Spring Breaks that won't Break the Bank

[trip style = sun]

If you're in need of a last-minute break, don't worry, there's still time to book a family vacation for March Break that won't completely drain your bank account. Here are some cost-efficient, family-oriented options to consider:

2010 Spring Break Suggestions Kid-Friendly All-inclusives $$$$ The genius of taking your kids to an all-inclusive is there's something for everyone. All ages will have a blast. - Breezes Curacao fun fact: Curacao is outside the hurricane belt - All Beaches Resorts (Beaches is 'family side' of the  Sandals' empire) - Club Med: Punta Cana & Ixtapa *check for package deals with companies like Air Canada Vacations, Apple Vacations, itravel2000.com

Cruises $$$ The following cruise lines offer excellent kids programs allowing parents the opportunity to vacation too! - Disney - Royal Caribbean - Celebrity - Carnival - Holland America - NCL

Hawaii $$$ The price to visit the Hawaiian Isles for Spring Break can range from reasonable to expensive depending on your desired trip style/level of luxury. Here are some options including pricing considerations: $$$ - rent a condo in Kihei. Kihei is small and central with excellent beaches and a host of grocery stores. $$$$ - rent a condo in Ka'anapali, or stay at the Marriott's Ocean Club or Sheraton Black Rock. $$$$$ - rent a luxury condo in Wailea or stay at the Four Seasons Wailea, Grand Wailea or Fairmont Kea Lani.

Rent a Condo $$ Whether you want to stay close to home or venture to a tropical destination, sites like VRBO make it easy to rent a condo for Spring Break. Renting a condo also means you'll have the convenience of a kitchen, save on eating out and have more space than most hotel rooms can offer. Whether you fly or drive to your destination, staying in a condo is often the most cost-efficient vacationing option.

Spotlight :: Whistler

[trip style = ski & adventure]

Other than a small lull in tourism in the fall and late spring, Whistler is a 4-season destination where locals love life and live it to the fullest. In the winter and early spring everyone skis/boards, and in the summer and fall they hike and bike. Although Whistler is probably one of the more active communities in Canada, it's hard-bodied, adventuring locals are far from intimidating and down to earth. A steady flow of tourists combined with Whistler's laissez-faire mentality make it an 'anything goes' type of destination.

Do Winter

• ski Whistler Blackcomb
• cross-country ski at the Callaghan Valley
• check out the Whistler Sliding Centre

Summer

• bike in the 'park' or on Whistler's extensive beginner, intermediate and advanced trail system
• hike in the Whistler Alpine
• paddle down the river of golden dreams

Spring

• known as whistler's secret ski season, take advantage of sunny weather, great skiing and no crowds!
• attend the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival (apr 16 - 25, 2010) to watch skiing and boarding pros push the limits and take in Canada's largest free outdoor concert series

Fall

• sip wine and chat-it-up at Cornucopia, Whistler's internationally recognized celebration of food and wine (nov 11 - 14, 2010)

Year-round

• relax in the outdoor mineral pools at Scandinave Spa
• ride the record-breaking Peak to Peak gondola linking Whistler and Blackcomb mountains

Eat Breakfast

• portobello - the fairmont chateau whistler's famed cafe serving breakfast and lunch
• crepe montagne - love the food.  love the atmosphere.  love the genuine service.
• elements - banana bread french toast anyone?  fruit juice shooter?  enough said.

Lunch

• gone bread & soup co. - touted as "honest food and good lunch" by one TripAdvisor.com commentator

Dinner

• araxi - a locally-inspired menu and winner of season 6 of Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen
• bearfoot bistro - whistler's "it" hangout with the high-end crowd, ask your server about the owner's world record
• elements - tapas bar loved by locals and visitors alike

Apres

• GLC (base of Whistler in the village)
• merlins (base of Blackcomb)
• dusty's (base of Whistler Creekside)

Stay Whistler boasts an impressive selection of almost every major hotel brand, so if you have points or free stays, investigate that option. If not, here are a few hotels and booking options:

• Westin - Whistler Village base
• Four Seasons - 5-min walk from Blackcomb base
• Fairmont - Blackcomb base
• Summit Lodge - Whistler Village
• Nita Lake Lodge - across the street from the base of Whistler Creekside
• Rather stay in a condo? Go to alluradirect.com

Healthy on the Road :: Forethought & Discipline

Frequent travels can wreak havoc on health due to a) loss of sleep b) loss of time [to eat healthy or exercise] b) fewer healthy eating options c) lack of exercise facilities d) less space to pack work-out gear

This is a subject I'm particularly passionate about because our health shouldn't suffer at the expense of our business or pleasure travel. Yes, it's easy to pack runners and work out gear on a week-long trip to Hawaii because it's safe to run, most hotels have gyms and there are plenty of heathy eating options. Same goes for a cruise. But what about when you're on a multi-leg business trip in Asia or traveling through South America?

Forethought and Discipline
Complicated and not-so-complicated trips make it tricky to maintain a healthy way of life, however, two important steps in keeping healthy on the road are forethought and discipline.

Forethought
- Does your hotel have a gym? If not, does it have a safe walking/running route nearby?
- Does your hotel have a program like Fairmont Fit, whereby the hotel provides workout gear to President's Club Members?
- Pre-plan time in your schedule to exercise
- Do you like the food in the region you're visiting? If not, does your hotel have a restaurant on site (or nearby) serving a more globally-inspired menu?

Discipline
- Don't partake in the wine, coke, tea/coffee offered on the plane, it will just dehydrate you 
- Think twice before grabbing a morning coffee with a baked good; opt for a protein-filled breakfast instead 
- Go for the 90/10 rule -- 90% eat well, 10% indulge
- You've pre-planned when you can likely exercise, now do it 
- Be intentional about sleep -- avoid late-night bar chats and hang out with your pillow instead. 

BONUS
- Now we all have less of an excuse not to exercise while on the road, this television programming company has teamed up with ExerciseTV to provide free workout videos in hotel rooms at Hyatt, Marriott, Fairmont, InterContinental, Hilton, Loews, Omni, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, DoubleTree and other hotels throughout the US.

Stay tuned for more "Healthy on the Road" posts on the first Thursday of every month, written by our resident expert, Leah Munday, owner of OTfit.ca.

[image via fairmont]

Travel TV :: Amazing Race Season 16

[trip style = adventure]

I can't believe the Amazing Race is in Season 16.  Looking back, it's hard to believe season 1 premiered a week before the Sept 11th Terrorist Attacks.  Timing was not on its side.  Due to multiple circumstances, season 1 ratings lacked, but CBS made the right call bringing the show back for a second season.  Luckily, it struck a chord and gained loyal viewers who a) brought the show to season 16, and b) put it in the ranks of CBS' top-rated shows.

Other than Departures, the Amazing Race is my fave travel show.  Sometimes I can't handle the drama between characters--remember "Lake, like the Ocean"--but understand that it's a necessary evil of primetime, 'reality.'

Additional Ways to Connect with The Amazing Race Now TV isn't the only way you can connect with the show, they are on twitter @AmazingRace_CBS, on Facebook and online featuring additional content like: The Elimination Station. When teams lose a leg of the race, they are flown to a destination (this season it's Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) where they live in community until the race completes. With the emotions, interactions and disappointments that come out at the Elimination Station, this online segment could be a reality show all to itself.

Travel iPhone Apps :: Medical Concierge

Ever needed medical care when traveling?  This is a travel App every parent, brother or sister would want their family member to have on their iPhone/iTouch while exploring the world.   mPassport helps people find reliable medical care when far from home. Touted as a "personal medical concierge" mPassport lets you review doctors, dentists, hospitals and pharmacies, consult a map then request an appointment.

So far, this Travel Medial Assistance app is only available for London and Paris, but a roll-out of additional cities is in the works. Don't fret my pet, if you are traveling somewhere other than London or Paris, no problem.  Use mPassport's mobile or non-mobile site to access to same info.  The cost ranges from $9.95 for 30-days, to $49.95 for a 1-year subscription.

mPassport Travel App Details

• $0.99 for Paris |  Free for London (as of today)
• Search, map and choose among carefully selected doctors, dentists, hospitals and pharmacies
• Schedule an appointment...on short notice
• Find equivalent medication brand names and translate important medical terms and phrases
• Downloads to your phone  (internet connect not required)
• Optional Google maps connection for directions from your current location or pre-loaded landmarks

Other Travel iPhone Apps we've Reviewed

• Tourism British Columbia :: Near Me BC
• Postman Postcard
• 2010 Guide
• Nat'l Geo World Atlas
• hostelworld.com
• kayak first class
• flight control (game)