July 24 Bahamas Sale

Air Canada has answered Westjet's Blue Tag special with their own one day deal. Good prices on select dates on flights to Nassau (Bahamas) or Grand Cayman. Travel prices on sale until midnight on the 24th only.

It's not an exceptional deal. It's a nice deal, nearing the end of hurricane season.  Your call.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: All time best bargains

My personal list of travel bargain jackpots. All from the last 7 years.

5.  We added 4 nights in Florida to a hockey trip to Minneapolis for $275 per person. So we drove to MSP, watched my son play hockey, left the car at the hotel, then got on a plane to Florida for 4 days/nights at at amazing Hyatt resort.  Flew back to MSP and drove home. Would have been over $1000 per person if we'd flown from home.

4. Kids fly & stay free. A bargain found post-strike with Air Canada back in 2012. We took the kids to the Turks n Caicos Islands. Was under $$900 per person for a family of 4. Amazing value considering the regular price is about $6000 per family of 4 at a modest resort there.

3. Air Canada had Olympic specials in 2010 when Canada hosted the winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler. One such special landed me a $99 flight (& taxes)  to the Bahamas. So I went for a 3 day weekend. That was awesome.

2. Found a First Class Delta flight to Maui at Christmas, for $495 tax included, roundtrip. Yes, First Class at Christmas. Amazing! So, even with hotel and food we spent about $3000 for 8 days in Maui over the busiest holiday time of the year for a family of 4.  I think that was 2009.

1. $283 round trip flight from Minot to Nassau, on Delta. In transit, the airline offered us $600 per person (family of 4)  in future travel credits to bump & catch the next flight out. Yes! Hell yes, we took that deal.  So we then had 1 year to use the travel credits. We had 6 free flights to California out of those $2400 in credits in 2013/14.  Unbeatable travel bargain luck!

Bahamas Jan 17th: $475 & tax

For $860 taxes included ($475 & 385) you can get out of the cold and wiggle your toes in the sand in sunny Freeport, Bahamas.

This is an excellent last minute price from Sunwing vacations. You can book it through Selloffvacations.com which also has a physical travel agency here in Brandon, on 8th street in the strip mall across from Superstore.

For $100 more, you can have an all-inclusive option at the hotel next door. While the Grand Lucayan is rated as a better resort, it is not all-inclusive.  Do read reviews on Trip Advisor so you can make the right decision for you.

Weather there is not super-hot this time of year, like Mexico, but if you would enjoy 25C, sunshine and incredible beaches, you should love this bargain.

I would be on the plane with you, in a heartbeat, except for the fact that I will be enjoying a little league hockey tournament in Regina this weekend. Jealous?

Edmonton or Honolulu?

Today's bargains, from Winnipeg, include flights to Edmonton ($338) and to Honolulu ($578).
Both bargains have dates left this summer, as well as into September.

My rule of thumb is any return flight (taxes in) in Canada, under $400 is a bargain. This, at $338 certainly qualifies! These prices can be found at www.aircanada.ca and for a wide variety of date combinations. Typically, Westjet.com will follow suit and drop their prices for a short period of time.

The sample dates for Air Canada I found are August 6th to 9th.

The Honolulu bargain is flight only and through United Airlines.  But it's easy to pick up a hotel room at a bargain this time of year.

Lastly, I see YWG to NAS (that's the Bahamas) for $485 on Delta Airlines. Of course, this is hurricane season in the Caribbean, so you probably ought to buy insurance if you need to change your dates.

That's about all I see right now that I like! Happy hunting!

Tips worth repeating

I'm often asked how I find the travel bargains, or how I can afford to travel with my kids in hockey. Well, it's like anything, you have to plan, save and be on the lookout (constantly) for the deals.

My top tips for travelling on any budget, are worth repeating.

1. Travel when others aren't. Travel after long weekends and major holidays and you'll pay 40% less than those travelling ON the long weekend.

2. Know the average price of what you want so you can RECOGNIZE the bargain when it appears. Then act quickly. Bargains disappear as quickly as they appear. You can miss the boat (literally) by waiting a day. Travel is a commodity dramatically affected by supply and demand.

3. Collect points. Whether you choose Air Miles, Aeroplan, Sky Miles or others, get their credit card and start accumulating your points at the grocery store, gas station etc. This is a great way to SUBSIDIZE your travel. Even your hockey expenses can contribute to future family vacations.

4. Read reviews. It's no bargain if the hotel is a dump or the airline constantly strands passengers. Read Trip Advisor for recent reviews every time you consider something new.

5, Be FLEXIBLE! This is my absolutely most important tip. If you can be flexible in choosing your destination (I know I want a Caribbean beach, but am open to try any of 5 islands) then you will have greater chances for bargains rather than ONLY looking for bargains in The Bahamas. And, be flexible on your dates. Check a grid (like on tripcentral.ca) because sometimes the difference in dates can be $500 or more, even when choosing the EXACT same airline and/or hotel.

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

Lots shakin' in the travel industry.

A year ago I was amazed by some of the low ($150 tax in, return) flights to Denver being offered by Frontier Airlines out of Minot. The prices were unbelievable and it instigated a bit of a price war with United Airlines whose home hub is Denver.

This year's prices are double that. So, I started searching, and reading. It seems that Frontier Airlines was recently sold.  While I'm sure there will be seat sales, I think the glory days of $150 are gone. Frontier also struggles with bad reviews littering the Internet and citing poor customer service. I haven't flown with them, and right now I have no plans to. However, new ownership will certainly want to fly a viable company in to the future, so I would watch them to make bold changes.

Air Canada Rouge has added routes, hired hundreds of staff and are making a splash in the winter vacation market. Right now Rouge does not fly out of Winnipeg, but expect that on the horizon if things go well. Of course, you can easily connect from YWG to YYZ and take advantage of those new Rouge packages.

 ITravel2000.com, a popular Canadian booking site, has been making headline news as their company goes through some takeover struggles and job loss. However, a restructuring and strengthening plan has led them to a new agreement with Westjet which will offer some exclusive pricing and incentive packages. There is lots to read on this Canadian company before you book.

Expect travel costs to rise as our Canadian dollar is losing ground. CBC cites a number of things to watch for in their news article, including new airline surcharges. You might avoid the increases by booking now for travel later this year.

One of my favourite destinations has been in the news lately, The Bahamas. With the new BahMar Hotel opening up, there's new buzz about luxury travel in The Bahamas. On Nassau's Cable Beach, the Sheraton Hotel was recently sold and re-branded Melia. They are trying build up an all-inclusive business and compete with the likes of Breezes and Sandals on this stretch of beach.  I think they'll be in tough with BahMar less than a mile away and already nicknamed "The Bahamian Riviera."

Just today, Southwest Airlines announced their new flight paths to Caribbean Islands including The Bahamas. There will be more competition, so look for flight prices to heat up this summer. I'm happy with flights to the Bahamas in the $500 range, though I have purchased return flights as low as $283 on an exceptional sale. Atlantis Hotel and Casino has already introduced Summer pricing and incentives. They are not going to take the new competition lightly.

Prices on the rise

After a waste of a couple hours, I can honestly say this is a lousy week to book a bargain vacation. There just aren't any eye-opening ones popping up no matter how hard I look.

And even a quick search of last week's bargains reveal price increases.  For example, the 5 star resort in Freeport, Bahamas has increased $190 per person on the EXACT vacation.

What's the reason for this? There are a few things it could be.

1. Supply and demand pricing. With cold weather across the country, more people are looking to getaway

2. Major airlines are offering big sales on TV and their "sales" aren't often the best bargains.

3. Canadian dollar has dipped. Perhaps the airline has increased price to reflect cost of goods/services.

So, if you haven't booked a February getaway yet, I'd suggest you give it a week. See what surfaces next Tuesday when prices are likely to fluctuate again.

5 Star Bahamas - Introductory Price

White Caribbean sand of The Bahamas

So, you want a ultra awesome couple's vacation, without paying the Sandals price? Somewhere safe, somewhere beautiful, somewhere with activities and alcohol. Hmmm.

But not Mexico, Cuba or the Dominican. You want beaches that are not full of rocks and seaweed (some Cuba). You want food that is awesome, not awful. You want North American hospitality and facilities. No sketchy planes or bus rides either.  Well, my answer is The Bahamas.

Laugh if you will, at my enthusiasm, but I'm pretty much a walking ambassador for The Bahamas. I've been there a few times. Ok, they pretty much say "welcome home" when they see my passport!  So, at least you know that I know what I'm talking about. And yes, I do really love it that much!

There is an answer to everyone's vacation puzzle. Everyone has a unique blend of wants, needs and ambitions. And yet, we each carry the same bottom line: "I must preserve my own health and safety." So, for me that's always the non-negotiable starting point for choosing a vacation.

As my 8 year old tells me... "I don't want to go anywhere sketchy."

In my experience, you will find bargains when you are on the leading edge of a trend rather than the peak. I think Cabo and the Mayan Riviera are at their peak. You'll pay top dollar and share the resorts with a crowd. And where there are intense crowds, you add a host of other issues.

Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island, in The Bahamas recently scored a deal with Canadian airline Westjet to provide regular air service from Canada. Signature Vacations is also (for the first time) offering charter flights to Freeport, from YWG (Winnipeg) in 2014. This is NEW. New is good. This means there will be fantastic new opportunities for winter weary Manitobans to experience The Bahamas.

Flights to Nassau (the main tourist island) have been a regular route for Air Canada & Westjet for many years. The new Nassau airport (Lyndon Pilling International) was just built and opened in 2012. It is AMAZING! And if you saw the original "Lyndon Pilling" airport, a hut on the tarmac, you would be very impressed.

Anyways... back to Freeport. It has the same amazing scenery, hospitality and diving. The beaches are for certain, some of the nicest in the Caribbean. The only thing Freeport doesn't have is an "Atlantis" or uber-resort. That in itself, is part of the charm. You'll enjoy more of the laid back, authentic Bahamian experience. But if you want 5 star and all-inclusive (something you will not find on Nassau except for $3000/week Sandals) then you will definitely want to try the BRAND NEW Memories Grand Bahamas Resort & Spa. It is opening in January 2014. (So, basically now!)

I expect in a year's time you will be paying $2000 for a week at this resort. Right now you'll be paying Bahamas "european plan prices" (no meals/alcohol included) and instead, enjoying an all inclusive package. PLUS, I can bet they are eager to please and earn good reviews.... maybe one of those reviews will be yours!

Currently this hotel is offered through Signature Vacations, aka SunWing. Westjet is offering other hotels. Signature Vacations has a non-stop charter flight. WJ links through Toronto. Your favourite travel agent can help you with a booking if you are not comfortable booking it on-line yourself.

My last point for you to ponder is this.... if you are spending YOUR hard earned money on a vacation, wouldn't you rather remember it for all the right reasons? So if the difference between a "bargain" vacation that you MIGHT LIKE and the price of the vacation you'll most likely LOVE is $200 then you absolutely NEED to spend that extra $200.  If the base price of any beach vacation is $1000 then it's just about the add ons and the quality after that. Chevy Cavalier, vs Cadillac.  As long as they meet your safety and health needs, the style is all up to you.

Essentially, I'm paraphrasing my travel agent who taught me that lesson years ago. She said, "Cathie, YOU aren't going to be happy with anyone's leftover bargain vacation if all you're going to do is be looking over your shoulder. Spend less on souvenirs and more on making memories."

Memories.... Memories Grand Bahamas. Nice coincidence!

Screenshot from www.itravel2000.com December 27th. 

Comparing the Bahamas

Here's a bargain if you can go in the next 5 weeks. Sure, the weather here at home is still nice, but it's not BAHAMAS nice!

The hotel is the Wyndham. I've stayed at the twin sister Sheraton on the same 1/2 mile stretch of beach. (Cable Beach and it is seriously gorgeous!) I've even wandered thru the Wyndham but I have never stayed in the rooms. The Sheraton Cable Beach is amazing and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. It is about 10% more expensive than the Wyndham here on average.

For comparison, I searched the same week and destination for each of the next 5 months. All are Westjet packages and are the same flights. So... apples to apples.  As always, I recommend NOT making a decision on price alone. Do check the recent Trip Advisor reports on the destination and specific hotel BEFORE you book.

Typically the price in the 5star column for the Bahamas is Atlantis Resort. Which, as you know, is my favourite place on earth.

Coincidence?

There's a perfect place on a perfect island, that I turn to and envision when I am in turmoil.  It is my happy place.

My screen saver is a photo of my "happy place." It's a photo I took of THE perfect palm tree on Paradise Island in the Bahamas a couple years ago. It's just outside the Cove section of the Atlantis Hotel.

Today, I had a bad day at work. But who doesn't have those? Then tonight, I check my e-mails and the following ad appears for the Atlantis Hotel:

That's MY palm tree. That's MY happy place! That palm tree in the photo really exists.  I have a photo that I took, on my screen!

It's like the Bahamas are calling me.

How do they know I need them?

When can I go? Can I go now?

Please?!!!

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.