Tips, trips and stories from my worldly travels.

Ports

Ports

From ports that are welcoming ships for the first time to hidden gems that are suddenly...

Tipping on a Cruise

Tipping on a Cruise

Etiquette aside, here’s what you should know about tipping on board your next cruise....

Boquete

Boquete

To end our Latin and Central America journey, we spent a week in Boquete. Boquete is the...

Quebec City

Quebec City

Go beyond the ramparts to discover the vibrant dining scene and modern cultural...

Get Into Gear

Get Into Gear

Whether you’re planning a multi-day trek in the mountains or simply heading into the...

Media Appearances

catch me on:
the Informed Traveller logo
the Informed Traveller logo

Listen to weekly travel trends, news, tips and deals with Onanta Forbes on The Informed Traveler Podcast

2024 Segments
August 31, 2024
O’s Cruise on The Douro
August 11
Human Trafficking
Interview with OSCAR VELASCO, Tour & Travel Sales Manager, Secrets/Dreams Bahia Surf and Spa, Punta Mita.
International Driver’s Permit

January 29
Travel Trends for 2024

January 21, 2024
Icon of the Seas

January 14, 2024
What to Do if you think severe weather will affect your travel plans. 

2023 Segments

December 29
Onanta on the Viking Sea in the West Indies

December 10
Tips for Holiday Travel

December 10
Bag Tracking Devices

December 3
Taxes
 

November 26
Travellers and Airline Woes

November 19
BHTP’s 15 Safest Places to Travel in 2024

November 12
Is Mexico getting more expensive?

October 29
Onanta in Los Cabos. Interview with Zitlaly Patron, Director of Sales and Marketing, Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa

October 22
Essential Travel Gadgets

October 8
Best and Worst Airports in the World

October 1
O’s Adventure in the British Isles

September 24
O’s adventures in the UK Part 3

September 10
Travel News

September 16
O’s adventures in Cornwall Part 2

September 10
O’s adventures in Cornwall Part 1

September 3
Choosing Your Next Destination

August 27
Dress So You Don’t Stand Out Like a Tourist

August 20
Update on Maui Fires

August 13
Farewell to Alaska and tips to book your Alaskan Cruise

August 6
O’s Alaskan Adventure – Part 2

July 30
O’s Alaskan Adventure – Part 1

July 23
AI in Travel

July 16
Cruise line stats

July 9
Jet lag

July 2
How much to tip

June 25
Dress code for flying?

June 18
Tips on getting through airport security

June 11
Travel solo.

June 4
Why are hotels so expensive now?

May 21 Part 2
Onanta in Mexico: On site at Secrets Impression Moxche, Playa del Carmen

May 21 Part 1
Onanta in Mexico: Live from the Fives Beach Hotel & Residence

May 7
Pros and Cons of All Inclusive vs European Plans

April 23
Travel Scams

April 16
Travel Freebies

April 9
Booking an All-inclusive Cruise

April 2
Strikes, Strikes, and more Strikes!

March 26
Travel Advisor vs DIY

March 19
Sticker Shock

March 5
Roaming Charges increasing!

February 26
Hello Hawaii. O’s Travel Log

February 19
Unruly passengers

February 12
Resort fees

January 29
When to Cruise

January 22
Air Service Cancellations

January 15
Travel Delays

July 17,2024 on CTV News Calgary 

Seeking unique experiences and lasting memories.

Aired July 17, 2024

CTV News Calgary at 5 & 6

The cost of renting a car in Calgary and at destinations throughout North America has skyrocketed. What’s going on? To find out more check out this CTV News story to hear my thoughts on why prices are going up and the benefits of booking your car rental ahead of time.

March 8 on CTV News Calgary at 6

With the possibility of travel resuming, governments are weighing the idea of issuing vaccine passports. @CTVAlesia reports on CTV News Calgary at 6pm including some thoughts from me.

Aired March 8, 2021

Questions about travel with the new government rules for Canadians?

@CTVInaSidhu chatted with me about what Canadian travellers are asking to consider on CTV News Calgary at 6.

Aired February 3, 2021

Watch me on CTV Morning Live Calgary

Insurance during the time of COVID

Aired December 28, 2021


Watch me on CTV Noon News Hour

Black History Month

Aired February 4, 2022

2024

September 13, 2024

Japan Will Begin Using US-Style Electronic Authorization Process

Air Canada Standardizes Check-In Cut-Off Time At 60 Minutes

A potential Air Canada pilot strike could impact your travel. Here’s what to do about it

August 8, 2024

Greece’s worst wildfire this year reaches edge of Athens

What Canadians need to know about consular services, with helpful links and more

Travel to the U.S. Now Easier Than Ever for Canadian Permanent Residents and Non-Canadian Passport Holders!

July 17, 2024

These Canadian spots were just named some of the best islands in the world

CDC Sets New Rules for Bringing Dogs into the U.S.

Copenhagen rewards tourists with freebies for “sustainable behaviour”

June 19, 2024

Holding The Line: Border Services Workers Reach Tentative Deal

The WestJet Group begins flight cancellations in anticipation of WestJet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and other Tech Ops employees’ strike

WestJet Reaches Deal With Encore Pilots

Passport Rules Adjusted for Canadians Visiting DR

May 16, 2024

Sunwing Vacations Launches WestJet Vacations Quebec

Air Canada Extends Suspension Of Israel Flights Through Early August

WestJet inaugurates non-stop service from Calgary-Iceland

April 15, 2024

Quintana Roo Authorities Warn About VISITAX Non-Payment, But Penalties Aren’t Clear

NEXUS Application Fee More than Doubles

Venice introduces new tourist rules for 2024, including an entry fee and limits on tour groups

March 13, 2024

Boeing is in big trouble

Canadians Eager to Travel and Happy to Spend, Amex Study says 

Germany strikes: Flight and train cancellations to cause travel chaos as transport unions walk out

Februrary 27, 2024

Greece legalizes same-sex marriage

American Queen Voyages shuts down, cancels future cruises

Lynx Air to cease operations, passengers told to seek refunds from credit-card providers

January 24, 2024

Experts Warn of High Sargassum Seaweed Levels in Mexico, Caribbean and Florida | TravelPulse

WestJet Adding 5 New Boeing 737 MAX 8 to its Fleet in 2025

Hawaiian Governor Pitches Tourist Fees and Vacation Rental Taxes

2023

December 7, 2023

Porter Airlines Adds Ottawa-Calgary Route

Porter, Air Transat launch joint venture

New US$5 Cruise Tax Proposed For Quintana Roo

November 7, 2023

WestJet announces changes to checked baggage and seat selection fees, effective Nov. 7

Aeroplan’s Insider Guide

Travel Advisories – Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip travel advice

October 7, 2023

India has suspended visa service for Canadians.

Portugal Wins ‘Europe’s Leading Destination 2023’ At World Travel Awards

Disney to invest an average $25m a DAY for the next 10 years in parks & cruise lines

France turns to sniffer dogs to hunt for possible bedbugs on trains, subway cars

September 4, 2023

Jamaica’s New Digital Entry Process Starts Sept 1.

Cancun Visitor Tax  Now Mandatory For All International Arrivals

Air Canada Slashing Routes out of Calgary in Face of Ongoing Pilot Shortage

August 15, 2023

Canada issues advisory against non-essential travel to Maui due to wildfires

When is it OK to Visit Maui Again? – A Rough Timeline (mauiguide.com)

Canadian Airlines Still Struggling with On-time Performance

July 19, 2023

IT’S THE ECONOMY, ….

Shortage of air traffic controllers causing delays, cancellations in Canadian airports

Travel Industry Adapting As Use Of AI Tools Set To Boom

June 13, 2023

New Canadian Passport Design Includes Stronger Security Features

Canada Ranks 7th in World for “Most Beautiful Country”

Plus-Size Travellers Hit Out at ‘Discriminatory’ Airline Seat Policies

Air Canada Agrees To Compensate Pax After Thousands Delayed Due to Recent Tech Issues

Viking introduces its 10th ocean ship, the Saturn

May 9, 2023

Disney announces end of theme park reservations, return of dining plans.

U.S. to end vaccine requirements for Canadians at land border, international air travellers.

GTAA confident Pax will have a better experience at YYZ this summer.

April 6, 2023

Giant Sargassum ‘Blob’ Heading For Florida & The Caribbean

All NEXUS Enrolment Centres In Canadian Airports To Reopen

WestJet pilots to vote on strike action after talks stall

Spain extends free train ticket ‘scheme’ until December 2023, possibly longer

March 19, 2023

What makes Canadian plane tickets so expensive?

WestJet Acquisition Of Sunwing Approved

BMO Confirms Agreement to Acquire LoyaltyOne’s AIR MILES Reward Program Business

February 8, 2023

U.K. to require electronic travel authorization

Canada Jetlines Receives CTA Approval For Flights To Europe, Caribbean