TRAVEL
Winter Getaways: How to Start Planning Your Perfect Vacation
CAA Niagara can make your winter vacation shine, whether you’re heading to a sunny sanctuary or a winter wonderland.
By Doug Wallace
“You can either escape the cold or embrace it.”
Beth Fleeton knows that Canadian travellers will be putting many different pins on the map this coming winter. “One size does not fit all,” adds the director of travel sales and experience at CAA Niagara. When it comes to planning and booking a unique experience — one that fits your needs exactly — well, that takes a little bit of extra care.
This is where CAA can step in to make your winter vacation. The Niagara experts not only know what some of the best winter destinations are, but they spend the time to help you discover what type of trip is right for you.
“It begins by listening,” Fleeton says. She and her team dig deep to learn everything they can about your travel style and trip expectations — whether you want relaxation, adventure, culture or sport, for example. “Once we find out the where and the when, our consultants look at our list of preferred partnerships — whether that’s coach tour companies, cruise lines or adventure-travel operators — many of which offer exclusive CAA travel benefits.”
Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile, has UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. | PHOTO: SNOWSCAT/ENVATO
Best places to vacation in the winter
Canadians looking for that sun-soaked escape have a multitude of white-sand beaches to consider, along with ample outdoor-adventure destinations. Ocean cruises to the Caribbean are also very popular with CAA Members, with expedition-style cruising currently on the rise to places like Patagonia or the Galapagos Islands. “We’re also seeing people shifting their plans to Portugal and Spain for extended stays instead of going to Florida or Arizona,” Fleeton says.
CAA can set you up with your ideal sun and sand vacation or cruise. | PHOTO: ADAM GONZALEZ/ENVATO
Winter vacations in Canada
For those gearing up for snow-filled fun, Western Canada ski holidays fit right into the “Canada now” travel attitude. “We’re seeing an explosion [of requests] for tours within Canada,” Fleeton says, “including Christmas markets in Québec City.” Further abroad, dozens of European Christmas market river cruises take travellers down some of the most storied rivers in Europe, yielding a much different experience than you would have in the summer.
Home is where the snow is — and CAA can help you find the ski resort of your dreams. | PHOTO: SERENA T/ENVATO
CAA Niagara Travel can help get you there
Even if you’re simply looking for a cozy retreat in the country somewhere, CAA can make it happen. “We can book absolutely anything that suits your specific need,” Fleeton says. Your worry-free winter vacation is ready and waiting — just reach out to a CAA Travel Consultant to help bring it to life.
A vacation of your choosing awaits — even if it’s just all about breakfast in bed. | PHOTO: NATALIE SUM/ENVATO
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CAA can set you up with your ideal sun and sand vacation or cruise. | PHOTO: ADAM GONZALEZ/ENVATO
Best places to vacation in the winter
Canadians looking for that sun-soaked escape have a multitude of white-sand beaches to consider, along with ample outdoor-adventure destinations. Ocean cruises to the Caribbean are also very popular with CAA Members, with expedition-style cruising currently on the rise to places like Patagonia or the Galapagos Islands. “We’re also seeing people shifting their plans to Portugal and Spain for extended stays instead of going to Florida or Arizona,” Fleeton says.
Home is where the snow is — and CAA can help you find the ski resort of your dreams. | PHOTO: SERENA T/ENVATO
Winter vacations in Canada
For those gearing up for snow-filled fun, Western Canada ski holidays fit right into the “Canada now” travel attitude. “We’re seeing an explosion [of requests] for tours within Canada,” Fleeton says, “including Christmas markets in Québec City.” Further abroad, dozens of European Christmas market river cruises take travellers down some of the most storied rivers in Europe, yielding a much different experience than you would have in the summer.
A vacation of your choosing awaits — even if it’s just all about breakfast in bed. | PHOTO: NATALIE SUM/ENVATO
CAA Niagara Travel can help get you there
Even if you’re simply looking for a cozy retreat in the country somewhere, CAA can make it happen. “We can book absolutely anything that suits your specific need,” Fleeton says. Your worry-free winter vacation is ready and waiting — just reach out to a CAA Travel Consultant to help bring it to life.