People around the world often wonder how we survive the harsh winter in this “Arctic circle” that we call “Canada.” Jim Carrey had a great comedy set on what it is like to live in Canada from his earlier stand-up comedy days. I have attached the link here for your enjoyment.
It is all about preparation. Parking your car in your garage (if you have one), or plugging it in outside. You need to buy all the gear – jacket, toque, mittens, boots, ski pants and keeping those with you at all times. You never want to be caught without those items if you have vehicle trouble in a cold winter day in Canada. Winter seems to drag on, (as the movie “Canadian Bacon” would infer, 11 months of the year) so make sure you enjoy the winter activities to pass the time. Otherwise, if you dread winter, it’ll just make it longer. That’s a fact.
If you are able, some people like to save their money and go on a winter holiday to escape this cold weather. Mexico, Hawaii, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Florida, California are a few hot spots (literally). This helps to break up the winter nicely, so what do you need to know before you go on this vacation.
Make sure you scout out your destination. Many places were hit hard by the recent hurricanes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected. Please help them out in any way you can as they work to rebuild. Next, check out the resort rating. Each resort has different amenities, so it’s important to do some research on what they offer beforehand. If you are a beach bum, make sure their beach is top-notch. If you are a “foodie,” make sure the resort has highly rated cuisine and a number of good restaurants nearby. Don’t expect all resorts to be the same and offer the same experience. Some are designed for younger people, some are for older people and some are for families; so pick the one that fits you best.
Once you have the resort you need to plan your luggage, flights, etc. This can be done easily online or through a travel agent, if you want reassurance. Travel agents will suggest other things you may not think about. Such as Trip Cancellation Insurance, Lost Baggage & Health Insurance. We can offer these options in our office as well.
We have a variety of companies that we can offer to help out with your needs. Such as Blue Cross, Group Medical (GMS) and Allianz Global Assistance. Please give us a call before your trip so we can set this up in advance. The last thing you want is to get hurt or sick on your vacation and end up with a medical bill that costs more than your trip itself.
We hope you enjoy this winter, whether you stick around in the cold and play some hockey or go to Hawaii to find some ‘gnarly’ waves. We want you to be prepared and stay safe.