• 23 Jan 2010 /  Travel Advisories

    Although a passport has always been recommended for international travel, as of March 1, 2010 passports will be required for entry to Mexico.  Canadians without valid passports will be returned to Canada.

    According to the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, there have already been reports of some airlines refusing to board Canadians without a valid passort despite the official entry requirement not yet being in place.   As such it would be advisable for Canadians travelling to Mexico before March 1, 2010 to ensure that they have a valid passport for their trip.

  • 23 Jan 2010 /  Travel Advisories

    CATSA has revised the official carry-on regulations effective January 20.  The new regulations are very similar to the old (pre-December bombing attempt) regulations, although very slightly different.  It appears as though the biggest differences entail a limitation on the size of laptop cases and purses.

    Passengers are now allowed to bring one carry-on, and one personal item.  “carry-on baggage is limited to a size of 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (22 in x 16 in x 9 in), which is equivalent to the size of a small gym bag”.   Carrying cases for laptops must be limited to holding the laptop and accessories only, cases with expandable pockets, wheels, backpack style cases will count as your carry-on bag.
    More information on the new regulations can be found on the CATSA website:

    http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/Page.aspx?ID=78&pname=carryonbaggage_bagagedecabine&lang=en

    http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/infosheets-menu-5811.htm

    Tags: ,

  • 31 Dec 2009 /  Travel Advisories

    In response to the recent terrorist attempt in Detroit, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in cooperation with the US TSA has implemented new temporary carryon restriction for flights to the US.   These restrictions are expected to last for at least the next several days.  From the CATSA website:

    U.S.A. bound passengers are permitted zero carry-on bags effective immediately and lasting for several days. Passengers travelling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags (although to make the screening process most efficient, fewer carry-on items is preferred).

    These rules will be strictly enforced during this period. There will be no flexibility.

    Carry-on bag means items to which a passenger has access to during a flight, but does NOT include personal items such as small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments, or any special needs items.

    For more information please consult the CATSA website.

    Expect delays as passengers who have no complied with the new regulations will have to go back to the airline checkin counter to check their carryon bags, resulting in longer security lines.  Some airlines are currently waiving their additional baggage fees in an effort to accommodate the new security restriction.  Please check with your airline for their policy.

    Tags: , ,

  • 05 Dec 2009 /  Updates

    We’re very proud to announce the long-awaited debut of our new photo gallery!  There aren’t many photos on there at the moment as we’re busily preparing for our Annual Christmas Party Tour that leaves tomorrow, but keep checking back as we’ll be adding new photos regularly.  And be sure to check it after December 9 for pictures from this year’s Christmas Party trip!  The photo gallery has some very exciting features, including the ability to send a photo as an e-card – perfect for sharing memories and moments of the trip with your friends and family!  It also allows registered users to upload their own photos, so if you have pictures from the tours or from trips that we’ve booked for you we’d love to see them!  User registrations and photo uploads do require approval so there may be a delay in getting those approved when we’re escorting tours.

    Come check out the gallery at http://gallery.eastontours.com!

    Tags: ,

  • I recently went on a little road trip to check out a few properties I haven’t been to before with an eye to possible future bus tour destinations.

    The first place I went was the Black Bear casino in Minnesota, which many of our clients have been to but we haven’t yet planned a tour there.  I found the property to be very nice, the tower room was quite comfortable.  I did have a problem with the bright lights illuminating the outside of the tower though, it was impossible to completely block them out at night despite using a table to try and keep the drapes closed.  I understand they have other, older rooms in the shorter section of the hotel that likely wouldn’t have the same problem but they aren’t as close to the lobby which might be an issue for those with mobility problems.   The buffet was alright, I found of the items were quite nice and some I didn’t care for but that’s to be expected with pretty much any buffet.   The casino had a good variety of machines including some that hadn’t seen for a while, like The Pink Panther in Egypt.   Gift shop was okay, and there are some good shopping options nearby including a Walmart Superstore in a nearby town and of course a number of stores in Duluth.
    Blackbear hotel lobby
    Next stop was the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino in Northern Minnesota.  I really liked this property and I’m trying to think of what the right kind of group for it would be.  It’s a little small and out of the way for a dedicated gambling tour, but the location itself is lovely.  The casino is small and doesn’t have a huge variety of machines but it does have bingo and tends to offer some specials for Canadians.  The restaurant was basic but good.  One thing I was very impressed about with the hotel was that I accidently left my jacket in the room and they were kind enough to mail it back to me!  The hotel room itself was quite comfortable, and I had a lovely view of the lake.  Behind the casino/hotel is a very nice open area beside the water, and some walking trails to explore.  The hotel has a naturist on staff and offers interpretive programs daily.  In addition there’s a national monument close by, a trading fort very much like Lower Fort Garry here in Manitoba, which was very interesting to visit.
    Grand Portage Lodge & Casino Grand Portage naturist programs

    View from my room window by the lake Grand Portage national monument
    On the way home I stopped at the Amethyst mine just outside Thunder Bay and brought home some very nice specimens for the garden and my office.

    Amethyst rocks on the ground

  • 26 Jun 2009 /  Travel Advisories

    The following travel advisory updates have been issued by the Canadian government in the last week:
    Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: ,

  • 25 Jun 2009 /  General

    I recently attended the Vacation.com conference in Las Vegas, and had an absolutely amazing time. Now if you’re like most people wondering a) what on earth is Vacation.com and b) so what?

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: , ,