Here is a list of 27 Fun Things to do in Vegas Besides Gambling, many of which are low cost or even free:

1. Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay Aquarium
2. Try some Thrill Rides on top of Stratosphere
3. Fire guns of all types at the Gun Shoppe
4. Try Beer Pong, and if you are good you can enter the World Series of Beer Pong!
5. Sirens Pirate Show at Treasure Island
6. Circus Circus Adventuredome
7. Attend a Trade Show
8. Experience the Nightlife
9. Shop at the Outlet Malls
10. Lion Sanctuary at MGM
11. Pamper yourself with Wellness and Spa
12. Play for hours at the Pinball Hall of Fame
13. The Skywalk at the Grand Canyon
14. Vast array of Fine Dining
15. Bellagio Fountain
16. Enter a Poker Tournament (Yes, it’s gambling, but win or lose, it’s still a real Vegas experience! Plus, skill is a factor! )
17. More shopping at the Fashion Mall
18. Enjoy the rejuvenated Old Vegas and the Freemont Experience
19. Ride the Rollercoaster at New York New York
20. See the amazing Auto Collection at Imperial Palace
21. Watch or try the Bull Riding at Gilley’s
22. Pool Parties at Tao Beach (Venetian) or Rehab (Hard Rock)
23. Catch a Boxing match. What’s more Vegas than that?
24. Speed freely at the Richard Petty Nascar Driving Experience
25. Amazing engineering marvel Hoover Dam and Lake Meade
26. Play year round Golf!Â
27. See a show, the variety is unreal

And of course… you can always

28.  GET MARRIED!

Do you have any more Vegas experiences to add!?

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• Research Local Specialties- In a foreign country, we sometimes encounter dishes that look delicious but are otherwise a mystery.  Knowing how they are made will make it easier for you to manage your meals when you are there.
• Healthier Happy Hour – Stay away from cocktails that are creamy or have a high sugar content.  Drinks made with pure fruit juices are a good alternative, and staying hydrated with water throughout the day is a must. Some good choices include Sangria, a Marguerita, or a Mohito.

• Breakfast Buffets – The huge selection of carbs can be tempting, but try heading to the fruit section first.  Tropical delicacies like Mango, Pineapple, Melon and Papaya are a real treat, and are also excellent fuel for your body!
• The Evening Meal – The huge and tempting selection, and the small amount of time for digestion before bedtime can really get us into trouble.  Try the salads first, and avoid creamy sauces, breading, and fried food.  Tropical seafood can be a real delight, and it is healthy too.  Freshly grilled or barbeques dishes can be a good choice, as can meats marinated in local spices, such as Jerk Chicken.  Yes, you are on vacation, but common sense and self control are still important.
• Be Careful – in destinations or properties where potable water is not available (other than bottled), avoid lettuce and fruits that you cannot peel yourself.
• The Dreaded Dessert Buffet – One sweet dessert is temptation enough, but the dessert buffet can be a killer.  If you just have to try more than one of the choices, take very small portions.  Also, I can’t say enough about the fruit… a great choice for dessert as well!
• Stay Active – You are bound to ingest at least a few extra calories while away, and you can counteract that by doing some sort of physical activity at lease once or twice a day.  It’s not that hard – go for a walk on the beach, participate in some of the organized hotel activities, go snorkelling and swimming, or even pop into the hotel gym.

Now that you know your vacation won’t necessarily explode your wasteline, contact me to help find the ideal resort at the best price for you!

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Here are the Top 10 Cruising Trends for 2012:

1. 10 Day Cruises – More and more cruisers feel that 7 days is just not long enough, and many of the major cruise lines are adding more longer sailings to their offering.  Another benefit of longer cruises is that ships can venture further from the embarkation port.

2. All Inclusive -  Some cruise lines are starting to include drinks in the fare, and Transat is now offering the all-inclusive Pullmantur line.  The high end Regent line even includes shore excursions and can actually be more cost effective than mid-range lines when you consider everything that is included.

3. Enrichment Programs – More than ever, people want to learn, and many cruise lines are offering guest speakers, seminars, classes, and other programs to enhance the experience for clients.

4. Emerging Destinations – More countries are realizing the benefits of opening their ports to cruise traffic, and frequengt cruisers are demanding newer and more unique destinations.  Adventure and expediation cruises are hot right now.  Asia, Africa, South America, and even the Middle East are becoming more accessible to cruisers.

5. Ship board activities – Cruise lines are getting more and more creative with the activities that they are offering.  You can now do a high ropes course on Carnival, ride a huge waterslide on Disney, and have a simulated F1 experience on Costa.  You can also ice skate, surf, watch movies on deck, have a picnic on real grass, and so much more!

6. More adults only areas – Families are enjoying cruises more and more, and that also means that adults are looking for more space to relax in peace.  Many cruise lines are expanding their poolside  adults only areas.

7. Major Ship Renovations – New ships come out all the time, and to stay competitive and recoup their investment, cruise lines are spending big money to keep older ships looking fresh and appealing.

8. Extending Port Stays – Cruise lines are breaking free of the daytime port stop model and offering more over night stays for the ports that justify it.

9. Customizable Shore Excursions – Many guests have shown willingness to pay for the perfect shore excursions, and cruise lines and tour companies are working to accomodate them.

10.  More Partnerships with Major Brands – Look for this to continue to become more prevalent as cruise lines go for that edge over the competition.  For example, NCL has been adding names like Blue Man Group, Legends in Concert, Cirque, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, and Nickolodeon, and Carnival has partnered with Guy’s Burger Joing, Punchliner Comedy Clubs, EA Sports Bars, and Hasbro.

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Punta Cana, Dominican:  Dreams Palm Beach,  Dreams Punta Cana

Mexico:  Dreams Cancun,  Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa,  Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa,  Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa.  Dreams Los Cabos Suite Golf Resort & Spa

Dreams resorts are perfect for families and couples, and feature beautiful pools and beaches, fine dining without requiring reservations, excellent entertainment and activity program, and no wristbands!

Book January 1 to 31, 2012 for Travel February 1 to April 30th, 2012

Contact Kevin today at 877-335-1781 to start working on your winter getaway to one of the fabulous Dreams Resorts, or to one of many other great Caribbean properties!

Savings are in CAD and are per stay. Not applicable to groups.  Not combinable with any other offer or promotion.   Bookings must made more than 14 days in advance.

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“One of sour, Two of sweet, Three of strong, Four of weak.”

Not clear enough for you? How about this:  One part lime juice, two parts sugar, three parts of your favourite dark rum (like Barbados own Mount Gay Rum), and four parts water.  Dissolve the sugar in the water, add the rum and lime juice, and blend well.  Serve on ice with a little bit of nutmeg!

Or… you could just head to the Caribbean and get it right from the source!

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They set the tone early when they chose a raccoon as their mascot - Porter intended to be persistent, tenacious, and survive in spite of adversity… a daring, different kind of airline.  Raccoons aren’t always liked, but they do have some strong qualities that help them to thrive.

Porter began in October 2006 with just 2 Q400 Bombardier turboprop planes flying Toronto island aiprort to Montreal and Ottawa, and they now have 24 planes servicing 16 destinations, with more of both to come.   They even offer service to tough to get to seasonal destinations like Myrtle Beach, Mont Tremblant, and Burlington Vermont.  Porter is now the 3rd largest airline in Canada next to Air Canada and West Jet.

The airline could have easily abandoned plans to set up shop on the Toronto Island Airport when David Miller killed the proposed bridge in 2003.  They moved forward with a free shuttle and ferry service from Union Station and haven’t looked back.

What else has contributed to their success?

• Record high customer satisfaction rates due to amenities such as free beverages (including alcohol!), more leg room, wifi, and free lounge access for all passengers
• By far the lowest cost structure in the industry, with a breakeven load factor of 50%, compared to 70% or more for all major competitors.
• An unwavering focus on Speed, Convenience, and Service.

If you haven’t tried Porter yet, I’m thinking that’s only a matter of time… and when you do, you likely won’t be disappointed.

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Believe me, RBC and other Travel Insurance providers are paying out on claims all the time. When you need it, you will either be very relieved that you have it, or devasted (and possibly even bankrupt) if you don’t. But, don’t take my word for it – here are some real examples of RBC claims including the amounts that were paid out:

Medical/Non-Medical Claims Stories

1. Vacation Medical Claim (Deluxe Annual Package):

Don’t gamble with your health care while on vacation. Here’s a real story that shows how travel medical insurance from RBC Insurance® provided assistance during a Hawaiian dream vacation.

While on a 15-day vacation in Hawaii, a client suddenly began to feel ill on the tenth day. She was brought to the hospital by ambulance and admitted for two days. After various tests and treatment, the client was given the okay to fly, and returned to Canada as originally scheduled. The client later told us that she was worried about costs and was happy Assured Assistance Inc. pre-approved her diagnostic testing for her emergency medical treatment. She thanked us for our support and for reviewing the medical documents prior to authorizing the necessary tests.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: US$29,570.

2. Vacation Non-Medical (Non-Medical Package)

Accidents happen. But, travel medical insurance from RBC Insurance can leave you free to focus on what’s really important: your recovery.

On the final day of a week-long trip in Aruba, a client was in the surf, at the beach, when she was struck by another swimmer and fractured her leg. Her friend quickly called Assured Assistance Inc. to advise them of the accident and inquire about making a claim. Fortunately, the client and her friend were able to return home safely, and right on schedule. Shortly after the claim was paid, we received a letter thanking us for our “outstanding service.”

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $1,300 (new flight and living expenses).

Trip Cancellation Delay Claims Stories:

1. Trip Cancellation (Non-Medical Package)

Need to cancel because of a covered risk? With RBC Insurance, the cancellation process is easy — and allows you to focus on more important things, such as planning your next trip.

The day before leaving on a long-awaited trip to Italy with his wife, a client suffered a medical emergency, and was unable to travel. He and his wife were unsure about how to make a claim. But a week after calling RBC Insurance, they received their claim documents and were contacted by a claims examiner. According to the clients, the RBC Insurance examiner was personal and efficient. Though they couldn’t go on their Italian getaway, RBC Insurance made the cancellation process painless. The clients said they are rebooking their trip and insuring it with RBC Insurance.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $7,221.

2. Trip Cancellation (Deluxe Package)

When health issues interfere with your vacation plans, RBC Insurance can help. With Trip Cancellation insurance, you will be free to focus on more important things: like taking care of your friends.

Four clients — all close friends — were looking forward to a trip to Santa Cruz, California. It was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to spend 15 days together. Shortly before they were scheduled to leave, however, one of them received devastating news about a health issue. After this client’s travelling companions heard the news, they were distraught. But they also realized they couldn’t abandon their friend, so they decided it would be best to cancel their trip. Fortunately, they had purchased Trip Cancellation insurance.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $10,376.

Trip Interruption/Baggage Claims Stories:

1. Trip Interruption (Deluxe Package)

When injury happens on vacation, Assured Assistance Inc. can help you take care of the necessary details, so you can focus on what’s really important: your speedy recovery.

A client was vacationing in Austria for 13 days when, on the sixth day, she sustained an injury that caused her to change her travel plans. After she contacted Assured Assistance Inc., we obtained the medical reports necessary to access her claim. We then completed the medical clearance forms for the airline, so that we could book and prepay for the client’s early return.This particular client is a hospital administrator and was so impressed with the level of service we provided that she told us she would use us as an example in her hospital.

Total cost of claim: $4,825.

2. Trip Interruption/Baggage Delay Claim (Deluxe Package)

When baggage delays and missed flights interfere with your romantic vacation plans, RBC Insurance can help you get back on track to where you planned to be: tropical paradise.

On their honeymoon vacation to the Canary Islands, a couple missed two connecting flights because of severe thunderstorms. Their trip was delayed by two days, and additional expenses for meals and accommodation were incurred. To make matters worse, both of their bags were also delayed. When they called RBC Insurance to start a claim, the representative who answered their call explained all of the benefits of the Deluxe package and the documents they needed to obtain prior to returning home. After he had explained everything so clearly, they were finally able to enjoy their honeymoon.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $1,185.

3. Business Trip Interruption (Deluxe Package)

When you get ill on a business trip, Assured Assistance Inc. can help you. With your insurance needs taken care of, you can focus on the business at hand: your recovery.

While travelling on a business trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a client became very ill. Assured Assistance Inc. quickly helped him to get medical attention but, unfortunately, he did not get any better. The client decided to return to Canada, and provided Assured Assistance Inc. with the documentation they required in order to take care of his return flight home. Fortunately, he had purchased the Deluxe package, so they were able to prepay for his return flight and cover his out-of-pocket expenses for hotels, meals, taxis and medical items.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $4,720.

4. Medical and Trip Delay Claims Story: Trip Delay (Deluxe Package)

Vacation and illness shouldn’t go together. Here is an example of how RBC Insurance helped to make the recovery process smoother. With Assured Assistance Inc., you receive the care you need.

While vacationing in Orlando, Florida, a client became ill. Her husband contacted Assured Assistance Inc. and they immediately sent a doctor, who suggested she go directly to the hospital. After six days in the hospital, which included significant testing and surgery, she was released and able to return home. Throughout this process, one of our registered nurses acted as a liaison. Later, her husband called to thank us for all the “excellent care and customer service” they had received.

Total cost of claim: Hospital expenses $32,528; Delay expenses $900.

Air Ambulance Claims Stories:

1. Air Ambulance Medical (Travelcare Health Select Medical Policy)

Your health shouldn’t be gambled with. With Assured Assistance Inc., you can reduce the stress of a medical emergency.

While at a casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, an elderly client accidently tripped and fell, fracturing his hip. He was treated by the hotel doctor, but his pain got worse, so he was taken to the hospital. Surgery was not necessary, but because of the client’s age, he was admitted for four days for observation and pain management. It was also recommended that he return home by air ambulance. When the client arrived safely, he called Assured Assistance Inc. to thank us for our high level of service.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: US$36,781, including US$28,836 for the air ambulance

2. Air Ambulance with Escort (Travelcare Medical – Gold Policy)

Accidents happen. But, with Assured Assistance Inc., your journey back to health can be a smoother ride.

While travelling with a friend in Peru for a motorcycle event, a client had a terrible accident in a remote location. He was airlifted to the nearest hospital, but unfortunately, his condition continued to worsen. When the client was able to call Assured Assistance Inc., they reacted quickly and moved him by air ambulance to another facility in Peru. A medical team then assessed his condition and recommended he be transferred back to Canada. For his journey home, Assured Assistance Inc. arranged for the client’s wife to accompany him.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $118,702, including air ambulance costs of $107,303.

3. Air Ambulance Medical (Travelcare Gold Package)

With travel medical insurance, you can rest easy when unexpected illness occurs … freeing you up to focus on a quick recovery.

During a holiday in Arizona, a client became ill. She called Assured Assistance Inc. and they sent a doctor to her hotel room. She was treated, but took a turn for the worse through the night and was taken to the hospital.ign=”left”>After being admitted for five days, the doctors arranged for an air ambulance and further treatment in an Ontario hospital. After she recovered, the client called to say that we were “the best, we came through for her while she was in a state of shock.

Total cost of claim: Hospital expenses US$16,120; Air Ambulance expenses US$19,000.

4. Air Ambulance Medical (Classic Medical)

With travel, there is always risk. With Assured Assistance Inc., things will be easier, no matter what challenges arise. After all, you have more important things to worry about — such as your recovery.

Two weeks after arriving in Arizona, a client suddenly became unresponsive. Her husband called an ambulance and Assured Assistance Inc. At the hospital, she was initially admitted for evaluation, but three days later, she had to be moved to intensive care. Six days later, she was fit to travel home to Canada. After obtaining a re-admission bed in Canada, Assured Assistance Inc. arranged for an air ambulance to get her home. Her husband later called Assured Assistance Inc. to thank us for all of our help during this stressful period.

Hospital expenses US$67,027; Air Ambulance expenses US$27, 262

Hospitalization Claims Stories

1. Medical Escort (Travelcare Gold Medical Policy)

Emergencies happen. But when you’re covered by Assured Assistance Inc., a medical escort can aid you in a time of need, so you can relax and focus on getting well.

Travelling with her daughter in Poland, a client experienced a medical emergency and was admitted to the hospital for 31 days. Her husband, at home in Canada, made the initial contact with Assured Assistance Inc. During the admission, Assured Assistance Inc. kept the husband up-to-date and also kept him connected with his daughter through phone calls. Once it was safe for the client to return home, Assured Assistance Inc. arranged to have a medical escort aboard the plane. During a follow-up phone call, the client said she could not thank us enough for all our care.

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $22,091.

2. Hospital Stay Medical (Classic Medical Policy)

Vacations shouldn’t involve hospital visits. But, when life happens, Assured Assistance Inc. can help you take care of the details, while you focus on achieving wellness.

While travelling in Geneva, Illinois, a client became ill and required a seven-day admission to the hospital. Assured Assistance Inc. was contacted and immediately managed the case. At the end of the admission, the client required daily medical visits. He could only return to Canada after all treatment in Illinois was complete. Upon his return, he called to say, “I am so happy with everything you have done. It has been first-class service since the day of admission to the return home.”

Total cost of claim: Hospital expenses US$21,117.

3. Hospitalization 46 days (Medical Claim)

Hospitalization shouldn’t be part of your travel plans, but life happens. RBC Insurance makes it easier to receive quality care, so you can regain energy and focus on planning your next trip.

While on a 33-day trip to Ghana, a client became ill on the 29th day and was admitted to hospital. Because of her condition, it was decided that she should be transferred to a hospital in Malaga, Spain, by air ambulance. During this transfer, her husband’s flight and hotel stay were covered by Assured Assistance Inc. In Spain, she was admitted to hospital for a total of 46 days until she was well enough to return to Canada via air ambulance. When we called to confirm her safe arrival, her mother thanked us for our support during the ordeal.

Total cost of claim: $398,370.

4. Death in the Family Claims Story:

When tragedy strikes, the last thing you need is added stress. With Assured Assistance Inc., you know that you and your family are in good hands, should anything happen.

On the second day of their vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, our clients received devastating news from home. One of their mothers was admitted to the hospital and the prognosis was not good. The clients immediately called Assured Assistance Inc. about returning to Canada. Of the options available, they decided to make their own arrangements and then submit a claim once home. Upon their return, their claim was processed and paid within a few business days. They later complimented us for our service, saying that “everyone was helpful and easy to deal with

Total cost of claim and amount refunded to the insured: $7,233.

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I’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to all who voted for me, as well as to all of my loyal customers!  It feels great to place so well against the large and well known agencies in the community. I really appreciate your voting support,  and of course your ongoing business and referrals.

Thanks again!!

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Dreaming about your next trip?    Feel free to check out our “Virtual Brochure Rack” anytime! 

Contact me at kvisser@travelonly.com if you are looking for something that is not there, if you need more info, or would like to book your trip!

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