travel posts

Do you deserve a vacation Canada?

Has work, daily life and the endless wait for spring weather made you feel like you need an escape? For those of us who want to recharge or revive, a vacation is the answer.

Whether it's a change of scenery, a romantic weekend for the two of you or a family holiday to have some fun, there are several options that won't make you regret taking your credit card out of your wallet. Heck, even the Griswolds are getting back on the road.

So where

Camping season will soon be here and, for many families, it's a great way to get away. Once you have the gear, camping is a relatively inexpensive way to vacation and kids love it.

If you're new to camping, you may be wondering how to save money on camping supplies. Here are a few tips:

Planning a trip and not sure where to go?

We're lucky as Canadians - we have a strong currency, plenty of flights from our major cities and a curiosity to see more of the planet.

But since we share the longest border in the world with our neighbour to the south, the United States of America, is it a surprise that it's our number one foreign destination?

We all have our fave American cities to visit, but if you want to plan a trip and make it a bargain, here are 10 U.S. destinations that are the most affordable to visit.

When we travel, all we're thinking about is getting away from routine and having a good time. But good times can go bad quickly if you make one or more of these six travel mistakes that can cost you.

Prepare in advance to avoid these common mistakes.

So, you're in Florida on your winter vacation and you fall off your jet ski and break your leg. The hospital slaps you with a $35,000 bill, but it's OK. You have insurance, right? Um, please say you have travel health insurance.

Sure, it's not often that you break a leg, so you think the chances of it happening during your holiday are low. But, then again, how often do you play around on a jet ski? And think about more common traveller health complaints, such as food poisoning or that trip to the hospital to relieve your child of that scary asthma attack.

Royal Bank of Canada says about one in 10 Canadians will travel outside Canada this spring break, according to a poll of more than 1,000 Canadians.

Tickets, reservations, luggage, charging up batteries - getting ready to head out on the road?

With the upcoming long weekend (and more travelling in your future, fingers crossed), it's good to make a checklist of what to do (and have with you) before you go away.

Everyone thinks about the house and what they need to take with them, but what about cash or credit? Should it be either/or?

Whether it's a short time or a long time, make it a good time by taking some time to know how to deal with the money.

Whether your traveling by plane, train or automobile you'll want to have the most comfortable and hassle-free journey as possible. So, if your suitcase checklist only consists of shirts, shorts and toiletries it's time to take packing for business or for leisure to the next level. To help make this possible, here are seven must-have gadgets for travelers.

Forget the deep pockets
Are you guilty of carrying multiple credit, identification and loyalty cards in your purse or wallet? You could be unintentionally making yourself a target for theft. Maybe it's time to make a change and streamline your style? The Q Card Case by CM4 is a great way to lighten your load and reduce your risk of becoming a target. Warning: This is not your typical iPhone case. It's an integrated wallet that can comfortably hold up to three cards plus cash. The protective case is soft to touch and is elegantly designed. As well, it's not all beauty and no brains. The thumb-out slot securely holds your essentials while providing easy access to the card(s) or cash you need. More importantly, the case won't interfere with your ability to use the phone.

(CM4.com, $39.99)

For those keeping an eye on the news, two of the largest cities in Canada are losing their tourism glow.

Montreal's constant student protests have gone from a regular proclamation against the increase in university tuition fees to a threat against the numerous annual summer festivals hosted in Quebec's largest city.

The upcoming Montreal Grand Prix cancelled one its opening events, fearful that student protestors would prevent race fans from attending.

Meanwhile Canada's largest city just witnessed the bold murder of one of its local citizens, in the food court of the largest downtown shopping mall, the Eaton Centre.

Are you planning a trip to either city?

Do you dream of winning the lottery to be able to live like the celebrities?

I remember watching the series Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, wanting the chance to visit that lush island resort or being able to step foot in that expensive big city hotel.

For the one per cent, the red carpet is always rolled out to welcome them and their Louis Vuitton wallets. But what about the 99 per cent?

Luxury destinations don't have to be out of reach - and there's several tips to be able to make those dreams become reality.

By Travis Hoium, The Motley Fool