North Bay
1500 Fisher St., North Bay, P1B 2H3
Phone: 7054763030
Email: strahan@maritimetravel.ca
An Interview With Sylvie Trahan
How many years have you been selling travel?
I graduated from Cambrian College in May of 1991 from the Travel Counselor course. I worked for 3 years at Goligers Travel, where I was able to travel on a cruise from New York to Bermuda. After 3 years I changed agencies to work at AirSea Travel. AirSea Travel had a different mix of clients and this gave me the opportunity to work in corporate travel, such as the Federal Government travel arrangements. I was with AirSea for 2 years. In December 1995, the owner of Marlin Travel in my home town of North Bay offered me a position and I have been there ever since.
My position at Marlin Travel went from part time vacation agent to full time corporate/vacation sales agent. Over the years I have had the pleasure of travelling to Las Vegas, Cuba, Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica, Nassau and Puerto Plata.
What are your hobbies?
walking and cooking
What type of resort activities do you favor? ie water sports, lounging by the pool, etc?
I enjoy swimming in the ocean and lounging on the beach with a good book.
What are your favorite destinations?
Punta Cana is my top followed by the Bahamas.
What languages do you speak?
French and English
Canada
Atlantic Canada
Europe
France, Italy
Sun (Mexico, Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii)
Couples, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Florida, Jamaica, Mexico, Sandals, All Inclusives, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Superclubs, Barbados, Bermuda
United States
Florida, Las Vegas
I recently had the pleasure to travel to Mexico in May 2024. We flew down to Cancun on Air Canada Rouge.
Travel date: 25 Mar to 02 Apr 2019
Flew return to Rome on Air Canada.
Explored Italy with Insight Vacations.
Insight Vacations coach are very comfortable, with lots of leg room and all the aisle seat can be move slightly to give a little more elbow room.
Large window to see the sights as we drive past the country sides and towns.
extra touches like VIP passes and skip the line is a plus.
When we arrived we found our guide Jackie waiting for us and she escorted us to the baggage area then to our coach.
During the transfer time she gave us a brief safety and information session. and she had arranged all our check-in at all the hotels in advance for our tour.
We did arrived at the hotel before 3pm and the hotel did try to have the room ready for us, if not we could leave our carry-on bags in a locked room and head off for some free time to explore.
Our group opted to walk down to the Spanish Steps and explore some of the area. Had a lovely Pizza lunch at a local restaurant we spotted. Lots of restaurants to choose from that is for sure. Then a leisure stroll back to the hotel to get ready for our group dinner that night.
Day 2
A local expert did a walking tour of room, we tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, I had my first Gelato and not my last. Saw the Pantheon, was an amazing building and history. Then we headed to the Colosseum. Our guide gave us a great tour and history lessons.
Day 3 - Vatican and then off to Orvieto
The only way to see the Vatican is with a VIP skip the line pass. Spent about 2.5 hours and still did not see everything. Saw the Sistine Chapel, with Insight and our passes they got we had the chance to walk up the Bramante Staircase this is closed to the general public, what a view from the top. Then off to St Peter's Basilica.
Orvieto, what a great hill top town. We had the opportunity to dine at Zeppelin Restaurants, where Chef Lorenzo did a cooking demonstration of pasta. Not sure if I could do it but who knows one day I juts may try making my own.
Day 4- Off to Assis and Perugia.
Assis was so peaceful, our local guide walk us around and pointed out where St Francis Dies and we finished our tour at the Basilica of St Francis.
In Perugia, we visited an artisanal workshop. The artisan Marta is a recipient of the TreadRight Foundation grant. We learn and she and her weavers are preserving the ancient craft of loom-weaving.
Day 5 - Siena
Our local expert guided us through narrow cobbled streets to the Piazza De Camp, where the bi-annual Palio Horse race take place. Had some free time to shop and eat.
Day 6 - San Gimignano
here we explored on our own then we head off to the Chianti region and a local expert guides through the former house and garden's of Nicola Machiavelli where he wrote the "The Prince" and then we did a wine twisting and enjoyed a Farm to Table fare. - What better way to spend some time in Tuscany.
Day 7 - travel back to Rome
for some free time and a farewell dinner
Day 8 - back to Canada
Would I return to Italy, yes and would I do an other but tour - oh yes for sure.
great way to explore, no worries with finding hotels or get ticket etc...
France 2017
My husband and I flew Air Canada to Paris in June for 1 of our bucket list trips. We upgrade our seat to Premium Economy to give us the more leg room and we did enjoy the service and the extra space.
We booked our trip with Monograms and we did a Avalon River cruise. Since we did the Monograms prior to our cruise, we had transfer, hotel and a half day city tour included.
Once we landed in Paris, we meet our Monograms driver he was very easy to find with the sign. The drive was so good he even drove a different way so that I could get a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
The hotel we had was the Pullman Montparnasse. Staff was so welcoming, our room was not ready since it was only 11:00am, they stored our luggage and we walk around found a café and had a leisure lunch. As we wondered the streets we could not believe we had arrived. Once in the room, we got settle for the next 3 days. The beds was so comfortable that we fell asleep and got up the next day in time for our half day tour of Paris.
Monograms had a representative at our hotel everyday to assist us if we require it. The half day tours included entrance to Notre Dame and the Louvre. We had also some walking around and the guide was very knowledgeable. Our tour ended at the Louvre where we had the option to stay or go on our own and explore or transfer back to our hotel.
The next day we venture out and we went up the Eifel Tower, it was such a clear day that we could not get to the top only the 1st observation point. We did not make it to the other major stop.
Things I have to do if I ever go back and I hope to
See more of The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Place de L'Etoile Champs Elyseas.
this was a split trip, Fort Myers and Orlando. Flew down on Air Canada Rouge.
Fort Myers
We stayed at the Gullwing Condo, was clean and comfortable. Full Kitchen with laundry facility.
Great spot to relax by the water and explore. Drove over to Sanibel and had breakfast at a great little restaurant The Island Cow. Great food and service and just a fun atmosphere.
We visited one of the oldest resort on the Island - Tween Waters Inn, has a loyal guest and sell out very fast. Several cottages and lots of water activates onsite.
We visited the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina. Lovely spot great for family. Units are spacious with full kitchen and laundry facility.
Last hotel we visited was at sunset, best spot on the beach to watch the sun go down at the beach bar. It was the Outrigger Beach Resort.
So much to see and do, we visited The Edison and Ford Winter Estates, loved seeing some of the classic cars and the Thomas Edison lab.
If you are a Ford guy, you would have to have lunch at the Ford Garage, one is located at the Miromar Outlet mall.
Orlando
Stayed at a Florida home at the Windsor Hill Vacation homes in Kissimmee.
Hotel inspected
Sheraton Vistana Villages good location lots of service available
Doubletree by Hilton Orlando and Sea world - Some efficiency room, great location again
Cabana Bay Beach Resort, this has access to Universal Studio, love the them and the décor.
Saw some more vacation home and condo in these gated community
Solterra Resort, Championsgate Resort, Windsor Hills and Paradise Palms Resort.
but Orlando was not all work, we had some fun
Had a ride on the ICON (like the London eye) Explored SeaWorld, Universal Studio and Shopping at Vineland Premium Outlets. So much more we did not get a chance to see and do. Unfortunately since it was December, the temperature did cool down and the Water Park was closed.
I love the home concept, private pool and you can have several family and friends together.
If you are looking for the Universal Studio experience, I would say the Cabana Bay is for you.
Avalon Waterways - Seine Cruise Paris to Normandy.
Our transfer from the hotel to the ship was so well organized and easy. Once we got on board, the staff was all there to welcome us on board. We were asked to go to the lounge for a welcome drink and a little pre cruise talk. Our cruise director was great and the captain and crew so friendly.
our cabin was so great, we had a French Balcony and the view along the bank was amazing. We cruise in the late afternoon and had most of the day in different ports. We had a choice between 2 excursion every morning included every day, so much to experience and learn along the way.
Some of the Towns we stop in Vernon this is the area of Monet did some of his later work. We toured Chaeau de Bizy and did a walking tour of the parts of the village.
Caudebec-en- caux, short walking tour then off by bus to see Thatched Cottage, loved that area.
then came the day we have been waiting for Caen. Here we divided into 2 groups the American head off to Omaha Beach and the commonwealth (Canada, UK and other) to Juno Beach.
On Our way we stop at the Commonwealth cemetery and Pegasus bridge. I had never herd of Pegasus bridge so it was great to see the museum and hear the British paratroopers captured this bridge over the River Orne and the Café (now Café Musee Gondree with a small museum) on the west bank is regarded as the first building in France to be "Liberated"
We stop and had a lunch then a little free time to explore the village then off to JUNO Beach Center. It opened in 2003 and it serves as both an exhibition center and a memorial to the Canadian soldiers who fought in the D-Day operations and during the liberation of Western Europe.
then off to the most emotional part of the trip, Canadian War Cemetery - Beny -sur-Mer. What a tranquil and well maintained final resting spot for our young soldiers. Their is over 2000 of our soldier together, it is surrounded by the most beautiful maple trees I have ever seen. Our tour guide gave us each a rose to put on the grave of a soldier. It was such an honor to spend a few hours walking and learning more about the past,
Our cruise was not always somber, Normandy is also know for their apples and there we found a drink called Calvados.
The beautiful Gothic cathedrals to the charming village we loved every minute. In Rouen we chose to just walk around and explore the town. We looked for the Place du Vieux-Marche the spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake but we did not find it.
Conflans-Sainte-Honorine - here we set off to see Malmaison Castle the home of Josephine and Napoleon when he return from Egypt. Then in the afternoon off to Chateaux Versailles. It's to bad that it started to rain, we could not walk around the garden, but the hall of mirrors was amazing.
We enjoyed our cruise and the staff was so easy to talk to, even Captain Rudy, left is door open to the control deck if anyone wanted to stop in and say hi and see the controls. The chief did a cooking class and galley tour for those that did not want to explore anymore.
would I do an other river cruise, oh yes I would.
We sailed on the Avalon Tapestry II on the 24Jun for a 1 week cruise Paris to Normandy.
We had a warm welcome from the crew, as we all sat in the lounge awaiting more instruction with our welcome drink.
Once the meeting and safety drills was over we all dined at the same time. As we dined we said good by to Paris and good morning in Vernon.
The cabin are comfortable with upscale toiletries, big shower, lovely beds, best sleep ever. Our cabin had the French Balcony, we open the door and watch the countryside.
The bed faces the window to max the view.
Meals on board was included along with Tea and Coffee and Wine and Beer at lunch and Dinner.
The ship did have 2 coffee station that you can help yourself at anytime, in the main lounge and at the game lounge. They always had fruit and pastries on had also.
The staff from the Captain down was easy to chat with, Captain Rudy always left his door open to his bridge open. No matter what the crew was doing from vacuuming to bringing the food on board they always smiled.
The food was amazing, fresh breads and dips made everyday, great choice of food.
In the evening, they had entertainment in the mail lounge and bar. They had local entertainers and 1 musician that sailed the whole cruise with us.
Every night before dinner during happy hours, our cruise director had a port talk about the upcoming stop with excursion or things to see and do.
on the night before the Caudebec port, we had a guest speaker to talk about WWII since that was the day that most went to their Landing Beaches tour.
Embarkation and Disembarkation was so easy and well organized.
We had daily newsletter in our cabin with lots of information.
I could say no wrong about Avalon, would I do an other cruise, for sure.
The cruise did have a few children and teens on board but mostly I would say 40yrs and up.
If you are looking at traveling in Europe please consider a river cruise, you unpack once, great relaxing way to travel.
traveled on Air Canada Rouge to Jamaica the service is good, you must purchase your meals and the on board entertainment is WIFI. at this time only Apple products are compatible if you have other devise you may have a fee. You can rent Ipad oboard. if you are staying at a Sandals resort: you clear customs and immigration, you collect your bags and head to the Sandals lounge and wait for your transfer. enjoy a cold drink while you wait. I spent 5 days visiting the different Sandals and Beaches resort in Jamaica. So much to do on the resort and off, from Ricks Café in Negril to watch the cliff divers to quiet dinning on the resort you will not be board. when you leave Jamaica, consider paying to stay in Club Mobay. This is a lounge with full service bar and food complimentary. I really enjoyed the lounge and flight are announce. It has a spa, bathrooms and showers, 3 areas Family, adults only and Adults quite. Would I return to Jamaica, Yes Man, would I stay at a Sandals Yes Man.
I just spent a great long weekend at Deerhurst. The rooms are a good size and clean, could use a mini fridge, but does have a coffee maker in the room. The resort has 5 restaurants and you are only about 5 to 10 minutes away from Hunstville for more dinning option. Wifi is included in the resort fees but I lost my connection alot. Lots of activites and tour to take. A resort guid is given to you upon check-in, along with a map of the resort. it is a steep walk down to the lake but you can drive your car and parking is availbale closer to the beach. The condo are a great family option with a full kitchen to make meals. I saw a 3 bedroom condo and each room had their own on suite. so if you are looking for a weekend escape in Ontario, I would try Deerhurst resort. The staff and service was great.
12 paiements faciles
Voyager léger dans le monde
Offrir le cadeau des souvenirs
S’informer avant de partir
Recevez les dernières et meilleures offres ainsi que des
idées de vacances !
Recevez les dernières et meilleures offres ainsi que des
idées de vacances !
