Mini Amazing Race for Your Kids

With summer upon us, you might be looking for inspiration and some fresh entertainment for your kids. What if you made them their own, personal, "Amazing Race"?

Here's how I see this going....

1) Next Tuesday night, watch Canada's Amazing Race on CTV. Talk about how much fun that would be. The next day, reveal your surprise!

2) Get each of your children to invite a friend to "race" with. Pick your day to hold the race. (The sooner the better!)

3) Prepare 3 sets of checkpoint envelopes with instructions for each team. Plan 3 events and pick a location, like a community park.

4) Activity number one might be to solve a riddle or puzzle which would lead them to a new location at the park. Perhaps learn a fact from the park/point of interest plaque and recite it to the judge.

Another activity might be an egg race, or a three-legged race or a 50 times ball catch event. (Make certain it includes both partners working together.)   Your third event could be another physical challenge suitable to the park or it could be a gathering challenge where they find items.

5) Of course there should be a little prize for each team. Perhaps something like a trip to the ice cream store for a treat or a dollar store loot bag.

This activity is sure to provide an afternoon of laughs and fun. It can be no-budget or with a few dollars, you could pick up beach balls or bubble blowers or similar props at the dollar store to use in your events.

If you want to extend the challenge to a weekly event or make a bigger race out of it, get plain t-shirts from the craft store and have each team decorate their shirts/pick a team name etc. You could really make an amazing summer memory and have a lot of healthy fun together doing it!

Add a dash of "City" to your summer

This week's Airmiles.ca travel specials include flights from Winnipeg, to New York City, Dallas, Tampa, and Myrtle Beach. Fares are discounted by 30% if you are a Gold Air Miles collector.

Flights are Westjet.ca and are offered at a discounted rate from now through August 15th.

Here's just one sample of flights available. It's a sweet deal that for 2065 Airmiles and just over $215 in cash will get you a return flight to an exciting cosmopolitan city.

Hotel bookings are additional.

Take the kids on the train $14.

Well, here's a deal you simply can't pass up!  Via Rail is offering $14 tickets on any route, economy class, to accompanied children (ages 2-11) for $14 plus gst this summer.

Would you like to take the kids Winnipeg to Jasper? How about Montreal to Moncton? $14!!!!

Deal is on all summer. You need 3 days (or more) notice to book at this fare. I'm wracking my brain to find a couple days that I can take the kids. I love adventure. We did the train trip in the winter when CJ was less than 2 years old. It was wonderful but of course, I'd love to do it again now that he's a little older.

Even if all you do is take the kids from Rivers to Winnipeg, and back, it would sure be worth the time and money in life experience.

No time to travel?

When you have no time to travel, but you really need a little break, a "stay-cation" might be just the answer for you.

A stay-cation is a modern term used to suggest that you are a tourist in your own back yard. You are staying home, but having a little vacation from the routine. (Who doesn't need a vacation from laundry & dishes? Even if it's just one day!)  By my definition a stay-cation includes any and all destinations you can drive to in 3 hours or less.

Recently, I took an overnight break from work and travelled to The Forks in Winnipeg. I stayed at the very stylish Inn at the Forks, which is right on The Forks Market property and is right in the centre of all the action.  The Inn at the Forks has a special rate for Sunday night stays ($129) meaning that if you can take Monday off and make it a long weekend, you can enjoy a bargain stay-cation.

The Forks Market property includes the Goldeyes Baseball Stadium, the MB Children's Museum, the Johnson Terminal Shops, the skateboard park and the (opening soon) Human Rights' Museum.

There is a number of dining options on site, including kiosks for crepes, greek food, hot dogs, and more. There are also a number of patios perfect for a leisurely drink on a hot day.

You may wish to bring your sneakers as there are miles of great trails and green spaces for your walking enjoyment. There are also river tours that can be arranged at the dock and go out several times a day.

While you are there, treat yourself to a coffee at the Espresso Junction. It's been a jewel at The Johnson Terminal for over 20 years now. I love their coconut cappuccinos!

Really, if you live in the "204" I can't think of a better stay-cation than a night at The Forks.

Perfect Price - Turks & Caicos

This one is for my teacher friends who say there's never a bargain when they can go. This is a week on one of the greatest beaches on earth!  Grace Bay, Turks n' Caicos!   This is an Air Canada bargain leaving July 5th. This resort is convenient, clean and on the beach. The room includes a daily breakfast. (Very few T & C hotels are all-inclusive, and those that are cost $3K and upwards.)

There is a great bakery and a grocery store a very short walk away. Take a quick look at the Trip Advisor reviews and you will see that this resort is a bargain on Grace Bay Beach.

I expect this deal will sell out in 24 hours or less. I can personally recommend T & C in July, I've been there and enjoyed that in 2012. I'd go again, right now if I had some time off work.  This is half the price you will pay in winter!

Book through Air Canada Vacations, or your favourite on-line site or agent.

To show clear evidence of this as a bargain, see the Westjet Vacations search grid at the bottom of this page. It's an "apples to apples" comparison. Westjet is $1000 more per couple, at the same hotel.
Win for Air Canada this time!!

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.

5 Reasons to get up early on vacation

Don't get me wrong, I love to sleep in. I simply don't think that you are making the most of your precious travel time by being curled up and in dreamland. You ought to be awake and LIVING those dreams.

Here are 5 reasons to get up early:

1. Sleeping isn't SEEING.

2. You will see a city (or wherever you might be) two totally different ways when you see it in the morning, and then the night life as well. Double your vacation value by seeing both sides of a city.

3. Ask others.... Over your morning coffee, ask your barista what you should do today.  "This is my first time in Seattle. I have the whole day free. What do you think I should see?" 

4. Nothing beats a sunrise walk on the beach. Or in the National Park. Or in the heart of the city. Wherever you are, seize the day.

5. Each morning the world starts fresh and has something to show you. Be open to the joy.

But Cathie, I'm on V A C A T I O N.....

Yes. I hear you ;) !  Have an afternoon nap. Have an extra cup of coffee. Do what it takes to make the most of your time away. Take photos and reflect later. Live in the moment.

And when you get home, take one more day to unpack, and reset yourself before you go back to work.  It's how I believe you can turn ANY vacation into the "Best. Vacation. Ever."