TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - Dec 30, 2014) - With the New Year comes new vacation days and new vacation plans. Why not throw in some new vacation thinking too? To help you branch out (and beat the crowds) in 2015, the travel experts at Cheapflights.ca, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, have compiled a Go here, not there list, offering alternative travel spots to popular vacation destinations for Canadian travellers. For example, for those who love the excitement of Las Vegas but want something a little different, why not try Reno this year? Do you love Montreal's European flare but want to venture a little farther? Then New Orleans may just be for you. Whether your plan is to travel close to home or further abroad, consider these alternative destinations for inclusion on your must-see list in 2015.

Read on for five of our picks of fun and refreshing spots that offer similar vacation vibes to some of the most frequently searched destinations on Cheapflights.ca:

• The Outer Banks, North Carolina, United States, instead of the Florida Keys, Florida, United States - The Florida Keys offer a lot when looking for sun, surf and sand, but it is not the only place you can go when looking for a beach vacation without venturing too far. The Outer Banks in North Carolina are home to more than 300 kilometres of shoreline (compared to the 180 kilometres that the Keys offer) and provide a quaint, tropical feel that is perfect for families and couples alike. Spend your days soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying water activities and tasting the local cuisine.
  
  
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada, instead of New York City, New York, United States - Did you know some of your favourite movies that are based in New York City were actually filmed in Toronto? It's true and there is no wonder as to why. Toronto and New York City are similar in many ways -- dare we say Toronto could even be considered "the little sister" to the Big Apple? Whether you go to New York City for the diverse neighbourhoods, nightlife, shopping, culinary scene or culture, you can find great alternatives in Toronto. The Queen West neighbourhood of Toronto is a very up-and-coming area with lots of bars and restaurants to enjoy day or night; High Park offers plenty of green space for a perfect oasis in the city and you can find tons of shopping at Bloor-Yorkville, Yorkdale Mall, Eaton Centre and Queen Street.
  
  
• Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, instead of Australia - We know what you are thinking -- How can one city compete with all of Australia? Well it can't, but Kelowna in British Columbia comes close, especially if you are looking for a down under experience without leaving the Northern Hemisphere. Many people visit Australia for the laid-back lifestyle, the beautiful beaches, the culture and the culinary scene, all of which you can find in Kelowna. This small, crowd-less city offers everything. Within a glorious range of mountains lies beautiful beaches, pine forests, green space, gardens, rolling hills and vineyards -- and that's just the landscape! Fill your days wandering more than 30 wineries, playing golf on one of the 17 courses or enjoy six blocks of galleries, museums, theatres, casinos, fine dining and unique shopping all year long in Kelowna's growing Cultural District. With long, warm summers and short, mild winters, there is no bad time to visit Kelowna.
  
  
• Belize instead of Costa Rica - Craving nature, culture, great weather and adventure? While your first thought might be Costa Rica, we suggest you start your search in Belize. With seven distinct regions you can experience multiple cultures, atmospheres and ecosystems all in one trip to Belize. Head to the Central Coast for Mayas, monkeys and culture; the North Islands for beaches and water activities; Northern Belize for more Mayan sites and beautiful rivers; Belize Reef for unparalleled snorkelling; the Southeast Coast for the perfect blend of culture and adventure; Southern Belize for exploration and more culture and Western Belize for rainforests, culinary delights and unforgettable experiences.
  
  
• Reno, Nevada, United States, instead of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - If you are ready to party, gamble and have an unforgettable experience you may be thinking a trip to Las Vegas is in order, but trust us, you should really consider Reno, Nevada, for your next crazy adventure. Reno is no stranger to late nights and what happens in Reno, stays in Reno. Like Las Vegas, Reno offers casinos, dining, entertainment, shopping, spas, a very active nightlife and even a few chapels if the moment is right. Reno even offers a few things that you can't get in Las Vegas like skiing, snowboarding and water activities at Lake Tahoe.
  
  

Rounding out our list of "Go here, not there" options are: Portland, Maine, United States instead of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, instead of Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, instead of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Goðafoss Waterfall in Iceland instead of Niagara Falls in Canada; and The Azores Islands instead of the Hawaiian Islands. To read more about these alternatives and Cheapflights.ca's complete Go here, not there: 10 alternative destinations for Canadian travellers list, visit: www.cheapflights.ca/news/go-here-not-there-10-alternative-destinations-canadian-travellers.

About Cheapflights.ca, part of the Momondo Group
Momondo Group is an online travel media and technology company that is driven by the belief that an open world is a better world. The group now serves travel search and inspiration to over 17.5 million visitors a month -- plus 7 million travel newsletter subscribers -- via its Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.ca) and momondo (www.momondo.com) brands.

Skygate began the sourcing of complex air-travel data in 1992, while Cheapflights pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users in 1996 and momondo launched meta-search in the Nordic countries in 2006.

The Group has offices in London, Copenhagen and Boston with a consumer base across more than 30 core international markets but users all over the world.

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