Traveling to Canada During the Pandemic – What you Need to Know

Travelling to Canada, let alone any country, has become more complex than ever before. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused governments to put rules and regulations in order to safeguard their citizens and permanent residents, as well as those travelling to the country.    

To make things a little easier when making your travel plans, we’ve highlighted some of the things you need to know about Canada’s Covid-19 travel restrictions and Canada’s visitor visa requirements.

You Must Be Fully Vaccinated

As of January 15, 2022, Canada has made it compulsory for all foreigners entering Canada to be fully vaccinated with one or a combination of approved vaccines. Below is a list of Canada’s approved vaccines: 

AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)

Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)

Janssen/Johnson & Johnson – 1 dose

Moderna (mRNA-1273)

Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)

Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)

Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

All travellers five years and older need to provide a negative COVID test result or proof of vaccination via the Arrive CAN app at least 72 hours before travelling to Canada. You’ll need to provide the following information via the app:  

Contact information

Travel details; and

Vaccination information

You May Be Exempt Under Certain Circumstances

Certain travellers may be considered exempt and be allowed to enter Canada without being fully vaccinated. Below are some situations that may make you exempt:    

You are a temporary foreign worker in the agriculture and food-processing sectors; 

You are a refugee or asylum claimant;

You are travelling to Canada for compassionate reasons, e.g. to attend a funeral, provide care for or support to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or temporary resident who is critically ill;

You are travelling for medical support or treatment;

You provide essential services, trade or transportation; or

You are a minor younger than 18 years old or a dependant adult (must be an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen). 

You will need to follow Canada’s visitor visa requirements for exempt travellers:

Wear a mask in all public areas;

Keep a record of people that you’ve been in contact with for the first 14 days;

Keep track of any COVID symptoms.

You May Need to Take a COVID Test on Arrival in Canada

Even though you may be fully vaccinated, you will receive a health screening and may be asked to be tested for COVID when you get to Canada. This can be done:     

On-site at the airport

Offsite; or

At home with a self-swab test kit (you may be given one at the border)

You may not be able to enter Canada if you exhibit any symptoms or signs of COVID, regardless of where you are travelling from or if you are vaccinated.  

If you are travelling to Canada from anywhere other than the U.S., you’ll need to take a COVID test and self-quarantine until you get your test results. If you are travelling from the U.S. and aren’t fully vaccinated, you’ll need to self-quarantine for 14 days.

14-day Quarantine Plan

If you are travelling to Canada and are unvaccinated, you’ll need a detailed quarantine plan. Your plan should outline:      

Your accommodation

Your transportation details to your accommodation, and 

How you intend on getting essentials like food or medicine.

Canada’s Visitor Visa Requirements

Before applying for your visitor’s visa, keep in mind that even if you have a visa, you may not be allowed to enter Canada if you don’t meet these COVID requirements:    

You must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada unless listed on the exemption list;

You must be asymptomatic or not show any symptoms or signs of COVID;

Follow pre-entry testing and entry requirements:

Upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN

Submit all ArriveCAN requirements and get a receipt with a letter – I, V, or A next to your name

Complete an arrival test and quarantine (if need be)

Monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID for the first 14 days after arriving in Canada

Seek medical assistance or advice if you have COVID symptoms.

A visitor’s visa will allow you to stay in Canada for about six months. To apply for a Canadian visitor’s visa, you’ll need:     

A valid travel document, e.g. a passport;

To be in good health;

To have a clear criminal record;

To show that you plan to return home by showing that you have ties, e.g. a job, home, financial assets or family, and a return ticket.

To show that you have enough money for your stay in Canada.

Ready to start your travels to Canada in 2022? Apply today for a Canadian visitor visa using a licensed professional, like the ones at CanadianVisa.org, and you could be on your way to a stress-free adventure abroad.

5 Tips for Cooking for Your Family While Vacationing

healthy foods

One of the beauties of getting to travel is the fact that it’s far from being one-size-fits-all. While some families will go to hotels and go out to eat every night on vacation, other families will rent out an apartment or lodging and will just cook their meals from there.  Food during travels just makes it taste so much better, doesn’t it? 

Even if it’s just home cooked meals, it still tastes so much better. Maybe it has something to do with the variety of ingredients, or the fact that you’re making something new. Whatever the case may be, getting the chance to cook during your travels can be so rewarding. 

Regardless, there still seems to be this idea that cooking during travels is almost impossible when in fact it’s further from the case. Sure, it can be quite challenging to try and cook food in a hotel room, especially one without a kitchen. But taking that aspect out of the count, you can indeed cook and create some of the best food when traveling. So here are some tips for achieving just that.

It all comes down to accommodation

One thing you must think about while planning your trip is whether or not you want to cook. If you’re traveling with a family, such as three or more, then know that going out to eat can get pretty expensive.  That’s why a lot of families will instead opt into lodgings such as a cabin, house, or apartment.

These usually contain kitchens, and some will even go as far as having all the equipment you need.  So if you’re dreaming of making pork tenderloin with cranberry in slow cooker, this can indeed happen. But, you’re going to have to choose your accommodation quite wisely. 

Think about bringing some of your own equipment

If you and your family are going to travel by car or RV, then this can be very easy, but if you’re going by plane or bus it’s best to not count on this tip.  Some methods of traveling can make it easy to pack. When it comes to road trips, you can essentially pack anything you’d like and not have to worry about luggage weight or fees like you do at an airport.  One of the additional benefits is the fact that you can have your own kitchen gadgets as well.

So if you are going to camp in an RV or maybe even go on a vacation in an AirBnB for a week with the family, as long as you’re on the road with your own vehicle, you can essentially bring what you want. This can include

  • Slow cooker
  • Pans
  • Can opener
  • Grater
  • Tongs
  • Tea Steeper
  • Bottle opener
  • Air fryer

Basically, any of the tools that you tend to use at home can help.

Be okay with settling with a microwave

If you and your family can’t afford an expensive apartment or cabin for lodging, then it’s okay. Maybe that’s not you, or maybe even that’s not even offered where the family vacation is at. In cases like this, just know that there are options. Some standard hotels will have mini-refrigerators and microwaves. While you can’t do too much cooking, you can still achieve a bit of food prep and a nice meal with these two kitchen appliances.  Plus, you can upcycle your food waste when finished as well.

You don’t have to cook your meals

If you’re wanting to give your family a nice homemade meal, just know that these don’t have to always be cooked. Sometimes, just having one warm meal is more than enough and this could be something such as going out to eat or even taking out. But there are still options such as buying needed ingredients for sandwiches. But you can even provide fruit, yogurt, cereal, and some other tasty snacks like hummus.

Just don’t get stressed over providing a warm cooked meal because it’s not always necessary. Just go to the grocery store in the area you’re in and see what options they have that don’t need to be cooked. You can still have a delicious and nutritious meal, such as a salad, and not have to worry about anything getting cooked.

Simplicity is key

Overall, when you’re traveling, try to avoid making things complicated for yourself.  You’re on vacation, you’re traveling. Traveling is supposed to be a way to relax and unwind. So if the idea of cooking on vacation just stresses you out too much. Then you should know that it’s far from being a requirement. Just take things easy. Just make sandwiches for lunch or buy snacks here and there. Just enjoy your trip. 

Documentary Preparation for Moving Abroad With Kids

Without a doubt, relocating to another country is a difficult task; it’s especially stressful if you have children. It’s not just about starting a new life with your kids thousands of miles away, it also takes several months of planning ahead. Although the entire process appears uncomplicated, there is a significant amount of documentation to organize and complete prior to moving.

There are some critical documents you will need to make sure you have when migrating overseas. Make a plan and ensure you don’t forget anything vital when preparing for your relocation overseas. Considering the preparation of your documentation, create a different subfolder and arrange the subsections according to the type of folder you have.

Documentation needed to migrate to a different country

Before you even decide to buy tickets, it’s best to first consult with the embassy of the country you’re planning to move to about which documents are essential. Some countries have more requirements than others, but in general, when relocating to another country, you need to have two documents with you – a passport and a visa.

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to have all of the family member’s passports renewed if they are getting close to their expiry date.

Birth certificates, work permits, and international health insurance cards are some of the other things you will most likely need. Since you’ll probably move to a different-language-speaking country, it’s important to find the best certified translation services for your documents. It’s important to have any health documents or medical records translated as well so you and your family can get your health insurance as soon as you arrive in the moving country.

Make sure to prepare your academic records to take with you, because without them you might have problems proving your academic success and level of education for future work positions. Also never forget to take your marriage certificate with you, because without it you may have problems communicating your marital status with the destination country officials.

If you have a social security card, bring a duplicate with you when you relocate. Keep the original in a secure spot during your journey. You can always reach the Social Security Administration for a replacement card if you are a US citizen. In case of applying for a new card, you must also provide all required documentation.

Contact the embassy of the country you’re moving to

Each government has its own migration rules. Make sure to inform yourself about all the different documents you and your family need when moving to a different country. You can call the embassy and arrange a meeting if their policies allow you to. The workers in the embassy will provide all the information you need, starting from documentation and country policies, to finding accommodation and housing in the new country. 

Every country has different policies for foreigners moving into their country and they also have different policies for foreigners depending on the country they are coming from. It can also vary depending on the number of family members you’re moving with. So it is really important to call the embassy of the country you’re planning to move to as there might be some things you weren’t aware of, even if you thought that you prepared yourself thoroughly.

The embassy will most likely provide information about all of the schooling options for your children, depending on their age and academic records. It’s probable that you will have to arrange this prior to moving, so it’s better to know your options way before moving. No matter if your child is a kindergartener or a high-school student.

Once you got all the needed information from the embassy, make sure to have all your documentation ready ahead of time. Have them months prior to moving if you can. It’s always better to have everything you need than having to wait past your departing date and having your plans ruined.

Final thoughts

No matter what country you chose to move to, always remember to visit their embassy in your country. That way you can get informed about what other documents you need besides the essential ones, what arrangements you will need to make before moving, and every other information you may need.

 Make sure you have every document with its translated version, if required, before starting the moving process. Remember to book your flight and have your tickets and all the important documents for traveling near you at all times. Visit Languex Translation they provide an inexpensive, fast, high-quality translation.

Your Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist For 2022

travel backpack

Experts in the tourism industry suggest that 2022 will see many people make up for lost vacations despite the prevalence of the Omicron variant and other COVID-related issues. A recent report illustrates this as many Americans plan to travel overseas this year. However, traveling can be stressful, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or seasoned globe trotter. Fortunately, this ultimate pre-travel checklist can make your 2022 trips more convenient.

 

  • Get travel insurance

 

Travel insurance is essential when traveling overseas as it can cover several emergencies such as medical insurance coverage, lost baggage, journey termination, and so on. It can also be used for domestic travels by helping you deal with unexpected medical costs and reimbursement for canceled trips or stolen property. However, be sure to do ample research on various plans before you purchase one to ensure you receive sufficient coverage for an affordable price.

 

  • Pack a medical and first aid kit

 

In today’s health climate, safeguarding your health is important. Therefore, it is important to pack a travel medical kit. During your travel, finding various medications or emergency items may be challenging. For example, if you need medical help or get injured while hiking up a mountain. It is advisable to travel with items you need in an emergency to help treat at least minor injuries and illnesses. For your first aid kit, you can consider a thermometer, pain-relievers, Band-Aids, sanitizers or disinfectants, nose masks, and so on. So be sure to pack one.

 

  • Essential paperwork

 

Paperwork is essential for domestic and international travel, and you want to prioritize carrying along with your vital documents. Your travel documents can come in handy in any last-minute emergencies. Travel documents such as visa, passport, ID proof, state travel documents, hotel booking receipt, Covid-19 vaccination certificate, and other travel documents may be required. It is recommended to carry the originals of your travel documents. However, making copies is an excellent idea if the original documents get lost.

 

  • Pre-book your accommodation

 

Your type of vacation should determine the type of accommodation you need, although it is recommended to take at least a night’s accommodation reservation. It can be hard to get accommodation when you are not familiar with a location or don’t have a place to stay. Even if you are familiar with the location, finding a rental upon arrival may come with some anxiety, so it is best to pre-book at least for a night. Booking your accommodation makes it easy to find rental accommodation or a hotel with your preferred features or location. 

 

  • Financial planning

 

It is common to see travelers spend much of the time searching for the cheapest flight discounts, affordable accommodation, and so on. However, they fail to do one thing that matters most – planning their finances. Your finances should be a vital part of your travel checklist, so you’ll need to take cues to properly manage your finances. You can’t afford to have financial problems disrupt your travel experience.

If you are planning on traveling anytime soon, you may want to consider using this checklist to ensure you have a smooth and stress-free process.

How Do You Find The Best Properties?

If you are looking at moving home, or you are thinking about investing, then you might find yourself wondering just how you can hope to find the best properties. This is something that is not necessarily always straightforward, though it is perfectly possible as long as you put the appropriate time and effort into doing it. In this post, we are going to take you through just some of the things you can do to find the best properties. You might be surprised at some of these options, but having them all under your belt is certainly the best way to go.

properties

Identify Your Area

First of all, you really do need to make sure that you are clear on what area you would most like to live in. Without this decision being made, it is going to be a lot more difficult to find the perfect property, as the location is such a centrally important part of any property in the first place. Take a look around a few areas that you know about or have always had your eye on – you might find that you even want to spend some time in your chosen spot just to check it suits you. Then you should be able to find your ideal property a lot more easily and quickly.

Use The Best Property Sites

There are of course numerous real estate websites out there that you will want to check out and make good use of, as these are going to be especially useful tools that you will need to keep in mind. By using the best property sites, you can hope to increase your chances of finding the best properties considerably, so this is something that is certainly worth thinking about in particular. Do this, and you are one step closer to your dream home.

Talk Local

The more people you speak to in the local area, the better an idea you will have of the kind of properties that are out there – while also collecting information on prices and local areas’ interests and features too. So, spend some time simply talking to the people in your local area, and you will soon feel a lot more ready to manage and deal with the process of trying to find the best property. It’s amazing what a difference this really can make, so make sure that you are considering it at least.

Plan For The Long Term

A sure recipe for disaster would be to only think about the next year or two years, and fail to look any further beyond. But if you want to find the best properties, you need to think about the long term in such a way that you can hope to end up with a home that you will be happy with for the duration. So that is something you should bear in mind as part of this process too. If nothing else, it will increase the chances of you making the right choice for yourself.

Travel Destinations Do Not Have to Be Far From Home

Traveling for vacation is a great way to enjoy some time off and see new places. However, not everyone has the money or time to travel far from home. Fortunately, there are plenty of exciting destinations that don’t require you to spend hours on a plane to get there. Luckily, you can find some great destinations near you.

1. Visit a Local Park

There are many fantastic parks located near major cities. These parks offer great hiking trails, beautiful scenery, nature reserves, and plenty of relaxing places. Pack a lunch and find a good spot.

2. Visit a Nearby City or Town

If you’re looking for a change of pace, consider visiting a city or town that’s located close to where you live. You will find museums, historic sites, and nature attractions, such as aquariums. For example, check out things to do in Gulfport, Mississippi. There are many great cities to visit within driving distance of major American cities. Some interesting destinations include Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Boston.

3. Take a Road Trip

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, consider taking a road trip. There are many great destinations to explore within driving distance of your home. Exciting options include the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and the Rocky Mountains.

4. Attend a Local Fair or Festival

Many towns host street festivals throughout the year. These are great places to eat delicious food, see live music acts, and simply have fun! Examples include the Minnesota State Fair in Minneapolis and Taste of Chicago in Chicago.

5. See Some Live Theater or Concerts at an Entertainment Venue Near You

There are many theaters and concert halls located throughout North America where you can enjoy all sorts of performances for a reasonable price. Good examples include Carnegie Hall in New York City, Massey Hall in Toronto, and The Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.

6. Visit a Nearby Historical Site

There are many sites of historical significance located near major cities. These sites offer great tours explaining their history and providing interesting facts about their construction. Examples include Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C., Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, and Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico.

7. Go Camping or Hiking at a Nearby Park or Forest

Many parks and forests across the United States host campsites and trails for people to enjoy nature and get away from it all. Some great locations include Yosemite National Park in California, Cincinnati Nature Center in Ohio, and Zions National Park in Utah.

8. Attend a Free Lecture or Event at Your Local Library

Libraries offer a variety of free events and lectures throughout the year. These are great ways to learn about new things and meet new people. A few examples include author readings, cooking classes, and history lectures.

9. Take a Day Trip to a Nearby Amusement Park or Water Park

If you’re looking for a fun day trip with your family or friends, consider visiting an amusement park or water park that’s located close by. There are many great options to choose from, and most parks offer discounted tickets if you purchase them in advance. Good examples include Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, and Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Texas.

10. Take a Day Trip in a National Park

Take a day trip to go hiking or sightseeing at a nearby state or national park. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, consider taking a day trip to one of your local state or national parks. There’s so much beauty outside of our doorstep, and it’s essential to take advantage of it as often as we can. Some great examples include Yosemite Park in California, Acadia National Park in Maine, and Olympic National Park in Washington State.

11. Take a Guided Tour of the City You Live In

Most cities offer free guided tours for people interested in learning more about their history. Some good examples include Gracie Mansion Tours in New York City, Angels Flight Railway Tour in Los Angeles, and Ghosts and Gravestones Historical Pub Crawl in Savannah, Georgia.

12. See a Play at Your Local Theater Company

Many theaters across North America host plays throughout the year. These are a great way to support your local arts community, and most plays are very affordable. Examples include the Toronto Centre for the Arts; Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, New York; and Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

While it can be challenging to find the time and money for expensive trips, the secret is simple: live well within your means. This allows you to save up enough money for these short getaways throughout the year. Make a list of places you would like to see. Consider seeing new places from this list each month. Safe travels!

New Winter Service: Jet to Barbados to Escape the Cold with United Airlines

bridge barbados
On December 5, United Airlines inaugural flight from Newark (EWR) to Barbados (BGI) took off, providing a new seasonal direct flight for travelers in need of a tropical respite this winter. This exciting weekly service comes right after an historic move where Barbados officially became a republic on November 30th. Travelers can expect a certain flare in the air as locals revel in Bajan pride this December and all next year.
For “only in Barbados” experiences, the island recently became the only Caribbean nation with nighttime horse racing at the newly illuminated racetrack in Garrison Savannah, just outside Bridgetown. Visitors can enjoy this overlooked local tradition by attending a race on December 11 or December 27 (Boxing Day) which is Barbados’s final day of horse racing and has been a tradition for decades. A great way to close out the Christmas holiday!! Garrison Savannah hosts prestigious racing events throughout the year with four racing seasons including January-April (Spring Season). As the birthplace of rum, visitors can sip away on distillery tours at Mount Gay Rum and go on gastronomic adventures with the island also being the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Stop by the new QP Bistro & Quattro Passi at The Cliff restaurants where Michelin-starred Chef Antonio Mellino will bring the flavors of Italy to Barbados or for a local seafood delight, visit the world-renowned Oistins Fish Fry.
 
The island prides itself on offering five-star immersive experiences that goes well beyond its outstanding hotels – check out the new Sandals Royal Barbados expansion (July 2021) and the new wellness-centric O2 Beach Club & Resort (November 2021). From the luxurious West Coast, rugged East Coast, buzzing South Coast and quiet North Coast, couples, families, and individuals can come to reconnect with themselves and each other through a variety of niche activities that complement the island’s beautiful sun, sand & sea offerings.
COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be of the upmost importance to the island. As of October 24, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result no longer need to be required to take a second COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Barbados or observe a quarantine period. Prior to travel, get tested faster and safer at home via a trusted-partner, Stage Zero.

4 Tips For A Cycling Vacation With Your Family

bicycle

Family cycling vacations can take various forms: everyone on their own bike, kids on tow bikes, kids in a trailer, one adult riding and another staying back then switching, two adults riding and having childcare for the kids who don’t ride… There are lots of options. Much depends on how old your children are, if you want to cycle as a family, and how strict your own riding/training needs are.

The first major decision is whether this is a family bike excursion where everyone rides or just the adults riding bikes. This article discusses some useful tips for both cases, as well as how to make family cycling vacations work no matter what sort you’re doing.

How Old (And Fit) Are Your Children?

Be realistic about how far your youngster will want to ride their bike. You don’t want to make them dislike cycling just because you want to get to a specific location and they’re not going to be able to do it. 

When reading family cycling trip reviews, keep the children’s ages in mind. A cycling vacation with toddlers is not the same as a trip with a fit 15-year-old who has been riding since they were four. This is especially critical if you choose a point-to-point vacation rather than a fixed-base vacation.

When you schedule a family cycling vacation, ask if there are other routes or shortcuts you can take if you get on the trip and discover it’s too hard for your children. This can mean you have a contingency plan in place should you need one. 

Don’t Push The Mileage 

Though it may be tempting to want to cover a lot of territory, keep your expectations in check. Make time for ice cream breaks and, preferably, beach/playground/kid-friendly activities at the conclusion of the day. When choosing a route suited for small children, it’s also vital not to overlook altitude increases. The higher you go, the thinner the air, and that makes things much tougher, even if the terrain looks nice and flat. 

Get Insurance 

Although you might only think that insurance is necessary when you’re driving and run the risk of having a car accident so you might need a car crash lawyer, the truth is that insurance – specifically travel insurance in this case – is vital. 

You should always get travel insurance no matter where you go on vacation or what kind of activities you intend to do, but if you’re cycling, it really is something you mustn’t forget. Accidents can happen, and it would be much better to have insurance than not. It may not be pleasant to think about, but that doesn’t mean it’s something you can ignore. 

Are There Any Non-Cycling Activities To Do?

If you’ve spent the morning riding away from the kids, you’ll most likely want to spend the afternoon doing something family-friendly. What that means for your family will vary, but when choosing accommodation, consider staying somewhere with suitable activities on-site – or at least near to water parks, beaches, and other places children are sure to want to go.