Donna McGougan Travel

05/01/2024

Anyone else have a growing travel list?

04/01/2024

How far in advance should you book a vacation?

Honestly, it depends on the season and the destination in question. But if you ask me, sooner is always better than later.

A recent survey suggested that if you book a domestic vacation up to two months in advance, you could save up to 20% on airfare.

For an international trip, booking four months earlier can help you save about 13%.

If more luxe accommodations, a private tour guide, a unique experience, a pass for the swanky airport lounge, or just a few extra margs on the beach sounds like a better way to spend that 20%, then it’s about time to get planning.

Reach out to me, and let’s make that travel idea a reality. Remember, the sooner, the better.

10/12/2023

Anyone else feel like their vacation starts as soon as they turn on their Out of Office message? 🙋‍♀️

While I am out of the office this week spending some time in Cancun, I'm not entirely on vacation. My trip will be spent seeing some new to me all-inclusive resorts and visiting a few favourites. Trips like these are one of the reasons I'm able to expertly match my clients to the best resort for them in the Cancun area.

And my partner Renee Tsang Travel can help you with any 2024 trips you want to start planning while I'm away.

Follow along in my stories to see what I'm up to this week!

10/12/2023

It’s absolutely not too early to start planning 2024 travel! I repeat, it is not too early!

👉 2024 is going to be another busy travel year, so getting a head start guarantees you’ll get the top pick for the accommodations and experiences you want.

👉 Having trips on the calendar is a great way to kick off a new year with lots to look forward to and be excited about.

Here are 3 vacation ideas for friends and families to get your creativity flowing:
🌴Caribbean beach vacation: A week without cooking or cleaning! Relax on soft sand beaches or poolside where a cold drink is just a few steps away. Many resorts have accommodations for families of 5 or families looking for a bit more space. And the variety of restaurants will have options for even the pickiest of eaters. Or choose a beachfront villa with it's own private pool and personal chef for meals tailored to your family and friends.

🛳️Mediterranean Ocean cruise: See the highlights of Europe! Spend your days exploring a new city in a different country every day - and you only need to unpack once. And your evenings will be filled with live shows and gourment dining. Looking for an elevated experience? Go VIP with Suite level staterooms that offer personal butlers and exclusive dining and pool options.

🐸 Explore Costa Rica: go for a night-time
nature walk through a cloud forest, enjoy stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Arenal with a volocano as your backdrop, take surfing lessons in the Pacific ocean and zipline through a rainforest. All with the comfort of your own private transporation and personal guides.

If you had to choose, which trip would you pick? Share with me in the comments.

05/12/2023

T'is the season for gifting! If you could gift yourself a dream trip, what would it be?

For me it would be an African Safari through Botswana and Zimbabwe. Starting at Victoria falls and visiting an elephant sanctuary in Hwange National Park. Floating down the Chobe River looking for hippos, and a safari drive looking for the Big Five... Of course I would need to stay in a luxurious safari lodge. Maybe the Savute Elephant Lodge or one of the andBeyond properties...

What's your dream trip? Share it with me in the comments.

03/12/2023

Hotels and resorts to book in 2024 for every type of traveller

Save this for your ‘24 travel planning 📌

😴 If you want relaxation, the Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, Santorini, Greece should be on your list.

👑 If you want something romantic, it's hard to top Ladera Resort, Soufriere, St. Lucia.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 If you want something tween and teen approved the Hotel Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Mexico is perfect!

Save this for later and tag someone you want to travel with in 2024.
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29/11/2023

Headed to the Christmas markets in Europe? I suggest you pack an appetite. Each town and market has its own local specialities. With so many delicious options, you'll have a hard time choosing just one at each market!

23/11/2023

Calling all mamas!

Want to add a fun element to your next family getaway for the kiddos?

Set up a mini food challenge! Ask your travel advisor about some of the local dishes in the place you’ll be visiting, and set up a challenge to see who can try the most local foods.

It’s such a fun way to immersive yourselves in the local culture, and encourage the kids to try new things.

Has anyone tried this before?

04/11/2023

Great service offered by EIA for Edmonton travellers ✈️

Travelling somewhere warm? Leave your winter gear with us. Complimentary coat check service is provided to all customers of Priority Valet, Easy Parkade, Value Park, and jetSet Parking. Even if you did not park with us, you can check your items for $2 per item per day.

For more information, visit flyeia.com/coat-check.

02/11/2023

Staring down those Black Friday travel deals wondering if you take the leap and book?

Black Friday can definitely mean some great savings, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

I’ve been planning travel for over 10 years and I’ve seen it all — the good, the bad, and the too-good-to-be-true.

Here are a few things to consider:

🕵️‍♀️Timing is everything: Black Friday can have some deals, but you really want to be on the lookout all the time (Or want an expert like me who can be on the lookout for you!) as hotels, resorts, and tour operators release new promotions and early booking offers.

🕵️‍♀️The Fine Print: I can’t stress this enough. You’ve gotta put a huge magnifying glass on the fine print of these deals because so many come with restrictive travel dates, blackout periods, and even hidden fees. Make sure you play detective before you book anything.

🕵️‍♀️Personalization Matters: Travel is more than about the destination. It’s about having experiences that match your desires and preferences, and Black Friday days may be enticing, but they so often lack personalization and customization. It’s a one-size-fits-all situation.

Have a destination you've been thinking of visiting? Send me a message to find out if I'm the right person to help you get that trip in your calendar :)

28/10/2023

It’s my top priority to make sure every client’s vacation time counts and that they come home truly satisfied with the experience they had while away.

ESPECIALLY when that trip is in the dead of winter and it’s their only opportunity to escape the cold (Hasn’t anyone figured out unlimited PTO yet?).

I pride myself on matching couples and families with the destination and resort I know will deliver on their travel wishlist and work with their travel style.

If you have any questions about how I can help you plan your winter vacation, send me a DM.

23/10/2023

The snow is making it's first appearance of the season in Alberta today ❄️ If you’re like me and already dreaming of a way to escape the cold, now is the time to start planning!

In a couple of months when you’re getting up early to shovel the snow - again - you’ll be so glad you made this a priority.

Here’s what I’m working on this week to get you inspired:

A last-minute November break vacation for a group of friends sneaking in a trip before the hockey season consumes their family schedule. The Iberostar resort in the Riviera Maya will be perfect for them!

An anniversary trip to Secrets Moxche for some pooltime in the Mexico sun. No meetings or kids activities for a week of uninterrupted time together to reconnect and celebrate🍸

A girlfriend getaway to Los Cabos in January. 5 days of no cooking, cleaning, or chauffeuring! The only decisions they'll have to make is if they want to sit by the pool or on the beach, and which restaurant they want to enjoy.

It’s going to be a busy week confirming all of these great adventures!

Send me a message when you’re ready to make your own winter getaway official.

29/09/2023

The WestJet Group shares timeline for the integration of Sunwing Airlines into WestJet Airlines to complete the airline’s strategy to move all 737s into the same AOC.

28/09/2023

🍂Fall is in full swing here in Calgary 🍂.

And for me that means instapot stews and soups on repeat for lunch and chilly morning walks with my dog while enjoying the fall foliage.

I ❤️ Summer but there’s something magical about Fall.

Where are my fellow fall fans 🙋‍♀️

26/09/2023

Road closures at Edmonton International Airport with relocated Passenger Pick-up & Drop-off area.

24/09/2023

"Traveling with a carry-on only is impossible!"

As a reformed over-packer, it's getting easier.

Whether you’re a carry-on-only pro looking to refine your process or you’re being forced to skip checking a bag for an upcoming trip, here’s a hack that will make it easy:

➡️ Use the 5-4-3-2-1 Packing Method

This packing method means that all you need are five tops, four bottoms, three dresses, three pairs of shoes, two swimsuits, two bags, and one of each of a few accessories to get you through a week of travel.

It’s that simple!

Now, depending on the season you’ll want to tweak items accordingly.

Here’s to a new era of traveling light — whether it’s forever or just a trip here and there.

What’s your best carry-on packing hack?

20/09/2023

Anyone else organize their travel list by season? 🙋‍♀️

As summer winds down and cozy season starts, I can’t help but think about some of the trips I’d like to take specifically in the Fall.

There’s just something about places like New York, Paris, and Geneva in the Fall.

One of these days I would love to return to Paris in the Fall. Sit at a cafe wrapped up in my favourite scarf, sipping hot chocolate and people-watching.

What’s one trip on your Fall bucket list?

18/09/2023

Let’s talk food and wine!

If I had to pick my top 3 places for a food and wine-focused vacation, here’s what I’d choose:

🥖Lyon, France : Culinary capital of France! This city boasts an abundance of traditional bouchons (small, cozy restaurants) serving up classic Lyonnaise dishes like coq au vin, quenelles, and salade lyonnaise. There are 20 Michelin-Starred restaurants in and around Lyon. The city's chefs are renowned for their dedication to preserving and perfecting traditional French cuisine, making it a mecca for food enthusiasts.

🍇Florence, Italy: Wine Paradise! Tuscany is renowned for its exceptional wines, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Florence serves as a gateway to these renowned wine regions, with numerous wine bars, enotecas, and vineyard tours available for wine enthusiasts.

☕Vienna, Austria: Coffee culture! Vienna is celebrated for its coffee culture. Visiting historic coffeehouses like Café Central or Café Sacher is a must. Pair your coffee with a slice of Austrian cake, and you'll understand why Viennese coffee culture is renowned.

Of course, it all comes down to your own personal travel style and what you want to experience on your trip.

Once I get to know you better, I can offer more tailored recommendations!

Here when you’re ready to start planning!

14/09/2023

🌊💫 Exploring Amsterdam's Canals: 5 Fun Facts! 💫🌊

1️⃣ Venice of the North: With over 100 kilometers of picturesque canals, Amsterdam has earned the nickname "Venice of the North." Get ready to be charmed by its winding waterways!

2️⃣ Three Main Canals: The heart of the canal belt consists of three main canals - Herengracht (Gentlemen's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal). Together, they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3️⃣ More Bikes than People: There are approximately 881,000 bicycles in Amsterdam, and some of them end up in the canals every year! An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 bikes are fished out of the canals annually.

4️⃣ Houseboat Heaven: Amsterdam boasts around 2,500 houseboats, many of which are homes to locals. These unique floating abodes are an integral part of the city's canal culture.

5️⃣ The Dancing Houses: One of the city's quirkiest sights is a row of houses that appear to be tilting forward. These are known as "The Dancing Houses" or "The Dancing Sisters" due to their charmingly skewed facades.

Is Amsterdam on your travel list?

12/09/2023

Here’s why I recommend avoiding Expedia at all costs when booking flights!

That $50 you’re saving by booking on Expedia or another third party is only worth it if everything goes to plan.

And with travel, you can’t always count on that.

I always recommend booking DIRECTLY with airlines, so you receive support in the case of a flight cancellation, schedule change, or other things that are outside of your control.

Third-party sites typically don't have someone you can call when things go wrong, and airlines are much more incentivized to solve your problem when you book with them directly.

I also recommend working with a travel advisor (that’s me!) to avoid common flight mistakes. Things like booking flights to the wrong airport (happens a lot!) and unnecessary layovers because you didn’t know the best route.

When you’re ready to delegate things like finding flights, booking hotels, etc, I’m here to help!

08/09/2023

What do South Carolina and Italy have in common?

They both have major cities named Florence. And both of those cities have an airport.

Just one letter separates you from booking a flight to Florence, SC (FLO), and Florence, Italy (FLR).

Why am I highlighting this? Because you wouldn’t believe how many people make the mistake of booking flights to the wrong airport when they’re planning their bucketlist vacation.

My advice? Double and triple-check your airport codes.

My clients never have to stress about this. I’m a trusted pair of eyes on all of their travel plans, making sure they not only enjoy their travels but actually arrive where and when they’re supposed to!

Isn’t it crazy that something as little as one letter can change how a trip turns out?

Have you ever made this mistake? This is a judgment-free zone!

06/09/2023

One of the things I love about river cruising is how relaxing it makes exploring multiple towns during one trip.

My first river cruise through Provence really opened my eyes to how great they can be for multi-city adventures.

💼 You only have to unpack once.

✈️ There is no hassle with flights, train schedules, or driving.

🛳 You get to float into the port of each beautiful city, see the highlights, shop, eat, explore, and then head back to the ship for a relaxing evening.

It’s almost as if the destinations come to you!

Curious about river cruising? Ask me anything about them!

04/09/2023

Can we talk about online reviews for a minute?

Have you been finding yourself scrolling through countless online reviews trying to piece together the perfect vacation?

Here's the thing: Online reviews can be a great starting point, but they're just a glimpse into someone else's experience, and what's perfect for one might not be for another.

So many things are in play - personal preferences, biases, and then there’s the occasional fake review. It can all cloud the true essence of a place.

When I’m your travel advisor, getting to know you and your travel style is an essential part of what I do.

Your vacation isn’t just based on reviews and ratings, but on a real understanding of what you’re looking for out of your travels.

So, next time you're planning a trip, let's chat. Because a vacation curated with expertise beats vague online reviews any day.🌍✈️

Can we talk about online reviews for a minute?

Have you been finding yourself scrolling through countless online reviews trying to piece together the perfect vacation?

Here's the thing: Online reviews can be a great starting point, but they're just a glimpse into someone else's experience, and what's perfect for one might not be for another.

So many things are in play - personal preferences, biases, and then there’s the occasional fake review. It can all cloud the true essence of a place.

When I’m you’re travel advisor, getting to know you and your travel style is an essential part of what I do.

Your vacation isn’t just based on reviews and ratings, but on a real understanding of what you’re looking for out of your travels.

So, next time you're planning a trip, let's chat. Because a vacation curated with expertise beats vague online reviews any day.🌍✈️

18/08/2023

Planning a dream vacation like: "Hmm, should I go for a spontaneous beach trip, an adventurous mountain retreat, or a city getaway?" 🌅🏞🏙

Personally, I’m in the mood for a beach vacation in Cabo, with a stay at Grand Velas or Pueblo Bonito Pacifica. Nothing like those ocean views to relax and wrap up summer!

Decisions, decisions! Leave your emoji vote below, and let’s see which option comes out on top.

17/08/2023

FYI - if you have a trip to Cancun and area planned.

A Toronto-based company has been appointed to enforce the collection of Cancun’s mandatory tourist tax after confusion amongst travelers.