The uncomfortable topic of terror and travel

It's not a pleasing topic. But this is the new reality.

Since November 13th, 2015 and the terrorist attacks in Paris France, the world has been on high alert.

The US Government Twitter account is sending out tweets regularly, these cautioning citizens who might be in Belgium.

This isn't to say that you can't travel. But  it does mean that you need to be alert and be aware of the risks. A worldwide alert is not to be taken lightly.

On American soil they are preparing for the busiest Thanksgiving travel weekend since 2007. An estimated 48 million people will be travelling around the November 28th to 30th. Heightened airport security will result in delays and headaches for anyone who isn't prepared.

It's important to remember to give yourself plenty of time and make sure you have proper documentation with you. Have a printed travel itinerary. (Don't just rely on the info on your phone.) Keep any necessary medication with you in your carry-on luggage and make sure it is properly labelled and in its original packaging to avoid unnecessary delays.

If you are travelling by car, make sure you have an emergency road hazard kit, plus a personal first aid kit and blankets.

Stay alert and stay safe. Tune into your own government travel warnings, and be aware globally.

And even in this technology-centred world where news is an up to the minute thing,  you should still  listen to your mother's advice too.... let your family know where you're going, and call when you arrive.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: Must pack items

Whether it's a weekend in the city or a week overseas, these are the 5 things I won't leave home without.

1. Documentation. This includes identification, itinerary and confirmation numbers for all my bookings. (Hotel, rental car, tours, etc)

2. First Aid Kit. Could be as simple as a few Band-aids, Tylenol and Benadryl or could be a full-on travel kit, depending on the destination and potential hazards.

3. A hat. Sun or snow, bad hair days or airport delays, can all be addressed  by a cute hat.

4. Ear phones. Watch movies on the airline television, or tune out a chatty seat mate without looking rude. Then listen to your favourite playlist on the beach or when you hit the workout room.

5. Credit cards (2)  Use one to secure your hotel, car rental etc. And have the other one stashed separately incase of theft or emergency situations.  Even if you have "lots of limit" on you booking card, you could run into trouble, like I did in Florida. The hotel (big brand name chain) put a hold on a fixed amount (as normal) when I checked in but a clerk stole the number and went wild charging items around town. By the time the credit card company caught on (I had set a travel notice as Florida, and all the charges were in Florida so it didn't red flag) the card was maxed. It took weeks to sort out and rendered my card completely useless that whole trip. Major headache.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: Trips with Teens

Travel with your teen? Yes! Definitely!

Think about it... you might not get another chance for a family trip for a decade or more. And the next time you travel together, YOU might be the tag along Grandma who gets to watch his/her kids while the other adults get to to off exploring.

Yikes. A sobering thought, isn't it?

That's why I travel with my kids/teens every chance I get.

5 tips from my personal journal:

1. Share in the trip planning. They'll be more invested and more likely to participate.

2. Let them pack for themselves and carry their own bags too. Teaches planning and self-reliance. Life skills!

3. They needs to bring their own spending money. Ensure they use it for their own souvenirs, snacks, admission fees etc. Another teachable moment.

4. Plan ahead for communication back home. Know what their cell phone plan covers and does not. Not getting a travel plan for cell service could spell financial disaster. Know that they WILL communicate with their friends either openly or secretly. A not-so secret phone bill a month later could really sour the memory of the great time you had.

5. Adjust for their sleeping schedule and privacy. Most hotels can offer a cot so your teen has their own bed. And why not let them sleep in a bit, while you enjoy a morning walk or a little shopping? Start your sightseeing after 11am so that everyone is more agreeable and rested.

Do you have more to add to the list? Love to hear from you!

Fast 5 Travel Tips: How to completely waste your vacation time

We all agree, vacation time is precious. Here are a few ways travellers waste their vacation time. Feel free to comment and add to this list:


Nod your head if you're guilty of any of these;  then vow to change your ways!

1.  Staying in your hotel room to use the WIFI to check Facebook, replying to messages and/or anything that lures you into work or makes you lose track of time.  If you're going to spend all your vacation time in the virtual world, you may as well have just vacationed in your parents' basement.

2.  Running around trying to find the perfect souvenirs for everyone. Trinkets without memories are practically worthless. The solution is easy... don't buy souvenirs.

3.  Trying to see everything and racing through the attractions so much so that you really don't SEE or EXPERIENCE anything.

4.  Trying to replicate a travel experience from a guidebook or travel blog. Have your own authentic experience. Enjoy YOUR own moment! No one sees things or experiences it quite like you do.

5. Giving a social media play-by-play. Getting 'likes' shouldn't affect the way you enjoy or remember your vacation.  What... my selfie at Mount Rushmore only got 3 likes? How uncool. Stupid Mount Rushmore! Better up my selfie game. What if I just pet this bear cub...

Hotwire Surprise... but not really a surprise

Here's the thing... every time you start poking around the Internet and doing some shopping, travel or otherwise you are leaving a digital trail. That's why you suddenly see ads everywhere for Old Navy after you've browsed their site.

The other day I was checking out a few dates on Hotwire.com.  Imagine my surprise (Yes, sarcasm) when this popped up in my e-mail folder:

As a previous Hotwire user, they have my e-mail address. I'm cool with that. I'm also cool with them sending me deals, when they are legit deals. I strongly dislike "deals" that are exactly the same price as before, or a lower price PLUS additional fees that equal the original price.

This "surprise" offer, is another $15 if I book today. Basically it's a car dealer technique.... here's a little bonus to make you sign today. "Let's get this deal done!"

I checked it out, and it's still more than my original search. Which makes me believe what they say is true, every time you search travel hotels/flights the prices will go up, not down. They key to getting around that is clearing your cache or using the private browser setting.

Also good to know is that Hotwire and Expedia are the same company. They offer same hotels and similar rates etc. Think "Future Shop" and "Best Buy" when they were sibling companies.

Only you will know when you get the right price. It's about VALUE for your dollar. There is no best price or ultimate deal. You could drive yourself crazy pursuing this unicorn.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: How to find the YBR bargain

YBR is a small, and relatively new airport in Brandon Manitoba. It has daily service from Westjet Airlines to their hub in Calgary, Alberta.

So far, YBR is not recognized by the major search engines or travel sites, thus making it a challenge to find the best dates to fly. However, using these tips and tricks you'll be poised to find the best deals.

1. Be flexible. If your leisure travel can be tailored to suit the best bargains, you'll save more money and travel for less.

2. Using your favourite APP, like 'Air Fare Watchdog', 'Kayak' or 'On The Fly' set your searches for YYC (Calgary) airport.  When you find the cheapest dates to fly to your destination, from Calgary, THEN go the Westjet flight booking page and look up the price starting in YBR.

3. When there are advertised Westjet sales even from other departure cities, make a point of looking up your favourite destinations. They might be on sale from YBR even though they are not advertised.

4. Book 6-8 weeks before your desired flight. Historically, this is when the best prices are offered.

5. Now that a second daily flight has been added, (After January 15th, 2016) you should look to book trips for January to March, as soon as possible, while supply still exceeds demand.

** Do note that holiday times (like Christmas and Easter) are extremely busy travel times. You are not likely to find a bargain during these high times. It's best to book early and commit as soon as you can.


And of course... the best tip of all:  Subscribe to this blog and hear about deals departing from Manitoba cities!

Disney Cruise: Part 10... Tips & Tricks

Just a few things I've picked up, that you might benefit from: (no particular order)

1. Pack light. There are 3 guest laundry rooms on board. It costs $2.00 to wash & dry a load. I would much rather do an hour of laundry once in 7 days, than pack twice as much. 
2. Wear bright colours. You're on a fun ship! You'll look better, and feel better in your photos. 
3. Bring Disney pins for trading. Pin-trading is an official activity. Buy them on eBay (20 for $25 usually) rather than $8 each on the ship. See... even if you get ugly random Disney pins off eBay, you are TRADING them for things you like. 
4. Drop off an 8x10 photo mat at Guest Services with a couple bags of candies (for the staff) and they will ensure the characters (you pick Fab 5 or Princesses) autograph it and return it to your room. It's the perfect match to the on-board family photo you're going to buy anyway and you just by-passed the lines. 
5. Buy your family cute Disney t-shirts before the trip. Get them on-line at the Disney store during a sale, or even at Wal-Mart and I bet no one asks you to buy them a $30 t-shirt on board. 
6. You can bring a bottle of wine, or bottles of water,  onto the ship in your carry-on luggage. No liquids in your crew handled bags. 
7. There are complimentary post cards for you in the desk, in your stateroom.
8. You can pre-order your room service breakfast. There are door-hanger order forms in your desk drawer. 
9. Plan to bring about $25 in "singles". You will need them for the crew that handles your luggage in port. (They are pretty forward about tips.) Plus, you will need them for your room service orders. 
10. Bring your pirate costume (but no fake weapons). People really get "into" pirate night. But, even if you think you're a hot mama - don't wear your bedroom "pirate wench" costume. Seriously!! It's a family ship. LOL
11. Best view of the fireworks on pirate night.... Deck 10, aft, port site. That's ship speak for the back of the top deck, on the left side of the ship.
12. All the game show answers..... all Disney based. Brush up on your character and movie names.
13. Staterooms mid-ship tend to be less affected by motion. 
14. There is a really good selection of tea at the self-serve beverage station. Oh yeah.... there's a self-serve 24 hour beverage station on Deck 9 (Wonder & Magic Ships).  Coffee/tea/soda/milk
15. Charms are a great collector item. At $5 each, a bargain too. 
16. If you need adult time with your spouse... it's called Exotic Rasul at the spa. $85 for a private couple's shower.  Simply plan to drop your kids off at the Kids' Club for an activity.
17. If you need time away from other people's children and their screeching, there is an adult-only dining room, coffee shop, lounge and pool. 
18. Decks 10 & 4 have walking tracks. 
19. There is a duty free shop. You can purchase liquor any time, but will only receive it upon disembarkation. (When you get off the ship.)
20. Your stateroom host (generally a man) will tidy your stateroom twice a day. He will also magically set up the kids' bunk beds each night, transforming the sitting area in your cabin into a kids' bedroom. 
21. Don't be surprised to see the same 5 movies on your TV all the time. It's Disney programming 24/7 not live TV.

For the real authorities on everything Disney.... see the obsessed, but really knowledgable and helpful people on the Disboards. It's a chat forum for everything Disney. 

That's not me BTW!

5 Things you must take when travelling with kids

I've been halfway around the world and back, a few times with my boys. Whether I'm planning a road trip or jetting to Hawaii, I would never leave home without these 5 things for my kids.


1. The Gadget  It used to be a dvd player for the car, and now it's more likely an iPad on your list but you need to have something kid friendly that can distract them for hours. You never know when you'll spend the whole day in an airport. Of course, bring all your cords and adapters.

2. The Pacifier This is a personal item that brings your child comfort and makes them feel "at home." It might be a favourite stuffed animal, or a blanket, or even a cozy sweatshirt. In times of chaos or tantrums, I turn to the 'pacifier' to try to calm the child and get them re-centered.

3. The Bribe If you're having one of those moments where immediate compliance is necessary (airport security line or the like) you might need the 'bribe'.  Honey, if you calm down and just let us finish this activity I have a $15 iTunes card for you. When we get back to the hotel (free wifi zone) I will help you choose some new games or a movie. The bribe can be anything... letting them pick the next restaurant, a new book or anything. Only you will know what will work for your child.

4. Snacks Everyone gets a little growly when they are hungry. And picky eaters in foreign countries can present a challenge. That's why I always travel with a few granola bars and 100% fruit bars. They barely take up any room in your purse and the reserve supplies fit compactly in your suitcase.  We had one long flight with turbulence and the airline was unable to provide drinks or snacks. For my son, that was a bit of an emergency. Luckily, I had my supply right at my seat. It saved the day for us. The granola bar stash has also been an asset in theme parks, hotels, cars and airports. So valuable!

5. Emergency Supplies  Children's Tylenol, Gravol, and any inhalers or medication they might need should be in your possession. My emergency kit also includes bandaids, wet wipes, an empty plastic bag and hand sanitizer. There are also 100 reasons your child might need a change of clothes, so that's in the kit too.

Travelling with kids requires a little more planning, patience and suitcase space, but the lessons you learn on the road are more than worth it. The times I have spent travelling with my kids are some of my most treasured memories.

5 Things for your pre-trip to-do list

In the last days before any vacation you need to:

1. Check the weather and news at your destination. Know before you go!

2. Clean out your car. Whether it's a road trip or you are leaving your vehicle at an airport, clean it out. Don't tempt thieves and don't complicate your land border crossing with the junk you normally keep in your car.

3. Banking. Pay any bills due while you will be away. Set a travel notice with your credit/debit card company. Exchange currency and make sure you have enough pocket money on you for cabs, toll booths and emergencies.

4. Leave your itinerary with a family member or close friend. Someone who WILL follow up and check on you if you don't make your flight home etc.

5. Grab that passport, event tickets and your confirmation numbers. You're good to go!

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.