Janet Loves To Travel

Foreign Affairs have updated the date when Canadians must have a valid passport to enter the Dominican Republic.

Starting April 30, Canadians will be required to present a valid passport to visit the Dominican Republic. Until then, Canadians entering the Dominican Republic by direct air travel are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a driver’s license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Canadian tourists must also be in possession of a return airline ticket.

Go to www.voyage.gc.ca for more information on these advisories or call 1-800-267-6788 in Canada and United States.

courtesy of Travelinfo.ca

 Tourism is a viable industry for Cuba. Currently most  visitors to the island are from Latin America, Europe, and Canada.

Cuba’s average temperature is 77°F. Compared to most countries, Cuba experiences little variation, although July and August can be hot and humid. Hurricane season is from June-November. Spanish is the official language of Cuba. The official currency of Cuba is the Cuban peso.

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Young travellers most likely to skip insurance

As Canadians travel south of the border, almost half (44%) between the ages of 18 and 34 say they rarely or never purchase travel insurance when travelling to the United States, according to a recent RBC Insurance survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid.  More than half (56%) of young travellers don’ take the time to understand what their travel insurance covers before they leave on their trip.

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When you travel on Air Canada or Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz only), your complimentary baggage allowance is determined by your fare, destination, date of travel and frequent flyer status.

Economy class passengers now pay $25 for the first checked bag* and $35 for a second bag**… per direction.
*Tickets issued before September 7 or travel before October 11, 2011: Check a 1st bag free
**Tickets issued before June 1, 2011: Check a 2nd bag for only $30 CAD (per direction)

Max. weight per bag:
23kg (50lb)
Max. linear dimensions per bag:
158cm (62in)

But if you are Aeroplan Super Elite Elite, Prestige, or Star Alliance Gold these chargees do not apply.

Are you confused yet?  (more…)

Its summer vacation time! As many of us travel this summer, we see longer lines, airline cut backs and fees, not to mention unpredictable weather. Here are a few simple tips to make your trip a wonderful adventure to remember.

Attitude is key! If you start with a good attitude, others you encounter will mirror that, and you can handle anything that happens. 

Be flexible. Sometimes things happen, good or bad, changing your plans in an instant. If you are willing to just smile and “go with the flow,” you will certainly have an adventure, and it may even be better than the original plan. (more…)

This article was written by Sheila Aue of travelinfo.ca. The same message applies regardless of your insurance compapny (Transat, Blue Cross, TIC etc).

RBC Insurance is advising travellers who travel across the border to access less expensive flight options to ensure that they are protected with comprehensive emergency travel medical insurance and adequate liability coverage on their auto insurance – even if they are only visiting for a day.

“Many Canadians don’t think about emergency medical or auto insurance when it comes to driving across the US border for short periods, because they are so close to home,” said Tim Bzowey, vice-president, auto and travel insurance, RBC Insurance. “Even if it’s just for a few hours, there are serious financial risks associated with not having adequate auto and/or emergency travel medical insurance anytime you’re driving in the US”

Facts and tips:
Auto Insurance:

• Before driving to the US, Canadians need to remember to check the impact of their coverage with their auto insurance provider and make sure they have sufficient coverage to match their specific needs.
• One of the most important protections in your auto insurance policy is Liability insurance, which can help protect you financially if you’re in an accident and found legally responsible for injuring someone or causing damage to another vehicle or property – up to your insured limit.
• In Canada, it’s mandatory to have minimum third-party liability insurance of C$200,000, except in Quebec and Nova Scotia, where the minimums are C$50,000 and C$500,000 respectively.
• Most drivers purchase C$1 million in liability coverage, but for those who frequently drive to the U.S., where the ability to sue is not restricted to serious injuries and liability settlements and can be extremely expensive, it’s highly recommended to purchase C$2 million. It’s usually only a fraction of the cost of your current insurance premium.
• If you are found legally responsible for injuring someone or causing damage to another vehicle or property, and the cost of damages exceed your liability coverage limit, you may be held personally responsible for paying the excess.
For example, if the courts ordered you to pay a million dollars in damages and you only have C$200,000 in liability coverage, you would have to pay the remaining C$800,000 out-of-pocket.
Travel Insurance:
• Medical assistance in the US can be very expensive. A two-day stay in a US hospital for chest discomfort could cost US$10,800.
• Government health insurance plans typically do not cover all out-of-country expenses. For example, an appendectomy, which usually involves a one-day stay, could cost US $10,000, with only US$1,100 covered by the health plan.
• Review your credit card contracts and any existing policies before you travel. Credit cards often provide coverage for a limited number of days or limit the amount travellers can claim and not all credit cards offer medical insurance coverage. Employment benefits may not cover all medical emergencies and have limited travel benefits.
• Check any existing travel insurance coverage to make sure it extends to your children, as many policies have age limits for children covered under their parents’ insurance.
• For travellers who cross the border multiple times a year (and especially for last minute trips), a multi-trip annual insurance plan can save you money and takes the worry away from having to purchase travel insurance every time you plan a trip.

Janet adds:  Insurance. Don:t leave home without it.

I recommend the following service providers for some important aspects of your vacation preparation:

 
Alarm company to protect your home: FCS Security Systems 514-487-9993 ask for Dario Fraticelli
Dog Sitter: Lise and Ross Hargrave 514 378 0045
Flowers/gift basket to thank whoever is checking your home:
Carolyn’s Gift Creations or Florist La Quenouille 514-846-2006
Notary for weddings, wills, real estate transactions, and  letter of authorization if only one parent is travelling with children . Marie-José Guillemette 450-933-1247
Check with your insurance company on how frequently your house must be checked while you are away in order to meet the requirements of your policy. And call Nathalie Sasseville at Co-operators for a quote on all of your insurance needs. 514-425-2667
Financial planning to make sure you can afford another trip. Mark Colangelo at Manulife  Securities 514-421-7090

The best defense when traveling is boosting your immune system. 

Preparation before the trip: make sure you are well rested and pack in advance to avoid stress which weakens your immune system. Echinacea, vitamin A & C, zinc tablets, probiotics, spices, fruits and vegetables should be ideally incorporated into your daily lifestyle at least a month before departure, allowing ample time for your body to assimilate and prepare for battle, if need be.

- Echinacea has long been used as an effective aid to help shorten the duration of flu and cold symptoms.

- Vitamin A is your skin’s defense, so incorporate more red and orange fruits and vegetables.

- Vitamin C fights diseases and infections, the best food sources are leafy greens, the brassica family (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, etc.) bell peppers, berries, grapefruits, kiwis and oranges to name a few.

- Zinc boosts white blood cells production; great sources are lean meats, squash, seeds, sea food and leafy greens to name a few.

- Probiotics are the latest buzz word and for good reason since a healthy intestinal flora is key in fighting pathogens thus helping conteract the infamus Travellers’ Diarrhea. Look for supplements that contain Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria in the billions. Kefir and plain yogurt are also great natural choices.

- Spices such as turmeric act as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Ginger will fight nausea, aids digestion and has proven anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic and oregano oil are powerful antibacterial, anti-virus, anti-fungul and anti-parasite.

Snacking: make the wiser choice, go for healthy fruits, nuts or granola bars instead of chips, cookies or chocolate bars. Aside from being more nutritious they will sustain you longer by stabilizing your insuline levels, avoiding the sugar high and low roller coaster.

Beverages : water, tomato juice and green tea are the best options. Coffee dehydrates your body, while alcohol, colas and juices contain a lot of sugar which has an immune-suppressing effect by reducing the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40% (this effect starts less than 30 minutes after ingestion and may last for 5 hours).

Food: once onboard try picking the lightest meal, skipping heavy sauces, salty or fatty items, as you may retain water and be uncomfortable on the plane.

Following these simple tips can make your trip more enjoyable and possibly prevent any unwanted disease, leaving you free to enjoy your vacation.

Safe traveling!

Silvana Antonelli, DHN, ROHP, RNCP
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       T 514.967.0059   F 514.694.0059
    Silvana@BasicBalanceNutrition.com
           BasicBalanceNutrition.com

All Inclusive Vacation Travel – tips from Janet:

Thank you for making me a part of your vacation planning. Here are some tips and comments to make your vacation enjoyable. If you have purchased an all-inclusive package, you are looked after from the point of departure until you return to your home-city airport. (more…)

Getting you there and back in the best shape possible.

Dawn McNevin Joseph, of The Right Fit Fitness, offers these tips to help you feel good when traveling.

Here are a few fitness tips to keep you feeling well (energized and pain free) throughout your flight and upon arrival at your destination. For those of you who fear doing arm circles and lunges down the aisles, these are for you. They are subtle but effective.

DRINK WATER

Before – During – After your flight.

The recycled air on a plane is very dry with little humidity (10-20%). Dehydration can lead to discomforts (dry mouth, throat, eyes and skin), and fatigue.

Drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you are onboard a plane.

When choosing a drink from the cart, keep in mind that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body.

 WALK AROUND

Before. During. After. your flight.

Why sit in the waiting room when you know you will be sitting for an indefinite amount of time once you board. Walk around the airport terminals.

While flying, don’t feel guilty about asking someone to move so you can get up and walk around. Prolonged sitting in cramped quarters causes pooling of blood in deep veins of the lower limbs, resulting in leg swelling, so try to move once every hour to hour and a half.

*Remember to plan your walk around in-flight meal services.

Upon arrival, get your leg joints moving after the flight (more than just to your taxi!). Use the stairs, not the escalator and walk around the baggage claim area while you are waiting for your luggage.

In Flight Exercises:

Ball Rolling

 Bring a tennis ball. Roll it under your feet (shoes off).? This relaxes the fascia and increases circulation.

You can also place it under your glute (butt cheek) to release glute tension.

 Pectoral (chest) Stretch

Stand parallel to the corner of a wall. Place one arm at a 90 angle on the wall (at the rear of the plane there is usually room).? Keep elbow and forearm supported. Step the same foot forward as arm that you are stretching. Lean your body gently forward as you rotate away from wall. The stretch should be felt across your chest and into the front of your shoulder.

 Glute (butt) Stretch

Sitting in your seat, cross one ankle over the opposite knee. Sit up tall through your spine. If you need an additional stretch, pike straight forward at your waist, keeping your low back straight. Hold for 1-3 minutes. Repeat if necessary.

Sit up straight in your seat and cross arms across shoulders. Rotate gently as far as you can to one side, side bend to that side, unbend and rotate a little further. Repeat 3 times each side. Your upper back rotation should improve.

Keep in mind that some airports have gyms. Bring your gym clothes or at least a pair of running shoes and make the best of a layover or delayed flight.

For a list of gyms in and near Canadian and US airports, check out:

http://www.airportgyms.com/

Don’t Just Do it, Do it Right.