Quebec may be one of my favourite places on earth. It’s naturally splendid, resource rich, and always makes for a memorable trip. Plus, it’s no secret I love to be close to the mountains. Mont-Tremblant National Park, Parc National Du Mont-Tremblant, is a spot I had not seen until this past year. With its many rivers and magnificent Laurentian Mountains Mont-Tremblant National Park has something to engage every member of your family. On a press trip last summer I had the chance to visit the Laurentians and Mont-Tremblant National Park. This breathtaking park offers the full beauty of The Laurentians on display for…
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Port essentials are just what they say – essential. Without them, your time exploring any port could be a challenge. Disembarking the ship is fun and a great chance to explore a new island or city. But, if you forget these items when returning to the ship you could ruin that dream cruise. Some of these port essentials are for convenience, some are for a better overall experience, and some… Well, without a couple of these you won’t even get back on the ship! So let’s talk about the essentials that you absolutely cannot disembark without when you cruise. Port…
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This post contains affiliate links as a service to my readers. If you make a purchase via one of the links on this site I receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. Tradewinds Island Resorts – St. Pete Beach is a sweet spot to stay any time of year. Last October, I took a girls’ trip to the resort with a group of friends, and it was a blast. The gorgeous beach, beautiful surrounds, and spacious accommodations at Tradewinds Island Resorts – St. Pete Beach made for a relaxing getaway that really helped recharge my batteries. In fact…
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Small ship cruising is something that often doesn’t even make the radar when people plan their high seas adventures. With so many commercials featuring the massive amusement park ships, some people might not even KNOW that smaller ships exist, or they might not think of them at all. This is especially true of people who have never been on a cruise before. And while the huge ships can be a ton of fun, there are some major benefits to small ship cruising, as well. Small Ship Cruising can Sometimes be a Better Fit While cruising on a smaller ship may…
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Cruising is expensive, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be at all. In fact, it can be the most economical way to travel for couples and families, even for multi-generational groups. We have taken numerous cruises now and just returned home from our most recent. Each cruise vacation I learn a little bit more. You saved a lot of money for your cruise. Maybe you also had to save a fair chunk of the trip budget for air travel. That alone can be a budget killer, especially if you are Canadian as we are. Flights from Canada are expensive often.…
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Have you ever wondered whether you should book a cruise while onboard your current cruise? Me too. We’ve done several cruises and I am always amazed by the number of people lining up to book again before leaving the ship. So I thought I would investigate. Does it help you save money? If you’re a frequent cruiser, chances are you’re already planning another cruise anyway. So why not use one of the lesser known tricks of the cruising trade and book a cruise while on your current cruise? Saving money, better selection and rewards – those are a few reasons…
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This week I am in Florida again. Just passing through on our way to a cruise. But I am always thrilled to visit Florida, even when it’s a short stay, or a conference. Florida is a dependable travel destination. And there’s always something new and exciting to discover. This year, I thought I’d ask several of my favourite Canadian travel bloggers what their picks are for Top Florida Hotspots in 2018. As a tourist destination, despite the ups and downs of the Canadian dollar, and the political climate, Florida is still a tourist mecca with much to offer. It’s still…
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been on my bucket list forever. When my kids were small we read a series of true stories about animals overcoming adversity. Knut was one we fell hard for and so was Winter’s Tale – How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again. Our kids are both adopted and they’ve had some unique challenges in life. Knut is a polar bear raised by a foster human. My kids get that. As a baby dolphin, Winter lost her tail after getting caught in a crab trap. Rescued by Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter had to learn to swim again.…
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St. Petersburg Clearwater is one of those places that has something for everyone. Maybe a tourist destination doesn’t want to hear words like dependable or safe. But for me St. Petersburg Clearwater is dependable and safe and a wonderful vacation choice every time. That matters when spending valuable vacation dollars and time. St. Petersburg Clearwater delivers the magic you want, when you need an escape. You know what I mean, right? You head away on a vacation and a piece of you hopes you made the right choice. Prayers go up to the weather gods and goddesses and you dream…
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On the final stop of our girl’s getaway trip to Florida we headed to St. Augustine. None of the four of us had ever set foot in St. Augustine so we were excited to see the city. We were also tired. There was a lot of driving involved in visiting three cities in six days and we were crossing our fingers that St. Augustine would be comfortable and accommodations would be quiet, restful and clean. The St Augustine Tryp Hotel didn’t disappoint. It was a lovely, clean, newer space. Tryp is a brand owned by Wyndham and it is affordable…