Saturday, December 20, 2008

Are people Still Going South

It is clear the economy has hit the pocket book of most Canadians. And it is not uncommon that the first thing to go are discretionary options like travel.

But a strange thing has happened which underscores a theory I have had about the sun destination travel season, particularly as relates to western Canadians who must endure consistent weeks of unbearably cold weather.

I have often observed that most people at the height of the frigid season would sooner forego the purchase of a refrigerator than stay out in the cold all winter. The winter holiday has become a family absolute for many throughout Canada.

Now this season with unemployment rising in Eastern Canada has had a more profound effect on tour operators in that region. And even in Western Canada with more seats coming into the market this year prices were lower than they ever were in the early part of the season as a dog fight to capture winter travellers was fierce.

Even Christmas pricing was lowered. There are still excellent bargains available in January through to the end of the season, but last minute Christmas seats are at a premium because flights are going out full.

And I believe the low prices available now will fill up the season's seat availability well. But waiting until prices go even lower I suspect is not a good idea, so I would make that decision now before temperature and prices get even colder.

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 12:30 PM  |  0 Comments

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Montreal is still a Great City

For many years I travelled to Montreal on a frequent basis, staying a number of days every 2-3 months. Prior to that my introduction to Montreal was during the great days of Expo.

I came to love it for its personality, its restaurants, its foreign yet not so foreign feel, and just for the general excitment it seemed to exude.

For a while the city went into a funk and the economy soured and with it the people and the sense of spontaneity.

Having just returned I felt that same old feeling. The streets have changed so now St Denis is where you sense new excitment and the re-generated Montreal spirit.

But I could not leave Montreal without stopping at the old haunts. Schwartz's Deli has always been a phenonema and still is. People lining up for Montreal corned beef in a small almost dingy restaurant where you are seated with strangers.

Dunn's, another similar deli but modern and sharply designed. A walk down Crescent Street. And of course shopping on Ste Catharines Street in addition to the underground city.

What perhaps impressed me the most was the fact that there are hundreds of kilometres of bicycle only paths all over the city. It may be the only city where bike messengers can deliver their packages in relative safety.

I don't know when I'll get back to Montreal but over the years I have seen most of the great sights, spent a lot of time in Old Montreal, and highly recommend the city to anyone.

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posted by That Travel Guy @ 4:57 PM  |  0 Comments