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Combatting Cabin Fever in Calgary! On Kim's Kitchen

1/29/2016

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ReneeTsangTravel
With the lovely ladies of Kim's Kitchen
Kim's Kitchen is a local Calgary talk show on ShawTV "aiming for the the wisdom of Oprah, humour of Ellen and the outspoken of Rachel." As they are beginning to film new episodes for Season 3 of the show, I was honoured to be a guest on their episode focusing on “Cabin Fever”. It was a super fun morning of filming with a great group of ladies, and fantastic behind the scenes crew. I can't wait to see the final outcome and will share it with you when it is available! ​
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Kim's Kitchen

Our segment went by so quickly! I didn't even get the chance to make it through a third of my list! All the wonderfully curated content created under pressure and no time to share it. I guess that's what happens when you put together two ladies who have the gift of gab and can chat about anything under the sun. Time goes by pretty quickly when you're having fun! And I do recall a whole lot of giggling...

I know you might be thinking, “Why you? But you're a travel agent! Aren't you supposed to be helping us plan a trip AWAY from the city for a vacation?”

Well... yes. I certainly can. But the reality of the situation is that not everyone has the opportunity to travel right now. Our Canadian dollar sucks, making it more expensive to travel. (But check out here for tips to travelling with our crappy loonie!) Our economy is “meh”, a little uncertain right now with low oil prices and lack of jobs. So it may not be feasible for everyone to travel and get away from the city. And Calgary is such a great city with so much to see and do. You can easily play tourist for the day or weekend, and enjoy all that the city has to offer - for free or low cost and affordable, fun outings for parents and kids.
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So here is a quick summary of some of the ideas that I was planning on sharing for this episode of Kim's Kitchen on affordable family fun in and around Calgary to alleviate cabin fever! 

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Free or Low Cost Family Fun Activities

The YMCA and Calgary Public Library have a variety of free drop in programs and activities for all ages and every member of the family.

The City of Calgary Leisure Centres have great pools for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy a safe outing in the water for some indoor splash fun.

Farmer's Markets – year round farmer's markets are a great option to escape the cold and enjoy a different grocery shopping experience with an intimate culinary experience where you can really appreciate the food quality and delectable choices. Soul food at its best. 
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Eats of Asia - Asian Fusion at the Market on Macleod
Other suggestions to get out of the house! 

It may seem like we spend 6 months of the year in winter here so we might as well get used to it and try to make the best of winter!


Best place to do that is Winsport Canada, a fantastic facility where you can go skiing, snowboarding, skating, hockey...all the classic winter sports and so much more!

Plus the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is there where you can explore interactive exhibits the promote the importance of sport in our Canadian culture. If you head to Red Deer, visit Alberta's Sports Hall of Fame and Museum to celebrate Albertan athletes. Whether it be Alberta or Canadian athletes, all are valuable role models that can inspire our kids in sport and athleticism, which is positive all around. 
Renee Tsang Travel
Renee Tsang Travel
Renee Tsang Travel
Who doesn't love hockey?? 

Take your kids to a Calgary Hitmen hockey game for some fun, live action hockey. Tickets are very affordable and games are geared for families to enjoy the experience.  
Renee Tsang Travel
Renee Tsang Travel

​Take your kids and connect with nature with a visit to places like the Bow Habitat Station, Calgary Zoo, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary or Devonian Gardens downtown, a little piece of serenity in the middle of the urban chatter of downtown! There's nothing like connecting with nature - be it animals, birds, flowers or plants – any life being, to rejuvenate your senses and bring you out of the winter funk or cabin fever we sometimes get suckered into.
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​Head down to Chinatown for a little slice of Asia! Enjoy a piping hot bowl of noodle soup or grab some dim sum for lunch, then head to the Chinese Cultural Centre, a museum dedicated to preserving the culture and history of the Chinese. Spending the day in Chinatown can give you the feel that you experienced a little bit of Asia and take home some fresh buns from one of the many bakeries as a little souvenir from the day! 
Renee Tsang Travel
Who couldn't use a piping hot bowl of pho??

If you're getting tired of modern life and want to slow things down a bit, then take a trip back in time. If we had a time machine, that would be a great idea! Instead, head down to Heritage Park for a visit to our historical past or head up to Sundre and visit the Pioneer Village Museum and experience what life was like as a pioneer. Taking a step back in time forces us to slow down and evaluate why we are so rushed and busy these days. Slow down and appreciate the little things in life. 
If you want to take the staycation a little bit further than beyond a day's activities, book a one night stay in a fancy hotel in downtown Calgary. You don't need to head to a big city like New York or Las Vegas to get the urban buzz from a major metropolitan city. Head to downtown Calgary and you can experience the city life for a night! We are are first class metropolitan city that people from all over the world come to visit! So, why don't we experience Calgary like a big city that it is. Visit the Calgary Tower! How many of you have lived in Calgary and never visited the top of the Calgary Tower?? C'mon, be honest.....it's like the ultimate in being a tourist in Calgary!

Staying in a hotel downtown will give you the feeling like you're really in another city. Hotels like the Fairmont Palliser Calgary and the Hyatt Calgary offer package deals where you can receive a $75 shopping voucher to Chinook Mall or Cross Iron Mills, or you can book a Calgary Hitmen hockey game package, or Calgary Zoo package....there are deals out there to entice you to stay there and give you great value to enjoy the city. Why not enjoy a night in a luxurious hotel, sleep in and enjoy Sunday brunch before heading home....and your drive home might only be 30 minutes. Tops. It's a quick and easy little staycation but will feel like so much more! 
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Fairmont Palliser Calgary Hotel, downtown Calgary
Sometimes we get used to living life in suburbia...caught up in our routines so we inevitably catch a dose of cabin fever! Some of us are stay at home moms (and work-at-home moms!), with routines involving entertaining our kids, cooking and cleaning, driving kids to and from school and activites, homework, etc....Some of us have full time jobs as well as kids and a home to look after so we live in our little bubble of routine and forget that there is life outside routine.  It's winter. It's cold. And miserable most days. Most of us don't want to go out unless we have to! But, there is a whole city right before our eyes to enjoy! And it is waiting for us to experience. So why not?? Get out of the house and choose your fun and banish cabin fever in Calgary for good this winter! 
What are your favourite activities to enjoy to get out of the house and combat cabin fever? Share your favourite ideas with us! 

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Thank you to everyone at Kim's Kitchen for including me in this episode! It was a super fun morning, a great group of gals, and such a fabulous working crew behind the scenes! 

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For more information about Kim's Kitchen, you can find her online here:
Website: www.inkimskitchen.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kimhaydenskitchen
Twitter: @kimskitchenca
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/kimhaydenskitchen
Google+: plus.google.com/+InkimskitchenCa/posts
Instagram: kimskitchenyyc
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Travel Tips with a Crappy Loonie

1/23/2016

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CAD loonie. Renee Tsang Travel
It's a tough economic situation right now, especially in Calgary and Alberta. Our Canadian dollar is the lowest it has been in a long time and there doesn't seem to be any relief in the near future. Oil prices are low. The loonie is crap against the US dollar. How do we all cope and manage??
We can take this time to evaluate what is important to us - to trim all excess, unnecessary and extraneous stuff and really appreciate the value of our hard earned dollars and where we choose to spend it. While some families may choose to forgo travel (or may not have the extra funds to do so), the time spent with our families on vacations are experiences that will help create unforgettable memories for life. As our kids grow older, it is the memories of family time and experiences they have through family vacations that provide a sense of familiarity and comfort through challenging times.

Though times may be tough, many families are making decisions that are best for their families. Perhaps this is not the year to be splurging on extraneous luxury vacations if we don't have the funds to do so, but we can certainly choose more ideal options that suit our families and our budgets. The memories created through family travel are much too important for me to forgo completely so hopefully I can help you find the best option for your family so that you can continue to make those unforgettable childhood memories. 

Here are some suggestions to help frugal families stretch their hard earned dollars but still have room for maximum impact on family vacation time! 
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1. Book early.
If you have plans to travel, book early to secure your price. Prices for many vacations are best when they are first released and tend to increase as demand increases and supply diminishes. This is particularly the case for cruises (especially Disney cruises). Many vacation packages simply require a deposit to hold your reservation and your price with final payment deadlines due about 30 – 60 days before your departure date (policy varies with different suppliers and types of vacation packages). Once you have committed to your vacation with specific dates and a deposit, it makes it easier to commit to the final end goal and what an awesome goal to achieve it will be! 

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2. ​Book last minute.
​On the flip side, if you have flexibility in time or destination and are open to almost anything (including less than ideal flight options), last minute deals are always available! However, many of these specials are extremely limited and offer absolutely no room for customization or changes for individual situations.

​In my experience, these options are fantastic for those who are looking for a great last minute getaway and are open minded for an adventure and new experiences. But for many families who have to take into account their specific families' needs, preferences, ages of kids, room preferences, etc...booking earlier with the time to research your families' needs usually takes precedent over fantastic last minute deals. It doesn't necessarily mean it can't be done,... but it may require some expertise in the area!

​Which leads me to.....
Renee Tsang Travel
3. Use a travel agent.
Many people don't realize the value of using a travel agent (and neither did I, until I used one! And then prompted me to become one too) :) But it's true! We are here to help you navigate through the murky waters of internet information overload and can help you cut through the crap and help you with what you need. For real. We are real people, with information and resources available to us to help people with their travel plans. Most of us are pretty friendly and approachable! And those that aren't, well.....you don't have to book with them. (But I haven't really met one who wasn't friendly or approachable, and who didn't have the client's best interest at heart.)
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Even for the most die hard D-I-Y travel planners who enjoy the whole travel planning process can always utilize the expertise of a travel agent as it doesn't cost you anything extra to use an agent. We are available for as little or as much help as you require. Find one you connect with, someone you can trust and will ensure you will have the most amazing time away. I guarantee you will get much better service with a personal travel agent than an online booking website! 
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CAD flag Renee Tsang Travel
4. Book your travel in Canadian dollars and support Canadian suppliers. 
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Yes our poor loonie is taking a beating right now in the world market. It's not pretty. And when you exchange CAD into USD, it hurts right now. *Ugh.* I feel it. I'm sure you feel it too. It's not easy swallowing that exchange rate right now. Book as much of your vacation in CAD right now to avoid the hit with the US exchange rate and support our Canadian suppliers as much as we can. The more support we provide them, the more they can negotiate with their suppliers to help obtain the best pricing for Canadian travellers. Many travel plans (air, hotel, all-inclusives) can be booked as a customized package with rates in CAD dollars so pay in CAD as much as you can! 
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5. Create a vacation account.
Put aside a little bit of extra money to contribute to your vacation savings account. If you don't specifically make a savings account for your vacation, you may never find the time or the money for it. Life gets in the way. There is no time. We have bills to pay, homes to renovate and kids activities to pay for. Plus, we need to eat! With the cost of food increasing and never-ending bills, it may seem like an endless cycle of outgoing funds with nothing to show for it at the end of the day. Put aside a little bit of money regularly and you will be surprised how quickly it can grow if you don't think about it. And when the opportunity to travel arises, you will have something to draw upon to help with the budget. You don't need a windfall of cash to be able to go on vacation (although that will certainly help!) Carefully planning and budgeting can go a long way to make your travel plans come true. 
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6. Buy US dollars.
​If you travel regularly to the US, it might be a good idea to begin buying USD regularly. Just a little bit at a time. And when the the dollar is faring a bit better, purchase a little bit more. It's always handy to have a little USD funds on hand as you never know when you may need it. Then when you do, it doesn't cost you anything extra as it's money you already have! Most Canadian banks have US accounts you can open so you can transfer money in CAD and US back and forth. It's a great way to begin collecting USD dollars without much effort. If you choose to take it a step further, you can even apply for a US credit card issued by a Canadian bank. This credit card charges in US funds and does not charge the user a conversion fee for each transaction. You can then use your US account to pay the credit card, thereby only paying the US conversion rate once. There is an annual fee for a US credit card so it's only beneficial if you travel a lot or pay in US funds regularly.   

7. Stay close to home.

2016 may be the year of the “staycation”, a perfect opportunity to discover what's closer to home and in our “backyard”. The dollar may impact our choices to travel abroad, but it doesn't have to prevent us from travelling altogether! There are so many wonderful places to visit in Canada that we can always find beauty and amazing travel experiences closer to home!


8. Road trips.
With the lower price of oil these days, it may be advantageous for many to drive instead of flying. Road trips offer some of the most amazing childhood memories that are embedded in every family's fibrous being. It's just a part of us and a part of growing up. 


9. It's cheap(er) to fly now.
The one upside to low oil prices I suppose is the cheaper cost of airfare these days. With less demand for air travel, and lower oil prices, airfares prices are promising for those who are wanting to venture further out into the world for travel experiences. The world is a very big place. We just have to hop on an airplane to seek an adventure somewhere else. 

10. Buy less stuff.
​Souvenirs are great and who doesn't love buying souvenirs to remind them of place and experiences in travel? But perhaps, scale back on the souvenirs and invest in memories. Invest in your family. Invest your funds into the experiences you and your family will have on your vacation. You may not keep the stuffie from a certain theme park, or the sombero hat that looked really cool when you were on holidays, or all the cool trinkets for sale along the beach or in fun flea markets.

But you will always have the memories of experiences - of swimming with the dolphins....of zipling through the rain forests....of experiencing and overcoming the thrill of a scary roller coaster......of dining with magical characters that kids only know from television and movies.....the list is endless. And the list is yours to decide what you want to experience and what memories you want to create with those experiences.

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Time. We only have so much of it. So we need to make the best of what we are given. This temporary blip of uncertainty will pass. But time goes on. Our children will grow up. We cannot wait for tomorrow to begin what we can do today. We know we need to make some sacrifices to get through this but just pay attention to where you cut back as you can't go back in time. Don't delay too much of your travel plans and don't let the crappy loonie take away from your family's memories! 
Time to Travel Renee Tsang Travel
If there is anything I can do to help you and your family with any upcoming travel plans, please do not hesitate to reach out! I am always here and available to inspire you to travel, to try new things and to create those unforgettable memories for your family! 
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    Multi-tasker in life and business! Calgary mom of 2 spunky and hilariously goofy kids, running successful travel agency and consulting business! I love food, and I love to travel so join me in my adventures and let me help you with yours! Book your next vacation with confidence  when you book with me at www.ReneeTsangTravel.com!

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