Pro tips for booking your next winter getaway
A winter getaway is a wonderful thing. To be fair, you could say the same about vacations taking place during any other stretch of the calendar; but winter getaways pack an inherently stronger punch, simply by virtue of the fact that they come at what is, for most people, the bleakest time of year. It's like trying to compare drinking a glass of water after reading the newspaper to drinking a glass of water after running a half-marathon—circumstances matter.
Still, the act of escaping on a winter getaway is only half the battle. Execution is equally important; knowing when, what, where, and how to book—or hiring someone who does—is essential to planning any getaway.
Enter TWIL Travel. TWIL is a boutique travel consultancy operating out of Toronto. Their team has a diverse palate of expertise in planning bespoke itineraries, milestone and bucket list trips, corporate travel, cruises, and chartered or exclusive trips. TWIL is well-versed in pretty much all aspects of the travel industry. Which is to say, they are more than qualified to dish advice about planning a stellar winter getaway.
"In terms of availability, it's always best to book early. Airlines utilize dynamic pricing, so even within a single class of service, there will be multiple price points and the cheapest ones usually go first."
In a recent conversation with HUB Insurance Hunter, TWIL's Ilana Valo touched on many aspects of the winter getaway planning process, including the all-important step of settling on a destination—a choice, she insisted, that shouldn't exclude places that are experiencing cold winters of their own.
"When people think winter holiday, most immediately think of sun and sand," began Valo. "But there are so many fantastic winter destinations that can still offer an amazing holiday. Whether it's skiing, hiking glaciers, dogsledding, or visiting the Nordic countries to see the northern lights."
Just as a destination like Iceland might be overlooked in the winter, she argues that some clients often immediately write off destinations that are perceived to be unsafe for a variety of reasons—many of which just aren't true.
One example that she provided was Mexico.
"The Mayan Riviera, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta regions are fabulous holiday destinations. Unfortunately, many people immediately write them off as a result of negative media and publicity over the last few years. Mexico offers some of the best value, luxurious properties and great food. Like anywhere, if you are cautious and act responsibly, they can be incredibly safe," Valo explained.
People always ask what the besttime to book their travel is. While there are no guarantees, the general rule of thumb is the earlier the better, according to Valo.
"When it comes to air, sometimes airlines will have seat sales, and you can never predict that, but rarely will they offer discounts on their peak travel dates," she said. "In terms of availability, it's always best to book early. Airlines utilize dynamic pricing, so even within a single class of service, there will be multiple price points and the cheapest ones usually go first.
"More and more, hotels as well are trying to get sales on their books as early as possible, so they're promoting early-bird booking specials. It's always in your best interests to book as early as possible, and in the event that the rate goes down, as long as the hotel is not fully pre-paid, they will often honor the lower rate or promotion.”
Every season comes with its own specific booking ebbs and flows, and it should come as no surprise that booking right smack in the middle of the winter holidays is going to make for some expensive timing.
"Right before the holidays, prior to usually about December 18, 19, rates are really good—and then again right after the holidays—the second, third, and fourth weeks in January are typically well priced. Holiday periods and major school breaks are typically when pricing is at its peak and should be avoided, if you can be flexible," said Valo.
With all of this free, travel agent-dispensed information, you might be inclined to think that you'd be able to plan an awesome winter getaway entirely on your own. But before dismissing the idea of seeking out a travel agency like TWIL for assistance, it's worth considering the valuable time you'd save and the additional perks it would bring to the table.
"We add tremendous value," began Valo. "There's a big misconception that when you use a travel advisor, you're going to be paying more, when in fact, more often than not, we get our clients so much more value. We work very closely with a lot of our suppliers, we have incredible relationships with them, and it's in their best interests to make sure that our clients are happy.
"When you book a hotel through an online travel agency like Expedia, the hotel has no idea who you are, your preferences or how to make your stay special," said Valo. "When our clients show up to that same hotel, they are personally welcomed, are eligible for a complimentary upgrade, if it’s available and usually benefit from other great perks such as breakfast, resort credits, spa treatments, etc."
Just remember, as Valo points out, that booking doesn't end with your accommodation.
"It's always recommended that insurance is purchased at the same time, or within 24 hours of making your first deposit."