Canada - Travel Deals

Recently we looked at some of the budget airlines in the United States to help you save money on your next trip - but if you looked at the list of those airlines, you’ll have noticed that our neighbor to the north is sadly missing from the destination lists of most of them. That’s right, Canada gets no love from the big U.S.-based discount airlines.

That’s not to say all flights to Canada are going to cost an arm and a leg, however, or that the only budget airlines serving Canadian airports are products of Canada, either. In fact, many of the cheap flights to Canada you’ll find are on airlines with names you’ll probably recognize - you just might be on a much smaller plane than you’re used to.

Canada used to be blessed with more of its own home-grown budget airlines, but carriers like Jetsgo (who doesn’t love that name? I so love that name!) and Zoom Airlines have folded in recent years because of the nearly impossible task of putting the words “airline” and “profitable” in the same sentence these days. One budget airline from years gone by didn’t completely disappear, and for years has been operating charter flights only - but they’re poised to make a comeback into the discount flight arena in 2010. That airline, along with other discount carriers that fly into Canada, are listed below.

It doesn’t seem long ago that the Canadian dollar couldn’t buy you the cheapest spot in Monopoly. My how times have changed. The Canadian dollar has leveled against the US dollar and is only getting stronger. What that means for you, dear traveler, is that your vacations to Canada are becoming more and more expensive by the day. That pint of Molson is going to cost more. That gallon of maple syrup is going to eat away at your savings account. The medicines you can’t afford in the US…well, those are still a bargain but not as much as they used to be.

To offset the sticker price shock, United Vacations has a deal going where you can save $200 off your next trip to the Great White North. Their packages include deals on beautiful mountain spots like Banff, Jasper and Whistler. If city life is more of your thing, you can also visit Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. If you want to get your French on, Montreal and Temblant will welcome you to Parlez-Vous Francais.

The value of its currency might have changed, but one thing that has not is the fact that Canada is still an excellent country for both urbanities and outdoors folks to visit.

I recently spent a long weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia and once again came away thinking that it might just be the most pleasant city on this planet. The city’s setting is simply spectacular. The harbor is on one side, the snow capped mountains on the other, you couldn’t design a more beautiful backdrop for a city of tall, sleek, and skinny high rise buildings.

The other thing that really struck me was the number of foreign languages I heard while wandering the streets. Vancouver is a city that attracts foreign visitors and immigrants from around the world. One result of the diversity is that it is a place that has outstanding ethnic restaurants and neighborhoods. I am particularly found of an Indian restaurant called Vij’s. It doesn’t take reservations and if you show up a half hour before it opens chances are you won’t be the only one waiting in line.

With the 2010 Winter Olympics on the near horizon, Vancouver continues to build and to change. Now is an excellent time to visit before the Olympics crunch. It is also an excellent time to visit because Cathay Pacific has a great deal on flights from New York.

Did you know that Montreal, Canada is the second largest French speaking city in the western world? That is correct. Paris is number one. Montreal is number two. With more than a million and a half residents, Montreal is also the second largest city in Canada. Toronto is number one. Montreal is number two.

While it may be second in the record books, Montreal is anything but a second rate city. It is a cosmopolitan slice of Europe located right in North America. It is a city where a sentence may start in French and end in English. It is a place that is easy to wander, especially in the summer months. It is the home of a number of festivals, including the must-see Montreal International Jazz Festival in the summer. It has a vibrant nightlife and shopping that as good as you will find in North America. Montreal is a city with a rich history and a fascinating historic district.

Montreal also happens to be close by so instead of taking a flight across the Atlantic to experience a unique and vibrant culture, consider heading north of the border to a city that offers the best of both the Old and the New World.

Cheap Flights to Montreal

If you ever want to see a slice of heaven, pay a visit to Banff in the summer. The small Canadian resort town located about 70 miles from Calgary, Alberta is situated amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The amazing Canadian Rockies tower high in the sky. The lush green forests extend for as far as the eye can see. The deep blue glacier fed lakes are like a mirror. The bustling streams fill the otherwise silent air with a melodic sound.

Banff is a place for those who love and appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature. It is within easy driving distance of Lake Louise, a body of water that has been captured by many a tourist’s camera. For my money, however, Moraine Lake is even more beautiful. It is right near Lake Louise but does not receive nearly the number of visitors. You can easily check both out in a single swoop.

If you do visit Banff, and really you must, a trip along the Icefield Parkways is required. Your jaw will hurt because it will drop with every twist and turn of the road. A pretty ride in this world you will not find.

Travelocity has some excellent deals on Banff vacation packages. I can’t recommend Banff enough.

Exclusive Travelocity offer: Save $75 on mountain vacations. Plus enjoy free nights at select hotels.

For some strange and inexplicable reason, many people living in the United States look at Canada as being a giant black hole. Sure they know that there is a country to the north, but beyond that they couldn’t tell you their Moose Jaw from their Manitoba. This is a shame because Canada is a wonderful country in many ways and its proximity to the United States makes it a convenient destination for a quick little getaway, as well as for longer holidays.

The vast majority of the Canadian population lives within a few hundred miles of the United States border. Start heading further north and you’ll encounter a winter cold that will literally take your breath away. The further north you go, the more rough and tumble the terrain becomes and the more likely you’ll be able to look around and not see another soul for miles.

If solitude isn’t your thing, Canada’s cities are a pure delight. From the majestic setting of Vancouver to the plains of Calgary to the urban sheik of Toronto to the multi-cultural old world charms of Quebec, Canadian cities are clean, orderly, diverse and full of interesting sites for any visitor.

The next time you are thinking of going away, point yourself in a northward direction. United Airlines will do the rest with cheap flights to Canada.

The prices on airplane tickets to various destinations in Mexico are quite reasonable at the moment and undoubtedly there will be a fair number of people heading South of the Border during the Spring Break travel period. It is important for anyone flying to Mexico or Canada from the United States to be aware of the new passport regulations that go into effect on January 23, 2007.

You’ll no longer be able to cross the border with a mere driver’s license, birth certificate or baseball trading card. The government is now requiring that you show a passport upon exiting the country. I bet you are regretting not having a better passport photo taken right about now, aren’t you? Relax, I look like a cold blooded murderer in my picture and they still let me into Canada. Suckers.

The travel document initiative affects all United States citizens traveling by air within North America. It also affects certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States-namely Canadian citizens, Mexican citizens, and citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. For current information please go to the U.S. Department of State Web site where you will be mesmerized by the legalese on display.

The Canadian Rockies are a jewel that a lot of people in the United States don’t even know about. Picture unbelievable mountains, tons of wildlife and quaint towns that aren’t constantly overflowing with tourists and you’ll have an idea of what parts of British Columbia and Alberta are like. Through in some world class skiing and winter outdoor activities and you can imagine why I am so bullish on the place.

One spot that is a must-see for anyone traveling in the Canadian Rockies is Lake Louise. Situated about an hour away from Banff, the crystal clear aquamarine lake is surrounded by mountains and breathtaking scenery. Of course, the lake is frozen during the winter months and it often doesn’t thaw until June, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

Lake Louise also happens to be located right near a ski resort and one of those quaint towns with activities for the whole family. This winter if you stay at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for three nights, you’ll get a fourth night for free. With the US dollar not as strong against the Canadian dollar as it used to be, every bit of savings can help.

For more accommodations in the Canadian Rockies, search the BootsnAll hotel tool.

The word is starting to get out that Whistler is one of the best ski resorts in North America. Located north of the wonderful city of Vancouver, Whistler will be the center of the sports universe when it hosts the downhill races at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

It rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest and as we like to say around here, rain in the valleys means snow in the mountains. Whistler gets plenty of the white stuff each winter and with a bevy of slopes it offers unparalleled skiing opportunities.

Alaska Airlines is running some excellent promotions on ski packages at Whistler this winter. The earlier you book, the more you save.

Vancouver, British Columbia is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. With tall, sleek buildings overlooking both the sea and stunning mountains, the city is one of a kind. Vancouver is also one of the most diverse cities in North America, which means that it has some of the finest ethnic restaurants on this planet. My personal favorite is an amazing Indian joint called Vij’s. You’ll want to show up early because they don’t take reservations and there is always a line. It is well worth the wait.

Cathay Pacific, one of the best airlines around, is offering up flights from New York to Vancouver starting at just US$317. If you have never been to Vancouver or if you want to see the Pacific Northwest at its finest, hop on this deal today.