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

Safari Niagara, TravelBloggers.ca

We Live In Canada, But I Found A Tiger In My Backyard!

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Who would have thought that we could find tigers, elephants and lions in our own backyard here in Niagara? We were shocked when we found out that there was such a good Safari Park just down the road – about 30 minutes away (10 minutes from Niagara Falls, Ontario). To be honest, we’ve never bothered to stop in at wildlife parks or “big cat” parks that you see advertised along the highway because we’d always  imagined them to be hokey, lame imitations of “real” zoos. Based on our experience at Safari Niagara it’s safe to say we’ve been completely wrong about them and we’ll certainly investigate more in the future.

LugLess, travelbloggers.ca

“LugLess” on your next trip when you travel without the baggage!

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In a world where air travel is seeing a tightening of the baggage belt, travellers are considering their options … and if they’re not … they should be. Did you know that in 2012 airlines earned $6 BILLION in fees for everything from switched and cancelled flights to baggage?!? Last week on Shark Tank “LugLess” was on the block for bidding. None of the sharks took the bait, but the company caught our attention and we thought we’d share the concept with you. These days most travellers are incurring baggage costs of some sort. Whether it’s oversized, overweight or not included, we’ve found it’s pretty rare to escape extra fees of some sort unless you’re travelling internationally, have a bag included and pack smart. With airlines cracking down on baggage weights and sizes, travellers are left with few options for getting their gear to their destination. You either put up, shut up and pay the fees, or

Lighthouse, TravelBloggers.ca, Iain Shankland & Gail Shankland

Driving The Infamous California Highway 1 (San Francisco to Monterey)

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While we previously had opportunity to visit California in the Long Beach/Los Angeles area, this time we were going to see an entirely different region of California – the Monterey Peninsula. Flying into Los Angeles would have meant a 6+ hour drive north via the freeway to Monterey. Flying into San Francisco and heading south, required only 2 hours 45 minutes according to Google Maps -that decision was easy; we’d fly into San Francisco and head south.

CNN: Consumers Respond That Safety And Security Greatest Concern When Travelling

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  A global study of CNN consumers’ travel perceptions and behavioural trends has revealed that, for 66% of respondents, safety and security is of greater concern when choosing an international travel destination, than any other deciding factor. The survey asked global respondents from over 70 countries, recruited via CNN websites, to identify the key influencing factors in their decision making process, when deciding upon both leisure and business travel destinations. The findings are that : · 67% say ‘safety and security’ matters most · 60% are ‘price’ driven · 58% are driven by ‘reputation’ · 55% say ‘knowledge and availability of information’ matters most · 54% are driven by ‘diversity of things to do/amenities’ The UK led Europe, and is among the top 5 countries globally, for safety and is seen as a developed, hospitable destination. The ‘Consumer Connect: Travel & Tourism’ surveyed 3,106 respondents from over 70 countries worldwide, recruited via CNN websites. The main areas covered included travel behaviour and activities, decision making factors, cultural events’ impact on travel, outlook on 2013 and hotels brand data.   About TravelBloggers.ca Iain Shankland …

Eight Cities To Visit – Where You Can Live Like A Local Without Breaking The Bank

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TORONTO, May 9, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Travelling ain’t cheap. After flights, hotels and food, there is little left in the wallet for attractions and excursions. This is why so many Canadians travelling on a budget turn to all-inclusive packages where one payment can take care of it all. While this is great for some, the downside is that staying within resort grounds may mean missing out authentic experiences and culture the destination has to offer. The Hotel Price Index can help travellers find affordable destinations, like Hanoi, to gain authentic cultural experiences. So what’s a world explorer – on a budget – to do? Well, turns out you can have the best of both worlds. The travel experts at Hotels.com® have sorted through their Hotel Price Index™ (HPI™) to find eight interesting destinations where you can have an authentic cultural experience without going broke.

European Visitors Flock To Central America

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Central America was a big hit with European visitors in 2012 according to new figures released by the ministries of tourism of the seven Central American countries. In total Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama – received 832,567 European visitors last year, an increase of nearly 16 per cent when compared to the previous year. The German and British markets experienced the biggest growth last year, and were up by nine per cent and seven per cent respectively. Spain continues to be the main European outbound market for Central America with 151,202 visitors in 2012, followed by Germany (120,911 visitors) and the UK in third place (107,101 visitors). While Costa Rica continues to be the most popular destination for British visitors, a growing interest in the Maya culture and the celebration of the start of a new era according to the Maya calendar resulted in a huge surge in visitors to Guatemala, which received 31,286 British visitors in 2012, 27 per cent more than in 2011. Honduras, another destination with a …

Hotwire Reveals Annual List of Canadians’ Top Ten Destinations for Victoria Day Weekend

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Also announces the “Great Weekend Sale” – Save Up to 70% on Deals for Holiday Travel and Beyond SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2013 /CNW/ – Hotwire.com®, a leading discount travel site, today announced the 10 most popular destinations for Canadian travellers booking hotels over Victoria Day Weekend 2013 (May 18-20). This year, more Canadians are staying in Canada, with domestic destinations like Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa gaining popularity and newcomer Quebec City joining the list. Still, perennial favorite New York City tops the list. The good news is that regardless of where travellers want to venture to this holiday, they can now score even deeper discounts with Hotwire’s biggest sale ever – the “Great Weekend Sale” – offering folks up to 70 percent off weekend Hot Rate hotel bookings made throughout the month of May. [“Great Weekend Sale” ends 5/31/13. Saturday night stay required. Hotwire Hot Rate hotels only] “Hotwire prices are down in eight of the ten most booked cities for Victoria Day, so the trend was already good for holiday travel, and with …

TravelBloggers.ca

Visit Barbados And Get “Free Spending Money”

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Barbados’ Island Inclusive Package Boasts Added Value With “Free Spending Money” On-island Travelers seeking the ultimate Caribbean getaway need look no further than the sun-drenched island of Barbados, now offering even more reasons to flock to the destination this year — free spending money for island experiences! This exciting offer is available for travel May 1 – December 21, 2013 inclusive, but trips must be booked during the period April 29 – June 22, 2013 in order to experience the island known for mastering the art of fine living with daily lessons offered to those seeking to do the same!

travelbloggers.ca, The Good Earth, Niagara Wine Region

Good Food, Good Wine, Good Times …. Good Earth Food & Wine Co.

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Nestled snuggly in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Niagara Wine Country you will find the most charming boutique winery, bistro and cooking school called The Good Earth. Iain and I recently visited The Good Earth to attend a Good Girth Supper Club event. It was an unusually cold April day with snowflakes in the air – slightly disappointing since last year when we visited, spring had come early and the orchards were adorned in their beautiful pink blossoms. In an attempt to describe to you the essence of what The Good Earth is all about, I cannot put it more aptly than they do:  “Since 1998, when we opened our farm, home and hearts to our guests, The Good Earth has been a haven for discerning food and wine lovers and an oasis for the senses. Our gardens, orchards and vineyards provide a spectacular backdrop for culinary and wine experiences that reflect all the good things the earth has to offer.”