What’s Up Doc?: Canadians Wish Their MD’s Could Offer Prescriptions for Travel

Canadians have a fever, and the only cure is more travel.

A new Flight Centre Canada report finds that 82% of Canadians feel vacations are not a luxury, but are instead essential to their health and wellbeing. Nearly seven in ten (69%) says doctors should be able to prescribe vacations to give them a needed break from work and everyday stress.

(I like this. Instead of “take two Tylenol and call me in the morning,” it would be “take two weeks at the beach and don’t call a soul.”)

The report also finds that 87% of Canadians would rather take a vacation than seek therapy. For Gen X members, that rises to 91%.

Flight Centre also found that one-half of Canadian workers (49%) would trade a 10% pay hike for two extra weeks of vacation.

“Gen Z in particular wishes to redefine their work-life balance through travel, treating trips as a core part of their identity and integral to their mental health,” company officials said. “They’re the most likely of all demographics to trade a raise for extra vacation (66%, compared to millennials at 54%, Gen X at 41% and baby boomers at 36%).

Other key findings:

CANADIAN BURNOUT

Three in 10 Canadians rate their current level of wellbeing as fair (running low and could use a break) or poor (burnt out or exhausted). For Gen X, the number climbs to 42%. 

Top stressors are cited as financial pressure and rising costs (58%), news fatigue or global uncertainty (39%), and family or caregiving load (30%). Women experience significantly more drain from family or caregiving load (35% vs. 25% of men), while men have more news fatigue (46% vs. 34% of women).

“People aren’t just booking vacations — they’re booking time to feel better,” said Anita Emilio, Executive Vice President, Flight Centre Canada. “Travel has always had the power to lift us, but now Canadians are seeing it as something deeper: a reset button, a source of joy, a way to reconnect with what matters. It’s not about escaping life. It’s about returning to it feeling more like yourself.”

DISCONNECTING DIFFICULTY

Even as the “right to disconnect” movement grows around the world, many Canadians find that stepping away from work is easier said than done.

One in four (25%) told Skyscanner their workplace makes it difficult to disconnect. 

The pressure doesn’t stop there. More than a quarter of Canadians (28%) admit they feel guilty taking time off because someone else will have to cover for them. That guilt hits women hardest: 34% feel this way compared to just 22% of men. (This says something about the male sex, but I think I’ll steer clear of that discussion.) 

Even when people do manage to get away, many don’t leave work behind for long. Over half of Canadians (51%) check email while they’re on vacation (that’s all?), with 16% confessing they do it secretly after promising to stay logged off. Another 35% openly let colleagues know they’ll be reachable, never taking the full break they deserve.

This isn’t just about overwork. It’s about boundaries. Gen Z is the most likely to feel the toll of digital connection: 37% cite it as a major strain compared to 32% of millennials, 22% of Gen X and just 10% of baby boomers.

Even with rising costs, the majority (71%) say they don’t feel guilty for booking time away. Among men, that confidence climbs to 76%. break.

While wellness tourism has exploded globally, only 10% of Canadian travel intenders would choose an experience focused solely on activities like meditation, yoga and spa treatments. Instead, they’re seeking vacations that feel restful and restorative to them.

HIT THE BEACH

Skyscanner found that 32% of Canadians want a beach or resort escape, while 21% are seeking a nature or wilderness trip, and 19% prefer a cultural or heritage-focused holiday.

Other vacation preferences include:

• Multigenerational trips or family reunions, 17%
• Solo or self-discovery journeys, 12%
• Cruises (ocean or river), 12%
• Culinary or wine experiences, 11%
• Adventure or active travel, 10%
• Wellness or restorative retreats, 10%
• Sports or Events Travel, 8%
• Hobby-based trips, 7%

Of course, Gen Z does things a little differently. They’re the least likely group to opt for a beach or resort escape (19%) and most likely of all demographics to lean into culinary or wine travel (21%), solo travel (18%) and adventure travel (16%). 

SKYSCANNER RECOMMENDATIONS

Beach Lovers

• Mazatlán and Huatulco, Mexico: Discover underrated gems for slower rhythms, nature and quiet beach stays.
• Maui and Oʻahu, Hawai‘i: Both islands offer laidback vibes, sunset views, warm aloha spirit and space to just be.
• Fiji: The place to be if you prefer healing through nature and connection. Think turquoise waters, family-friendly resorts and stress-free travel thanks to new direct flights from YVR. 

Back  to Nature

• Canada: From Yukon’s Northern Lights to Nova Scotia’s lighthouses, domestic wilderness offers big-sky clarity close to home. (Both Yukon and Nova Scotia are fab Canadian travel destinations.)
• New Zealand: Here, adventure is therapy. Kayak Milford Sound, soak in geothermal pools and walk in the footsteps of Māori stories. (Good call: I adore New Zealand.)
• Costa Rica: Thanks to new direct flights, Canadians are embracing “pura vida” through cloud forest hikes, hot springs and slow mornings.

Culture Vultures

• Ireland: A top spot for ancestral travel, Ireland boasts historic sites that date back 5,000+ years, including Newgrange and Hill of Tara. (One of my fave destinations in the world.)
• The Balkans: This region is rich in history, with architecture and authenticity at every turn. And if you prefer the path less travelled, Albania and Montenegro are still off many radars.
• Peru: There’s more than Machu Picchu, including vibrant Inca traditions, local artistry and multi-generational immersion.
• Japan: Take this a sign to go beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. In Hakone, for example, you can soak in onsen waters with Mount Fuji on the horizon — culture and healing in one. (Japan is truly spectacular. Would love to explore beyond the big cities.)

CALIFORNIA’S FABLED HIGHWAY ONE FULLY OPEN 

A 90-mile (145-kilometre) section of California’s Highway 1 along the famous Big Sur coast fully reopened yesterday (Wed., Jan. 14) after three years of closures and repairs following a series of landslides and a roadway collapse that hampered tourism on the scenic route.

The reopening around midday came three months ahead of schedule, and business owners say that should give travellers plenty of time to plan their spring and summer road trips. The highway is famously a must for California visitors travelling between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Many consider it to be the finest drive in the world, and it’s hard to dispute.

SAN FRANCISCO TOURISM HOPEFUL FOR 2026

San Francisco Travel is giving the city a big marketing boost.  At the Jan. 1 Rose Parade in Pasadena, a towering float of San Francisco landmark scenes took home the award for most extraordinary float. A new 30-second advertisement called “Believe in San Francisco” — sharing its name with the parade float and SF Travel’s latest major ad campaign — also played during a broadcast of the parade, according to Biz Journals. 

Here’s an item I wrote a year or so ago about a visit to the city with our grandson. 

 

USA TODAY 10 BEST CRUISES

USA Today has come out with its list of top cruise lines and cruise features for 2026. Viking cleaned up, earning top spot in seven of 11 categories, including best river cruise, best ocean cruise, best shore excursions and best dining (Viking Star).

Best boutique cruise line was Avalon Waterways, while Celebrity Ascent won for best entertainment. Adventure Canada was named best cruise line for families, while the award for top Caribbean cruise went to Margaritaville at Sea.

My wife and I had the pleasure of taking a Viking cruise on the Danube River maybe 10-11 years ago, starting in Passau, Germany and working our way to Budapest. It was a fine cruise, for sure.

I’ve also had the pleasure of cruising with Avalon Waterways (Bordeaux, France), AmaWaterways (the Danube), Silversea (the Mediterranean), Royal Caribbean (Caribbean), Sea Dream Yacht Club (Caribbean) and MSC Cruises (the Mediterranean). All do a very good job in their own way, so do your research and find out what cruise line is best for you. It’s a fabulous way to travel!