Westjet's Travel Tips for the Holiday Season

I just came across this great travel tip list for the Holiday Season and thought I would share it with you.  Excellent tips!

 

WestJet releases 2012 holiday travel tips

Airline offers its suggestions for a remarkable holiday travel experience

WestJet today shared its annual holiday travel tips to help guests travelling during the airline's busiest time of year.

"The holidays are a busy travel period whether guests are travelling home or to one of our vacation destinations," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "Just as in previous years, we share these annual travel tips as part of our commitment to help deliver a smooth and remarkable travel experience."

1. Check out your check-in options.

WestJet offers four convenient check-in options.

• Newly designed web check-in is available at westjet.com. Guests can check in from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure.
• Self-serve check-in kiosks are available at most Canadian and U.S. airports in WestJet's network from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Select serve-serve kiosks also offer self-serve bag-tagging, allowing guests to print and attach their bag tags as part of their check-in process.
• Mobile check-in allows guests to check in with a mobile device from 24 hours to 60 minutes before scheduled departure.
• Traditional counter check-in is available in all airports. Our friendly WestJetters are always happy to greet guests and help them on their way.

2. Even Santa needs ID to fly.

Regardless of age, all guests require identification. Guests should ensure they also have the proper identification and travel documentation for their children. Each country on your itinerary may have different entrance and exit requirements. Before leaving, make sure the documents you use to get you there are sufficient to get you back home.

Packing a passport? Don't forget a passport if you're travelling to any destination outside Canada. Be sure your passport is in good condition. For questions relating to your passport, please visit http://www.passport.gc.ca/planification/203.aspx?lang=eng.

3. Be fashionable, not fashionably late.

Due to the high volume of holiday travellers, be prepared for longer wait times at the airport. We recommend guests arrive at the airport two hours prior to their scheduled time of departure. Guests can sign up to receive flight reminders or notification of flight changes by visiting westjet.com. Guests must be through security (and customs if travelling outside Canada) and at their departure gate 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of departure. Guests arriving at the gate less than 10 minutes prior to departure risk losing their reserved seat.

4. We all carry a little baggage - help ensure yours fits on our aircraft.

Guests are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage. One item of carry-on cannot exceed 21.5 in x 9 in x 15.5 in (55 cm x 23 cm x 40 cm) and the second item cannot exceed 16.5 in x 6 in x 13 in (43 cm x 16 cm x 33 cm). For guests travelling on flights between Alberta and Hawaii on WestJet's leased Boeing 757-200 aircraft from Thomas Cook Airlines, WestJet's standard carry-on allowance also applies.

Checked baggage cannot exceed 62 inches total combined length, width and height and must weigh under 23 kgs (50 lbs). Your first checked bag travels for free to any destination in WestJet's network.

Up to two excess bags will be accepted for a fee of $50 on a space-available basis to most destinations. Remember that excess baggage fees are combinable. For example, an extra item that is oversized and overweight will be charged both an oversized fee and overweight fee. Guests are encouraged to visit the baggage section of our website for details on sporting equipment, restricted items, special items and more - it's packed with information.

5. If you love something, don't set it free.

We suggest placing important 'must-have' special items into your first checked bag as we can't guarantee there will be room on the aircraft for all extra bags. For safe keeping, we strongly encourage bringing identification, prescription medication, mobile devices, keys and jewellery in your carry-on baggage.

6. We prefer rapping over wrapping, especially at airport security.

Wrapped presents should go in checked baggage. Airport security (CATSA) may unwrap any wrapped items in carry-on baggage, causing delays at security for you and your fellow travellers. If you have additional questions about security screening, please visit http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca.

7. Give Fido the first-class treatment.

Although we do not accept pets for travel in checked baggage between December 15 and January 6 inclusive, certain small animals may be able to travel in the cabin of the aircraft. Visit our travelling with pets page for full details.

8. Remember toys for girls and boys.

Make sure to pack some small games or toys for little WestJetters travelling this holiday. A long trip will pass quickly with some entertainment. We recommend bringing books, magazines, portable DVD players or toys for your little WestJetters. You can also enjoy up! - our inflight magazine - available in the seatback pockets.

9. Eggnog is best consumed responsibly.

Help create a remarkable guest experience for everyone on board by consuming alcohol responsibly. Canadian aviation regulations prohibit us from allowing a guest to board an aircraft when he/she may present a hazard to the aircraft or those on board.

Alcohol that isn't served by a flight attendant cannot be consumed on board the aircraft and will be confiscated. If you would like to enjoy a drink on board, our aircraft are licensed to serve alcohol and we offer a great selection of buy-on-board items.

10. Bring the cheer.

Share a holiday joke with your inflight crew - WestJetters are always looking for new material! If you have an appropriate holiday joke that makes you laugh every time, feel free to share it on board and help us spread the cheer.

If you have more questions about how to make your holiday travel even more stress free (including check-in, identification requirements, seating and baggage), please use the links under Travel Info on westjet.com.

Wherever your travels take you, WestJet wishes you and your family a happy holiday season.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 81 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet has pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 8,700 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of 100 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft with future confirmed deliveries for an additional 35 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft through 2018 and plans to launch a low-cost regional airline in 2013, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

Peru nominated in 3 categories for the 2012 World Travel Awards

Travel Industry Today article: 16  NOV 2012:
Peru has been nominated in three categories for the 2012 World Travel Awards, otherwise known as the 'Oscars of Tourism'. The Leading Destination category includes nominations for both Lima and Machu Picchu with hopes of becoming the Leading "Green" Destination for its third consecutive year. PromPerú has also been nominated for Leading Tourist Board in South America.

"Best culinary destination", "Best Green Destination: Machu Picchu" and "Best Tourist Office: PromPerú" are the three categories in which Peru has been nominated for. Peru won all these awards at the regional level a few months ago.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR) invites the general public to vote at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.

The prizes will be awarded to those candidates that receive the most votes over the internet. In order to vote, simply select the region South America and vote in the categories of your choice. The process requires prior registration of users and nominations must be in by November 25. The winners will be announced on December 12 in New Delhi, India.

The World Travel Awards celebrates 19 years of experience and recognizes the excellence in all sectors of the tourism industry and travel around the world. The awards have their own categories covering all continents. Nominations are made on the basis of recommendations by professionals in the tourism industry, but are also the result of Peru promotional activities that have been conducted for several years worldwide.

Women's Travel Network will be visiting Peru in June of 2014. 
Trip details will be posted on the website soon. 
Registration is now open.  Sign up be one of the first to receive the trip information.
Email: info@womenstravelnetwork.ca  or call 905-771-8338 or toll free 1-888-419-0118
 

Beild House Country Inn & Spa, Collingwood ON

Saturday evening dinner at the Beild house is quite an experience.  All of the guests staying at the Inn come together in the elegant dining room to share delicately prepared horsd'ouvres and tales of our personal daily adventures.  Various activities enjoyed were a visit to the winery for a tasting,  spa treatments at the inn, relaxing in  the hot and cold pools at Scandinave and hiking on some of the numerous trails. This particular evening there were 14 guests at the elegantly set dining table. Many of the people are there for to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. The wait staff are pleasant, friendly and efficient and the meal absolutely delectable.  Our personal menu selections were: Greek salad and proscuitto wrapped melon for our starter and our main courses, a stuffed Cornish hen and beef tenderloin with Bearnaise sauce.  Dessert was decadent apple beignets and strawberries on a piece of home made short cake.  Needless to say we left the table very full and totally satiated.

Upon returning to the room we had a pleasant surprise.  Our king sized bed was covered in rose petals and there was a plate of  creatively prepared chocolate covered strawberries and decadent truffles.  The chef and staff at the Beild house are to be commended for their exquisite dining and exceptional service.

Small Towns of Ontario - Collingwood

Our drive to Collingwood was smooth sailing for a Friday evening.  The sky was clear blue and the fall colours spectacular.  The temperature is typical for fall, cool and fresh.

 We checked in to the Beild House Country Inn and Spa for a 2 night stay.  Our room is charming and spacious and the king size bed is very comfy.  This evening we walked 5 minutes down Third St. to the Huron Club for dinner. My deluxe burger was amazing, topped with onion rings, old cheddar and a slice of pickle. Yummy!  The dining room and bar area are hopping tonight with a middle aged crowd that come to socialize and enjoy the live music.  A nice way to spend a Friday evening.

Saturday morning, we're up early and the first downstairs to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee and a delicous  blueberry crumble cake.  Next, into the dining room for a  home cooked breakfast.  They have a very extensive breakfast menu with so much to choose from.  I decided on the chef's omelet with fresh mushrooms and 3 types of cheese.  Fabulous!. Time for a walk after that hearty breakfast.  The air is fresh, the sky partly cloudy and downtown Collingwood is still quiet at this time of the day.
Our first activity of the day is a 1 hour relaxation massage with Cindy, a registered massage therapist with a nack for smoothing out all of the kinks and making your body succumb to total relaxation.  Next ,Lee-Ann works her magic and gives me a delighteful 1 hour pedicure.  A great way to start a Saturday morning.

This afternoon we took a scenic drive along the shore line of Georgian Bay. Then headed west along Grey Road 40 into the hills overlooking Georgian Bay and stopped for a wine tasting at Georgian Hills Vineyard.  We usually associate Ontario wines with Niagara but I'm happy to share this little treasure with you, located a short drive from Collingwood.

Wine expert Vanessa McKean shares her passion with our intimate group as she guides us through a wine and food tasting.  We taste fresh crisp whites, smooth silky reds and delicate dessert wines paired with creamy goat cheese, sharp cheddar, slices of sweet apple and strawberries dipped in a warm chocolate sauce.  A lovely treat for a Saturday afternoon.

It's harvest time at the winery and most of the vines have been trimmed with the exception of a few select rows saved for harvesting the frozen grapes for the dessert wines. The grapes are very sweet, a delicacy.
The vineyard is surrounded with corn fields still waiting to be harvested and in the back ground the colourful trees adorn the horizon.   

 

 We continue our scenic drive through the countryside to the Ravenna Country Market for a light lunch.  This little gem was recommended by Vanessa and let me tell you, this is truly a hidden treasure. The dilapidated country store was purchased 3 years ago by Roy Genoe and his wife Monica Wolf.  They lovingly restored the historical building which is one of the oldest general stores in the area.  Roy's brother, a well renowned chef of  30 years creates daily specials to be enjoyed in the quaint dining area. He has brought his worldly recipes from Europe and luxury dining creations from well known restaurants in Orangeville to this charming store. I enjoyed a fabulous split pea and bacon soup which was a compelete meal in itself and worth the drive to Ravenna. One of my favourite past times is visiting bakery's in small towns in search of the best butter tarts and I'm happy to say that today I found my new # 1.  The butter tarts were absolutely divine.

After our delightful stop for lunch we continued our leisurely drive through the countryside, down the winding mountain road back into Collingwood.  Our comfy room is warm and inviting. We opened a nice bottle of red wine, turned on the gas fireplace and sat back to relax and reminisce about our wonderful day.  This evening we'll enjoy a fabulous meal in the spacious dining room of the Beild House.  The chef has been busy preparing a 6 course dinner for all of the guests. The table is elegantly set and awaiting our arrival.

 

Treasure of Tuscany 2012-Florence-BEAUTIFUL!

We have arrived in Florence.  So many historical sites to see-Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Santa Croce Church where Michael Angelo's tomb resides and the Duomo to name a few.  Today off to shop at San Lorenzo's Market.

Treasure of Tuscany-Learning to cook!

We met our chef L'aura who took us shopping to the village to buy fresh produce and meat. We then travelled to her wine producing estate of Querceto for our cooking class.  We prepared a full Tuscan meal and impressed with our results.  YUMMY!

Treasure of Tuscany-Cheese Please!

We have scene views that are stunning!  We visited a cheese factory Podere II Casale in Pienza and had a tour of their operations.  Then had lunch outside overlooking the country side.  Can life get any better!

Treasures of Tuscany 2012-Wine Country and Tours

When you are in wine country you drink wine!  We have visited incredible estates and tasted some of the best wines of the world.  Each estate different and each wine it own special flavour.  The process is a science and it takes precious, time, good grapes, weather and soil.  The wineries we have visited have been in different regions so each has had it's own unique taste.  Near San Gimignano we visited Fattoria San Fabiano in Calcinaia, in Chianti Castello di Verrazzano and nearby Montaicino, Altesino Wine Estate.  Did you know the wineries also make olive oil and balsalmic vinegar-the most delicious! 

Treasure of Tuscany 2012 Arezzo and Cortona

 

 

 

 

We have travelled into the Tuscan hills and it is breath taking.  We visited the charming town of Arezzo a historical city centre. In the afternoon we were all excited to arrive in the town of Cortona.  Best known by the popular movie "Under the Tuscan Sun".  Beautiful scenery and cobblestone streets.