Comparison shopping for last minute vacation deals

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Comparison shopping
Having narrowed down your search, there can still be so many unanswered questions on the sites that it can end up becoming confusing to compare possible vacations. For instance, all-inclusives don't always include meals, beverages and activities, so you need to read the fine print. Meal plans range from breakfast only, to all three meals a day, to meals plus snacks and beverages.
That's why Wykes recommends relying on the experience of a travel agent when you're ready to book. Agents often get word of last-minute availabilities that aren't on websites.
And look beyond the tried-and-true winter destinations like Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, the destinations where you will see the most last-minute deals aimed at Canadians. "The world is a big place," says Sean Shannon, managing director for Expedia.com. "The number of last-minute getaways is growing and prices are surprisingly good."
For instance, this winter, a number of tour operators are featuring deals on packages to St. Lucia and Turks and Caicos islands.
A little further afield, there are many package deals to be had in Costa Rica , Shannon adds.
If you can be a little flexible around the days you want to travel, there are some really intriguing deals to exotic locations, too. For instance, there is a big push in Western Canada for cruises in Tahiti and Hawaii.
The cost of air can make those Pacific destinations less affordable for people in Eastern Canada, but there are plenty of exotic destinations in the Caribbean and beyond as well. For eastern Canadians, a number of lines are offering specials on cruises out of Buenos Aires and Rio to the Amazon or Chile, Vincelli says.
And look into specials in Florida and the Bahamas. Americans facing an economic squeeze and falling home prices are not as likely to feel like travelling this winter, opening up more space for Canadians.
Florida is making a push for Canadians based on our dollar reaching par with the greenback. And Disney World in particular is promoting package specials for Canadians.
But don't forget that some of the best deals of all may be in store for those who want to savour winter in Canada. Americans, who were a mainstay of winter resort travel to Canada, are finding the higher dollar a deterrent.
Check websites such as Expedia.ca and Travelocity.ca, and you'll find deals on city hotels and spas across the country — and even some peak-season deals on ski resorts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
A final tip
Keep in mind when flying last minute or otherwise that if your flight goes to or even stops in a U.S. city en route, new rules require Canadian air passengers to have a passport. Canadians don't need visas, but a number of other nationalities do. The simplest explanation is on the website of The National Academies.