Getting Away
Finding Sand and Sun this Winter
When winter descends on us, and temperatures rarely go above zero, you may find visions of hot sandy beaches dancing through your head. While Canada is a great country to live, let’s face it: escaping the cold, harsh winter is a thought that crosses many of our minds. Well, except maybe for those that live in British Columbia. When it comes to planning a fun-in-the-sun vacation, there are so many options for winter escapes that it can be challenging to know where you should start.
That’s where travel consultants come in. They can take the stress away from you by planning your vacation. It’s a travel consultant’s job to keep up-to-date on pricing, destinations, and the best times to travel. Linda Landry, a certified travel consultant, has booked vacations and travel for clients for 29 years with the Travel Store in Charlottetown, PEI.
She notes if you are looking for a down south vacation, keep in mind that winter is the busiest time of year and sometimes it can be more expensive. Summer and fall seem to be a popular time of the year when Canadians travel overseas to European destinations or book river cruises.
For those looking to plan a trip this winter, Landry has the following tips to help you plan your trip.
Travelling to a Sunny Destination
She notes that if you are looking for a down south vacation, keep in mind that winter is the busiest time of year, and sometimes it can be more expensive. Summer and fall seem to be a popular time of the year when Canadians travel overseas to European destinations or book river cruises.
Landry says it’s important to research potential vacation destinations and remember that when travelling, you should look into safety precautions and potential vaccines needed for the area you will be staying at.
“I think a really important message for people travelling is to keep in mind we are guests when we travel outside Canada and that not every country is as rich as we are,” explains Landry.
Currently, out of the Charlottetown office where Landry works, the most popular destinations for Canadians vary from all-inclusive packages down south to various destinations around Europe. The destinations include:
- the Dominican Republic,
- Cuba,
- Mexico,
- Jamaica,
- Orlando,
If you are interested in other destinations, travel agents are a great resource to help with where you want to go, helping you find the right resort or area to stay and trying to find vacations within your budget.
“What the benefits are is the knowledge of the industry
and country where the client is travelling to. We are a local company, so clients can easily call or visit us with any questions or concerns,” notes Landry.

5 Tips To Prepare For a Vacation
When it comes to planning a trip there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are five tips to make sure you consider when planning a trip.
1 | Start planning early, at least six months in advance
Start narrowing down your top destinations. Compare costs, where to fly out of, layovers and such. Compare amenities, activities, and other factors that may impact the decision of where to go.
2 | If children are old enough, have them help plan the trip
Ask them what their interests are and what they want to do on vacation. Get them to help with packing, and if it’s a long ride to the airport, make sure they have enough activities for the drive and the plane ride.
3 | Budget appropriately.
Determine how much you can afford to spend overall. Include all aspects of the trip—transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, and incidentals. Plus, factor in a buffer for unexpected expenses. Look into the typical costs of your destination. You can use online resources, travel forums, and budgeting tools to estimate daily costs accurately. Don’t forget to factor in the exchange rate. Also, set aside a portion of your budget for unexpected situations like medical issues or missed connections. Travel insurance can also provide financial protection.
4 | Make sure everyone has up to date identification such as passports, insurance, and visas if necessary.
Before booking a trip, ensure all proper identification is current. Sometimes, getting a new passport or renewal can take up to five weeks, according to Service Canada. Ensure you don’t require any extra documents, like a tourist visa or vaccine documentation. A travel agent can let you know what you will need based on the country you are visiting.
5 | Arrive at the airports in plenty of time for all flights.
Most airports require travellers to arrive three hours in advance of their departure, especially international flights. Be sure to check your booking for up-to-date departure and arrival times.
Landry says it’s important to do research on potential vacation destinations and to remember that when travelling you should look into safety precautions and potential vaccines needed for the area you will be staying at.
Travelling This Winter?
For those looking to plan a trip this winter, Landry has the following tips to help you plan your trip.
1 | Tip for Couples
When looking for vacations, look for Adult-Only resorts or hotels. This will ensure you won’t encounter screaming kids by the pool.
2 | Tip for Families
Choose resorts or hotels with designated kids programs/areas. When researching amenities for your vacation, you can specifically look for these, as well as, ask your Travel Agent to only look for resorts/accommodations with these available.
3 | Tip for First-Time Travellers
It depends on where first-time travellers are going, but I would recommend respecting each country’s practices and doing your research.
4 | Tip if you don’t want an all-inclusive vacation
Go over each individual cost, such as meals, drinks, attractions, extra hotel fees, etc., to better plan your budget so there are no surprises.
Non-inclusive trips often have additional fees you may not be used to paying if you are used to all-inclusive trips. By doing your research on currency exchange and the average spending per day on essentials, you can ultimately save yourself the headache of running into financial stress while on vacation.
Websites for Vacation Planning
For anyone, whether you are a seasoned traveller or brand new, knowing where to start your vacation planning is important. Here are a few sites to help you plan your next vacation:
The Travel Store Air Canada Vacations Sunwing Vacations Transat Holiday Lonely Planet Booking.com Trip Hobo