here’s a few great reasons why We Know Travel Best. Whether Tan intrepid traveller or taking your first Inside Scoop: trip, travel benefits best when using tips from others, such as ith increased restrictions— Planning Tips taking this addition and as you’re usually responsible • Always have a valid passport. It’s not just Wfor your luggage ─remember the main packing a lovely fantasy that a trip could drop in to our Inside Scoop rule: “When in doubt, leave it out.” This ap- your lap─we’ve had clients win trips or series, packed with plies to toiletries (most hotels supply sham- have had to rush to another country be- essential and helpful poo and conditioner), hair dryers (most hotels cause of family illness. If you always re- information. supply these) and clothes. Other tips: new your passport at least 6 months prior • Beforehand, check itineraries for seat as- to its expiry date, you won’t have the has- travel: delighting in signments and make any changes you sle www.cic.gc.ca/english/passport/ the spirit of adventure ● need. If you did not add your frequent flyer index.asp. Keep a separate photocopy of a vacation from home to number to your reservation, add it now. its ID page with your other records or explore places that are • If the flight offers meal service (some snap a cell phone photo. not your home ● knowing charters, international) and you need a • Different airports in other countries have life is different, knowing special meal such as vegan or Kosher, different security protocols─it might not this is a joy of travel ● book it in advance. Also request any es- make sense but accept all security proto- enjoying the journey, not sential needs in advance such as wheel- cols. Some ask you to remove shoes just the destination ● a chair service or gate assistance for those (wear socks) to put in a bin that goes privilege best used with with disabilities. through screening and some don’t (shoes that don’t have metal). Watch people a patience, humour and • Book the hotel and car rental for arrival curiosity ● fun ● coming few ahead of you for clues. Before getting cities in advance─you don’t want to arrive home with great tales ● in line, have your boarding pass for secu- and start searching. rity and metal/coins out of your pockets. Bring clear resealable plastic • Before leaving, read the general infor- • Get insurance well before going any- of differing sizes (wet mation for passports, visas, and insurance where, e.g,, Cuba requires proof, in clothes, treasures, food, to documents. Give your itinerary and con- France it’s imperative. In an emergency, protect lotions). Packing cu- tact information to family/friends at home. the last thing you want is to lose deposits bes are helpful for underwear • When going to a sunny locale (even winter or be airlifted home with a $45,000 bill and socks, everyone with glare) take a double-duty high SPF and (insurance can cover being unable to trav- their own colour. For clothes, moisturizer. Your family can share a large el if subpoenaed as a witness or job loss). think layers for warmth. Help tube of toothpaste (pack in checked bags). Don’t buy extra insurance at car rental kids pack their own ; Do not pack valuables such as money, car counters; talk to your counsellor, read our it trains them to choose wise- keys, documents or medications in Inside Scoop: Insurance. We strongly sug- ly, especially if they will be checked bags. Always put important items gest you invest in LeGrow’s Travel medi- the ones to pull or carry it. in your carry-on . And lose the jewels cal and cancellation/interruption insurance ─leave any good stuff like your Grand- to cover any unanticipated glitches. mother’s ring and gold watch at home. • Travelling with a child? Read our Inside Your Counsellor • If you’re not going to wear a piece of Scoop: Solo Parents. If travelling to a Our knowledge and experience clothing at least twice, consider leaving it Spanish-speaking country, take our Inside help turn dreams into first-rate at home; can you leave a pair of shoes? Scoop: Spanish, packed with handy tips. vacations. Ask your counsellor Are 3 purses essential? • Pack sharp objects such as scissors in about any details, including: • For minimal packing (and dragging), mix checked luggage, as well as any liquids or • booking destination events lotions more than 100ml(3.4oz). For those and activities in advance and match clothes. Most airlines charge now for the first checked bag unless you 100ml or less, put in a 1 litre resealable • the best insurance (usually at airport security). • security, health, weather are on a package. If you jam items into alerts (don’t panic!). carry-on, check with your airline for carry- Prescription medicine and baby formula/ on and checked weight restrictions. pumped breast milk is allowed for a travel- • The day before you leave, check tourism ling child under 2yrs (0-24 months). Check websites for weather forecasts. with your counsellor for any special health precautions or documents you must take. 05/18 See over/pg2... Document Checklist Your Airline Going on Adventures?  Valid passport for each person ith new tracking systems, very f you’re planning on going on adven- very few checked bags are tures or excursions, talk with your  Any visas or travellers cards Wdelayed or lost but put your airline’s Icounsellor as the more you book from  Copies: passport ID page (or baggage tag on the outside with your home, the less cash you’ll need on site take a cell photo), credit card and phone numbers and destination, with and you can budget in advance. Also, debit card numbers/emergency contact information inside each bag. booking in advance guarantees you contacts With increased security, you might have spots with reputable tour companies that  Extra baggage tags for inside and to open luggage so have your key ready we’ve already checked out. outside luggage with contact info or use a TSA-approved lock. If your lock If you plan to go on active adven- is not approved, the lock may get cut tures, more than say a sunset cruise  Copies of insurance card/policies: (some call that extreme or risky) make read fine print in advance open in a spot check or to remove a restricted item. If so, they’ll place a card sure your insurance covers such activi-  Canadian driver’s license, insur- inside your bag to inform you. ties as some high-risk escapades are not ance, car rental info, CAA card For carry-on restrictions see the covered. For example, underwater activi-  Hotel and transport vouchers, Canadian Air Transport Security Authori- ties involving self-contained underwater etickets, boarding passes, confir- ty www.catsa.gc.ca/home and check with breathing apparatus are not covered mation/reservation numbers, your airline for their restrictions as to unless you have an open water diving frequent flyer cards weight and sizes for checked and carry- certificate. Many people assume that on bags and such items as sports equip- because they’re signing up to be  Your itinerary/contact information “certified” in a pool at a destination they’ll given to your home contacts ment. Travellers are to know the param- eters for bringing items back into Canada be insured, but that’s not true. Before  If a solo parent, notarized letter going on vacation, prepare─take the allowing child to travel and such as alcohol www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/ travel-voyage/bgb-rmf-eng.html. world’s Professional Association of custody documents Diving Instructors open water diver Tips: Register online for your airline’s course www.padi.com at your local very helpful flight notification service (for diving training centre. See our Get Packing Checklist delays and gate changes) Check your departing airport’s website for hints and Gear Tips www.legrowstravel.ca/inside-scoops  If you dive or snorkel, you might want travel alerts. As well as posting flight sta- ❑ Your sense of adventure & humour! tus and delays, many airports post to consider taking your favourite gear. weather updates, general information for Occasionally, the gear at resorts or a Tips: To cut down on clothing, take rental site might not be what you’re travellers and tips to help them navigate used to or as clean as you might like. laundry detergent from home in a around that airport. resealable plastic bag and hand wash Also, if others have reserved the gear, Staying Connected (or Not) something becomes broken or a pre- items. Some travellers take clothes f you’re a gadget guru, great…before they were intending to donate anyway vious renter doesn’t get gear back on you go, snap photos of documents time, those kinds of delays might and leave them at their destination, and load maps and destination info on particularly clothing for children. I compromise your plans. your phone or device (pack SIM cards,  If you're going to a resort say with Scarves and shawls are a mainstay of batteries, chargers, adapters, etc.). Use regular travellers as they’re multifunc- family members─consider texting waiting time at airports to surf or find an plans or even walkie talkies! Besides tional to dress up or change an outfit, ─ internet café to email if you want to stay being old school technology fun for ward off a chill or cover a swimsuit. in touch at home. Surf for updated local the kids, it helps people in groups be offerings and pick up a local newspaper connected (then bring batteries). Websites and emails in blue or event guide when you get to your des-  If you’re going on walks or hiking, are hyperlinked; just click! tination for local happenings. Don’t just take comfy walking shoes and a cross rely on devices (possible connectivity body bag or that has a spot Canadian citizens: Canada has issues, charges); bring a guidebook and for a water bottle. A hat, sunscreen, more than 270 offices abroad with peruse a great map. Don’t use devices sunglasses and change of socks various consular services. Get infor- mation for the countries you’ll visit: all the time, a reason for travelling. can be lifesavers... https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/ embassies-consulates. Emergency? Our 24/7 Emergency Service We constantly survey airlines, local tour companies and hotels to ensure In North America call Global Affairs 1- they meet our customer service standards, so don’t let a problem ruin 888-949-9993. Outside North America your holiday. Nearly all issues can be handled quickly on site—first seek help from the venue’s local staff. Otherwise, call our Emergency Travel 613-996-8885 (collect if needed), Service at 1-888-551-1181. Deposits are non-refundable and non- www.legrowstravel.c [email protected], transferrable. Schedule changes can occur and airlines and tour operators have the right to change flight and/or tour https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/ times, alter, combine services or substitute accommodations. Your counsellor will work with you to ensure you emergency-assistance. receive information as soon as possible and ensure satisfaction. See your brochure and ticket terms and conditions.