We’ve added April’s Desktop Calendar to our “Downloads” page.
This month it’s Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.. we hope you like it!
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The Canadian Transportation Agency seeks the views of the public for baggage rules to, from and within Canada
The Canadian Transportation Agency Launches a Consultation on Baggage Rules
OTTAWA — March 26, 2013 — The Canadian Transportation Agency today launched a consultation to seek the views of the public and industry on the best approach to the application of baggage rules for transportation to, from and within Canada involving multiple air carriers.
Baggage rules address matters such as the number of bags a passenger may check, the weight and size of baggage, how many pieces of baggage a passenger may bring with them on the airplane and excess baggage charges. Carriers can have different policies in this respect, raising the issue of which carrier’s policy applies in travel arrangements involving multiple air carriers.
Currently, different approaches to baggage rules are used around the world. This results in uneven practices internationally and ultimately creates the possibility of confusion and extra charges for consumers and the industry. The goal is to have a clear approach to ensure transparency for consumers and industry alike.
Win 3 Nights in the British Virgin Islands!
Win 4 days/3 nights at Long Bay Beach Resort in Tortola, BVI!
NOTE: The Sweepstakes is open only to individuals, eighteen (18) years or older at time of entry, who are legal residents of the United States.
Air Canada customers connecting to the U.S. through Toronto now benefit from fully-automated baggage handling
Streamlined connections strengthen Toronto as preferred routing for U.S. travellers
MONTREAL, March 26, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada is becoming an even more attractive option for travellers connecting to the U.S. due to a simplified baggage handling process at its Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport hub. The new system sends checked baggage to connecting flights so connecting customers no longer have to retrieve their checked bags for U.S. customs inspection.
“Air Canada’s Toronto Pearson hub is already recognized as a North American gateway and this simplified baggage process makes it even more attractive. It strengthens Toronto’s position as a preferred routing by making transit through Pearson easier for customers who are increasingly choosing to travel our international network because it offers some of the best elapsed travel times between the U.S. and other global centres in Europe and Asia,” said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. “Air Canada has earned Skytrax ratings as North America’s Best International Airline and its only Four Star international network carrier. These accomplishments, combined with other attributes such as dedicated Transborder and International Maple Leaf Lounges at Pearson featuring concierge service, our lie flat Executive First suites on board our wide-body fleet, and now this new Toronto baggage process, are all reasons why Air Canada is the best option for travel to and from North America.”
Air Canada at Toronto Pearson
Air Canada has been developing its Toronto Pearson hub as an international connection point for travellers between the U.S. and international destinations. The number of Air Canada international passengers connecting through Toronto Pearson has increased by more than 160 per cent since 2009. Air Canada operates up to 355 departures each day from Pearson to 124 destinations with approximately 50 per cent of its customers making connections through Toronto. On peak days, more than 62,000 Air Canada customers arrive and depart from Toronto Pearson. Air Canada, along with its Air Canada Express regional affiliates, offers up to 148 scheduled flights each day to 51 U.S. destinations from its hub in Toronto.
Two New Around-The-World Trips on a Private Jet – Four Seasons-Style
Embark on a tour of the Americas or visit 10 legendary destinations in 2014
TORONTO, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ – “Departure.” Few words in the English language carry such excitement and promise (especially when spotted at an airport). It means you’re going places — in more ways than one. Now, after selling out all three Around the World by Private Jet tours to date, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts reveals a boarding pass for two new 2014 itineraries that promise a departure from ordinary travel with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Rediscover the Americas takes flight from February 24 to March 13, 2014, and touches down in seven of the most stunning Four Seasons destinations in the Americas: Miami, Nevis, Buenos Aires, Carmelo, Costa Rica, Punta Mita and Beverly Hills.
Around the World is a 23-day itinerary sure to fill a passport with exotic stamps as travellers explore 10 legendary destinations across the globe starting March 14, 2014: from the idyllic islands of Hawaii, Bora Bora and Bali to the vibrant city streets of Sydney, Mumbai, Istanbul and London.
Canada second to last globally, for paid time off work
TORONTO, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ – Who doesn’t love time off from the office? It’s when we get to relax and unwind, spend time with our loved ones and, of course, travel. Recent findings by Hotels.com®, which looked at the amount of paid and public holiday time around the world, reveal that Canada is near the bottom of global rankings with a mere 15 days, beaten only by Mexico at 13. On the opposite end of the spectrum was Russia, which came out on top with a staggering average of 40 days of paid leave.
“There is a substantial level of inconsistency around the world when it comes to the amount of stat holiday or vacation time for employees, particularly when you compare Russia to Mexico or Canada” said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. “If you’re looking to take an extended vacation with just two weeks of paid leave, it can be quite the challenge to get that time off. This could lead to vacation deprivation, or travellers either being forced to take unpaid time off or consolidate the time to one trip per year.”
Islands Magazine – 10 Amazing Snorkeling Spots in the Caribbean
Cuvée 2013 Crushed It! (Niagara Wine Country’s Version Of The Academy Awards)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2013, Cuvée is the annual celebration of outstanding Ontario VQA wines and culinary delights over an entire weekend (usually the end of February/beginning of March).
The weekend long event started in the Fallsview Casino Resort on Friday night with the Grand Tasting Gala that featured the winemakers’ favourite wines, along with a select group of Niagara’s most renowned chefs treating everyone to sampling plates of their signature dishes – created at live cooking stations. With more than 40 of Ontario’s wineries taking part along with a number of local restaurants it was an evening of intoxicating aromas and delights to the taste buds.
Majority Of U.S. Travelers Struggle To Take All Their Vacation Days
Best Western Launches Vacation Citation Contest to Empower Travelers to Take Their Vacations
PHOENIX, March 18, 2013 /CNW/ – More than half of U.S. travellers expect to leave unused vacation days on the table in 2013 and even when they take time off, travellers struggle to leave the stress of work at the office according to a new Best Western Vacation Citation survey conducted with Wakefield Research.
Sixty-two (62) percent of travellers surveyed said they had difficulty taking vacation in the past 12 months and half said work frequently keeps them from relaxing while on vacation. Enjoying their time off is even tougher for frequent business travellers, as 52 percent say work is more likely to ruin their vacation than bad weather.
To empower travellers to take vacation, Best Western has launched its Vacation Citation contest on Facebook. Participants can join Best Western’s “Vacation Citation Nation” by issuing themselves or their family and friends an official Vacation Citation and in turn they will automatically be entered in weekly drawings for prizes to inspire travel including Best Western Travel Cards, MasterCard and Amazon Gift Cards, Avis rental car vouchers and AAA/CAA memberships. Participants will also earn a chance at the Grand Prize, a dream vacation which includes a five night stay at any Best Western hotel in the world, round trip airfare, gift cards to use on vacation and more.
Oktoberfest Comes Alive At Night – Wunderbar!
Stuttgart, Germany – Last year we sampled Oktoberfest during the day [here] and it was a family-friendly atmosphere with beer, dancing on the benches and singing thrown in for good measure, but what about at night when the adults come out to play?
We made a special trip to Stuttgart in the evening to sample the bright lights and the full beer halls in all their glory and I can honestly tell you….. it ain’t nothin’ like the daytime!!!
We arrived just in time to have some dinner – around 5:30pm and the halls were filled already. Which one do you choose? We tried a couple during the day, but settled on spending our entire evening in the Dinkelacker beer hall. You have to book months in advance to get in the front section by the band, but we were quite happy to go the back of the hall to watch as the party unfolded before us. The tables seat 30-40 people, but sitting isn’t what you’re there for – standing on the long benches is the order of the day…
TravelBloggers.ca 