GoTravel24 - Gillian Fripp

08/22/2024

Interested in a cruise on Norwegian? Let me know….

08/20/2024

Someone has to win….

07/29/2024

I love Paris! Do you?

Song by Doris Day

07/21/2024

In case you are travelling in south of Japan this month!

07/21/2024

In case this is your thing. Or you happen to be in or near Colorado Springs.

One way to be sure you have control over your flight. Hahahahah

Three immersive attractions at the upcoming Hotel Polaris in Colorado Springs will appeal to the aspiring pilot.

07/15/2024

Ever dreamed of going POLAR? North Pole, South Pole, Greenland - they have it all. Check this video from PONANT cruises and contact me for more information.

Majestic icebergs, iconic glaciers and fjords, exceptional wildlife, visits to traditional villages and encounters with the Inuit are all part of the total c...

07/13/2024

Going anywhere interesting this month? Share your stories and something that has surprised you about your destination!

I am in Columbus, Ohio at the moment. First of all the high schools are huge with incredible sports facilities (including full-on baseball diamonds/ yes with a “s” ). More space than university of Toronto even. And I am pleasantly surprised at how much green space this state has and mature trees. Super lush!

06/30/2024

Our travel agents are here to help – before, during, and after your next dream getaway. Call us or visit us at 1958 Yonge Street in Toronto, ON

06/26/2024

Today is June 26- We are now closer to Christmas 2024 than Christmas past. 🎄 🎅🏻 🎁

What are you doing this year? How about a Christmas market river cruise. So beautiful on and off the ship!

Let me know if this is the year …. Or we can book for 2025!

[email protected]

06/26/2024

Happily attending a travel conference this week. Love meeting with suppliers and other agents and of course, our great team at Expedia Cruises.

What are the trends?

1) expedition cruising. See the penguins and the polar bears
2) going off the resort in the Caribbean and fun and meaningful excursions
3) insurance! Don’t leave home without it.

06/16/2024

Is your allergy to carpet stopping you from cruising? Well worry no more. Here is a list of cruise lines that offer carpet-free options:

Viking Ocean Cruises:
Viking Ocean Cruises are known for their sophisticated, Scandinavian-inspired design, often featuring rooms with non-carpeted flooring such as laminate or hardwood.

Virgin Voyages:
Virgin Voyages' ships, such as the Scarlet Lady, have cabins with non-carpeted flooring, offering a sleek and modern look with vinyl or laminate flooring.

MSC Cruises:
Some of MSC Cruises' newer ships, like the MSC Seaside, include rooms with laminate or vinyl flooring, especially in higher-end suites.

Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises has been incorporating more modern designs in their newer ships, such as the Celebrity Edge, which features cabins with non-carpeted flooring options.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises:
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, known for luxury and sophistication, offer suites with hardwood or laminate flooring, providing a refined and elegant ambiance.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL):
NCL's newer ships, like the Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss, have some cabins with non-carpeted flooring, particularly in suites and premium categories.

Call now to connect with business.

06/15/2024

Now is the best time to plan your next air, sea or land vacation!

Contact your favourite travel agent and start the adventure…..

06/05/2024

Are you interested in an ALASKAN cruise? Why not explore the great alone....Cruise to Alaska from April to October for an Incomparable Life Experience!!

How? on a cruise! our princess three day sale starts 06-06-2024 (tomorrow) and earn an extra $30US on board credit per day per person in a a balcony cabin

When?

Alaska Cruise in April: Fewer Rainy Days When You Visit Alaska in April
Alaska Cruise in May: Get Lower Rates When You Cruise Alaska in May
Alaska Cruise in June: See the Sights on an Alaska Summer Cruise
Alaska Cruise in July: Alaska in July Is the Best Month to Spot Wildlife
Alaska Cruise in August: Wet, Summer Days When You Cruise Alaska in August
Alaska Cruise in September: Alaska Temperatures Start to Drop
Alaska Cruise in October: Chilly Weather and Cruise Deals When You Cruise Alaska in October

06/04/2024

As if we need more choices! Travelling is confusing and west jet is just stirring up the pot.

Adding ultra low budget - so they can say - now fly from $99 to somewhere! But we all know really when you go
In and add seat and luggage and refundability, you will easily be at $300. And that’s just the start of it.

Smoke and mirrors. Sadly this industry is just that.

Need help deciphering? Call your neighbourhood travel agent [email protected]

WestJet announced that it has introduced an ultra low-cost fare — and if you like carry-ons, seat choice and earning points, there's a catch.

05/29/2024

Summer is coming. And so are warm days… but what will you do in the colder months of December or March?

It is not too soon to be thinking about holiday travel to somewhere warm. This year is turning out to be like the last two, where planes and resorts are already filling up and the bigger rooms and villas almost sold out.

Book now by contacting [email protected] for your all-inclusive vacation getaways.

05/14/2024

Love this place. Went in January 2023 to Belize and loved this resort! Well worth the detour to get there.

Let me know if you want help planning a getaway to Belize. It was a great mix of history with the ruins, adventure with the cave tubing, wonderful food and relaxation at Ch’aa and of course beach time on the coast. Great diving and snorkeling!

Did you know Belize is an English speaking country?

The Lodge at Chaa Creek has once again achieved a remarkable feat! We are delighted to announce that our property has been exclusively recognized as one of the Top 500 Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards

05/14/2024

I have to admit Expedia Cruises is not necessarily the best name for our agency - we are a full service agency - doing air, land and sea vacations.

Contact me to help plan your next vacation at [email protected]

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN a Guided Tour for 2 with Collette, including airfare*! Valued up to $8,000.

Enter the contest between May 1 – May 31:
https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/corporate/Contest?utm_campaign=social_hub&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

05/09/2024

This is so cool!

Surprise, surprise: Rome is slightly north of Chicago! Here are major North American cities replaced by major cities across the Atlantic on the same latitude.

More info about the actual pairs and more pairs: https://bit.ly/3UM4a1a

05/01/2024

Call us what you want….

Travel Expert, Travel Agent , Travel Advisor, Travel Concierge, Vacation Consultant ….

…. the point is we know travel!!! (and we answer to them all!)

Need help with your upcoming travel plans? Contact me at [email protected]

Today is National Travel Advisor Day! ✈️🚅🚢

Join us as we celebrate and honor our team of over 6,000 Vacation Consultants across North America. Our local Vacation Consultants are more than just your neighborhood travel experts—they are fellow passionate travelers from communities near you. When you’re ready to start planning your next vacation, our dedicated Vacation Consultants are a great resource for ensuring that you get the most out of your long-awaited vacation. We invite you to experience the Vacation Consultant difference!

04/15/2024

Are you travelling soon? Pre-booking your excursions or side trips is super important as things get busier in the travel season. One of my favourite suppliers is GET YOUR GUIDE... with side trip, entry tickets, transfers all over the world.

Click here to see what they offer and you can even book through this link -or contact me and we can chat which side trips look best for you

https://www.getyourguide.com?partner_id=HIBP5KX&cmp=share_to_earn

Powered by GetYourGuide

Call now to connect with business.

04/10/2024

In case Brazil was on your to-see and do list!

Important information for Canadians traveling to - As of January 10, 2024, you must get a visa to travel to Brazil on a Canadian passport. Check our travel advice for full details: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/brazil

04/04/2024

Short ‘n sweet. But an informative and fun trip!

And I am now a Dominican Republic! . Talk to me about
luxury (yes, there is a Relais & chateau and Oscar de la renta designed bungalows on the beach and more) or golf trips (so many great courses) family groups (somewhat affordable private houses with chefs and pools) , history tours (Santo Domingo is the land of Christopher Columbus)





Thank you !

Expedia Cruises (in Midtown Toronto, ON - Store #500087)

[email protected]

03/22/2024

Travel cancellation insurance!

Two words! “Buy it!”

Everyone these days says oh no, I will decline because I have credit card insurance. But have you read the fine print of your policy?

Common misconceptions about credit card insurance :

1. It will cover the whole trip.

No - A credit card usually has a maximum - like $1250 or $1500 per person to a maximum of $5000 per family. Not great if your trip is $10000!

And most require the entire trip to be put on the one credit card to validate the insurance. This means deposit and final payment on the same card!

2. I can spread the cost of my trip across many cards (for one person on one trip).

You can but you may not get coverage for the trip as per the credit card terms and conditions. So call them first and check also what it means to have two credit cards for two people and so on! And then there is the issue of separate cards, vs subsidiary cards!

3. If my return trip is delayed or postponed - I can always claim a free hotel and such.

It depends- first of all, how long is the delay? Most required a 3 or 4 hour delay before benefits click in. But let’s say your trip gets interrupted and your flight is changed overnight. Not all airlines offer such as compensation anymore. Maybe you will get a $25 food credit. But what you really need is a hotel night and some food and a taxi to the hotel …. Some credit cards give just $250 in trip interruption credit and maximum of $500 per trip per family, regardless of how many. And that’s Canadian $$. Not great if you are in Paris or Rome where the starting price of a hotel is easily 300 euros plus transportation to and from hotel and food.

And you can’t usually claim anything for your home town. (Ie if leaving from home and trip delayed or returning to home and your baggage delayed)

4. The people I am travelling with are “my family”.

Family can be loosely defined these days so check the terms and conditions - sometimes it is relatives as defined as immediate family but most times it is limited to those immediate relatives living at same address and those under 18 unless full time students. (and sometimes parents/grandparents)

5. All credit cards are the same.

No! No! No!

No two credit cards are the same - and the terms and conditions change way too frequently! Never assume!

Share your stories! And tips!

03/19/2024

People often ask me…. Is travel safe? Is this resort safe? Is this country safe?

My thoughts:

Theft can happen anywhere. It can be committed by staff, it can be done by another guest, or it by an offsite theft team. Crime can be present or absent at any resort/hotel, in any country, depending on the day or week. (And it can also happen at home- just professional thieves know people’s guard can be “more” down when they are chillin’ on vacation! )

Advice: don’t bring anything valuable on vacation .

A few other hints:
1)Always have a photocopy or photo of your passport and other important travel documents so if you lose anything, you have the numbers on hand (and don’t forget the back of rhe credit too so you have the numbers to call in case of need)
2) I also always take a pic of the safe with stuff in it to prove I had it in there before I close it up
3) I like to recommend that you don’t leave all your cash and credit cards in just one location (ie you could leave most in safe but hide a credit card and $50 somewhere else in room)
4) if you want other valuables with you, lock them with a great lock somewhere else. Or bring your own lock and safe with you, if you are that worried. They sell on Amazon as “travel safes”
5) remember losing credit cards isn’t the end of the world. Just call right away and let the credit card company know. (And hence #1) and by having another credit card elsewhere (hence # 3) means your vacation isn’t ruined. But these days Amex and such may be able to courier you a card pretty much anywhere in 48 hours.
6) Losing cash is harder as can’t be replaced. So best to have a mixture of both credit and cash. I suggest using overseas ATMs to get more cash along the way so you aren’t carrying big amounts. Yes, the fees are higher and the exchange rates are lower - but unless you are a bit cash spender - the extra fees are likely going to be under $100 at the end of the day - a small price vs theft (and likely vs the cost of your total vacation!)
7) if you are worried, know your surroundings, and use caution. maybe best not to go out late at night, wear flashy jewelry, or show off a wad of cash in your wallet

And please - don’t be quick to judge a resort or country as “unsafe” because you heard someone was victim to a crime. We often overlook the fact that it was actually another guest who committed the crime or theft - not the local team! And that, you can’t predict. So be vigilant.

Feel free to add other tips and tricks in this thread.

03/17/2024

For those who are part of our travel, book club, and remember reading this book a few years ago.

https://www.facebook.com/share/Ds9EBUXEwxuh3uWx/?mibextid=K35XfP

A Gentleman in Moscow (2024) TV Mini-Series
Ewan McGregor

02/24/2024

A sad goodbye to Lynx air!

Here we go again. Regrettably, the Travel and Tourism industry has been dealt a blow with yesterday's announcement regarding the failure of Calgary-based Lynx Airlines. (Read the story here). It is certainly not the first and will likely not be the last. 

02/23/2024

Something to think about after March break…. Have you had time without your kids lately?

[email protected]

Taking a child-free vacation made my relationship with my husband better. Our kids even commented on how much nicer we were when we got home.

02/07/2024

Two thoughts for the day!

01/17/2024

Passports. Passports. Passports.

So many questions.
So many answers.

And they vary by country of origin or country of passport so always look it up. And no, the general internet is not reliable. Go to a consulate site or

https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions?affiliateId=sherpa&language=en-US

Some basic facts….

Yes for a Canadian passport, you can and should apply for a new one before it expires. You can apply anytime up to a year before expiration (ie with 12 months validity left) for a new one.

Yes, most countries require your passport to be valid for six months past dates of travel. (And yes , you may hear of people who travel with less but that means someone was lenient on border patrol and may not be the same for you.)

Yes, Airlines have the right to refuse boarding at airport if your passport or visa is not in good standing. (Otherwise they have to pay for your return if you are refused entry on the other end and they won’t be doing that!)

Yes, you can still plan and book your travel with an expired passport or soon to expire. Just make sure the name on your travel documents is the same as the new passport. (So your new application has to have the correct name)

Most airlines or tour groups charge $$ (sometimes up to $100 per name) for a name change these days. So it is important to get it right the first time.

Need help with travel booking? We are a local travel agency at 1958 Yonge Street (just north of Davisville). Call 647 946 5303 or email to [email protected]

(Note - A travel agent can and should certainly advise/show their client where or what to get as a visa or passport info. But it is ultimately the traveller’s responsibility to know the rules of international travel and passport control and abide by them - and have the right paperwork)

Check this link out for what info you need to know for travel.

https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions?affiliateId=sherpa&language=en-US

Or

https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19.html #/

01/15/2024

As a travel agent in Ontario - I am required to let clients know that there may be requirements for travel - I do send a link for more information but there is no one size fits all solution.

I love this service offered at one of the big pharmacies- you can never be too prepared when travelling so why not set up a meeting!

Shoppers Drug Mart