All posts filed under: News, Features, Info & Tips

TravelBloggers.ca, Exuma Bahamas, Iain Shankland, Gail Shankland

10 Things To Do In Exuma, Bahamas

When you think of the Bahamas, you naturally think of Nassau. However there are many more islands in the Bahamas you can choose to visit. Exuma (or Grand Exuma as it is officially known) offers many direct flights from Canada and the U.S. With 365 islands in the chain, there’s one for every day of the year! If  you’re ready to give up crowded streets full of tourists, huge cruise ships and casinos then you’ll really love the peace and quiet of Exuma – one of the Out Islands of the Bahamas. 1) Rent a car! You don’t want to fly to this gorgeous group of islands and plunk yourself on a beach at an all-inclusive club – what a waste that would be!! Rent a car for at least a couple of days so you can get out, explore and immerse yourself in the local culture. At $350 to rent a car for the week it’s well worth the money as well as the freedom it affords you to get out and see more!

TravelBloggers.ca

Blue Haven Resort and Marina, Turks and Caicos’ Announces Special ‘Suite Family’ Deal

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos, March 6, 2014 /CNW/ – Blue Haven Resort and Marina, celebrated its grand opening in December 2013, and has quickly become the premier adventure resort in Turks and Caicos Islands. The waterfront resort is located just minutes away by boat from the world’s third largest barrier reef. It also boasts its own marina. Guests of Blue Haven Resort can pursue an endless array of water adventures from the resort’s doorstep. Beginning now through April 26, 2014, the resort is offering a special Suite Family Adventure package. This travel special extends a 30 percent discount on all one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. The starting rates for suites with the discount applied are from $455 per night exclusive of tax / service charges. The suites range in size from 1,250 to 2,650 square feet and are equipped with full kitchens. These facilities are ideally suited to families who wish to have the option of cooking in or self-catering through the on-site Market.

Toronto Zoo, TravelBloggers.ca

Toronto Zoo Name Our Cub Contest

WHAT’S MY NAME? NAME OUR CUB CONTEST PRESENTED BY COCA COLA    The Toronto Zoo needs YOUR help in naming our male polar bear cub. Toronto Zoo Staff have selected their top six names, and you get to vote for your favorite and help name Hudson’s little brother. Once the votes have been tallied, the cub’s official new name will be announced in early March. Which is your favorite? HUMPHREY- “Peaceful Warrior”, name was originally derived from the Germanic elements “hun”, which means “bear cub” and “frid” which means “peace. ORSON – Latin origin meaning “bear”. JAMES – James Bay is derived from the Southern arm of Hudson Bay. “Hudson” is the Toronto Zoo’s previous cub, and is the cub’s brother. LOREK – From the movie Golden Compass. Lorek comes from the word ‘laurel’ which is a symbol of victory. SEARIK – Inuit for “beautiful”. STIRLING – “Genuine, high quality, pure”. CLICK HERE for more contest information and to submit your vote today! POLAR BEAR CUB NOW ON EXHIBIT! The polar bear cub can now be seen by visitors in his outdoor den and polar bear maternity area from 10:00 am to …

TravelBloggers.ca, Cuvee 2014,

Cuvée 2014 – Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2

Cuvée 2014 Their tagline reads: “Indulge. Taste. Discover.” and you will be doing just that on the evening of Friday, February 28. Mingle with winemakers as they pour their personal favourites and chat with chefs while they prepare delectable eats. Discover Ontario wine and its culinary scene all in one grand ballroom and then dance the night away to live music at the Après Cuvée after-party. The Cuvée festivities continue onto the weekend with the Cuvée en Route passport, which allows you to tour and taste your way along the wine route on Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2 where you will be able to enjoy special Cuvée flights chosen by the winemakers. To find out more, visit cuvee.ca. Read about our visit to last years’ event here.

TravelBloggers.ca

The Barbados “free spending money” on-island is back – 2014

The Barbados Island Inclusive package is back!!! Take advantage of “free spending money” on-island TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2014 /CNW/ – The Barbados Island Inclusive package is back for 2014! Canadians can now take advantage of this great money-saving offer by booking before March 15th, for travel to Barbados between May 1st and December 19th, 2014. With the Barbados Island Inclusive, guests receive “free spending money” based on their length of stay for use at participating attractions and restaurants while on-island. With a minimum stay of 5 nights guests will receive US$150.00 per person and on stays of 7 nights or longer guests will receive US$200.00 per person, based on a maximum of two (2) persons per room. Vouchers will be distributed to guests upon hotel check-in.

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

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 …