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Despite the Pandemic, You Should be Planning Your Next Trip

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Travel may not be top of mind at the moment, but my good friend Barry Choi, Personal Finance and Travel Expert, offers a convincing argument why this is the best time to plan a trip. Read on for some valuable advice on how to maximize your travel dollars.
Although the pandemic has reduced the number of flights available, and most people have no interest in travelling if there’s no vaccine for COVID-19, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be planning your next trip now.

It’s true that no one has any real idea of when travel will get back to normal, but by planning now, you can take advantage of some great deals. You can even turbocharge your savings by planning out your spending and taking advantage of some great welcome bonuses that come with the best travel credit cards in Canada. …

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17 Things to Love about San Antonio

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As many of y’all know, I recently earned the opportunity to be a Texas Traveller! Alas, after a family illness, we weren’t able to take the trip. So, I did the next best thing – I enlisted fellow fabulous #FamilyTravelCA member Andrea Traynor from Mommy Gearest to experience Texas on my behalf! Take it away Andrea!

I can’t say that San Antonio was on my bucket list. But having recently spent three days there, standing in for Lena, it should have been. And it should have been way up there on the list, too.
SanAntonio - RiverWalk1Because San Antonio, Texas is simply, fabulous. Rich in history, it boasts world-class restaurants that even the most discerning foodies will appreciate, is a retail-therapy dream and caters to just about any kind of traveller (doing well in both the romance and action-packed activity departments).

There’s a lot to love about this city in the southwest, y’all. Here are 17 things that’ll make you want to book your own bucket-list visit. …

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Sandals Ochi: Treat Your Taste Buds

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Last month, I was afforded the exclusive opportunity to visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica on behalf of Sandals. Unfortunately, I was not able to make the trip, so I did the next best thing; I asked fellow#FamilyTravelCA member Sheri McDonald to experience the resort on my behalf. Today, she’s pleased to share the multitude of gourmet dining options at the resort!

If there’s one thing that always comes to mind when I think “all-inclusive”, it’s the food. It’s an opportunity to try types of cuisine that are new to me, and to step outside of my comfort zone. Ordering several dishes to share with everyone at the table is a fantastic way to try as much as possible, too!
20150530_115811Sandals Ochi doesn’t disappoint when it comes to their dining options. With 16 restaurants and bars on the property, there is something to please everyone.

Of course, if there’s one thing that comes to mind when you think “all-inclusive”, it’s buffet dining. Visit Vista Gourmet and the Sky Terrace, where you enjoy your meal while gazing at the ocean. Here, you’ll find nothing fussy or overworked; just simple dishes that let the natural flavors of fish and seafood shine through. It is the perfect spot for a quick and satisfying meal.
IMG_0254Feeling the steady Ocho Rios breeze is inevitable while lounging at Sky Terrace, Vista Gourmet’s outdoor dining area that sits high up on a rocky cliff. Bliss!
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The Ultimate Couple’s Getaway at Sandals Ochi

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Last month, I was afforded the exclusive opportunity to visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica on behalf of Sandals. Unfortunately, I was not able to make the trip, so I did the next best thing; I asked fellow #FamilyTravelCA member Sheri McDonald to experience the resort on my behalf. Take it away, Sheri!

Couples who are looking to escape for a few days will love the NEW Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. An all-inclusive adult only resort, Sandals Ochi promises to provide the vacation you are looking for.
slide-152The journey begins at the airport in Montego Bay where drinks and snacks are served in the exclusive Sandals Lounge while you wait for your shuttle. The two hour ride to Sandals Ochi goes quickly when you are treated to more beverages, amazing scenery and a quick visit to a rest stop at the halfway mark. Your driver acts as a tour guide and can answer your questions about the area along the way. …

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Love to Travel? Love Cash? Join the #TravelCash Twitter Chat!

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We like to travel. A LOT. And with each and every trip, the list comes out.

My husband hates the list.

The list includes everything that we need to oversee, pack and manage before we leave for the airport. I create a spreadsheet, assign responsibilities, and include a column for ticking off once complete. It may sound incredibly cumbersome (or, to quote the husband, “overkill”) but I’ve been that mom. You know, the mom who realizes that she forgot to pack baby wipes. Or hairspray. Or birth control.

You’ve met my second son Reid, right? Ri-ight.
20140819_115521 (2)But if there’s one thing we always forget to do, it’s visit the bank to exchange our currency. Yes, it’s on the list, but it often gets overlooked or marked “later” during the flurry of activity. And then, more often than not, I find myself glaring at my husband as we rush to find last-minute foreign currency. Surely there has to be an easier way?

THERE IS! Introducing CIBC Foreign Cash Online. This incredibly convenient service allows me to order the currency I need online (yes! online!) before I travel – and the money is delivered straight to my door. …

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A Hotel for Every Toronto Destination

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I’ve been spoiled. I’ve lived in and around Toronto my entire life, so I often forget just how amazing it is. The vibe, the culture, the food, the arts… I could go on.

(Did I mention the diehard Leafs fans? Yeah, the dream just won’t die.)

Of course, when visiting a world-class city like Toronto, there’s no shortage of things to do. And if you’re visiting my fair city, you’re in luck – from thrill rides to theatre shows, sports to scenic tours, Toronto offers the best in family entertainment!

Turn your trip to Toronto into jam-packed days of discovery by partaking in these fun-filled attractions and activities – targeted toward school-aged children, but guaranteed to please kids (and kids at heart) of all ages.

1. The CN Tower

It’s no secret – children like to climb to the top of things (and the taller, the better). Mini daredevils can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Toronto and surrounding area from the observation deck at the CN Tower, the tallest free standing structure in the world. Take an adrenaline-pumping ride up in a glass elevator and capture the heart-stopping moment when your child jumps on the glass floor.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhere to stay: Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre. Bordered by Yonge, Carlton, Church and Wood Streets, Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre is in the centre of it all. Some of the finest shopping venues in the world such as the Toronto Eaton Centre, the shops at Yorkville, Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Winners, Marshall’s and Bed Bath and Beyond are only minutes from its doorstep.

The entrance to the Yonge/College Subway line, part of Toronto’s famous TTC, and the main artery of the city, is less than a block from the hotel, providing immediate access to all attractions, shopping, dining, hospitals, theatres and the financial district. Jump aboard and visit The CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, Air Canada Centre, Rogers Centre, Dundas Square, Ripley’s Aquarium and more. …

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The Experiential Vacation

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One word: VACATION. Now tell me quickly – what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Chances are, the words “beach”, “poolside” or “sun” likely popped in your head first. (Or, if you’re like some of my friends, “margaritas”.) However, for a growing number of people, vacations are also a time to embark on a new adventure or pursue a personal interest. As a recent TD survey found, approximately three-quarters (74 per cent) of Canadians have already taken or are interested in taking an experiential vacation, and almost two-thirds (62 per cent) would consider it if they could find ways to save on the cost of those trips.

So, what are these experiential vacations?
vacatio1nsI could easily add to this list: art classes in Paris, culinary tours in Japan, zip-lining in Central America or going on safari in Africa. As for experimenting in my own city? Hey, I’ve heard there’s some pretty spectacular shopping downtown :)

Sounds amazing, right? However, it’s not surprising to hear that more than half (53 per cent) of those surveyed expect an experiential vacation to cost more than a normal one. And while an organized savanna tour can definitely set you back a few more $$, the reality is, planning (and affording) an incredible experiential vacation is actually within reach for many. …

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Whatever You Love, It Lives Here.

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I’m pretty sure – in fact, I’m almost 100% certain – that in a past life, I was a Texan.

Now before you laugh and say, “Sure, Lena!”…. think about it: I love big hair. In fact, I keenly subscribe to the notion the higher the hair, the closer to God. Next, I say “y’all” at least once every day, and according to a search of my entire site, y’all appears in 286 blog posts.

I’m not making this up. Hand on heart, y’all.

Finally, I’ve been known to whip out my “Real Girls Eat Meat” t-shirt over the summer months, even though I’ve been ridiculed by my vegetarian friends. And to them, I say relax! Eat a burger.
newtexTherefore, it’s obvious to me that a) I’ve either lived as a Texan in a previous lifetime, or b) I am a Texan at heart, and am long overdue for a vacation to the Lone Star State. …

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