Ten Tips for Canada Travels in 2018

With Australian visitation to Canada rising exponentially each year, more Aussies than ever are expected to make 2018 the year they explore this diverse North American country. Read on for our top ten tips for planning bucket-list adventures in Canada this year.

• Don't be fooled by unauthorised websites when you apply for your electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Use the official website to register for an eTA at a cost of $7 CAD. Beware of 'scam' websites charging up to $122 USD for the application. Australian citizens require an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before flying to Canada.
• Peak tourist months in Canada are July and August, when flights and accommodation are more expensive. Consider travelling outside peak season during autumn for spectacular foliage in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, or winter and early spring for the ultimate winter wonderland.
• Heading to Whistler? Make sure you experience the epic Peak 2 Peak Gondola and the new Peak Suspension Bridge, the tallest in North America, for mind-blowing panoramic views in every season. If you're there during winter, spend a day skiing or snowboarding with an Olympian, learning expert techniques, and hearing their stories of success. 
• Head to the Maritime province of New Brunswick to witness the highest tides in the world at the incredible Bay of Fundy. Walk the ocean floor during low tide at the Hopewell Rocks or abseil down cliffs into the bay at Cape Enrage. Jump on a zodiac with Red Rock Adventure for a memorable Fundy Trail Tour, where you'll explore the longest stretch of coastal wilderness on the eastern seaboard, meeting seals and porpoises along the way.
• For a true 'bragging rights' experience, road trippers can now drive the road made famous through the Ice Road Truckers television series. The 137-kilometre Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road, two hours from Inuvik in Canada's Northwest Territories, forms part of the famous Dempster Highway, allowing travellers to drive all the way from Whitehorse, in Yukon Territory, to the Arctic Circle in Northwest Territories on a sealed bitumen road, rather than sheets of ice!
• Discover Banff Tours is now offering small group tours taking travellers from Vancouver to Banff and vice versa. This is a great option for those who catch the Rocky Mountaineer one way and would prefer to drive back rather than fly. It's also ideal for those wishing to explore the Rockies by road. The tour includes lunch in Revelstoke and accommodation at the Plaza Hotel in Kamloops. 
• Who wants to stay in a conventional hotel when you can bed down in a house boat? From May 2018, visitors to Canada's capital city of Ottawa in Ontario can cruise the Rideau Canal on a state-of-the-art Horizon cruiser by Le Boat. Glide effortlessly through the charming downtown precinct, enjoying tranquil views of Parliament Hill the rolling green banks.
• EdgeWalk at the CN Tower in Toronto holds the Guinness World Record for the “Highest External Walk on a Building” at 116 storeys high. This is an epic bucket-list attraction for thrill-seekers.
• Visiting the east coast during summer? Get to know the salt-of-the-earth characters of Newfoundland and Labrador during the George Street Festivalfrom 26 July - 1 August 2018. George Street has been a magnet for musicians for decades and is famous for comprising two blocks of bars, pubs, restaurants – and nothing else.
• If you're travelling to the US east coast, consider a road trip to Quebec. Make the 500-kilometre journey from Boston to Montreal via the picturesque Eastern Townships for an authentic French-Canadian experience. We're talking sparkling lakes, wineries, and chocolatiers, where the welcoming locals speak their native French.

GETTING THERE

Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane. Additionally, Air Canada will commence year-round direct flights from Melbourne to Vancouver from June 2018. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas.

www.keepexploring.com.au

How to rub shoulders with Manitoba's famous residents

They're dazzling, beautiful and permanently trending on social media.

Manitoba's famous inhabitants are household names, attracting travellers from around the world whose greatest desire is to merely stand in their presence.

Read on for the inside scoop on where to find seven of these wild celebrities. 

Polar bear: best viewing time July to November

Should you ever come face to face with these Arctic royals, you may wish to curtsy – and then back away quickly. In Churchill, you can safely view the largest land carnivore in the world from a tundra vehicle or from a fenced wilderness lodge. You can even walk among them with a guide or see them from on high during a helicopter tour.

Bison: year-round

Perhaps Manitoba's most iconic resident celebrity, the bison reflects the province's First Nations' heritage, still as relevant today as it ever was. These majestic beasts are the largest mammal in North America and can run up to 60 kilometres an hour. Riding Mountain National Park and FortWhyte Alive are ideal locations for a personal encounter with these famous giants. 

Belugas

Belugas: July – August

Hearing the beluga whales sing their sweet 'canary' chirps and whistles is a spine-tingling moment. Thousands of white beluga whales congregate each summer in the mouths of the northern Churchill and Seal Rivers that empty into Hudson Bay. Jump in a zodiac for a closer look. Better still? Swim with the belugas! They're among the friendliest of whales and are just as curious about people as you are about them. 

Canada lynx: year-round

In Riding Mountain National Park cat-lovers might just be lucky enough to spy the elusive Canada lynx. Warning – these guys are paparazzi-shy so keep the camera ready to capture its gleaming eyes and over-sized paws.
Caribou: October migration season

Witnessing a caribou migration is the stuff of dreams. As the winter begins, Manitoba's boreal woodland, coastal, and barren ground caribou embark on an epic journey across the tundra. You'll be mesmerised by this incredible wildlife spectacle and the wild beauty of these creatures, resplendent with antlers and huge, kind eyes.

Arctic Fox

Arctic fox and hare – Year-round

There is something infinitely fascinating about snow-white foxes and bunnies frolicking in the chill, blending in with their surroundings, like cotton balls dancing on ice. Despite their small size, Manitoba's cutest creatures are widely sought after for their photogenic qualities. They're found year-round, but their coats only turn white when the snow begins to fall.
Bald eagle: May to September

Here's a tip for bird-loving travellers on the look out for the regal bald eagle: stay close to the water. The famous white feathered heads of the bald eagle will most commonly be spotted swooping near the rivers and lakes in search of fish. Try Whiteshell Provincial Park, Riding Mountain National Park or Pembina Valley Provincial Park.

Getting there

Air Canada has daily direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Vancouver, with connecting services to Winnipeg. Alternatively, VIA Rail, the national Canadian rail service runs from Vancouver to Winnipeg. The two-day journey spans British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan before reaching the Manitoba, the heart of Canada.

www.travelmanitoba.com

Top tips for exploring Australia

This Australia Day highlights for some of the best domestic journeys that showcase our sunburnt country. Choose between the Twelve Apostles Eco Walk, the Bay of Fires walk and the Arkaba Wilderness Safari.

Twelve Apostles Eco Walk

Experience the iconic Great Ocean Road and traverse the most picturesque sections of the Great Ocean Walk with expert guides. This six-day journey allows you to witness the stunning diversity of flora and fauna amongst the rock pillars of the Twelve Apostles. Travellers will meet like-minded hikers at the eco-chic walking lodge and have daily walking itineraries tailored to their particular needs. Meander through tunnels of forests, climb up ridges and feast your eyes on rewarding coastal views. There will be scenic locations for picnic lunches, as well as a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight over the Apostles. Return to Melbourne and relax with a private tour to the Yarra Valley – Victoria's premier wine region.

Bay of Fires & Beyond

Tasmania offers plenty for the active traveller and this journey kicks off with a round of golf at on of the world's top golf destinations: Barnbougle. Enjoy 18 holes with cart hire at The Dunes, rated #2 golf course in Australia and #11 in the world, this course has been designed to emulate the courses of Scotland and Ireland. Next venture to the East Coast – one of Tasmania's most breathtakingly beautiful locations. Pristine beaches, bushland and coastal wilderness provide the backdrop to this well-paced and varied walking tour. A range of accommodation from an ecologically-designed lodge set in outstanding coastal wilderness to the luxurious modern comforts of a picturesque country estate brings each day's activities to a delightfully comfortable conclusion. Gourmet meals prepared by expert guides are another highlight.

Arkaba Wilderness Safari

Combine a professionally guided outback hiking adventure with the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island. The luxury hike offers both deluxe swag camping under the stars and gracious hospitality at renowned Arkaba Station Homestead. Your guide and camp assistant will prepare a three-course alfresco camp dinner.  Walks, which include a section of the famous Heysen Trail, are graded moderate to challenging, and your luggage is transferred by vehicle between camps: you carry only your lunch, snacks and water. Afterwards, reward yourself with a luxury two-night stay at Southern Ocean Lodge with the opportunity to explore Kangaroo Island - the Galapagos of Australia. The 21-suite escape features an environmentally-sensitive design, eco-chic interiors, premium lodge facilities, personal service, contemporary dining and a signature space retreat. You'll also discover the magnificent coastal scenery and abundant wildlife for which the Island is renowned. It's the ultimate fusion of nature and luxury.

10 travel hacks every solo traveller should know

#lonelyplanet



You’re bound to make mistakes on your first solo trip, but you can learn from previous travellers. Monica Stott, founder of thetravelhack.com, has learned a fair bit. Here she shares her top ten hacks.

Order special meals on planes

Pre-order a special meal, such as a vegetarian or vegan meal, on flights. Special meals are served first so you’ll get your food faster, allowing you to nod off sooner than your seatmates if you’re keen to get some rest. The vegan meals are usually healthy, light and delicious, which helps you to avoid that groggy, bloated, post-flight feeling that tends to be a by-product of indulging in a rich plane meal.

Dress up for airport check-in

Did you know that solo travellers are more likely to get upgraded on flights? You’re also more likely to be upgraded if you look the part, so wear the smartest clothes you’re travelling with to the airport (you can always pack a more comfortable set of clothes in your hand luggage to change into after you check in). It’s also worth asking at check-in if any upgrade opportunities are available. While it is more difficult to score upgrades these days unless you’re a frequent flyer, if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Use airport lounges

Airport lounges aren’t just for first class passengers; you can often buy yourself into them for a bargain. In the UK, airport lounge passes start from around £25 and include perks such as unlimited snacks and alcohol, wi-fi, magazines, and a quiet and comfortable space to relax before your flight. Using lounges during long layovers offers particularly good value, as it doesn’t typically cost much more than you’d spend on food and drink elsewhere in the airport.

Pack a portable charger

You’ll undoubtedly use your phone a lot while you travel, so pack a portable charger. Make sure to have a way to contact someone in an emergency, and use your phone’s GPS for directions. Portable chargers are cheap and lightweight and you’ll thank yourself when you’re trying to call a taxi at 3am with only 2% battery remaining!

Disguise your gadgets

Flashy new devices with crisp, clean cases attract thieves, which is the last thing you want when you’re travelling solo. Avoid unwanted attention by making your expensive gadgets look less pricey than they really are – cover your camera in stickers, and buy cheap cases for your smartphone and your tablet and scuff them up.

Mark your baggage as fragile

Slap a 'fragile' label on your luggage to prevent it from being handled roughly in transit. Adding this label will typically also see your luggage delivered to the baggage carousel - it's often the case that special luggage and equipment is the last to be placed in the aircraft's hold, which means it will be the first to be taken out again.

Always carry a business card from your hotel

As soon as you arrive at your hotel or hostel, grab a business card from the reception desk with the hotel's address and phone number. If you get lost, you can jump in a taxi and give the card to your driver to ensure you get back to your hotel safely. If a business card isn't available, ask a member of reception staff if they could write down the address in the local language for you. Make sure to then keep the information somewhere handy when you head out to explore.

Travel with an unlocked mobile phone

If you have a contract phone, ensure it is unlocked before you travel. This means you’ll be able to use any SIM card from any mobile network across the world. Pick up a local SIM once you arrive and you’ll avoid roaming fees and enjoy cheaper calls and texts – you can find SIM cards at the airport and convenience stores in touristy areas.

Keep your travel essentials in your suitcase at home

Adopt this travel hack if you’re a frequent traveller and don’t want to forget those all-important essentials. When you return from a trip, leave key items in your suitcase. Items such as your passport, plug adaptors, miniature toiletries and insurance documents can stay in your case because you won’t need them at home, and leaving them in your case means you’ll never forget to pack them.

Use free walking tours to help you ease into a new city

Most cities have free walking tours, and these tend to attract other solo travellers. Solos usually stick together once the tour is over and go for drinks or dinner together, so it’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded travellers while simultaneously avoiding the anxiety of dining alone on your first night in town.

Extract from The Solo Travel Handbook

To find out more and get top tips for travelling solo, visit www.lonelyplanet.com/explore-every-day.




Lonely Planet’s Solo Travel Handbook

Published January 2018 / 168pp, full colour / H210 x W165mm, paperback / AUD $29.99

Where to Scuba Dive in NSW

With more than 2,000 kilometres of stunning coastline, NSW has an abundance of impressive scuba diving spots. Dive with sea turtle in warm tropical waters in the Tweed region, discover the world’s most southerly coral reef at Lord Howe Island, and swim with seals at Montague Island on the South Coast. NSW has many licenced dive operators that offer dive training courses, dives, tours and equipment hire. Dive sites up to 18 metres are good for beginners and up to 40 metres are recommended for advanced divers.

Sydney sites:

Shelly Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches near Manly is a great beach dive, perfect for beginners, and is home to giant cuttlefish, wobbegongs and weedy sea dragons.

For experienced divers, The Leap in Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell is a thrilling shore dive that includes a 22-metre drop-off, populated with boulders and overhangs, some of the clearest water in Sydney, large schools of fish, lots of seahorses and some magic swim throughs.

Bare Island in Botany Bay (pic above) is a popular dive site for beginners; you might spot sea dragons, gropers and turtles in shallow water of between seven and 12 metres

Gordon's Bay near Clovelly is an underwater 600-metre nature trail marked by a chain connected to concrete-filled drums. There are information signs along the way as well as friendly gropers. 

Shelley Beach (diveplanit)

 
Up the Coast:

Broughton Island near Port Stephens has several spectacular dive sites. The popular Looking Glass is a narrow channel through the centre of the island that opens up into a natural fishbowl. Look for large rays, blue groper, red morwong, bullseye and bream. Nearby at Nelson Bay, the main feature of the Fly Point-Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve is a 100-metre sponge-covered ledge with schools of bream, nannygai and blue groper.

The Solitary Islands Marine Park in Coffs Harbour is home to a unique mix of more than 550 fish, 90 corals and 600 molluscs.

South West Rocks on the North Coast is home to Fish Rock Cave, running 125 metres through Fish Rock, teeming with sea life including black cod, black rays and giant cuttlefish.

At Byron Bay, in the Cape Byron Marine Park, Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is often ranked as one of Australia’s top dive sites with its fish, turtles, eagle rays and corals. During the Winter, whale song can be heard underwater.

Lord Howe Island is one of the best dive locations in the world with over 60 dive sites. The most spectacular is Ball’s Pyramid, where advanced divers can go on drift and cave dives, and follow a coral wall. Expect to see massive schools of violet sweep, amberjack, kingfish, silver drummer, rainbow runners, trevally and occasionally marlin, dolphins and wahoo.

The island’s shallow lagoon is great for snorkelers, novice divers and underwater photographers keen to see anemone, lionfish, slipper crayfish, the rare Coleman’s pigmy seahorse, spotted snake eel and beaked leatherjacket.

Down the Coast:

Jervis Bay, on the NSW South Coast, is a Marine Park with more than 20 shore and boat dive sites. The area has an abundance of kelp beds, large boulders, small caves, drop-offs, shear coral walls, sponge gardens, ship and plane wrecks, and swim throughs. Between May and October, you can dive with seals.

Bass Point, at the southern end of Shellharbour, is a marine aquatic reserve and one of the South Coast’s dive and snorkel hot spots. Good for beginners.

Off the coast of Narooma, Montague Island Nature Reserve is renowned for its 1,600-strong seal colony. You’ll also see stingrays, bull rays, blue gropers and wobbegongs. Divers can expect water visibility of between 20-30 metres year round, and it’s also a great place to see humpback whales heading south to Antarctica in October.

The avoidable tourist traps costing overseas travellers over $440 a year

• Dining at overpriced tourist hotspots is the nation’s top travel money waster, costing Aussie travellers close to $1 billion in the past year
• Dismal exchange rates and paying for medical treatment overseas among costliest holiday money wasters

Australian travellers are losing an average of $448 a year while holidaying abroad on avoidable money drainers including dining out at pricey tourist hotspots, poor exchange rates, mobile phone roaming charges and overseas medical treatment expenses, according to Mozo.com.au.

Research by the financial comparison site found that the costliest holiday money trap is dining in overpriced cafes and restaurants situated around the main tourist attractions. 1 in 4 Aussie travellers admitted to paying a premium for drinks and meals at tourist hotspots, adding around $380 to their annual holiday bill.

Eat like a local (www.likealocalguide.com)

“Overpaying for a meal or putting up with poor exchange rates can seem fairly minor at the time but the reality is these money leaks can add up over the course of a holiday. We found the average overseas traveller has blown over $440 on avoidable spending in the last year – this equates to a staggering $4.4 billion as a nation!” says Lamont.

“Our penchant for dining out at tourist hotspots has cost us close to a billion dollars in the last year. While on holidays, it’s easy to treat yourself to little luxuries like breakfast at a café overlooking the Seine, but a lot of the time you’re paying exorbitant mark-ups simply for location – not quality of food. Often travellers can get more authentic foodie experiences for less by simply asking locals where they eat or consulting blogs for hidden gems.”

The most expensive holiday money wasters

Source: Mozo.com.au

With the Australian dollar floundering in some parts of the world, poor exchange rates came in as the second most expensive holiday money leak, with those affected losing an average of $250 in the last year.

“Travellers exchanging currency before they leave can minimise the pang of dismal exchange rates by comparing exchange rates from different currency exchange specialists. While abroad travellers should avoid exchanging currency at the airport, or risk exorbitant fees and margins eating into their holiday spending money.”

Despite medical treatment expenses affecting just 7% of travellers in the past year, it was found to be the third most expensive travel money leak, with those hit with medical bills paying a whopping $916 on average.

However, Mozo’s research found that many Australians are on the front foot when it comes to plugging this money leak with more than half of international travellers researching travel insurance before their holiday.

“When it comes to cutting down on travel costs, researching your destination and investing in crucial travel insurance is going to save you money in the long run. While no one likes to think about accidents and injuries abroad, medical bills have the potential to run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in countries like the United States,” says Lamont.

Overseas ATM charges were found to be the most common holiday money leak with 40% of overseas jetsetters being slugged with a pricey overseas ATM fee in the past year. One third of international holidaymakers say they lost money from poor exchange rates, while fees for using a credit card abroad rounded out the top three most common holiday money wasters, affecting just over a quarter of travellers.

More than three quarters of travellers say they don’t research their card provider’s charges for withdrawing cash from an ATM before their trip, yet are twice as likely to research their carrier’s luggage allowance rules. Around 55% of travellers are neglecting to research local exchange rates.

“Mozo’s research found a large chunk of Australian travellers are losing money on completely avoidable travel charges. In fact, travellers can avoid two of the three most common money wasters simply by doing their research beforehand and taking out a travel friendly card that doesn’t charge fees for ATM use or transaction fees on overseas purchases.”

“Travellers might spend hours combing sites for the best deals on hotels or which airline has the most generous luggage allowance and at the same time lose money every time they whip out their card to make a purchase.”

When asked what kind of traveller best describes them, just over a third of Australian travellers say they have every detail of their trip planned out months in advance of their departure date, while 6 in 10 travellers say they plan elements of their trip like flights and accommodation while being spontaneous with other elements.

“Just 6% of travellers admit to planning their trip at the last minute and leaving a lot of the elements of their trip to chance which can come at significant financial loss. Our advice to travellers this peak season is to do your due diligence and research all aspects of the trip from what the best travel money option is for you to where the cheap eats are.”

Mozo’s tips for a money smart holiday:

• Eat like a local: Avoid the tourist tax in restaurants and cafes in the main tourist districts by asking for recommendations from locals or consulting food blogs. Hit up the grocery store for snacks in between meals and don’t forget to take advantage of complimentary hotel breakfasts and happy hour.
• Shop around: Compare exchange rates from different providers to ensure you’re getting the cheapest deal possible. Steer clear of foreign exchange booths at airports, as high commission rates will eat into your cash balance
• Find the right plastic: Look out for prepaid travel and debit card options that don’t have a purchase fee and allow free overseas ATM withdrawals, like NAB’s Traveller Card or Citibank’s Plus transaction Account.
• Get a travel friendly credit card: Credit cards can be an effective way to spread the cost of a holiday but most banks charge about 2-3% on overseas card payments. You can avoid these extra charges by packing a travel friendly credit card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees on purchases like 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard.

Eight meaningful travel resolutions for 2018 - or any year

A new year means new opportunities for personal betterment, so as January 1 fast approaches, many people are creating their New Year’s resolutions. In that spirit, global luxury travel network Virtuoso® offers eight ways travel can lead to a more meaningful life in 2018.

Travel more. Travellers report that the very act of visiting somewhere new makes them happier, healthier, more creative, more relaxed and more successful at work. But many people leave some of their hard-earned vacation time on the table. To escape the office, pick a slow time of year and book in advance to commit. If time and money are issues, even weekend getaways will scratch the wanderlust itch. 

Volunteer. Voluntourism is rising in popularity as people welcome the chance to do good, learn and travel at the same time. In a year plagued by natural disasters, opportunities exist to help popular travel destinations. Grace Bay Club in the Turks and Caicos Islands can arrange for guests to help with local recovery efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Learn a new skill. Master Italian cooking in Tuscany (2018 Virtuoso Luxe Report cites food and wine travel as a top trend). Whether dusting off high-school French in Paris or honing photography talents while capturing memories of the trip, travel comes with a built-in education and the ability to learn at every turn.

Be kind to the environment. Discover how to make a difference as a sustainable traveler and put your knowledge into practice. El Silencio Lodge & Spa, an eco-luxury hotel in Costa Rica, offers 500 private acres of carbon-offsetting cloud forest, hidden waterfalls, and organic cuisine. Each suite sits on above-ground pillars to respect the forest’s natural topography and features bamboo ceiling tiles, energy-efficient lighting, and an energy-saving electric heater.

Conquer a fear. The beauty of travel is that it can push travellers beyond their comfort zones. From the more adventurous, such as swimming with sharks in Mexico or skydiving in New Zealand, to something less extreme like traveling solo or voyaging to an off-the-beaten path destination, the options are endless for broadening horizons.

Deepen a friendship. Travel brings people together and strengthens relationships through shared experiences. Consider those beyond immediate family – a college roommate or favourite cousin makes the perfect travel companion. Spending quality time together deepens existing bonds and creates a lifetime of memories.

Get in travel shape. Combine travel with the ever-popular improved fitness resolution. If your style is yoga, meditation and massages in a Zen-like setting, visit a wellness resort for relaxation and rejuvenation. If you prefer a high level of activity, plan an adventure to help you shape up or burn calories. That could be anything from skiing in Switzerland to kayaking in Canada.

Become a global citizen. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation reports that more than one billion tourists cross international borders each year. Travel fosters greater appreciation of other countries and cultures, and makes one realise they are part of a larger global community.

Virtuoso is offering you additional help to stick to your 2018 travel resolutions. One of its expert travel advisors can partner with you to create unforgettable experiences that bring one or more of your pledges to life. If you don’t have a Virtuoso travel advisor, resolve to find one in 2018 by visiting www.virtuoso.com.