WILL BE CHANGED TO A LATER DATE, to be announced.
AVENTURA!! to the Crystal Cave Museum in South River.
There is an artist village, a labyrinth, and the museum of minerals, fossils and crystals is spectacular and well worth going out of your way to see. This is a private collection collected personally over many years by a husband/wife team.
At 9 am, Carpool at Northgate across from the Urban Planet. (donation to the driver) and remember to bring a mask...and some money. There is a gift shop, an art gallery as well.
Admission is by donation ($5) Home by around 1 pm.
AVENTURA!! to the Crystal Cave Museum in South River.
There is an artist village, a labyrinth, and the museum of minerals, fossils and crystals is spectacular and well worth going out of your way to see. This is a private collection collected personally over many years by a husband/wife team.
At 9 am, Carpool at Northgate across from the Urban Planet. (donation to the driver) and remember to bring a mask...and some money. There is a gift shop, an art gallery as well.
Admission is by donation ($5) Home by around 1 pm.
AN AMAZING MYSTERY TOUR #21 - THANKS ELAINE FOR YOUR DETAILED PLANNING, THANK TO SANDRA LACHANCE FOR PHOTOS!
ALASKA!
Denali Mountain, Hubbard Glacier Fairbanks, cruising, salt pool, and, yes, zip-lining!
Note the look of total fear on my face as I prepare for (vertical drop over tree tops at 60 miles and hour in 1.5 minutes...then profound joy that I made it to the bottom!
Denali Mountain, Hubbard Glacier Fairbanks, cruising, salt pool, and, yes, zip-lining!
Note the look of total fear on my face as I prepare for (vertical drop over tree tops at 60 miles and hour in 1.5 minutes...then profound joy that I made it to the bottom!
A week of adventure on the Cranberry Trails & The Mystery Tour!
KINKY BOOTS TRIP WAS A BLAST!
FALL 2014 MYSTERY TOUR!
VIVE QUEBEC CITY!
L'Ile d'Orleans, Guy Carleton (Steve), the Italian connection, beautiful horticulture even if Fall.
Notre Dame Basilica-Photo by Jill Prisco
FALL MYSTERY TOUR...The Tri-town area!
featuring Cobalt and New Liskeard Agricultural Fair
SHAW FESTIVAL-MAY 2-4-2013...Awesome Trip
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
BOSTON/WASHNGTON TRIP! Awesome!
LIVING FIT TRAVEL ADVENTURES!
Chicago! June 2011
MYSTERY TOUR- FALL 2010
STRATFORD 2010
East Mediterranean Cruise..Beyond words!
TRAVEL TIPS (www.rbcinsurance.com/travel/travel-tips.html )
1. Give notice to your credit card company if you are going out of country.
2. If using debit card abroad, change your password to 4 # digits, if it is more than that.
3. Take 2 credit cards.
4. Take US travellers'cheques for cruise ship.
5. Take euros. (Rate is good right now). Order from bank 2 weeks in advance of trip.
6. Use up your euros and coins before you return.
7. Use new credit cards before you leave Canada.
8. Have some american dollars for tips.
9. Get your affairs in order,. (Power of Attorney, will, etc.)
10. Get out of country medical insurance.
11. Photocopy any ID/documents you are taking with you and give a copy to your travel mate as well as someone at home.
12. Carry a small safety purse that you can wear around your neck or waist.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE
LIVING FIT NOTES
My name is Daphne Mayne and I am fortunate to have lived this long, working in a profession I have enjoyed.
This morning I have been asked to give you some of my travel tips,, but considering that the majority of you are so well traveled that I prefer to think of this as sharing experiences and things we have all learned the hard way. So feel free to give me updated versions of everything.
I know that you are starting to feel excited about going to the Eastern Mediterranean and wondering what you should be taking with you.
My mother’s mantra was money, hankie, comb and key, but today we have to add documents and medication.
How much baggage and what to pack.
Air Canada allows you two pieces of checked baggage and one carry on bag. As a group you have been asked to limit yourselves to one suitcase, not more than 50 lbs, and one piece of carry on baggage. 50 lbs per suitcase is an Air Canada union rule so that check-in personnel do not suffer back injury lifting the suitcase that took two people to get into your car. The one suitcase limitation is to enable us to take everyone and their luggage by bus to and from Toronto, transfer by bus in Rome and then to the port. The good news is that it does allow for some extra things to be brought home in an expandable bag that you have taken with you, without excess baggage charges.
A reminder here that cabins are not overly big. When ladies travel with male partners they probably feel entitled to 80% of the available space in closet and drawers. When traveling with another lady please observe the 50% rule, which also includes the bathroom cabinets. There is a laundromat on board which takes care of immediate laundry. And suitcases stowed under the beds accommodate overflow
Documents.
Passport and photo copies of your passport. Passport will be taken from you on the ship and you will receive a ship’s ID card that must be carried at all times.
Name, address and phone number of your next of kin. And also the phone number for Mayne Travel (705 474-1532) which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so if anything is bothering you can reach us. For security reasons we do not give your travel information to anyone calling in, so do leave a copy of your itinerary with whoever is looking after your cat and any relatives that may want to know where you are. These relatives and friends are the same people who will be strangely uninterested in your 1000 digital photos of your trip, but more of that later.
Please have a list of your medications, preferably the one you get from the pharmacy. This will facilitate things if you lose your bag and need medication, and also help you explain to the Customs Officer what packages of pills you have in your possession. And yes, the re-sale value of Oxycontin is about $80.00 per pill, but do not take more than you need in the hope of making vacation money. You don’t want them to let the sniffer dogs out on you.
Money.
My husband Peter used to say, take half the clothes and twice the money, but in todays world there are all kinds of ways to access your money. First of all remember that the on-board currency of the ship is US Dollars. Immediately you get on board you should establish your credit with the Purser’s Office by means of credit card, travelers cheques, or a cash deposit. Everything you buy on board will be charged to your cabin, and the day before disembarkation you will receive an itemized bill which you must pay before leaving the ship. Be sure to keep all the charge slips you receive during the voyage, so that you can check things off easily. It is a computerized world.
If you are using a Canadian dollar credit card, the charges are routed through New York where they will pick up a couple of percentage points on the exchange. If you travel frequently my advice is to get a US$ credit card which is also handy for things you buy on the Internet.
Travellers cheques are still the safest way to handle money. The purser’s office will cash cheques, issue US dollars or Euros without service charge. They will also give you change for the on board laundry, and the slot machines and the sightseeing guides.
On shore you will find ATM machines in the port area, but my advice is to have friends crowd around you so that your pass numbers cannot be noted by unlawful people. Be sure to check with your bank that your debit card will work in the countries you are visiting, and also ask the cost of this service. It is a good idea to let your credit card company know where you will be on vacation so that they do not cancel your card because of “unusual activity”. It happens.
Tipping
When cruising there is a daily service charge for the crew and this has been added in with the cost of your ticket. Next question, who else might you need to tip and how much. The Maitre D’ is in charge of the dining room. If he has assisted you in seating arrangements or special dietary requirements, or if you just admire the way he runs the dining room and his welcoming smile, a personal tip of $5.00 or $10.00 would be OK. The Sommelier would expect a small recompense if you wish to consult with him on where the grape is grown or how dry is sec. Personally I divide my wines into white, red, pink or fizzy and I let them add a service charge to the glass or bottle.
Don’t forget that the Deck Steward can be extremely helpful in saving you a chaise on the shady side of the pool, and bringing forth fresh towels at a nod. Also noticing the look that calls for Mai Tais or Pina Coladas at regular intervals.
The Cabin Steward has been tipped and you would only pay extra if you have required additional services such as clean up after wild drunken revels.
On this cruise there are no Dance Hosts, those classy looking gentlemen with perfect manners who can dance every type of dance at the regulation nine inches from your body.
Another cruise perhaps. And they do not accept tips in public.
Most of you will have prepaid your sightseeing tours. There will be instructions about getting onto the right bus and also getting back on board before the ship sails. And believe me they will leave without you. Food and drink on shore is a topic that often comes up. Because you are well traveled people I am sure I do not need to tell you to resist street meat no matter how good it smells. When you leave the ship there are usually bottles of water for sale, and it is a convenient $2.00 well spent. You can fill your water bottle from the cabin because the ship’s water is purified. Your choice.
Since the food on-board will include early morning on-deck coffee and buns, breakfast in the dining room or cafeteria, lunch by the pool, the cafeteria or the dining room, afternoon tea, dinner, and late night food in the disco, as well as an all-day pizzeria, you will likely not be hungry if you leave the ship for half a day. If you are worried, put one of the breakfast buns in your pocket or buy a chocolate bar from the ship’s variety store.
Tips for the guides on the sightseeing buses are sometimes overlooked but it is the custom to tip a couple of dollars or a Euro for half a day, more for a full day. Before I tip I do require them to be fluent in English, clearly spoken with good general knowledge of the area and able to answer questions. The driver usually shares tips with the guide, or you can tip him separately if he has been helping people on and off the bus for photo opportunities. Never tip anyone in Canadian money.
There are always the more adventurous who want to walk around on their own. If you don’t speak the language or know the history, you won’t get much except a chance to be harassed by local entrepreneurs, or would-be personal guides. If you stop for coffee and are approached by a handsome fellow who seems immediately attracted to you and the fact that you are from Canada a place he has always wanted to visit, first re-assure yourself that you did not change into Angelina Jolie overnight, and then ask how much he charges and whether he takes credit cards.
The same word of caution when hiring a local taxi to take you around. Exactly how much English does the driver speak, apart from Hello and get in. Does he have a tourist guide certificate. And do establish the price with the help of the shipboard staff.
Be sparing with the amount of cash you take ashore. Your duty free allowance is $750.00 but think carefully about what you are planning to buy. Before you leave I suggest that you window shop locally to judge the proper amount to pay for various items. Do not buy gold, or precious gems in tourist areas unless you feel qualified to appraise them correctly. There will likely be a jewellery sale on board ship, but know the value and get a certificate of authenticity.
In Ephesus do not make eye contact with the carpet salesmen unless you have a need for a carpet. They are charming, relentless, polite, tenacious and will never let you go until you give in. I tell you this as the owner of a beautiful $2,300.00 carpet that is languishing at my cottage, and yes, he even took a cheque.
Money belts are not something I like. A simple purse that hangs down inside your top is as good as anything. Be sure to carry a small pack of tissues and a small bottle of sanitizer in case you have to visit an overused toilet with local atmosphere. The one ambition that I still have is to write a book entitled “Washrooms around the world that I have known and loved”.
What to wear. Take a hat with a broad brim, a collapsible umbrella, and your regular walking shoes. In these countries modesty in dress is considered polite and a headscarf and a sleeved top are best for religious places. In the Eastern Mediterranean there are not a lot of trees to trap the midday heat, and nights are cool. Take a warm chunky sweater, wearing it to travel in if you want to save space. It is Spring, so a light raincoat also makes sense. Good Luck with the plastic ponchos. And definitely no tight short mini-skirts. Ooops.
I am not a fashion guru, and in today’s cruise world, anything goes. However the ship will advise you of what to wear for dining, such as formal for the Captain’s Dinner, semi-formal, or casual. In the main dining room you should always be chic. No tube tops, saucy t-shirts, or short shorts. There will likely be a theme night such as a Sock Hop, or Disco, but on shorter cruises they stay away from outright fancy dress up. Shops on board will have wonderful stuff. Reference the saucy t-shirt, I always like to share the slogan on the t-shirt I did not buy in Acapulco. “Natural insemination while you wait”
Spa facilities on board ship will have a marvellous, “I deserve this”, ambiance. They are not inexpensive and I suggest having a spa day with the manicure, pedicure, facial before you leave home. If you do plan to have the rose petal bath, or have someone walk on your back, enjoy, and sign the tab without regret. Hair appointments need to be made well ahead.
Cameras. Digital cameras with the ability to have hundreds of shots without buying film are a marvel of our times. Make sure you know how to use yours. There is a computer room on board ship where you can transfer those photos home by email or put them on a disc. I offer a personalized course on how to get people to look at your photos.
Computer time is pricy so if you want to send long emails to family, take a moment to prepare what you want to say before you start. Keyboard hovering is expensive.
Telephone calls from the ship cost money. At each port you will find public telephones on shore where you can use your phone or credit card. There will also likely be Internet Cafes close by as well. Sign on for Hotmail or some such before you leave home.
So what else can I possibly tell you. You are going on a wonderful vacation with masses of fantastic stuff to see and do. The sightseeing will be spectacular, the ship and all its on board activities will inspire you, the food and drink will be beyond expectations and best of all you will be traveling in good company.
Take care of one another and enjoy. Daphne Mayne
My name is Daphne Mayne and I am fortunate to have lived this long, working in a profession I have enjoyed.
This morning I have been asked to give you some of my travel tips,, but considering that the majority of you are so well traveled that I prefer to think of this as sharing experiences and things we have all learned the hard way. So feel free to give me updated versions of everything.
I know that you are starting to feel excited about going to the Eastern Mediterranean and wondering what you should be taking with you.
My mother’s mantra was money, hankie, comb and key, but today we have to add documents and medication.
How much baggage and what to pack.
Air Canada allows you two pieces of checked baggage and one carry on bag. As a group you have been asked to limit yourselves to one suitcase, not more than 50 lbs, and one piece of carry on baggage. 50 lbs per suitcase is an Air Canada union rule so that check-in personnel do not suffer back injury lifting the suitcase that took two people to get into your car. The one suitcase limitation is to enable us to take everyone and their luggage by bus to and from Toronto, transfer by bus in Rome and then to the port. The good news is that it does allow for some extra things to be brought home in an expandable bag that you have taken with you, without excess baggage charges.
A reminder here that cabins are not overly big. When ladies travel with male partners they probably feel entitled to 80% of the available space in closet and drawers. When traveling with another lady please observe the 50% rule, which also includes the bathroom cabinets. There is a laundromat on board which takes care of immediate laundry. And suitcases stowed under the beds accommodate overflow
Documents.
Passport and photo copies of your passport. Passport will be taken from you on the ship and you will receive a ship’s ID card that must be carried at all times.
Name, address and phone number of your next of kin. And also the phone number for Mayne Travel (705 474-1532) which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so if anything is bothering you can reach us. For security reasons we do not give your travel information to anyone calling in, so do leave a copy of your itinerary with whoever is looking after your cat and any relatives that may want to know where you are. These relatives and friends are the same people who will be strangely uninterested in your 1000 digital photos of your trip, but more of that later.
Please have a list of your medications, preferably the one you get from the pharmacy. This will facilitate things if you lose your bag and need medication, and also help you explain to the Customs Officer what packages of pills you have in your possession. And yes, the re-sale value of Oxycontin is about $80.00 per pill, but do not take more than you need in the hope of making vacation money. You don’t want them to let the sniffer dogs out on you.
Money.
My husband Peter used to say, take half the clothes and twice the money, but in todays world there are all kinds of ways to access your money. First of all remember that the on-board currency of the ship is US Dollars. Immediately you get on board you should establish your credit with the Purser’s Office by means of credit card, travelers cheques, or a cash deposit. Everything you buy on board will be charged to your cabin, and the day before disembarkation you will receive an itemized bill which you must pay before leaving the ship. Be sure to keep all the charge slips you receive during the voyage, so that you can check things off easily. It is a computerized world.
If you are using a Canadian dollar credit card, the charges are routed through New York where they will pick up a couple of percentage points on the exchange. If you travel frequently my advice is to get a US$ credit card which is also handy for things you buy on the Internet.
Travellers cheques are still the safest way to handle money. The purser’s office will cash cheques, issue US dollars or Euros without service charge. They will also give you change for the on board laundry, and the slot machines and the sightseeing guides.
On shore you will find ATM machines in the port area, but my advice is to have friends crowd around you so that your pass numbers cannot be noted by unlawful people. Be sure to check with your bank that your debit card will work in the countries you are visiting, and also ask the cost of this service. It is a good idea to let your credit card company know where you will be on vacation so that they do not cancel your card because of “unusual activity”. It happens.
Tipping
When cruising there is a daily service charge for the crew and this has been added in with the cost of your ticket. Next question, who else might you need to tip and how much. The Maitre D’ is in charge of the dining room. If he has assisted you in seating arrangements or special dietary requirements, or if you just admire the way he runs the dining room and his welcoming smile, a personal tip of $5.00 or $10.00 would be OK. The Sommelier would expect a small recompense if you wish to consult with him on where the grape is grown or how dry is sec. Personally I divide my wines into white, red, pink or fizzy and I let them add a service charge to the glass or bottle.
Don’t forget that the Deck Steward can be extremely helpful in saving you a chaise on the shady side of the pool, and bringing forth fresh towels at a nod. Also noticing the look that calls for Mai Tais or Pina Coladas at regular intervals.
The Cabin Steward has been tipped and you would only pay extra if you have required additional services such as clean up after wild drunken revels.
On this cruise there are no Dance Hosts, those classy looking gentlemen with perfect manners who can dance every type of dance at the regulation nine inches from your body.
Another cruise perhaps. And they do not accept tips in public.
Most of you will have prepaid your sightseeing tours. There will be instructions about getting onto the right bus and also getting back on board before the ship sails. And believe me they will leave without you. Food and drink on shore is a topic that often comes up. Because you are well traveled people I am sure I do not need to tell you to resist street meat no matter how good it smells. When you leave the ship there are usually bottles of water for sale, and it is a convenient $2.00 well spent. You can fill your water bottle from the cabin because the ship’s water is purified. Your choice.
Since the food on-board will include early morning on-deck coffee and buns, breakfast in the dining room or cafeteria, lunch by the pool, the cafeteria or the dining room, afternoon tea, dinner, and late night food in the disco, as well as an all-day pizzeria, you will likely not be hungry if you leave the ship for half a day. If you are worried, put one of the breakfast buns in your pocket or buy a chocolate bar from the ship’s variety store.
Tips for the guides on the sightseeing buses are sometimes overlooked but it is the custom to tip a couple of dollars or a Euro for half a day, more for a full day. Before I tip I do require them to be fluent in English, clearly spoken with good general knowledge of the area and able to answer questions. The driver usually shares tips with the guide, or you can tip him separately if he has been helping people on and off the bus for photo opportunities. Never tip anyone in Canadian money.
There are always the more adventurous who want to walk around on their own. If you don’t speak the language or know the history, you won’t get much except a chance to be harassed by local entrepreneurs, or would-be personal guides. If you stop for coffee and are approached by a handsome fellow who seems immediately attracted to you and the fact that you are from Canada a place he has always wanted to visit, first re-assure yourself that you did not change into Angelina Jolie overnight, and then ask how much he charges and whether he takes credit cards.
The same word of caution when hiring a local taxi to take you around. Exactly how much English does the driver speak, apart from Hello and get in. Does he have a tourist guide certificate. And do establish the price with the help of the shipboard staff.
Be sparing with the amount of cash you take ashore. Your duty free allowance is $750.00 but think carefully about what you are planning to buy. Before you leave I suggest that you window shop locally to judge the proper amount to pay for various items. Do not buy gold, or precious gems in tourist areas unless you feel qualified to appraise them correctly. There will likely be a jewellery sale on board ship, but know the value and get a certificate of authenticity.
In Ephesus do not make eye contact with the carpet salesmen unless you have a need for a carpet. They are charming, relentless, polite, tenacious and will never let you go until you give in. I tell you this as the owner of a beautiful $2,300.00 carpet that is languishing at my cottage, and yes, he even took a cheque.
Money belts are not something I like. A simple purse that hangs down inside your top is as good as anything. Be sure to carry a small pack of tissues and a small bottle of sanitizer in case you have to visit an overused toilet with local atmosphere. The one ambition that I still have is to write a book entitled “Washrooms around the world that I have known and loved”.
What to wear. Take a hat with a broad brim, a collapsible umbrella, and your regular walking shoes. In these countries modesty in dress is considered polite and a headscarf and a sleeved top are best for religious places. In the Eastern Mediterranean there are not a lot of trees to trap the midday heat, and nights are cool. Take a warm chunky sweater, wearing it to travel in if you want to save space. It is Spring, so a light raincoat also makes sense. Good Luck with the plastic ponchos. And definitely no tight short mini-skirts. Ooops.
I am not a fashion guru, and in today’s cruise world, anything goes. However the ship will advise you of what to wear for dining, such as formal for the Captain’s Dinner, semi-formal, or casual. In the main dining room you should always be chic. No tube tops, saucy t-shirts, or short shorts. There will likely be a theme night such as a Sock Hop, or Disco, but on shorter cruises they stay away from outright fancy dress up. Shops on board will have wonderful stuff. Reference the saucy t-shirt, I always like to share the slogan on the t-shirt I did not buy in Acapulco. “Natural insemination while you wait”
Spa facilities on board ship will have a marvellous, “I deserve this”, ambiance. They are not inexpensive and I suggest having a spa day with the manicure, pedicure, facial before you leave home. If you do plan to have the rose petal bath, or have someone walk on your back, enjoy, and sign the tab without regret. Hair appointments need to be made well ahead.
Cameras. Digital cameras with the ability to have hundreds of shots without buying film are a marvel of our times. Make sure you know how to use yours. There is a computer room on board ship where you can transfer those photos home by email or put them on a disc. I offer a personalized course on how to get people to look at your photos.
Computer time is pricy so if you want to send long emails to family, take a moment to prepare what you want to say before you start. Keyboard hovering is expensive.
Telephone calls from the ship cost money. At each port you will find public telephones on shore where you can use your phone or credit card. There will also likely be Internet Cafes close by as well. Sign on for Hotmail or some such before you leave home.
So what else can I possibly tell you. You are going on a wonderful vacation with masses of fantastic stuff to see and do. The sightseeing will be spectacular, the ship and all its on board activities will inspire you, the food and drink will be beyond expectations and best of all you will be traveling in good company.
Take care of one another and enjoy. Daphne Mayne