Martha Banias | The Great Canadian Travel Co.

Author: Martha Banias

STAFF PICKS

My Flight is Cancelled; Now What?
August 21, 2024 | Pearl McCallum

It is August 2024.  Since the return of travel in early 2022 following the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines have faced staff shortages, strike action (actual and threatened), tightening regulations, and higher operating costs.  These conditions, in addition to the challenges of regular operations, can seriously affect an airline’s level of service.  …

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Let’s Get Real!
March 14, 2023 | Pearl McCallum

We want to paint a picture for you.   Imagine you’re at a gathering with friends and acquaintances. It’s a fairly large group, let’s say around 15-20 people. Just as you begin to get hungry, someone brings out a large, layered cake. It’s smothered in rich, chocolate buttercream frosting – …

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Indigenous Inventions
June 29, 2022 | Lois Farley

Way back in 2017 I wrote a blog in recognition of Canada Day; 50 Great Things Canada Contributed to the World. Since I wrote that blog I’ve been studying about the Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land we now call Canada for millennia – the First Nations and …

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Saint Patrick’s Ireland
March 17, 2022 | Lois Farley

Saint Patrick’s Day brings Ireland and all things Irish to a lot of people’s minds. And, those of us lucky enough to be Irish or are of Irish descent, particularly so! My ancestors on both sides of my family emigrated to Canada from Ireland back in the mid to late …

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Taking Care of You!
March 1, 2022 | Allison Silvaggio

There are so many things that we miss when it comes to travel, such as exploring new places, trying new things and meeting new people.  What I miss the most, are those extremely peaceful moments where you can just take it all in.  Whether you are enjoying a beautiful hike, …

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Perks of Working with a Travel Consultant

April 16, 2020 | Martha Banias

This blog from Martha Banias, one of our senior consultants, was first published in March 2016 but, in these days of upheaval in the travel industry, it holds true more than ever! So, we feel it’s definitely worth republishing and serves as her Best Days Ever! blog, because among her best days are days she spends working with her clients.

Are ‘real live’ travel consultants, who you can actually talk to on the phone and who know you by name, becoming obsolete in today’s modern world of online booking engines?  This is the question that many are asking, and I’d like to answer it with a resounding ‘No’!  Travel consultants are, if anything, even more essential now than they have ever been, and I’d recommend anyone to work with one when considering your next vacation. Read More >

How To Stay Safe As A Female Solo Traveler

April 23, 2018 | Martha Banias

There’s solo travel advice and then there’s solo travel advice for women — in very many circumstances, these two lists intersect quite often. Everyone should upload their travel plans, ticket numbers, passport pictures etc, to a Dropbox, Google Drive or other cloud-based service. Everyone should keep some cash socked away in a secret spot in their bag. It’s a good idea in hotels to leave the “do not disturb” sign out or your television on so people think the room is occupied and you avoid thieves sneaking in while you are out.

Then, there’s advice specific to women — and specific ways female solo travellers can stay safe while travelling alone. Here are few of our favourites and a few tried and true ways that keep us ladies safe on the road. Read More >

Dual Canadian Citizens Need a Valid Canadian Passport

October 20, 2016 | Martha Banias

If you are a dual Canadian citizen used to travelling to or transiting through Canada by air with a non-Canadian passport, you will no longer be able to do so as of November 10, 2016. You will need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight coming back to Canada.

If your country of origin needs you to enter and exit that country using a passport issued by its government, you will still need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada. Make sure to carry both passports when you travel.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/dual-canadian-citizens.asp#background

The perks of an expedition cruise

March 05, 2016 | Martha Banias

We’ve all heard of expedition cruises, that kind of hybrid vacation that sounds somewhat exotic and somewhat rugged and wild. But do you need to be a dedicated adventurer to enjoy an expedition cruise? Or do you have to be a seasoned cruiser? The answer is neither! Expedition cruises are a wonderful type of travel all to themselves, and in my mind they are a bit underestimated. So here I’d like to tell you a bit more about what an expedition cruise really is, and why it could be your new favorite way to travel… Read More >

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