How To Plan The Perfect Winter Getaway
Whether your travel style is more sun, sand and fun or learn, explore and history, everyone can use a vacation this time of year. Check out these tips for a memorable, stress-free adventure.
- Do your research. Want a break from it all, but don’t know where to go? Sunny destinations are popular, but do some research on what else cities and countries offer, like shopping, cultural attractions, and favourable currency exchange rates. Many airlines and travel sites also have great savings at this time of year for flights and hotel packages. Take time to compare ( a great deal may be all it takes to make your decision.
- Think outside the box. Most vacationers are heading south, but do you actually enjoy winter weather and activities? If not, don’t be tempted to hop on the bikini weather bandwagon. European cities are often slightly warmer than here, and are beautiful in the snow with plenty of museums, attractions, and events to keep you busy. Or visit a Canadian destination for days filled with skiing, snowboarding, or skating and cozy evenings by the fireplace.
- Check out clothing sales. Visiting somewhere new often requires a bit of a wardrobe overhaul, adding key pieces like swimsuits or sturdy walking shoes. Most retailers suffer a slow season after the holidays, meaning great sales on upcoming spring and summer collections for you. Depending on where you’re headed, you can also take advantage of clearance winter items or basics that you can wear almost anywhere.
- Pack smart. Always include your contact information and your destination contact information inside and outside each piece of checked baggage. This helps identify baggage if any outside tag is damaged or lost. Always keep essential and valuable items with you on board, such as your passport, identification and return tickets, medicines and medical devices, money, jewellery, electronic equipment, and essential overnight items.
- Know where to go for air travel help. Unfortunately sometimes the perfect winter getaway can turn into something less than ideal if you experience flight disruptions and delays; lost, delayed or damaged baggage; or denied boarding or bumping due to overbooking. If you have one of these problems, you can file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency. Their job is to help resolve complaints between passengers and airlines. Find more information online at cta.gc.ca/air-travel-complaints
Courtesy of: www.newscanada.com