04 Mar
Vancouver Video Tours

Chicago Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia



Chicago – From humble beginnings, this city has bloomed into one of the USA’s frontrunners. Check out the top sights in Chicago and start planning a trip!

When ready, browse vacation packages to Chicago:

#Chicago, once a small trading post on Lake Michigan, has grown into a true global city. Visit “The Windy City” and chow down on deep dish pizza for a truly unique #vacation experience.

Follow “The Loop,” the city’s primary business district, and marvel at its array of high-rise buildings, consulates, and universities. Shopping and fine dining abound in this area. Set a more sedate pace at the Riverwalk, a pedestrian path along the Chicago River, or #visit the many museums and parks the city has to offer. You’ll never believe you’re actually downtown when you walk through the Garfield Park Conservatory, and the Art Institute of Chicago will allow you to appreciate creative works from around the world.

No Chicago #tour is complete without a mention of the nightlife, so close out your day at a jazz lounge and let the sweet sound of music carry you away.

For now, we hope you enjoy watching this #travel #guide as much as we enjoyed making it.

More travel information around Chicago:

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15 Jan
Vancouver Tours Blog

Cruises – A Worry Free Vacation

Websites on the internet mention all there is to know about the Alaskan Cruise Line – the choices, the schedules, prices and special deals. The best cruiser which sail to Alaska have been in the following list mentioned in an alphabetical order. The American Safari takes you on that perfect trip on board their perfect ships the Safari Quest, Safari Spirit, Safari Explorer and Safari Escape.

The Carnival Cruises' ships sail from Seward and Vancouver on regular 7-days cruises to Alaska. Summit, Infinity and Mercury are the ships offered by the Celebrity Cruiser, an Alaskan Liner – which will take you on a 7-days trip to Alaska. Land excursions are offered by the Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean team. Take a 3 to 12 day cruise with widely varied itineraries, onboard small ships offered by the cruise west to alaska.

The Lindblad Expeditions is another Alaskan Cruise Line with the ships – the Sea Bird and Sea Lion will take you on an 8 – 12 day cruise to Alaska – with the ship board Naturalists who will lead the shore and Zodiac excursions and answer all your questions. The Norwegian Cruises offer their Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Sun – which will set asail from Vancouver and Seattle and sail to the Glacier Bay and Sawyer Glacier. The Holland America Cruises, an Alaskan Cruise Line – are known for their itineraries and close to a hundred land excursions when cruises onboard their ships – Voendam, the Zuideram, the Ryndam, the Zaandam, the Amsterdam and the Westerdam.

Source by David Patullo

21 Jan
Vancouver Tours Blog

It's Smart to Plan That Next Vacation

A little time spent prior to your vacation will net large returns in stress reduction, memory building and costs. The better you plan the more fun you'll have and the less money you will spend. Here are a few tips to assist you with your planning

1. Check and see if there are apartments, condos, or even home rentals available at your destination. Many of these are much less per person than a hotel, and a lot more private. They also offer many luxury features like pools, BBQs, kitchens and more. These properties are often near attractions and the owners often have a lot of inside information to make your travel more fun. Check out Bed & Breakfasts: off season, you may pay less for extravagant lodging and gourmet breakfasts than you'd pay for a ho-hum hotel. You can also look online for great deals on hotels. Remember to join their loyalty program; it will save you money on your next vacation.

2. Find out the off-season for your destination and travel then. There's a world of difference between season and off-season rates. You will also have less of a fight for many of the attractions you are expecting to see. Often the weather is just as great a month before and a month after the high season and the savings are significant. One warning make sure to check the attractions you intend to see to make sure they are open or have different hours of operation in the off-season

3. Check out all-inclusive vacation packages which can save a great deal of money on tours / attractions, lodging, meals, and other amenities. In some places you can get multi-day passes to various amusements or special rates if you go later in the day. Cruises offer an amazing quality of service at an economic all-inclusive price. Cruise companies offer a wide variety of destinations and levels to meet any budget and interest.

4. Saving money on food is pretty easy and a lot of fun. If you are in a rental that offers a kitchen, cook some of your meals. Pick a restaurant or two that you really want to eat at and then plan the remaining meals at your place. It is a hoot to shop away from home. When we travel to Europe we really look forward to hitting the market to see what they have and see what the locals eat. If at a hotel, pick one with a breakfast included. By shopping at the grokers and preparing some of your own meals you will save money and keep off a few of those extra pounds restaurant food puts on you.

5. To get around once you're at that vacation destination can be very expensive. Do not be afraid of buses and light rail to get around town If it makes sense, you do not always need a car. If there are a few of you, see if a car is cheaper in the long haul than taxies, busses, and trains. As a family of six we find that if we are staying in a specific town / venue for the vacation a car is a liability. However, with so many if we are traveling from one venue to another having a car is not only cheaper, but it offers a lot more flexibility
You can in fact have a great vacation without mortgaging the house.

Planning, some research, and an attitude focused on having a great time will help you to have a vacation that you and your family will remember fondly for years to come.

Source by Bill Littler

01 Dec
Vancouver Tours Blog

Cost Vs Value When Booking a Vacation

When it comes to saving money on a trip – when is the value of using a travel agent worth paying a little more than the price you find online?

Unlike booking online, when you book with a travel agent, you are getting much more service than you will with an online agency. Our job doesn’t end when we deliver your tickets to you – it continues with our assistance while you are traveling and when you get home. How you may ask?

Here are a few examples of actual client travel problems that the value of using a travel agent outweighed booking by themselves.

We booked a family on a vacation package to Cabo. They had connecting flights and called us because their first flight leaving was delayed by several hours, causing them to miss their connecting flight.They called us from the airport because they were concerned that the company that their transfers were through would not be at the airport to pick them up. We contacted the supplier who changed the flight times and made sure the transfer company had the new information.

Clients from Georgia were supposed to fly Feb. 13, 2010 to San Juan for a cruise leaving at 10 PM on Feb. 14. At 8 AM on Feb. 13 they called us in a panic. It was snowing, their flights were canceled and the airline told the clients they would not be able to fly them out until Monday.

Thankfully they could drive to Florida and we found flights on another airline Feb. 14 that would get them to the cruise ship with plenty of time to spare. We canceled their San Juan hotel, found a hotel in Orlando for her that would allow them to park their car for free for the duration of the cruise and shuttle her back and forth to the airport. Our client said if she had booked this on her own, she would not have known what to do and would have been heartbroken at not being able to travel. Since she had also purchased travel insurance, we started a travel delay claim for her to be reimbursed for the difference in the flight prices, plus her expenses for gas, tolls and meals to get back and forth to the Orlando airport. The forms were waiting for her when she arrived back from her cruise.

A few years ago, we had clients who had booked a trip and canceled their trip a month before the date they were to leave for a reason that was not covered by travel insurance. The supplier was adamant that the cancellation was non-refundable. We interceded and were able to obtain a partial credit to book another trip within one year so the client did not lose all their money.

Today a client sent us a price quote for a vacation to Punta Cana asking if we could beat the price. She priced the vacation with connecting flights from Philadelphia and on her return, she chose a flight that left Punta Cana at 7 AM. We asked her if she realized that to make that return flight home she would have to be at the airport by 4:30 AM to ensure she would have enough time to get through Security. She had no idea she would have to be at the airport that early. Not only did we beat the price, we found her direct flights for less than she was quoted through the online agency and her return flight left at 1:05 PM.

What other value do we provide when you book with us that you won’t get from booking online? We send you destination information, advise you of the documentation you need to travel, give information on optional excursions, send you helpful hints and last minute reminders and we are available 24 hours if you have a problem while you are traveling as evidenced above. We follow up with you when you return and if there was a problem that needs to be addressed with a supplier, we will get involved to try and find a satisfactory resolution.

Is this kind of service worth paying a little extra for?

Source by Neil Maley

12 Nov
Vancouver Video Tours

Houston Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia



Welcome to Houston, Texas, one of the largest cities in the United States.

Once an outpost in the Old West, Houston is now a down-to-earth metropolis, boasting a tremendous shipping and energy industry, as well as plenty of culture.

Kick off your Houston tour at Discovery Green, a 12-acre park tucked beneath the city’s skyscrapers. You’ll find public art and plenty of space to picnic or go for walks. Houstoners take pride in their various parks, museums, and open spaces, like the Houston Arboretum, where you can go birdwatching, learn about green living, and hike the trails to explore local wildlife.

Speaking of exploring, your Houston sightseeing should include a trip to the USS Texas., This battleship served in two World Wars and now stands guard as a museum on the Buffalo Bayou. Head over to the Gulf for a walk on the beach while you watch the sunset, then get ready to gear up for the evening with some delicious TexMex shared with the locals. After you lose yourself in a few rounds of line dancing to burn off all those fajitas, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t come to Houston earlier.

Visit our Houston travel guide page for more information or to plan your next vacation!

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07 Nov
Vancouver Video Tours

From Vancouver to Banff Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer



Insider Mike Siegel celebrated the Rocky Mountaineer’s 25th anniversary by setting off on the train’s “First Passage to the West” route, a two-day trip from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Banff, Alberta.

Mike’s journey began with a day spent in Vancouver, where he took a Sea Safari zodiac boat tour with Sewell’s Marina in picturesque Horseshoe Bay. Next, it was time to hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and admire the stunning Canadian countryside from the train’s two-level, glass-domed coach (available to GoldLeaf class passengers). Mike’s trip ended in Banff, where he headed straight for the Sunshine Village Ski Resort for a day on the slopes.

Get the full story of Mike’s throwback train travel experience at:

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04 Nov
Vancouver Tours Blog

A Vacation Trip To Historical Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor, a historical place at Oahu Island, offers a never forgettable experience to the visitors. Scroll down the page and know more about this place that turned the country’s course in the second world war and some more attractions around it.

Welcome to Pear Harbor, the most visited tourist destination of Oahu Island. Being acquainted to the rich American history, you will surely remember the experience for a long span of time. We are presenting some of the interesting facts about this place and the reasons why one should visit this small piece of historical Hawaii Island.

Pearl Harbor, also called ‘Pu’uloa’, is located on the Oahu Island, to the west of Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii state. This place is well known for the Japanese attack in 1941 when 1,177 sailors drowned in the water. The reason took birth in 1931 when Japanese started their operation to create an empire in the whole Asia. After attacking on China in 1937, they moved to Thailand and Philippines to meet their target. Britain (the United Kingdom) was against this action and started to cut off the help and freeze the Japanese assets in each respective country. Following the UK, America was also pushing the Japan to stop their move. To answer the USA, Japanese started to attack through the aircraft and midgets submarines. Although the Americans had deciphered the attack code, they could not discover the exact location before the attack occurred. Japanese attacked and turned the day into a black day for American damaging the fleet and hunting 2,350 lives, 1,177 were from the Arizona.

At Pearl Harbor, you could closely explore the history through visiting the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center. You would get the opportunity to board the Navy launch ship to go to the Arizona memorial where the names of all 1,177 sailors and marines are written on a wall of marble. During your tour to Pearl Harbor, you could enjoy some fine attractions of Oahu Island including Polynesian Cultural Center, North Shore and some world famous museums like USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri Battleship and Pacific Aviation Museum. Charming city Honolulu is also in proximity to this place where fun and enjoyment is certain for every visitor.

For accommodation, you need not to worry as numerous hotels, rentals and condos are providing quality lodging facilities with all modern amenities and fun-filled activities depending upon your budget. There is a plethora of dining venues offering fresh sea food as well as the traditional Hawaiian dishes. To cater to your shopping needs, you could move to Honolulu city where a number of world-class shopping destinations are waiting for you.

No doubt, a tour to Pearl Harbor would be the unique experience in your life, unforgettable for a long period of time. To book your trip in advance you can surf the Internet where some reliable websites provide a variety of tour packages depending upon your budget. Along with traveling facilities, they arrange for the accommodation and tourist guides to show you all the sights. You need to search well comparing the prices and facilities offered by the websites. This would help you to get the suitable package for Pearl Harbor tour from a reputable tour company.

Source by Shaker Morad

21 Oct
Vancouver Tours Blog

Vacation and Travel Planned in Casual Luxury

Not all of us can afford to book an airplane ticket and reserve a deluxe accommodation to places we only imagine. Aside from that we also need some funds to spend when we arrive to our chosen destinations. Travel and shopping always come together. We cannot close our eyes when we see the products they offer in our chosen location. To make our trip enjoyable and affordable we must have a plan.

Access to the internet will be the best tool to guide us anywhere in the world. There are sites where we can compare the prices of airline tickets. If you book flights through an online travel agent today, you can pay nearly $50 per transaction in additional booking fees. Now, some travel agent says ‘no’ to booking fees. By booking online, the booking fees will be removed and you can use that money to shop in your destination and enjoy the holiday you deserve. Ask for coupons and promos. Airlines offer discount travels depending on the time of the year like the low season. Travelling with group like tour group or travel club will also give you a lot of savings. Take advantage of glorious all inclusive packages.

After booking your tickets, you must look for the accommodation. You can search the site again. If you want surfing, search for a hotel near the surfing area. If you desire for a night life, book near the city. You only need a place to stay during the night or to take nap. So, you don’t need an expensive place. You will be out and exploring the area all day. Don’t reserve for long days. One day is enough, You can always extend your stay if needed. You will be going to places and you can stay in that particular place if needed so that you will not be going back and forth. Time is gold when travelling. You have to make you use of it every minute. My point here is not to spend too much in your travel time. Keep going, don’t go back. See all the interesting places in that area. If you’re in the northern area, explore the place. Spend your night with the locals and tomorrow will be another day. That way, you will be saving a lot from hotel accommodations. The people in every country will be more than willing to extend their hospitality thereby gaining more friends.

There are so many ways where you can make your journey less expensive. And for a piece of advice don’t bring too much clothes. Bring only the daily necessities. Anyway, you can always do travel and shopping together.

Source by Teresita Ledesma

19 Sep
Vancouver Tours Blog

Perfect Europe Vacation Planning

Are you planning to go on a Europe Vacation some day? If so, you have picked an excellent place to venture to, as Europe has great cultural and historical significance, making it a hot locale for travelers. Places like Berlin, London, Venice, Nice, and Paris are very popular for people taking trips abroad. I have some tips for you, expert information, about how you can make your trip to Europe an experience you will never forget.

Keep an Open Mind

You should never settle on a rigid itinerary for your vacation. By traveling to a foreign location, you are giving yourself the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture and lifestyle than what you are accredited to. For that reason, you should try looking into short-term rentals on homes and apartments. It is actually a very common practice in that part of the world, and you will find that renting is much cheaper than hotels or resorts. This will give you the opportunity to go into the streets and meet people, allowing you to learn more about the people and lifestyle of that country. That is the best way to have an unforgettable experience.

Stability

If you are looking for a more stable vacation, sometimes you should contact a travel agent and purchase a vacation package. Packages range in price, but you may be able to find a sale if you look hard enough. A discount package price will allow you to save more money for spending while you're in Europe. The benefit of vacation packages is that they will make sure you are on tours that explore all of the major attractions of a location, allowing for a worry- free vacation.

Bargain Vacations

The true key to getting a discount on a vacation, no matter where you go, is flexibility. You can save a great deal by taking advantage of bargains that only come up at certain times of the year and at certain places. These vacations are great if you can be flexible with:

* Which of the airlines you choose

* Which cruises you want to go on

* What you want to eat

* Where you want to stay

* When you want you leave

For example, if you have no particular goal in mind, but you just want to see Europe, then you will be able to find cheaper rates for traveling and staying in certain nations. Do not wait until the last-minute to start planning your vacation!

Stretching Every Dollar (or Euro)

Keep in mind that in other countries, prices are often times negotiable. Depending on where you go, especially in countries with weaker economies, you can often times haggle on the prices of your purchases, which will help you save a lot. This usually does not work with large-scale franchise businesses, but will almost always work with small local businesses.

Also, if you choose to eat at restaurants, a local restaurant is good in this respect because they will generally offer you lower prices then places that you are accredited to seeing in America. Remember, if you really want to make the most of your European vacation, then save money every chance you get, it will allow you to spend more on the things you like!

Source by Mike Jerry

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