A recent second fire in Old Montreal made me revisit my comfort with using Booking.com for travel reservations, mainly hotels. I even recommend using the platform with Booking.com on the right side of my website, and I have historically had minor concerns. Now, I must add another significant caveat. Background According to the City of Montreal property records, the building was built in 1864 and is owned by Emile Benamor, who also owned the nearby heritage building on Place D’Youville that was destroyed by fire in March 2023. Montreal police have deemed that fire, which killed seven people, to be criminal,…
Category: Accomodations
Cost to Go Around the Gaspé Peninsula
Lately, I’ve been completely underestimating my budget by 25-30%. Over the past year, prices have gone up a ridiculous amount. Sometimes, I might get a great deal on airfare, but the most significant cost of travelling is accommodation. Extended stays and Trusted Housesitters can reduce your costs if you’re into slow travel and a more nomadic lifestyle. Unfortunately, that’s not always what we had planned. Our recent trip around the Gaspé Peninsula cost us 25% more than I had initially determined. I should’ve known immediately when booking hotels. I knew this was in high season and had planned it at…
Real TrustedHousesitters Review
TrustedHousesitters is a website connecting homeowners with verified pet and house sitters. Founded in 2010, it has become one of the leading online platforms for pet and house-sitting services. Before I discuss the “technical” side of my TrustedHousesitters Review, let’s examine my personal observations. We love it! Let me state upfront that we do less pet sitting than we would like because we are so busy. It is important to really study the offer. It is hard to find a good housesit that suits our timing, location, and requirements. But when we do, we try to ensure that our request…
The Challenge of Bed Bugs During Travel
Travelling offers a chance to explore new places and create lasting memories. However, bed bugs in accommodations can turn an exciting adventure into a distressing experience. Understanding how to identify, prevent, and manage bed bug encounters is crucial for travellers. While bed bugs can be a concern for travellers, being informed and prepared can significantly reduce the risk of encountering these pests. By taking proactive steps before, during, and after your travels, you can enjoy your journeys without the unwanted company of bugs. Bed bugs are tiny, elusive pests known for their hitchhiking abilities, making travel one of their primary…
Navigating Bedding Concerns on Travels
What bedding concerns do you have when travelling? When embarking on your travels, whether for leisure or business, the quality of your sleep can significantly impact your overall experience. Pillows, sheets, and mattresses are pivotal in this equation, influencing comfort and health. This guide delves into what you should be vigilant about regarding these essential items to ensure your journeys are as restful as they are enriching. Bedding Concerns Basics: What You’re Sleeping On The foundation of good sleep hygiene while travelling starts with understanding the basics of bedding. Accommodations vary widely, from luxury hotels to budget hostels, offering different…
Is Niagara Falls Worth a Visit
Well, that’s a silly question. Of course, Niagara Falls on the Canadian side is worth visiting at least once. Now I understand if you’re heading out there and not with kids, the town itself can be overly touristy, crowded, and garish. Its two casinos and the central area on Clifton Street look more like Las Vegas, even if it is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Having been to Niagara Falls as a child in the winter and recently a couple of weeks ago, I have some recommendations. We stayed at a bed-and-breakfast just outside the main strip of…
Package Deals for Maui – A Good Decision or Not
I have mixed feelings about package deals. Sometimes I love them, and sometimes I avoid them like the plague. I planned to fly over immediately to Maui upon arrival in Honolulu to stay for a few days before flying back for the last few days on O’ahu Island before going to New Zealand. After booking the flight with Hawaiian Airlines, the opportunity came up to book a car and accommodation. Usually, I am a little reluctant to do so as you pay upfront and are then committed. I had been booking and changing so much for other places that I…
Pearl Hotel Waikiki – A Better Budget Choice
It was a big step down to the Pearl Hotel Waikiki after almost two weeks in fabulous accommodations with king-size beds. Maui was expensive, but Honolulu and Waikiki are probably worse. Even though it’s considered somewhat off-season for a good hotel, it’s $300-$350 a night, and we did get a much better deal. But there is a $35 amenity charge per night, no matter where you stay. We encountered a similar tourist tax in Las Vegas, except that we stayed off the strip to avoid this charge. Benefits of The Pearl Hotel Waikiki The Pearl Hotel is something out of…
Day 16 – The Majestic Hotel Majestic
The Hotel Majestic had informed me that their elevator* had broken a few days before. They said they would do everything to ensure that staff moved our suitcases up and down. They gave us the option to cancel with no charge, but it was such a late date, it would’ve been impossible to find such a good deal as we had. They had us on the fourth floor; they were due to a convention when we arrived. Everyone was clearing out the following morning, and they promised that they would move us to a lower floor the following day. We…
Day 12 – Hoover Dam
Today we travelled toward Las Vegas, passing by The Valley of Fire National State Park. Hoover Dam We made a slight detour east to visit the remarkable Hoover Dam, as we weren’t sure we would have time to visit on our way back to Phoenix. Once again, it is another tour site that is overcrowded. Impressive nonetheless. Then we made our way into Las Vegas and slowly took a good hour and a half to drive up the strip and back down to our motel. The Travel Lodge is about 600 m from the strip. It was still 32°…