Last Minute Mexico & more

I was flipping though travel sites, as I often do and found a few deals that caught my eye. They Hyatt Ziva in Rose Hall (Montego Bay) is a stunning 5 star hotel. Reviews are fabulous and I'd jump at the chance to go back to Jamaica. In winter you'll expect to pay $2800 or more for this trip. 

If you prefer the beaches of Mexico, there are super deals are out of Brandon Manitoba (YBR) with Westjet vacations! Look at the low taxes. It's rare that you can get a 5 star deal under $1000. So it's pretty sweet when you do. Packages are 6 nights and you'll need to grab a hotel in Calgary on the way. 

Sell Off Vacations has deals on Cuba, Las Vegas and Phoenix on sale too. 

Where would you like to go? 

Fast Five Travel Notes: The memorable meals of 2014

When I travel, I love trying regional cuisine. I stay away from chain restaurants and look for the gems. I look for recommendations from hotel staff, other guests and on-line blogs too.

Here are a few of the great treats I enjoyed on the road this year:

1. Fish Chowder from the Fairmont Southampton, in Bermuda. It was a thin, spicy fish soup, topped with a float of sherry. It had lots of flavour and with a cocktail and a slice of crusty bread, it was perfect.

2.  Lobster roll, a spicy lobster caesar and chilled lobster tails were fabulous at Rock Lobster restaurant on Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. They had several locations and have been featured on the TV show "You Gotta Eat Here"

3. Absolutely everything at Giada's at the Cromwell in Las Vegas, was fabulous. I can't wait to go back!










4.  Hemingways Restaurant in Orlando Florida delivered a memorable and gorgeous meal.  It was fresh, flavourful and easy on the calorie count. I loved every bite.

5. Cheeseburger from Tastee's. They are just so damn good. I probably ate 50 this year!












Honourable Mention:  Best $12 hot dog ever, was at the Toronto Blue Jay's game. We were having fun and geez, when you're at the ball park, you NEED to have ball park food. And seriously, where else are you getting a $12 hot dog?

Under $1000 to Hawaii for a Week; From Brandon!

Perfect for a retired teacher, or anyone who doesn't want to deal with back to school!  Jump on a Westjet plane here in town and be on a beach in Hawaii by nightfall.

This price was current as of August 5th. Other hotels available at a slightly higher price.
This price includes flights and accommodations in Hawaii. You will need to add a hotel on Sept 7th in Calgary at an additional expense.

Prices from Winnipeg airport (YWG) are nearly the same. Perhaps $40 less, but certainly not less than a tank of gas.

It's prices like these that make me wish I could travel in September!

Go West with Air Miles from YWG

This week's Westjet discounts are good for Winnipeggers.

A flight for Gold collectors, from Winnipeg to Calgary is down to 1020 Air Miles for a return trip. The taxes will cost you just under $200.

www.airmiles.ca

As a comparison, I also looked at the non-discounted cash fares for the same dates, from YBR (Brandon) and they are $365 which is a very reasonable cash price.

There were no Air Miles flights available from Brandon for those dates. However, when you CAN get the Brandon/Air Miles flights it will cost 1475 Airmiles and about $200 in taxes. There just appear to be limited dates as the Brandon route is selling so well for Westjet already. And that, is a good thing!

All prices and notes are current as of October 7th, 9AM.

Hope someone gets the flight they need at a price they can afford out of this one! I just love it when people get a chance to re-connect with friends and family.

Please do drop me a note and let me know if you've had a chance to take advantage of any of the trips/bargains I've noted. Would be grateful for the feedback.

Have a happy Monday!

Wine Tour to Kelowna

I've heard criticisms of Westjet's flight times and connections regarding the daily flight from YBR. Well, I'm here to prove that wrong.

How about a wine tasting trip to Kelowna, BC? Wouldn't this make a fabulous girls' trip? Or even a romantic couples' long weekend get away? Guys' golf trip?

This price is current as of the evening of September 5th.  See the variety in flight prices? But see the fabulous connection times? No layovers or extra night in an airport hotel. Ideal!! Be in Kelowna in time for a lovely sunset dinner.

Choose hotels along the coast, $100 and up per night. Wine tours are abundant in this region and can be as little as $75 for a guided afternoon bus tour.

A great site to start planning your trip to suit your own tastes and needs is:  http://www.tourismkelowna.com/do/wine/

A moderate hotel, with prime location and Canadian roots is the Coast Capri Kelowna.
Coast is the hotel chain's name. Coast is a brand which hails from BC and has expanded into Alberta. They are super! They have a customer reward/loyalty program and I would not hesitate to stay with them again. They do not have 5star amenities and are not a Fairmont, but certainly meet my needs and I travel frequently!

Today's rate for 21st-24th is $126 plus taxes. They are a short walk from the ocean and shopping, restaurants and more. They do offer a shuttle and free WIFI.

So the way I look at this getaway, it's $635 per person and includes either a wine tour or golf game.

$360 airfare, $200 (per person for 3 nights), $75 for wine tour/golf. That's a great little trip, originating from your own back yard.  See Westjet.com or your local travel agent to book your choice of dates.



See below for recent reviews from Tripadvisor.ca

Westjet site screenshot from 10pm September 5th. Prices are ever changing and only guaranteed in the booking process. 

Vegas from Brandon $359 plus tax

Indeed, you can connect through Calgary and be in a Las Vegas casino before sundown!

And if you go on September 30th, as shown here, you can get one heck of a bargain! A bargain right in your own back yard! A bargain that includes airfare and 3 night's hotel.

 Did you ever imagine such exciting possibilities from Brandon?

Thank you Westjet!

Brandon to Vancouver $575 w/5 star hotel

Have an anniversary to celebrate or just need a few days with your sweetie?  What about at the glorious Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver? 

You can fly out of Brandon (YBR) on October 2nd and return on the 5th. Both flights are very convenient and you'll be home before dinner! 

At $459 plus $116 tax, per person. That's a really amazing deal!

The Fairmont hotel alone posts their regular room rate at $339, but can be as low as $239 plus taxes on these specific dates. So, if you choose to book the room on its own, you can expect to pay just under $800 for the 3 nights. This little package deal (at $575 per person) includes airfare, accommodations AND taxes. 

Do you see why I'm calling this an amazing deal?  It's as easy as booking online with westjetvacations.com or calling your favourite local travel agent. 

West this September

Westjet has announced it will fly out of Brandon, MB on a trial basis, starting September 2013.

There will be daily flights to Calgary, AB just after lunch time.

Flights from YBR (who knew Brandon actually had an airport code!) to YYC are about $300 return, taxes included.  Price, of course, always fluctuates based on supply, events, sales etc.  But $300 is a fair fare to keep in mind.

With the cost of gasoline going up, and considering your time to drive to Calgary, Westjet is very well priced and is a fantastic option.

Don't think of Calgary as the only destination. Remember that it is a Westjet hub. It's your connection to Vancouver, Palm Springs, Arizona, Denver, Edmonton, Hawaii, Los Angeles and more.

This is another use it or lose it scenario. So, if you can possibly travel this fall, I would urge you to do so and out of Brandon. With Westjet in our community, there's no where to go but up!!

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To book, visit westjet.com

When you can't escape

5 fun and fabulous things to do in Manitoba in the winter:

1. Skate the Forks river trail

2. Visit the Festival du Voyager  (Feb 15-24)

3. Explore the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair (March 23-29)

4. Meet the new polar bear, Hudson, at the Assiniboine Park Zoo

5. Take in a concert

Admission to each of these events/activities is $30 or less.