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Five Reasons We Chose to #GoSeizeTheSummer

September 13, 2013 By Lena

If you’ve been following along over the past few months, you’ll know that I accepted Travelocity.ca’s invitation to #GoSeizeTheSummer. In essence, I spent quality time with my family via mini-vacations at resorts across Ontario.

However, when I first chatted with my husband about joining the program, he brought up a very valid point: “We’re already both so busy. Do you really want to take on more work – especially a campaign that necessitates travelling with our family to resorts we’ve always wanted to visit? It’ll be tough,” he cautioned.

Of course, he was only joking. Because if there’s one thing I’ve got tattooed on my brain, it’s the infamous quote that Amy Foster of Disney Parks Consumer Insights shared at the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Conference: “You only have 18 summers with your children.” The quote has been shared over and over again by almost every family blogger, and I rarely tire of seeing it. It’s an affirmation that life is too short; kids grow up too quickly, and soon my little boys will be (not-so-little) men.

Hence, any chance I get to spend time with them, especially in new and fun surroundings, is a chance worth taking. So yeah, we were on board :)

And without further ado, I present to you… Five Reasons We Chose to #GoSeizeTheSummer.

1. You only have 18 summers with your children. Right? This year was Ryder’s first official summer break. Soon, he’ll come to realize the significance of no school; the break for vacation that every student craves from the moment their classes become more about work and less about finger painting. And just as quickly, he may not think it’s “cool” to hang out with the parental unit, opting for weekends at the beach with his friends or worse, an afternoon spent hanging out at the mall, cruising for chicks. And I’m sure Reid will be right behind him.

So, an opportunity to seize the summer family-style was so welcome. And when I could do it at an amazing price thanks to Travelocity.ca’s summer travel promotions – which are available on a huge selection of resorts and hotels – did I really need another reason? (Er, technically, I have four more. Read on…)

2. Okay, speaking of Travelocity.ca – it’s simply one of my favourite ways to book family travel. In addition to the wide variety of properties to choose from and great prices, I love that they have a Free & Flexible Cancellation Policy. Sometimes – especially when you have kids – plans change! Travelocity.ca charges no hotel cancellation fee if you need to alter or cancel your stay. (However, hotel cancellation fees may be charged by hotel properties if you cancel outside their stated cancellation window.)

3. One more plug for Travelocity.ca. (Sorry, but you really need to hear this to appreciate why I love travelling with them so much.)

Travelocity.ca Guarantees the Best Price – If you find a lower price online, they will match it. If you find a qualifying lower rate than the one you booked on Travelocity and complete the guarantee form in a timely manner, they’ll refund you the difference between what you paid and this lower price.

Travelocity.ca Guarantees the Room – They’ll let you know before you go if they learn of something that might impact your stay. If you haven’t left yet, they’ll contact you if they learn of a change to a feature or amenity promised by your hotel. And, if you arrive at your hotel to find that an amenity is not as described on the website – for example the pool is closed – contact them immediately and they’ll find a comparable hotel for you at no additional cost (unless you decide to upgrade, which will be at your own expense).

Travelocity.ca Guarantees the Trip – Their 24/7 customer support team is there to ensure that your booking is right, or they’ll work with their partners to make it right, right away.
Read the full guarantee here. Prior to working with Travelocity.ca, I had no idea that they went to such lengths to ensure a high quality customer experience. Now that I know – and I’ve experienced it myself – I’ll be sure to book with them again in the future.

4. The Marriott Gateway on the Falls. This was the second hotel we booked to #GoSeizeTheSummer. If you’ve been following my tweets, you’ll know that we checked into the Jr. Presidential Suite. Think I received a swanky room upgrade? Or that Travelocity.ca threw me an extra special bonus? NOPE! We simply found an amazing weekday rate on the site and booked it in a heartbeat. Find your own fabulous deal and you can stay in this room:




With this view:

5. The family that travels together stays together. I’ll say it again – while my boys are jerks less-than-angels at home, they always rise to the occasion and morph into wonderful travellers. In fact, they’re usually up for a good press trip, staycation or all-day excursion – and, I’m so pleased to be able to offer them opportunities to discover the world beyond their own backyard. With equal parts wonder and excitement, they help me pack for our vacation, make a list of cars they’d like to bring along, and always, always remind me to pack their swim trunks. Let’s just say that our family bonding begins even before we walk out the front door!

A special thank you to Travelocity.ca for engaging us to Go Seize the Summer! It was truly a wonderful experience and I’m so happy to have made memories with my family that will last a lifetime. And now, to start planning how to Go Seize the Fall… ha ha ha!

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #GoSeizetheSummer, family travel, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway on the Falls, review, Travelocity.ca

Previous Post: « Reid and Ariel… United At Last!
Next Post: Tales of Embarrassment: The Ex-Files »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MLV

    September 13, 2013 at 9:45 am

    wow travelocity is a win-win! looks like I’ll be viewing their deals in the future :)

    • Lena

      September 13, 2013 at 11:46 am

      Amazing! I know you’ll love the amazing prices :)

  2. Tricha

    September 13, 2013 at 10:06 am

    I agree, I will definitely look into their deals in the future. Awesome view of the Falls Lena! Hard to believe those cuties are less-than-angels at home. You are too funny!

    • Lena

      September 13, 2013 at 12:03 pm

      Hahaha well Moms DO know their little less-than-angels best :)

  3. Anne Taylor

    September 13, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    I’m glad you had a great summer with your boys (all three of them) Are those new haircuts I see? They look great!

    • Lena

      September 13, 2013 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks Anne! LOL no, it’s an older picture of the boys from May this year, before we embarked on our first family travel adventure :)

  4. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    September 13, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    wish my hubby wanted to visit places in the 25 yrs we have been married we took 2 family vacations that didnt involve going to the mother in laws to visit!

    • Lena

      September 13, 2013 at 5:21 pm

      Er… it’s never to late to start??? LOL sorry Chandra, don’t mean to laugh, but maybe just a giggle :)

      • Chandra Christine O'Connor

        September 14, 2013 at 11:42 am

        lol well thanks I think. you made me giggle now, hope it doesnt turn into a Kirstie Alley Poise moment!

        • Lena

          September 14, 2013 at 11:49 am

          Hahaha now THAT would be funny!

  5. Judy C (Cowan)

    September 13, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    I haven’t really checked out Travelocity too much, maybe it is time!

    • Lena

      September 14, 2013 at 8:46 am

      I really think it is, Judy! They have amazing deals and so many properties to choose from.

  6. Flora M

    September 14, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    So glad you had the opportunity to “Go Seize The Summer” and share it with us ! Now you have given me the travel bug. I have always been leery of online travel sites, but it sounds like Travelocity is a winner… thank you !

    • Lena

      September 14, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      Thanks Flora! I remember the first time I booked through an online travel site (coincidentally, it was Travelocity.ca!!!) I was SO nervous. It was for a 4-day getaway to Miami and the price was so good, I was sure that something would go wrong. But it went by so smoothly, it made me a believer!

  7. Kat E.

    September 14, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    I’ll for sure will use Travelocity.ca for my next trip. I didn’t know about their Free and Flexible cancellation policy until now – thanks Lena!

    • Lena

      September 14, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      You’re very welcome Kat! Happy to hear that, and safe travels!

  8. Stephanie SassyModernMom

    September 14, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    I love that even though you are so busy you still make time for travel. I too often say, you only have 18 summers with your kids and we have to make the most of each and every one of them!
    Loving the look of those getaways!!
    Must go check out Travelocity to see if I can squeeze in one more trip before the snow flies!

    • Lena

      September 15, 2013 at 11:25 am

      I think that’s a great idea! You’ll love Travelocity :)

  9. Debbie Bashford

    September 15, 2013 at 9:06 am

    One of these days I hope to travel again, just not in the cards right now

    • Lena

      September 15, 2013 at 11:26 am

      Finger crossed it is soon :)

  10. J

    September 15, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    I can’t tell which I love more – that room or that view! Gorgeous.

    • Lena

      September 15, 2013 at 1:01 pm

      They were both kind of awesome :) Thanks J!

  11. Victoria Ess

    September 18, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    I second your review of Travelocity.ca. I have booked many a hotel through their website and they offer spectacular customer service. What destinations are you eyeing next?

    • Lena

      September 19, 2013 at 6:57 am

      That’s so awesome Victoria. To tell you the truth… Florida! I can’t get enough :)

  12. Emilia

    November 13, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    travelling with family is very important and brings bonding and discussion for years to come. Travelocity.ca is a great source for families and it is just fun to look and dream too

  13. Elaine Buonsante

    June 25, 2014 at 1:53 am

    I was very impacted by your statement that ” You only have 18 summers with your children”. In hindsight, as my kids are all now adults, with that in mind I would have planned our summer holidays differently.

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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