So you know you want visit a Polar Bear but you need to figure out the way to visit that works best for you? Well, there are actually several ways that you can have a polar bear experience and I will lay out them out here for you, defining the differences between each one. Read More >
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STAFF PICKS
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 – …
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 …
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 …
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, …
Romantic Film Locations
February 10, 2021 | Lois Farley
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching I was thinking about what makes a trip romantic. Travelling with someone you love is inherently romantic but there really are some places that just seem to hit the romance mark more than others. What better way to show that a place is romantic than featuring it in a romance movie? Here are just a few Romantic Film Locations that you can plan to visit when it’s safe to travel again, and the movie they were featured in. Movie descriptions are pulled from the IMDb website and movie titles are linked to that page.
I know I’ve left off some good ones. What movies would you add to this list?
Our 40th Birthday Prize Trip Contest
February 10, 2021 | Lois Farley
Wednesday, 10 February: Our 4-week 40th Birthday Prize Trip Contest is now closed. We’ll be tabulating all of the qualifying entries received from our surveys, testimonials and Google reviews and will draw one lucky winner. We had hoped to announce the winner on Valentine’s Day but due to some technological issues we’ll have to wait until next Wednesday. So, check out our February 17th newsletter for the prize announcement.
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We’ve said “goodbye, au revoir, tavvauvutit, farvel, adiós, γειά σας, bless, slán leat, farvel, до побачення, do widzenia, arrivederci” and “don’t let the door hit you on your way out” to 2020! I think most of us are happy to see it go and look forward to the New Year of 2021 with hope and optimism that things will get better as the year progresses.
Now that the busy holiday season is over, we decided to turn our attention to celebrating our 40th Birthday. We turned 40 on November 21, 2020 and, unlike a lot of people that turn 40, aren’t the least bit depressed about it. In fact, it’s a great reason to have a celebration!
For 4 weeks, starting January 13th, we’ll be sending out a newsletter featuring our 40th Birthday Prize Trip Contest. If you click on the link in the newsletter and complete the Prize Trip Survey you’ll be entered into the draw for a chance to win a Polar Bear Daytripper tour for 2, departing from Winnipeg on October 23, 2021.
P.S. Don’t you wish you were on that beach, writing “Happy Birthday” in the sand? We sure do!
From our Travel Partners – 40th Birthday Wishes
February 08, 2021 | Lois Farley
Everyone loves sharing their birthday celebrations with family and friends, and that’s exactly how we feel about our travel partners. Some we’ve dealt with for nearly 40 years, others perhaps only the past few years. But, no matter how long we’ve known one another, we are so grateful for your partnership and thank you for the birthday wishes!
Iceland Covid-19 Regulations
February 08, 2021 | Shauna Cook
Iceland COVID-19 Regulations – info updated 08 February, 2022
ALL Visitors entering Iceland MUST register at http://visit.covid.is/ 72 hours prior to arrival in Iceland. It cannot be filled out and sent until 72 hours prior to your arrival in the country.
Requirements for entry to Iceland from Canada and the United States:
No testing or quarantining are required on arrival in Iceland if you can provide proof of being fully vaccinated and present a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of your flight.
These regulations apply to passengers who are fully vaccinated and can provide proof with a vaccination certificate. Fully vaccinated means 2 doses of an approved vaccine (mixed doses of approved 2-dose vaccines are accepted) or a single dose of Johnson and Johnson/Jansen, plus a 14-day waiting period from the date of the final dose. A vaccination certificate is only valid if no more than 270 days have elapsed from the completion of primary vaccination. Primary vaccination is considered complete after two doses of vaccine or after one Janssen injection. A booster dose cancels this expiration date.
ALL Visitors entering Iceland must present a negative COVID-19 test result, no older than 72 hours. PCR or Rapid Antigen tests are acceptable. If taking a connecting flight, the 72 starts from the time you board your first flight.
Contest Rules – 40th Birthday Prize Trip
January 13, 2021 | Lois Farley
Contest rules:
Beginning at 9:00AM (CT), January 13 to 11:59PM (CT), February 09, 2021 you can enter the Great Canadian Travel Group Inc.’s 40th Birthday Prize Trip Contest (the “Contest”).
Just complete and submit our Contest Survey linked in our newsletters, for 4 weeks beginning on January 13, 2021.
If your name is drawn as the winner of the Contest you will win a trip for 2 on our Churchill Polar Bear Daytripper departing Winnipeg on October 23, 2021.
Season’s Greetings from Ian and Margot
December 09, 2020 | Ian Kalinowsky
2020 is nearly done! Like us, we’re pretty sure you won’t be sorry to see this year go!
It’s been a tough year for a lot of people, for small businesses and entire industries. We would never have dreamed when we welcomed in 2020, that the year would so dramatically affect the entire world’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.
And though the year has been very tough on our staff and their families I am very grateful to have them by my side, assisting clients with past issues and helping fulfill their travel dreams for the future. Read More >
Travel Insurance Covid-19 Coverage
December 07, 2020 | Pearl McCallum
Many of us are eager to begin exploring the world once again, but may be hesitant because of uncertainties surrounding travel these days. The most frequent question asked by our clients is, “What happens if the unexpected happens?” Fortunately, Great Canadian Travel has the answer! Our two insurance partners offer coverage that ensures you receive the care needed in case of illness, even Covid-19, while travelling.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday
November 24, 2020 | Lois Farley
The term Black Friday was first used to describe the financial crisis of Friday, September 24, 1869, the day the US gold market crashed. It was indeed a “dark day”.
The modern use of the historic term Black Friday started in the consumer-goods-crazy, post-war 1950’s. People started taking the Friday after Thanksgiving Day off in large numbers to hit the stores and start their holiday shopping. The sheer volume of shoppers caused traffic accidents and violence amongst shoppers waiting in line to get into the stores or fighting over merchandise. Because of all of the problems caused store owners started calling it Black Friday.
Remembrance Day
November 10, 2020 | Lois Farley
“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we will remember them.”
Who and what exactly are we remembering?
The First World War was ignited by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, on the 28 June, 1914. This sparked unrest and soon led to the Central Powers (Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany and the Ottoman Empire) invading several European countries. When Germany failed to meet the ultimatum from Great Britain to withdraw its troops from Belgium, as of the 4 August, 1914 the Allied Powers (Great Britain and her colonies including Canada, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United States) were at war with the Central Powers.
Due to new military technologies such as machine guns and tanks, trench warfare and use of poisonous gas, WWI was the costliest conflict in Canadian history, and claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Canadian citizens.
The poignant Irish ballad, Green Fields of France, captures the tragic and terrible cost of this war, on a very personal level as it asks questions of a young 19-year-old soldier who was killed in battle in 1916.
Read More >