Travel

How to save money while on your next family vacation overseas

Published

4 years ago

July 11, 2020

By Mariane Felix

There are few things more exciting than a vacation overseas – whether you’re heading south and visiting America, Mexico, or a Caribbean island, or jetting across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans for destinations like Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australasia.

Saving up for flights can be tricky, especially when there are bills to pay at home and families to feed, while accommodation can also set you back, particularly if you’re traveling as a large group with individual needs.

In this guide, we will discuss the best ways to keep costs down after your major bookings have been made.

Currency exchange

The advice here centers around what not to do – and we strongly advise you not to wait until you get to the airport to exchange your money. Converting money should be one of the first jobs you do once you have set a spending budget.

Shop around for the best prices and take time to study the exchange rate’s recent trends – is the value of the local currency increasing or decreasing? By spending a little time thinking about this aspect you can ensure that your money goes further.

You should also consider the rules around using your credit card overseas. Most major banks should be able to advise you on any fees that apply when using your card overseas, while you may also consider opening an account with a bank that offers preferential rates to travelers.

Eating and drinking

One of the best things about going on holiday is enjoying local cuisine in some of your destination’s nicest restaurants. But, while it’s certainly important that you make the most of this, you can still save money in other areas.

Consider your options for your other meals, such as breakfast and lunch. You may be able to find a local supermarket that is cheaper than your accommodation’s kitchen, and which allows you to stock up on drinks, and snacking essentials like fruit or potato chips.

This will also save you from paying over the odds for food and drink in tourist areas, plus it’ll help you save room for your evening meal!

Downtime = playtime

You’ll naturally want to see as much as you can while you’re on vacation, but you can also make the fun go further by making the most of your downtime at the hotel – whether that’s first thing in the morning while you wait for your travel companions to wake up or before you head off to sleep.

We don’t recommend spending your vacation glued to a screen, but you may consider investing in a light laptop or tablet to make the most of the time in your apartment or hotel room. Most modern accommodation offers wifi as standard, so there’s plenty to distract you while you relax.

Consider kicking back online while you wait for your next adventure. Most streaming services, like Netflix, are available abroad, while you can also enjoy a little gaming, including casino classics like roulette, blackjack, and poker on sites like Bonus.ca. This is also a great way to keep a handle on spending, especially as many casino websites offer bonuses to new players, enabling you to maximize the playtime.

Shopping

Whether it’s right or wrong, you can naturally expect to pay over the odds for food, drink, and souvenirs in the most popular tourist areas, but you can always keep your hands in your pockets. Consider if that tacky refrigerator magnet is really worth it, or if you’ll wear that bright yellow t-shirt when you get home.

But if you are ready to make a purchase, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed by pushing your luck for the best price. In many countries, bartering the cost of an item is commonplace and many shopkeepers in Northern Africa and Central Asia expect there to be some give and take around what the item is sold for.

In fact, it’s becoming more and more commonplace across many industries for customers to expect to pay lower than full price.

Hopefully, these tips can come in useful for when you’re heading out on your next vacation. But perhaps the most important piece of advice is to set a budget for the total trip and stick to it. Travelling with friends and family can be magical in itself, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to break the bank just to have a good time.

Travel

Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes More Canadians as Air Canada Adds New Flights

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2022

TOCaribNews

St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season. Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.

The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers and music and small token welcome gifts.

“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”

As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.

Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.

The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.

“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Mr. James. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”

Travel

Gambling Regulations In Canada And The Caribbean: What You Need To Know

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2022

TOCaribNews

There are several trusted licensing authorities that oversee land-based and online gambling in the Caribbean, and in Canada, it’s all overseen in each province by the local provincial government. You also have the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which is situated on an Indian land reserve in Quebec.

This trusted licensing authority is independent of Canada, and it’s part of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory government. At one time, it was the licensing authority in the whole of North America, prior to US states regulating online casino gambling. Here is a look at gambling regulations in Canadian and the Caribbean and what you need to know as a player.

Are online casinos in Canada licensed by the Canadian government?

In Canada, gambling at online casinos is legal, and the gambling operator that’s based in that province must be licensed by the local provincial government’s licensing agency. For example, in Ontario, gambling is monitored and regulated by iGaming Ontario, which is a subsidiary of AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario).

In other words, to legally operate an online casino in Ontario, an operator must have first obtained a license from iGaming Ontario. However, there’s still nothing stopping a foreign operator that’s based outside of Canadian borders from aiming their business toward Ontario citizens because they fall outside of Canadian jurisdiction. One of the other major licensing authorities that has issued licenses to hundreds of online casinos is the previously mentioned Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Because the regulation and licensing of online casinos and other similar real money gambling sites is still relatively new in Canada, it’s why you will see that many of today’s best Ontario casino sites are licensed outside of Canada, by one or more other reputable licensing authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, or the Malta Gaming Authority.

How is online gambling regulated in the Caribbean?

There are several different gambling regulators/licensing authorities in the Caribbean, but these are often referred to as ‘rubber stamp’ licensing authorities. For example, you have the Directorate of Offshore Gaming in Antigua and Barbuda, the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority in the Anjouan and Comoros Islands, and the Curaçao Ministry of Justice in Curaçao (the former Netherlands Antilles).

While not all online casinos that have obtained a license from one of these authorities can be classed as ‘rogue casinos’, the best thing to do would be to stick to playing at the sites that are licensed either by a provincial Canadian government licensing authority or by one of the others mentioned above (e.g., by the UK Gambling Commission – one of the most trusted online gambling regulators in the world).

Why sign up to a casino that’s licensed by a provincial Canadian government or the Malta Gaming Authority?

These reputable authorities don’t just hand out a license to any old operator that has the cash to buy one. They heavily vet their licensees and carry out the necessary due diligence prior to issuing a license. They have the best legal framework in place, and they only license the most trusted operators. Should an issue arise at a casino that’s licensed in one of these jurisdictions (which is highly unlikely), you would have the proper legal backing that you, as a player, deserve. In other words, your complaint or issue will not go unanswered and will be resolved within a relatively short period of time.

Travel

11 Fun Vacation Ideas That Will Keep You Entertained

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2022

TOCaribNews

When it comes to taking a vacation, many people think they need to go somewhere exotic to have a good time. This is not always the case! Plenty of fun vacation ideas will keep you entertained without breaking the bank. This blog post will discuss 11 different vacations you can take without spending a lot of money. So whether you are looking for an adventure or want to relax on the beach, we have you covered!

Hiking and camping

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, hiking and camping are great options. There are many trails all over the world that you can explore. And if you camp in an RV or tent, it will be even cheaper! This is a great way to get in touch with nature and see fantastic sights.

Try your hand at gambling

Gambling doesn’t always mean going to a casino—there are many different ways to gamble, and not all require money. You can play card games or bet on sports games with friends. You may wager on sports, horse races, and other events from anywhere with just a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. You should give it a chance now that single-game betting in Ontario is legal in different provinces. Numerous online betting firms provide bonuses and incentives, and the whole idea of gambling is to have fun.

Visit a national park

Another excellent option for those who love the outdoors is to visit a national park. There are parks throughout the United States and in many other countries. This is a great way to see some of the most beautiful places on earth without spending a lot of money. Many parks offer free or discounted admission days, so check out before going.

Take a road trip

A road trip is another great vacation idea that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can explore different parts of your country or even take an international trip! Just be sure to plan your route and budget accordingly. And don’t forget to pack snacks and games for the car ride.

Have a staycation

If you are short on time or money, a staycation is always an option. This is where you spend your vacation at home or in a nearby city. There are many things to do on a staycation, such as visiting local attractions, going out to eat, and seeing movies. You can also use this time to relax at home and catch up on some much-needed rest.

Take an art class

One fun activity you can do on vacation is taking an art class. This is a great way to try something new and connect with your creative side. You can find classes for all different types of art, such as painting, pottery, and photography. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a museum

Museums are another great option for those who want to learn on vacation. There are museums for different topics, such as history, art, and science. Many museums also offer discounts or free days, so be sure to check that out before you go.

See a live show

Seeing a live show is an excellent option if you are looking for some entertainment on vacation. Depending on your interests, you can see a play, musical, or concert. This is a great way to experience some cultures and see something new.

Visit a theme park

Theme parks are always a popular vacation destination. And there are many different ones to choose from all over the world. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun at a theme park. There are often discounts and promotions available if you plan ahead.

Take a cooking class

One last fun vacation idea is taking a cooking class. This is a great way to learn about new cuisines and get some hands-on experience in the kitchen. You can find cooking classes for all different types of food, such as Italian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. And you may even be able to find free or discounted classes!

Visit a winery

If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation, visiting a winery is a great option. You can spend your days touring different vineyards, sampling wines, and learning about the wine-making process. And many wineries offer discounts or complimentary tastings if you visit during certain times of the year.

These are just a few of the many fun vacation ideas that you can try. So get out there and start exploring! And don’t forget to have fun!