a special celebration such as a destination wedding, honeymoon or anniversary
  • Are going on a complex trip

What to Keep in Mind When Looking for a Travel Agent

  • Work with an agent who specializes in the places you’d like to visit and/or type of travel you’re interested in embarking upon. (i.e. adventure travel)
  • Choose one who has several years’ experience under their belt.
  • Find one who’s been to where you’re going (preferably several times).
  • Ensure they are a member of the national association of travel agents in your country. In Canada, it’s the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) and in the US, it’s the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
  • Check the Better Business Bureau on-line (www.bbb.org) to see if any complaints have been filed against the travel agency and if so, how the complaints were handled.
  • Interview at least three agents and determine if they have extensive knowledge, ask you good questions, listen well and understand your needs.
  • Choose an agency that has a contact person available 24/7 in case you run into an emergency situation during your trip.

Most travel agents are invaluable resources with the knowledge and experience that can make the difference between a good trip and an exceptional one.

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Category: Cruise travel  Tags: , , , ,  2 Comments
Cruise Ship Review: Holland America’s Volendam
Wednesday, June 02nd, 2010 /

Just back from a ship inspection of Holland America’s Volendam at the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) conference, the official travel agency conference of the cruise line industry. Here are some Volendam ship facts: 
Passenger capacity:  1,432
Crew members:  615
Length:  781 feet

Holland America (HAL) has a solid reputation and most people I’ve met who have cruised with them have thoroughly enjoyed their onboard experiences. Through my research and conversations with numerous cruisers, I’ve found that HAL is best suited for mature travellers. But, it’s also becoming popular for multi-generation family vacations.

Today, I toured and had lunch onboard the Volendam with 400 travel agents. (Note:  I’m not a travel agent but attended the CLIA conference to expand my knowledge of cruising for my workshops and future book.  Also, I should mention that I worked onboard seven Princess Cruises ships over a seven year period.) In the 2010 Cruise Poll conducted by the upscale Conde Nast magazine, the Volendam was ranked 17th out of 25 in the “Large Ships” category. Here are my observations based on today’s tour:

- The floral-themed ship is over ten years old, which is ancient compared to most of its kind on the high sea
- The Volendam shows its age through its outdated and sometimes worn decor.
- We ate a 3-course meal (salad, choice of steak or salmon and tiramisu) in the stunning two-level Rotterdam dining room.
- Everyone at my table of six found the salad of mixed greens, cranberries, two small pieces of chicken and only a drop (no kidding!) of salad dressing could have been better.
- We quite enjoyed the steak and salmon.
- The tiramisu was OK and someone noted that they’d had better.
- Staff was very friendly and professional.
- The staterooms are fine, of decent size but have outdated decor.
- The spacious and modern internet cafe/library area is a wonderful spot to pass the time.
- In the public areas, the ceilings seem quite low and the ship overall is rather dark.
- The jewel tones of the show lounge are a lovely touch. (See photo at left)
- The glass-encased workout room is bright and spacious.
- The spa has some unique features including pretty blue tiled heated loungers in a peaceful and scenic setting. 
- This is a perfect sized vessel for people who don’t want to be on either a tiny or mega-ship.

Although HAL is a very good cruise line and overall, the Volendam is fine, there are so many ships sailing the seas that are newer, have more appealing decor and better public areas that I’d encourage you to seek out those ahead of this one.

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