Buy Local

February 14, 2016
Today, I thought I’d focus on “buy local.”
Of course, when you book your travel with me, you’re automatically buying local.
I am an independent and local business owner.
When you book your travel with me, you keep money in the local economy, you celebrate the uniqueness of this community, you support local jobs, you help the environment, you encourage community, you conserve your tax dollars, you benefit from my expertise, you invest in entrepreneurship, and you make the community a destination.
Sold? 🙂
Of course, being community-minded and having a ‘giving back’ mentality is one thing – but – there’s lots in it for you as well!
I offer fantastic customer service and expertise as well. I’m here to serve.But I also have honed terrific relationships with supplier partners from around the globe – so you can leverage my relationships and expertise to craft the perfect vacation for you. (Expedia and google don’t exactly let you do that.) See post about leveraging my 10,000 hours for you. 10,000 and you can can check out my verified client testimonials here
But besides working with a stellar, and award-winning travel advisor (ahem), I also want to make sure that we are focused on you and your family – I want to ensure you are maximizing your travel experience, and optimizing the return on your hard-earned vacation dollar.
With the Canadian dollar taking a beating, it’s always a good idea to consider travel options that are friendly to Canadian travelers. And by friendly to Canadians, I mean either:
1.) they have some Canadian $ offers, or
2.) they price in Canadian dollars, or
3.) they give us the opportunity to visit Canada
So, other than of course booking your travel with me :-), let’s have a look at some options for “buy local” this week.
I had a great show with World Expeditions at the Eddie Bauer Rideau store in Ottawa on Thursday. World Expeditions is an Ottawa-based company (so, local) with over 40 years experience in small group travel – AND – they price in Canadian dollars.
We had a great gathering with World Expeditions rep Pat Rochon sharing his expertise and knowledge, along with Tom Pinnington of Eddie Bauer along to share his expertise and knowledge about packing for expedition trips.
I’ll feature some World Expeditions trips below – but – I’m also in talks with Pat about getting a bike and barge group together to go from Ottawa. Let me know if that might interest you.
And I’ll also feature some companies that
1.) have Canadian $ offers – such as Big Five, Paul Gauguin, Tauck, Quark and Arctic Kingdom – see the Vast section below
2.) have Canadian $ pricing – such as World Expeditions (in the 3 featured trips below) or Scenic Waterways, and Avalon Waterways in a cruise section below or maybe Insight’s “Canadian battlefields” tour

3.) have opportunities to visit Canada – such as Quark, Arctic Kingdom, Butterfield & Robinson, and Rocky Mountaineer 

More details below.

Peru & the Inca Trail Explorer
19 Days – April 26, 2016 (other dates available)
With Ottawa’s World Expeditions tours, discover Peru’s diverse landscapes and colourful history. They are truly worthy of intimate exploration. This itinerary combines the historical and natural attractions with a trek along the classic Inca Trail.From Lima’s world famous museums, we cruise the Ballestas Islands viewing the bountiful seal and bird colonies, before continuing to the fascinating Nazca Lines. From Arequipa, the beautiful ‘white city’ where the 16th century Santa Catalina Convent is located, our journey continues to the Colca Canyon, the deepest in the world, and a great location for spotting Andean Condors. On Lake Titicaca we spend a night on an island homestay before continuing across the high Altiplano to explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Our classic trek along the Inca Trail winds its way to the Sun Gate providing us with a superb view of the Machu Picchu ruins – a fitting finale to this all encompassing adventure.
Priced from $4,195 CDN/ person land only (based double).
Colombia’s Lost City Trek
10 days – daily departures
With Ottawa’s World Expeditions tours, immerse yourself in the highlights of Colombia and discover a destination teeming with historical insights and natural wonders.
Our adventure begins in the capital city of Bogota where we take in the colonial and baroque architecture found in La Candelaria and visit Bolivar Square. Climb the 1200 steps to reach the Lost City of Teyuna, enjoying spectacular jungle scenery on a four day trek. Colombia’s Lost City, ancient ruins high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a breath-taking treasure that was once home to a thriving civilisation and is still considered hallowed ground by the indigenous tribes nearby. Our journey ends in the Caribbean beach resort city, Cartagena of the West Indies, with its colourful districts and wonderful beaches. Discover historically rich Cartagena and walk its meandering cobblestone streets of the walled city and take in the sights of centuries-old fortresses and churches, a fitting end to our time in Colombia.
Priced from $2,199 CDN/ person land only (based double).

 

 

 

Blue Danube Cycle

8 days 
With Ottawa’s World Expeditions tours (their umbrella Utracks company), follow the winding route of the Danube and discover the lively history of one of Europe’s most important rivers. 
Cycle past Austrian castles, Benedictine monasteries and ancestral vineyards en route to Vienna.
From Germany, follow the Danube eastward into Austria, across the fertile plains of the Wachau Valley, where vineyards climb the slopes to imposing medieval monasteries perched atop hills between Melk and Krems. Wind past castle ruins and apricot orchards before reaching the capital of Austria, where you can take in a performance of the “Blue Danube” waltz, the melody that evokes Vienna the world over.
Priced from $1,399 CDN/ person tour only (double occupancy).

Read more: http://www.utracks.com/utca/index.php?section=trips&id=29899

River Cruises – Canadian Dollars 
Great Value   

 
I love partners who have offers for Canadian travellers. And Avalon river cruises and Scenic river cruises offer great value to Canadians right now with their Canadian dollar pricing.
Check out these itineraries.

 

Canadian Battlefields of Europe Tour
Great History  – 15 days 26 May – 09 Jun 2016

 I love it when large companies like Insight dedicate a tour to Canadians..
Check out this itinerary. 15 days.
Priced at $4,639 CDN/ person based on twin share, land only.

 

 

Here are my top 7 VAST trips that I’m highlighting this week.
2. Quark Expeditions visit Canada & special pricing – Arctic Watch – special Cdn $ pricing – see especially June 30 – July 7 2016 – 8 days fares starting at CA $5,995 per person

 

4. Paul Gauguin Cruises special pricing  Canadian resident offers

5. Big Five Tours -special Canadian currency lock – Gems of Nicaragua

6. Tauck Tours – special Canadian 2 nights free pre or post – Australia & New Zealand
7. Arctic Kingdom – visit Canada – Baffin Island Dive Safari
Contact me for more info!
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
613-837-0699