New Royal Caribbean ship targeting newlyweds and families

Health-conscious newlyweds and families are a primary target of Royal Caribbean International's newest ship, Liberty of the Seas. Check out these new features:

"The new Vitality wellness program, Explorer Weddings, Adventure Ocean family programming and the Crown & Anchor Society Youth Loyalty Program offer more diverse options for guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation," the cruise line said.

The new ship – sharing the title of the world's largest cruise ship with her sister-ship, Freedom of the Seas – will feature the cruise line's industry innovations such as the FlowRider surf simulator, full-size boxing ring, H2O Zone water park and 11-route rock-climbing wall.

Liberty of the Seas will be differentiated by her design and décor showcasing spectacular artwork commissioned by the cruise line in co-ordination with International Corporate Art, according to the cruise line.

For health and wellness enthusiasts, the cruise line's new Vitality program promotes a more invigorating and rejuvenating vacation through a balanced regimen of food, fitness, spa and shore excursion offerings.

Tai Chi, acupuncture, wellness seminars and even a signature scent will help guests get or stay on track for healthier lifestyles while aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.

The betrothed and spouses can reinforce their commitment in ceremonies with Explorer Weddings, an alternative and adventurous extension of the line's existing Royal Romance wedding and vow renewal program.

The cruise line has come up with some creative ideas for marriage. Guests can marry on an Alaskan glacier or in a hot-air balloon, while surfing on Liberty's FlowRider or scuba diving on the ocean bed, for example.

Enhancements to the Adventure Ocean program will give Royal Caribbean's younger cruisers a more immersive cruise experience. Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway, New York City's famed children's theater group, introduces kids and teens to the world of theater arts.

"With the introduction of Liberty of the Seas, the exciting new programs will provide our guests with even more freedom to create their own unique adventures," said Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International. He added:

"This new ship embodies the brand's innovative essence in so many ways and will serve as a catalyst for fleet wide enhancements that will take the cruise vacation experience to new levels."

RCCL is definitely pushing some new boundaries for cruising and have really helped to solidify their branding with this new ship. If this is the vacation your are looking for, give us a call and we'll get you on this new ship! 1-800-563-2338

HAL introduces ‘As You Wish’ dining

Holland America Line has just launched “As You Wish” dining, a new program that allows passengers to choose from either traditional pre-set seating and dining times, or a flexible dining schedule.

One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early and main seating.

All you need to do is choose which dining style you prefer when booking your cruise. Guests who choose flexible seating can either make a reservation daily during the cruise up to 4 p.m. or simply walk up anytime during dining hours.

This is an interesting departure for Holland America, obviously feeling that they needed to be more flexible themselves to compete in the hot cruise market.

Wining’ in Virginia

Okay - this surprised me too. Who knew that Virginia was a big wine region in the world?

According to a July article in the Travel + Leisure Magazine, Virginia was named as one of the top five (yes - top five!) wine travel destinations in the world, and was the only American region to be featured in the Wine-Lover’s Guide: 5 Wine Regions to Visit Now article.

The article features Virginia and regions in Italy, Spain, Chile and New Zealand as destinations for those who are passionate about wine and food.

“If you’re a wine lover, you are going to love going to Virginia’s wineries,” said the article’s writer, Bruce Schoenfeld. “It’s not just the wineries, but also new restaurants, B&Bs and inns that make Virginia such a great destination.”

Virginia has 130 wineries and designates October as Virginia Wine Month.

Air Canada gives passengers option to help the environment

Air Canada is offering customers the choice to reduce the environmental impact of their travel in co-operation with Zerofootprint, a not-for-profit organization that operates carbon offset programs.

“Air Canada is committed to giving customers the opportunity to reduce the environmental effects of their travel. We not only want to make it possible for people to make good environmental choices, but we also want to play our part in addressing climate change,” says Charles McKee, vice-president of marketing at Air Canada.

“By working with Zerofootprint, we will make it easy for people to calculate the impact of their journey and mitigate those effects with a small, voluntary additional payment to support environmental projects that reduce greenhouse gases.”

Customers booking travel on Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz or their regional partners through will have an option to purchase a carbon offset for their trip. They will find information about carbon offsets, a calculator to determine the amount of carbon dioxide their trip will generate and the cost to offset it, and an easy way to pay the cost of offsetting their trip either with their ticket purchase or at another time.

For example, based on the specifications of Air Canada’s current aircraft, it will cost $19.20 for a customer to offset their share of carbon emissions on a return flight from Toronto to London and $12.80 for a return flight from Vancouver to Montreal.

“Offsetting makes a real difference to the environment in three important ways,” says Deborah Kaplan, executive director of Zerofootprint. “It balances out climate-changing carbon dioxide that is put into the atmosphere by our activities, it highlights the environmental cost of goods and services we buy, and, when you offset with trees, it restores ecosystems, habitats, watersheds, greens communities and creates jobs.”

Toronto Welcomes New Five Star Hotel!

Move over Trump Tower there is another player in town! The Shangri-La Hotel has added itself to the mix of new five star luxury hotels to be built in Toronto. It joins the likes of the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, the aforementioned Trump Tower and the Hazelton. For a city that thinks of itself as world class, the arrival of these stars would seem to confirm it.

We're talking five stars, to be exact. Though none of these establishments is open yet -- all are in various stages of construction or planning -- this wave of luxury ends a long drought for Toronto. It is one of the few cities of its size and stature without a five-star hotel. Not even the long-standing Four Seasons Yorkville, the city's most popular address for visiting celebrities and business titans, has that ranking.

The Shangri-La, announced this month, will go up on University Avenue, Toronto's grand boulevard, across from the new opera house and close to the financial district. Set to open in 2011, it will bring 220 luxury hotel rooms to the city, a first-rate spa, shops, lounges and restaurants.

Has Southwest Airlines become the "Frills" Carrier?

I just found this article in the Dallas Morning News and wanted to share it with you. It's a bit long but its a good summary of the battle between the low fare and traditional airlines in their quest to keep fares low while stripping out what used to be basic expected services. Although this article is about Southwest Airlines, the same market conditions are happening in Canada as well.

"Southwest plumps its image as other airlines cut amenities"

08:21 AM CST on Monday, March 5, 2007
By SUZANNE MARTA / The Dallas Morning News

After decades of being known by air travelers for serving peanuts and little else, has Southwest Airlines Co. become the frills carrier?

The Dallas-based discounter hasn't added amenities. But legacy carriers are taking freebies away, cutting costs by eliminating pillows, selling snacks and even experimenting with charging for soft drinks.

Southwest pokes fun at its traditional rivals in national television ads. In one spot, a customer is asked to insert coins to use an overhead bin, open a window shade and even recline his seat. In another, a flight attendant ticks off a list of charges for such basics as visiting the restroom and pushing the call button.

The tongue-in-cheek ads signal Southwest's desire to shed its cattle-call reputation, industry analysts say, as it faces heightened competition across the airline industry, including from rival low-cost carriers.

"A lot of what they're talking about are things people think about Southwest," said Stuart Klaskin, a consultant with KCC Aviation Consulting in Coral Gables, Fla. "Southwest is trying to divert the conversation away from its no-frills reputation."

Southwest hasn't changed its commitment to a low-cost operation, said Kevin Krone, the airline's vice president of marketing, sales and distribution.

Yet the ads demonstrate how the landscape has changed.

"We wanted to get the word out that we're not like other airlines," he said. "We're offering all these things that other airlines aren't."

The industry has changed so much in the last few years that customers are no longer sure what to expect when they fly.

Even as carriers cut back on perks in coach class, they're promoting frills for premium-cabin customers. And some low-cost carriers, including Frontier Airlines Inc. and JetBlue Airways Corp., offer satellite television, an amenity you won't find on traditional carriers, even in first class.

Over the years, Southwest pitched itself as a low-cost airline with no frills but quick and efficient service. Unlike its traditional competitors, Southwest didn't offer meals. Refreshments consisted of a small bag of peanuts and a drink.

But even though its largest rivals have slashed many amenities, "people still really think of Southwest as the ultra no-frills airline," Mr. Klaskin said.

Cheap frills

And frills, even small ones, may be resonating louder with customers than they used to.

"Ultimately, when pricing is equal, those things can sometimes sway a customer from one carrier to another," Mr. Klaskin said.

Competition is intensifying in the airline industry. Restructuring efforts during the last five years by carriers both in and outside of bankruptcy proceedings have turned all major airlines into "low-cost" carriers, dulling Southwest's operational cost edge.

And heightened competition from other low-fare competitors has pushed Southwest to enter hotly contested markets, such as Denver and Philadelphia, where it faces entrenched rivals on their home turf.

"Everyone has to fight for every passenger," Mr. Krone said.

Although Southwest has enjoyed a powerful brand image for low fares, its cattle-call reputation – which is largely connected to its open-seating policy – has been hard to shake when wooing new customers.

The carrier still lacks what many consider to be the chief in-flight amenity – a seat assignment.

Southwest officials have energetically defended the carrier's open-seating policy, saying that some very enthusiastic customers like it better than assigned seats. Even so, the carrier has considered trying different seating and boarding preferences.

Some industry consultants say it's only a matter of time before Southwest must change its service offerings as it competes more directly with other discounters.

Other carriers are pushing perks in their marketing. Fort Worth-based American Airlines Inc., which last month announced a major push for New York customers, has touted investments in its premium cabin seating and its Admirals Club lounges.

Continental, the only major U.S. carrier that still has complimentary in-flight meal service in coach, has emphasized its cabin comforts and frequent-flier perks – a strategy that analysts say has helped the airline keep a more positive reputation among customers.

Southwest's low-cost rivals are also calling attention to their richer in-flight experience, including satellite entertainment.

At the same time, analysts say the unbundling of extras aboard a flight will probably continue as airlines try to eke out more revenue.

"There seems to be this mentality in the industry to really squeeze the customer for every penny," said Tim Sieber, an airline consultant for the Boyd Group in Evergreen, Colo. "This is where Southwest can take the lead in the marketplace without having to put any cash on the barrel."

Mr. Sieber pointed to recent announcements by Miramar, Fla.-based Spirit Airlines Inc. and British Airways PLC that they would charge for checking a second piece of luggage as well as other carriers that charge for food.

"They're charging for things that were previously included in the ticket price," he said.

Mr. Sieber said that as Southwest takes the lead on fare increases, it must make clear to customers that its product matches and in some cases exceeds that of its competitors.


'Perception of value'

"Southwest needs to raise the perception of value that they provide to the customer," Mr. Sieber said.

In general, passengers book airline tickets based on airfare and flight times. But after that, amenities, service and frequent-flier programs come into play.

"I don't think people will pay more for TV or even for free pillows," Mr. Krone said. "Our point is, when you think about the fare, you have to think about all the other things you pay along the way."

Randy Petersen, publisher of Inside Flyer magazine and WebFlyer.com, said many travelers have resigned themselves to the idea of extra fees.

"People relate it to the banking experience," Mr. Petersen said. "Every little thing you want is an extra charge."

That's exactly the assumption Southwest is trying to change – at least when it comes to its own service.

"Other airlines may match our fares, but then you have all those other charges during your journey," Mr. Krone said.

"We want to make sure that our customers and other people out there flying realize that there are choices out there," he said.

Passport Help

Passport Canada is in the process of hiring 300 additional workers to deal with the surge in demand from Canadian travellers on tight winter-vacation schedules, a spokeswoman for the federal agency said on Friday.

Passport Canada had already hired 200 workers to deal with the demand created by tighter U.S. regulations, Francine Charbonneau said. Staff had been able to process 20,000 applications a day in the weeks before the current crunch, up from 13,000 a day. However, daily applications surged to 21,000 in January, and Passport Canada is facing a delay of 25 business days on top of the standard 20 it requires to process an application by mail.

Those who cannot afford to wait 15 days for Passport Canada to send back their original documents are now pursuing a second option: getting an emergency birth certificate ($30, plus a $15 rush fee) so they can then apply for an expedited passport in person for an additional $70. (The old birth certificate is immediately cancelled for security reasons.)

Jason Wesley, a spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of Government Services, said the high volume of passport applicants has spilled over into the issuing of birth certificates.

“We believe that increase is mainly due to the fact that Canadians need passports now to travel to the United States. And in order to receive a passport, Passport Canada requires a valid birth certificate,” he said, noting there was an 11-per-cent increase in the number of applications received this January, compared with the same period last year.

Those requesting an emergency birth certificate must show up at the Toronto office, he said, or get their MPP to fax their documents for them.

Airbus A380 Finally Launches!

The long-delayed Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane, took its first public flight yesterday as more than 200 journalists and company bosses took off from Toulouse on a two-hour flight over the Pyrenees piloted by British and German captains keen to show off the plane's much publicised "quiet, smooth and fuel-efficient ride".

It was the 2,000th take-off for the superjumbo, which has already flown around the world on a series of tests, passing the north and south poles and stopping off at air shows. But it was the first time the media were able to film the spacious interior of the double-decker, which some airlines are considering fitting with a gym, shops, bars and showers.

The most complex passenger plane ever built, with a production line stretching between France, Britain, Germany and Spain, the A380 project has been beset with problems since engineers struggled to install the 300 miles of wiring, setting off a spiral of delays that led to boardroom turmoil, executive resignations and the wrath of airline buyers who are currently negotiating compensation.

The A380 has a capacity of 840 people, but as airlines compete to give premium passengers more space for more money, it will likely hold an average of 525, compared with around 360 on a Boeing 747. When it launches for Singapore Airlines later this year it could have features such as a gym, cocktail bar, nursery, and private first-class cabin suites with their own sliding doors, desk and bed.

The digital entertainment systems will aim to offer up to 80 films on demand at any time, as well as live TV and potentially on-board internet. The seat-back screens, at around 18 by 10 inches, are almost twice the size of screens on today's planes.

But with the widest cabin in passenger airline history, and 50% more floor surface than the 747, the economy seats are 1-inch wider than on current jumbos and stressed travellers will benefit from seeing more space above their heads, more room to stretch and to walk up and down stairs.

Pearson's Terminal 2 Closes

I would like to feel sad about Terminal 2 closing on Monday night, but I can't. As a frequent user of Toronto's massive airport, anything and everything they do to make the experience better is welcomed with open arms by me.

Sure, Terminal 2 had convenient parking and modern seventies architecture, but it was massive and the interior was dark and gloomy. My lasting memory of good old Terminal 2 will be the endless hallways you had to walk down to get out of the damn place. The walk to customs or the baggage carousel's took forever!

To accommodate the traffic from Terminal 2, the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) has added a new $800-million expansion to the already revamped Terminal 1 called "Pier F" which opened Monday night. Pier F will be capable of handling 38 million passengers a year and is approximately 84,000 square-metres. Officials say the new wing is aimed at "simplifying and enhancing" the travel experience, with 25 new gates for international traffic, 680 metres of moving walkways, and Canada's largest duty-free store. I say bring it on!

Pier F was in development for eight years, and with it comes a new runway as well as new taxiways, utilities, roads, bridges, an on-airport train system, and upgrades to Terminal 3. When all is said and done, the plan is to simplify the transfer process for passengers. And again I say bring it on.

Airport travel is not the fun and exciting experience it used to be. Increased security screenings, line ups, rushed transfer times and crowded planes all combine to make it a stressful and harried process. Anything, and I mean anything they can do to make it better is okay by me. Will I miss Terminal 2? Nope.

BA Strike Cancelled

British Airways (BA) has announced the cancellation of the proposed strike action by its cabin crew, members of The Transport and General Workers’ Union planned for January 30-31, February 5-7, and February 12-14.

As their Web site states, the carrier has reinstated a complete flight schedule for January 30 and January 31. Travelers wishing to travel on any reinstated flight must contact BA or their travel agent as soon as possible to confirm travel.

Conversely, the carrier has advised passengers not to go to the airport unless they hold a confirmed booking on a reinstated flight.

Passengers who have made alternative flight arrangements and are satisfied with these arrangements do not need to rebook or reconfirm.

BA Strike Delayed

A proposed strike at British Airways (BA) has been postponed for 24 hours to allow more time for negotiations between cabin crew staff and management.

Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) had been due to start a three-day strike on January 29th. As a result, travelers flying on this day should be able to travel as normal. However, if negotiations are not settled by this date, planned industrial action will still go ahead on January 30th and 31st, in a move that could affect thousands of travelers.

BA has put together a set of contingency plans and have communicated these with the travel industry. If you think you may be affected by the strike, please contact your travel agent.

This is a good time to remind you that travel agents are a valuable resource for travelers when something unexpected like this happens. They are apprised of the most up to date information from the airline, they can give you give you options and help you to rearrange your travel plans. Having a professional on your side goes a long way when something like this happens.

Where to Go: LA

I like to keep on top of the trends and hip happenings around the world and when I find some cool new hotels, restaurants or bars I like to pass the love around. From my friends at Urban Daddy, I got a great tip on a new bar in LA.

The bar is called the Bar Lubitsch, and its the newest Russian drinking hole from the Bar Marmont crew. Tucked in the heart of West Hollywood's Little Russia, picture a sleek, old school Russian hangout with antique mirrors, cozy booths, a tulip-shaped disco ball, Russian placards and menus and—most importantly—over 200 varieties of vodka.

You heard me - 200 of them. So replace your usual Grey Goose martini with their house specialty, the "Lubitsch Touch." In fact, they take the "art of the cocktail" quite seriously by using only fresh, 100% organic juices and mixes that are made in-house daily; and serving shots in pre-chilled, vintage shot glasses.

If you feel like sipping the good stuff, go for the Jewel of Russia Ultra vodka. (At $25 a shot it ain't cheap, but neither is perfection.)

You can find the Bar Lubitsch at 7702 Santa Monica Blvd (between Spaulding and Stanley Aves), West Hollywood, 323-654-123

Children 12 and Under Will Need ID for Flights

Children who appear to be 12 years of age or older will have to present government-issued ID to board an airplane once Transport Canada's new no-fly list comes into force in March.

The new rules mean children as young as 10 or 11 could be denied the right to board domestic flights if they can't produce government photo ID or present two pieces of non-photo ID issued by government.

The no-fly list will come into force for all domestic flights when final regulations are published in March. The program will be extended to international flights in June.

Under the Passenger Protect program, airlines will be required to screen the names of all persons "who appear to be 12 years of age or older" against the no-fly list before issuing a boarding pass. If there's a match, passengers must produce government-issued ID that shows their name, birth date and gender.

The program also requires airlines do a second screening at the boarding gate by asking passengers who appear to be 12 or older for government-issued ID and comparing it with the name on the boarding pass.

According to the Passenger Protect regulations, the required documents can either be one piece of government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver's licence, or two pieces non-photo ID issued by government, at least one of which must show name, birth date and gender.
Unless young travellers have a passport, they will likely fall into the second category and have to produce two pieces of non-photo ID.

According to Transport Canada spokesperson Jacques Dufort, that would most likely be a birth certificate, which shows date of birth and gender, along with a second piece of government ID, such as a health card or social insurance card, showing only the person's name.

Epicurean Excursions

Here's a new idea in travel tours. Horizon & Co have set up epicurean tours for passionate amateurs which combine an entertaining mix of hands-on cooking and visits to kitchens of local chefs, wine and food tastings and local market excursions.

The itineraries are designed for both enthusiastic cooks and those who enjoy good food and good wine. Daily activities leave time for individual exploration, and guest chefs are chosen for their ability to communicate a genuine passion for their cuisine.

Destinations include the familiar like Tuscany and India, but also include some intriguing options like Hungary, Indochina, and Morocco.

Interested? Give us a call and we can send you out some more info on these exceptional tours

New US Travel Requirements

I just wanted to remind air travelers that new document requirements will come into effect January 23, 2007, as per the United States' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). At this time, all passengers including Canadian and U.S. citizens will be required to present a valid passport when traveling by air to the United States.

We strongly recommend customers who do not hold valid passports apply for new passports well in advance of travel plans.

This new regulation is a change from prior requirements. Effective January 23, 2007, driver licenses and other government-issued photo identification will no longer be accepted as valid travel documentation for Canadian and U.S. citizens traveling by air between Canada and the United States. Alternatively, NEXUS Air cards will be accepted by U.S. authorities when traveling by air from Vancouver International Airport to the United States.

Additional information on Canada-U.S. border regulations is available from the Canada Border Services Agency www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Information on Canadian passport applications is available from Passport Canada www.pptc.gc.ca.

Air Canada embarks on Extreme Makeover

This from Brent Jang, Transportation Reporter from the Globe and Mail:

Air Canada will unveil new plane interiors in 2007 as it seeks to gain a competitive edge by rolling out a revitalization program named Project XM: Extreme Makeover.

The stars of the $300-million project are touch-screen panels on seatbacks. Passengers will use their fingers to press options displayed on the screens, then sit back and enjoy beefed-up video and audio entertainment, said Montie Brewer, Air Canada's president and chief executive officer.

"Every seat on every aircraft will be replaced," Mr. Brewer said in a year-end interview.

Air Canada's offering includes on-demand movies and a selection of pre-recorded news broadcasts and TV shows, but there isn't live programming -- a feature carried by rival WestJet Airlines Ltd.

Montreal-based Air Canada expects to have two-thirds of its fleet of 200 aircraft refurbished by summer, with the makeover project scheduled for completion by the end of 2007. The entire cabin will get a facelift, including the introduction of lie-flat seats in business class on overseas flights. So far, in a preliminary phase, 14 planes have had their interiors finished and are now in service.

Another feature on Air Canada's seatback screens will be interactive games such as puzzles and card games. There will also be three-prong plugs for laptops, and USB ports to recharge iPods and BlackBerry devices.

Air Canada's new in-flight entertainment system will be free initially, but the carrier wants to eventually generate revenue, perhaps through some type of pay-for-view initiative or tailor-made offerings.

Under one scenario, consumers who pay a higher fare would enjoy first-run movies, while those who choose the lowest-fare Tango class would receive basic offerings such as pre-recorded TV shows. On the audio side, there will be an array of music channels, with content provided by Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s XM Canada brand.

New York Hotel Goes Healthy!

What could be the new fad in hotels? How about health.

Mini-bars at the Affinia DuMont, an Executive Suite Hotel in New York City, may be pioneering a trend towards healthier offerings. Their mini-bar has Harvest Power Bars made of whole grain and a Spa Mix that includes peanuts, raisins and nuts. Beverages include organic pomegranate juices.

The hotel has found other ways of catering to its healthy niche with Fitness Concierges who offer advice on running routes and healthy dining options.

Fit Kits for in-room workouts are also offered.

There's even a "relax" deck of cards that shows relaxation and meditation techniques

PS: in keeping with the fitness concept, the mini-bars offer no liquor.


To check rates or learn more about the Affinia DuMont Click Here

Silversea offers cruisers "freedom of choice"

Silversea Cruises says it is introducing next year an exclusive new style of ultra-luxury cruise travel called "Privileged Passage."

"The company is planning to take things to the next level by offering guests even greater personal freedom and flexibility in customizing their own cruise experience to suit their personal lifestyle, while incorporating an expanded and enhanced array of complimentary amenities and benefits," the cruise company says.

Said Albert Peter, CEO:

"In order to attract more first-time and nontraditional cruisers, we want to completely break the mold of the conventional cruise vacation and change travelers' perceptions about the rigidity and formality often associated with cruising."

What elements will go into the new ships?

. Formal nights and receptions will be abolished.

. There will be extended open hours for fitness center and spa-goers.

. Early and Late Disembarkation at no additional cost will be offered.

. Tours will be shaped to make it easier for travelers to have more intimate contact with places and cultures.

. Entertainment will be more casual with contemporary bands, jazz ensembles and mix shows by disc jockeys from around the world.

The Privileged Passage program will debut next year on a test basis aboard Silver Whisper's Classic Reflections voyage, a 10-day cruise.

travelmyway.ca - NEW LOOK!

I had been hoping to post more regularly, but the past week has been dominated with getting our new website up. travelmyway.ca has been live for about two years and we wanted to relaunch with a new look.

Sometimes I wonder if technology is really making our lives easier. I am a early adopter of most things electronic thanks to my dad, but coming up with a new look for the front page has been a bit painstaking.

The biggest issue I found with our old look was that some of our really innovative products were getting lost on the site. Sure lots of people come to search for flights or sun packages, but we have great Internet rates for hotels, we have this amazing condo engine and a last minute weekend getaways engine that will make you never want to stay home again.

So reorganize we did. Have a look and let me know what you think. Normally I like a much more designerly, clean look - but the current marketplace has busy sites filled to the brim with content - so we followed suit.

Welcome to The Travel Insider!

Why a travel blog? Well, as the Marketing Manager of a series of travel agencies in the Toronto area, I have gotten frustrated by two major problems in the travel world: lack of information and too much information. Now this may seem contradictory, but believe me it isn't.

Lets look at the first - lack of information. Even though the Internet is full of travel-related websites, how do you really know if you can trust the information? How do you really know if the price displayed is the lowest one? It may seem like it is an open world now, but agencies are still privy to information a consumer will never see. This blog will hopefully let you in on the way the industry organizes itself and how prices are really determined. We will let you know when it makes sense to book last minute and when to book ahead.

Which leads me into issue number two - too much information. There are literally thousands of Internet sites, booking engines, blogs and travel agencies out there ready to tell you all about travel. What you end up with is information overload. Believe me, I get over 300 emails in my inbox daily from different travel suppliers letting me know about their products and sales.

So how do you find out what you need to know? Well I am hoping that this blog will accomplish that. I will give you the insider's view of where to look, where to go, what is new and exciting, what to beware of, and of course, our "Deal of the Day."

As I mentioned above - I get over 300 emails a day. That is a lot of deals! What I promise to do is sift through my inbox and present to you what I think is the best of the lot. These deals are often time sensitive, so by posting daily this allows me to get the most current information to you faster than if I were to send it out on our email list or post on our website.

There is lots to learn and discover, and I am happy to share any insights and experiences, and hopefully inspire you to try out some new destinations and new travel products.

So welcome! And I hope you visit often!