Things are going pretty well here in the Atlantic bubble. It no longer feels like the end times are upon us. Of course it helps if you refrain from watching or reading news from south of the border. Who knows when life will resemble something close to normal again, but hopefully 2021 will be a much better year. Therefore, I thought it might be useful to compile some thoughts on travel planning for when it becomes safer to venture beyond the Maritimes. [Read more…]
Points and Travel as a Risk Averse Individual
The wide variation in risk tolerance among travellers and points enthusiasts has been quite apparent in recent months. The concerns over COVID-19 and resulting travel advisories and restrictions have convinced many people to cancel or postpone 2020 travel. It’s interesting to see how individuals choose different paths when presented with the same information. It prompted me to consider where I fit on the risk aversion spectrum. You might find this one a bit too long and tedious. If so, feel free to skip to the bottom for some tangentially related bovine photo content. [Read more…]
Searching For Atlantic Bubble Accommodation Deals?
Yesterday (July 3, 2020) was the first day in months that residents of Atlantic Canada could freely move about the region. This “Atlantic Bubble” as it’s called signals an easing of restrictions established to combat the spread of COVID-19. I thought it might be worth doing a little bit of searching for any special lodging rates aimed at encouraging Atlantic Canadians to spend some travel dollars close to home. [Read more…]
A Few Regrets of a Frugal Traveller
During these challenging times, reminiscing about past travels is a nice escape. I love to relive all the terrific experiences from various trips. Still, I also tend to think back on what I would have done differently. My modus operandi when planning travel is to save money (and points) while achieving good value, but, as much as I try to avoid any missteps, it’s impossible not to make a a few. [Read more…]
Reflections on April 2020 in Nova Scotia
Hello again. My last blog post was in the middle of March as it was becoming clear that Covid-19 would be throwing travel, and life in general, into a strange holding pattern with an uncertain future. Although worries about the spreading coronavirus remain, for me the month of May has been easier to handle than April. So I thought I would start posting on the blog again and hopefully the coming weeks will see a return to travel planning alongside positive pandemic developments. [Read more…]
Disneyland on Points (Aeroplan, Air Miles, TD Rewards, RBC Avion)
When it was announced that Disneyland and Walt Disney World would be opening a new “land” all about Star Wars, I knew that my brother and I would likely take a trip to see it. Our parents took us to Walt Disney World in Orlando many times during our childhood and my brother was a big fan of the Star Wars movies. The goal then was to accumulate the right points and miles to make an eventual trip as inexpensive as possible. [Read more…]
Why You Should Visit Krakow, Poland Sooner Rather Than Later
If you are pondering potential European travel destinations for a future trip, I suggest you bump Krakow up the list. I’ve held this view after visiting the city in 2016 and subsequently visiting Prague, another great central European city, in 2018. I found the contrast of the two somewhat enlightening and prompted a concern that Krakow will soon turn into the major tourist magnet that Prague has become. [Read more…]
Can You Cruise from Halifax to Europe and Back?
I’ve occasionally wondered about this. If, for some reason, you cannot or prefer not to fly, is it possible to board a cruise ship in Halifax, sail to Europe, and return the same way? What follows are the bits of info that I’ve been able to uncover as a matter of curiosity. If you want a definitive answer on the subject, consult a travel agent to get the full lowdown. [Read more…]
Travel Memories of 2019
Another great year of travels made possible by using points and finding good deals. What sticks in my mind though, is not scoring a low airfare or hotel rate, but all the memories made during trips that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Here are a few thoughts on what stood out for me in 2019. [Read more…]
Hotel Hopping At Universal Orlando – Onsite & Offsite
Recently my mother and I returned from a 4 night stay in Orlando, Florida. It was very similar to a trip we took last December and turned out to be just as much fun this time around. As keen collectors of points and miles, this trip was planned with a little more complexity than it otherwise would have been. Several different loyalty currencies were involved and we flew on 2 airlines and stayed at 3 different hotels over the 4 nights. Having now stayed at various hotels in the area, I’d like to try to shed some light on the choices available when selecting accommodation for a Universal trip. [Read more…]