A Week in Vegas $459 & tax

Do you see the bargain I found?  Hard to miss it when it's less than half price of the competition!

I have personally stayed at The Tropicana and I would not hesitate to stay there again. Firstly, the location is amazing. You're right at the corner with New York New York and MGM Grand.  Secondly, the hotel is small and comfortable, but the rooms are actually much bigger than are typically found in Las Vegas. The benefit of a smaller hotel is that you can easily dash to Starbucks, or the pool without getting lost in the casino or having to wear sneakers for the hike. Thirdly, it has a really great pool and I love the tropical decor.

There are other hotels available with this offer. Some are even less expensive, but you will be hard pressed to find a better value for your money, in my opinion.

Did I mention the direct flights? Westjet, direct to/from Winnipeg.

If you don't like these dates, I saw it for about $40 more at the end of November.

www.selloffvacations.com

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? 

Finland Super-Bargain only from YWG

I've analyzed this incredible deal a number of ways:

Is it from all Canadian cities? No.
Is it to all major European destinations? No
Is it just one airline? No (All the big players are in on this price war.)
Is it just a few select dates? No.  (Bargains can be found right thru May 2016)
Is it just from Delta cities? No  (Prices are higher in the USA)

Here are the screenshots, take August 7th.  Please keep in mind that "C" in front of a price means Canadian Funds. US cities are shown is US dollars. (Thus converted to Canadian funds would be 25% higher still)  Everything is shown round-trip all taxes and fees included, except for the second photo which is a one-way fare, used for comparison.  Charts and analysis at shown below from the "On The Fly" app, which I absolutely love.

Even Manitoba Spring Break has a super price. (Departing March 27) But you have to fly back April 4th to get the best bargain. In some school divisions this would mean missing the first day back.

To read my original post on Finland, and why you should consider it for a future travel adventure, click here. 

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Half price of the typical fare. It's like a 2 for 1 deal. 

One way is more expensive than a return trip!

Base fare is just $130 to/from YWG to HEL. That's crazy! You'd pay more for dinner at The Keg.

Paris, $300 more as a destination. BUT, if you plan your Delta flights right, you can have a stopover in Paris for free. 

Air Miles special YWG to YYC

You know those Air Miles I urge you to pick up on Customer Appreciation Day at Sobeys & Safeway... well here's a great way to redeem them.

This week's discount flights include Winnipeg to Calgary. For a measly 1320 Air Miles (for Onyx Collectors) and $126 you've got yourself a direct flight to Calgary this September.  About 1550 Air Miles for Gold Collectors.

Of course, if you prefer Montreal, Vancouver or Edmonton, those are on sale too!

Alberta/BC Bargain flights to Halifax

For our friends and neighbours in Alberta and BC, Westjet has a promo code on right now that can save you 20% on flights to the east coast. You can even travel cheaply over Thanksgiving. (Christmas is on blackout)

Fares from Calgary to Halifax are under $600 and can go as low as $525. That's pretty amazing.  See first graphic for codes and conditions.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: When to travel

I had a friend pose this question earlier today. "When is the best time to travel?"

I'll answer this a few ways:

1. When you need to escape! When you need a new perspective and a breath of fresh air, you should travel.

2. When others aren't! If the questions infers "when are the best deals?" then the answer is definitely in September and early January. When the rest of the world goes back to work, you should travel if at all possible. If you travel immediately FOLLOWING a major holiday, (summer break etc) then you can travel for about 40% less money.

3. When you really need to celebrate! Milestone anniversaries and graduations should be savoured. A trip can help you do that.

4. When something new comes on-line.  A new airline? A new hotel? A new shopping district? They are eager for business and want to please you. You'll get great value if you're an early adopter.

5.When your children are young.  Time is precious and you've heard it a million times, but they grow too fast. Kids are considered Disney adults (price) at 10. And by the time they're 16 and can drive, they won't go anywhere willingly with you. The years that follow are boldly independent and often centred on friends and girlfriends/boyfriends.  By the time your kids want to reconnect and travel with you again, they could be 30 or 40 and it might just be too damn late for you.  So travel while you're both young and able.



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I love this picture. Ok, I was somewhat nervous about handing my iPhone to a camel attendant, but he insisted.  (Ok, I was kinda freaking) But the point of the story is.... my son and I were on a camel!  In my entire childhood and adulthood, no one had ever offered me a camel ride. And here I was, on holidays with my son, in the middle of California and there was an opportunity to ride a tame camel. And it was $5.  FIVE BUCKS?!! I pay more than that for a coffee!  And my son said, "no thanks. We can do it another time."  That's when I went into my "live in the moment" speech and carefully explained that this was likely the one time in our lives when we would be together and actually have the chance to do something as cool and unique as ride a camel. And to shut me up, he agreed to get on a camel. And it was awesome!

My point is this.... if there is an opportunity to travel with your kids, do it. Leap! And with enthusiasm. Travel anywhere and everywhere and leap at the corny opportunities to laugh together and take 1000 photos, because time is precious. And time with your kids is the most precious of all.

So, when is the best time to travel? Now. Do it now! Your trip can be to the next town over, and cost nothing more than a tank of gas, or the trip can take you halfway around the world. Cost is really irrelevant. Your enthusiasm and your time together is THE most important thing.

Helsinki? Adventure Awaits

There is a remarkable flight sale on right now. If you have ever dreamt of visiting Finland, you need to jump on this deal.

From Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG) to Helsinki, Finland (HEL) for about $600, but as low as $558, depending on dates. There are lots of great dates in November, early December and late January for around $600.  (This is about half price!)  Many airlines participating in this sale, including Delta, KLM, Air Canada, Air France.

Paired with hotel for 5 or 6 nights, it can be had for under $1000. (shown below) Yes, that's return flights, hotel and taxes all included.

In November, the temperature is near 2C. It is the beginning of the winter season, similar in climate to Manitoba, except that it will be more of a damp cold due to it proximity to the Baltic Sea.

Visit your favourite agent to jump on this deal before it disappears.  There's even an opportunity for a stop over in Paris at no extra charge, if you book your flight times right!

Helsinki tourism link will whet your appetite for this adventure.

Finland is also the site of this year's World Juniors Hockey. However, during this event, prices will be much higher.