If you love freebies and enjoy visiting museums, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can combine those two pursuits this summer in Nova Scotia. Or, if you’re not someone who ordinarily seeks out educational exhibits and historical sites, this will be a great opportunity to check them out and see what you’re missing. [Read more…]
Aeroplan Availability Check: March Break 2022 Departing Halifax
March Break 2022 may seem far away right now and the timeline for the resumption of leisure travel beyond Canada remains uncertain, but it still might be a good idea to explore your options if you tend to plan trips around the school calendar. I recently did some searching to see what shows up for Halifax departures using Aeroplan points. [Read more…]
Ancestry Research as Travel Inspiration
Most of us have ancestral roots in various parts of the globe. For some, arrival in Canada was fairly recent and you might still have ties to your family’s original homeland. For others, the move was made centuries ago and the connection is much more remote. In either case, tracing your history can be a fascinating pursuit that might provide the inspiration for a very enjoyable future trip. [Read more…]
Vacationers, Tourists, Travellers and Country Collectors (Plus a Music-Related Challenge)
I thought I’d use a blog post to share a few random thoughts on the different labels and characterizations we use for those who venture beyond their own backyards for fun, adventure, relaxation or curiosity. At the end I will issue a challenge to those rare individuals contemplating a quest to visit every country in the world. [Read more…]
$582+ Airfare Halifax to Portugal (Lisbon & Porto January/February 2022)
Although it’s still relatively early in the year, the uncertainty around the resumption of international travel is leading some people to focus their trip planning energy on 2022. Unless or until the situation improves, I’m going to keep an eye out for airfare deals for next year. At the moment, there is a good fare for travel to Portugal from Halifax that goes all the way to February. [Read more…]
What I Learned About Jigsaw Puzzles During The Pandemic (and Why They’re Good For Your Mental Health)
Last year when I resumed posting on the blog after a two month hiatus, I mentioned that I had stumbled upon a new hobby. In the course of searching for ways to stem pandemic-induced anxiety, I ordered a jigsaw puzzle online. It turned out to be an excellent decision, but like most new recreational activities, there was a learning curve. Now that I have quite a few puzzles under my belt, I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve discovered along the way. [Read more…]
Points and Miles Tips for a Budget Trip to Ottawa
We as Canadians are very fortunate to live in this country. If you have not yet visited our nation’s capital, I suggest you consider putting it on your list of places to visit someday after leisure travel eventually resumes. To help make it happen on a budget, I’ve compiled a few tips that might be useful for anyone planning a trip and interested in using points and miles. [Read more…]
Starting From Scratch: Earning Points For A Low Cost Trip
The pandemic derailed the travel plans of many Canadians in 2020 and will likely thwart most plans for 2021 as well. I suspect lots of us are daydreaming about where to go when leisure travel returns and perhaps others have been inspired to take a trip they have been putting off. With that in mind, I’ve compiled some preliminary guidance for making travel goals more attainable using points and miles. More posts will follow with tips and suggestions tailored to specific destinations which will hopefully be of use to folks interested in planning an affordable trip in the future. [Read more…]
A Budget Traveller’s Thoughts on Chasing Hotel Elite Status
Is it worth it to go out of your way to acquire elite status in a hotel loyalty program? What about when your ultimate goal is simply to save money – will the value of the perks outweigh the extra cost required to reach that status? Read on if you’re interested in the perspective of one Canadian budget traveller. [Read more…]
In Defence of Useless Souvenirs
Are you a souvenir person? Must it have a practical purpose? Does it need to be made locally? Travellers have varying opinions on the matter and mine has evolved over time. I thought I’d explore the topic a little further during this period of limited travel when many people might be reminiscing about past trips. [Read more…]