Exploring the Thrill: A Guide to Gap Adventure Tours

Click here to see the tours that are on sale right now.

Discover the Essence of Adventure: Embracing the Unknown

Adventurous souls seeking to deviate from the typical travel itinerary often find themselves drawn to Gap Adventure Tours, now known as G Adventures due to a court ruling in the U.S. These tours cater to the traveler looking for an immersive experience, often featuring destinations that are off the beaten path and activities that push the boundaries of the typical holiday excursion. Gap Adventure Tours represent a unique approach to travel, engaging participants in cultural exchange, physical challenges, and personal growth.

Read more

Embarking on the Adventure of a Lifetime: Unveiling the G Expedition Experience

Click here to see if any G Expedition tours are on sale right now.

Hello, fellow adventurers! Today, I am thrilled to introduce something that has transformed my perception of travel – the G Expedition. If you’re someone who craves unique experiences and has a thirst for exploring the unexplored, you’re in the right place. Join me as we delve into the world of the G Expedition and unravel the magic it holds.

G Expedition is not just a journey, it’s an adventure of a lifetime. It’s a ticket to unparalleled experiences, magnificent landscapes, and a closer look at Mother Nature’s stunning creations. I promise, by the end of this article, you’ll be yearning for the fascinating G Expedition experience.

What is G Expedition?

Read more

Scaling Heights with G Adventures Sherpa: Your Ultimate Trekking Guide

Click here to see the tours that are on sale right now.

Embark on a Journey of Discovery

The allure of the mountains is undeniable. For many, it’s a call that cannot be ignored—a primal invitation to explore and conquer the rolling crests and peaks of the world’s greatest mountain ranges. G Adventures understands this appeal and has crafted unique trekking experiences designed to challenge, inspire, and transform. With the guidance of their experienced Sherpas, who are as much a part of the Himalayas as the mountains themselves, you are in for an adventure that promises not only physical exhilaration but also spiritual awakening.

Meet Your Experienced Guides – The Sherpas

At the heart of every G Adventures trek are the Sherpas—legendary mountaineers and guides whose knowledge and experience are unparalleled. Sherpas have climbed these routes for generations, and their intimate understanding of the mountain environment offers trekkers an invaluable resource. These local experts don’t just lead the way; they also share their rich cultural heritage, offering insight into local customs, traditions, and the fascinating history of the Himalayan region.

Plan Your Trek: Routes and Preparation

Deciding on a route is the first step in your trekking adventure. G Adventures provides a variety of treks to cater to different levels of ability and preference. From the iconic Everest Base Camp trek to the Annapurna Circuit or the less-traversed paths through the Langtang Valley, there’s a route to suit every adventurer. Preparation is key, and G Adventures assists with training tips, packing lists, and detailed itineraries to ensure you are well-prepared for the journey ahead. Remember that proper acclimatization is essential, and G Adventures meticulously plans each trip with altitude safety in mind.

Experience the Sherpa Way of Life

Trekking with G Adventures not only leads you to breathtaking vistas but also immerses you in the local lifestyle. Sherpas are known for their hospitality and warmth. Staying in teahouses and mountain lodges, you will experience authentic Sherpa hospitality and cuisine, giving you a taste of life at high altitudes. Engaging with the community and learning from the Sherpas will enrich your journey, creating memories that extend far beyond the physical trek itself.

Ecotourism and Sustainable Travel

G Adventures is committed to responsible travel that promotes conservation and the well-being of local communities. Trekking with Sherpas is not just about scaling heights but also about making a positive impact. Your journey supports local economies and follows eco-friendly practices. As you traverse the paths frequented by mountaineers past and present, you’ll be contributing to preserving these magnificent landscapes for future generations.

Safety First: Health and Well-being on the Mountain

The welfare of every trekker is G Adventures’ top priority. With this in mind, the company employs skilled Sherpas who are trained in first aid and altitude sickness protocols. Regular health checks and a well-considered pace ensure that hikers remain healthy and enjoy their trek to the fullest. Trust in your Sherpa’s expertise, listen to your body, and take prescribed precautions to mitigate the risks of high-altitude trekking.

Concluding Your Adventure: Beyond the Summit

As you descend from the land of snow and sky with G Adventures and their team of Sherpas, you’ll bring back more than just photographs and souvenirs. You will have forged a connection with the mountains and with the people who call them home. The experience is transformative, instilling a sense of accomplishment, respect for nature, and a deeper appreciation for the Sherpa culture.

G Adventures, with their impressive team of Sherpas, ensures that your trekking expedition is not just a journey to new altitudes but a voyage to new depths of personal discovery and cultural enrichment. Whether you are a novice trekker or an experienced mountaineer, they offer an adventure that promises to be both challenging and rewarding. Embrace the journey, scale new heights, and let the Sherpas of G Adventures guide you through an experience that will linger in your heart and soul forever.

Westjet Calgary (YYC) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) Business Class vs. Premium Economy

Pro tips:

  • Flying from Calgary to Tokyo Narita in business and then back in premium economy is a great compromise since the flight back to Calgary is 15% shorter due to tailwinds.
  • Narita is not actually located in Tokyo, but in the neighbouring prefecture called Chiba. It takes about 1.5 hours to get from Narita to Shinjuku, Shibuya and the other major Tokyo hubs by train. Private transfers are highly recommended.
  • Many smaller cities (London, Waterloo, Hamilton, Ottawa) fly to Calgary so this flight is a great option if you don’t have direct options like with Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

Important transfer note on the way back Canada: Your bags will transfer automatically, but be prepared to have to exit and go through security again. This is particularly important if you plan on getting duty free liquor to bring back to Canada.

Business Class

Seat:
Goes fully flat and everything in between with lower back arch support that can adjusted – all controlled via the touch screen.
Plenty of storage space and outlets for all your electronics.
Makeup mirror.
Large screen with lots of movies, TV shows and games.

Read more

The Future of Connectivity: International Roaming eSIM versus Physical SIM Cards

TL;DR? Get started with eSIM cards now with AloSIM and Airalo. You must have an unlocked phone.

The age of digital revolution has heralded a wave of innovations, one of which is the introduction of International Roaming eSIM. This technology has emerged as a game-changer in the telecommunications sector, setting a new precedent for global connectivity. This post aims to shed light on the concept of international roaming esim, its evolution, advantages, and potential future.

In this era, where everything is rapidly shifting towards digitalization, it’s no surprise that even SIM cards, the primary source of connectivity, have embraced this trend. The international roaming esim is a testament to this transformation, offering numerous benefits over traditional physical SIM cards.

The introduction of international roaming esim has revolutionized the way people connect and communicate, particularly when traveling overseas. It has removed the need for physical SIM cards, providing users with a more flexible, convenient, and cost-effective solution.

Read more

Best Roaming SIM/eSIM cards

TL;DR? Get started with eSIM cards now with AloSIM and Airalo. You must have an unlocked phone.

Traveling soon or regularly? Not sure what sim card options are best for you? The good news is, gone are the days of physical sim cards. Almost all carriers and network providers have moved to eSIM cards making it easy to get and use international roaming sim cards through mobile apps like AloSIM and Airalo (Android and iPhone). There is no more need to juggle multiple sim cards as the apps will keep track of the different sim cards for you and even allow you to switch easily between each.

The apps are free to download and there is no cost to the eSIM itself. And because it’s pay-as-you need, you only have to commit to the data package that fits your needs and price with rates starting at $4 for 1GB of data.

International roaming eSIM cards can help you save a lot of money on international roaming fees/costs. So the question isn’t so much which sim card is the best, but which international roaming app is most likely to fit your data needs and budget (hint: most international roaming apps have similar pricing).

Safe travels!

Booking Greek Island Ferries

Going to the Greek islands? Lucky you!

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, visiting the beautiful Greek islands should be high on your itinerary. One of the best ways to get from Athens to the Greek islands is by ferry. Booking a Greek island ferry can be a bit overwhelming, but with a few tips, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

The ferries are the main mode of transportation between the greek islands and the mainland, and they can get booked up quickly during peak season. In this post, we’ll look at the best options for booking ferry tickets for the Greek islands.

Need tickets now? Go to Ferries in Greece or Let’s Ferry or use the widget below:

Read more

BCx Healthcare Benefits Review

Moving to the U.S.? Travelling there regularly or planning to stay for awhile?  Healthcare in the U.S. can be complicated and travel insurance should be a high priority for anyone visiting the U.S.

But what about for smaller issues?  Things like minor infections, colds, etc.  Going to the hospital or urgent care can be time consuming and costly.

Luckily, a new flexible subscription program is being offered from BCx that provides unlimited tele-med coverage and unlimited prescription drug coverage for $15/month.  Tele-med is where you can video-call (or regular call) a U.S. board certified doctor to discuss your ailments.  You can even get a prescription through the same doctor if it is deemed necessary.

courtesy of MDLive.com
Courtesy of MDLive.com

The tele-med service is provided by MDlive.com and normally costs $75 per call.  With a BCx subscription, it’s unlimited!

Signing up takes less than 3 minutes and is 100% online.  And a prescription drug card is sent via email usually the next business day.

BCx Drug Card

Currently, the first month is free for the monthly option.  The annual option provides even more savings.

Finally, the cost includes up to 7 family members and require no medical questionnaire.  Acceptance is guaranteed!

 

Air Canada Bid Upgrade Guide

Flying Air Canada and looking to splurge? Upgrade to premium economy or business class by bidding on potential empty seats!  Here is a quick guide to help you through the process.

Important note: Bids are non-refundable (if accepted/won) and the cost is above and beyond your original ticket price.  You will not gain any additional reward miles on bid upgraded seats.

First, you must already have a ticket and booking reference (book through a site like Expedia to get an immediate booking reference by email).  Once you have these, head over to Air Canada’s bidding website to see if your flight is eligible for bid upgrades.  To check eligibility, simply enter your booking reference and last name.

AC-bid-upgrade-eligibility

Next, select the flights you want to bid on and which class (premium economy or business class).  If you have a round-trip ticket, you must bid on both the outgoing and incoming flights during the same session (but you can choose to not provide a bid on one of the directions if you do not feel like it).  Use the slider to choose your bid price.  Note that there is a minimum threshold that you can bid.

AC-Bid-Upgrade-Slider

Tip: If you’re only willing to bid the minimum, bid slightly above to beat out everyone else that is bidding the minimum.

Once you have chosen your bid, you will be taken to a confirmation and payment screen to enter your credit card information.

AC-Bid-Upgrade-Payment-Screen

Once your bid is confirmed, your credit card will only be charged if Air Canada accepts your bid.  You will usually receive confirmation 72 hours before your scheduled flight.

Happy bidding!

Air Canada Bid Upgrades Now Available

See some additional ‘hacks’ at the end of this post.

Want to fly premium economy or business class, but not pay the full price?  Air Canada now allows economy ticket holders to place bids on empty premium economy and business class seats before their flight.  Just like any auction, the highest bidder(s) will get the seat(s).

The process is quite simple.  Bids are made online using a sliding scale with a set minimum and maximum amount. When passengers pick their price, a chart lets them know the strength of their offer.  Travellers find out if they have the winning bid about 48 hours before departure.

air-canada-bid-upgrades

According to Air Canada, the purposes of the Offer Strength chart is to be a rough indicator of how likely a bidder is to win the auction, although the algorithm used for this graph seems quite obscure.  It is safe to assume that the chart is a marketing tool to get bidders to bid higher than they otherwise would have with the goal of making the overall top bids higher.

Read more