Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[cmyden]

Today's WestJet's Blue Tag is '40% off' flights to Florida.

It's resulting in some pretty decent prices for their non-stop flights. Orlando can be had for $380 roundtrip after taxes. September 28 to October 05 for example.

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/deal...blue-tag.shtml

The code expires at 6PM tonight.

Air Canada has matched: http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...l#.Uh-_eUc3HX9

[cmyden]

YYC Deals Alert: Calgary to Saudi Arabia - $771 roundtrip after taxes

http://www.yycdeals.com/calgary-to-s...ip-after-taxes

Thanks to a new route on Saudi Airlines from Toronto to Jeddah (JED), Calgary is currently experiencing some crazy price drops to Saudi Arabia via a connection through YYZ. The flights are over 40% cheaper than they've ever been before.

The cheap flights from Calgary to Saudi Arabia look to be available between November 2013 and March 2014, on a fairly large variety of date combinations within those months.

Google Flights Explorer is also showing some major price drops between Calgary and other destinations in the Middle East and India, related to this fare drop between Toronto and Jeddah.

Destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Jordan in the Middle East, and Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad in India.

Google Flights Explorer is showing these destinations as available for $800 to $900 roundtrip after taxes.

However, so far, I have yet to see these prices as verifying or being bookable. If anyone does find that they are bookable anywhere, please let me know.

UPDATE: It looks like you might be able to click through from Google Flights Explorer to Flight Network to make a booking to *some* of these other destinations. After selecting your flight with Google Flights Explorer, click on the Book button at the bottom left and choose Flight Network.

[cmyden]

Icelandair announces new flights from Vancouver and Edmonton - and some pretty crazy prices ($564 roundtrip after taxes from YEG, $683 from YVR)

http://yegdeals.com/edmonton-to-icel...ome-icelandair

http://yvrdeals.com/vancouver-to-iceland-683-roundtrip-after-taxes-and-welcome-icelandair

Wish they would have added Calgary as well! Maybe after the YYC expansion is complete.

Here's what they had to say about choosing Edmonton:

The Edmonton economy is strong with the 1.2 million inhabitants enjoying the rich natural resources of the area and creating a vibrant science- and academic community.

"We think we can offer very competitive service between Europe and Edmonton and are aiming for a full year service to the city“, says Birkir. Edmonton and Alberta have a sizable Scandinavian population and large numbers of people of Icelandic descent as well.

In addition Edmonton has the largest shopping mall in North America."

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by cmyden

YYC Deals Alert: Calgary to Saudi Arabia - $771 roundtrip after taxes

http://www.yycdeals.com/calgary-to-s...ip-after-taxes

Thanks to a new route on Saudi Airlines from Toronto to Jeddah (JED), Calgary is currently experiencing some crazy price drops to Saudi Arabia via a connection through YYZ. The flights are over 40% cheaper than they've ever been before.

The cheap flights from Calgary to Saudi Arabia look to be available between November 2013 and March 2014, on a fairly large variety of date combinations within those months.

Google Flights Explorer is also showing some major price drops between Calgary and other destinations in the Middle East and India, related to this fare drop between Toronto and Jeddah.

Destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Jordan in the Middle East, and Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad in India.

Google Flights Explorer is showing these destinations as available for $800 to $900 roundtrip after taxes.

However, so far, I have yet to see these prices as verifying or being bookable. If anyone does find that they are bookable anywhere, please let me know.

People... you all need to book flights and go to the above two places. Seriously, they're awesome!

[Table 5]

Man, some great options the last little while. Time to start planning.

[Dodsdomd]

Any Iceland input? Would a week be enough to get a little reasonable taste of the place? Was always known as a pretty expensive place. Is that still the case after 08?

[Kiran403]

Any tips on deals for flights from Calgary to Punta Cana Dec 15-22? I know it's the busy season so I'm not expecting much but anything on price would be helpful. Also, is there a reason why the flights leave at such odd times or else have really long layovers? All the flights I have seen so far fall into these categories.

[cmyden]

Will be busy tomorrow and might not have time to write up a blog post about it, but flights from YYC/YEG to Shanghai on Air Canada have dropped even further from their already record lows! They're now down to $694 roundtrip after taxes.

example:
http://www.kayak.com/flights/#/YYC-P...12-11-flexible

[mykalberta]

Just wondering if anyone has any helpful travel advice/tips for Spain.

I am flying into Barcelona, I am there for 10 days in the middle of October and just wondering if anyone has any tips on where else in Spain to go (will probably spend 2-3 days in Barcelona), hotel/rental/hostel ideas, tips on food - thanks.

Initial thought was spend 3 days in Barca, fly to Mallorca for 3 days then 4 days somewhere else. Has anyone been to Mallorca, is it worth it?

Thanks

[Violator]

Anybody fly from Calgary to Munich Germany before.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Violator

Anybody fly from Calgary to Munich Germany before.

Yes, last October. Questions?

[CaramonLS]

So I am looking for an affordable winter vacation to take with the GF - the only problem - she is a teacher, which basically restricts the flying time from Dec 21 - Jan 4.

Any suggestions?

I don't think I've found a single destination that hasn't doubled or tripled its normal prices during that time frame.

[GP_Matt]

This might be a bit random, but I am trying to get some info on Iraqi Airways. Their website doesn't seem to work and their flights don't seem to show up on any travel websites. I am looking for options between Amman and Erbil which Iraqi flies on a daily basis.

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

So I am looking for an affordable winter vacation to take with the GF - the only problem - she is a teacher, which basically restricts the flying time from Dec 21 - Jan 4.

Any suggestions?

I don't think I've found a single destination that hasn't doubled or tripled its normal prices during that time frame.

You and me both. We went a couple years ago to Cuba, left on December 28th I believe. It ended up being around $1400 but I forget when we booked. This year, the plan is to pick a set of dates that work for us, and then wait until the last week or so to book something to try and score a deal.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

So I am looking for an affordable winter vacation to take with the GF - the only problem - she is a teacher, which basically restricts the flying time from Dec 21 - Jan 4.

Any suggestions?

I don't think I've found a single destination that hasn't doubled or tripled its normal prices during that time frame.

December 21st to January 4th are two of the busiest days for sun travel in Canada, so I would say the biggest thing is to adjust the dates.

I am just guessing, but Vegas (before New Years) may be one option though, as it is not typically seen as a prime Christmas getaway...

[username]

I'm heading to South Africa in a couple of months - doing the usual touristy Cape Town, Garden Route and Kruger.

Just wondering if anyone has any good tips for things to do in Cape Town or along the Garden Route that might not be that well known. Or for the stuff that is pretty common to do, what did you like the most?

Thanks!

[cDnStealth]

I just booked a flight to Prague for November. I am heading to Krakow for a week but I'll have a day and a half to kill in Prague. I am thinking of visiting the bone chapel in Kutna Hora. Any other suggestions? Any must sees in Krakow aside from Auschwitz?

[Tron_fdc]

Looking for a recommendation here.

I am booking a honeymoon in January (dates are flexible), looking to spend around $8k for 10 days, all inclusive. Only catch is we will have a 5 month old baby, so the destination would have to be relatively close (within 4 hours per leg). Possibly YYC-YYZ, overnight, then somewhere else, and also have some kind of child care.

Looked at Turks and Caicos, but F me is it ever pricey for a mid level room. I'll spend the money if I have to, but I would think that for a 10 day hotel stay in T&C you could get something as good or better in Mexico or maybe Jamaica.

Anyone have a recommendation on resort? something along the lines of "best resort I've EVER been to"? I'm hoping a 1%er on here has something to say.....

[username]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Looking for a recommendation here.

I am booking a honeymoon in January (dates are flexible), looking to spend around $8k for 10 days, all inclusive. Only catch is we will have a 5 month old baby, so the destination would have to be relatively close (within 4 hours per leg). Possibly YYC-YYZ, overnight, then somewhere else, and also have some kind of child care.

Looked at Turks and Caicos, but F me is it ever pricey for a mid level room. I'll spend the money if I have to, but I would think that for a 10 day hotel stay in T&C you could get something as good or better in Mexico or maybe Jamaica.

Anyone have a recommendation on resort? something along the lines of "best resort I've EVER been to"? I'm hoping a 1%er on here has something to say.....

Stay at the Atlantis in the Bahammas - it's beautiful there and they cater to families.

[Tron_fdc]

Anyone know anything about this hotel in Cancun?

http://www.belovedhotels.com/