Air Canada to charge $25 for checking second bag

Following the lead of other North American carriers, Air Canada announced that passengers will have to pay $25 to check a second piece of luggage on all economy-class flights within North America. The change, it said, was prompted by "record high and unrelenting fuel costs."

The change will take effect on July 15, and applies to customers who buy Tango and Tango plus tickets. The new charge won't apply to business-class travellers or international flights.

Although WestJet has not announced that it will follow suit, do not be surprised if they make a similar announcement in the coming weeks.

Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways announced earlier this week that their passengers would be charged for checking a second bag.

Transat Holidays offers free nights in Paris

I say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Meaning - when its free, especially in pricey Paris, take it!

I have said it before - Paris is magical. All you can want in a city and more. And to make it even more attractive, Transat Holidays is offering travellers free nights in Paris!

Book two seats to Paris by May 18 and you will receive two free night’s accommodations. The offer is valid for departures on Thursdays May 29 to Oct. 2 and Fridays June 6 to Oct. 3.

The two free nights are valid at the following Paris hotels: Hôtel All Seasons Paris Bercy located in the new area of Bercy, only a few steps from the Cinemathèque and the Palais Omnisports, the Citéa Paris Porte de Charenton, located along the Peripherique Boulevard only 100 metres from Paris and the Bois de Vencennes, the Grand Hôtel de Turin, located in a very lively commercial area and an excellent choice for couples and families or the Hôtel Flaubert located in the 17th district, close to the Arc de Triomphe and parc Monceau.

Give us a call and we'd be happy to put your Paris vacation together!

Disney kids fly free

Check out this new new Walt Disney World Resort promotion available with Nolitours, it allows one child to fly free when booking a Disney Vacation with Nolitours, plus there’s a free Disney Dining Plan offer.

The child flies free offer (for ages three to nine travelling with two paying adults, staying at a Disney Resort Hotel) is available for bookings made by June 22, 2008 for travel Fridays and Saturdays May 2 – June 20 and August 30 – Oct. 25.

The free Disney Dining Plan is valid with a seven night stay at a select Walt Disney World Resort Hotel combined with a 7 – Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket. Disney packages in conjunction with this offer must be booked by June 22 for travel Aug. 24 – Sept. 20.

Disney’s Magic Your Way packages include:
- roundtrip airfare from Toronto
- seven nights accommodation at a Walt Disney World Resort
- 7-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket
- free Disney Dining Plan
- transfers

Prices start at $699 per adult and $349 per child (ages three to nine) at a Disney Value Resort and $949 per adult and $349 per child in a Disney Moderate Resort.

Give us a call at 800-563-2338 to book this great Disney deal!

Atlantic City wins over Las Vegas!

I know most of your gamblers and thrill seekers think of Las Vegas first - but pay attention, Atlantic City has just won a "stunning" upset over long time rival Las Vegas in a crucial competition.

A new hospitality study found New Jersey scored ahead of Las Vegas in virtually every category from value for price, to sophistication and pampering. The survey was particularly surprising because New Jersey’s Atlantic City at 30-years-old is a relative newcomer to the gaming market compared to Nevada, which has been around for 77 years.

"Compared to the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City guests are more satisfied with their hotel and casino experience," said the survey, published in Hotel & Motel Management magazine.

Seventh-eight percent of Atlantic City visitors were "very likely to recommend" the resort to others, but just 59% of Las Vegas visitors were as likely to do so, according to the San Rafael, California based Market Metrix.

Maybe its time to consider this new destination? Give us a call and we'll be happy to quote you on air and hotel!

Princess Plans to Add Adult-Only Areas to Entire Fleet

This just in from the USA Today Cruise Log and Johanna Jainchill:

Princess plans to add quiet, adult-only deck areas to its entire fleet of ships, expanding the popular Sanctuary spots that debuted on the Crown Princess in 2006.

Only the Crown and Emerald Princess currently have Sanctuary, but the Island Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess and upcoming Ruby Princess will be outfitted by the end of this year, and the remainder of the fleet by 2010.

These kid-free, low-music zones have become increasingly popular in the last couple years. Cruise lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean have had versions of adult areas on their ships since the 90’s, but Princess took it to the next level.

The Sanctuary is a roped off area that was initially free, but became so popular when the Crown debuted, the line quickly began charging a $10 fee for about four hours of relaxation time.

For the price, cruisers can lounge on plush, outdoor furniture while listening to piped-in spa music, while stewards bring around chilled face towels and Evian water atomizers. For additional fees, guests can order from a “healthy” food and beverage menu or rent MP3 players with pre-loaded relaxation tunes.

Carnival Cruise Lines took a cue from Princess and began adding quiet, adult-only “Serenity” areas to its ships this year as part of its $250 Fantasy-class upgrade initiative. The Serenity is so popular on the Imagination, the first ship to get it, that Carnival has said it may expand the concept to the rest of the fleet as well.

For now, Carnival has no plans to charge for use of that area, but if its popularity continues, the line has not ruled out the possibility of assessing a fee.