Travel tips

Even though it’s in the same country, Vancouver can feel like an international destination for travellers from Ontario or from the eastern regions of Canada. Considering the state of the Canadian dollar, travelling to Vancouver is a great option for Canadians to get away without actually leaving Canada. You can feel as if you’re on an international trip without ever crossing the Canadian border.

Canadian tourism is booming once again, just as it did in the early 2000s, when the dollar was at a similarly low level. The cheap exchange rate has Americans once again heading north, where they can get more bang for their travel buck, especially those who live close to the Canadian border and are only a short car ride away.

While low gas prices and a less-than-stellar Canadian dollar are hurting many industries, tourism within Canada is not one of them. The lower price of the loonie is attractive to international tourists coming to Canada, especially our neighbours to the south.

There is a difference between booking a vacation and booking an escape. A vacation is something that average tourists do: they visit the sights in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. An escape is a trip that allows you to disconnect and experience something completely unique, and it may even take you out of your comfort zone.

Many people are unclear about how long they should hold on to certain documents. While there are some documents we know we need to keep, such as a birth certificate, passport, school degree and tax documents, there are many that fall into the “unknown” category. These are documents such as pay slips, bank statements, bills, receipts and others. While many of us throw these away to avoid clutter, or simply because we don’t want piles of paper hanging around the house, you may be surprised to find out how long you should be keeping some of this paperwork.

The prospects of taking a vacation in Canada have not been this good for more than a decade, which was the last time the Canadian dollar took a nose-dive. For Canadians, Americans and international travellers alike, now is the perfect time to book a Canadian vacation and be reminded why the country is a premier tourist destination.