Welcome to 10 Great

Our goal at Travelocity.ca is to Inspire Travellers and Deliver Great Experiences.

So we've developed our 10 Great series to provide you with suggestions of 10 Great places to see, 10 Great things to do, 10 Great people to see...well, you get the picture.

10 Great Spooky Halloween Destinations

Counting down the days to Halloween? Travelocity.ca has scoured the world looking for places to scare travellers out of their sneakers. After countless hair raising scares and scenes that will make horror movies look like romantic comedies, we’ve come up with 10 Great Spooky Places, both near and far:

Disneyland Haunted Mansion: Anaheim, California: With the added autumn chill in the air, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is a fright to behold for families looking for a Halloween scare.

Chase Mausoleum: Christ Church, Barbados: Cryptic legend surrounds the Chase Mausoleum in Christ Church Graveyard in Barbados. According to West Indian folklore, coffins of Chase family members buried in the early 1800s move around in the locked vault, sometimes lining up vertically along the walls, without the seal on the vault having been broken.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Known as “The Most Haunted City in America,” New Orleans is filled with tricks and treats for all ages. Wander through the “cities of the dead” and witness the eerie beauty of the above-ground tombs alongside rusty and decorative ironwork, statues and crosses.

Day of the Dead, Mexico: Mexicans have a truly soul searching tradition dating back to the indigenous culture. On the first and second day of November they celebrate a national holiday – the Day of the Dead – conducting rituals remembering and rejoicing the life and death of their ancestors. Families create cemetery alters with memorabilia, photos, food and drink to entice the spirits of the lost souls to surface for reconnection.

The Stanley Park Hallowe’en Ghost Train: Vancouver, British Columbia: Take a ride on the scary side for a family evening filled with fear and fun. As the cold darkness descends on Stanley Park, the Hallowe'en Ghost Train embarks on an illuminated journey through the deep, dark woods.

Jack the Ripper Tour: London, England: For a spine tingling journey, walk through the shadows of London’s infamous terror—Jack the Ripper. Follow the bloodstained trail left by Jack the Ripper across the cobblestone courtyards and discrete passageways of London’s East End.

Edinburgh Castle: Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted spots in Scotland, and Edinburgh itself has been called the most haunted city in all of Europe. Venture beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town and creep through the underground vaults and chambers of South Bridge.

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery: Chicago, Illinois: Rumoured to be one of the prohibition-era gangsters’ favourite places to dump bodies, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Chicago, is an old and decaying burial ground that has been the site of countless stories about ghosts, spirits, and devil worship. Several headstones in the cemetery seem to move at will, and many claim that the spirits of the dead often materialize and walk the grounds at night.

Charleville Castle: County Offaly, Ireland: Filled with myth and mystery, legend has it the original design of Charleville Castle was meant to harness the energy of the druid people but instead attracted evil spirits. Others believe Ireland’s most haunted castle was erected over a plague pit and is now doomed to the ghoulish wind of the trapped and diseased. Little Harriet, the youngest daughter of the third Earl of Charleville, who built the castle, died tragically in the staircase at eight years old and has been reported singing at night.

Salem, Massachusetts: There is no shortage of spooky things to do and see in the infamous coastal town, known as the site of the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. During the trials, 19 people were hung and one man was crushed to death between stones after pleading not guilty to his conviction of witchcraft – before the hysteria ended, 24 people were brought to death.

10 Great Day Trips for Families

Summer vacation is upon us and many families are planning their next great adventure. Excitement can be found close to home as our great nation boasts many amusement parks, natural wonders and exciting museums right on travellers' doorsteps.

Travelocity.ca suggests these 10 Great Canadian family trips that will help make 2011 the most memorable summer vacation.

Algonquin Park, Ontario
With campsites in 12 organized campgrounds, 14 different hiking trails, and almost 8,000 sq km of semi wilderness, Algonquin Park is a must-visit destination for adventurous Canadian families who love to bike, hike or just enjoy the great outdoors.

Niagara Falls, Ontario
Children will be amazed by the mist of the most powerful waterfall in North America. With one of the best views of the falls, the legendary Maid of the Mist offers affordable daily tours.

Fort Edmonton Park, Edmonton, Alberta
A museum trip is a great activity to keep kids thinking over the long summer months. Ignite imagination and interest in the past with a visit to Canada's largest living history museum at Fort Edmonton Park.

Churchill, Manitoba
The "Polar Bear Capital of the World" is more than a winter wonderland – Churchill offers summer snorkelling and kayaking alongside thousands of beluga whales in Hudson Bay.

Victoria Bug Zoo, Victoria, British Columbia
The Victoria Bug Zoo offers an excellent opportunity to view and experience multi-legged creatures from around the world, like giant walking sticks, hairy tarantulas, and glow-in-the-dark scorpions - even Canada's largest ant farm.

Valcartier Vacation Village, Valcartier, Québec
Only 20 minutes from Quebec City, with over a dozen water-themed rides, including the six-lane Turbo 6, and the Pirates' Hideout, Valcartier Vacation Village is the perfect hot summer day out for a family with eager kids.

Bay of Fundy, Hopewell, New Brunswick
Hopewell Rocks is a natural wonder with 100-billion tonnes of salt-water, which slowly fills the Bay of Fundy creating the highest tides on the planet. When the tide is low, kids can play around the four-storey flower-pot shaped rocks gouged out of the cliffs. Vote to make the Bay of Fundy one of the New7Wonders of Nature at VoteMyFundy.com.

Grouse Grind, Vancouver, British Columbia
For active, young families seeking a challenge consider the Grouse Grind also known as Mother Nature's Stairmaster – a gruelling 90-minute climb up the mountain. After a long climb, the Skyride aerial tramway brings sleepy kids back to the base.

Dinosaurs and the Royal Tyrrell Museum , Drumheller, Alberta
The dinosaur capital of the world is home to the best badlands scenery in Canada, the richest deposits of fossils and dinosaur bones in North America, and the world-famous Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Metro Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Ontario
Discover the wild, ferocious and seemingly cuddly animals beyond Canada's backyard. From the 10-acre Tundra Trek with Polar bears to the Gorilla Rainforest, Splash Island, Waterside Theatre and rare African Penguins, the Metro Toronto Zoo is a full day of fun for the whole family.

10 Great for travelling with kids:

Travelling with your kids for the first time can be challenging. Packing proper equipment, dealing with jet-lag, and keeping your kids both occupied and fed is all a part of a well-travelled journey.

To limit hassle and keep your youngsters happy, be prepared with these 10 great travel tips from Travelocity.ca.

Get prepared – think about what equipment you may need
From strollers to diapers, consider what you should bring and what you can purchase or rent at your destination. If you're staying at a kid-friendly resort, inquire about on-site strollers, and most car rental firms rent car seats if you're renting a car.

Consider flight times
A 6 a.m. flight may not be suitable for younger children. Consider booking non-stop flights, rather than changing planes with your kids and carry-on in tow.

Speed-up airport check-in
Whiz through airport check-in by gate-checking bulkier items, such as strollers, and preparing effectively for security check-in points. If you're travelling internationally, have your kids wear comfortable and easy slip-on shoes as opposed to sandals or lace up runners as they will have to remove them for security. And don't forget to take advantage of web check-in when it's available.

When travelling think about food and hydration
The last thing you want is a cranky youngster on your hands. To avoid tantrums, pack an empty plastic drink bottle ahead of time and have the flight attendant fill it up during the flight. And keep a supply of snacks like Cheerios and fruit rollups with you, in case the kids get hungry.

Keep your kids occupied and save money
Airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet offer family movies and children's television programming. Bring or buy inexpensive headphones so you avoid paying the airline fee. Colouring books, handheld games (with headphones), and audiobooks also make for great entertainment.

Research kid-friendly activities
Before you book your hotel, call or go online to see what's available for the entire family. Most all inclusive resorts provide programs catered to kids and even daycare.

When the kids are asleep, order room service!
Just because your kids' bedtime is 8pm, doesn't mean yours has to be. Enjoy your evening by ordering room service and relaxing on your hotel balcony. If there is no escape, pack a booklight so you can read in bed.

Don't waste time or money eating out for breakfast and lunch
Try to book hotels with a kitchenette and visit a local grocery store for breakfast and lunch meals. Or find a grocery store that will deliver to your hotel. If your hotel provides free breakfast, a quick and healthy continental breakfast will save you time and money.

Plan accordingly for day trips
Before you venture to the beach or to an amusement park, pack snacks and necessary items such as sunscreen or appropriate layers of clothing. Always bring a refillable water bottle and leave any valuables behind in a hotel safe or better yet, at home.

Create a trip journal with the whole family
Once your vacation comes to an end ensure to share all the fun you had! Check out IgoUgo for an easy travel journal service.

10 Great tips to plan any vacation:

Planning a vacation, big or small, can be challenging. Whether you're travelling alone, with a loved one, or with the entire family, it's easy to fall into a vacation planning rut.

Instead of analyzing weather patterns and locating tourist attractions, Travelocity.ca recommends assessing your mood, likes, and dislikes for a different way to plan a great vacation.

To help with your vacation planning, Travelocity.ca brings you 10 Great vacation planning tips.

Think about how you feel and what you like
Thinking about your hobbies, interests, and current mood will help a great deal in your planning. If you enjoy mountain biking and are in the mood for adventure, then you may decide on a trip to the Rocky Mountains. If you enjoy night life and are in the mood to shop, then you may consider a weekend-getaway to the Big Apple, New York City.

Determine what kind of traveller you are
Ask yourself, 'What kind of traveller am I?" Are you an adventurer, ready for wild and extreme sports? Or are you a foodie with a refined pallet and only the most exotic restaurants will do? By asking these questions you will discover the perfect destination, suitable for the whole family or whomever you're travelling with.

Involve your kids
Travelling with your little ones? It's their vacation too, so why not get their input on what they'd like to do or see? If they're unable or unwilling to help, then consider their favourite movie, TV show, or sports team to see if that can be incorporated into your trip.

Travelling solo? Assess how you feel
When treating yourself to a solo-getaway, think about how you feel. Do you want to relax on the beach or hit the town to socialize? If you determine what you really want from your vacation, then you can narrow down the endless possibilities.

Couples Travelling – Set the mood
When travelling with your significant other, gauge activities according to what you'd like to do together or apart. Do you want to spend every waking moment together or do you want to enjoy a spa day while your significant other hits a round of golf? Finding the right balance will help you plan your itinerary.

Think group activities
To make travelling in a group of four or more people easy, think in terms of what you'll all enjoy doing together. Activities such as beach volleyball, skiing, taking a city tour, or enjoying the nightlife will allow you to get moving and enjoy your vacation to its fullest.

Consider your duration of stay
The length of your vacation plays a part in what you'll have time to do. If you're only going away for a long weekend, pick your top things to do and leave some free time for relaxation and exploration.

Try something new
Instead of going to a different resort at a location you've already been to, try somewhere totally new. If your last vacation was a Caribbean cruise, try touring the South of France to experience a different culture.

Don't plan everything
Avoid planning every last detail on your travel itinerary. By scheduling everything, you lose time to explore. You may meet some locals who will recommend a great restaurant or you may get invited to a party on the beach. Either way, leave some free time to relax and explore the unplanned.

Keep your cash safe
If you plan to bring cash, plan to exchange it before you go to the airport to avoid excessive exchange rates at airport kiosks. Better yet, avoid travelling with pockets full of cash and instead use an ATM to minimize the amount of cash you carry and to get the best exchange rates. For larger purchases, use credit cards and make sure you notify your bank that you'll be travelling to avoid bank fraud checks from blocking access to your credit card or bank card when you need it.

10 Great tips to packing light for all travel occasions:

A U.S. budget airline recently began charging as much as $45 per bag to store carry-on bags in overhead bins. Whether this is the start of a trend remains to be seen. To limit pre-flight hassle, pack light and be prepared with these 10 Great packing tips from Travelocity.ca.

The key to packing successfully is to plan ahead. Ask yourself the who, what, when, where, why and how as it relates to your trip. Consider the destination, activities, accommodation, and most importantly, the transportation involved in your journey. So wherever you're going, be prepared and pack light.

Know your limits
Different airlines often have different weight and size regulations for both carry-on and check-in baggage. Prior to your departure, call your airline or check the carrier's website to avoid surprises – and unexpected costs - at the check-in counter.

Pack "travel-friendly" fabrics
Light weight fabric that can withstand multiple wears is your best bet; think natural linens or synthetic fibers.

Iron out the wrinkles
Wrinkle-resistant and wash-and-wear clothes are best for travelling as they're the easiest to care for and will stand up to packing and unpacking. Choose bright colours and patterns to hide stains, just in case. Also, consider packing shirts and blouses in drycleaner bags to prevent wrinkling.

Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes
It might seem unreasonable, but two pairs of shoes is more than enough. Pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes for the day and a pair of dressier shoes for the evening. Speaking of shoes, store jewellery and loose items inside of a zip-lock bag and tuck into your shoes for protection. Or better yet, leave valuable jewellery at home.

Model your wardrobe
Want to be really sure? Try on the items you intend to pack ahead of time. If you're happy and comfortable with your wardrobe choice you're more likely to wear them when you're away. Try to mix-and-match clothing to make different outfits and lighter suitcases. When you are on the road nobody else will know you've worn the same pants twice this week.

Pack tiny toiletries
Pack tiny toiletries and avoid bulkier items such as mouth wash and soap. Call your hotel in advance to see if they provide all the basics. For carry-on, remember the 3-1-1 rule: 3 oz containers, in a 1 litre see-through bag, and 1 per passenger.

Avoid electronics
Reduce the extra bulk by leaving the hair-dryer and other unnecessary electronics at home. Unless you're travelling for business, don't bother bringing your laptop computer. Instead scope out your nearest Internet café.

Ditch the "what if" items
Packing a raincoat just because the weather predicts a 30 per cent change of rain? Forget it. Don't bring anything for those "just in case" scenarios; chances are you won't need it.

Find the right luggage
Packing light also means packing with the right luggage. If you're a business traveller, you may want to use a fold-up suit bag. Whereas, if you're travelling to Europe for two weeks, find a larger suitcase with various compartments and wheels.

Leave room for souvenirs
Last but not least, leave a little room for shopping and souvenirs. You never know what gem you may want to bring home with you.

10 Great Mouth-Watering Canadian Destinations:

Spring has truly sprung and as temperatures have risen, Canada has hit the peak of its food festival season, bringing with it the possibility of delicious Spring getaways.

Travelocity.ca has pulled together a list of ten great food-focused destinations across Canada to help both locals and travellers alike explore Canada's diverse epicurean delights.

EAT! Vancouver (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Take a bite out of Vancouver with the Eighth Annual EAT! Festival from May 28–30, featuring some of the area's top restaurants with both local and international cuisine. www.eat-vancouver.com

19th Annual Garlic Festival (Edmonton, Alberta)
Did you know garlic can be used in desserts? This festival, running April 1 to May 7, is the biggest of its kind in Canada, with proceeds supporting prostate cancer research.

Salut Wine & Food Festival (Toronto, Ontario)
Toronto's premier wine and food festival returns from May 8-15 for a full week of unique and delicious events. www.salutwinefestival.com

Taste of Spring (Regina, Saskatchewan)
From May 6-8, Regina will hold its annual celebration of fine wine and Saskatchewan-made gourmet foods.

Ottawa Veg Fest (Ottawa, Ontario)
On May 30, Ottawa will gear up for a special festival especially for vegetarians, complete with organic cupcakes and gluten-free desserts.

Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival (Banff, Alberta)
The third annual Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival returns to the mountains Rockies andat the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Resort, on May 7-8, for a weekend celebration of food and wine. www.rockymountainwine.com

Lobsterpalooza, (Margaree Forks, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia)
Get your lemon slice ready and make sure you wear a bib for Cape Breton's Lobsterpalooza, which runs from May 15 to July 1, 2010. This event, celebrating lobster fishing season, is the perfect time to explore the Cabot Trail to experience 185 miles of seafaring traditions and seafood, ranging from hearty mussels to succulent crab…and of course, Lobster! www.lobsterpalooza.ca

Wine & Herb Tour (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario)
Niagara-on-the-lake Lake celebrates spring every weekend in May with the pairing of great wine and fresh herb-themed food. www.wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com/wine-and-herb

Winnipeg Wine Festival (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
From April 25 – May 1, over 500 wines from 128 wineries will be showcased for public tasting. Proceeds for the ninth annual Winnipeg Wine Festival go to Special Olympics Manitoba. www.winnipegwinefestival.com