Did you know about the contest Flight Centre hosted over the last 6 months called Best Travel Job Ever? There were a lot of prizes on the line; in fact there was over $50,000 in prizes won by 8 people. Fiona, Sonja, Tim, Sam, Mike, and Jason went on blogging adventures to exotic destinations such as Asia, Europe, and South America.

Well imagine our surprise and delight when we found this video of Alicia, from Toronto Travel Tribe and winner of the #BTJE California Blogging Adventure, and Mike, BTJE Grand Prize Winner, sitting down for a chat about BestTravelJobEver.com and the joys of travelling and adventure.

Speaking of Mike, check out the updates he and Sam (the other Grand Prize winner) are sending us from Australia each day at BestTravelJobEver.com. We promise you will be jealous of the adventures the guys are getting up to – we know we are!

Alice Springs, Australia is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

August 17TH, 2010 – I Love Rewards, has named Flight Centre as a one of North America’s 50 Most Engaged Workplaces.™ This annual award recognizes top employers that display leadership and innovation towards engaging their employees.

“The organizations included in this year’s I Love Rewards 50 Most Engaged Workplaces Award™ have created an environment where engaged employees truly are their greatest assets,” said Razor Suleman, CEO and Founder, I Love Rewards. “As a leading rewards and recognition solution provider helping companies engage its employees, it is an honor to award top employers who understand the importance of engaging their people. Congratulations to all this year’s winners, you are an inspiration to other businesses looking to foster engagement in their own organizations.”

I Love Rewards’ 50 Most Engaged Workplaces Award™ panel of judges evaluated each applicant on how they measured up to other organizations based on the Eight Elements of Employee Engagement™. The Eight Engagement of Employee Engagement™ include: Communication, Leadership, Culture, Rewards & Recognition, Professional & Personal Growth, Accountability & Performance, Vision & Values and Corporate Social Responsibility.

“We’re honoured to be given this recognition by I Love Rewards.” said Greg Dixon, President of Flight Centre Canada. “Our people are our most important asset and we will continue to strive to find ways to keep them engaged while making our culture unique and distinct.”

Recipients of I Love Rewards’ Most Engaged Workplaces Award™ will be honored at the awards gala on September 9, 2010 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Canada.

Media Contact:
Allison Wallace
Media & Communications Manager
Flight Centre Canada
Cell: 604.202.0872

FLIGHT CENTRE ANNOUNCES $10K DREAM VACATION WINNER
Breast cancer survivor headed to Europe for first time

VANCOUVER (August 3rd, 2010) – Flight Centre Canada is pleased to announce that Sharon Arsenault is the winner of its $10,000 Dream Vacation contest. Entry into the contest was open to any client who booked a trip with the Flight Centre between June 14th and June 30th, 2010. The winner receives $10,000 in travel vouchers to be used on any travel product offered by Flight Centre.

Ms. Arsenault entered the contest at the urging of her travel consultant Ryan Milnewhen buying a ticket to Halifax at Flight Centre Oakville Place. When he asked where she might go if she won, she casually mentioned likely going back to Halifax. Milne laughed and suggested she might consider dreaming bigger than that. Ms. Arsenault never gave the contest a second thought until she was advised her name had in fact been drawn.

After letting the fantastic news settle in, she started thinking about what the contest really meant to her. Being named the winner was both unexpected and also very well timed for Ms. Arsenault who has gone through enormous trials and tribulations over the past several years. Six years ago she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and this year celebrated 5 years in remission. “Winning this contest was not just a stroke of luck for me but a real blessing in my life.” said a thrilled Sharon Arsenault. “It’s going to be a celebration for me, for not only what I’ve come through but also for what’s lying ahead.”

When asked whether she had decided on where she was planning to go, she responded she’d never been to Europe and was about to book a Rhine River Cruise taking her and a girlfriend through Holland, Germany, France & Switzerland. “I’d really like to thank Flight Centre for making this dream come true for me!”

About Flight Centre
Flight Centre Canada is a leading retailer of travel products and services for the leisure and corporate markets. Flight Centre’s presence in Canada includes more than 180 shops & businesses and over 1,000 staff across the country. www.flightcentre.ca

A Dream is a wish your heart makes – Just ask Flight Centre’s biggest Disney fan, Alicia Bourne, whose rainbow came shining through when she stayed in The Cinderella Suite at the Walt Disney World castle in Orlando, Florida. Treated like royalty, she takes us on a journey throughout the Magic Kingdom and beyond. From glass slippers, to pumpkins and carriages, this castle has it all! Before the clock strikes midnight and the magic wears off, let’s turn it over to Alicia for all things Disney!

A dream came true last summer for my family and I, one that we will never forget. It was the experience of a lifetime! We had the honor of staying in The Cinderella Suite in the Walt Disney World castle for a night. Coming from a family of Disney lovers, this is something that you dream of your whole life.

The day started with a Disney worker picking us up from our hotel and escorting us through the back entrance of Magic Kingdom. There was no mention of what was in store for us for the rest of the night. We were greeted by a lady named Sue, near Main Street USA, who told us we could go on whatever rides we wanted to without waiting in line. We went on Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion before we were taken back to our home for the night, the Disney castle!

We then met a man named Jeff who would be with us for the evening to make sure everything was perfect. We walked into a room that had an elevator, a desk and a grandfather clock with the time of 11:59 pm, because of course it can never reach midnight. We got on the elevator which took us up a couple of floors to a beautiful lobby. The floor was covered with art and decorations right from the story of Cinderella, from the glass slipper to a glass pumpkin and Cinderella’s carriage. We were then given our key to the suite and entered our room. The room was incredible! There was a bedroom, a living room and a bathroom. The bathroom was the most amazing bathroom you could imagine with a Jacuzzi tub with chromatic lighting, stars on the ceiling and mosaic pictures on each wall surrounding the tub. Not to mention a hidden Mickey!

The room was complete with bathrobes, slippers, more Cinderella ‘artifacts’, a fully stocked fridge, and the ability to call down for a snack or Disney movie, even if it was in the vault! There were two TV’s in the suite, both were mirrored when the TV wasn’t on and a universal remote that would control the lights, TVs and fire place. After we toured the suite and relaxed, we were then taken to Cinderella’s Royal Table. There we met Cinderella and had dinner in the Castle. After dinner we watched SpectroMagic from a VIP section near the castle, with a perfect view!

Once the parade was over we went back up to our room where we were given a white chocolate carousel with chocolate covered strawberries inside to enjoy! The lights were dimmed, the curtains drawn; our beds were turned down with chocolates and notes on them, while Cinderella played on TV. What a perfect place to watch Cinderella! Not long after we arrived did the fireworks start and we were able to watch them from the stain glass windows while the music from outside was piped through the speakers throughout the room. This couldn’t get any better!

Once the fireworks ended we had one final surprise of a back stage tour of Magic Kingdom. Sue and Jeff both took us around the park to show and teach us things that any Disney fan would love to see! We were able to go underneath Magic Kingdom to see what goes on behind the scenes and how they make the magic happen. It was truly incredible to be in the park when nobody else was there.

At 1:00 am we finally headed back to our room to enjoy the last few hours we had left in the best room we will ever stay in! The next morning there was a continental breakfast brought to the room for us to enjoy while we discussed how amazing it was to be in such a place and create such incredible memories together! We waited as long as we could, but then made our way out of the Castle to enjoy what the rest of Walt Disney World had to offer.

Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida is located on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Walt Disney World Florida with the family or information on Disney? Contact Alicia Bourne, the Team Leader at The Glebe Flight Centre based in Ottawa, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 991 5585.

Cinderella Castle Photo is used under the Creative Commons Lic. compliments of matt44053.

Flight Centre has teamed up with our friends at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships to win a trip to Vancouver, BC this September for the 2010WWRC finals!

The hunt is on for the Ultimate Wheelchair Rugby Super Fan. Are you it?

How do you enter to win? It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Each week there will be a challenge unlocked on Facebook and all you have to do is 1) submit your photo, 2) promote to your friends and 3) get them to Like and comment on your photo. The more Likes and comments you get the better your chances of winning!

What’s the first challenge you ask? Good question!

We want you to create a SUPER FAN COSTUME to prove that you are the ultimate wheelchair rugby super fan.

For all the details on how to enter to win, prizes, and contest rules check out the Hunt for the Ultimate Wheelchair Rugby Super Fan page on Facebook at facebook.com/2010WWRCSuperFan and on 2010WWRC.

Flight Centre’s Marya Shaharyar travels to breathtaking Hawaii to explore the beauty and meaning behind this Polynesian culture. Marya offers vacation tips on where to shop, bargain, sightsee and stay on the island of Oahu. From beaches and surfing to picking your own oyster, Marya says Aloha! from Hawaii…

In Hawaii, the term ‘Aloha’ is used and substituted in many ways. It can mean Hello, Goodbye or even love. However, the true meaning of the word is ‘Breath of Life’. This certainly holds true when you visit Honolulu! The fresh, floral air energizes you and the tranquil waters revitalize you. The breathtaking, all natural beauty breathes new life into you.

Honolulu, being the state capital and the most metropolitan area, caters to all types of travelers. If you like city life and shopping head over to Waikiki, the most vibrant part of Honolulu. If you like beaches then get to Sandy Beach or even Waikiki Beach, just two of the many options available. Want romance or quiet time? Drive over to North Shore and stay at Turtle Bay. Hawaii even has something for the history buffs who can visit the memorial site of Pearl Harbour. For surfers, Hawaii is heaven. To experience Hawaiian culture you have to go to the Polynesian Centre. In fact, a visit to Honolulu is not complete without getting over there!

You cannot walk more then a few steps before you see a bride and groom or honeymoon couples walking hand in hand. Natural beauty is in abundance in Hawaii, from mountains to Diamond Head to beautiful oceans that seem to go on forever. Oahu is definitely a nature photographer’s dream. And of course nothing beats the feel of sand running through your toes or eating dinner while watching a beautiful sunset. From fine dining to the best cheeseburger I have ever had, culinary options will never be limited.

Oahu offers you a variety of hotels and dining for every budget making the myth of Hawaii being too expensive just that – a myth. From boutique hotels to condo stays and the ultra luxury hotels, you really can find a place you like.

If you like to bargain, even just for the fun of it, then walk over to the International Marketplace in Waikiki. You can also go shopping at Target or visit many of the designer shops that line the streets where the Coach store is more popular than McDonalds. Guaranteed, you will always find something to buy. You can even experience picking an oyster for yourself, by visiting one of the many booths that allow you to do just that! Pick your oyster, crack it open, and discover a beautiful pearl.

Want to learn more? Then be sure to visit Oahu and see for yourself what this island has to offer!

The island of Oahu is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Hawaii license plate photo used under Creative Commons by woody1778a from Flickr.

******Looking for more information on travelling to Honolulu for an exotic Hawaii adventure? Contact Marya Shaharyar, a Travel Manager with Corporate Traveler based in Toronto, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 606 5350.

Flight Centre’s Julia Lutchman takes a 4 night road trip vacation with the family and travels from Calgary, Alberta to Washington State to explore what the West Coast has to offer. Julia discovers some great family friendly hotels, an Enchanted Forest just past Revelstoke and an excellent restaurant and lodge in Fernie, BC. Now let’s join Julia on the road…

I recently set out on a quick 4 night road trip from Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, Washington and back with my father, husband and our two kids; a 3 year old and 1 year old. On our first day we headed for Kamloops, British Columbia. Along the way we stopped at The Enchanted Forest just passed Revelstoke. There really is so much to see and do at The Enchanted Forest; it is a great attraction and well worth the stop. My family had a great time exploring the main trail and it was a nice break for the kids and adults alike. That night we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Kamloops, BC. The rooms were very nice, the beds were comfy and the breakfast was fantastic. The staff working the front desk were not the friendliest, but other than that I have no complaints.

The next morning we continued on our journey to Battle Ground, Washington located just outside of Vancouver, Washington. We stopped in and did some shopping at the outlet malls located approximately one hour north of Seattle. This was a nice break from sitting in the car, admittedly more so for me and my husband, but it gave us the opportunity to stretch our legs.

Once in Battle Ground, WA we stayed at the newly renovated Best Western. The service was very comparable to that of any 5-star hotel I have stayed in. The rooms were massive which is ideal for families, the pool and hot tub were very nice and clean and the breakfast was decent.

On our way home we stopped in Moses Lake, Washington and stayed at another Best Western hotel located right on the water with a gorgeous view. The rooms were not as nice as those in Battle Ground, but the service was great – very catering to families and the hot breakfast was fantastic.

That night we had dinner in Fernie, BC at the Red Tree Lodge and Restaurant. The food was phenomenal and the service was impeccable. Red Tree is geared to a high-end crowd, but they have a Kid’s Corner and were very accommodating to noisy, cranky children. I highly recommend a night stay here or a visit for dinner while in Fernie, BC.

Battle Field, WA is located on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling from Calgary, Alberta to Washington State on a road trip with the family? Contact Julia Lutchman, the Team Leader at North Hill Flight Centre based in Calgary, Alberta who can be reached at 1 866 295 4480.

Photo is courtesy of D’Arcy Norman’s gallery on Flickr.

So, yesterday was Canada Day and the start of a new fiscal year here at Flight Centre. Today I find myself sitting on the deck of the cottage on Manitoulin Island reflecting on the past year… and what a year it was. Last year at this time the Flight Centre Travel Blog was just a few months old, we were starting to have some great conversations on Twitter @Flight_Centre, we were imagining contests where we could send people around the world, and we were dreaming of what could happen when Flight Centre mixed travel with social media.

Since then, Flighties have taken us on travel adventures to Cambodia, Japan, Australia, Egypt, South America, Italy, and right here at home in Canada. We had the pleasure of having guest bloggers like Ashley Mikulik blog from her Western US road trip and Karim Kanji blog from his family vacation in London, England. One year ago (pretty much to the day) we launched the Travel Canada Photo Contest which eventually evolved into the BestTravelJobEver.com.

On Twitter, every person who talked with us to give us feedback, who needed assistance, or was looking for travel advice, helped us to achieve the status of being the Top Australian brand on Twitter (yes, we do originate out of Australia).

We made some great new friends with our Best Travel Job Ever contest, from the contestants to the voters,  and those who commented to our guest judges like Josie Dye from 102.1 the Edge, Scott Stratten aka @unmarketing, and Suzanne Christie from Open Jaw .

I guess what I’m saying is that the gang on the Flight Centre Canada Social Media team want to send a huge cheer and thank you out to everyone who took the time to read the travel adventures, comment and share their incredible travel insight, those who participated and judged our various contests, our guest bloggers and Flighties who shared their travel adventures with us, and really anyone who stopped by to let us know what they were thinking. We wish you all safe and awesome travels!

Providence Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario is where the above picture was taken on Canada Day and is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Flight Centre’s Samantha Osborne-Wong travels to Greece on a Transat Holiday and blogs about her adventures in Athens, and on the islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Patmos. Samantha also visits Kusadasi, Turkey and the ruins of Ephesus. Let’s turn this over to Samantha –

I recently had the pleasure of partaking in the Transat agent FAM to Greece in May. The itinerary that was arranged for us was fantastic. Our trip consisted of a 4 day Greek Island tour and 3 days in Athens. The trip was very well planned, and had a great balance of work and play. I could write ten pages about my trip, but instead have decided to narrow down my favorite highlights of the trip.

While in Greece I had the pleasure of visiting some of the most popular Islands; Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Heraklion and Patmos. We also had the pleasure of visiting Kusadasi, Turkey and got to see the beautiful ruins of Ephesus. That was a real treat and one of my favorite days!

Mykonos was our first port of the cruise, and a memorable island it was. We visited two romantic hotels that Transat had to offer, before we headed to the waterfront for our first taste of traditional Greek food. A group of us thought it would be nice to get to know each other so we all had dinner at this intimate restaurant. We ate Moussaka, drank wine and it finally sunk in that we were in Greece!

Rhodes was a photographer (me) dream! The Island was surrounded by a medieval wall. Once inside you were almost overwhelmed by the cobblestone roads that were lined by street vendors and motor bikes. Once there we were bussed off to Lindos, where I was first to climb the 300 steps to the Lindos Acropolis. The views from above were breathtaking and I truly could relate to what our guide was saying. She said that the ancients built this Acropolis there not only for the Military advantage, but for the spirit, rejuvenation and exhilaration that they would feel once they reached the top. She said that they would all feel leaving with a sense of accomplishment and enlightenment, and I couldn’t agree more. The view was enough to make you feel truly alive. Santorini was a very interesting experience for me. The cliff side was lines with white buildings and blue rooftops. It was everything that I imagined it to be. We visited some of the luxurious hotels that Santorini had to offer, as the seaside view was worth a million dollars. I was sad that I only had 4 hours to spend there as I felt that I never wanted to leave. After the hotel inspections we all decided to go to one of the posh restaurants for some refreshing wine. Well thank goodness I had more than one glass of wine, as I wouldn’t be able to do what was needed to get back to the cruise ship on time.

Let me paint a picture for you. I personally felt that Santorini would be a classy place to visit, and given that our itinerary didn’t call for much walking I decided to wear a nice black somewhat mini-skirt. I wanted to look nice in my pictures. Well given our time limit to get back to the ship, we were initially supposed to take the cable car back down the cliff side. By the time we were all done our wine, we were told that there would be a three hour wait for the cable cars, which ultimately would lead to us missing out ship. Our tour guide decided that it would be a great idea to ride DONKEYS down the cliff side. I had no choice but to either hold on to my skirt or hold on for dear life. After two turns around the bend, and a stray donkey that bucked MY donkey, I chose to hold on for dear life. Needless to say everyone got a free show at my expense. As embarrassing as it was at the time, it was the bud of a lot of laughter in the days that came.

Moving on, Athens was a different experience. We actually arrived the day after the big riot. We actually stayed at a hotel that was right around the corner of where the 3 deaths in the bank occurred. We saw evidence everywhere of the riot; graffiti on the walls, smashed in windows, blown up cars and police in riot gear everywhere we went. That aside, there wasn’t one moment that I didn’t feel safe. The Acropolis was a true site to see, and was a highlight for me. It is my goal in life to see all of the wonders of the world, so I was able to cross it off of my list. The rest of the time in Athens was spent shopping, eating, drinking and inspecting hotels. Again a great balance of work and play!

I truly had the time of my life in Greece. Even though it wasn’t a Flight Centre FAM, 20 strangers met one day and became lifelong friends the next. It was a unique experience and I am forever thankful that I had the opportunity to go. I can’t wait until my next FAM, even though it will be very hard to top my first!

Lindos on the island of Rhodes, Greece is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on traveling to Greece and Turkey? Contact Samantha Osborne, an International Travel Consultant with Flight Centre based in London, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 581 7764.

Flight Centre’s Samantha Paul travels to Iceland to explore the active volcano Eyjafjallajokull and Gullfoss Falls. Samantha with vacation experiences such as touring around Reykjavik and relaxing in the Blue Lagoon. Let’s turn this over to Samantha -

Who isn’t curious to see this Volcano that no one can pronounce – Eyjafjallajokull.

Direct flights by Iceland Air from Toronto to Reykjavik are just a little over 5 hours and will having you arrive around 6:30am; perfect to pack in a full day of action in Iceland if you have just a day layover enroute to Europe.

I headed for the hills soon after arrival as there is a lot to explore from the many waterfalls, glacier climbs, hiking, deep sea fishing and of course checking out volcanoes. One can drive the island in a day and half, but I think a minimum of 4 – 5 days would give you enough time to get a good taste of Iceland.

What I first noticed were the cars. I expected small European models but instead there were a lot of SUVs. I realized later why – as to get up to the mountains it is well needed. No Toyota car ( no offense) would make it up to some of these mountains. I headed to the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park. This is a perfect place for day or night hiking and to see the spectacular northern lights away from any city lights! The area is very remote, so planning ahead your accommodation is recommended.

Moving on to see the famous Gullfoss Falls, it was worth the photo op, unfortunately there was no time to go behind the falls as the ash cloud from the erupting Eyjafjallajokull Volcano was blowing over me at that time and the hike made for a very slippery climb, so I passed it up. Driving along the country-side passing small villages, I could not help but notice the beauty of the mountains overshadowing the expanse of the farms.

Traditional cuisine and environmental attitudes aside, Iceland is a completely modern and technological society — Mobile service and e-mail is virtually everywhere. Even the tiniest little hotels in very remote places had internet access — and all of it powered with clean energy, which is another amazing part of the Iceland story. Virtually all of the energy in the country is generated by either hydroelectric turbines or geothermal power. A side effect of geothermal power is that the stark Icelandic landscape is punctuated by pipelines or rows of power lines stretching into the distance.

I finished my holiday in Reykjavik, a great place to end your European holiday like I did or to start it enroute to your destination. The downtown is an easy walking city that offers a variety of great shops, book stores and museums along the waterfront. If you’re a runner, Reykjavik is a great city to be able to jog along the waterfront. Little did I know that Iceland offers impressive high quality restaurants; from traditional Icelandic cuisine to more modern fare. After dinner, there is a large array of bars, pubs and clubs to choose from in the area to quench anyone’s palate until the wee hours of the morning.

The Blue Lagoon was heavenly! Words can barely describe the time there. It was around 10 degrees outside with a bit of wind but almost 40 degrees in the water. It was funny to see all the people do this little run across the 15 feet of open space to get into the water. We relaxed in the lagoon for roughly an hour, alternating between different hot spots, shallow end, deep end, and the silica mud pots, to wash away any lingering effects of a hangover and thoughts of home, work, or responsibility. Amazingly enough, the simmering silky water isn’t enough for some people; you can actually sign up to be massaged whilst lying on a raft in the water!

I can’t imagine anyone not loving this island. It has great appeal from a geological standpoint, hiking in the national parks, glacier tours, fishing, river rafting, scuba diving, horseback riding, bird watching and whale watching.

Hope you make it out to see this gorgeous island of fire and ice!

Reykjavik, Iceland is highlighted on the Flight Centre travel map.

Looking for more information on travelling to Reykjavik, Iceland for a volcanic adventure? Contact Samantha Paul, a Travel Manager with Corporate Traveler based in Toronto, Ontario who can be reached at 1 866 829 9042.