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

Pin.Pack.Go: Four Seasons Harnesses the Power of Pinterest, Transforming Trip Planning One Pin at a Time

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TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2013 /CNW/ – As more and more travellers take to Pinterest to plan their next adventure, Four Seasons introduces Pin.Pack.Go, a new trip planning service that re-imagines the way travellers share and receive travel recommendations. An industry first, Pin.Pack.Go leverages the power and popularity of Pinterest to connect guests with Four Seasons local experts worldwide. Knowing the thrill of travel adventure begins long before a guest ever sets foot on a Four Seasons property, Pin.Pack.Go provides new opportunity to engage guests early on in their trip planning process, making Four Seasons a part of the adventure from the very first pin. Whether guests dream of star-gazing in the Serengeti or martinis on Mumbai’s highest rooftop patio, Four Seasons local experts will point them in the right direction, transforming their dream itineraries into reality. To receive personalized recommendations from Four Seasons local experts, upcoming guests are encouraged to:

TravelBloggers.ca

Our Top Ten Packing Tips For 2013

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Have a packing list – that will pretty much eliminate any chance of forgetting something. Leave your list inside your suitcase when you get home and empty it (that will save you time every time you travel!). Roll your clothes – it helps eliminate wrinkles and actually saves space in your suitcase Use plastic reusable bags for liquids in your suitcase (you just never know when a bottle will leak) and smaller items like socks and underwear (that way if your case is opened for a search it’s less likely any of your items will fly all over the airport floor).

7 Air-Travel Tips for Summer, Or Any Other Time of the Year

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Many individuals assume the busiest time to travel is the Christmas and Thanksgiving holiday seasons, but in actual fact, the greatest number of people travel during the summer season – from the mid-July to the beginning of September. Tens of millions of people will be on vacation, enjoying their summer getaways before school is back in session and the weather gets cooler for those of us in the northern hemisphere. Since summer’s not over yet here are some tips to help travellers remain safe and enjoy their well-earned vacation time. 1. Choose Your Travel Dates Wisely Flying on a Thursday or Friday during the summer months will be the most crowded, and probably the most expensive. That being the case, seats are more likely to be filled – especially the coveted ones by the windows and bulkhead. If you’re heading to the Caribbean or southern U.S. there’s greater chance of tropical storms, and the likelihood of travel delays. Try to book departures on mid-week days to lessen the chance of disruptions and save on costs. …

VerbalizeIt, travelbloggers.ca

Lost in Translation? VerbalizeIt – A Traveller’s Best Friend

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I don’t know about you, but whenever we travel to parts unknown where languages are even less known, I tend to get a little freaked out by the possibilities of getting lost and no one understanding us … or the potential of Iain doing something crazy and offending someone! Soooo the first thing I do is concentrate on learning two key phrases … “Do you speak English?” and “I’m not with him!” I know, I know, there are better uses of a key phrase, but it’s a starting place. Having had opportunity to travel abroad  on a number of occasions where language was a barrier, we admit that it made us a little uneasy. And while there’s no perfect answer to the dilemma there are coming to be more and more technological advantages to help the monolingual traveller (not monolingual? Don’t stop reading, there’s more for you later on).

TravelBloggers.ca, FlipKey, Travel Advisor

FlipKey.com Launches “Book Now” Feature on More Than 90,000 Property Listings

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Travelers automatically receive $10,000 peace of mind guarantee when booking online. Boston, MA (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 FlipKey.com, a leading vacation rental marketplace, today launched a new “Book Now” feature enabling travelers to book more than 90,000 property listings worldwide online. Creating an even more seamless experience, this feature makes it much easier for travelers to book properties on FlipKey. “We want to help more travelers find the best vacation rental and make the booking process straight forward and secure,” said Jeremiah Gall, FlipKey’s COO and Co-Founder. “By expanding the ‘Book Now’ feature to over 90,000 properties, we’re taking a major step forward towards simplifying the vacation rental shopping process.” In a FlipKey survey, 85% of travelers said that being able to book online is influential when choosing a vacation rental. Unlike the back-and-forth messaging experience of traditional vacation rental shopping sites, FlipKey’s Book Now feature makes it simple for travelers to get an instant rate for their stay and pay online. All of these transactions are handled through a secure payment system, which automatically …

suitcase.com, TravelBloggers.ca

Reducing Baggage Fees Still The Most Important Factors, According To Suitcase.com 2013 Travel Survey

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Less is more according to Suitcase.com 2013 Travel Survey (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 Suitcase.com released the results of its annual travel survey and the outcome clearly shows that travelers continue to search for ways to lower baggage charges. According to the survey, 72% of the responders stated that baggage fees were an important factor when they selected an airline. Travelers are packing lighter as well. When planning for a weeklong vacation, 52% mentioned that they would only pack one bag ranging from 15-25lbs. Luggage consumers are undoubtedly looking towards convenience and portability over style. The survey showed that 68% of consumers choose Lightweight luggage wheeled luggage over a particular recognizable brand or luggage that comes with additional conveniences such as easy to identify colors, hard case or luggage with warranties. Two wheeled luggage is still the preferred carry on however 40% of responders preferred four wheeled spinner luggage. This was a significant increase over the 2012 survey. One of the most intriguing items the survey uncovered was the use of TSA approved locks where 53% of …

Tropical Storm, TravelBloggers.ca

Get Ready For An “Extremely Active” 2013 Hurricane Season – Travel Protection Insurance Advised

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(PRWEB) July 25, 2013 – Hurricane season began June 1 and runs through November 30. It generally peaks in August and September, not including Superstorm Sandy’s destruction late last October. With the hurricane season already upon us, climate experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advise of an “active or extremely active” hurricane season this year. NOAA scientists have predicted a 70 percent chance of between 13 to 20 named storms this year, with 7 to 11 that could develop into hurricanes, and of those, 3 to 6 could become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher, with top winds of 111 mph or greater. The average number of storms during hurricane season is 12 named storms and 6 hurricanes, with 3 developing into major hurricanes. Extreme weather conditions are prone to causing trip cancellations, delays, and interruptions. The US Travel Insurance Association advises that, in addition to inconvenience, hurricanes and storms can cost travelers unforeseen expenses. Expenses including meals and transportation, unexpected hotel stays, lost or delayed baggage, and lost prepaid …

Travelzoo Celebrates 15th Birthday: Gives Away 15 Dream Vacations

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NEW YORK, July 22, 2013 /CNW/ – Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ: TZOO), a global Internet media company, today marked its 15th birthday by launching a “Golden Giveaway” campaign on social media in the United States and Canada. The giveaway, one of a number of events planned to celebrate the company’s 15th birthday, offers travelers the chance to win one of 15 dream vacations, including a luxury seven-night Tanzania safari, a five-night Cook Islands break, a vacation to Paris with a posh chateau stay in the French countryside, and an all-inclusive St. Lucia beach getaway. “We’re excited to kick off our 15th birthday celebrations by offering travelers a chance to win one of 15 dream vacations,” said Chris Loughlin, chief executive officer for Travelzoo. “Since 1998 we have inspired millions of travel and leisure experiences and saved our subscribers billions of dollars. Our brand is trusted by our subscribers because we deliver on our promise of high-quality deals. We look forward to welcoming many more subscribers as we continue to grow.” Travelzoo is giving away 15 vacations …

TravelBloggers.ca

10-Year ePassport Now Available For Canadians

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CALGARY, July 2, 2013 /CNW/ – Canada’s new and more secure 10-year ePassport is now available to Canadians, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. “The new, 10-year ePassport provides more convenience for Canadians, and facilitates safe, secure travel which, in turn, helps create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians,” said Minister Kenney. “The Canadian passport is not only a privilege of citizenship, but a reflection of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.” ePassports are  the international norm in travel documents. They contain technologically-advanced features, including an embedded electronic chip, to prevent fraud. The chip stores the same personal information as that which is recorded on the second page of the passport (except for the signature) as well as a photo and a digital security feature that proves that the passport was issued by the Government of Canada. To combat fraud, once the personal information is stored on the chip, it cannot be modified without invalidating the passport.