• They have over 60 years of knowledge & expertise in designing unforgettable touring vacations
• Offer over 200 incredible worldwide itineraries
• Hassle-free vacation without transportation or accommodation worries
• Knowledgeable & friendly staff
• You will experience all the ‘must-see’ attractions without the long lines

River Cruising is, quite simply, the best way to see the world’s great cities. Here are the top 5 reasons that your next cruise should be a river cruise:

1. Experience world class cities not accessible by ocean cruises.
2. Unpack just once, no need to worry about maps or traffic congestion. Better than any bus tour!
3. Flat-bottomed shape of river cruise ships ensures a safe and smooth ride without any worries about motion sickness.
4. Sail directly to the heart of every destination, walk right off the ship and join the day’s activities.
5. A more intimate experience, with only 130 to 300 fellow guests.

Click here for a list of the best Avalon Waterways has to offer and click below to see for yourself how amazing River Cruising truly is.

Physically challenged travellers most definitely have to work harder than their able-bodied companions when it comes to planning travel. But if you plan ahead and pack right – you’ll find your trip will run a lot smoother. Start by planning as far ahead as possible so you don’t run into any surprises:

Ensure you have adequate health care insurance that covers you wherever your destination may be.

Confirm with the airline 48 hours before you travel to ensure they have details of any special requests you’ve made – whether they be for transportation around the airport or help boarding.

If you do need help boarding, check in early and request that your wheelchair – if you have one – is stored in the cabin, rather than put in the luggage hold. Planes will often only allow one wheelchair in the cabin per flight, so an early check-in can help ensure that it’s yours.

Just like you would any piece of luggage, label your wheelchair or scooter clearly with your departure gate, destination and address.

Most hotels will do a fantastic job of catering to travellers with special needs…but the more notice you give them, the better. Many hotels do have a limited number of accessible rooms.

Do your research. Accessibility can be limited in some areas. You will find most of the information you need online about accessibility and transportation options available at your destination. Taxis are typically going to be your easiest method of getting around, but can get expensive so learn ahead of time what your best options are.

Here are a few excellent websites to get you started:

In 2011 the Rick Hansen Foundation launched www.globalaccessibilitymap.com As part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and quality of life for all people – including people with disabilities, seniors, parents with strollers or caregivers with mobility aids – the Global Accessibility Map is similar in concept to consumer reviews commonly found on travel websites, but with a focus on accessibility criteria

www.access-able.com has a searchable worldwide list of cities that will suggest accessible hotels or hostels.

The Government of Canada website www.accesstotravel.gc.ca provides info on accessible transportation and travel across our country. Get advice from others by visiting a variety of online forums – including Thorn Tree – through the lonely planet website. This can be a great way of accessing information that isn’t available anywhere else.

When it comes time to packing, make sure any medication you will need are in your carry-on luggage, just in case your checked bags are lost or delayed.And carry spare prescriptions if possible – just in case you do lose something.

Finally, be prepared to explain to people exactly how they can help you if you need it. Most people at most destinations around the world are willing to provide assistance but are sometimes unsure whether to offer.

Once you’ve chosen the essentials, you’re ready to start packing… but for many… the art of packing properly is still a big mystery.

Here are some fool-proof tips on ‘How to Pack Your Bags’:

• Start by placing the heavy or bulky items on the bottom of the suitcase, including shoes, alarm clock, hair dryer, and travel iron.
• Protect fragile items by putting them inside socks or other thick clothing and placing them in the center of the case.To keep clothing wrinkle-free, place all articles inside plastic bags or wrap them in tissue paper. Rolling your clothes into cylinders, instead of folding them, can also help.
• T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans can also be rolled into cylinders and wedged into corners to keep other contents from sliding around.
• I always find that taking a few extra plastic bags come in handy when transporting wet bathing suits and dirty clothes.
• Don’t forget a needle and thread plus a compact umbrella …. you can never go wrong.

Most importantly… only pack things that you wouldn’t mind losing into luggage that will be checked. ‘Carry-on bags’ are the place for valuables…here’s a list of things that your carry-on bags should include:

• Travel documents, medications, keys, cameras, cellular phones — and money — including all cash, travelers checks, credit cards— and in-case your checked luggage does get lost…photos and a list of contents of your luggage come in very handy.

Hopefully some of those tips will help you pack smarter the next time you go on vacation…which will hopefully be sooner, rather than later!

You might have heard the terms that have started popping up… Economy Plus, Economy Comfort, Preferred Seating. It seems like just about every airline is joining the “buy added legroom” market and, yes, it’s officially a trend.

Some of the airlines offering extra legroom in economy for a fee now include United Airlines, JetBlue, American, Delta, Air France and Virgin.

If you don’t have elite status and aren’t flying on a full-fare ticket, you’ll have to pay to sit in those enhanced economy seats for fees varying from 30 to 60 dollars per person.

Make sure you know what you’re paying for, though, if you opt to upgrade your seat. There are some airlines that charge extra money simply to make a seat selection towards the front of the plane that usually doesn’t have extra legroom. For example, U.S. Airways has “choice seats” that are simply seats towards the front of the economy cabin. And both Delta and American have “preferred seats” that are usually aisle or window seats towards the front of the cabin.

Look for a good seat as soon as you book your ticket. Check back the week of your flight as some people may leave a good seat behind if they get upgraded or change their travel plans.

Use the online check-in as soon as possible to get access to seats that may not have been available pre-booking, such as exit rows or bulkheads.

To help you on your quest for prime real estate in-flight – here are a few suggestions:

• Seatguru.com offers comparison charts to help you compare seat options across carriers and different aircraft.

• expertflyer.com offers free seat alerts that allow travellers to be notified when a better seat becomes available on your flight and airfarewatchdog.com has a chart of fees charged by airlines for upgraded and preferred seating.

- It’s always best to leave valuables at home, but if you can’t, don’t stash them in the dresser drawers… use the in-room safe… or better yet the safe-deposit boxes at the front desk – they’re protected from the public and often have cameras watching them.

- Keep your room keys safe – If you lose a key, tell the front desk agent that you need a ‘new’ key, not a duplicate. A new key will reprogram the lock, making it impossible for anyone to use the lost key to gain entrance to your room

- Close your door! – Hotel managers often find hotel room doors not pulled shut or that have been deliberately propped open. Make it a habit to use all the locks: the deadbolt, the chain – the whole lot.

- Use valet parking – Besides protecting your personal safety, valet service can protect your car and belongings. Hotels usually have no responsibility for any theft or damage to your car if it’s in a parking lot. You’re better covered in valet parking.

- Finally, use your common se

nse – Don’t drink too much. Don’t tell anyone your room number. And don’t invite strangers to your room.
Now if something does happen to you or your property… Notify a security officer and a manager immediately. They’ll ask you to file a detailed report on the incident. There is also insurance that you can buy to protect against loss or theft…its called baggage & personal effects insurance. In most package-type insurance it covers for up to $1000 per person. But, you can buy it separately for protection up to $2000 per person.

Well, there is nothing nicer than getting an ‘upgrade’ when you are traveling…there are lots of ways to increase your chances of getting one…but here are my top five:

Look for at times when companies are less busy…so flights that are less full, days when hotels have lower occupancy, and times when rental cars are sitting idle on the lot. If you don’t have this information, call the reservations line and ask.
Pay a little more.

Sounds crazy…but more & more travel providers are blocking the lowest airfares and room rates against upgrading. So, even the most generous clerks can’t override the computer’s block without losing their jobs. The good news…the difference between the lowest fares and the upgradeable fares is often as little as 5 percent…worth paying to get a fare that is upgradeable.

Use your points for upgrades on flights or for a nicer hotel room… don’t use them for cheap airline tickets and hotel rooms. You will get far greater value using them for business class flights or a swanky hotel room…which may cost thousands of dollars if you had to buy them.

And leverage your loyalty. Companies rely on their best customers…especially in these tough economic times. And you don’t have to be in the super-elite ranks…even the first tier of membership should give you an extra edge, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Another way to get an upgrade is to tell hotel or airline staff if you happen to be celebrating a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary…most people who I have encountered will go out of their way to help you celebrate…and what better way to celebrate than with a free upgrade. In my opinion an upgrade can absolutely make the difference between a good trip and a great one.

Keep in mind that the biggest savings are typically in accommodation and package vacations – not airfare. Flights on regular scheduled airlines tend to increase in price closer to departure time, so last minute flight deals are rare.
Keep your eye out for last minute deals on charter flights, mainly to sunny destinations, but be aware that taxes can often bump up the base fare of the ticket by as much as $300.

Booking hotels last minute can be one of the biggest cost-saving measures, if you use the right tools and aren’t too particular.
Websites like Hotwire.com or Priceline.com allow you to type in the area you want, your preferred hotel star rating, and a price. You won’t know the hotel you’ll be staying in until your transaction is complete. These websites allow the hotels to quietly move unbooked rooms and, you, the consumer, to snag deals if you’re not concerned with hotel brand.

Travel mid-week if you can. Departing on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, helps you save more since most people tend to book weekend departures. Even if you’re booking in advance, flying mid- week can save you hundreds of dollars per ticket.
And one last word of advice… if you know exactly what you want and will be disappointed if you don’t get it, last minute travel might not be your thing. It’s best suited to those who aren’t set on a particular destination, hotel or even room type.
If you go in thinking “I just need to get away somewhere hot” chances are you’ll come across some great deals that will turn into a fantastic trip.

Be a little bit savvier when planning your next trip to a brand new city and you’ll be able to navigate the new territory like a seasoned pro – and save some money in the process. Here are some helpful hints:

Don’t always pay. Even the most expensive cities have “free” attractions. You just need to do some research ahead of time. And most institutions that do charge a fee, will set aside complimentary days or hours. If you’re a student, teacher, or senior – always carry ID. Freebies or discounts may drop in your lap. Another option for “free fun” – if you’re headed to New York or Los Angeles – is to snag free audience tickets to a TV show taping.

If you can – avoid taking cabs. For a more local experience and potentially quicker ride – especially during rush hour – take public transportation. If you plan to do a lot of hopping on and off – purchase an all-day or multi-day transit pass. Avoiding taxis at the airport will often save you a bundle. Well used public trains serve international airports in Boston, New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Beijing and London to name a few. Shuttle services are also available.

Don’t forget to check and book events in advance. In the big metropolitan centres shows sell out and restaurants fill up. Check events calendars for the city you’re going to be visiting well in advance. If you have a specific interest in mind, go directly to the source, such as the Sydney Opera House, for performing arts or Open Table, for dining reservations.

Don’t overlook the outlying areas of whichever city you’re visiting. A city’s suburbs and outer boroughs can be more authentic and exotic than the downtown core. Neuilly, which borders Paris, is a wealthy enclave of boutiques, cafes, street markets and more. Tokyo’s suburbs are sprinkled with shrines, temples, beaches and hiking trails.

A bit of research ahead of time and you’ll not only be presently surprised but also have some fantastic stories to tell when you get home.

What many travellers don’t realize is that “ticket” you get when booking your cruise is actually a “contract” that can run more than a dozen pages – with more mentions of the word “liability” than most of us would care to count. Unfortunately, it’s not until something unforeseen happens that you find out how stuck you are. But if you know what you’re signing away, you may be able to protect yourself. Here’s a sample of just five of the rights you sign away when you buy a cruise ship ticket. We’ll use a Carnival Cruise contract as an example:

First off – the right to privacy. You give the company the right “at all times with our without notice” to search your bags and personal effects. Furthermore, the company has the right to use pictures and videos of you any way they want. So, don’t be surprised if you see yourself in an upcoming cruise ship brochure!
You also give up the right to be compensated in the event your jewelry gets stolen or your luggage gets accidentally dropped in the ocean. The ticket contract limits the company’s liability for lost or damaged bags and their contents to 50 dollars per guest or 100 per stateroom. You can buy added coverage by declaring the value of what you bring onto the ship and paying five per cent of the value. Word of advice: leave the valuables at home.
You also have no right to “rely on your vacation”. Carnival can cancel any cruise at any time according to its contract. You’ll be owed a refund if the cruise is completely cancelled, or a partial refund if the company simply changes its mind about a certain port of call. But there’s no additional refund in the contract for airfare home.
Want to sue the cruise line for any reason? Good luck. Like most consumer legal contracts these days, a Carnival ticket contract includes an arbitration clause that requires you to submit claims via a lengthy process and only if you do it before a certain deadline, which most people are unaware of.
If you sign an international contract – like the passengers onboard the ill-fated Costa Concordia likely did when they boarded – you also sign away the right to ask for any kind of sizeable punitive damages. Most international contracts are subject to an agreement called the “Athens Convention” which limits liability to about 80- thousand dollars U.S. You can bet the lawyers in that case will try to blow through that rule pretty quickly.

So, the key with cruising: be aware of your rights, or lack thereof, before your board and you won’t have any surprises.