General Travel Information

Hot and cool - Winter vacation fun varies with destinations

The upcoming winter months can be full of interesting and exciting activities for Edmonton-area residents, whether they are staying around the capital region or heading further afield.

With more than 25 museums and numerous indoor recreation facilities in the capital region, residents can be tourists without going more than a few miles from their homes. Edmonton Tourism recently launched a new campaign to convince both local folks and tourists from afar that "It's Cooler Here," showcasing continuous events throughout the year.

The winter months present an excellent time for wandering in West Edmonton Mall, which is a pleasant experience during the months when the throngs of summertime tourists are absent. The mall's owners are working hard to provide entertainment as well as shopping opportunities. Surrounding towns and cities offer a variety of interesting day trips for Edmonton-area residents.

The walking trails in the river valley are maintained throughout the winter and are especially pretty with fresh snow. Those around Fort Edmonton Park, Walterdale Hill and below downtown are guaranteed to please, with the blue Alberta sky and winter sunshine making for a pleasant and invigorating walking excursion. Skating and skiing opportunities exist throughout the area while swimming, bowling and shopping are pleasurable indoor activities which can be enjoyed.

Edmonton is known as Festival City for a good reason. Even through the winter months there is plenty of events taking place.

Spending an exciting evening downtown welcoming the new year on December 31 is a great start! A celebration of ice sculpting follows on Whyte Avenue in January and the Birkebeiner Ski Festival is held in February. This historical race is as much fun for spectators as it is for the participants. The annual Silver Skate Festival at Hawrelak Park is held the following week.

Also throughout the winter, local theatre and musical groups host numerous presentations at the Winspear, Citadel, Jubilee and alternative venues in Edmonton and surrounding locations. And the post-secondary institutions offer a dazzling array of academic, cooking, hobby, craft and general interest courses.

Residents looking to travel can spend a weekend amongst snowy mountaintops in a cozy lodge at Jasper, considered by many as the ultimate winter vacation experience. As well, numerous holiday opportunities in the temperate climate of Vancouver Island include a wide range of activities, and it's possible to golf, surf, ski, and snowboard in the same day! Victoria is charming during the winter months, offering everything from rowing to rugby, as well as numerous arts, sports and shopping experiences.

More travel opportunities exist with VIA Rail, which offers special rates for seniors that include a free ticket for a significant other, whether that person is a spouse or a grandchild. Pre-boarding and special diet considerations are just two of the many services provided for those over 60 years of age.

Whether you view the snow-topped Rockies from a west-bound coach or travel east to the winter carnivals in Quebec and Ottawa, a trip by train across our vast country in a winter wonderland can be inspiring, and costs are deeply discounted when compared to summer travel fares.

Side trips can be arranged, such as a trip up to Prince Rupert from Jasper, or to Churchill from Winnipeg, and stops can be provided as well for those wishing to stay a few days in an en-route destination before continuing.

If you are considering an out-of-country vacation, the choices are endless. The Alberta Motor Association notes that the fall and winter months offer excellent value for trips to Europe. Vacation packages are available which include accommodation, sight-seeing, most meals, and many optional experiences.

Spending some time exploring the historical sights and exciting night life of London's underground, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and Barcelona's Olympic stadium makes for a pleasant change from the snowy streets and chilly temperatures left back home in Edmonton.

Hawaii, Jamaica, French Polynesia and Fiji are perennial favourites and should not be overlooked as possibilities for winter travel.

Winter cruises are also a popular way for Edmontonians to enjoy warmer climates while visiting exciting destinations throughout the world. On Holland America's Mexico cruises, travellers enjoy world-class suites with ocean-views and are treated to mariachi music. Sightseeing, fishing, and unique shopping experiences are available as the ship stops at interesting ports. Trips can be expanded to the Panama Canal and South America.

Other cruises include excursions down the Pacific coast from Vancouver to the Baja region, with on-board spas and salons adding to the extensive entertainment and excellent dining offered on the ship.

Cruising throughout the exotic Hawaiian Islands creates an unforgettable experience as well. Travellers can embark from San Diego or Seattle and travel leisurely at sea for several days before beginning a cruise around the Islands. Further exploration can be booked in the South Pacific where exotic destinations such as Bora Bora can be experienced on stopovers.

Pacific cruises are full of historical and cultural interest. Cruise lengths vary from a few days to several weeks, so there are options to suit every pocketbook and time frame. Extended stays in Shanghai, China and Osaka, Japan are possible and trips to enjoy fantastic shopping in Hong Kong are also available.

The North Pacific Explorer Cruise circumnavigates the Pacific Ocean, with stops in Alaska, Australia, Indonesia, the Orient and other interesting places.

What about a tour? Signing up with organizations that cater only to seniors, such as Senior Tours Canada, can ensure that mature travellers are treated to great service, as a visit to their website, www.seniortours.ca, indicates.

Escorts take care of all the details such as hotel registration, tipping, restaurant location and other particulars which can be intimidating in unfamiliar surroundings. Their professional staff has personally previewed all hotels in which guests will be staying and the vacation is planned to the last detail, leaving travellers to enjoy a trouble-free holiday.

All tours are priced to include round trip transportation from home to the airport – in most Canadian cities – all airfare, airport and hotel taxes, all gratuities and most meals. As well, comprehensive insurance for everything from health to cancellation to loss of luggage is included.

Possible destinations with this organization include North, Central and South America; Europe, Africa and Asia. One of this company's upcoming tours includes three weeks in South America, from March 9 to 24, 2006.

Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon jungle, Montevideo, Buenos Aries, and other destinations will be visited, and a ranch experience on the pampas of Argentina and a visit to Iguassu Falls – comparable to Niagara – are also included.

Rio de Janeiro is known as Carnival City and time spent there will include basking on the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches as well as touring Sugarloaf and Corcovado Mountains. A complete itinerary and costs are available on the website or by calling a toll-free number.

The trend to heading south to sunnier skies for a good part of each year has become increasing popular – those who do so are fondly known as snowbirds.

The U.S. is close at hand and provides all the comforts of home along with a similar culture and the same language. The sun destinations of Florida, California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas have been producing incentive packages to Canadian travellers, many of whom stay for extended periods.

Arizona has numerous resorts where a choice of accommodation includes everything from fully- serviced rooms to bed & breakfast to home sharing. Southern California's warm and sunny days feature palm trees, lush gardens, spas, desert and mountain scenery and an artsy atmosphere.

It's estimated in a recent Conference Board of Canada report that Canadians living in Florida during the winter months account for a whopping US $1.4 billion added to the economy.

The Pacific coast of Mexico also provides a home away from home for many retired Canadians. Long-term rates are available at villas near Mazatlan, for example, that are located on sunny, secluded beaches. There's lots to see and do in the historic area and many fine restaurants in the vicinity.

For seniors and other retired residents, an excellent website exists at www.snowbird.org where a traveller's checklist gives invaluable information to consider before proceeding to the destinations which are popular with Canadian winter travellers.

Topics include health and safety tips, a traveller's checklist, changes to U.S. visa regulations that may affect Canadian visitors, and information on taking fresh fruits, vegetables, live animals, and meat or plant products into the country.

The non-profit site also carries Canadian news and on-stream radio stations for those out of the country for extended periods of time, allowing them to keep up-to-date on events happening back home. Currency and exchange information is available as well as advice on selecting hotels and other travel commodities.

Another site at www.rbcroyalbank.com/snowbirds guides prospective long-term visitors to the U.S. through the maze of insurance practices, customs regulations and taxation issues for non-residents, and other important facts to know before planning a prolonged stay in the States. Careful planning to ensure visitors stay safe and healthy, and properly maintain financial obligations back home is facilitated.

Getting good medical coverage and insurance is the single most important step that travellers can make before travelling to any country and especially for a prolonged stay. Emergencies can and do happen and can be devastating financially; the cost of medical treatments in other countries can be very high, especially in the United States where the average hospital stay can exceed $1,500 per day.

Without extra coverage, most Canadians' health insurance plans only cover $75 to $400 a day, so the difference can add up quickly.

Many home insurance companies demand that travellers let them know in writing if they are going to be out of the country and to provide contact names and numbers in case of emergency.

Insurance plans need to be reviewed carefully to ensure that they cover acts of God, theft, vandalism and water damage from frozen pipes that might occur while the homeowner is away.

Arranging for a house-sitting service or family member to empty the mail box, clear the answering machine of messages, and shovel snow is a good plan. Travellers may also need to provide their own insurance for the accommodations in which they are staying while away, such as a cottage or time-share condominium.

Taxation can affect temporary residents in the United States as well. Living in the country more than 30 days can make Canadian vacationers subject to U.S. taxes. Before leaving the country, seek advice from a qualified accountant about exemptions, withholding, tax credits, interest, dividends, and other non-resident tax issues.

Taking photocopies of passports, and recording the numbers on travellers' cheques is invaluable, and this information should be kept in a separate place from the originals. Leaving a copy of the traveller's itinerary with friends and relatives is also a good idea, in case of an emergency back home.

Being prepared before crossing borders to any foreign country is essential. Heightened security makes photo identification an absolute necessity and knowing the customs rules and regulations is advisable.

Although it is currently not mandatory, carrying a Canadian passport when seeking entry to the U.S. will make dealing with customs authorities easier. Having a doctor's note for any medicines and prescriptions that are being brought into a new country is necessary as well.

Travelling with a pet brings a whole list of considerations which must be addressed in advance, such as up-to-date inoculations. Whether driving or flying, the restrictions and guidelines involved should be researched beforehand.

Other research should be done to ensure travellers are dressed appropriately for their destination. For example, a dress code may exist in countries where a Muslim lifestyle is prominent. Whether area residents stay in the capital region and enjoy the many pleasures of home, travel to other areas of the country, or embark on a journey somewhere in the world, winter need not be viewed with despair. Finding an activity that's just right for each individual's interests and financial situation has never been easier and with a little ingenuity, each of us can turn the winter months into a time of anticipation and pleasure