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Winston's Travel
Our Signature Adventure Travel Services
Winston's Travel offers personalized and exclusive travel services that cater to individual tastes and preferences. Just the way you envisioned.
Planning a trip, whether last minute or in the future can be overwhelming. Constant changes, rules regulations and what you need to do…Winston’s Travel will help you navigate the journey.
We are constantly learning so we are up to date with what’s new, what’s changed.
Winston's Travel is the right choice!
WHAT TO DO NEXT? The Necessities (boring but a must)
PASSPORT-
Peace of mind…having a passport with you on your next trip. People ask us why? Sometimes best plans go sideways. You are stuck in a foreign country. To travel back home, you require a passport at their airport. You are on a cruise or plane that has a safe destination, it gets diverted to an airport or port that requires a passport…now what? The cost of a passport is worth your peace of mind. Real ID in the USA is great but once you leave the country…REAL ID is of no benefit to you. If you have a passport, please make sure it does not expire less than 6 months from the day you come back home. If it will, get a renewal asap. Here is a link that you may find useful. Do not apply for a passport just before Christmas , March break or just before Summer. Wait times will be much longer. And yes, keep it out of reach from children and dogs. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html
SAFE TO TRAVEL
Your safety is paramount. When in a foreign country, do not wander into an area you do not know about. Travel with a buddy if you can. The world is ever changing. Areas we once vacationed in, we are being told to stay away from. Ask Winstons Travel to help you check the safety of areas, recommend safe places to dine, stay, shop or relax. We receive updates every day. You can also check this site provided by your govrnrment for current information. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
TRAVEL ALONE
Know before you go. As a single traveller you are more vulnerable. Become street smart before you go. Learn where you want to go, put a plan together. Check the sites you want to go to, what hours are they open? Are they open to the public? Is there a charge? Is there local laws and requirements I should know about? Have a list of things to do. Plan each day the night before. Limit social media presence while travelling. Post when you get home. Find some hidden gems, talk to locals. Enjoy the local cuisine. Don’t party too hard and become drunk. Make your self vulnerable. Get the contact info for your embassy or consulate in other countries, know where to find them. They are there to help you when you are having a concern. Check them here. https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
TRAVEL INSURANCE…YES YOU DO!
Do not travel without medical or trip insurance. Never! The cost outweighs the cost if you get ill or injured, miles away from home. We never plan to get sick or injured while away, but it does happen. Your flight gets delayed and you miss your cruise. With the proper insurance, you are covered, rather then out thousands out of pocket expenses. Winston’s Travel will not sell you travel without travel insurance. Have a conversation with us, you will be surprised at what is available for a small amount. Take a look at this and let’s have a conversation .. what are you waiting for? https://www.manulife-travel.ca/dist/home/travelling-canadians.html?pp=BEM&as=wlmic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhDXARIsAN5SX7q5RiPbqEkSCRLovNr1UCNj70NjE-puEyFfrhCwnewQ-rEGEvx-DkgaAv2wEALw_wcB
CARRY ON VS CHECKED?
Everyone has a preference and a reason. Carryon for medications, electronics that can not be checked, smaller to carry. Don’t need to stop at baggage claim. Saves time. Easy and immediate access to anything I have and need. Problem… carryon is too large or no overhead bin space available. Now what? Checked provide convenience of handing over the bag when you arrive the airport. You don’t have to worry about it until you arrive your destination. You can relax. Yes, it may cost a fee. Some travelers think it is worth the fee. With checked baggage you can put in larger containers of liquids. You have to stop at baggage carousel before departing the airport. Your luggage could be lost. How can you reduce the risk of your bag gone for a long journey? Place a sheet of paper in your suitcase with your name and phone number so if the bag tag gets ripped off, they can find your contact info inside. Do not put your address on luggage tags nor inside as would be thieves could use that and pay your home a visit while away. All those pretty stickers on your luggage that show where you have been? Remove them. This is because when the baggage handlers are scanning your bag, they may accidentally rescan an old barcode. Your suitcase may be making another trip to Tahiti without you while you are on your way to Alaska.
if you are a bag checker, keep a small carryon with your electronics, pills, cpap, documentation , any thing you may want while on the plane. Happy Travels!
WHILE YOU ARE GONE
Finally that vacation time you have been planning is almost here. What about your home, cars, pets, yard, mail, newspapers? Yup, you almost forgot about them didn’t you? Insurance requires that you have someone check inside your home once every 24 hours. Plants need to be watered, pets looked after. Have someone check your home, bring in your papers or mail. Alternate inside light or purchsse google light bulbs you can preset to come on and actually control them from an app on your phone. Make sure the yard is kept up whether grass cutting or snow removal. Keep the house looking as it is currently lived in. If you have no one available, you can hire a credible house sitting or house watch company.