Jordan Village and Niagara-On-The-Lake

A short drive from the Greater Toronto area is an oasis of natural beauty. As soon as you turn off the QEW, you feel a sense of relaxation as you drive through the lush green roads lined with fruit trees and grape vines. Stunningly beautiful.

There are a number of towns and villages in the Niagara area one of which is Jordan Village.

In my opinion, Jordan Village is a must visit. Most people will make a stop in the infamous Niagara-On-The-Lake, however missing Jordan Village, is missing a lovely experience.

Jordan Village is tiny but there are some wonderful boutiques packed in the short block. Jordan Village, is much a more authentic, less commercial village than it's big brother, Niagara-On-The-Lake. The boutiques owners can typically be found in the shops and they are more than happy to chat away and welcome you to the village.

The pace too is a little slower. After my relaxing stroll through Jordan Village I headed on to Niagara-On-The-Lake and found a marked difference in the number of tourists. The streets and shops were much more crowded and as a result less relaxing.

On a Jordan Village brochure, the village is described as "a touch of time gone by, situated amidst the wineries of the Niagara Escarpment in Niagara's Twenty Valley, just off the QEW. The village is brimming with things to do and see - visit our award-winning wineries, tempt your taste buds with an assortment of culinary delights, explore our inspiring galleries and take advantage of the fabulous shopping for fashion, home and garden." Actually as an outsider, I would describe the village a little differently. I would not necessarily characterise it as a "touch of time gone by" I did not have that sense at all. The shops are modern and one of the biggest things that struck me was the charm and beauty of the street scape. The boulevards are completely landscaped and are in full bloom. It's absolutely stunning.

Recommended shopping:
Beauty Safari
Self described as an exclusive range of fragrances, bath and body, skincare, and beauty products, along with the finest sleepwear, linens, home accessories, jewellery, handbags and more. Sourced from Canada, Europe and Beyond.

This was one of my favourite shops. The owners, Alex and Ruth are former UK expats and returned back to Canada and to their family roots in Niagara. Alex was behind the counter when I arrived and immediately struck up a conversation. Alex share stories about their travels to find interesting and unique items and the European inspiration behind the boutique.

The boutique was beautifully merchandised and a perfect place to find a special gift. My favourite item, the Ladurée scented candles. Can you imaging a candle with the scent of Brioche? Oh my! Stop by and discover the charming products and owners.

Chic
I loved this store. Chic reproduces traditional antique furniture and chandeliers. The pieces are beautifully reproduced and remarkably authentic looking (I thought they were originals) at very reasonable prices. Here you can get the look without the antique price tag.

Favourite item, authentic chandelier crystals which you can buy individually from $2 each. Add a little sparkle to your home.

A must visit and be sure to keep walking to the back of the store, it is much larger than it appears from the outside.

Santa-Fe Lifestyle
Clothing and accessories with an international flavour. Charming shop with inspired pieces. Owner Pam can help you find the perfect item, one might even be a Pangea Collection bone bangle from Uganda. Take a peak inside.

Tintern on Main
Another lovely shop for fashion and accessories. Friendly owner Jacquelene will help you pick the perfect piece.

Favourite item, flowing pattern tops, modern yet reminiscent of the 70s.

Pleasures of the Palate
A must is a visit to Cave Springs Winery for a wine tasting, right in the heart of the village.

For a casual lunch of salad, sandwich or pizza visit Zooma Zooma Cafe.

For a more upscale dining experience visit the Inn on the Twenty Restaurant.

Parking
Another advantage to Jordan Village is there is a public parking lot which is free.

Not actually in Jordan Village but on the road into the village off of the QEW is Upper Canada Cheese Company. Upon entering you'll be offered a sampling of two cheeses (comfort cream - think brie, and Niagara Gold - think salty Oka). The cheese is yummy and if you forgot to bring your own cooler bag you can purchase one or an ice pack right there so your yummy comfort cream won't be any creamier than intended.

Niagara-On-The-Lake
As mentioned, this is the town that most tourists visit and as a result can be very busy especially on weekends. I was there yesterday (Wed in July) and it was packed. It is a lovely town and a must visit. It is also home to the popular photo op, the Prince of Wales Hotel. Very charming and the horse carriages out front mean that there are a lot of tourists snapping photos. I actually had a guy stop in front of my car in the middle of the street to take a picture. Drive carefully, the tourists are either drunk on the wine tastings or the beauty of the town.

What I particularly liked about Niagara-On-The-Lake was the numerous bakeries, some more commercial than others. I'd reco a good long in hail inside of Niagara Home Bakery.

And maybe indulge on an Empire cookie yum, yum a toast to Queen Mum!

If you are a foodie, make a stop in the Kurtz Culinary Store and taste before you buy. Such a wide range the pantries are sagging in the middle with all the weight of the jars.

While there pick up a postcard on one of their culinary classes, free but do require reservations.

For a yummy sandwich (even if a touch pricey at $9.50) try a curried chicken and cashew on pumpernickel at the Epicurean, fresh and delish.

For a beautiful assortment of jewellery check out Presents and Optimus. At Optimus you can find Pangea Collection fair trade and artisan jewellery among many other beautiful designers.

For art lovers like myself allow plenty of time to discover the amazing photography of Kenneth Lane Smith in the self named gallery. The work is stunning and the write ups for each pieces are beautiful written. Make sure you read them when looking at the prints.

On the way into or out of Niagara-On-The-Lake be sure to stop at The Fruit Shack (on Niagara Stone Road) for some fresh fruit. I picked up a pint of cherries, sweet, sweet goodness.

Of course a visit to the region would not be complete without visiting the numerous wineries so make sure you have some time and pace yourself. If you want to stay the night there are a number of affordable B&Bs.

One great way to get around to the wineries is by bicycle. Many of the wineries offer free tastings so enjoy and save your dollars for an indulgence in something else.

Enjoy your visit.

Affordable Travel - Romantic Hotels

I came across an article on the most affordable romantic hotels. The article was written during the worst of the economic downturn in early 2009 when no one was really thinking romance. While slightly dated, there is still plenty of value in reviewing these affordable and romantic hotels around the world.

All of the hotels featured were under $250 (USD) per night. Okay in my book, $250 USD a night is still pricey but there are quite a few on the list that are quite affordable.

Here are my favourites:
Udai Kothi in Udaipur India
Why I love it? Stunning architecture, roof top pool, only 25 rooms and rates starting at $100/night. What could be more romantic?

Desa Seni, Bali Indonesia
Authentic Indonesian cultural experience, healthy dining, eco and local friendly. Rates start at around $150/night.

Here is the original article on the 11 most affordable romantic hotels.

Toronto Luminato Festival Free Events

The fourth annual Toronto Luminato Arts festival is running from June 11th to 20th, 2010. The festival is a celebration across Toronto and includes major venues, streets and public spaces covering a range of artistic disciplines including theatre, dance, music, film, literature and visual arts.

Part of what makes the festival special are the numerous free events, making the arts accessible to all.

Luminato is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose vision is to commission and present significant local, national and international programming that reflects the city of Toronto as a diverse and accessible city that engages domestic and international audiences.

Check the Luminato website for the full list of free events.

Louis Vuitton Cultural Centre New Exhibit

The flagship Louis Vuitton store in Paris has a beautiful museum or cultural centre at the top, not to mention fantastic view of the Champs-Elysees.

From June 4th to September 5th a new exhibit "Perspectives" is running featuring two French, female artists, Odile Decq and Camille Henrot.

"Perspectives" is the first time that the Louis Vuitton cultural centre will feature two artists. These two artists are said to have different yet complementary presentations.

Odile Decq is an established architect who has just completed the extension and fitting of the MACRO (Rome); Camille Henrot is a 31-year-old visual artist pre-selected for the Prix Marcel Duchamp 2010.

This exhibition presents sixteen works which offer an attempt to understand space and the world from a dual point of view.

Mediums include steel, glass, weaving, photography and video.

Check out this free exhibition before it ends on September 5th. For more information visit the Louis Vuitton Espace Cultural

Free Museums London

Free = truly affordable travel and free museums make us very happy here at affordable travel.

We've previously posted an article on Free museums in Paris so be sure to check that out.

London while actually quite pricey is fantastic for offering free museum visits to most permanent collections (note temporary collections often have a fee).

Free London museums include:
British Museum
Tate Modern
National Gallery
National History Museum
Tate Britain
Science Museum
Victory and Albert Museum
Museum of London
Saatchi Gallery
Horniman Museum

Enjoy your free museum visits in London.

Free Museum Day In Montreal

If you missed the free museum day in Montreal on Sunday, mark it on your calendar for next year.

Montreal can be a wonderful city for affordable travel seekers. One example is free museum day. The board of Montreal Museum Directors (BMMD) invite citizens to enjoy museum visits to 30 select Montreal museums on May 30th between 10 am and 6 pm and includes free shuttle services.

For complete details visit the following:
http://www.museesmontreal.org/en/Montreal_Museums_Day
http://museesmontreal.org/uploads/JdM_dep_10_fr_ang.pdf

Montrealers and Torontonians Are Cheating

Tourism Toronto and Tourisme Montréal are teaming up on an ad campaign to convince Torontoians and Montrealers to cheat on their respective cities.

Citizens are to make confessions about why hey secretely love the other city in a video taped confession in mobile booths on the streets between May 17th and 29th. Winners get an exclusive stay in the "cheat" city.

For full contest details check out:
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/what-to-do/hey-toronto-how-about-a-quickie-with-montreal/

Fun and free.

Win a Trip To Canada

If you are a US citizen you can enter to win a trip to Canada courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). Free is what we consider the best in affordable travel. Enter for your chance to win today.

The CTC is hosting a contest to give US residents a chance to win an ultimate Canadian Experience. The winner can choose from five different Canadian adventures.

The five Canadian Adventure Experiences include:

1. Sea to Sky
- Three nights at a 4 star Vancouver, BC hotel
- Two nights at a 4-star Victoria, BC hotel
- Getaway in Banff National Park with two nights accommodation in Banff and two in Lake Louise
- Transfers and activities

2. Beluga Bliss
- Trip for two to Churchill, MN during whale season
- Beluga whale watching
- Snorkeling or kayaking
- Tundra buggy adventure
- Two night accommodation in Churchill
- Return transfers

3. Urban Fare
- Three Nights at the Westing Harbour Castle in Toronto
- City passes
- Harbour Boat tour
- Via rail to Montreal
- Two nights in Montreal

4. High Tide
Eight nights accommodation at selected hotels, B&Bs and country inns in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
- Admission to Kingsbrae Gardens
- Unlimited ground transportation
- Kayaking tour
- Tidal bore rafting trip

5. Northern Exposure
- Three nights in Whitehorse
- White water rafting on Tashenshini River
OR
- Private guided hiking trip in Kluane National Park
- Driving tour Fraser to Skagway and Haines Junction
- Whitehorse - Dawson City return flights
- Two nighs in Dawson City
- Tour of gold fields and gold-panning lessons
- Flight seeing in Kluane National Park and heli-shuttle flight through Tombstone Territorial Park

For full contest details and to enter visit the following:

http://canadaseeitnow.com/

Do Carry On Fees Hurt Affordable Travellers?

Sprint airline in the US has just announced that it will add a user fee for carry on baggage. Does this make affordable travel airfares less affordable? Not so according to Sprint. They say they have reduced their airfares by up to $45 and the new fee for carry on will range between $25 and $40.

Personally I am a carry on only traveller or at least was until all of the security restrictions hit (seems to be getting better now and there is a general return to carry on). I love the freedom of getting off the plan and going. I hate waiting for luggage. However, as someone who always looks for the most affordable travel options I am actually okay with this fee structure. Why? If the rates have been reduced and they are clear about the fees, then you can make an educated decision on whether or not to take a Sprint flight. So I do not see why there is a whole lot of "to do" about this new policy.

On the other hand I really don't get the reason for the fee. Does it not cost as much or more labour for checked luggage?

In any case, as always buyer beware. Know the airline policies and look for the airline that meets your needs the best to ensure you get the most affordable travel airfares for your situation. If you don't take carry on, this new policy will not affect you. If however you do take carry on, seems like you will net out the same on Sprint as before or even save a few bucks.

Happy Affordable Travel!

Affordable Travel Airfares - Flight Passes

Every time I receive in my email inbox a notification about a special on flight passes, I hope that this time they really will be an affordable travel option. And with each opening of the email my hopes fade.

I just don't get the value of these things. Yes, it is true that they do offer some flexibility that a regular airfare ticket does not however each time I do the math ($10500/30 flights or 15 return flights = $700 for say a ticket to Boston or NYC) This does not seem to offer any value. I can buy a ticket for under $400 to NYC or Boston.

This morning Air Canada sent an email offering 8 free flight passes for the purchase of a business flight pass, however even at $10500 (for the US commuter) these additional passes are not awarded. You have to buy a more expensive pass. Not great value.

For affordable travel airfares, you are still better to watch for the weekly specials and book those.

Happy Affordable Travel!

Affordable Airfare Decreasing?

Skyservice has just announced that it will be ceasing business. Does this mean affordable travel in Canada is getting more difficult? Canada suffers from limited competition already. Loosing another airline option makes it less competitive. One one hand, Canada is a small market and cannot sustain too much competition. On the other hand limited competition keeps rates higher than our US neighbours. I regularly hear of people driving across the border to get flights at 1/3 of the price in Canada. Shame!

If you are interested in reading the full article on Skyservice, you can find it here. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100331/business/skyservice_1

Last Day To Submit For The Amazing Race

As an avid traveller I love watching the amazing race, what could be more affordable travel than participating in the Amazing Race. As a Canadian however I cannot participate, you must be a US passport holder.

If you are seeking adventure and affordable travel, why not apply to be on the amazing race? Deadline for applications is today.

Here is the casting page:
http://www.cbs.com/cbs_casting/

Affordable Travel City Discoveries

Want to discover a city with a local without the high cost of a personal guide? Looking for free stuff to do while traveling?

Global Greeters Network is a cool concept which really fits into our idea of affordable travel and fun stuff to do while discovering a new destination. What we like about this idea is that there is no cost - that's affordable travel! And you get the opportunity to take a walk in a city with someone who loves that particular neighbourhood.

Tours are given by volunteers and usually include a group of less than six people. Volunteers take the small group for a walk through one of their favourite neighbourhoods. They are knowledgeable and friendly.

Currently walks are available in the following cities:
Canada:
Toronto

United States:
Houston
New York
Chicago

France:
Paris
Lyon
Marseille
Pas-de-Calais
Nantes

England:
Brighton
Kent

Netherlands:
The Hague

Australia:
Melbourne
Adelaide

Argentina:
Buenos Aires

Check out the Global Greeter Network website for more information and links to the city of interest and enjoy free stuff to do in any of the above cities while visiting. http://www.globalgreeternetwork.info

Affordable Travel Organisation

Given the recent changes in airport security it makes even more sense to be extremely organised. Being organised makes the trip a lot less stressful and you can sit back and enjoy.

I used to travel about one out of every three days and as a result I became pretty familiar with the whole airport routine. I quickly learned that the key to making travel more efficient was to be organised in advance. Regardless of whether or not you are a privileged traveler, organisation is key.

Below are my tips for making your airport experience efficient and stress free. Okay so you are going to think I'm a little crazy with how organised/planned I am when travelling but trust me even if you implement a few of these tips, you will find the airport process much smoother.

Efficiency, starts way before the airport arrival!

1. Plan Luggage Ahead

Organise all of your clothing on the bed to optimise the number of pieces you need to take. Make sure all pieces mix and match in this way you can limit the number of pieces you have to take but still have a variety of different looks. Before the new security rules, I could pack a carry on for up to 3 weeks of travel.

Make sure you reduce the number of shoes (these are heavy!).

Lugging a heavy luggage around the airport is a big pain in the back, do yourself a favour and pack light.

Have all of your liquids packaged correctly in a plastic bag and easily accessible.

2. Dress Business Professional But Light

Wear shoes that do not have zippers or laces, slip ons are perfect. You have to take them off so you want it to be easy while you are balancing your laptop and other articles at the security line. Wear socks, no one wants their bare feet to touch that floor!

No accessive jewelry, belts or layers you'll need to remove during the security line. Make it easy for yourself and others.

Given the new regulations of pat downs, it makes sense to reduce clothing layers.

It is still important to dress professionally as this can mean an upgrade.

3. Organise Your Laptop Case/Purse And Check Airline Rules

Remove all unnecesary items. You will need to open the laptop so make sure it is easy to unzip (no stacks of papers on top of the laptop and pulls out easy).

No extra stuff in your purse or laptop that may be an issue at security, less is more. With new security regulations that vary by airline and seem to be changing daily, make sure that you check with your airline just before backing to be sure you know what you can and cannot take on board. You do not want to be reorganising your luggage at the airport.

4. Prepare Documents Ahead If Possible

If you are traveling regularly between countries that require a custom's document, get extras and fill one out ahead of time (before arriving at the airport) Filling out the document in line while you are trying to balance your laptop, purse and luggage while advancing in the custom's line 6 inches at a time is another pain. Having the document completed in advance means that you will be ready to get in line right away and inch forward without having to be writing at the same time. If you do not go to the destination regularly but live near the airport, it's still worth getting the documents in advance.

5. Select Seats And Print Boarding Passes At Home

Do this in advance so that you don't have to at the airport. Then it is a matter of just going to the luggage drop off.

6. Just Before Arriving At The Airport, Organise Your Documents

I had a regular habit of pulling out my passport and putting my documents on the photo page all of which were in the same direction before arriving at the airport so that I could simply flash them at the security and they could read my info and my boarding pass all at once. You can hold it or put it in a easy to grab place. A routine is key here. You don't want to be opening up every zipper to try to figure out where you put it. Have it on hand.

7. Organise Yourself In Line

Take off a coat/jacket while waiting in line. Pull out your laptop, be ready to place all items in the security bins when you get to the conveyor. Don't make them ask you. Have it ready.

8. Consider Purchasing Lounge Access

If you do not have access to a lounge, consider buying a pass. It may be worth it, especially now that you need to be at the airport several hours ahead of time due to increased security. The lounge access will be more comfortable and provide you access to internet connection, food and beverage etc.

Only caveat here is that not all lounges are created equally. Some are not worth the cost. You'd be better to find a restaurant or coffee shop to sit in. You can research lounges online in advance to see if te amenities are worth the cost of the pass.

9. Use the Loo Before Boarding

If in a lounge use the loo there, if not use the one near the gate, much roomier and likely less stinky.

10. Know Where/How You Are Going In Advance

A little investigation in advance can make the experience of going through the airport much easier. This applies to both arrival and departure airports. This is especially true if you are going to a country which is unfamiliar and a different language. Know how you are getting to your hotel, by what transportation method and where is that (in the same terminal?).

Taking a smart phone with local apps can be really helpful too. You may be able to use it to plan local transit etc.

Happy Affordable Travelling

Affordable Travel Airfare

Air Canada has an affordable travel airfare special on but you must hurry. The airfare special is available on flights within Canada, to the USA, International and Sun destinations.

For Canada and the US you must book by Jan7th, for international and sun destinations book by Jan 14th, 2010.

Sample fares from Toronto are:
Paris or London from $257 each way plus tax. I checked it out and with tax for two people this works out to about $1600 (darn that tax!).

Bermuda from $172/each way plus tax

New York from $95 each way, LA from $200 each way, plus taxes.

Some restrictions apply and travel must be completed by May or June depending on the destination. For full details check the Air Canada website.

Happy affordable travel!