Despite its size, Ecuador is probably the world’s most bio-diverse country, crammed with an astounding variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. Within a short time, a traveller can experience dramatic changes in scenery, temperature and altitude. Our Flightie Lindsay Slawuta geared up for an epic 8 day journey to the centre of the Earth with G Adventures and shares her experience with us:

A group of us had participated in an 8-Day G Adventures tour of Ecuador which highlighted Quito, a home-stay in the Amazon Rainforest near Tena, Banos, and Cuenca. The tour is normally 14 days in length, but ours was a whirlwind of fantastic sampling. The journey began with a trip to the equator, (which coincidently translates from Spanish to ‘Ecuador’) and it was there we were shown proof that water does in fact drain in the opposite direction in the Southern Hemisphere (compared to the Northern).

On our way to Tena for our home-stay, we stopped in the Andes in the middle of a fabulous cloud forest to enjoy some hot springs. It was relaxing to soak in the hot water surrounded by lush, tropical jungle, spotted here and there by vibrantly coloured flowers with low lying clouds that played peek-a-boo in the tree tops.

We were greeted traditionally with heavy rain upon our arrival to the Amazon Rainforest where we spent 2 days living with a local family.
We ate traditional national dishes that the family had been cooking for many generations, and hiked into the Rainforest to learn how the tribes used the land for their every need.  This is where we were able to climb trees, eat live ants that tasted like lemon, and swing on vines like Tarzan.

On another hike, we charged on upstream along a creek; we climbed over rocks and boulders, clung to moss covered ledges, and used ropes to pull ourselves up 80 degree slopes and scale waterfalls. The reward for the physical feit was the small pool at the base of the largest waterfall where we all piled in and let the cold waterfall run over us. We left the Amazon by white water rafting which was a great and solid class 3 river, and a lot of fun. Warning: wear lots of sunscreen and apply even when it’s overcast!

The city of Banos offered a plethora of choice for extreme and mellow ecotourism; ziplining, canyoning, horseback riding, cable car & hiking to waterfalls, bungy jumping & canyon swinging, dirt biking, quad biking in the jungle, and that’s just to name a few.

From the majestic mountains to the active volcanoes, the icy glaciers to the raging rivers, Ecuador is chalk full of great ecological activities that will appease all nature lovers. It is an amazing experience and a great country to visit for eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts; I would go back in a heartbeat.

Lindsay Slawutais an International Travel Consultant at our Edmonton City Centre location in Edmonton, Alberta and can be reached by e-mail or calling
1-866-249-0715.

Ecuador is located on the Flight Centre map.

A BIG congratulations to Mitchell Stratton from Toronto, Ontario for winning our BC Powder Highway contest! Mitch and a lucky friend will have the opportunity to fly to beautiful British Columbia to experience the Powder Highway which includes some of the best ski resorts this country has to offer!

Originally from Newfoundland, Mitch recently moved to Toronto and has yet to experience beautiful British Columbia.  He’ll get to drive along BC’s Powder Highway to experience resorts such Fernie, Panorama, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke. Can this east coast boy handle the amount of awesome he is about to experience? We can’t wait to hear all about his trip when he returns! Stay tuned for a wrap-up blog when he returns in March!

We always have special giveaways happening each month on our Facebook page, so join the community and enter for your chance to win some sweet prizes!

Flight Centre’s Vicky Young recently travelled to Australia to take in an Aussie rodeo.  Her Topdeck tour took her to meet the cowboys in Rockhampton and she shares with us her highlights:

Now I’m from Calgary,  famous for the greatest outdoor show on earth; The Calgary Stampede. So, when I found out I was going to be hitting up the rodeo in Rockhampton, Australia, I was a little bit skeptical.

Topdeck’s Reef Suntanner 11-day tour includes a one night stop in Australia’s beef capital. 

As you drive down the Bruce highway, you start to see beautiful pastures and a ridiculous amount of cows including Brahma, Hereford, etc. Our driver Leigh explained their differences and all about Australia’s cattle industry. Then all about the rodeo and the bull riding we would be seeing that night. I was really impressed with his explanations, as I am well versed in rodeo from growing up in a cow town.

After we checked into our accommodations, we headed off to the Great Western. This is a facility that has everything you could ever want; a hotel, a bar, a poker room and an impressive arena for the rodeo. On this particular night, there was a reunion of all the top bull riders and they sure did put on a show. It was so cool that we could stand almost right on top of the chutes to watch all the action taking place and to perhaps check out the cowboys! The cutest ones being the 5-year olds, dressed up in their chaps and cowboy hats.

What a great inroad to Australian culture, so different from the bright lights of the city, beautiful beaches and Aboriginal history. Thank you, Topdeck for the awesome experience!!

Looking for more information on travelling to Australia? Vicky Young is a Team Leader at our 17th Avenue location in Calgary Alberta and can be reached by e-mail or calling 1-866-772-2011.

When planning a trip to Central America, it’s important to find accommodation that suits your travel needs. Our Flightie  Erin Burley, recently spent some time in beautiful Liberia, Costa Rica and shares her recommendations and reviews of seven different resorts in Liberia:

I was very excited to be given the opportunity to discover seven different all-inclusive resorts within Liberia, Costa Rica. I am absolutely fascinated by this country with all of the excursions it had to offer and a particular interest in the ability to explore three different ecosystems. Seasonally, the weather in Liberia is very warm with little to no rainfall making it an ideal destination to get a great tan. So needless to say, I packed some sunscreen and was on my way!

Liberia is the Capital of the Guanacaste Province and is fast becoming the new gateway to the sunny Guanacaste beaches. Over the past couple of years, it has become more and more popular with tourists, and only recently, a new international airport has opened up playing host to a variety of airline carriers. Although the city of Liberia is not a metropolis like San Jose or any of its surrounding cities, it is a small quiet city where a colonial atmosphere still exists. Due to Liberia’s new found popularity, there are plans to renovate the downtown area as well as an expansion of the pedestrian mall.

It’s very easy to keep your visit filled with “extreme” day-trips such as zip lining and hiking. You can even take a pleasant drive up to an active volcano where you can sit in the most beautiful hot springs. I immediately fell in love with everything from the great friends I made to the abundance of wildlife and the amazing history Liberia has to offer.

If you are someone who loves wild life and bird watching then the Palo Verda Excursion is for you. This amazing boating experience allows you to get up and close and personal with many kinds of birds as well as crocodiles, iguanas, and monkeys, along with many more fascinating animals.

If you are someone who loves relaxing and swimming through beautiful hot springs, then you have to take the drive up to the Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs at Tabacon. Especially nice when seen on a clear sunny day, I have never experienced a beautiful lush cloud forest anywhere! You will be amazed at the beauty of this place and not to mention how great it feels to sit under a warm flowing water fall. The interesting thing about the drive up to Tabacon is the ecosystem transition. From the start of your drive up, you can feel the hot, dry climate and once you reach the top, you can feel the humidity in the wet lush forest.

There is no shortage of options for everyone from families, to a group of friends and couples. Initially, I had stayed at the Allegro Papagayo Resort which caters to families looking for a relaxing holiday. This resort is a cost conscious option given that the accommodations are very basic but clean. However, I would not say that this resort would be the best option for people who have any walking restrictions as it is built on a steep hill. Walking to and from the beach and the restaurants are quite the hike but the resort does offer a shuttle that will assist you throughout the grounds.

An alternate family resort I would recommend is the Sol Villas Resort. Accommodations are beautifully spacious and clean and most rooms have a great view of the ocean off the balcony. I loved the feel of this resort as it was very welcoming and the staff was so warm. The family area has a pool and snack bar that is perfect for a day of relaxing and fun. This resort is also wheel chair accessible but note that you will have to take a shuttle to the beach.

Famous with surfers, you can always catch a wave at Tamarindo Beach. A great area of local shopping and dining, I would recommend the Barcelo Langosta Beach Resort, (conveniently located along this great stretch of beach). The Barcelo offers one a-la-carte restaurant but given it’s prime location, there are many dining options off of the resort to choose from. I would recommend this resort for those who want to explore beyond what the resort offers. There are also loft style suites available for groups who are always on the go!

Looking to celebrate your honeymoon or just escape with your significant other? Then the Playa Conchel or Occidental Grand Papagayo Resort is perfect for your vacation away. Playa Conchel Resort is a fun, luxurious trip for couples or business affairs alike. If I had to pick a favourite, the Playa Conchel Resort was definitely a top contender. It had so much to offer for dining, entertainment, and daily activities. If you are looking to hit the green and work on your swing, then this is a golfer’s paradise. The Occidental Grand Papagayo Resort is perfect for a quiet getaway. It caters to couples looking for an intimate atmosphere of pure relaxation while soaking up the sun.

Liberia is a beautiful destination offering various experiences for families and friends, couples, business associates, and golf aficionados. I am definitely going to be back there one day in the not-so-distant future!

Liberia is highlighted on the Flight Centre map.

One of the biggest events in the Japanese Calendar is the Tokyo Cherry Blossom Festival which takes place from March 21st- 29th. Festival goers love to celebrate ‘Hanami’ (Hana’ in Japanese means flower and ‘Mi’ comes from the verb to watch) -put them together and you’ve got cherry blossom watching; which is what the festival is all about!

The most popular locations to join in the festivities are parks, castles, riverbanks, temples, and shrines. In Tokyo this means places like Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, the Imperial Palace, or Yasukuni Shrine, along with lots of smaller more local parties as well.

Although the flowers are main attractions of the festivals, a variety of traditional Japanese performing arts are hard to miss. Joining tea ceremonies held under cherry trees and checking out the vendors which sell various food and souveniors, including specialty food in the region is a must!

The city is an exuberant experience for visitors. It also hosts many museums and is the largest repository of Japanese art in the world. 

Then, of course, it would take forever to exhaust the shopping possibilities in this megalopolis. The more one explores Tokyo the more it becomes obvious that one cannot judge a book by its cover. Inside the modern buildings, the cultural life of Japan is very much alive and well. Interiors reflect the tranquil minimalist Asian style and taste of Japan.

Getting Around

Tokyo’s public transport system is one of the most efficient in the world and is clean and safe, combining an extensive train network, 13 underground subway lines and a bus system. Visitors usually find the trains (JR) and subways the best way to get around although the complexity of the underground network can be intimidating. Most stations have English signs. The Tokyo Combination Ticket (Tokyo Free Kippu) is a day travel pass that allows unlimited use of the trains, subway and bus lines within the city. Taxis are convenient but never cheap, particularly in rush hour. Taxis can be hailed on the street, except in some central areas, where they only pick up from taxi ranks. Drivers speak little English so it is a good idea to have the destination written out in Japanese. Driving a car in the city is not advised. JR trains are free with a Japan Rail Pass.

Book your Tokyo trip with Air Canada by Thurs Jan 26th to take advantage of their Asia Seat Sale. Round trip airfares departing from Canada start as low as $500. Contact your local Flight Centre consultant or call 1-866-502-4605 for more information.

A couple of our Flight Centre clients surprised their two kids Owen and Avery with a trip to Disneyworld and it brought a huge smile to our faces to see their reaction. The kids thought they were seeing their dad off on a business trip to Calgary, only to find out something very different was about to happen. Well played Mom and Dad!

This winter experience magic and wonder for the entire family at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Play your days away at 4 Disney Theme parks, 2 Water Parks and more. With so much to see and do, now is the year for your magical Disney vacation!

We can help you make your Disney memories happen at a price that’s right for you, with hotel stays from only $65 per person per night and kids stay free. Contact one of our Flight Centre consultants at 1-866- 502-4605 for more information. Offer ends January 31st.

It is easy to wax lyrical about Jamaica; the glorious glow of its sunsets, the unique and engaging ways of its people, the alluring white sandy beaches and lush green mountains, the sparkling waterfalls. All of these can inspire the poet in anyone.

The beauty of this island paradise has drawn visitors for centuries, and it’s no surprise why seven-mile beach made our Top 10 Beaches in the world. No matter what age you are, we share our Top 3 Reasons why Jamaica is perfect for everyone:

Family fun

Jamaica offers a fun-filled escape for families, with resorts across the island offering amenities and attractions specifically catered towards children. No matter the age of the child, infant to toddler, tween to teen, the island’s resorts and hotels offer clubs, special programs, water parks, play areas, and some even boast nanny services to give parents some time to escape and relax. Though Jamaica boasts an abundance of sun, sand and sea, families will also find a variety of attractions and adventures island-wide that appeal to the inner child and create memories that last a lifetime.

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

In Jamaica, romance is found in the tranquillity of its beaches, lushness of its gardens, and breathtaking sunsets. Passion infuses its music and its cuisine. Indeed, the island’s tropical breezes seem to carry with them a primal lust for life. No place better complements a bridal couple’s elation and hopes for a lifetime of bliss than here on this enchanted isle. On-island wedding coordinators make it easy to create a fantasy wedding and honeymoon. Whether couples prefer an all-inclusive hotel, intimate inn, a lush private villa or a pampering resort, Jamaica has every accommodation to fit every desire.

Perfect Escape with Friends

Whether it’s a girlfriends getaway or a weekend with the guys, Jamaica offers up an endless supply of fun and laughter. An array of spas across the island create the perfect retreat for the gals looking to relax, pamperand indulge, while the guys can hit the links at any one of the island’s world-class golf courses. And an assortment of outdoor activities, attractions and delectable dining options will entice even the most discerning travellers. Many of Jamaica’s resorts and hotels offer special themed packages just for friends.

With a range of accommodations, attractions, sports and romance options across the island, Jamaica is an ideal destination for every traveller. Want to experience Jamaica for yourself? Give us a a call today at-1-866-541-2111 and one of our travel consultants would be happy to help you plan the perfect island escape.

The New Year is upon us and with it comes the resolution by many to travel more or take a trip somewhere they’ve never been before. With hundreds of destinations to choose from, here are some places that we expect will be popular this year for a variety of different reasons.

LONDON, ENGLAND

An annual favourite for Canadians already, London benefitted from a blockbuster year with the Royal Wedding last April and  is following it up in 2012 as host city for the Summer Olympics (July 27 – August 12). 

While space is scarce during this two-week period particularly for accommodation, there is certain to be an extra buzz in the air and lots of events leading up to the Games as tourists head there to bask in the Olympic spirit. This is also a heads up to those NOT wanting to be there during what is sure to be a busy time so if you’d normally travel via London to get to other parts of Europe, consider Amsterdam or Frankfurt as less busy alternate hubs.

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

April 15, 2012 marks the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Concerts, wakes, a film festival and more will commemorate this historic date and it is expected to be a huge draw not only by Canadians but from tourists from all over the world.

CADIZ, SPAIN

Where? Not Barcelona, Not Madrid, but Cadiz has been named the Latin American Cultural Capital for 2012—a first for any European city. Known for its beautiful beaches and its world renown Carnival, Cadiz is also planning a year-long celebration of Spain’s 1812 Constitution. Needless to say, it won’t be a challenge finding a place to have fun.

THAILAND & JAPAN

Between the floods that hit Thailand and the earthquake that devastated Japan last year, both countries are looking to entice tourists back and show they’re open for business. Expect to see exceptional value deals to both of these amazing places.

GREECE

A country hit hard by a financial crisis last year, this is another destination to watch offering excellent value in 2012. Early Booking Bonuses are out so if you plan to visit Greece or any other European city this Spring or Summer, book now and take advantage!

CROATIA

Still considered a “hidden gem”, Croatia won’t stay that way for long as it’s one of our fastest growing European destinations in terms of popularity. Having visited there myself in 2011, I can attest to the fact it truly has it all—an incredible history & culture, stunning beaches, not to mention the amazing city of Dubrovnik which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I highly recommend a visit, you won’t be disappointed.

BURMA

While there has always been steady interest in discovering the beauty of Burma, a tourism boycott made it a difficult ethical choice for many as to whether to travel there or not. Years later and on the heels of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, the boycott has been lifted and tourist numbers are growing quickly. The political situation is stable but it is still recommended that travellers heed warnings & advisories to ensure their personal safety.

TANZANIA

Home to Mount Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro crater, Tanzania is one of the most popular countries in Africa particularly for adventure and safaris. They are investing heavily into this market again in 2012 and while costly to get there for Canadians overall, they are offering some of the best value-for-money packages we’ve seen in a long time. Combine that with a strong Canadian dollar and it makes this bucket list item more possible than ever.

For more travel tips from Allison, follow her on Twitter and be sure to catch her on CTV BC every Tuesday at 5pm PST for her weekly travel tip segment!

Where do you want to go? Let us know in the comment section below!

With many Canadians heading down south for the Winter, we love hearing all the great stories from everyone about their experiences at various resorts. Leslie Villeneuve recently spent some time at the beautiful Sandals Royal Plantation property in Ochos Rios, Jamaica and shares her highlights from the trip:

My vacation began upon descending in to Montego Bay where my boyfriend and I were both directed to the Sandals lounge to wait for our transfers. With complimentary drinks and snacks, the airport lounge gave us a glimpse at the luxury and service that was waiting for us at the resort.

Upon arrival, we were greeted in the lobby by our designated butler who gave us a heartfelt welcome. After check-in, we were given more drinks and taken on a tour of the resort before heading to our room. The tour showed how truly spectacular the grounds are. The resort has a rainforest-esque feel with lush surrounding forests and welcomed seclusion from the real world.

When we were finally reached the room, the luxurious surroundings continued! The beautiful mahogany bed and furniture,  double bathroom sinks, huge walk in closet and of course a fully stocked bar fridge was just the extravagance we were looking for.  Now remember, if you don’t feel like unpacking, get your butler to do it! The butler is only a phone call away if you ever need anything he hasn’t already fulfilled; he will treat you like royalty.  Perhaps this is why British royalty have chosen this spot to vacation.

The first night we had a lovely dinner on the terrace beneath the breathtaking stars.  When we finally decided to retire to our room for the evening we were stunned to find our bed, covered in fresh flowers, pleasantly laid out. The display was so perfect we didn’t want to touch it!

In hopes of preserving the art on our bed, we ventured off to the Wobbly Peacock.  This place is where it’s at.  Andre, the pianist, knows every song you could ever think of!  He was outstandingly talented, leaving us in awe.  We also had the privilege of meeting the General Manager Peter, who exuded charm to his very core. He is so proud of Royal Plantation, his staff and expressed his honor of having any guest join him at the resort!  The rest of the night was spend mingling, dancing and partying with seasoned guests, newcomers and staff alike.

With the resort being comfortably small, you never have to fight for a spot near the pool. In fact, a lot of the time we found ourselves alone and able to enjoy the amenities without any bother.  The resort has an air of relaxation that trickles down from the staff and property to guests.  The service, location and overall experience of the resort has couples coming back time and time again. In fact one couple we had met had come every year for the past 12 years!  Loyalty like that is only found with exceptional service.

I couldn’t complete this blog without taking time to talk about the meals.

The taste, presentation, portion size and quality of each meal exceeded my expectations as a self-proclaimed foodie.  Most of the pictures we took while at the resort was actually of the food.  Room service is just as exceptional with the table settings and service right in your very own room.

My overall experience at the Sandals Royal Plantation will be one of my fondest vacations ever.  I have traveled to many different Caribbean Islands and Jamaica will definitely be the island I would love to call my “Caribbean Home”.  It was an emotional  good bye to so many wonderful people who work so hard to excel in amazing service.  Sandals…have done it again and I thank you for that!!

Leslie Villeneuve is an International Travel Consultant at our Glebe location in Ottawa, Ontario and can be reached by e-mail or calling 1-866-991-5585.

Book your Sandals vacation in the month of January and receive a $250 Red Lane® Spa Credit when you book a concierge room category or higher.

Ochos Rios is highlighted on the Flight Centre map.

Our Flightie Gillian not only loves to travel, but is a huge foodie who travels with the intent to discover some new dishes, recipes and local brews. After spending some time living in Melbourne, Australia; she decided to hop on a plane and head down to Tasmania for a quick weekend getaway and shares with us her favourite food expereiences:

Tasmania was a great place to discover beautiful landscape and of course experience some really delicious food and drinks!

Here are my Top 5 Favorite Food experiences in Tassie!

1. Cascade Brewery

On our very first day in Tassie we went to the Cascade Brewery which is the longest running brewery in Australia. We went on a 1.5 hour tour to learn about the history of the brewery, the process of brewing, and an actual tour of the facilities.

My favorite part of the tour was of course the tasting that occured afterwards.  We got everything from pale ale to stout and it was an absolutely great start to our trip.

2. Bruny Island Cheese Company

The next stop was at the Bruny Island Cheese Company that’s owned and managed by Nick Haddow (follow Nick’s blog too!).  It was great to see the cheese being made behind the front counter, and the larder room was all open glass so we could see all the cheese resting.

My friend and I did a tasting in the morning and ended up stopping in again for the “Otto” wrapped in Proscuitto.  We were recommended to have it melted in a wood fired oven for about 15 minutes and drink it with some local wine.

3. Bruny Island Premium Wines

The wine we chose to go with cheese was from Bruny Island Premium Wines.  Their soil could only grow chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and pinot noir grapes.  This was a great little stop because we saw the 5 days old Pinot Noir grapes just starting to rest with the skins on them.  We choose a 2007 Pinot Reserve to go with our cheese.

4. Get Shucked

Oysters were next on the list and boy were they amazing!  Get Shucked was a small little trailor right across from the water that would fish two fresh batches of Oysters Daily!  Always being slightly hesitant with the idea of eating I jumped on the opportuntity to make a decision about them when they were as fresh as can be.  I got half a dozen and enjoyed them with a squirt of lemon and some fresh cracked black pepper.  Yum!

5. Salamanca Markets

Finally on the last day in Tasmania we went to the Salamanca Markets which are all about great fresh food, and food preparation.  It was a toss up between a new rolling pin, cutting board, or cheese platter made out of local tassie Huon Pine.  I chose a great little cheese platter in the shape of Tassie to remember the experience!  We got a great coffee recommended by a friend to walk around the markets with, and before we left, we had floating Fish and Chips.

Tasmania seems to be a commonly missed placed during most visitors’ Australian tours, but it is definitely a place worth checking out.  I knew that we were in for a good trip when one of the first ladies at the information booth said “If you like to eat, then you will enjoy the island”.

Tasmania is highlighted on the Flight Centre Map.

Gillian Anderson is an International Travel Consultant at our Holt Renfrew Centre location in Toronto and can be reached by E-mail or calling 1-866-662-6289. Thinking of booking your next trip to Australia? Book with Flight Centre during the month of January and receive a $200 airfare credit on Qantas.