All posts filed under: News

The TSA Laughs At Your Naked Body And Does Not Stop Terrorists (from Jalopnik)

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Interesting information and links from Jalopnik… PATRICK GEORGE on JALOPNIK If you somehow need more proof that the Transportation Security Administration is an expensive, invasive joke of a federal agency that does not actually thwart airline terrorism, then writer and former TSA screener Jason Edward Harrington is happy to give you some. Writing in Politico Magazine, Harrington details the three ludicrous years he spent working for the TSA at Chicago O’Hare International Airport which included, in his words, “patting down the crotches of children, the elderly and even infants as part of the post-9/11 airport security show.” The worst part, he says, is many of the TSA agents themselves feel that the agency creates mistrust with citizens and is a waste of public money. Here are some of the great examples of how Harrington and his blue-shirted pals kept us safe in the skies: Once, in 2008, I had to confiscate a bottle of alcohol from a group of Marines coming home from Afghanistan. It was celebration champagne intended for one of the men in the group—a …

The Friends of Algonquin Park Partners with EarthCam to Deliver Exclusive Webcam Views of Algonquin Park

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ALGONQUIN PARK, ON, Jan. 22, 2014 /CNW/ – The Friends of Algonquin Park, a non-profit Canadian registered charity for those passionate about Algonquin Park, and EarthCam, the global leader in webcam technology have partnered to share live streaming video, panorama, and archived imagery of scenic Algonquin Park. “We know that people from around the world recognize that Algonquin Park is a place to be treasured. For most visitors, they can’t be here as much as they would like, so the new partnership with EarthCam allows them to see Algonquin Park in real-time. This opportunity was possible through the innovations of EarthCam and a generous sponsorship by the Couples Resort, a 5-star luxury resort outside the East Gate of the Park” said Lee Pauzé, General Manager, The Friends of Algonquin Park. “The Friends team knew from discussions with Algonquin Park visitors that seeing the seasons change, the lake ice form and melt, and watching the Park’s wildlife were important for those dreaming of their next Algonquin experience. Launching an EarthCam camera with high quality live views and amazing panoramas was critical to ensuring that we could do justice to such a beautiful place in Ontario, …

TravelBloggers.ca, Niagara Ice Wine Festival

Early Icewine Harvest in Ontario’s Wine Country

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NIAGARA, ON, Dec. 16, 2013 /CNW/ – The Icewine harvest had an early start this year as the temperature began to dip to below -8˚ Celsius in late November. Icewine harvest varies from year to year as growers are dependent on nature, but one thing that remains cool and dependable is the Niagara Icewine Festival – an annual celebration in January, that turns the region into an unforgettable wintery wonderland of Icewine-inspired experiences. The Icewine Festival, a one-of-a-kind celebration, is a time when consumers have the best opportunity to discover and enjoy Canada’s most cherished product. For three weeks in January, wine enthusiasts, cocktail fans, foodies and music lovers can all choose from a collection of Icewine related events reflecting the authentic and local flavours of Ontario. Events will be hosted throughout the Niagara region and at the outdoor street festivals in the towns of Jordan Village and Niagara-on-the-Lake, where visitors can admire sparkling ice sculptures, warm up to cozy open fires and enjoy live entertainment. New this year is Niagara-on-the-Lake’s ‘Sparkle & Ice.’ During the evening of Friday, January 17th, Icewine makers will be sharing …

Follow up to Travelocity/Disney Competition – WARNING

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  I (Iain) went to sign up for the competition on Facebook and you have to accept their app or you don’t get any more information. That’s fine, but…. If you’re comfortable giving them EVERYTHING you have on your Facebook – including all of your friends’ photos and information, then go ahead… we won’t do that! TravelBloggers.ca apologizes to everyone for misleading them. We won’t be passing along any news in the future that involves Travelocity.

Guess the correct Air Canada and BMW model for a chance to win a trip to Munich Germany!

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Announcing The Ultimate Driver’s Getaway Contest! Guess the correct Air Canada and BMW model for a chance to win the ultimate BMW Canada driving experience for you and a friend — in Munich Germany! http://bmw.aircanada.com/#/en/ Test your knowledge of Air Canada’s fleet and BMW vehicles for the chance to win the ultimate driver’s getaway at the home of BMW in Munich. If you are correct, you and a friend could win a round-trip flight to Munich for an all-inclusive BMW experience.    

Air Canada, TravelBloggers.ca

Air Canada Premiers New Boeing 787 Dreamliner Cabin Interiors

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MONTREAL, December 4, 2013 – Air Canada is premiering its brand new international cabin design and seating that the airline will feature on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. Visit 787.aircanada.com for full details and a virtual tour of the aircraft and new cabin amenities. The airline will take delivery of the first of 37 Boeing 787 aircraft in the spring of 2014. “We are very excited to introduce completely re-designed seating and cabin amenities that will offer Air Canada customers the very best in comfort and contemporary design,” said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “With the arrival next spring of our first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Air Canada continues to renew its international widebody fleet with the next generation of modern and fuel efficient aircraft. As North America’s Best Airline, we look forward to taking delivery of our first 787 Dreamliner and continuing to raise the bar in customer comfort.” Air Canada will provide three cabins of service on board its Boeing 787 Dreamliners highlighted by a brand new contemporary decor and …

Roam Mobility’s “Snowbird Plan” Gives Canadian Travellers Unlimited Talk, Text and 1GB of Data – only $39.95/month

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Though Roam Mobility recently slashed their daily U.S. rates, yesterday they announced a new “Snowbird Plan” that targets Canadians who travel south for the winter. The Snowbird Plan is designed with the Canadian traveller in mind. Activate and schedule your plan before leaving for the USA. When you return, keep your SIM and top up for your next trip. It’s that easy! What’s Included Like all Roam Mobility plans, the Snowbird plan includes unlimited talk and text, free-long distance calls to Canada, voicemail and caller ID, plus all the convenience of a prepaid service designed just for Canadian travellers. Keep Your Number. When your plan is over and you return to Canada, it will go into a suspended state. Simply use the SIM again next year when you return to the USA, or top up with any one of our other daily plans. Keep the same SIM card and phone number. The Best Deal. Period. At $39.95 per month, our Snowbird Plan is the best value plan available in North America. And it’s available exclusively for …

Sunquest launches lower-cost vacation packages for Canadians from 5 U.S. border airports

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Three out of four US border city vacation packages are cheaper than the equivalent Canadian package Average savings of $550 per couple for vacation packages to select US and sun destinations TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW/ – Vacation travel has just become cheaper for millions of Canadians looking to travel to US, Caribbean or Mexican destinations. Sunquest, one of Canada’s most respected tour operators, is offering for the first time, packages from US border airports to allow Canadians to take advantage of the significant cost savings. With US flights costing an estimated 30% less than comparable flights from Canada, Canadians are voicing their opinions through their wallets. An estimated 5 million Canadians drove across the US border last year to fly from US airports to various points south. “As long as significantly cheaper flights are available from the US, Canadians will continue to fly from US border cities,” says Frank DeMarinis, President, Sunquest. “We are giving the customers what they clearly want, which is an option to save money on their vacation by booking cross-border …

TravelBloggers.ca, Maid Of The Mist, Niagara Falls

Three New Boats Ready to Showcase the Infamous Niagara Falls In 2014

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  Last year (2012), Hornblower Niagara Cruises [NiagaraCruises.com], won the contract to operate cruises from the Canadian side of the Niagara Gorge to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. Maid of the Mist Steam Company has been operating the tours since 1854 (originally they were ferries between Canada and the U.S. as far back as 1846) – and will continue to offer tours from the U.S. side of the river. For anyone familiar with the sights of the Maid of the Mist boats, it’s going to be quite a surprise to see the new catamarans running alongside the traditional-looking boats. The catamarans’ features include: improved manoeuvrability in the water, enclosed viewing areas for those who don’t want to get wet, an outdoor deck with tiered viewing areas to provide maximum sightseeing and they’ll also have seating, on-board washrooms and licensed concessions for new evening and night time cruises. The catamarans, (26 metres long and 10 metres wide), will arrive in Niagara Falls sometime in January 2014. One has already been built, with the second one …