vacation 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

By Bruce Watson
Daily Finance

Summer vacation season is right around the corner, but with sequestration cutting hours and reducing services at many national parks, it's getting harder to find a low-cost, educational place to take the kids during the time off. Museums are a good option, but admission costs can be bruising, especially for large families.

On the bright side, there is a simple, fairly inexpensive trick that your family can use to get free admission at 662 museums -- and counting -- across Canada and the United States. By joining the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) at a member museum, you can gain admission to any other museum in the network free of charge.

I found out about the program during a visit to the Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge, Mass. One-time admission to the museum for my wife, my daughter and myself cost $37 -- not exactly a punishing fee, but high enough that we would have to think twice before coming back. The thing is, after wandering through the museum a bit, we realized that we definitely wanted to return.

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.

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.

As the New Year approaches and our personal financial coffers are suffering from post-Christmas stress, you may be wondering how in the world you can possibly save anything once the holiday bills start rolling in.

Our grandparents used a coin jar as a means to save money so why couldn't it work for us? When there isn't a lot left over from the paycheque to sock away, try this old-fashioned method of saving money in the New Year.

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.

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.

For those who thought this winter would be another cold terror - think again.

Its been unseasonably warm for many of us across Canada - and the desire to flee into the sun has been lessened by temps hovering at zero and the lack of blizzards.

But what about the ski and snowboard crowd? For them, this winter so far has been a disappointment. All that new gear brought by Santa has so far seen little action.

But if you're willing to travel - there's a few spots that the snow has indeed made it on to the mountain.

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There's something strangely satisfying and less stressful about flying with only carry-on luggage.

The first snicker of satisfaction comes when you arrive at the airport with your boarding pass already printed off the internet and breeze past the line of people waiting to check in their bags. The second is knowing that you've avoided paying check-in baggage fees (this is not so much an issue on Canadian airlines, but you really need to watch out for them in the U.S. or on budget airlines around the world -- they hurt. Ouch!) Third is knowing that the airline won't lose your luggage (it's a slim chance, but it does happen.) And fourth is being able to walk straight off the plane, past those waiting for the baggage conveyor belt to start up, and straight out of the airport.

Before you say that there's no way you could fit everything you need into your carry-on, read on.