Tips On Staying Fit While Traveling

You should never have to sacrifice your fitness, even if you're traveling during cold winter months. Exercise is important, and with a little research and planning, you should be able to keep up your routine even when traveling.

Here are some ideas:

- Try booking a hotel with a fitness center and pool located on the property.

- See if your gym has a location in the city where you will be. If not, they might have a partnership with another gym.

- Climb stairs.

- Get maps of the area you will be visiting and find the best walking paths and trails.

- If the weather is too bad to be outside, find a mall or other large indoor place where you can walk.

- Bring an exercise band with you for simple strength training exercises.

- A basic workout of situps, push ups, jumping jacks, yoga and stretching can be done just about anywhere.

- Try not to get off schedule. This will help you get back on your usual routine when arriving home.

- Know your surroundings. Do not go anywhere that may be dark or may make you feel uncomfortable. Ask at the front desk for safe areas before going for a walk.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent for assistance planning your next trip!

Helpful Tips When Traveling with Pets

These days, more and more hotels and airlines are catering to people who travel with their pets.

Before you decide to take your pet on vacation though, think about what's in it for him. Will the possible stress of the trip be worth it for you and your pet? Also, if your pet is either very young or very old, it's probably best to leave her at home with a pet sitter or find a kennel.

If you are going to travel with your pet, consider these tips.

• Airlines, as well as hotels, pet policies and restrictions can vary from one to the next. Check with their pet policies before purchasing tickets or making reservations.


• Make sure all vaccinations are up to date and get a current health and rabies certificate from your vet.


• Get a pet carrier that is big enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in. Also, put your pet's name, your name, address and phone number on the outside of the carrier.


• Familiarize your pet with the carrier before you travel.


• Make sure the pet tags are current and consider getting a chip implanted in your pet.


• Pack a sturdy leash, extra collar, old blanket or sheet from home, food and water bowls, food and treats.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next trip!

Tips on How to Lighten Up your Luggage!

Packing for a trip is not a fun task! Trying to guess what to bring, what you will wear, what you will need, and hoping not to forget anything.

1. Try to stick to one bag, and if possible, make it a bag that can be carried on. Yes, the thought of this can be terrifying for some, but it really is do-able! Lay all of the clothes you're planning on taking out on your bed, and then remove half! Just bring solid colored pants, skirts and tops that all go with each other. Darker colors are better, as they typically hide wrinkles and dirt. You can always dress up an outfit with evening shoes and accessories!

Wear layers and bulky stuff when you travel. If you think you might need a coat on your trip - wear it on the plane!

Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes. Bring two pairs of comfy shoes and one pair of dressy shoes. It's good to have two pairs of comfy shoes, and switch them every day to prevent blisters or sore feet from walking.

Check your specific airlines baggage requirements, and stick to them!

Try to pack clothes that can be easily washed and dried, to help limit how many outfits you pack.

Pack small sized toiletries, or buy them when you arrive. Full size toiletries are often bulky and take up a lot of space!

For assistance booking your next trip, contact a Professional Travel Agent today!

Ice Hotel Opens in Quebec City

The Hotel de Glace has opened in Quebec City and will remain open until April 4. It is built entirely of ice and snow! It features 36 rooms and theme suites, an Ice Bar, Ice Cafe, Ice Chapel, Grande Ice Slide, Outdoor Hot Tub and a Sauna.

It draws its inspiration from the Inuit igloos. It takes 15,000 tons of snow and ice to build the hotel, the only one of its kind in North America. More than 500,000 people have visited the hotel since its first opening in 2000.

Towering archways, crystal ice sculptures and fur-topped ice furniture greet visitors, while ice candelabra, art etched onto the walls and softly colored lights add a warm glow. It takes six weeks to build the hotel. New for 2010 is a multimedia igloo that holds demonstrations and exhibitions where visitors can learn more about the Inuit techniques used to build the Ice Hotel.

The hotel is part of Quebec City's annual Winter Carnival. For more information contact a Professional Travel Agent or go to http://www.hoteldeglace-canada.com.

New Air Travel Regulations that you Should Know About

Since the Christmas flight of NW 253 was threatened by a passenger who carried explosives aboard, the United States TSA, as well as many other international governments have implemented new travel security measures. These new measures are effecting passengers around the world. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano has cautioned, "These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."

FamilyTravelForum.com reports there are 10 facts travelers should know. Here's what they are:

1. Enhanced security precautions are in place at all international airports with flights to the U.S.

2. Passengers must arrive especially early for any international flight as enhanced security on U.S. Bound flights is affecting all travel times

3. All carry-on bags are being subjected to extra security screenings, causing delays at security gates.

4. The Canadian government has banned all carry-on bags for passengers traveling to the U.S. because new screening requirements are causing excessive delays. Only exceptions are purses, cameras, coats, laptops, musical instruments, medical devices and items for baby care.

5. TSA urges all travelers to check as much carry-on baggage as possible but says that items such as car seats will be accepted on board flights.

6. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are both waiving some baggage fees for the mandatory checked baggage on flights to the U.S. from Mexico and Canada.

7. According to the TSA, all passengers regardless of age (including minors and unaccompanied minors) will be subject to additional screening if selected at random or if circumstances warrant.

8. Secondary passenger screenings are very likely to include full body pat-downs and manual inspection of all hand carried items.

9. In flight, at the discretion of the pilot and the individual airline, passengers may be required to stow all their personal belongings for any portion of the flight.

10. In flight, passengers may be required to remain in their seats with their hands fully exposed to view, for any portion of the flight but most likely, for the final hour of the flight.

Resort Spas: The perfect antidote to the post-holiday blues

Despite all our good intentions, the holidays can be downright draining and leave us feeling a bit overwhelmed and under-rested. There are many ways to unwind but there is nothing like an exotic spa resort vacation to melt away any lingering post-holiday tension. Sometimes you just need a vacation in order to recover from your vacation! Many luxury spa resorts exist but we hand-picked a few goodies just to share with you.

Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
This award-winning holistic spa is located in beautiful Turks & Caicos. Villas and rental residences have wrap-around, floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the island’s natural beauty and breezy porches with stunning views of the water or gardens. This luxury Caribbean resort offers abundant activities above and below the water including day excursions around the islands.

The spa itself features traditional and Eastern-style massage as well as natural anti-ageing treatments. Pilates and yoga classes are complimentary for all guests. Or make the most of your Caribbean vacation with a yoga retreat to restore your body and mind.

Banyan Tree Spa, Seychelles
Coined the first luxury spa in Asia, the Banyan Tree Spa has multiple locations throughout Asia and Indonesia. Spa therapists are trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket ensuring high standards of quality and consistency across all locations. Banyan Tree takes a whole-health approach to physical, mental and spiritual renewal with ancient health and beauty practices passed down over several generations.

The Banyan Tree Spa in Seychelles, located about 1000 miles east of Kenya in the Indian Ocean, this popular vacation destination is nestled amid a lush tropical forest flanked by an exquisite granite mountain backdrop. The resort occupies its own private cove next to the water. Guests can enjoy plenty of privacy with secluded villas, some with their own pool.

Kamalame Cay, Bahamas
Kamalame Cay is a private 96-acre hideaway just off the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas and is only accessible by the resort’s own private seaplane or ferry. Guests can enjoy three miles of soft sandy beaches, a fresh-water swimming pool, and delectable Caribbean cuisine prepared right on site. There are 19 stylish accommodations ranging from marina rooms to spacious cottages and villas.

Activities are coordinated throughout the day and there is a weekly Bahamian-style banquet with live music. The spa offers a nice refuge with professionals working around the clock. Weekend wellness packages are a perfect way to sample a little bit of everything for the ultimate Bahamas vacation.

Spa Grande, Maui
The Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea resort is a 50,000-square facility and is consistently rated as one of Hawaii’s top luxury spas. If you’re planning to travel to Hawaii this year, this Maui resort is not to be missed. The Spa Grande’s menu includes five aromatic baths and unique Polynesian beauty treatments to unite wellness, beauty, and nature.

The resort features comfortable and well-appointed suites and villas, the latter of which feature fully equipped kitchens, private elevators, and attached garages. These Maui accommodations boast dramatic water views and have all the conveniences of home, ideal for long-term stays and yet perfect for short romantic escapes.

Angsana Great Barrier Reef
Travel to Australia to experience the Angsana Great Barrier Reef, which is located next to the oldest rainforest at the world’s longest coral reef. The Angsana is the only resort in Palm Cove that fronts the Coral Sea. This Australia vacation spot’s natural beauty is complimented by it’s abundance of indulgent amenities such as beach hammocks, three swimming pools, and luxury suites.

The spa embraces the contemporary, holistic and non-clinical tropical garden spa concept and offers invigorating treatments and “sensory experiences” in a tranquil environment. Guests can receive pampering in serene open-air pavilions or in private air-conditioned indoor rooms.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent to book your next spa vacation!