Florida Vacations for Canadians by the Florida Canuck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpjfRz6H6i8

Family friendly amusement parks in Orlando

The 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is on from September 27 – November 11, 2013, in Epcot, Walt Disney World

7 lessons that travel well

A friend of mine once asked me if anything that I had learned in my past life as a Sergeant in the Canadian Army, ever gets utilized today in my second career “selling travel”. My response was simply “Every day!”
Here’s a few:

7 lessons that travel well


1. Trust and Respect are hard earned, and not easily given!

“They usually both take much time and care to build up, but either can be lost in the mere blink of an eye, never to return”!

2. If you don’t bring it, you can’t take it off

“It rains in England and snows in Canada, and depending on the time of year, you might need to bring a different jacket for both locations. Having no plan, often just further commits us to a bad one!”

3. Always check the position of the bolt first

“If you are not ready to deal with something right at this moment, don’t open it up without seeking help or clarification first! That which can’t be readily seen by the eye, can often stop the heart on contact.”

4. Prepare to move

“Deciding where you need to go next, is often much more important to the overall scope of things, than solely focusing on where you once travelled in the past! There are also clients you may never work well with, and knowing that in advance can often be a saving grace in itself. Never try to be all things to all people, just be yourself and you will eventually find your tribe!”



5. Know your troops and promote their welfare

“Qualify your clients, they are all unique and will hardly ever need or want the exact same vacation. Just because there is a suit hanging on the rack, doesn’t mean it fits your client! Respect their choices the same way that you would want yours respected. Pull that one off, and you just may see more ice time again in the future”!


6. A good go, is a good go!

“Digging a trench is hard work, doing pack drill can be even harder, but helping someone to plan their vacation or cruise should not be considered work! Enjoy what you do, and who you do it for, and you just might do it well someday”!

7. Learn to Serve

“If you are doing something just for the money, or for someone else’s approval, you’re not likely going to see much of either! But provide a service that truly helps others who are seeking it and you will one day be richer than you ever dreamed possible! Look after the troops and they will look after you! “

Do you have a lesson that travels well?

comment below and share your good advice.


Robbie Bulger - The Florida Canuck

http://www.floridacanuck.com

visit us on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheFloridaCanuck

Not Just Another Dog!

 

 

When I retired from the Canadian Army and started my own travel business, I had to do a lot of catching up in many areas such as marketing and sales, that I had not been exposed to as much as some of my peers.

 

Not wanting to fall behind or drop the ball, I started reading everything even remotely related to my industry that I could get my hands on. I also spent much of my time (still do), walking around with an audio book of some sort playing in the background, while I walked the dog or walked into walls.
 

I started training through Penn Foster College online, and attended supplier conferences throughout the US. While attending a training seminar in Cleveland Ohio, I stumbled upon a book called "Purple Cow" by marketing guru Seth Godin. It truly inspired me and not only changed the way I looked at business, but also helped clarify my own goals and stay true to what I intended to give back to my clients in customer service and overall value.
 

Sometimes we find our way and passion in life not just through trial and error, but often through the unorthodox approach taken that made us who we are in the first place! I guess as a former soldier, words of those like Seth, Brené Brown, Tony Robbins etc. who often speak about being of substance and value (caring more about the business you're building than the dollar you're making), kind of resonated with a service before self mentality that I had almost forgot was even there!
 

So although it may not matter to you yet that Google owns Youtube, or that analytics now tracks your every move on the internet, in a time period when certain cruise lines are handing out half off gift certificates for that week you spent in shambles, some hands on customer service that strives for something more than merely capturing your contact information or the fastest way to a buck or two, just might resonate with you as well.

Have a great weekend!

Robbie Bulger - The Florida Canuck

www.floridacanuck.com or visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheFloridaCanuck

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What they probably left out about Vegas!

                                                            

                                              

When talking about Vegas, I suppose I could just spiel off some safe information not likely to rock the boat, but it’s also not likely to prepare you much for a 2 or 3 day whirl wind trip to Sin City either! Whether you’re planning to live on the adventurous side of life or just survive as a casual observer, here are a couple of tips and observations that might prove useful:

Of course this might not apply to you, but if it’s been politely suggested a time or two, that you might be just a tad bit uptight, than Vegas is probably not for you! It’s also not a place I would recommend for family travel or bringing the little ones either. However, if you’re looking for that perfect getaway or to recharge the batteries for a bit, Vegas is calling your name!  There are usually tons of great specials & packages most of the year.

A few “good to knows” while in combat:

1.     Vegas is the gambling capital of the world, if you have never been to a casino before, but would like to try your luck and get in on some of the fun (without spending a fortune), then penny slots are a great place to start! Not only can you just sit back and observe things for a bit without risking your family fortune, you can also use it as a clever insider’s trick to saving some money on a great night out! For 5 or 10 bucks, you can usually play for quite a while (depending on your luck of course).

 

2.     Most of the casinos in Vegas (if not all), serve free complimentary drinks (beer, whiskey, rum, etc) that is, of course, as long as you are gambling! Yes, anything to keep you at the table! That said, the waitress who is working for tips, really doesn’t care what game you are playing, as long as you are kind enough to tip a buck or two each time she brings your drink. A suggestion though, as there’s likely to be much less traffic over at those slots than at the Black Jack or craps tables, you may need to go over and find your server first! If time is of issue as well, you might consider handing over a 5 spot in the process, as it has been known to turn on the GPS for the next round as well! Once you’re entered in as a previous destination point though, a buck or two should do just fine!

 

3.      Drinking and smoking often go hand in hand in most Casinos. Although Vegas may be a cigar smoker’s paradise, a 1970’s type life style is certainly not for everyone! However, most casinos do have no smoking areas (can’t guarantee that it’s not much smaller though, or that you won’t have to walk through the smoking area first).  That said, the air purification systems in most of the hotels/casinos I’ve been, are very good and circulate the air quite well. The open floor concept in huge places like the Venetian or Bellagio helps as well.

 

4.     You’re in Vegas for crying out loud, go see a show and dine out at least once while you’re there! That in mind, there’s no replacement for some great buffets available as well. If you go at lunch time too, it will usually have the same items at a much lower cost. If you get the chance, try the Bellagio weekend brunch buffet. A little more than some, but well worth the experience.

 

5.     If you’ve been waiting your whole life to visit a café or bakery in Paris, and then end up just picking up some prepackaged cookies so that you can tell your friends that you were there, then you’re probably missing your own point for going! Vegas can be very similar to that, yes you can likely get a room for $20 or $30 at Circus Circus or similar, but that old adage “You get what you pay for” will likely kick in once you find out you’re now a participant in a 3 am gong show! If time is an issue or you would like some advice on where to stay, check out the new Hotel Search on the Florida Canuck site below. It is powered by Expedia, and offers the same selection of hotels and affordable rates. As it is also paired with Trip Advisor reviews and map/ satellite photos, picking a great hotel option has never been easier.  * You can easily switch back and fourth from US dollars or Cdn Dollars as well.*

Have a great weekend!  And like the ad says “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”!

 

http://floridacanuck.com/

               

                                   

2 years in Florida: My Canuck lessons learned

2 years in Florida: My Canuck lessons learned

Since I haven’t posted for while, and it is coming up on my 2 year anniversary for living down here in Florida, I thought I would take a minute and provide a bit of feedback and a few observations that might prove useful or just good to know. Here goes:

1.      Most down here won’t understand if you ask for a double- double with your coffee, same when asking for “pop”, they call it “soda”. Though It’s not Tim Horton’s,  if you’re driving past the Krispy Kream when the “hot” sign is lit up, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better donut, right out of the oven!

2.     Yes, you will get the odd clown fish, and the typical “eh or aboot once and awhile (like it’s funny for the first time)! I usually don’t waste much time giving it back though “ Y’all  speak amerkin down here” I might say. Contrary to popular belief back in Canada though, most people down here (in Florida anyway), are just as nice, or maybe nicer than in some parts back home! Most folks down here generally tend to have a good sense of humor and fairly thick skin!

3.     There is absolutely no equivalent to Canadian Tire down here, so just give it up and move on! Yes, you can get a new tire or an oil change just about anywhere, but getting up-sold on a bunch of stuff you really didn’t need

 (by a truly awful mechanic), just won’t have the same feel to it!

 

4.     You pay for gas up front here, and the pump won’t turn on until you’ve either paid inside, while guessing the amount needed, or you try to pay at the pump and fill it!  In doing so however, you will likely notice that your debit card is incompatible and your credit card requires you to enter a ZIP code beforehand. If that happens however, here’s a little trick:

Enter the numbers from your postal code (for wherever you Credit card statement comes to), and replace the remaining 2 spots with zero’s. For example, if your postal code was K2K 3J4, you would then enter 23400 for the zip code. *I have personally done this many times in the past, and it works just fine!

 

5.     Even though you will most likely never find it truly cold here, even in the dead of winter, the very second that the temperature dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius), every store clerk and waitress will be telling you to bundle up and stay warm out there. I’d likely get mad if someone told me that back home, as December through March, it’s likely not gonna happen!

 

6.     The minimum wage here in Florida is $7.79, but service industry workers such as waitresses and bar staff etc, are paid considerably less than that

 (4.79 hr), as they are classified as tipped workers. Please remember to tip well; as you are not just making a statement about poor service when you don’t tip, you’re most likely just sticking it to the server instead of the company!

7.        Costco and Sam’s Club down here are basically the same type of store. Members can get cheaper prices when they buy in bulk, and the gas prices at their pumps are probably a few cents cheaper than the average price as well. Remember to make a stop at their liquor sections too, usually a bit cheaper as well. If you’re just looking for beer or wine though, any corner or grocery store will likely suffice just the same. And yes, your Canadian membership will work just fine at the Costco down here.

8.        If you are a sports fan at all, Tampa is an awesome place to live! You have the Bucs for football, the Rays for baseball, and the Lightning for hockey (who have some of the best ticket prices in the league). This is not to mention all of the baseball teams that are within the area during Spring Training as well!

9.        Thanks giving in the states is amazing, by far my new favorite holiday. Yes we celebrate a similar day in Canada, but not in the same context or even in the same ball park.

10.     In Canada, many people drive an old beater for a car, especially in the winter. Down here though, people in general tend to invest more in the appearance of their automobiles (mainly because of the weather I think), as driving around in the sun with a dirty car, just seems to stand out a lot more than in a harsher climate. On that note as well, it is nothing to still see an actual “car wash” like we had back in the 70’s and early 80’s (much more modern now though of course)! You still pull in and drop your car off while a bunch of people work on it, but now you can also go inside and have a cappuccino or surf the internet while you’re waiting for your car. 

11.      Oh and one last point before I forget, and in case you didn’t know. It can get pretty freaking hot down here in the summer, and I’m not talking normal hot either, I mean middle-east type hot! People stay trapped in their houses or at the mall (anywhere with air conditioning really) from June to Sept, just like we do back home during the winter months (running to and from the car so to speak). And finally the rain! In the summer here, you will open the window and see a beautiful day, then decide to venture outside for a walk. Once you do however, it is not unusual to have a perfectly clear sky, suddenly turn into a black Schleprock cloud over your head, pouring down bullets, like it clearly hates you! No worries though, 15 minutes later you will probably be safe to go back to the pool or the beach. Can’t say that won’t happen 3 more times before the day’s out though. Welcome to Florida, eh!


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