Airmiles on Expedia

Did you know that you can collect Airmiles when booking a trip with Expedia.ca?  Now what if you paid for it using your travel bonus/miles credit card? That's like getting a sundae with sprinkles and a cherry on top!

www.airmiles.ca
www.airmilesshops.ca
www.expedia.ca
www.capitalone.ca


Then, once you've gathered your Airmiles, cash them in on hotel or car rental certificates for your trip. Or... Disney Park Passes. That's even better!

A week later

What a difference a week makes! Last week I was lounging on designer furniture under a patio umbrella wondering if the drizzle (not even heavy enough to be called rain) was going to stop so we could go for a walk or golf again. That was California.

This week it's literally -32C in Manitoba, and that's before the windchill. I'm worried the dogs will freeze solid as they try to pee outside.

My truck was reluctant to start, as am I.

A week ago I had a fancy breakfast with fresh strawberries brought to me on a tray. Later I tidied up the hotel room to make it easier for the maid.

Today I'm scrubbing toilets, bleaching stains from boy clothes and soon, I need to wash the floors at my own house. The maid won't be arriving later. There is no maid.

Real life 101.

But, if the truck won't start and I don't go out today, that saves gas money. Hmmm, a few dollars I can put towards the next trip? Lol.... now that's Manitoba trip logic 101.

January Bargains on Balboa Island

Balboa Island, California is a compact area designed for pedestrians and tourists to enjoy. Homes and rental homes line the streets and the harbour.

The main street is packed with restaurants and boutique stores. Since my visit was in January, a slow season for them, there were bargains in every window. Many stores had their giftwares on sale 25% or greater. We also stopped to browse two ladies' clothing boutiques which were offering every item on sale for $15. Seriously. Nothing was more than $15! There were gorgeous dresses and work wear, regular priced at $100 or more, but on sale for $15. The store owner noted that they were just overstocked and wanted to clear everything out before the new season started. She had had much success with the same clearance last year.

Shopping with a 7 year-old boy has its limits. Like 5 minutes maximum per store. And any trip into the change room shall be immediately followed by an instant acquisition of ice cream or candy as a means of payment for his pain and suffering. Thus, I bought only one pair of jeans and a cardigan (that I didn't even try on.) But hey, at $15 can you really go wrong?

You can walk all of Main Street comfortably in an hour or so. Definitely save time for a walk on the boardwalk and photos on the harbour.

You can also take a ferry over to Balboa Peninsula for just $1, where there are more shops, an amusement park, a museum, tour operators (like Whale Watching tours) and more gorgeous homes.

Balboa Island also claims to be the home of the original frozen banana. Have it dipped in chocolate, nuts, sprinkles and more. Hmmm. Sounds like a good idea to me!

Golfing in January

My son and I golfed 9 holes together at the cost of $25. Quite the bargain considering the fun we had, not to mention the breathtaking view of the bay at Newport Beach, California.

We golfed at our hotel, at their on-site executive course. It is a very short, pitch and putt "practice" style course. The longest hole is 100 yards. That being said, it was perfect for us. The holes had curves and sand traps and inclines and declines. They challenged us as much as we needed to be challenged. 

Since January is still winter in California, there isn't that much demand for golf, hence the bargain. We practically had the course to ourselves. Again, this was a researched and planned event, resulting in our maximum satisfaction.

If I have to say so myself, my game was "on" by the sixth hole. I felt like I was in a groove.  A good time was had by all!

Taxi vs Rental Car

I needed a vacation. I needed a break from driving through Manitoba blizzards. I didn't need the stress of trying to navigate a big city and six lane freeways, especially with a child as a passenger.

But why wouldn't you rent a car when they are only $50 a day? Well, for the above stated reasons and more. In order to NOT drive while on vacation, I chose a hotel with a local shuttle for guests. That, plus the occasional taxi covered all our needs.

I also know myself. When I'm uncertain, I prefer a second adult, with or without GPS, to help navigate. I am a capable driver with maximum merits and lots of confidence, but I'm a prairie girl... not a big city savvy driver. Indeed, I have had a meltdown on a deserted Minnesota gravel road - thanks to our GPS. I'm not proud, but it's true. I could only imagine how wrong things could go in California.

So when I mean vacation, I mean vacation from driving too. Leave the driving to the experts. Leave the rest.... and I mean rest AND relaxation for me.

Genius by Design

Why divide a space three ways, when you can give one space three purposes seamlessly?

The new renovation to the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach has done just that. Their recent lobby renovation gave a modern style and multi-purpose life to a great room.

In a nutshell, they needed a waiting room and comfortable lobby for guests. They needed a casual breakfast space and they also needed a style bar/lounge to accommodate their guests' social needs. To do this within existing walls, they decorated with eclectic modern furniture of many different styles and yet common colours.

From 5AM to Noon (I think) it's a stylish coffee shop serving danishes, bagels, fruit and Starbucks coffee. Then, the conversion begins and coffee menus go into storage to expose the display of bar bottles and cocktail glasses. The lounge vibe carries through the day and well into the evening.

And 24 hours a day, it's a comfortable leisure area where guests feel welcome to read, surf the net (free lobby/lounge/library WIFI) and relax. There are no age restrictions in this multi-purpose area and it's welcoming to all.

It's a genius use of space. And a beautiful showcase of style. Well done!

Happiness at the Hyatt

We chose the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach as our resort for our first California vacation, and we are certainly glad we did! In considering our host resort/hotel, we identified the following priorities for this vacation:  relaxation, proximity to leisure activities, safety, shuttle and moderately priced. We knew we did not want to stay at a bustling downtown hotel. We did not want to be surrounded by Disney-crazed families. (Don't read that wrong... I love Disney. That just wasn't our purpose this trip.)

I personally, NEEDED to recharge my battery and escape the Manitoba winter just for a bit.

Patio with curved fireplace wall.

The Hyatt Newport had everything we wanted. It is located in a park-like setting, including a 9 hole golf course. There are walking paths, pools, and seating areas galore. There is even an outdoor ampitheatre where they host a summer concert series.

My favourite outdoor area turned out to be the patio lounge. The furniture, outdoor fireplaces, food and ambience were the perfect setting to relax and recharge.

The Hyatt Newport is currently undergoing millions of dollars in renovations. At the time of our stay, they were approximately halfway to completion. There are still major projects to do, like the main pool which in the future will include a waterpark and waterslide for kids. They hope to be all finished up by May 2013.

My breakfast lox & bagel

The areas already completed include the lobby, half the guest rooms, lounge and library, and new restaurant SHOR. The food and service at SHOR are outstanding! We ate a few meals there and were thoroughly impressed. Prices were moderate and I absolutely consider it good value for the quality of menu items and service.

The renovations caused us very little, if any, inconvenience at all. We were given an upgraded hotel room, and in fact we were the first guests to stay in that room. The decor was modern and first class. We especially loved the balcony which had its own heating/air conditioning.

We used the complimentary local and airport shuttle. Its schedule was convenient to the mall and neighbouring Balboa Island. It worked great for us!

Renovated guest room

The hotel offers a variety of discounts including CAA/AAA and government rates. They also offer special family and spa packages. Watch for deals on this hotel with Expedia, Hotwire and also at their own Hyatt website.  At around $125 per night, I found it to be excellent value in California.

I absolutely need to make special note of the hospitality. The service at every turn was outstanding! Five star service from the front desk to the lounge, valet, security and waitstaff. There wasn't one staff member who wasn't happy to be there and look after you. I found this to be quite a refreshing change from the lousy "who cares" attitude that seems to be prevalent in North America right now.  The service simply was above and beyond expectations.  I have indeed forwarded my letter of thanks and appreciation to the hotel staff. They moved me that much that I took time to write and commend them. They earned it!

Existing guest pool. 1 of 3 on site.

This resort was everything we wanted in this vacation. The research I did ahead of time paid off and we had an absolutely fantastic time. I would recommend the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach if you are looking for a relaxing, upscale experience in a casual California setting. It would be PERFECT for a girls' trip as the resort has a spa, is very close to amazing shopping (Fashion Island and also main street Balboa Island), is safe, friendly and has fantastic food. I would also suggest it would make a great couples weekend.

I don't usually set down roots when I travel, but I think I could be a regular here. The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach impressed me that much. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Flight to California

I chose to fly into John Wayne International Airport (SNA) rather than Los Angeles International (LAX) because it's smaller. Yep, my decision was that simple. As a small town gal, the big airport intimidates me.

Yes, indeed I have been through LAX before, (on my way to Maui) and I probably could do it, but why when there is a perfectly good, very convenient airport 30 minutes away in Orange County.

Actor, John Wayne, or The Duke as he was affectionately called was a long time Newport Beach area resident and is indeed buried there. He used to party with the Hollywood royalty and host them on his yacht and in his Newport home. John Wayne has a rich history with the area and they named this beautiful, modern airport in his honour.

On a practical note, it was very easy to navigate. Taxis and shuttles were mere steps outside the building. There were many area hotels offering free shuttles, so that was a bonus too. It is located about 20 minutes (or a $30 taxi ride) from Anaheim and the popular Disney attractions. It is about 10 minutes south to Newport Beach and the ocean areas.

Upon our departure, security lines took maybe 15 minutes from start to finish. There were a few airport shops, at least one full service restaurant near our departure gate and a Starbucks. All the typical conveniences were there. SNA hosts several airlines including Westjet, Delta, United and Alaska. I'm sure there were more, but I didn't pay particular attention.

The cost of flying into SNA was the same or slightly less than LAX. The convenience and ease made it a 5 star decision for me. I would do it again anytime.

Our California Adventure

9 Hole Golf Course at Back Bay/Newport Beach Hyatt

Consider this a heads up on a series of my California reviews. I certainly will have lots to share from our brief time in California.  We had a memorable time!

Over the next few days I hope to tell you:

Why flying into SNA was better than LAX.
Why I LOVE the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.
The genius-ness of a coffee bar that converts daily into a modern lounge.
Why I chose taxis over renting a car.
How I golfed in January for $25.
Why rain isn't a bad thing.
Bargains on Balboa Island.
Why I chose club seats again.
How we met Teemu Selanne.
How breathtaking palm trees are to me.
Why high priced patio cocktails and Twitter = fun.
About my patio lunch at Bloomingdales.
Fish and fabulous shops of Fashion Island.
Why I, for a moment, wished my feet were size 6, not 8.
Matthew the valet and the Canadian $5.
And how I did something I hadn't done in 27 years.
Why I never did see Mickey Mouse, and I'm ok with that.

Just a quick footnote, today's prices from YWG, MOT and GFK  to SNA, are $485, $370 & 344 respectively for an assortment of 4 day stays in February and March. Those are return prices, taxes included for flights only. Hotels and fun are extra.

 

Flexible Dates

What a difference a day can make! This has always been one of my best travel bargain tips... search the dates around your first choice travel date. Be flexible where ever possible and use the on-line search travel tools available to you. There can be several hundreds of dollars difference between two consecutive departure days. See this chart for evidence.

A Must-Do in MSP Airport

I was recently travelling through MSP (Minneapolis- Saint Paul Airport) and with a two hour wait between connections, I had the privilege of dining at Surdyk's.

Surdyk's is a boutique-diner with limited eat-in seating, but they do have airport lobby seating and a great selection of grab and go take-out items. 

Their "thing" is great wine, paired with gourmet sandwiches and unique salads. The menu has a trendy feel. Their selection is completely out of the ordinary, especially considering its location. 

I had a mixed plate of salami and cheese. It was served with a glass tumbler (think big water glass) of fresh crisp toasts, and breadsticks. It was served also with assorted nuts, dried fruit, olives, pickles and mustard. I took their suggested pairing of a full bodied red wine, and really enjoyed it. 

My son, who was still feeling "dull" from a cold, chose a bowl of fresh fruit and chocolate milk.

I loved the ambience. We dined in the store. There were multiple screens featuring the Food Network, which was an obvious and perfect combination in this gourmet eatery setting. 

Since you are already through security, you can pick up a bottle of wine (vast selection, and half size bottles too) to take on to your destination. I chose a California red to take with me. 

What a great spot! With fantastic service to match. If you are passing through MSP, I would recommend you seek out Surdyk's. www.surdyks.com

** Reprinted from my Diner blog

Escape the Deep Freeze

This weekend has been beyond ridiculously cold. Wind chill that takes your breath away, literally. It's the kind of weather you curse your forefathers for. Why, oh why did they settle here? Couldn't they have picked somewhere with a more forgiving climate?

Well, incase you've hit your limit and need to get to somewhere warm right now, I've found a couple deals.  This one is found on Redtag.ca

Cuba or the Dominican, each under $1000. Leave this Thursday or next Tuesday.






Alternately, if you wish to stay stateside, here's a bargain to Florida. I don't know anything about the hotel, however, this package includes a car and a direct flight for $756. That's just over $100 a day for warmth and a break from this cold.  This bargain was found at Airtransat.com by searching for any 4 star vacation, leaving later this week. Look at the variety of prices. Websites that offer this analysis are fantastic!

It's an off week

Today I was looking at flight prices for my typical quickie trips (Phoenix, Vegas, Orlando) and the ones I dream about, like California and The Bahamas. Brutal. All the prices have gone up. Last week you could have bagged a round trip (tax in) to Phoenix for under $300. Same date, time, etc is now $582.

The Grand Forks to Santa Ana that I had flagged went up from $329 to $824 in the period of 10 days. Denver which was at $200 is now up at $239, so that's not a big jump... however an equal number of dates are sitting in the $400 range. (Pays to fly on a Wednesday or Sunday if you want the bargain.)

Its just the typical ebb and flow of flight sales. There will be sales and there will be regular prices that are much higher. Holiday dates and Fridays will always be more expensive.

Flight prices typically change on the Monday night or Tuesday of a week. Sometimes there are discount codes to apply, sometimes the sale comes up for everybody with no special codes. The Canadian Airlines are much more likely to offer "codes" than the US ones.

Really, it's about supply and demand. But, if you can spy a bargain and pounce when you see it, that's success! If you don't see a price you like, wait a few days or a week, see if it changes. HOWEVER, if you are within a month of your desired flight... anticipate that the prices will only rise as you get closer to the date. (Supply & demand)  The best prices statistically are 6-8 weeks out when the airlines strategically maneuver prices to fill their planes.

Flying within Canada? I can't remember any return flights less than $350 to anywhere. I generally consider anything under $500 to be a decent price within Canada. (All taxes and fees in.)

Tips for Newbies

Thinking about taking your first plane trip? I have a few tips...

1. Get yourself a travel app like "On The Fly" "Hipmunk" or "Kayak". Something that will effortlessly search all possible routes, airlines and prices for you. My preference is "On The Fly". It never ceases to amaze me with the price differences it can spy.

2. Once you choose your airline, sign up for their frequent flier program BEFORE you book. Even if you think it's just one flight, I can tell you with certainty... it's not. You'll book again. Collect points, tune in to their offers.

3. Sign up everyone in your family individually. Travellers can't collect points for family members. Even your 6 year-old can gather Aeroplan. This was a big mistake on my part. Each of the kids missed out on their Skymiles to Maui. They'd be at a free flight level already if I had know this ahead of time. For whatever reason, I thought if I booked and paid for all four flights I would get points for all four. I was wrong. I missed out. 75% loss.

4. Know your airport security rules... liquids, scissors etc. Don't delay the lines and frustrate other travellers with your naivety. Cdn TSA Guidelines  Don't wear bulky layers of zippered clothes thru security. Seriously... I will give you THE LOOK. Or if you do, please let us go ahead of you.

5. Most airlines only accept credit cards for inflight purchases of drinks or snacks. Don't assume pop or coffee is free anymore. Bring your own kid friendly granola bars etc, if you think your kids might need a snack on the plane.

6. If you think you might be delayed, research ahead of time and know what your alternate flights are. You'll be soooo much further ahead if you can re-book yourself at a kiosk or on your smartphone.

Delta's App and real-time options are far superior to anything else I've ever seen. We were in the air and I received Delta alerts that our flight delay would mean we would miss our connection. They have FREE in-flight wifi access to their site so I was able to follow their alert link instantly. They gave me all my no-charge options and we had a plan before we even landed the first flight. I was incredibly impressed with the technology.

7. Have your ground transportation thought out. Are you renting a car, looking for a taxi or taking a shuttle bus?  I know that after 7 hours in transit and making flight connections my family does not have the patience for a shuttle bus. Free or not, it does not work with our personalities. Best $100 I spend on a trip is having a town car waiting. Pre-arranging it you can generally have this service for $20 more than a regular taxi round trip.  I might pursue the bargain rabidly, but I am not willing to risk a meltdown over $20, a shuttle bus and tropical heat.  Of course, if it's just a direct flight and 3 hours of travel in a day, they can suck it up and wait in line with me for a taxi.

Vacation Style

Lazy River, at Atlantis Resort  Nassau, Bahamas

Do you like to float along the lazy river or do you like to hike the mountain? Would you rather nosh at 2AM in a crowded deli, or sit silently on a balcony at 6AM enjoying your coffee in your robe?

So different, and yet so possible... if you pick the right vacation.

Vacation style is always the first question out of my mouth when someone asks for a recommendation. It's not MY vacation, it's YOURS.

So it's important to consider the plans, the theme if you will. Is this a boys' trip to the Super Bowl, or a girls' trip to the spa? A family trip or something romantic? Once the theme and budget are determined then you can move on to location. And of course, it applies here too: location! location! location!

Cuba - this weekend!!

Aren't you just a little bit tempted to race to the airport and leave this winter wonderland? A blowy snowy blizzard makes me want to see a beach immediately if not sooner.

Take a look at these last minute deals from Redtag.ca  

These are reputable chain hotels too! You'll see great Trip Advisor reviews for each of them.

That's a plate of spaghetti!

Sometimes on an trip the food is memorable. In this case, it certainly was!

On a visit to the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas, we ate at a restaurant in the Marina Villiage called Carmine's. It was an Italian, Family Style restaurant.

Carmine's served everything "family style" meaning one large serving platter with enough for everyone at the table.

Unbelievable! It took the waitress two hands to hold this platter.

We laughed and I invited the busboys to join us. There was no way the four of us could eat that much spaghetti. Plus, we had a Caesar salad with it that was likely made with four whole heads of lettuce. Crazy!

Crazy but fun! We would totally go back. And we'd go back prepared... we'd run a marathon, climb mountains and starve all day. THEN we'd go for dinner at Carmine's and eat like kings.

True Blue Caribbean

Until you see it yourself, it's hard to believe that turquoise water and soft white sand actually exists in reality. I couldn't fathom perfection like that outside of photoshopped screen savers and travel brochures.

And then I experienced the Caribbean. You truly can see six feet deep into the clear water. It DOES come in every shade of blue and turquoise and perfect palm trees really do exist.

These photos are from the heavenly place called the Bahamas. I took these pictures in 2009.

To get to the Bahamas, you can fly either Westjet or Air Canada, round trip for between $550 and $650. Typically, there is a $300 airfare credit if you book two or more people for four hotel nights in the Bahamas as a package. This is one of those destinations that is not all inclusive. Hotel grades and locations are varied and are spread out all over the main island.  Meals, beverages and taxi will be some of your out of pocket expenses.

So if you are interested in the Bahamas I would encourage you to seek the guidance of a travel agent. They will help you take advantage of the airfare credits and find the hotel best suited to your interests.

To learn more about Paradise Island, or any of the out islands, visit www.bahamas.com

On my three visits to the Bahamas, I have found it to be safe, friendly and incredibly special. It's my heaven on earth. If I ever win the lotto, that's exactly where I'll be.

Going to the Superbowl

Just out of curiosity I thought I would quickly price out how much it would cost to go to this year's Superbowl in New Orleans, booking as of today.

A flight on Delta Airlines leaving February 1st, and returning on February 5th (game is on the 3rd) costs $450 taxes included. That's out of Winnipeg. So that's pretty great. I'm surprised actually.

So I checked Stubhub.com for tickets. And there's the kicker.... single tickets in the cheap seats are $2500.  Let's say you need a hotel room and something to wet your whistle, lets add $1200. (Hotel rooms within stumbling distance of the game won't be cheap or easy to come by.)

So, for roughly $4500 (with souvenirs included) you could have a heck of a good time. And probably see Peyton Manning in his most memorable game.

Sure makes next weekend's playoff game in Denver seem like a bargain eh?

Oh, and by the way, if you'd rather have one of those fancy boxes upstairs for you and the buddies, those are running in the $300,000 range.

I'll be here at home, with my M&M chicken wings and pot stickers counting my savings! Go Broncos!

Seek the story

Every destination has history. Once you visit you will have a history with that destination. These will be your personal memories.  But what about those who came before you?

Some of these details you can find on the Internet. Some of the special details will be found in asking your hotel clerk, your waitress and or the people you meet at the coffee shop.

When we went to Montreal, I looked up the history of our hotel... the grand, the incredible, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. This is a stately hotel. This is a destination in itself. There is a train station built underneath it for goodness sake! It's european and regal and I felt privileged to visit and "live" there for a week.

It didn't take a lot of digging to find that this was the hotel where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their famous "bed-in" for peace. They wrote and recorded Give Peace a Chance there.  The Fairmont honours this history and has the very room labelled.

One evening, we went up two floors in the elevator and voila! It just added something to our trip.

It's an amazing Canadian icon. It's also pretty affordable. It runs about $100-$150 a night. A little more for the Club Level. (The views alone are worth it!)

Direct flights to Montreal (YUL) from Winnipeg (YWG) run about $400-$450. See Air Canada or Westjet for dates and prices.  The contrasts in the provinces, Manitoba and Quebec, are at times dramatic. Our province feels very young. Montreal, particularly Old Montreal takes you back in time and shows you a rich French culture.  It's a wonderful experience. A weekend isn't enough.

Sit in the good seats

The way I look at things, if you are going to spend a few hundred, or a few thousand dollars to GET to a sports game, you really ought to sit in the good seats. Having the last row in the stadium because they were $30 cheaper is ridiculous.

For me, the memory comes with the view. Loved it every time.

20 Rows up from the catcher. $220 for 4 tickets. Priceless experience!

Delta Field in Atlanta, Georgia. Wild Card Playoff Game Oct 2012

Sports trips

Some of these have to be booked at the last minute... like playoff games. But they are do-able. My brother and I went to a Stanley Cup Playoff game in Tampa Bay in 2011. We went on 8 days notice. As soon as the teams were set for the eastern finals, I took a look at the schedules and found us a flight to Tampa.

Best sports trip ever!  We managed to get tickets (stubhub) 10 rows off the ice. We got to see Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins) shut down the Lightning. He was unreal that game and later went on to win the Vezna that year.  He was definitely the story of the Stanley Cup. And we saw that!

This year, right now, I have to say Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are THAT story. They hit the playoffs at home on January 12th.  If you book now, TODAY, you can grab a Delta flight out of Minot, Fargo or Bismark for less than $200 return. (taxes all in).

Add that to a $300 game ticket, $200 hotel and $200 for food and you have an unbelievable life experience. If I were you, I'd go. GO NOW.

Golf in Arizona?

If you live in the 204, your main airport is Winnipeg. (James Richardson International) It's airport code is YWG. However, it's not that convenient if you live in Brandon or Boissevain, Melita, or Morden. My way of thinking is that if it takes you 2 hours to the nearest airport, you might want to consider other options.

As I see it, those other options are just across the USA border, in Grand Forks, Devils Lake or Minot North Dakota. Each is within an hour or so of the border.

Allegiant Airlines has made a business out of flying from smaller airports and often border towns. Allegiant is represented in both Grand Forks (GFK) and Minot (MOT). They do not fly out of Devils Lake.

That's why I keep my eye on a few different airports.

If you'd like to hit the links in Arizona this February, you can fly Allegiant on February 24th into the Mesa AZ airport. It's a direct flight. Return flights, taxes in are $268 per person. To add four nights hotel at the Arizona Golf and Country Club makes it $515 per person.

If you'd rather stay at the Westgate area, which has both the home of the NHL Coyotes & NFL Cardinals on site it's $610 per person. However.... I think if that's your preference you'd find a better price calling the hotel directly and bargaining with them. I say this as the Cardinals missed the playoffs and the Coyotes are on strike... therefore no games.  I use this as an example because Westjetvacations.com offers the same hotel.

Same dates, same hotel with Westjet is $850 per person, all in. Note that Westjet flies out of YWG only, not GFK.

**Prices are subject to change. Various dates net various prices. Examples are current to publishing date.

Domestic Flight Sale

Good prices announced today by both Air Canada and Westjet for travel within Canada. Some warm destinations are also on sale too, but I didn't see anything on the list worth splurging on.

Take a look for yourself. Maybe it's time to jet to Vancouver and escape the Winter here for a week or two! A quick check of fares netted $440 with Westjet and $460 with Air Canada. Both prices are for Tuesday flights, returning a week later. All taxes and fees included.

Air Canada Sale

Westjet New Years Sale

**As with all flight and vacation prices, variables exist based on your choice of dates, length of stay, supply/demand. Air fares can vary several times a day. The best bargain is one that suits your vacation plans and your budget.

Escaping the 204

I love Manitoba! But I believe that when we travel we make our own lives better. Sharing stories can enrich the lives of others as well. At the very least it can be entertaining.

That in a nutshell is my goal. Travel and tell stories.

The better the bargain I find, the more I will be able to travel. The more stories I have to tell. You see the pattern. I hope you'll tune in and tag along on some of my adventures if you are so inclined.