Chart it!

Gotta love Tripcentral.ca for their grid and search features. Makes it very simple to spy the bargains. What a difference the date can make! That's why I always say, the more flexibility you build into your search, the better bargains you'll nab!

$694 to Dublin this Fall

Air Canada's Olympic celebration continues with this discount.... 20% off Toronto to Dublin, Ireland.

There isn't a discounted price out of Winnipeg, but I would simply suggest using Air Miles or similar to get yourself to Toronto.

Their current Olympic offers include Hong Kong and South America.

I'm a little disappointed we didn't see any great discounts to tropical destinations, but that's just me. I prefer a beach to anything.

However, the Olympics are about the WORLD not just my little piece of it, so overall, I think Air Canada did a great job on this promotion.

Go Canada Go!

Bank on Bermuda

Let's just admit that this prairie winter has worn out its welcome. If I wake up one more morning to the sound of snow plows and reports of another storm on the way, I'm making a dash to the airport. Wouldn't you? And wouldn't you just truly love to jet away for a few days and leave it all behind?

I know I would. This got me to thinking, and dreaming and clicking. I present to you, three locations and three different prices, all on the same dates and same airline.

I chose Ottawa (YOW) because of Canada's stellar day at the Olympics. Where else would you go when you are bursting with patriotism and love for our country? The nation's capital, of course! The return Westjet flight would cost $662.31 taxes in. This isn't a terrible price, for a last minute domestic flight.

Next, I selected a destination in sunny California.  I chose Palm Springs. $886.87 was the price. That seems excessive, since the site is featuring California as its front page promotion. But, again, it is a last minute price.

Then a litte ad in the corner caught my eye. "Save 15% off travel to Bermuda" it said. And since Bermuda has long been on my wish list, I used it for my third comparable.  And guess what I found? An incredible bargain! A last minute flight for $410.69! That's less than half the price of Palm Springs, and coincidentally, in a similar climate category of about 65-75F this time of year.  They also both boast a number of fantastic golf courses. 

 

The Bermuda Tourism site is quick to capture your attention with photos of pink sand beaches, rich culture, island cuisine and the promise of a relaxing vacation. I probably spent 2 hours on the site, and gazing at pictures on the net.  If I were on a plane, I'd already be half way to Bermuda by now!

This being their winter season, a number of hotel deals were offered, including 3rd night free promotions with Fairmont. 

This mental vacation from today's blast of winter, was exactly what I needed. 

Bermuda sure seems like my kind of place! 

If it's also your kind of place, you have until the end of February to take advantage of the 15% off sale with Westjet. Air Canada has matched the savings and offers even more flights to Bermuda.

Booking Atlantis - Great Deals on Now!

Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island, in the Bahamas is having their President's Sale. There are several options and packages available right through to the end of 2014.

They are offering incentives like a $250 airfare rebate, or resort credit. Low rates on their rooms as well. Keep in mind that there are several classes and locations available in the same resort complex. In ascending order of expense and luxury are: Beach Tower, Coral Tower, Royal Tower, Reef & Cove.

We have been to Atlantis a couple times and it is definitely my happy place. Though, you have limited beach/ocean access there are about a dozen pools, waterslides, a lazy river and so much more. There is something at Atlantis for every age, ambition and pocket book. Atlantis is simply amazing.

I have been there in July, August and October. Keep in mind the fall is hurricane season, but you will find the same all across the Caribbean and coast.

Both Westjet and Air Canada offer great flights to Nassau. The airport there is outstanding! Life is good in the Bahamas!

If you have any questions about Atlantis, or Nassau, I'd be more than happy to reply to your comments.

Their iconic waterslide. 

My favourite view.

The lazy river & some random waving at me! 

The cabana area at The Cove

Put this on the wish list!

I was in the Turks n Caicos in July of 2012. The beaches are the most incredible I've ever seen. I would love to go back someday. I keep an eye on the developments of the Turks n Caicos, and much of the Caribbean by drooling over Islands magazine each month.

A special offer for the Turks n Caicos caught my eye and it led me to this new resort, Blue Haven. Wow! It is stunning! If you need a diversion from your life at a desk, I suggest you click this link and start dreaming.

I took these photos on my vacation. None are retouched or enhanced in any way. We stayed at the Ocean Club Resort, which I would also recommend highly.

AC One Day Sale

If you need a domestic flight, from Winnipeg, today is  great day to book. Air Canada initiated this deal, but Westjet has followed suit.

Hawaiian Holiday Heaven

7 days is never enough in paradise. Why not 17?  With these getaways you could certainly immerse yourself in the Hawaiian lifestyle, forget your winter blues and get truly recharged. That, I would say, sounds heavenly!

These packages which include more than 2 weeks at an amazing hotel, are a great value when you consider cost per night. Sure, the overall cost is about the same as your yearly house taxes, but heck, you work hard. You DESERVE Hawaiian happiness.

www.expedia.com  or see your favourite travel agent to book.

Gold Medal = 20% off Flights

Air Canada is true to their word and they are honouring Canada's Sochi medal wins with travel discounts for Canadians.

Today's offer is 20% off flights to Florida (several airports incl Tampa & Fort Myers) and Las Vegas.
Flights need to be booked by February 11th, but are for select dates in June and September 2014.

As anticipated, Westjet has matched the offer.

Stay tuned, as more medals are won by our Olympians, more travel offers will be presented. Of course, these are very limited time offers. And some restrictions apply.

I would totally go to Curacao!

Air Canada Vacations has a sweet deal here!  Gosh if I had the time, $1500 and a travel buddy, you now know EXACTLY where I would be!  I would seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE this one. I'm buying a lotto ticket tomorrow just for this!

To contrast, Westjet is offering this at nearly 60% more money for the same time frame, and the same hotel. That, my friends, is apples to apples!

PLUS Air Canada is giving you 10,000 Aeroplan miles. That's about 75% of the way to a free domestic flight with Aeroplan.  So.... go to Curacao and enjoy the beach, and later this year, go to Calgary and see your cousin!

Do a little travel research on Curacao and you'll see the beauty and the beaches that have travel magazines talking!

Look who's excited by Air Canada again? Whoo!

Brandon to Vancouver Cheap!

Westjet has done it again!  Grab your sweetie for a long weekend and head out to Vancouver. These dates are March 8th to 11th. Great hotels!  I'd have to check, but if the Sheraton Wall is the one shaped like a grand piano, I've stayed there. Great location! Great everything. We had a very nice corner suite with a tiny balcony. It had a second floor outdoor pool as well.

Winnipeg departures are very similarly priced. About $30 more.  www.westjetvacations.com

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And whether or not you plan on watching the Olympics, do keep your eyes open for travel bargains. Air Canada has announced their plan to offer travel bargains each time Canada earns a medal. When this promotion happened in 2010 it rocked! I went to the Bahamas for $99 plus taxes. (Air only)  However, when they did this in 2012 for summer games, it sucked. Nothing more than about 10% off.  So, I hesitate to get my hopes up, but I'll keep a watchful eye anyway.

Their first discount offering, just to kick it off, was 15% off Canadian flights. Within hours, Westjet offered the same.  Here's hoping the Jamaican bobsled team wins a medal and all Canadians get a discount to Jamaica to celebrate!!!

Stay tuned.