3 easy steps to planning a great trip

For the Canadian traveller

I put together this “guide” a few years ago, but I think it’s still relevant so I thought I’d share it again!

You love to travel. It is one of the things that makes you happy (and relaxed!). But as someone with a busy lifestyle, finding the time to research and plan a great trip can be challenging. Even harder, when a few free days suddenly appear on your schedule and you're scrambling to figure out where to go to at the last minute. As a busy professional, I know exactly how you feel because I've been there myself.

I also, know how it feels to come across great travel information and realize that none of it can be applied to you, living in Canada. So frustrating right?! So I've developed this guide especially for Canadian travellers. If that's you, and you have a valid passport + a flexible budget, I've made it quick and easy to figure out your perfect destination, at any time of the year, no matter what kind of traveller you are-even last minute!

Step 1: Figure out how much time you have off

If Oprah and Richard Branson need to figure this out before going on a trip, then so do you! Given how large Canada is, unless you are in one of the major cities that serves as an international hub (Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal), you need to take into account time for connecting flights. The more connections you have, and the longer they are, the less time you will have at your final destination. Tip: for any trip that is less than 7 days, aim for a place that can be reached via direct flight.

Step 2: Decide when & where to go

The following 'menu' is based on 4 different styles of travel, with specific recommendations on the best places to go and when. This list is by no means exhaustive (!), but aims to minimize connections on flights departing from major Canadian cities.

Step 3: Find a place to stay

A lot of travel blogs and guidebooks will recommend checking out certain resorts, chain hotels, Airbnb, hostels and the list goes on...but not this one!

As a seasoned traveller, I can't recommend boutique hotels enough. These hotels typically have 10-100 rooms, are full of character, and lean towards high-end. Here are three reasons why I recommend them above all else:

1. The service is better: a smaller hotel, means fewer guests and more personalized, intimate attention. This allows you to feel more like a personal guest versus a room occupant.

2. Upscale and design-forward: no two boutique hotels are alike and that's the beauty of them. The decor is anything but mundane, as creativity reigns and unique features abound.

3. Part of the local scene: boutique hotels tend to be located in the most vibrant, and often historic, neighbourhoods, making them ideal spots for visitors. They also support their community by sourcing locally for many aspects of the hotel including food and decor.

3 bonus practical tips because sharing is caring!

i. Where Canadians can travel without a visa or get one on arrival.

This is particularly important for last minute trips.

The table below, also is not exhaustive, as the Canadian passport is considered one of the most powerful for travel but it’s a pretty good starting point:

ii. Find out if any vaccines are needed (this tip certainly aged well unfortunately).

Getting the right vaccines will help keep you safe and healthy on your travels, as there are a number of diseases commonly found overseas that are rarely seen in Canada. You can check the CDC's website here, however the best person to speak to is your local travel doctor at least 6 weeks prior to departure (if possible).

If you are staying within Canada, then generally only routine vaccines are needed and should be up to date anyways. You can easily go over your immunization history with your family physician.

Of course, with COVID-19 being around now, I highly recommend checking the destination country’s official travel page for constantly evolving requirements for COVID-19 vaccines. Some countries don’t require any, some require 2 doses, others require a booster in addition to the primary series, etc. Do your due diligence on this one!

iii. COVID-19 testing and insurance

By now, most countries have dropped the requirement for COVID-19 testing which makes navigating this new world of travel a tad bit easier. However, a lot of places now require proof of travel insurance that covers anything to do with COVID-19 for visitors.

For countries that don’t require you to purchase their specific coverage, I’m a fan of Manulife’s CoverMe . The site is easy to navigate, you can adjust coverage based on trip length and number of people travelling, along with being reasonable cost-wise. Don’t forget to see what’s automatically included on your credit card too (if you used it for booking your flights)!