Uncategorized

The Brightroam Experiment

Brightroam is proud to present our new campaign where we get travellers to personally review our products while on the go.

As an intern at Brightroam, I’ll be embarking on a 7-day vacation cheap cialis online buy cialis 5mg to Boston and Bermuda!

I’ll be giving an honest review about the Brightroam SIM cards and plans along with quick blogs on common misconceptions about using Brightroam that people encounter.

Reading about SIM cards isn’t the most exciting thing, so of course I will also be blogging about my trip to Boston & Bermuda! (Expect lots of pictures of landscapes and food!)

Stay tuned for more blog posts about awesome deals AND my 7-day adventure abroad!

 

Travelling Cheap and Local!

As much as many of us would love to explore the world be it Europe, Asia or tadalafil lilly 20mg Oceania, it tends to not be possible because of cheap articles writing service money. online canadian pharmacy But travelling isn’t just about the sites and landmarks, it’s ultimately about experiencing something new, something different from your everyday routine. That’s why Brightroam has come up with some travel ideas that are in Canada, for you to enjoy without the hassle of flights and expensive hotels. Although hotels and travel expenses are still there to keep in mind, they definitely can’t compare to how much you’d have to spend on jetting away.

Here’s the list of Brightroam’s picks for travellers looking for a quick and easy vacation.  As typical as these may sound, there’s more to these places than just the name, and you’ll find out why.

MONTREAL

Montreal

Basilicas upon basilicas, in a good way of course. Montreal’s historic architecture is a sight to behold, after all, there has to be a reason why Notre Dame is so well known. What I personally love about this city is the historical setting and not to mention great food and art everywhere. It’s definitely not a great place to take your small children, but if you have teenagers, this is the place. Not to mention that 90 minutes away, you’ll be able to discover the beautiful Laurentian mountains. While you’re at it, the Monteregian hills and Appalachians near Montreal as well. The perfect combination of nature and city life.

NIAGARA

Niagara

We’ve all heard about the falls and the casinos, but have you ever thought about enjoying your stay at a Winery? Niagara’s region is great for wine, and you’ll discover that wineries are absolutely beautiful. The Pelham estate and Peller estate will completely change whatever misconception you have about visiting these luxurious estates. Not to mention the amount of good food and wine you’ll be able to enjoy with your family (if they’re of age) or maybe just your significant other.

If you’re looking for something for the kids, Great Wolf Lodge is always nearby and tons of fun. It’s my family’s go-to place during the holidays, and as old as I may be, I still enjoy my stay every time. The nearby town is also filled with small amusements and sights for you to roam.

BANFF

Banff

I’m sure that no one can resist the temptation of resting in hot springs (even in this weather). Banff offers not only these hot springs, but a marvellous surrounding area filled with shops, eats and art. The Banff area in general is breath taking, especially Lake Louise. Although I haven’t been here personally, it’s definitely on my list of go-to’s with so many recommendations from my friends.

BRUCE PENINSULA

Bruce

This area is also a common spot for my family vacations. Set in the secluded Bruce County, it’s the perfect get-away for those seeking some solitude, peace and nature in their lives. Bruce Peninsula National Park also happens to be one of the most astounding places I’ve been. I love hiking and taking nature walks, and the park being a peninsula and all had the best of both worlds: lots of vegetation and a fantastic harbour. If you plan on heading here, make sure to check out the Grotto! The experience will make you think, “am I really still in Canada right now?”

The best thing about small towns is how inexpensive everything is. You will have no trouble saving on motel bills here! One of the most shocking things I found when I first came to the area is how cheap theatre tickets are compared to my one and only hometown, Toronto. Ontario’s slogan “Yours to discovery” truly makes sense here.

WEST COAST

Vancouver

Vancouver has undoubtably the best food in Canada. Although some of it may be pricey, you don’t want to miss out on any of the eats while you’re here. Toronto is a close second in this regard, but from public opinion, Vancouver is still number one. I can’t think of a better Harbourfront than Vancouver’s seawall. 22km of paved scenic perfection. While you’re there, it’d be a shame to not check out Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. If you’re looking for some real nature, why not make your way to Vancouver Island to Della Falls!

Della Falls (Canada’s tallest waterfall) is actually quite a mission to get to, but that’s what makes it worthwhile. It’s accessible by helicopter or boat and definitely bound to be a memorable trip.

Stay tuned for a post on the one and only, Toronto!

INFOGRAPHIC: What to Expect at the London 2012 Games

Follow @brightroam

INFOGRAPHIC: What to Expect at the London 2012 Games

The London Games are coming up fast and there might still be tickets left. For more tips on watching the games click here.

Tweet

Other blogs that you may like:

Destination Unknown – Portland, Oregon

Ok, so Portland is actually fairly well known city in the USA – lately, thanks to this:

But aside from being America’s home of hipsters, what’s there to do in Portland?

1) Indulge at the Portland Seafood and Wine Festival

The west coast of the USA is renowned for its divine wines, and during this weekend festival in February, visitors to the Oregon Conventional Center will have the chance to sample from dozens of wineries, restaurants and more.

2) Head over to the Hat Museum

Featuring hats from contemporary designers like Phillip Treacy (a favourite of the British Royals) and noted icons like surrealist designer Elsa Schiaparelli, Portland’s Hat Museum is the largest in America and boasts a collection dating back to 1845.

3) Get beamed up at the UFO Festival

Sci-fi enthusiasts are sure to get a kick out of this annual event in May. Take in live music, movie screenings and of course, a costume parade, and embrace your inner alien for a weekend.

4) Stop and smell the roses

Portland is home to the International Rose Test Garden, a lush space with over 8,000 roses (thus giving credit to Portland’s nickname, The City of Roses).

5) Get to The Grotto

Even if you don’t have any religious affiliation, this 62-acre Catholic shrine and botanical gardens is one of Portland’s most peaceful (and popular) attractions.

If you’re thinking of planning a trip to Portland, don’t forget to order your Brightroam USA SIM Card – it’s free until December 31st, 2011!

It’s more than Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival is coming this May and all that glitters is finding its way to the south of France for another week and a half of fanciful fun. Starting May 14 and continuing through May 25, this event is a must for the up and coming in film. Find out more about Cannes Film Festival

Keep in mind, this is an impossible time to truly enjoy Cannes as the hotels are packed and the streets filled with paparazzi, but don’t skip the region all together.

I took trip through southern France in the fall of 2000 stopping in Nice to shop for designer fashion, Saint Paul de Vence to admire contemporary artist studios and Cannes to ponder life’s unanswered questions on the shores of the Cote d’Azur. It is a magical place dusted with fantastic views, scenic vistas and unparalleled style.

Traveling to the French Riviera is simple, you can either fly right into the Nice Côte d’Azur airport (the second largest in France) or you can take an overnight train from Paris or another major European city. Once there, you can get around by train, bus or rental car. From yacht tours to museums, wineries to golf courses, there are endless activities in the region to keep you occupied.

Here are some useful links for your trip:

Geotourism Challenge

On February 7th I wrote about hotel chains that are stepping up to make a difference in the environment by adding recycling programs and decreasing their usage of water and electricity. Another amazing thing that’s happening around the world right now is Geotourism.

Geotourism is about more than an environmental footprint but also how a hotel or tourist hotspot affects the character, culture and future of the places they reside. National Geographic defines Geotourism as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

I was recently made aware of an amazing contest being sponsored by National Geographic and Ashoka (an organization that helps entrepreneurs in under developed countries). The purpose of the contest is that entrants nominate individuals and organizations that support Geotourism.

You can take part in the contest by:

• Nominating candidates or enter the competition yourself
• Comment on entries in the online discussion throughout the competition. Use the contest forum to help tourism innovators refine and improve their ideas or simply learn more about great organizations to support in your travels
• Vote for three Geotourism Challenge winners from a slate of finalists

As of today, there are 89 entries in 44 countries! To name to a few: the 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking in Nepal; The Centre for Research in Environment in Kenya; and the Arenas del Mar Sustainable Beach Resort in Costa Rica.

You can visit the Geotourism Challenge Contest to read about these amazing organizations or perhaps nominate someone you know

Sleeping in airports

I found this website and I just couldn’t resist writing about it. It’s dedicated to the time old tradition of sleeping in airports. We’ve all done it due to flight cancellations and/or weather. Then there’s the times you can’t be bothered to find a hotel for a stopover that seems short enough to simply pitch a tent in the waiting area.

Sleeping in Airports was created with the budget traveler in mind, the person who chooses to sleep in airports rather than shell out money for an airport hotel, but I think it offers valuable information for anyone who needs to catch some zzz’s between flights. It includes an extensive international listing of airports and their sleep-worthy attributes and pitfalls. Many of the entries are written by a community of travelers.

Welcome to Ready to Roam

As a traveler you are inundated with websites, blogs, forums and journals telling you where, when and why to travel. For the majority of us those questions are already answered by work and family. I need to be in London next week for a conference. We are traveling to Barbados in November for a holiday. We aren’t looking for the place or reason to travel – we simply are travelers with expectations and ambitions. We want to acquire information, links and advice on making our trips remarkable.

I paired up with Brightroam to develop a blog where we share tidbits of knowledge on travel secrets for the person who already knows where, when and why they travel but is always interested in learning how to save time and money, improve their worldly skills and impress the locals.

Welcome to my blog

As a traveler you are inundated with websites, blogs, forums and journals telling you where, when and why to travel. For the majority of us those questions are already answered by work and family. I need to be in London next week for a conference. We are traveling to Barbados in November for a holiday. We aren’t looking for the place or reason to travel – we simply are travelers with expectations and ambitions. We want to acquire information, links and advice on making our trips remarkable.


I’m on an endless pursuit to travel ubiquitously, have visited almost every continent and have lived in Tokyo, New York, and four provinces of Canada. Along the way, I’ve enjoyed learning about different cultures, arts, languages, foods, technologies and local idiosyncrasies. The more I travel the more I discover that even the tiniest bit of knowledge can mean the difference between a success and a flop.

A good friend of mine offended her Japanese client at a first meeting by crossing her legs. My neighbors missed their flight out of Liberia Airport because they didn’t know 10 miles on a Costa Rican dirt road could take 2 hours. My husband raked up $200 in roaming charges on a weekend trip in Switzerland unaware there are better ways to call home than on a North American cell phone. These adventures and mishaps make entertaining party stories but imagine how good the punch line would be if you knew the solution ahead of time!

So join me on my blog twice a week where I share my tidbits of knowledge on travel secrets for the person who already knows where, when and why they travel but is always interested in learning how to improve their worldly skills and impress the locals.