Sophia David, Travel Consultant

07/27/2024

This is global community!

07/18/2024

Reminder for Canadians attending the and :

Consular assistance is available 24/7. If you need help, contact the nearest Canadian government office or our Emergency Watch and Response Centre: https://ow.ly/3VsC50SBwAe

07/18/2024

When travelling outside Canada, you should always:

- share your itinerary with trusted family and friends, especially if the details change

- let your loved ones know how often you’ll be in contact

- sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad: https://ow.ly/hvta50SEBc7

- look up the nearest Canadian government office: https://ow.ly/QeEt50SEBe0

For more advice to help you travel safely: https://ow.ly/VFXs50SEBft

07/13/2024

What do you think….would you try it?
- Costa Maya

07/02/2024

Travelling to the US with your dog? There are some new entry requirements coming in to effect August 1st.

Starting on August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new, specific requirements depending on where they have been in the 6 months before entering the U.S. and where they received their rabies vaccines (if required).

06/12/2024

Try to travel, otherwise
you may become racist,
and you may end up believing
that your skin is the only one
to be right,
that your language
is the most romantic
and that you were the first
to be the first.
Travel,
because if you don't travel then
your thoughts won’t be strengthened,
won’t get filled with ideas.
Your dreams will be born with fragile legs and then you end up believing in tv-shows, and in those who invent enemies that fit perfectly with your nightmares to make you live in terror.
Travel,
because travel teaches
to say good morning to everyone
regardless of which sun we come from.
Travel,
because travel teaches
to say goodnight to everyone
regardless of the darkness
that we carry inside
Travel,
because traveling teaches to resist,
not to depend,
to accept others, not just for who they are but also for what they can never be.
To know what we are capable of,
to feel part of a family
beyond borders,
beyond traditions and culture.
Traveling teaches us to be beyond.
Travel,
otherwise you end up believing
that you are made only for a panorama
and instead inside you
there are wonderful landscapes
still to visit.

- Gio Evan, poet and songwriter.
Translated from Italian.

06/09/2024

Costa Maya, Mexico

One of the best things about tourism is how it can benefit the local community. Ideally, it should protect and provide for, the culture, wildlife, and community of the country, while providing a learning opportunity for the visitors. All this should be done in collaboration with the community, not imposed on them, of course.

Costa Maya is a private port which had some frustrating but effective marketing planning (aka walking in circles through shops to get to and from the ship), but we ended up on what was probably my favourite excursion. We walked out of the terminal to where we met our tour guide with the local tour company we booked with. Yoshi was amazing! She is Mayan and was a font of information about the area, the Chacchoben ruins we went to, and Mayan culture. Our favourite part though, was stopping and having lunch with a local family who taught us how to make tortillas and showed us the plants they grew which they used for our lunch. Our hosts didn't speak English so our guide taught us "hello" in Mayan which was wonderful. Amazing how far you can get with charades.

05/31/2024

Today we do a generalized “how is the food on the cruise?” Well, here are some pictures and you can decide for yourself. 

05/27/2024

05/22/2024

Great information for when you travel

Whether through an office abroad, or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, help is always available for Canadians abroad.

Before going on your next trip:

☑️ know how to find the Government of Canada office nearest to your destination: https://ow.ly/NH5o50RPMn2

☑️ save the contact information for 24/7 consular assistance: https://ow.ly/gaKn50RPMn3

☑️ understand the services consular officials can and cannot provide: https://ow.ly/26Vv50RPMn4

05/20/2024

Too busy enjoying the cruise so posting now.
Day 5 was Belize! Picked up by tenders (water taxis) from the ship while anchored offshore, and taken to the port where we met our tour guide. We went to a Community run Howler monkey sanctuary where the monkeys live in the wild but their natural travel routes are protected by the local community and landowners. Absolutely amazing noise that come from surprisingly little bodies. The Sanctuary also provides local craftsmen and guides (who are amazing) the opportunity for income. Then we went to the Belize Zoo which only has native animals, most of which are rescues. Had a delicious local lunch, and in short, had an unbelizeable time.

05/14/2024

04/19/2024

Day 4-Roatan, Honduras - great trip to Gumbalimba park where capuchin monkeys jump on your shoulders (or head) and gently try to help themselves to jewelry and huge macaws do the same. This is a rescue sanctuary, not a “taking advantage of animals to entertain tourists park”.
We had a marvellous guide who gave us a tour of the island showing us local villages and sent us off with Honduran hot sauce

04/19/2024

Day 3 - Cozumel and a walking tour by Tati from Free Walking Tour Cozumel. She is wonderful and shows the local side of Cozumel along with history, fun facts, a marvellous local market, and amazing fresh tortillas with string cheese. Finished our day with a delicious pistachio ice pop/popsicles from a local ice cream store she recommended. Came back to the ship where they wait on the pier with cold wet facecloths and lemon or orange water which I stupidly walked past- I have since realized the error of my ways!

04/16/2024

So busy enjoying that I forgot to post: 2nd day was at sea and getting our bearings - keep discovering little treasures including a superhero trivia contest … glad to say I held my own and didn’t embarrass myself

04/14/2024

Travelling the Enchanted Princess sailing from Fort Lauderdale. Watching the Barbie movie after a lovely swim. Must have for a cruise: room with a balcony

04/12/2024

Starting our ✈️trip with a 3 hour delay - leaves only 40 minutes to change terminals and clear customs in Toronto - good thing we got insurance for flight delays (see I do practice what I preach)
Upside? Time for breakfast ☺️
!

03/13/2024

We’re getting ready for the full solar eclipse, happening on April 8 of this year. 😎

There is a specific path in Canada where people can observe a full total eclipse of the sun. Cities along this path served by VIA Rail include Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall in Ontario, Montreal, QC and Miramichi, NB.

There’s still time to plan an eclipse trip! Book now, and don’t forget your ISO certified glasses!
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Nous nous préparons à l'éclipse solaire totale, qui aura lieu le 8 avril de cette année. 😎

Il existe une trajectoire spécifique au Canada où les gens peuvent observer une éclipse totale du soleil.

Les villes desservies par VIA Rail le long de cette trajectoire sont Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall en Ontario, Montréal au Québec et Miramichi au Nouveau-Brunswick.

Il est encore temps de planifier un voyage à l'occasion de l'éclipse ! Réservez dès maintenant et n'oubliez pas vos lunettes certifiées ISO !

02/27/2024

This is so important I am reposting.

I hear everyday that travellers don't think they need insurance, or will drag themselves home if something happens.
I also hear the stories of people who have a heart attack and can't get home to get medical help, and those who lost everything to US medical bills and now are buying insurance.
I help people file claims for the sprained ankle in Cuba, or broken hip surgery in Mexico.
I am unable to help the person who has an emergency surgery the day before they leave for holiday but didn't get cancellation insurance.

Please think carefully about why you have house insurance and car insurance - it is the same reason to buy travel insurance....in the hopes that you will never need it, but will be protected if you do need it!

02/11/2024

02/10/2024

The dragon symbolizes courage - if you haven’t been travelling, maybe now is the time!

02/04/2024

02/03/2024

VIA rail has some amazing rail journeys that are extremely well priced. You can actually travel all over North America by train very comfortably

Go to https://athleticgreens.com/DownieLive to get started on your first purchase and receive a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 and 5 travel packs. Thank...

01/26/2024

There are some remarkable people out there who don’t let anything stop them exploring the world. Want to be inspired?

The trailblazers of inclusive travel to know about this year

01/07/2024

Air Canada is rolling out a baggage tracker on their app … will it work? Only time will tell.
Article taken from Travelweek:

Using the Air Canada mobile app, customers can now track their baggage and mobility aid as it travels with them on domestic flights, based on the same tag scanning information that Air Canada employees use at each stage to handle these items.

Initially available to customers travelling within Canada during final development, the tracking feature will be expanded to the airline’s U.S. flights next year and, over time, select international destinations

The new tracking feature includes the following:

- Air Canada mobile app users will be able to track the progress of their checked items at key points from check-in, through the airport handling processes, on to the aircraft and through connections and arrival, providing reassurance every step of the way.
- For customers required to check mobility aids, they will be able to track the movement of their aid, including to confirm, under Air Canada’s enhanced accessibility protocols, that it is securely loaded before the aircraft departs.
- The tracker’s “What’s Next” feature tells customers the next step for their belongings, including information on where they need to pick up their bag, such as an airport baggage carousel number, either at a transfer point or the end of their journey.

In those rare instances when baggage is delayed, in addition to existing text or email notifications, the app has the functionality to advise customers of delayed items and enable them to easily file a delayed baggage report from their smart phone and arrange delivery, which saves time waiting at the carousel or at a baggage assistance counter. Customers will receive a confirmation that the report is received with a file number and a link to follow-up on any updates.

01/05/2024

Anyone else feel similar?

12/30/2023

Mexico tourism tax - actually Quintana Roo tax - needs to be addressed so here goes:

DO NOT GOOGLE A LINK TO PAY THIS or you will probably be scammed. At the very least you will pay more than the tax actually costs.

- the tax is $18.80 USD per person regardless of age
- it applies to non residents entering Quintana Roo (Cancun, Mayan Riviera, Tulum area)
- the tax must be paid before you leave Mexico
- yes, they are enforcing this
- the easiest way to pay is online before you leave Canada
- the website is https://travelkore.app/travelkore or https://travelkore.com

Any questions??!