Heike Milo - Senior Travel Advisor, CTC

08/29/2025

Friday funny...

08/28/2025

Good to know!

Don’t forget to include your email address with your passport application! 📧

This will allow you to use the online Passport Application Status Checker to get real-time updates while we process your application.

For more tips on applying for your passport 👇
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html

08/27/2025

Visiting Chile? Be sure to put Antofagasta on your must see. It is further up north in the Atacama desert is the port city of Antofagasta, where endless starry skies and powdery white beaches await.

Antofagasta is the regional capital in a mining area in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert. It's known for its copper production. North of the city on the Pacific coast is the Monumento Natural La Portada. This huge natural arch just offshore is home to gulls, pelicans and sometimes seals and dolphins. Southeast of the city in the Atacama Desert is the "Mano del Desierto," a large sculpture of a hand.

Whether you love history or nature, there is something here for you to experience.

08/26/2025

New for Las Vegas - Universal Horror Unleashed, the first-ever year-round horror experience created by the masters of horror at Universal Destinations and Experiences, is now open in the AREA15 District in Las Vegas.

Set in an abandoned production warehouse filled with haunting stories and characters– from fan-favorite horror classics to original creations – the new experience will take guests on a terrifying journey through four haunted houses, four themed areas with live entertainment and spine-tingling food and cocktails as they attempt to evade monstrous creatures lurking around every corner.

There are 4 Sinister Haunted Houses: Each haunted house features dedicated show moments with deeper storytelling that places guests in the midst of horror.

Those brave enough to enter will:

Face the dust storms of the Midwest in Scarecrow: The Reaping, an original story that will take them back in time to a dry, barren 1930s farmland ravaged by farmers and taken over by horrifying inhabitants arising from the land: bloodthirsty scarecrows bent on revenge.

Take a journey through the 1974 horror masterpiece in the “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” haunted house, placing them in the footsteps of the victims as they face horrifying iconic scenes and characters. Guests will come face-to-face with Leatherface and every member of his deranged family and their victims, as the terrifying sound of chainsaws haunts them at every turn.

Face cinema’s most feared icons in Universal Monsters, where horror legends have broken free from the silver screen to stalk unwitting victims. From the shadowy halls of Castle Dracula, to the sandy tombs guarded by The Mummy, to the crackling lab where Frankenstein and The Bride still draw breath – this haunted house resurrects the most legendary monsters of all time in one continuous nightmare.

Descend into demonic possession in Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer, and find themselves deep in the shadowy woods where best friends Katherine and Angela mysteriously vanish – only to be discovered days later with no memory of what happened. From there, the terror builds room by room as the girls’ disturbing transformation unfolds, going from the hospital to the girls’ homes to witnessing the actual exorcism as everyone is surrounded by supernatural chaos.

Plus there are 4 Themed Areas, each immersive area will place guests in the center stage of horror, offering opportunities to interact with characters for a deeply engaging experience:

Kill Vault
Prop Graveyard
Dead Storage
Jack’s Alley

Guests looking to dive deeper into the terror can now purchase the “Haunted High Rollers” VIP Experience Package. During this 3-hour elevated horror experience, guests will enjoy an all-access pass to the dark side in true Las Vegas style and with next level storytelling, including priority access to Universal Horror Unleashed for up to six guests, unlimited haunted house access via a priority VIP Lane, a personal VIP host, access to a special VIP food and beverage menu, artist meet and greets with private VIP performances, exclusive discounts on merchandise and more. Cost per group from US $2750

General admission/day pass US $69 per person or General admission with Unlimited access US $99 per person.
Hours of operation: Thursday - Monday 2 pm - 10pm and Closed on Tuesday & Wednesday.

For more information go to

Prepare yourself for an entertaining horror spectacle coming to Las Vegas in 2025. Horror will surround you at every corner at Universal Horror Unleashed.

08/25/2025

G-Adventures has launched new tours for travellers 18-30 years of age, in mind. Here are the highlights of G Adventures' new 18-to-30somethings trips:

G Adventures will be taking young travelers to the wild landscapes of Patagonia for the first time. Travelers can choose from four distinct travel options ranging from a 9-day Patagonia highlights trip to an epic 16-day adventure journeying from Santiago, stopping in Southern Patagonia, and ending in Buenos Aires. Standout experiences include sleeping under the stars in Torres Del Paine National Park and visiting the towering glaciers of El Calafate. Travelers can explore more of South America by combining several G Adventure trip options. "Patagonia: Turquoise Lakes & Torres del Paine" starts at $2,799 per person.

G Adventures will launch its first stand-alone trip in Belize, a budget-conscious expedition in a country often regarded as the most expensive place to visit in Central America. Guests will explore the world's second-largest barrier reef, Mayan ruins, beaches, and jungles at an attractive price. Travelers can opt for a six-day trip from Caye Caulker (pictured above) to Hopkins, which includes three days of hopping between isolated islands. An extended version that is two days longer is also available, taking adventurers to the jungle of San Ignacio for tubing excursions and visits to ancient Mayan ruins. "Island-hopping and Sailing Belize: Beach Days & Starry Night" starts at $1,099 per person.

Young travelers can also select from 5 new trips in Panama that are packed with culture, community tourism, and off-the-grid experiences. Guests can sleep in Indigenous-owned huts in the San Blas islands during a three-day exploration of the archipelago by boat. G Adventures also provides the option to take a 27-day journey from San José to Medellín, marking the first time the company has combined both Central and South America in one journey. "Panama: Sandy Beaches & San Blas Sunsets" starts at $899 per person.

G-Adventures 18-30someithing tours are small groups travelling with 22 or less people, from all over the world. Tour itineraries to feature a lot of free time, giving you the freedom to explore on your own, with your new crew, or whatever way suits your style. Hostels, hotels, homestays, camping — on these tours, you’ll stay in a number of accommodation styles specifically chosen to give you that oh-so-authentic travel experience. On the First Night Out, G-Adventures willl take you to local hot spots where you’ll have the chance to get to know the crew you’ll be travelling with, plus the destination itself. Towards the end of your trip, you will hit the town to celebrate all the crazily-unbelievably-inspiring moments you’ve had together so far.

08/24/2025

Scenic River cruises has opened their 2027 sailing dates for Europe! The 2027 collection is open for reservations across France, Portugal, and the Rhine-Main-Danube region, with departures starting in February.

Romantic Rhine & Moselle,15 days (Amsterdam to Basel): Glide through the fairytale valleys of the Rhine and Moselle, discovering vineyard-clad hillsides, charming half-timbered towns, and cultural treasures from Amsterdam to the Black Forest.

Gems of the Danube, 8 days (Budapest to Munich): Journey through the heart of Central Europe, exploring baroque cities, historic abbeys and enchanting riverside villages in Hungary, Austria and Germany.

Idyllic Rhône, eight days (Lyon to Nice): Savor France’s culinary soul on a journey through Provence and the Rhône Valley, with cooking classes, historic villages, and exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences.

Danube Christmas Markets, 8 days (Munich to Budapest): Celebrate the season sailing through snow-dusted cities and riverside markets bursting with gingerbread, glühwine and traditional holiday cheer.

Delightful Douro, 8 days (Porto to Porto): Discover the soul of Portugal as you cruise through the dramatic Douro Valley, visiting traditional villages, tasting world-famous port, and exploring the golden city of Salamanca.

Bordeaux Affair, 8 days (Bordeaux to Bordeaux): Cruise through the renowned Bordeaux region, enjoying vineyard visits, caviar tasting, and immersive culinary experiences, including a private classical concert in Château d’Agassac.

More than a river cruise... it’s an ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship, designed to offer maximum space and comfort for up to 163 guests. Scenic Space-Ships | Europe River Cruises | Scenic

Sail Europe’s rivers in ultra-luxury on Scenic Space-Ships. With up to 163 guests, enjoy spacious suites, all-inclusive dining, and personalized service.

08/23/2025

Lisbon, Portugal - plan a stay at the 5-star Lumiares Hotel. Occupying a beautifully renovated 18th-century palace set on an old cobblestone street in the lively Barrio Alto district, this boutique hotel offers chic, mini-apartment style rooms, a restaurant, rooftop bar, gym and spa, and is easy walking distance from the city’s main attractions.

The 53 bright, modern apartment rooms come in five sizes, from Studio to Penthouse, and are suitable for independent travellers, couples and families. Rooms feature high ceilings, French windows with white shutters, and polished wooden floors. Black-and-white headboards stand out against locally-made, colourful tapestry bed cushions and luxurious Portuguese cotton linens.

The Lumi Rooftop Bar & Restaurant boasts impressive panoramic views and is where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.

Situated right at the top of the Gloria Funicular it is the perfect base from which to explore the fabulous bars, cafés, shops and culture of Bairro Alto and Chiado.

08/23/2025

Good to know.

Have a connecting flight at a Canadian airport after a cruise?

Your duty-free purchases (think maple syrup, alcohol, perfume) are exempt from security screening liquids restrictions if they are in an official, sealed duty-free bag and you have an itemized receipt.

Visit https://ow.ly/Y7T350WIRS4 for more information.

08/22/2025

New Tour with Blue Roads: A Taste of Medieval Italy for 9-days. This small group tour has only 5 departures in 2026 from May to September. Tour starts and ends in Milan, Italy.

Step into Italy’s enchanting Emilia-Romagna region: a place where every recipe is a story and every lovely vista is destined to become ingrained on your memory for eternity. Our 9-day journey meanders lazily through this extraordinary region, taking in timeless hilltop towns, cities that glimmer with medieval treasures and rustic castle estates where culinary traditions abound. If food is the key to your heart, prepare to fall head over heels on this carefully crafted Italian escape!

Enjoy 1 night in Milan, 2 nights in the Parma Countryside, 2 nights Bologna, 1 night Ravenna, 2 nights in Padova.

Tour Highlights:
• Tour starts in Milan with a delicious welcome dinner at a local trattoria
• Feast your eyes on Ravenna’s treasure trove of kaleidoscopic Byzantine mosaics
• Savour the feeling of cheese melting deliciously on your tongue during a tour of a parmigiano factory in Parma
• Immerse yourself in Italy’s thrilling racing heritage at the Ferrari Museum Maranello and Enzo Ferrari Museum
• Discover the city's many secrets on a walking tour in Padova, including the Ca****la degli Scrovegni, painted between 1303 and 1305

Tour price includes:
8 nights' in boutique accommodation
Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader and Driver
Premium mini-coach transportation
Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Entrance included to all attractions in the itinerary

2026 Departure Dates: May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2 or September 6
tour price C$5409 per person/double occupancy or Solo Traveller $ 6759.

08/21/2025

AMA Waterways - Experience Europe like never before as its charming towns and riverside villages are transformed by the warmth and wonder of the holidays. Picture yourself strolling beneath twinkling lights, sipping mulled wine in centuries-old squares, and enjoying festive traditions both on board and ashore—all while being cared for by the attentive, welcoming crew of AmaWaterways.

On board AMA's river cruise ships throughout Europe, the holiday season begins from the middle of November and continues through the New Year. Choose between the Festive Delights sailings or the dedicated Christmas Markets Cruises. Make this holiday season truly unforgettable with a festive Holiday River Cruise and discover why so many guests return to cruise with us, year after year.

08/20/2025

Casa dos Lóios by Shiadu is located in Porto, Portugal. A boutique hotel housed in a beautiful renovated 16th-century residence nestled in Porto's historic centre. The interior design pairs period touches and modern furnishings; the best rooms boast original features like magnificent painted ceilings.

Casa dos Lóios by Shiadu, a charming bed & breakfast in Porto's Centro/Baixa district. You're a short walk from Porto Cathedral, Livraria Lello, Dom Luís I Bridge, and Ribeira Square.

Shiadu began as a family project when they welcomed their first guest in 2009 at Casa do Bairro. From there, it became an adventure among friends , as they opened new establishments, each as charming as the last, one at a time. Today, they have over a hundred Shiadu employees, working in 11 hotels and guesthouses in Lisbon, Porto, and Seville .

08/19/2025

Exodus features new Cultural tours! Estonia to Finland Adventure - small group tour. Explore the capitals of Estonia and Finland on a compact trip packed with culture and nature. Tour starts in Tallinn and ends in Helsinki.

Highlights of this 5 day tour:
Discover the wonders of Tallinn and Helsinki with your expert tour leader
Journey into the wild at Lahemaa National Park, visiting Jägala Waterfall
Hike in the beautiful Sipoonkorpi National Park on the outskirts of Helsinki
Soak up history in the scenic old town of Porvoo
Explore the island fortress of Suomenlinna, a World Heritage site

What's Included?
All breakfasts
All accommodation (4 nights classic accommodation)
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Tours start December 8, 2025 and operate until December 2026. Select dates. Tour price from C$1900 per person. Solo travelle, own room additional C$361.