Environmental Concerns and Green Travel Tips

There are more and more of us traveling every year. With so many of us out there, it’s more important than ever to think about how travelers impact the environment.

Making your travel “green travel” is a great way to protect the environment for people who visit after you do and for our children. You don’t necessarily have to pay more to travel this way. You might even find that your travel will be more rewarding, more authentic… let you get closer to the people and places you travel to…. and cheaper!

So let’s list some green travel tips….

Try to choose a green hotel. See if you can find out what kind of recycling program they have. Do they use energy efficient lighting? Low flow toilets? Water saving shower heads?

Check to see if guests have the option to reuse hotel towels and sheets instead of having them laundered everyday… then reuse them! Keep your showers short.

Turn off air-conditioning, lights, heat, television, etc. when you leave the room.

Bring your own toiletries rather than using the prepackaged ones at the hotel. Leave theirs behind. All those little bottles use lots of plastic, and who needs a whole drawer full of these once you get home?

Pack a water bottle that you can reuse. (Don’t keep buying them. Most plastic water bottles don’t get recycled.)

When renting a car, get the smallest most fuel-efficient car that you can be comfortable with. (Even consider a hybrid… it’s more and more possible to rent hybrids these days.) And try driving slower. If you go 60 mph (100 Kilometers per hour-KPH) or less, you’ll use less fuel… and just maybe you’ll see more. Get maps and directions for the most direct route. No reason do drive around lost and waste gas.

Walk to use public transportation when you can. Stay at a centrally located hotel. Walk around to see the sights; in the countryside, hike or bike if possible.

If you’re walking a beach, consider picking up trash along the way. If all visitors did this, all of our beaches would be so much cleaner.

Incentives For Coupon Shopping Canada

There are many incentives for coupon shopping Canada retailers instead of shopping in the country that you live in. Some of the retailers are based in the United States, but the offers for shipping and discounted prices for the most part are for the benefit of Canadian residents. These incentives might be found in cash back shopping opportunities, or even hotel and guides that will allow you to have a marvelous vacation package.
The United States customer has not been forgotten by these retailers that make Canadian customers such nice offers. They offer incentives for coupon shopping Canada customers can not use. Many of the free online coupons offer that center around shops, who are major retailers in most cases that are physically located within the Continental United States.
Great Britain is offered their range of discount codes as incentives for coupon shopping Canada residents can not use. These online coupon codes are easy to enter, print and present for discounts at any online retail location in the United Kingdom. These are valuable coupons that are passed on by these retailers, as a marketing offer to spread the word about all of the great bargains that they offer.
The incentives for coupon shopping Canada stores might include hot deals that have expiration dates in the near future. Other coupon codes can be used on an unlimited number of purchases because they have no expiration date on them at all. Most of these offers provide at least a 5 percent discount, and there are some stellar discount coupon offers that will take as much as 17 percent off at the check-out.
The best incentives for coupon shopping Canada stores, is the marvelous assortment of items that are available to you at prices that will receive a great discount during the check out process. The categories that may be offered at any one time, might give you great discounts in fashion apparel, home finance programs and services, jewelry that is offered in a variety of precious metals, and travel opportunities that can benefit the family and business traveler.
You also have the choice of choosing which type of discount offer to use on any order that you place. One of the best incentives for coupon shopping Canada storefronts might be realized in using expiring coupons first, on one of the items in your shopping cart. By creating several other orders you can reap greater savings by using the incentives for coupon shopping Canada bargain shoppers use all of the time.
These savvy shoppers divide each order up into a suitable amount that will meet the minimum purchase requirements for the deep discounts they will receive, when they use a $10 off coupon. Further discounts will be realized when they take advantage of the free shipping offer that each purchase will qualify for. Through careful manipulation of the minimum dollar amount requirements, a customer can turn a $10 discount into multi-saving bargain coupons with a little order rearrangement.
Careful shoppers will use all incentives for coupon shopping Canada bargains, because the benefits just seem to multiply. Read all the coupon requirements and you can turn them into a multi-savings benefit.

Nub’s Nob Ski Vacations

If you will be in Michigan, you should definitely visit Nub’s Nob Ski Resort. Nub’s Nob has what is considered to be the Midwest’s best snow, and the resort has a reputation for being a family friendly mountain. Generations of families have brought their children here for their very first ski run. The mountain layout is fairly simple with an elevation of 1338 feet and a vertical drop of 427 feet. There are 43 trails serviced by eight chair lifts. Boasting one of the best skiing and snowboarding schools in the country, both private and group lessons are available. If you are brand new to the sport, you can even learn to ski free, and take advantage of Nub’s Cubs Childcare Center while you learn. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that intermediate or expert skiers won’t find any challenges waiting for them at Nub’s Nob! The terrain is varied, and you will find challenges. Night Skiing is also available. The Ski School offers training programs for advanced skiers who are interested in racing, and many racing events are held at the resort. You can signup for race leagues at the resort, and many league events are planned each season. Equipment rental is available, and there is a General Store right inside the lodge, where you can purchase gloves, hats, and neck warmers among a variety of other items. You should also visit the technology center to have your ski’s tuned or repaired. You won’t go hungry either! Nub’s Nob Cafeteria is open for breakfast and lunch, and if you brought your own lunch, you can eat in the ‘brown bag’ room. Nub’s Winter Garden serves grilled burgers when the weather allows. Pintail Peak Warming Hut is located at the top of the Black Lift. Here, you can enjoy amazing views while enjoying home made soups and sandwiches. Nub’s Nob is the place to go if you want to have a great family ski vacation – or if you are already an expert skier interested in racing and skill events. There is plenty to do and see. In fact, you may find that you have a problem deciding which activity to participate in first! Don’t worry about missing anything, though – if you want to ski now and board later, you can do that. Most events are planned for the weekends, so arrange your schedule so that you are able to attend or participate in the planned events.

Save Money By Importing Your Car, Auto Or S.U.V. Into Canada

You may think that it is really a difficult process to import a car into Canada from the US. It is not that difficult if you follow the clearly outlined rules – step by step. In the end it is a way for Canadians to save big money on the major purchase of purchasing a new vehicle – be it car, truck, van or SUV.
First and foremost – do your research on the car. This should be very standard stuff to you. There are a myriad of resources – newspapers, the library, auto dealers, books such as the classic Canadian car purchasers book – “Lemonaid “by the author Phil Edmonston. You can speak to other car purchasers – word of mouth is often the bet form or research. O course you can always do standard research on the internet or even pay a service online or even a person to do the work.
Next – go the official government of Canada “Registrar of Imported Motor Vehicles “- whether it by phone or the internet. Research the car on the Riv.ca site (Registrar of Foreign Motor Vehicles) or phone. By checking and verifying online Transport Canada’s list of vehicles admissible from the United States you can check to see if the car is simply importable, that there are no restrictions on your vehicle of choice. If the car is easily importable you may find that are minimal modifications may be needed to certify the car for import into Canada. If major modifications are needed to import your vehicle or if the car is listed in the “inadmissible:” column of the column labeled ” notes” indicates restrictions or modifications needed to import your chosen brand, model or year of vehicle take careful heed and note of these modifications, restrictions or concerns before proceeding in your quest. In order to export the vehicle to Canada (from the U.S. to Canada), fax the required U.S. Customs export documents to the U.S. Customs border office. Next in line at Canada Customs (correctly the Canadian Border Service Agency) you will about $ 300 in Riv fees and provide the proper paperwork and documentation to the Canadian Border Service Agency, Pay the now 5 % GST (General Sales Tax) on the U.S. converted purchase price of the vehicle again to Canada Customs and you are finished the first major hurdle of importing your bargain priced car from the United States into Canada You will also be asked to provide a “Recall Clearance Letter” which will certify that the vehicle has no outstanding vehicle Recalls and that all the manufactures recall upgrades have been done. This document can be simply provided on request by either the car dealer or vehicle manufacturer and must be on official company or dealer letterhead.
If you are going to drive your new car or other vehicle home you will need some form of vehicle registration and insurance. One other option is to have the freighted home by a common carrier. Many auto carriers are available who will take pick up your car at the dealer’s lot and transport it to you in Canada or to a point at the American border. Depending on the rules of the state where the vehicle is purchased sales tax may not be charged if the car leaves the dealer’s lot on the truck as opposed to being driven away. In addition the car most likely will be insured during transport by the carrier. In these cases the cost of the sales tax payment saved may well be in excess of any shipping costs. In addition it saves you the time, expense and gas of traveling to pick up the vehicle as well as driving it home. If the vehicle is to be transported to the Canadian border for you’re to clear customs you must ensure that you have the car registered and insured. Often this can be done by your current insurance plan – perhaps an extension of your current insurance or a temporary permit obtained. Either way the car must be registered or insured one way or another if you are to drive the car from the Canadian border port of entry. If driven (and not hauled by truck vehicle transport), your car will need to be “plated” and insured. The dealer, who sold you your car, or the local highway department / sheriff, can assist you in obtaining these documents. As for insurance this can often be provided back home, as an extension of your current auto insurance plan or as a new purchase of car insurance.
If you are traveling away from home, the purchase can usually be done over the phone, with documents faxed.
You have now passed the first major hurdle of the steps of importing your new vehicle into Canada. Your vehicle will now have to be certified within Canada. Riv (The Registrar of Imported Motor Vehicles) will send you its “Vehicle Inspection Form” within two weeks. You will have 45 days from the time of submission of your documentation to the Canadian Border Service Agencies to complete the necessary modifications.
There are a number of straightforward steps in the process are taking your new vehicle for individual certification and inspection. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles of Canada (Riv.ca) (www.riv.ca) has contracted with the well known and available the national auto parts and service center chain Canadian Tire to perform the federal Riv inspection. This fee is included as part of the Riv fee – so that you do not have to pay this fee yet again. The Canadian Tire Service Centers can also perform certain modification work as well, (at your cost), as well as perform many, if not most, of required standard provincial vehicle inspections. Once passed, you will next present the vehicle for the routine Canadian provincial or territorial licensing authority for its inspection and approval.
It cannot be stressed enough that although you should be saving money in the process of importing your new vehicle into Canada that the onus is on you to be both current and thorough in your research and documentation. Follow all steps. Do not take shortcuts or foolish chances. The rules can and may change from time to time. The onus is you to check with the relevant authorities – be it the Riv Canada site, the manufacturer of the car, truck or S.U.V., your Provincial highway and traffic authority and your auto insurance company among other authorities and department. The onus is you to check. If not sure phone or email to verify. Remember written documentation is always best. By following the above steps your new car purchase should be an enjoyable and trouble free experience as well as a most economical and thrifty purchase.

Moving To Canada

There are plenty of sites offering information on how to apply for a Canadian Immigration Visa and many more offering services (paid of course) to help you do it. One of the major issues I had during the immigration process was the actual move itself and what happens when you arrive. I have received plenty of emails through my information website, onestopimmigration-canada.com, asking for additional help and advice about what forms are required, what to expect at the Canadian customs and what to do when they first arrive in Canada.
I won’t pretend this article will answer all questions for everybody, but I’ll be giving as much background as I can with more, detailed information backing it up from the website in the text or by links to the appropriate authority. I’ll start with one of the biggest headaches – the house sale (if you own) and packing up for the move.
Packing Up
When it comes to moving house there are several theories as when to put the house up for sale. Basically, we were told to wait until called for medicals as at least then you are over half way through the process. We were lucky in that we had somewhere to go, so we put the house on the market as we just wanted to have it sold and out of our hair! Even then, as “Our Story” shows, we had trouble. If you own your house you need to asses the local housing market and though its always a gamble, plan your house sale and know at what stage in the immigration process you will put it up for sale.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, but once the visa is issued, you only have 12 months from the date of your MEDICALS to physically land in Canada. One big worry I had was that we wouldn’t be able to sell the house quickly which in turn would delay our landing. If you miss the 12 month deadline, you will probably have to redo the medicals at a fair cost and then resubmit form there. Or you could land in Canada with your house unsold back in your native country with all the problems that entails. With many people’s houses being their main source of settling funds, you’ll need to have that money in the bank as soon as you can after landing.
If there is anyway you can find temporary accommodation then to have the house sold is one less headache you need when you are moving countries. You may pay rent for a while but at least you know what is in the bank when you arrive in Canada and this allows you to budget properly for your new life.
We used the whole exercise to get rid of all our old or unwanted things and start again. It comes down to economics if it costs more to insure, store and ship something than its worth. The decision on whether to insure or not is a personal choice and depends upon the value of the items you are shipping and don’t forget to take into account any excess fees you have to pay in the event of damage or losses. You will need to build a list of all the items you are bringing into Canada and give their values in Canadian dollars.
This is probably easiest to take it from the inventory drawn up by the packing company – give as accurate assessment of value as you can but don’t spend weeks on it. If you have a box of kids toys for example – put your best guess at the value on the list as follows:
1. Box of assorted used kids toys C$100.00
2. Box of photographs No commercial value
3. Queen size bedC$850.00
And so on. You will be expected to have several copies of your packing list and a form B4 (Goods to follow) with it upon your arrival so make sure you have at least 3 copies in your hand luggage. Its ok to have too many but a pain if you don’t have enough!!
You will also need a similar list for any items you bring with you on the day of arrival and also any other subsequent shipments (we had an extra large box of things couriered in a totally separate shipment just before we left).
The chances are you will be using a specialist international moving company to move your possessions to Canada. Depending upon where you are moving from, you may have a long wait for your things to arrive at their final destination. You may also decide to store the property in your home country while you find the home of your dreams so make sure you allow for storage charges and extra insurance. These charges soon mount up and can give you a nasty surprise.
One thing I’ll say about the moving companies is that you are paying them for a service, if they are a good company they will be able to advise on the correct paperwork etc and formalities that will ensure a smooth arrival and customs clearance in Canada. You don’t need your shipment to be turned away from the port of entry (very expensive when they order its return to the original port of departure) or you end up liable for extra taxes etc. because of incorrect paperwork. You may well be able to have it repaid once you prove it is legitimate but you will still be out of pocket in the short term.
Most shipping agencies charge by the cubic foot and have several schemes offering different rates – “share a container” or “Full container”. The Full container service will have the container packed and sealed at your residence. The shared container service will see your possessions packed at your residence and then transported to the companies’ depot. Once there it is packed with other items to complete a container.
Pets
As with everything, your circumstances depend on whether you’ll bring any pets over with you. There are strict rules to be adhered to for the Importation Of Animals – as with most countries – so please ensure you fully understand what is required.
There are a few things to consider – if you are going into rented accommodation on your arrival having a pet will seriously restrict your choice of home. The local bylaws concerning pets are fairly strictly enforced leading to large fines if broken so make sure you understand them!
Make sure any inoculations are in date and you have the records. Also, it isn’t cheap to transport animals so bear that in mind too. Its worth delaying the arrival of your pet if possible to give you time to settle in and complete all the arriving formalities with one less thing to worry about. After a long and stressful journey do you really need to stay at the airport for several hours while the vet inspects your pet and completes all the necessary paperwork? Then you have to organise the transport to your accommodation (if they take pets) with a stressed out animal!
At the end of the day, moving countries is enough of an upheaval without leaving the family pet behind. That was the case for us so we brought our 3 year old Golden Retriever “Boris” over about 2 weeks after us. Boris was in kennels for 2 weeks prior to his departure during which time he had a custom travel kennel made for him and time to get used to it. All the necessary paperwork and vets examinations were handled by the shipper and he was booked on a scheduled flight. On the day of the flight he wasn’t put in the kennel until the last minute before loading which kept the time in the kennel restricted.
When we collected him all the paperwork was in order and all we had to do was go to the customs hall in the Calgary Terminal (pay a C$30.00 import duty) and then return to the cargo terminal with the release paperwork to collect one seriously excited dog!
Arrival Day
I guess it would be the worst nightmare if you landed without the correct documentation so hopefully we can help avoid that! It is essential that these items are carried in your HAND LUGGAGE and not packed away in a suitcase. All the Immigration processing takes place before you reclaim your baggage.
Your Canadian Immigrant visa and confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member with you.
A valid Passport or other official travel document for each family member (normally must have a minimum of 6 months left before expiry).
Sufficient funds to cover your living expenses for 6 months.
Two copies of a detailed list of ALL the personal or Household items you are bringing with you. These lists must state how much the items are worth in Canadian Dollars.
Two copies of a list of items to follow – if you are shipping things later. Again, the values in Canadian Dollars must be shown.
For the goods to follow we used the insurance values we had stated to make it easier (as described above) and had made detailed lists of everything to come and in what shipment they were in. The Canadian Customs and Border Crossing Agency (CBSA) are responsible for enforcing the laws and provide the form B4 for personal effects accounting. You should receive a checklist and detailed instruction on what is required for your arrival in Canada when you receive your immigration visa’s I know when we had our visa’s issued they were accompanied by a checklist of documents.
If you have any questions please contact your nearest High Commission or the CBSA BEFORE you leave your home country – one good tip is to ensure any important documents or transcripts are translated into English or French as required (if they aren’t already) before you arrive . For a more detailed overview go to our Customs and Immigration page.
It may be advisable to carry any other personal documents in your hand luggage as well. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada E-Book “A Newcomers Introduction to Canada” gives excellent advice on this matter.
As with most countries around the world, Canada takes its security extremely seriously and will not bend the rules for anybody. The guidelines are quite straight forward and to ensure a problem free arrival its imperative you stick to them. There are two main pamphlets available to assist you depending upon your circumstances.
RC4151 – Settling in Canada is the document to guide you if you are settling in Canada for the first time or after being abroad for over 3 years (For Canadians)
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Also, for those who are moving to Canada to study or work temporarily the pamphlet RC4220 Entering Canada to Study or to Work will be your guide.
Ensure all your possessions you bring with you are listed with values in Canadian Dollar have two copies ready – one to keep and one for the officials. To speed things up when you land you can download and print the forms B4 and B4A from the CBSA website. It’s best to have all your lists typed out to make life easier for the officials. Also, you will need the same forms for the goods to follow (if any). No import tax or duties are payable on settlers personal and household effects as long as you have owned, possessed and used them prior to arrival in Canada. If possible try and find any receipts and/or registration documents to support this.
There is also a scheme for wedding gifts if you are newly married or about to be married within 3 months of your arrival in Canada. It is worth noting that any items you will be using for commercial purposes will be subject to regular duties at the current rates.
With the recent international clamp downs on terrorism and money laundering it is essential that if you physically carry on your person, over C$10,000 or foreign equivalent in cash, bonds or securities you report it to the customs official. There isn’t any limit on settler’s funds but failure to follow the rules may result in the seizure of the cash and/or big fines. See the pamphlet RC 4321.
Good Luck!