Canada is golden!

S-Trip! does Tremblant!

S-Trip! in Quebec City 2010-featuring Lil’ Jon

Have fun in the snow — on the cheap!

The winds are chilly and the skies are grey… Winter is here today!

It seems that us Canadians spend a lot of time complaining about the winter season — and not enough time enjoying it. We  live in Canada. Cold weather comes with the territory (literally), so why not embrace it? That’s what winter gear is for. You need not be scared away by the cold. It’s wonderful to cuddle in a blanket or huddle around the fireplace, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy winter while it’s here, too! As long as you’re equipped with a cozy touque, warm gloves, a proper scarf and a good jacket, the cold, snowy weather can make for a whole lot of fun. Go join Jack Frost and have some fun. And in most cases, you don’t even have to spend a cent to enjoy it!

• Make a snow angel. Just lie down in the fluffy white snow, outstretch your arms and legs and make your mark. It’s easy. It’s fun. Do it.

• Eat some snowflakes. It may not be the healthiest thing to do, but something about it just seems fun. I do it all the time!

• Build a snowman. Grab a carrot for the nose, some twigs for the arms, and something creative for the buttons, and make yourself a snow man. Everyone knows the song “Frosty the Snowman” — sing it as you make it! This is a timelessly fun snow activity. It’s a process too and a great thing to do with friends. From the packing of the snow to the rolling of the snowballs to the decorating, making a snowman is nothing but fun times!

• Go skating. Scope out a nearby lake or river or pond (just make sure it’s safe and fully frozen over first) and take advantage of the ice by gliding this way and that.

• Take the toboggan for a ride. Want a thrill? Go tobogganing? Find a hill, big or small and just slide right down. It’s a great adrenaline rush. And it’s good exercise since in order to go downhill, you’ve got to first go uphill. If you don’t have a toboggan, the plastic kind are quite cheap, but if need be, anything — even a piece of cardboard or a large storage container will do. Or, if you have a tube, go tubing! Wee!

• Make a snow dome (or home). Many have the preconceived notion that Canadians live in igloos, so why not have a little fun with it and make one of your own? If there’s a lot of snow to work with, building an igloo or a snow castle is a great thing to do with it. And then when you’re all done with constructing it, admiring it, testing it out, destroy it when you…

• Have a snowball fight. Just make and throw, super simple. For those with a competitive nature, this is a god winter activity. They can be done in big groups or small groups. They can have rules or no rules. But all in all, they’re a great time.

• Take some pictures. A winter wonderland is the perfect photographic landscape. If you’re the type of person who enjoys some time to yourself, go for a walk, breathe in the crisp air and shoot some photos. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, you’ll be able to capture scenes that represent the frozen beauty of winter through your lens.

• Go for a horseback or carriage ride. If you’re able to make it to somewhere this is doable, sit back, relax and take in the snow-capped scenery from this view.

And for those willing to spend a bit of money, it’s no secret that skiing and snowboarding (and even snowshoeing) is a great way to live it up in the winter! Go shred up some slopes! Take an exciting trip to one of Canada’s coolest winter destinations!  Montreal, Big White, Mont Tremblant, and Quebec City.  Book today! www.s-trip.com

Don’t let the cold scare you. Go have fun! Now!

– Amanda-Marie Quintino

Lil’ Jon and S-Trip!

Become an S-Trip! Facebook Fan and get your tickets today!

www.s-trip.com

Photos from Big White Weekend 2

S-Trip! rips up the Interior

For the month of January, S-Trip! is out in interior BC hosting 4 weekends in Kelowna and at Big White.  Weekend 1 was a great success: 1,000 students from Vancouver and the BC Lower Mainland took advantage of tons of snow and everyone went home with new friends and exciting stories.  We can’t wait for weekend 2 starting tomorrow!

With a few days off between trips, the S-Trip! managers decided to take advantage of the amazing conditions.  We made the 4 hour drive from Kelowna to Rossland, BC and spent a day cat skiing with Big Red Cats.  Check out our pics!

Eco Friendly Snow and Skate Gear

Looking to buy some new snow or skate gear?   If you haven’t already, now is the time to go green!  A handful of responsible companies have been going green for some time now and are inspiring others to do the same.

Here are some wicked green products that I am sure will get you excited about being more environmentally conscious.

Snow

Sims Ultimate Vice Men's Snowboard- Distinctive bamboo, a light-weight renewable "green" material is used for the topsheet and sidewalls. Eco friendly basalt glass which is manufactured from volcanic rock, is less harmful to the environment and helps to retain the original flex characteristics was also used to produce this sick board.

Arbor Snowboards-All of Arbor’s wood cores are made with poplar that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as sustainably produced. Poplar is still the best choice as a primary wood core material due to its combination of lighter-weight performance, durability, and availability.

Quiksilver Rusty Cage Eco Jacket- Rusty Cage Eco Jacket: A military-inspired style that combines 70% recycled PET with 30% hemp for an ultra eco-stylish design. The printed lining is 100% recyclable polyester and all zippers have been crafted with recycled materials.

Patagonia jacket- Patagonia recycle used soda bottles, unusable second quality fabrics and worn out garments into polyester fibers to produce many of their clothes.

Betty Rides Women's Snowboarding Pants- Betty is looking out for the environment in the process, creating this design out of recycled containers.

Forum Escape Snowboard Boots- This skate-inspired boot sports a medium flex that allows you to try out new tricks in the park. The recycled-rubber vulcanized sole combines the performance of a skate shoe and sticky rubber that assists your climb back up the pipe.

Beaverwax-This small Vancouver operation promises wax made with environmentally friendly additives. Enviro Mountain Wax makes ski and snowboard wax using North American plant and vegetable extracts.

Skate

Companies such as Backyard Skateboards, BambooSK8, Arbor and Comet Skateboards uses bamboo, poplar and maple to make their decks. Comet Skateboards even uses waterbase paints and manufactures their boards in the worlds only solar-powered skateboard company.

K2 Eco Protective Gear- K2 knows that protective gear may never be 100% renewable or recyclable, but they are confident that careful use of materials will help create a cleaner planet.

Habitat Skateboards Patchwork Organic t-shirt- Not only has habitat been committed to making green skateboards they also have a line of organic cotton T's.

IPath Shoes- IPATH promotes environmental sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations of skateboarders to come. Since the beginning, IPATH has offered alternative materials such as hemp, organic cotton, and other sustainable materials to their customers.

Vans Shoes- Eco friendly tropical jute fibers are woven into one tough shoe in the Plus Jute Era- Vans commitment to offering more sustainable construction techniques.

Accessories

Nixon Watch- This is recycling at it’s best. Thin strips of reclaimed skate decks. Nixon also has a solar powered option called the volta.

Dragon E.C.O sunglasses- The E.C.O. by Dragon is an initiative inspired by Rob Machado to actively investigate the method of making and manufacturing environmentally friendly sunglasses. The result is the first EVER pair of sunglasses with material made from 100% renewable origin. Includes FSC certified packaging and comes with 100% organic cotton bags, printed with water-based ink.

Volcom V.Co-Logical Full Stone Visor Beanie- By utilizing sustainable alternatives like organic cotton, vegetable dyes, organic stains, hemp and other low impact production methods, the Volcom V.Co-Logical Series incorporates progressive Volcom styling with an environmentally clear conscience.

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S-Trip! Staff Sponsored By Westbeach Snowboarding

Westbeach, Canada’s original  snowboard company has partnered with S-Trip!.  Our staff across Canada will be sporting the hottest gear in Montreal, Quebec City, Mont Tremblant and Big White.

Male Staff Jacket

S-Trip! Staff Sweaters

Female Staff Jacket

S-Trip! Cancun Party Package 2010

Get More Info or Sign Up!

The S-Trip! World Intern In The News

To see this article online visit  the Hamilton Spectator website

Stay tuned for more on Shane’s adventure @  www.s-trip.com/intern

Give a gift that gives back

S-Trip!’s partner UNICEF has a great new line of cards and gifts out for the holiday season!

With every gift comes a card so why not make it a card that helps people? It’s a great accompaniment to any holiday gift. ‘Tis the season of giving, after all.

Every UNICEF card or gift you purchase helps children in need all around the world.

Visit www.shopunicef.ca to see the selection and give the gifts that give back.

You can also find UNICEF cards at a Hallmark near you so don’t forget to grab one when you’re at the mall doing that last-minute holiday shopping!

Shane Cunningham Wins the S-Trip! World Intern Contest

Last week the three S-Trip! World Intern contest finalists were in Toronto competing for the chance to travel around the world with S-Trip! and MTV.  Shane Cunningham, Jo Gryfe and Mike Wenzlawe were put to the test with a variety of challenges including answering grueling world trivia questions, taste testing ethnic cuisines, and appearing on MTV Live.

It was a tough decision but when it all came down to it Shane Cunningham was chosen for the job!

Shane will embark on his travels this winter; his first stop is Montreal for New Years where he will help students, staff events and blog about it!  Check out the MTV Live tapings , fanpage photos and stay tuned for more on Shane’s upcoming adventures on the S-Trip! World Intern website.

Outerwear styles for 2010/11

Transworld Business is giving us a peek at what’s coming up around the corner for outerwear styles in 2010/11. Check out the shots for a few select pieces with Canadian ties.

Nomis – nomisdesign.com

Left: Men’s Logo Jacket and Men’s Denim Pant
Right: Women’s Asym Jacket and Women’s Denim Pant

O’Neill – oneill.com

Left: Men’s Seb Toots Signature Jacket and Men’s Hammer Pant
Right: Women’s Balloon Jacket and Women’s Envious Pant

Signal – signalsnowboards.com

Men’s Dufficy Pro Jacket and Men’s Radar Pant

Westbeach – westbeach.com

Men’s Ridge Runner Jacket and Men’s Gnarhartt Pant

Westbeach – westbeach.com

Women’s Caprive Jacket and Women’s Rendesvous Pant

Check out Transworld Business for more outerwear from Quiksilver, Burton, Billabong, Special Blend, Technine, Sound, Foursquare and many more.

2010 TransWorld SNOWboarding Good Wood Winners

Does the thought of powder and big air get you stoked? Have you been dreaming about riding a sweet new board at mountains like Big White or Mont Tremblant?

If you answered yes to these questions you should probably check out the boards that won the 2010 Good Wood board test. Transworld SNOWboarding magazine, reveals the 45 winning boards in the eleventh annual Good Wood Board Test. The results are broken down into categories including Top 10 Men’s And Women’s Under $399, Top 10 Men’s And Women’s Over $400, and Top 5 Best Pipe Boards.

“There isn’t a lot of good info available to riders looking to invest in a new snowboard,” said Annie Fast, TransWorld SNOWboarding’s editor-in-chief. “That’s why the Good Wood Test results are so important—we give our readers solid feedback on which boards ride the best, and we offer this info in price ranges available for every rider.”

Over 30 brands sent in a total of 450 boards to be tested last spring in Breckenridge, Colorado’s Park Lane Park, Freeway Superpipe, and the 2,400 vertical feet of all-mountain terrain on Peak 8. The 23 testers scored the boards based on characteristics that define a good board such as turning, flex, high-speed stability; and also those specific to park, pipe, or all-mountain boards.

You can read an overview on each winning board, tester comments, and complete tech stats in the 2010 Gear Guide or on the TransWorld website. Readers will be able to use the Good Wood results to find the perfect board whether they’re down for park riding, all-mountain freeriding, or shredding the pipe.

TransWorld SNOWboarding’s Good Wood Winners Are:

Top Ten Women’s Under $399:
Burton The Social
Capita Space Metal Fantasy
DC BFT
Endeavor Boyfriend Series
Gnu B-Nice BTX
K2 VaVaVoom Rocker
Rome Detail
Roxy Ollie Pop BTX
Signal Vita Park
Technine Women’s Jib

Top Ten Women’s Over $400:
Arbor Cadence
Burton Lipstick (All-Mountain)
Gnu B-Pro BTX (All-Mountain)
K2 EcoPOP (All-Mountain)
Lib Tech Skate Banana
Nitro T1
Rome Lo-Fi 1985 (All-Mountain)
Roxy Eminence BTX (All-Mountain)
Salomon Gypsy
Technine One Love

Top Ten Men’s Under $399:
Artec Gabe Taylor
Burton Blunt
Capita Horrorscope FK
Forum Youngblood Chillydog
K2 Darkstar
K2 WWW Rocker
Nitro Swindle
Omatic Extr-Eco Wigglestick
Salomon Drift
Rossignol Angus (All-Mountain)

Top Ten Men’s Over $400:
Burton Easy Livin’
Burton Custom V-Rocker (All-Mountain)
Burton Joystick (All-Mountain)
Forum Destroyer Chillydog
Gnu Park Pickle
K2 Parkstar
K2 Slayblade (All-Mountain)
Lib Tech Skate Banana
Nitro Rook
Ride Machete

Pipe:
Burton Vapor
Forum Seeker
Gnu Danny Kass BTX
Lib Tech TRS
Salomon Official

Check This Out!!

Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF

Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF

For the 2009 Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF, Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini has commissioned acclaimed Fashion Director, author and decoupage illustrator Michael Roberts to create a sequel to his highly successful children’s book, Snowman in Paradise, which was published in 2004. The new book, titled Snowman in Africa, will be exclusively on sale in Gucci stores and 100% of the retail price of the book will be donated to UNICEF. Concurrent with the launch of Snowman in Africa in-store, Giannini has also designed exclusive Gucci accessories including two joy bags, charms, and small leather goods, all of which are inspired by Michael Roberts’ magical illustrations featured in the book. Gucci will donate 25% of the retail price of these accessories to UNICEF in support of HIV and AIDS projects for children in Africa. Gucci accessories and Snowman in Africa will be sold in Gucci stores between November 16 and December 31, 2009.

A Very Unicef Halloween

The United Nations Childrens Fun, also known as UNICEF, focuses on child survival and development, education and gender equality, HIV/Aids,  and child protection on a global scale.  The organization works directly adolescence in communities in need, on-site in countries during crisis, and continues to communicate the urge for development to improve key social outcomes for children and families.  S-Trip! is very proud to be partnered up with such an incredible organization!

To Learn More Information About UNICEF, Or How To Get Involved In Your Community, Visit: www.unicef.org

Each year, the famous Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign happens on Halloween.  Millions of children in the US, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong and many other countries participate in this fundraising campaign where children go beyond collecting candy in scary costumes, to raise money to help children in need.  Many of you are probably familiar with the small orange UNICEF boxes you see children running around the streets with or hanging around your school and office.

This year,  the S-Trip! staff got decked out in their halloween costumes, whipped out their UNICEF boxes, and headed out to TTC subway stations to make a difference and collect some spare change!  We took part in a fun and educational campaign that allowed us

, and the people we interacted with, to gain a better understanding of some of the challenges that youth face around the world!  We rocked the subway with some music, danced, made new friends and helped kids in need!

UNICEF helps stage events to raise funds and increase awareness about various issues, and by participating in such events we all learn how we can help shape the world!

Roxy Camps in Whistler!

If you’ve ever thought about learning to snowboard or ski – or even improve your skills on that note – NOW’S THE TIME TO DO IT!  Roxy is back in full force this year offering their ski and snowboard camps in Whistler!  The camps are 2 days long and include lift tickets, morning snacks, evening events, tons of give a ways and are open to girls 18 and older!  You’ll have the opportunity to work with great coaches, ride in style with Boards, and of course – have a girls weekend! Wooo!

The camp dates on Blackcomb Mountain aree:

*December 12 – 13, 2009
*January 16 – 17, 2010
*March 6 – 7, 2010
*March 27 – 28, 2010
*April 10 – 11, 2010  - spring skiing? YES PLEASE!

Check out the Whistler site for more details and to get signed for you’re skiing or snowboarding girls weekend!

Getting equipped for your S-Trip! ski/snowboard getaway

S-Trip! gives students across Canada the opportunity to shred it up on the slopes at Big White in Kelowna and at Mont Tremblant and Mont Ste. Anne in Quebec! So if you like taking advantage of winter and having some fun in the snow, then you should definitely get booked on one of our ski trips. Browse our website for pricing and timing details.

Once you’re all officially booked and pumped to hit the slopes, then there’s some planning that needs to take place to make sure you’re all equipped.

Packing for your ski getaway can be intimidating when you open your closet and look at all of that gear (if you’re an avid skiier/snowboarder and already have gear) and even more intimidating for those who are amateurs visiting stores and checking out price tags and talking to associates about what you need. But it’s important to not let the packing gear part get you down because pretty soon you’ll be having tons of fun on packing snow (ha!)

So how do you go about packing boots, goggles, gloves, hats, helmets, jackets, lots of layers, pants, and socks too, lots of them, to keep those feet warm! And, most essential, is your actual gear — skis and poles or a snowboard, depending on your choice of snow sport.

There’s a method to packing in a way that will ensure you don’t forget anything. Here’s how:

• Pack your ski/snowboard clothing FIRST. And do so in order of how you put them on. This means undies and long underwear first (base layers), then your sweater or turtleneck (mid layer), and then a fleece jacket or something like that (insulating layer). Then come those snow pants we all used to wear in elementary school, which come in super handy on the hills because they fight away the coldness and wetness of the snow.

• Pack your ski accessories. Again, in order of what you’ll put on first. Fold those ski socks up — bring at least one pair for every day you’ll be on the slopes. Then comes your hat and/or helmet, a few pairs of gloves or mittens (usually gloves are a better bet because they allow for more mobility of the fingers and better grip, too). Then pack something to protect your neck from those wicked winds like a scarf or a neck gaiter, followed by goggles which will let you see better and protect your eyes from the wind, too. And something important that is sometimes easy to forget is stuff like sunscreen — sun reflects off of snow and I’ve gotten some bad sunburns because I didn’t bring this essential item along on my own snowboarding excursions.

• Pack the clothes you intend to wear when you’re not on the slopes — and make sure it’s cozy! Boots are essential because you’ll obviously be surrounded by snow and no one likes the feeling of soggy feet. But do your research too. Tremblant village, for example, has some pretty trendy restaurants and classy pubs so be sure to pack something fancier, yet still practical, for the evening. Nice jeans and a sweater will do.

• Pack your ski/snowboard equipment (if you have it). If you plan on renting it once you get there, then you have less to worry about. Bringing your own boots is a good idea though (take it from me, I have really small feet and it’s always been hard to find an accommodating size at the rental place on the slopes). But if you are taking your own equipment and you’re driving (which is usually the most convenient way) put your ski boots, skis and poles, or your snowboard boots and board, in the car. If you’re taking a bus (which is most likely the way you’ll be travelling with S-Trip!) , a ski bag is the way to go because it protects your poles and skis or snowboard. And to avoid possible hassles, label your bags with your name and number.

• Pack your lift tickets and any other necessary paperwork you may need in an easy to access place.

If you make a list or even follow this one, you’ll be completely equipped to enjoy yourself on wonderfully wintery getaway with S-Trip!

Book Your Winter Ski/Snowboard Trip Today!

– Amanda-Marie Quintino

Interac and Breakfast Television BFF Challenge

S-Trip!’s very own Jeff Batchelor was on Interac and Breakfast Televisions BFF Challenge for a chance to win $2000.

Our boy didn’t end up with the grand prize but still ended up with a $1000 consolation prize.

Check it out at:

http://site.btedmonton.ca/video/?bcpid=5189518001&bclid=5172038001&bctid=43967420001

BE the S-Trip! World Intern- Apply NOW!

ATTENTION INTREPID TRAVELERS AND GLOBE-TROTTERS:

THIS is that opportunity you’ve been searching for. It’s not the type of travel experience you find in a brochure or catalog — this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to country-hop courtesy of MTV Live and S-Trip!

Are you itching to get out of your hometown? Need a break from school? Want some good stories to tell? Looking for quality pictures to hang in your room? What better way to accomplish all of the above than by going around the world, right? All you have to do is submit a video answering a few questions, telling us and the voters why YOU would make the ideal S-Trip! World Intern and you might just be trekking around the globe very, very soon.

I work as a trip counselor, helping students put together their dream trip. Students can choose to shred it up on the slopes at Mont Tremblant and Big White, experience the constant culture and nightlife in the streets of Quebec City and Montreal, soak up the sun along the sandy beaches in Punta Cana, Cayo Coco or Cancun, walk along the cobblestones streets of Europe sight-seeing and shopping, and so so much more. Now, imagine being able to customize a whole year full of these types of adventures; to have the chance to do all that plus more while telling the world about it — that’s right, MTV will be documenting your travels. THAT’S what it would mean to be the S-Trip! intern!

The job would involve being a destination staffer in Kelowna, Quebec City, Montreal, Punta Cana and Cancun. Then, you’d embark on your own adventures, discovering France, Morocco, Greece, Hawaii, India and Thailand. Doesn’t really sound like work now does it? What it sounds like is the best job in the world — and it is!

When I visit schools, talk to students about travelling with us, they always tell me how cool my job is. And it is. But THIS one is even cooler. Don’t pass up this opportunity. It’ll be the trip of a lifetime.

We’re looking for a young and adventurous individual to represent S-Trippers on a special mission around the globe. Are you up to the task? Someone’s gotta do it. Click here to tell us why YOU should!

– Amanda-Marie Quintino

Travel the world with S-Trip! and MTV

Do you want the coolest job in the world? Do you have what it takes to be the S-Trip! Intern?

S-Trip! has teamed up with MTV to give you the opportunity to apply for the best job of all time- to be the S-Trip! world intern!

Have you fantasized about standing at the base of France’s Eiffel Tower? Hitting the Big White slopes? Tasting India’s flavourful foods in the country itself? If you apply for this job, S-Trip! and MTV will help make this fantasy a reality.

This dream job will give you the chance to work as an S-Trip! destination staff in five of North American’s vacation hot spots where you will take care of passengers, set up events, concerts and awesome excursions. You will also receive an around the world ticket to continue your travels to six amazing countries where you will explore beaches, hotels, pubs, restaurants and whatever else in search of the best potential places for future S-Trippers to visit. Surf, snorkel, sail, do just about anything while you’re globe-trotting courtesy of S-Trip! and MTV. And while you’re seeing the world, you’ll be keeping the world in your loop by blogging, snapping pictures and shooting videos, too!

So get shooting now! In order to enter, we want all of you out there dreaming of sand, sun and fun to tell us why YOU should be chosen to see the world with us!

No need to dream anymore! S-Trip! has been helping make student travel deals come true for over 30 years now. Apply and make yours come true!

Contest closes Oct 25!!!

Pack your pack lightly

You never want your pack to look like this. Pack right, pack light.

Once you’ve picked the perfect pack, the next challenge is being picky about what you bring with you on your adventure and how well you pack it.

When I was preparing to go to Egypt last summer, the most important thing for me was to be able to carry my pack on my back comfortably. I knew I’d obviously be breaking a sweat in the severe heat, but I wanted it to feel like I’d be able to carry it while strolling through the crowded streets of Cairo and treading along the sands of the White Desert. So I was picky. I packed light fabrics like linens. I packed as little clothes as possible. I packed lightly.

Oh, ALWAYS go with a backpack — and NEVER a suitcase. This is once of those instances that you say never. Suitcases are so passe, plus, lifting up a suitcase with nothing in it is already heavy.

So what are some of the secrets?

- Take practical and flexible clothes, the type of apparel that you can wear on a hike but you could also wear if you had to when going out for dinner. Pack simple colours and keep the climate in mind. If you’re going somewhere hot, for example, lighter shades such as whites and beiges and yellows make more sense. There are travel soaps you can buy so do that instead of taking a shirt for every day of your trip. Nothing wrong with re-wearing. People are focusing more on the sights than on your wardrobe after all.

- Shoes take up space and they’re awkward to pack, too. Try to take two pairs of comfy shoes — both of them good for walking. This way, you can be wearing a pair and you’ll only have to worry about packing the other. Runners and flip-flops for somewhere warm are the best.

- Don’t fold your clothes. Don’t lay it flat and straight. Trust me, I’ve experimented all the ways and rolling is best. Not just underwear and socks, but shirts and pants, too.  Roll everything in a tight ball. There may be some wrinkles to deal with later, but it’s better than lacking clothes.

- You don’t want spillages or the added weight from fabric toiletry baggies and such, so opt to use Ziploc bags. But not the ones with the zippers, the ones with the sliders. Disposable and essentially weightless.

- Take advantage of the fact that many companies make travel-sized products — toothpastes, shampoos, deodorants, etc. And don’t worry about running out. No matter where you are in the world, there will always be a place where you can find soap.

- I’m all about the preparedness. I’m a huge mother hen and like to be prepared with medical supplies since I myself am a huge klutz. So yes, I bring Advil and Band-aids and the like, but not a Costco-sized pack, just a handful of them.

- As far as electronics go, you quite obviously need a camera to document your travels. Make an effort to get a small one, the type that has one of those little straps you can wrap around your wrist and it’s effortless to carry around. That’s what I do and it’s never failed me. Also, when I went to Costa Rica a few summers back, binoculars were necessary for the beautiful wildlife like toucans and parrots and hummingbirds and monkeys and more, so my teensy weensy ones were worthwhile to pack.

- There’s nothing wrong with putting a few plastic bags in your pack for carrying your souvenirs in later. They’re weightless and don’t take up space until they’re filled up. You just have to be cognizant of the fact that those purchases are going to need space on the way home so either leave some or make some by chucking clothes or toiletries (that’s what I always do).

- Put all of your travel documents in one place. This is convenient but also saves space. Laugh, but I still rock the 80s-style fanny pouch but it works and since I carry it on my person, it doesn’t take up space elsewhere. It’s easy access, too.

– Amanda-Marie Quintino

Inspirational Holiday Courses

I love to sit at my desk and think of all the possible vacations I could go on.  Obviously I should be working – but when you’re planning trips for everyone,  all I can do is think about where I want to go!!  Some people enjoy taking all inclusive vacations down south and relaxing on the beach.  But if you’re anything like me, you like to be on the go!  I like adventures, sightseeing,  and participation/interacting with new cultures.  So I’m sitting at my desk, thinking of all the possible things I can do next – and I come across this:

Inspirational Holiday Courses.  

Sounds boring? Nuh uh.  Learn spanish and salsa in Malaga, Spain.  Take a sky diving course in New Zealand.  Take a few cooking classes, learn photography, check out different spas and learn Italian in Rome, Italy.  Take a cooking and scuba diving course in Thailand.  Learn to surf in Morrocco.  I could go on and on and on.  There are 38 countries you can visit and take part in creative, food and drinks, sports, languages and well being courses.  I don’t know about you, but this is pretty sick.

Next time you should be working:  google Inspirational Holiday Courses.