Hello and welcome to the Informed Traveler Podcast Newsletter, our monthly newsletter designed to compliment our weekly travel podcast, offer additional travel tidbits and tips. As always, your feedback is welcome.

Quotes from last month's podcast:

If you haven’t heard this month’s podcast episodes yet you can find the full interviews HERE. Some notable quotes include:

“so but traveling down the African coast, you know, um kind of gives you a broader view of how diverse the continent really is, whether it's culturally, geographically, or historically. It's not always comfortable, it's not always smooth, but it's very interesting and worth doing for sure.”

“as soon as you walk into the hallways and start walking along it's just like entering a different world. It's so calm and peaceful and serene.”

“go beyond being a tourist and and go to the local pubs, talk to the people, have those those those side conversations that sometimes lead to uh you know the the best experiences“

^{3 Things I Learnt this Month}

Porter Airlines unveiled its 2026 summer schedule, adding new destinations, launching new routes and increasing frequency across key markets in Canada and the U.S. Beginning May 11, the airline will operate daily flights between Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Nashville. Additional U.S. growth includes new Boston service from both Toronto Pearson and Montréal. A number of popular winter seasonal routes are also being extended through summer from Toronto Pearson to Cancun (CUN), Costa Rica (LIR) and Nassau (NAS), Hamilton to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), as well as from Ottawa to Cancun. The complete list of new routes can be found here:

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Travel Agents have been busy booking cruises through Wave Season. Here are the key trends shaping the Wave Season 2026: Cruise lines are investing heavily in private island experiences, making these exclusive destinations a major draw. Itineraries in the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera are booming due to added capacity and competitive pricing. The Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, and Alaska are also experiencing a surge in demand. One and two-week-long cruises remain popular, but there is a significant increase in demand for three- and four-night getaways. River cruises are booming, with big players like Celebrity Cruises launching new river ships and Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways adding new vessels to their fleet.

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Starting February 25, 2026, visitors to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the country. Without an ETA, travellers will be denied boarding and cannot legally travel to the UK. The requirement also applies to travellers transiting through the UK who pass through passport control. The new system aims to streamline entry processes and improve border security while giving visitors a clear guideline for travel preparation.

Looking at the Month Ahead 

Daylight Saving Time 2026: March 8th at 2:00 AM local time across most of North America - Travel Planning Considerations to be aware of include International flights may be affected by time zone shifts. Hotel check-in times can be confusing during the transition weekend. Car rental pickup times require verification in affected regions.

St. Patrick’s Day: March 17, 2026 - The feast day of Ireland’s patron saint, celebrated globally with parades, wearing of green, traditional Irish music, and cultural festivities. Major celebrations occur in Ireland, the United States, Canada, and other countries with significant Irish populations.

March Madness: March 15, 2026 - It’s the NCAA’s big college basketball tournament where 68 men’s teams compete in a single-elimination bracket to win the national championship. In 2026, the event kicks off with Selection Sunday on March 15, the First Four play-in games on March 17–18, and then moves through rounds like the Round of 64 (March 19–20), Sweet 16 (March 26–27), Elite Eight (March 28–29), and culminates with the Final Four on April 4 and the national championship on April 6.

Travel Tip of the Month

Embrace the journey and expect the unexpected. Trust your instincts and always carry water. Keeping an open mind, light heart, and curiosity is key to a fulfilling travel experience.