Author: Sarah

  • 5 Epic Places to Drive to in Canada!

    asphalt cloud

    Canada is perfect for a road trip destination as the world’s second-biggest country – with all kinds of terrains- the snow and the mountains and with the vastest coastline in the world. Within this relatively uninhabited country, you can go off the beaten path, which is what road trips are all about. Below are the easiest, and most scenic, road trips from west to east that you need to ride in the Great White North.

    While there are several options for Canada self-drive tours, these itineraries below are the best road trips in Canada and a perfect way for you to look at the different options for Canada self-drive tours. Some of them are as follows:

    1. Montreal to peninsula Gaspe

    A lengthy drive (about nine hours) brings road-trippers from Montreal to Quebec City, down the St. Lawrence River, and on to the Gaspé Peninsula. Highlights in the peninsula include the popular pierced rock in Percé, boat/fishing trips to Bonaventure Island, etc. The road trip is a natural combination of urban and rural exploration.

    2. Day ride through the Valley of Okanagan

    Though this road trip may not be a typical one – going from point A to point B – the Okanagan Valley is a gastronomic hot spot. Loop around Okanagan Lake in a clockwise direction from Vernon to Penticton, and then into Kelowna.

    The area is renowned for its restaurants from farm to table and award-winning wineries. RauDZ Regional Table is the best restaurant in Kelowna (or so it says on their website), while Davison Orchards is a perfect location for children. Summerhill Pyramid Winery and Mission Hill Winery are also leading wineries in the region.

    3. Dempster Highway

    Being Canada’s only all-weather path through the Arctic Circle, Travel Yukon names the Dempster Highway – one of the world’s rare travel roads from Dawson to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. It is incredibly remote, but the scenery is unrivalled, with only one lodging alternative along the way in Eagle Plains.

    Cross the Arctic Circle to join Tombstone Falls, then ride two Northwest Territories river ferries. Mark your arrival at the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik, held annually in the middle of July.

    4. Trans-Canada highway

    street-road-driving

    The Trans-Canada Highway is Canada’s most spectacular road trip you can enjoy. It spreads across all 10 provinces across the country. Starting in Victoria, it ends in Newfoundland and Labrador, in St. John’s.

    Vancouver and its many attractions, Lake Louise and Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, the Alberta Badlands, the capital of Ottawa, Quebec City, Fundy National Park, and Gros Morne National Park are some of the (many) highlights that await road-trippers.

    5. Prince Edward Island Coastal Drives

    canada bridge

    Tourism PEI divides the province into three distinct and scenic drives: North Coast Coastal Drive, Central Coastal Drive and East Coastal Drive Points. The North Coast is characterised by its Mi’kmaq history and special visits, including a potato museum and a college devoted to the Highland arts.

    The Central Coastal Drive protects two separate areas: the Red Sands Shore and the Green Gables Bay. Points East Coastal Road includes beaches, walks, and lighthouses.

    couple-sitting-on-white-car

    The above are just some of the great places to drive through Canada- the great white North. One can either take their own car (if living nearby) or rent a car for the road trip. There are plenty of rental car providers – online too, in case you decide to fly to Canada and then enjoy the beautiful sceneries on the go.

    You can decide which car you want, which plan you wish to choose (as per the duration of your stay and requirement) and your budget. Hiring a self-drive car is much more economically sound, especially for tourist and travellers, it maintains your privacy and allows you to let you drive any time anywhere without any hassle.

  • 6 Packing Must-Haves To Survive a Long Flight

    6 Packing Must-Haves To Survive a Long Flight

    aeroplane wing

    They say sometimes it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. That’s a very nice philosophical argument, but whoever said it probably didn’t account for long-haul flights. Long flights take you to some of the world’s most exciting destinations but can be tiresome, uncomfortable and really rather boring.

    Thankfully, modern technology helps improve things somewhat with a range of items that seem specifically designed to aid passengers on long-haul. Try not to be stuck on a flight without these six absolute must-haves!

    1. Headphones

    This is important, particularly when you consider how uncomfortable the headphones supplied by an airline can be after a little use. Take headphones that you can feel comfortable using for hours on end that won’t bother you if you doze off whilst wearing them! 

    2. Neck pillow

    Plane seats are notoriously uncomfortable. You can spend valuable sleeping time shifting as you try to find a position that allows you to drift off, just to be jolted awake as you’re knocked by the aisle trolley or your neighbour.

    A neck pillow keeps you comfortable in an upright position, providing peace of mind that you’ll be able to nod off without interruption. 

    3. Backup Entertainment

    plane entertainment

    Sure, you’ve got your phone and whatever. But what if your flying with an airliner that doesn’t allow electronic usage at all during takeoff and landing? What if, god forbid, your battery runs out?

    Pack a paperback, a crossword, whatever is necessary to get you through. We also recommend a slim, portable charger to bring any electronic devices back to life if they do run out of juice, as you’ll want them on the other side!

    4. Wipes

    No, there’s nothing embarrassing about bringing wipes with you on a long flight. These are multi-purpose! They’ll freshen you up after your attempt to nap, but you should also use them to wipe down all the surfaces when you take your seat.

    Airplanes are full of germs, and cleaning crews simply don’t have time to get rid of them all. Wipes are a great substitute for other liquids you might have taken with you. 

    5. Eye Mask

    Combine this with your neck pillow and you’ve got the ideal sleeping environment. An eye mask is ideal for blocking out the ambient light that is almost always present on an airplane, as well as the occasional reading light or curious passenger staring out the window. 

    6. The perfect carry-on bag

    perfect carry on bag

    Few things are more irritating for yourself or other passengers than a carry-on bag that just won’t fit anywhere. You need to find yourself a bag that stores your technology, reusable water bottle and some food for the road. Speaking of which, it’s recommended to bring nutritional snacks such as nuts with you when you’re travelling – they’ll give you the energy you need to keep going.

    The right bag will do all this, whilst still allowing you decent leg-room AND easy access! There is a whole market designed for this purpose, which will save you a lot of grief and make the entire journey easier.

  • Europe’s Best Cruise Holidays

    cruise ship tour

    If you are planning to go on a cruise holiday this year you may wonder where you should start searching. After all, there are numerous destinations that you could potentially head to. How can you choose the best destination or cruise so you have the chance to see all those amazing sights? One of the great things about cruises is that if you opt to go on a cruise every year there’s a real potential for you to see almost every country in the world. 

    If you have never been on a cruise before you may want to think about heading out to Europe. Europe is vibrant, it’s full of culture and is home to some amazing cities and people.

    Let’s take a look at some of the best cruises in Europe so you can take your pick and head off on a cruise that will take you to some of your chosen destinations.

    France

    italy scene

    France may well be on our doorstep but it’s well worth exploring. Why not opt for a cruise holiday that will take you to the capital of France for a few days? You can have the chance to stroll around Paris, experiencing what the city is like while you dine on some wonderful local dishes. 

    You may also want to opt for a cruise that will take you to Normandy where you will have the chance to visit the Palace of Versailles and Monet’s Garden. Don’t forget to see if your chosen cruise will take you to Lyon, France’s culinary centre or Châteauneuf-du-Pape, for a spot of wine tasting. 

    Italy

    Italy is a country that’s full to the brim of history, art, music and some very tempting dishes. If you can find a last minute cruise deal to this country, snap it up! Why not head to Naples or Genoa, and enjoy sailing around the country that is remarkably shaped like a foot. If you would like to head to some of the smaller ports, you may wish to look for a cruise that will take you to the Aeolian island of Lipari and its history that goes back to 5,000 BC. 

    You may also want to opt for a cruise that will take you to Rome so you can see all that it has to offer. Marvel at the amazing architecture, see some incredible works of art and, of course, the Colosseum. 

    Spain

    italy coast

    Spain is another European country that is steeped in history, character and some amazing archaeological sites. Head to Cartagena for those awe-inspiring archaeological finds or Valencia for its arts and sciences. Don’t forget to head to Barcelona if you can and see La Sagrada, Gaudi’s Casa Vicens or La Casa Batlló. Each of these destinations will let you delve deeply into Spain’s history while you explore magnificent works of art and the country’s intriguing culture. 

    There are many cruises that will take you around Europe, but cruises to France, Italy and Spain perhaps offer some of the best experiences. 

  • The Most Asked Travel Questions After Brexit

    With Brexit looming and the deal still up in the air, there is a lot of political and economic uncertainty. The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29th 2019.

    This date falls right before our beloved Easter holidays, which leads us to question how Brexit will impact our travel plans? Here, we answer some of UK nationals top travel questions and concerns post-Brexit.

    Are package holidays a safer bet?

    eu flag

    Package holidays are easy and cost-transparent. They promise a fixed price and maybe are slightly more reassuring. Of course the same regulations apply if you are going through a UK booking agency.

    Surely the ferry is not affected?

    Ferry transportation is governed by international maritime law. Air travel might be something more heavily affected than ferry travel. But custom checks as a result of a no deal would lead to some exceedingly long queues whether travelling by ferry or air.

    Shall I book a non-EU destination?

    swimming pig

    You should still be able to travel to the same places as before. But maybe now is a good time to try somewhere new and tick off a few bucket-list locations – learn about a new culture and go sightseeing! How about a trip to Dubai? Or Egypt?

    Costs are only going to increase?

    birds-eye-beach

    Yes and no. We all want to go on that perfect winter escape to the mountains, and with the fall of the pound against the euro, costs may increase. But also, due to the economic uncertainty, people may hold off going on holiday, with a focus on saving their disposable income. This may have an effect on airfare prices and there are a lot of up to date travel offers – so keep your eyes peeled.

    Higher mobile phone roaming charges?

    We’ve embarked on an exciting new era of no roaming charges and everything accessible on our phones, from the basics like cameras and maps to compasses and other travel essentials. Companies are increasingly focusing on building websites that have a high mobile site speed to make life easier when you’re on the road including booking accommodation, renewing travel insurance and mobile banking. However, a report from the Association of British Travel Agents and Deloitte says using your phone abroad might become more expensive if Britain leaves the EU.

    What documents will I need?

    The European Commission has said that in a no-deal case, UK travellers will not need a visa. British people will need to apply for/ buy another document to travel to member states, post-Brexit. For now, you can carry on without any extra documents. EU citizens and UK nationals will continue to be able to travel freely with a passport or identity card until the end of the transition period in 2020. Beyond that, the European Commission has offered visa-free travel for UK nationals coming to the EU for a short stay provided the UK offers the same.