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© 2013 ~ Iain & Gail Shankland / TravelBloggers.ca@gmail.com

A NASCAR Race AND A Family Vacation – It Is Possible!

If you’re a NASCAR fan you’ll know all about Homestead Speedway in Florida. Even though the entire family might not enjoy racing, you can always make a great family vacation that just happens to have a NASCAR race included.© 2013 ~ Iain & Gail Shankland / TravelBloggers.ca@gmail.com

If you’ve never been to south Florida, you’re really missing all the best parts. Who needs Disney World when you’ve got real live dolphins and alligators, swimming, camping, snorkelling and many, many other tourist attractions to keep you and the family entertained and busy.

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Air Canada Introduces Lowest Price Guarantee to Assure Customers of Best Available Price On-Line

MONTREAL, Feb. 12, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada is expanding its Lowest Price Guarantee to give customers added assurance they are getting the lowest price available on-line within a 24-hour period when they book flights on Air Canada. The guarantee applies to any destination Air Canada serves for tickets bought in Canada on aircanada.com.

AirCanada logo

“Air Canada’s new Lowest Price Guarantee means customers can be certain they will always get the best price for their Air Canada flight at aircanada.com. With the proliferation of travel websites the market can be confusing, so to make it easy for customers and give them confidence they are getting the lowest price available online we are expanding our existing North American fare guarantee to cover our entire global network. Our promise to our customers is that by going to aircanada.com they are guaranteed of always finding the lowest prices for wherever we fly and if they find the same flight elsewhere in Canada at a lower price within 24 hours we will provide a $50 travel credit plus the price difference,” said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.

Here are the highlights of how our Lowest Price Guarantee works.

  • It is available to all consumers and travel agencies purchasing tickets in Canada for Canadian originating flights on Air Canada, Air Canada rouge or Air Canada Express flights operated by Sky Regional or Jazz Aviation LP through aircanada.com
  • If, within 24 hours of purchase, the customer finds a cheaper price for the same flight, itinerary and fare brand on another Canadian online travel retailer, then Air Canada will provide a travel credit for $50 plus the price difference, which can be applied towards future travel. Air Canada’s policy of allowing customers to cancel any flight and receive a full refund within 24 hours of booking remains in effect.
  • Customers and travel agencies who find a lower price can easily notify Air Canada on-line and are not required to buy the lower fare.
  • The program covers all travel within Air Canada’s network on flights marketed and operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge and Air Canada Express flights. It is available for all published retail fares sold in Canada by any Canadian online retail distribution channel that is an accredited vendor of Air Canada
  • Travel Agents also have access to the Lowest Price Guarantee when booking on Air Canada’s travel agency website

For more details please consult www.aircanada.com/guarantee.

Global Travellers Want to Keep Connected

– Wi-Fi and creature comforts are hotel amenity must- haves

LONDON, Feb. 20, 2013 /CNW/ –  Global travellers are looking for a home-from-home experience when they stay in a hotel according to the latest research from leading online accommodation booking service, Hotels.com®. Topping the list of must-have hotel amenities are free Wi-Fi and free food and beverages, with caffeine being a must. All the rest is just well… extra.

 

Hotels.com Logo

Staying Connected…for Free

  • 34 per cent say free Wi-Fi is the number one factor in choosing a hotel even on leisure stays.
  • 56 per cent of respondents said free Wi-Fi was their number one must-have when travelling for business.
  • 66 per cent indicated free Wi-Fi is the amenity they most wish would become standard at all hotels in 2013.

Free Wi-Fi trumps both free parking and complimentary breakfast when it comes to choosing a hotel for both leisure and business travel, showing that access to the online world is a necessity for modern-day travellers with over a third still looking to stay connected whilst on their holidays. In fact just 11% of global travellers said they would be willing to pay for Wi-Fi when staying in a hotel.

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Beer, Dirndl, Germany, Mercedes-Benz Museum, Oktoberfest, Stuttgart, Volksfest, Travelbloggers.ca

Oktoberfest Isn’t Just For Beer Drinkers – Stuttgart, Germany

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If you are ever in the Stuttgart area of Germany around the end of September/beginning of October, you owe it to yourself to visit the second-largest Oktoberfest in the world – the Volksfest (September 28 – October 14).

If you think Oktoberfest is just for beer drinkers, you’re wrong, there’s something for everyone! There are craft displays, lots of food vendors, huge beer tents and midway rides like you’ve never seen before! They are so elaborate it’s hard to imagine they aren’t permanent structures.

Entire families – Germans of all ages (including teenagers!) – get into the Oktoberfest spirit by coming out in traditional garb, it’s truly a sight to see. Entry is free for everyone and parking is very reasonable at just €5 for the day and night (if you can last that long!). We arrived at opening (11am) and spent all day, but were simply too exhausted to stay around to enjoy what we understand to be the very “spirited” evening atmosphere – but for us, that’s a good excuse to go back again next year!

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Aquarium of the Pacific, Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands, IndyCar, Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island, California, Avalon City, Long Beach, Casino,TravelBloggers.ca

Visit Catalina Island When You’re In The Los Angeles Area

Catalina Island, where the Casino isn’t actually a casino, the main mode of transport is a golf cart and you might almost mistake it for the Caribbean.

Casino

If you’re ever in the Los Angeles area, take the time to spend a nice leisurely day on this beautiful little island – you won’t regret it. Located just 35 minutes south of LAX is the city of Long Beach – famous for the IndyCar race, the Queen Mary cruise liner as well as the wonderful Aquarium of the Pacific – and your gateway to Catalina Island.

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Aquarium of the Pacific, Binturong, California, Catalina Island, Disneyland, Dusky Pademelon, Grand Prix of Long Beach, IndyCar, LAX, Los Angeles, Prevost's Squirrel, the Queen Mary, TravelBloggers.ca

There Is More To L.A. Than Disneyland – Take The Family To The Aquarium Of The Pacific

Fountain at Aquarium of the Pacific

Fountain at Aquarium of the PacificWhen you think of Los Angeles, Disneyland and the various film studies may be the first thing that comes to mind. But there’s more to see in the area – just 35 minutes south from LAX is Long Beach.  Probably more famous for the Queen Mary and the IndyCar race that happens every year, Long Beach is quick and easy to get to from the airport and it’s also the gateway to beautiful Catalina Island which is just off the coast.

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Travel, Florida,Travelbloggers.ca

Snorkelling In Key Largo, Florida

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The words Key Largo stir up images of Bogie & Bacall for those of us that have seen any of the old black and white movies or heard the songs about the island. Located only 20 miles from the end of the Florida Turnpike at Homestead/Florida City, it’s quick and easy to get to if you’re in the Miami area (about one hour from Miami airport).

Although consider to be the Diving Capital of the World, Key Largo is almost as famous for being a sport-fishing and snorkelling destination as well . Some of the best charter captains and fishing guides in the world are located there. You can catch sailfish just off-shore as well as bonefish, redfish and tarpon in Florida Bay.

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