Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[cgygotjacked2004]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Calgary to Newark, NJ - $265 CDN

May 2 to 3,4,5,6 or 7.

Can see it at http://www.westjet.com

Round trip, including tax!

That's INSANE DEAL!!! Too bad I missed it. I paied $400 last year and thought that was a deal.

New York is a must see!

[3thirty]

When can you start finding sun deals for next winter?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Draug

US Airways also flys from Calgary to Hawaii (thanks to the poster who pointed out that to me). They were a little cheaper, like $30, but I went with Westjet due to familiarity.

Wouldn't that just be the AC flight? I'm pretty sure US Airways just codeshares on the route.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by 3thirty

When can you start finding sun deals for next winter?

As in all inclusive deals? For December 2010 I'd say probably around late Oct/Nov.

[Vicrog13]

I have some friends who want to fly over to Calgary from London (Uk) for the Stampede. They also would like to stop off in New York either on the way here on the way back. Where would be the best place to look for these fairs and also will the Stampede effect the prices?
Cheers

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Vicrog13

I have some friends who want to fly over to Calgary from London (Uk) for the Stampede. They also would like to stop off in New York either on the way here on the way back. Where would be the best place to look for these fairs and also will the Stampede effect the prices?
Cheers

I'm not sure how much the Stampede impacts prices into YYC, but definitely the fact that it's July, which is peak travel time, certainly will.

You'd probably want to keep your eye on Air Transat and the charters (Thomas Cook)

Bookmark this page:

http://www.canadianaffair.com/en/flight-special-offers/

It's too early for July deals (if there are to be any).

Right now flights from North America to Europe are really expensive, not sure what exactly the prices have been like for the reverse trip, but probably is expensive as well.

[cmyden]

For those that missed out on the WestJet deal to Newark, Air Canada and Delta have responded...

Calgary to Newark, NJ - $265 CDN

May 2-7

Can see it on Kayak for $245 USD

AirCanada.com for $264.99 CDN

Delta.com for $272 CDN

I believe Air Canada is who you'll want though, because they're direct.

cM

[anyonebutedmonton]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

I used Hi Ho travel in February. My flight went from Calgary to Beijing through Vancouver return and also included an inter-China flight from Beijing to Shantou return for $1400. All flights were on Air Canada/Air China.

Someone did the U of C trip last year... East Gate FTW!

Originally Posted by cmyden

For those that missed out on the WestJet deal to Newark, Air Canada and Delta have responded...

Calgary to Newark, NJ - $265 CDN

May 2-7

Can see it on Kayak for $245 USD

AirCanada.com for $264.99 CDN

Delta.com for $272 CDN

I believe Air Canada is who you'll want though, because they're direct.

cM

Thanks! Got it this time around! Not sure how accomodating NY will be for lugging around an 11 month old

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Thanks! Got it this time around! Not sure how accomodating NY will be for lugging around an 11 month old

Nice! The area around Times Square can be really crowded, but other than that it shouldn't be too much different than walking around Calgary, just bigger, noisier, and perhaps a little smellier, but it's awesome. NYC is one of the only cities I ever felt a real desire to go back and see right away, there's just so much to see and do.

The subway is the key to getting around quickly and efficiently, pick a hotel that is close to a station.

Top 5 must see/do things in NY?

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Top 5 must see/do things in NY?

We had a pretty jam packed 5 days, but here's what we managed to fit in...

1. Broadway show. Don't pay full price, discounts are everywhere. Maybe not something an 11 month old would be down for.

2. Take the free Staten Island ferry, it goes right by the Statue of Liberty. Don't waste your time trying to go up the statue, it'll take up your whole day. The view coming back of the NY skyline is great.

3. Go for a walk along the Brooklyn bridge. Stop for pizza underneath it at Grimaldi's Pizza, consistently rated the best in NYC, which is no small feat.

4. Dave Letterman show. Applied for tickets well in advance, had to answer a skill-testing question when they called, luckily I answered and not the girlfriend who had no idea who owned the Hello Deli.

5. Walking through Central Park. Huge. Rent a tandem bike for pure cheesiness.

6. Yankees game. Can't imagine how much the beer must be now, believe it was $8 when we went.

7. Famous stores/buildings along 5th ave (Tiffany's, Macy's, Trump Tower, etc). Recreate the scene from Big on the giant piano at FAO Schwarz, a toy store you'll want to check out.

8. Food. Do some research, find some great places to eat, some of the best food in the world is here, and probably cheaper than Calgary.

9. Lower Manhattan / Financial district. Maybe shouldn't be on the top 10 list but fun to text people and tell them you're on Wall St.

10. All the different boroughs/neighborhoods, ie: SOHO, Little Italy, Brooklyn, Greenwich village

Hard to believe we fit all that in + the U.S. Open quarterfinals (Agassi/Blake 2005, with Agassi coming back from 2 sets down to win with a crowd going absolutely nuts at Arthur Ashe for anyone that remembers that epic match) + saw DJ Jonathan Peters at the legendary Roxy Nightclub.

And I *still* felt like I missed out on a lot! Didn't even get a chance to check out a single museum.

Truly an amazing city!

[getbak]

Observation deck at 30 Rock. Great view and much less crowded than the Empire State Building (with the added advantage of having an actual view of the ESB).

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by getbak

Observation deck at 30 Rock. Great view and much less crowded than the Empire State Building (with the added advantage of having an actual view of the ESB).

How did I forget the Empire State Building?! Just one other tip, we read that if you go at night just before closing it's way less crowded (and it was, there was no line) And the NYC skyline at night is awesome!

[cmyden]

Chicago prices just had a decent drop for late Jan/early Feb. Calgary to Chicago - $322 USD all in on US Airways. (Jan 19-27 is one example)

And for those that might be looking for a ski trip... same thing, but to Denver $322 USD on US Airways Jan 19-26/27 or Jan 26 - Feb 2/3 or Feb 2/3 to 9/10.

Two hub cities that don't normally see many price drops.

cM

[cgygotjacked2004]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Thanks! Got it this time around! Not sure how accomodating NY will be for lugging around an 11 month old

Booked.. thanks for the tip.. cant wait for the pizza

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by cmyden

8. Food. Do some research, find some great places to eat, some of the best food in the world is here, and probably cheaper than Calgary.

thats true!! We ate at a place in little italy on a suggestion from one of my wife's dance friends. It was the best food I have ever had. We went a lunch and it was a lil hole in the wall. ALl i ordered was some pasta in garlic sauce. They brought out 3 wines to choose from , a lot of bread , and the plate of pasta was huge..... and did i mention freaking incredible. My wife had the spaghetti and meat balls and loved it .. we were so freaking full we didnt wanna leave cause we have to walk ... the best part! the bill for lunch for both of us and after i left a tip was less that 18 bucks for the both of us !

[cmyden]

Calgary to Atlanta - $257 USD

Jan 26 - Feb 2 (or 26 - 3 for $10 more)

US Airways

1 stop each way.

Round trip incl taxes.

Should also note you can choose to come back from Memphis, Tennessee instead of Atlanta for the same price. God knows why you'd want to do an Atlanta -> Memphis road trip though but I don't judge.

cM

[Wookie]

Thanks cmyden for the Hawaii comments.

Now looking @ late april. Have the place already so no lodging requirements.

[jjbouma]

Originally Posted by anyonebutedmonton

Someone did the U of C trip last year... East Gate FTW!

We are still legends on the STU campus.. regulators be regulatin'