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Vision Travel

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With branches located across Canada, Vision Travel strives to offer the best service at the best value to each and every client. Our knowledgeable travel advisors have decades of experience and work with the latest technology and information available; specializing in leisure, corporate, and group travel. more... See more text

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Best In Kitchener

8 Best Travel Agencies in Kitchener [2024]

Kitchener is a city located in the province of Ontario, Canada, and like many other urban centers, it likely has several travel agencies catering to the needs of both local residents and tourists.

Travel agencies serve as intermediaries between travelers and various travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, and car rental companies. Here are some top 8 travel agencies in Kitchener:

Top 8 Travel Agencies in Kitchener, Ontario

• Off The Map Adventures Ltd
• Northstar Travel & Associates
• Oh Travel Inc
• Expedia Cruises
• Frederick Travel Waterloo
• Transat Travel
• Bullas Travel Inc
• Maritime Travel

Best Travel Agencies in Kitchener 2024

1. off the map adventures ltd.

The vision behind Off The Map Adventures is to encourage people to step away from their daily routines and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. The company aims to reconnect individuals with the great outdoors through carefully crafted outdoor adventures, fostering a sense of appreciation and stewardship for the environment.

Services: Travel agency, Days travel, Travel experiences

Website: https://offthemap.ca/

Address: 675 Queen St S Suite 210, Kitchener, ON N2N 1A1

Contact Number: +1 800-867-2890

Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

• Professional Staff
• Appointment issues

Customer Reviews

I have traveled to many destinations with Off The Map Adventures. Great company to travel with. Focuses on unique local experiences and fun bunch to travel with. Anas Rana

I had a wonderful experience in Peru with my whole family. Everything was on time and met my needs right when I requested it. The sights were incredible! From seeing green monkeys and sea lions to hiking the Inca trail and feeding Alpacas, there is so much to see and do on these trips. Would highly recommend it, can’t wait to travel again soon! Yusuf Rana

2. Northstar Travel & Associates

Northstar Travel Group aims to provide business executives with thought-provoking information, significant solutions, and engaging experiences that will spark change in the travel, meetings, and hospitality industries.

Travel, in Northstar Travel Group’s opinion, broadens the perspective on mankind by introducing fresh perspectives, locales, and experiences from throughout the globe.

Services: All-inclusive resort, books travel, camping trip, car rental, class travel, concierge services, cruise vacation, culinary experience, cycling tours, wildlife safari, etc.

Website: https://www.northstartravel.ca/

Address: 678 Belmont Ave W #201, Kitchener, ON N2M 1N6

Contact Number: (519) 886-9111

Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 5 PM

• Expert and Knowledge about their work
• Assistance with complexities
• Potential Bias

It was our first experience with someone other than the flight center and we were very impressed. We will be back the next time! Carol Jackson

We recently returned from a Mediterranean Cruise. It was amazing. Ashlie White was our Travel Associate. She went over and above to facilitate all of our questions. Thank you so much for the peace of mind you gave us. Mary S

3. Oh Travel Inc

Welcome to Oh Travel Inc, your premier travel agency located in the heart of Kitchener, Ontario. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing beach vacation, an adventurous expedition, or a culturally enriching experience, they are here to turn your dreams into reality.

With their dedication to exceptional service and a wealth of travel expertise, Oh Travel Inc stands as your gateway to unforgettable journeys.

Service: Air travel, all-inclusive vacation, booking airline tickets, booking airplane, tickets, business class flights, cruise packages, luxury accommodations, travel plan, trip planning, weekend getaways

Website: https://ohtravel.ca/

Address: 871 Victoria St N, Kitchener, ON N2B 3S4

Contact Number: (519) 571-2888

Operating Hours: 10:00 AM- 5:30 PM

• Time-saving
• Emergency support
• Lack of local insights

Friendly employees, the best offer and it is not a problem for them to offer more options if you ask for it. Highest grade!!! Jelena Sokic

Book my trip to Europe and I must say the experience from beginning to the end was top-notch. Very friendly and pleasant. Would definitely recommend it to friends and family. Smikx Vule

4. Expedia Cruises

Expedia Cruises in Kitchener likely provided a wide range of cruise options to suit different preferences and budgets. They have offered cruises to popular destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Europe, and other parts of the world.

Whether customers were looking for a family-friendly cruise, a luxury cruise experience, or an adventure-packed expedition cruise, Expedia Cruises in Kitchener would have aimed to cater to diverse interests.

Services: Carnival cruise lines, cruise consultant, cruise vacation, Disney cruise, insurance plan, land vacations, luxury cruises, rail tours, river cruises, search cruises, shore excursions, vacation packages

Website: www.expediacruises.com

Address: 500 Fairway Rd S #10, Kitchener, ON N2C 1X3

Contact Number: +1 866-799-3499

• Knowledge about group traveling
• Online booking inconveniences

Kaitlyn and April, they were really helpful booking air tickets for me and my dad. Very knowledgeable and great customer service. They charge $84 for each ticket, but it is reasonable. Loannis Bantis

I have used Expedia Cruises for over 8 cruises in the past few years. Their customer service is excellent and they are all very knowledgeable. They get you the best rates and deals out there. I would never use any other agency. Wayne Wilton

5. Frederick Travel Waterloo

Personalized service delivered with professionalism. The team is highly educated, experienced specialists are inspired by their own love of travel and commitment to providing top-notch service.

They have been dedicated to the finest standards in the travel business for more than 24 years and have built dynamic connections with all of their customers and travel partners. Their clients are the most valuable asset.

Service: Air transport, business travel, Canada travel, corporate meetings, cycling tour, dream vacation, eco-tours, family trips, home services, and hotel programs.

Website: https://www.fredericktravelwaterloo.com/

Address: 180 Northfield Dr. W Unit #4, Waterloo, ON N2L 0C7, Canada

Contact Number: +1 519-745-1860

Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Good Communication
• Expensive services

Highly recommend, I have used Frederick / Ana for personal and business travel and I am glad to have found such a helpful agent. Great job Ana. Coach John

I plan all my travel through Frederick Travel. The trips are wonderful and everything is planned exceptionally well. Greta Welsh

6 . Transat Travel

Transat Travel in Kitchener likely provides a comprehensive array of travel solutions, such as flight bookings, vacation packages, hotel accommodations, car rentals, cruise reservations, travel insurance, and more.

With the assistance of knowledgeable travel agents, Transat Travel aims to make travel planning and arrangements a seamless and enjoyable experience for its clients.

Services: Assistance services, beach vacations, business travel, coach tours, concierge services, cruise trip, destination wedding specialists, destination weddings & honeymoons, escorted tours, fishing trips, group travel, hotel accommodation, luxury cruises, luxury travel, ocean cruises.

Website: www.transattravel.com

Address: 2960 Kingsway Dr, Kitchener, ON N2C 1X1, Canada

Contact Number: +1 519-893-4310

Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• Affordable fees
• Limited personalization

Great place to book your vacation Claudia is the girl to go to she was very helpful and got me a great deal!! Will definitely be going back there! Hank Zeitz

Love Transat! Claudia is amazing! She helped so much with planning our destination wedding! Any time we had questions or concerns, she was there for us, day or night, regardless if she was in the office! Definitely will be going through her for all our vacations! Definitely recommend! -Alison Bunt

7. Bullas Travel Inc

Bullas Travel Inc, located in the vibrant city of Kitchener, is a renowned travel agency dedicated to providing exceptional travel experiences for its clients.

With years of expertise in the travel industry, Bullas Travel has built a reputation for personalized service attention to detail, and a wide range of travel options to suit various preferences and budgets.

Whether you seek a relaxing getaway, an adventurous expedition, or a culturally enriching journey, Bullas Travel has the expertise and resources to cater to your needs.

Service: Boat tours, group tours, hotel transfers, shore excursions, specialized travel, travel consultants, vacation plans, laundry service, full-service travel agency

Website: www.bullastravel.com

Address: 209 Frederick St, Kitchener, ON N2H 2M7, Canada

Contact Number: +1 519-578-7740

Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

• Provides good security guarantee
• Lengthy procedure

I use Bullas for my company Trip Incentive travel for my group. I am very pleased with the prices and the service! Tracey Johnston

8. Maritime Travel

Maritime Travel is a well-established and reputable travel agency located in Kitchener, Ontario. This agency has been a go-to destination for individuals and families seeking exceptional travel experiences.

Known for its personalized service and expertise in the travel industry, Maritime Travel has earned the trust and loyalty of countless clients.

Service: Adventure travel, air charters, all-inclusive vacations, business travel, Canadian travel, coach tour, cruise vacation, emergency assistance, Disney cruise, coach tour, history tours, independent travel, internet service, luxury cruises.

Website: www.maritimetravel.com

Address: Highland Hills Mall, 875 Highland Rd W, Kitchener, ON N2N 2Y2, Canada

Contact Number: +1 519-745-3233

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Plan principles of tourist attraction
• Bit uptight attitude

This place is the best and they really go over and beyond for you !! I would highly recommend this travel agency! They are all amazing our travel agent is Barbra ♡ couldn’t ask for better !! Like I said if anyone wants an amazing vacation go here to plan it! Thank you Dylan Handy

Great place for all travel needs, tickets, cruises, and all. Ercan Albak

How to choose the best Travel Agencies in Kitchener?

Choosing the best travel agency in Kitchener in 2023 requires some research and consideration to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. Here are some essential steps to help you make the right decision:

Check online reviews and ratings: Start by looking up travel agencies in Kitchener on review platforms and travel websites. Read through the experiences of other travelers to get an idea of the agency’s reputation and the quality of its services.

Ask for recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have recently traveled through a travel agency. Personal referrals can be valuable in finding reliable ad trustworthy agencies.

Verify accreditation and certifications: Ensure that the travel agency is accredited and recognized by relevant travel associations or organizations. This can give you confidence in their professionalism and adherence to industry standards.

Consider Specialization: Some travel agencies specialize in certain types of travel, such as adventure tours, luxury travel, or family vacations. Choose an agency that aligns with your specific travel preferences and needs.

Check the range of services offered: A good travel agency should provide a comprehensive range of services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, tour packages, travel insurance, and visa assistance, among others. Make sure they can meet all your travel requirements.

How much does it cost to get a Travel Agency in Kitchener?

A travel agency will often just charge you a little fee, and occasionally they won’t charge you anything at all. They receive commission payments from hotels and distributors for a large portion of their income. Ask whether there are any costs before choosing to book using a travel agent.

They travel agencies charge a fee?

Yes, some travel agents do charge a cost for creating an itinerary, but the majority will credit that amount back to you if you choose to book the trip with them. Before using a travel agency, make sure you are aware of all possible expenses and do not be afraid to haggle.

How much does a travel agent make in Ontario?

The average salary for Travel Agent is $44,063 per year in Toronto, ON.

What benefits do travel agents get?

Travel agents can obtain discounts on lodging, transportation, cruises, and excursions in addition to making a living and assisting customers in planning trips and holidays. While most travel agents work for travel agencies, others decide to go it alone or start their own company.

Advertisement

'People are hopeful': Planning for travel in a post-pandemic world

Jessica Smith CTV News Kitchener Videographer

@jessicasmithctv Contact

KITCHENER -- Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been hard on the industry, but some are already looking forward to vacations once it ends.

“People want to travel. People are hopeful now. The vaccine has brought so much hope for the future for travel,” said Teresa Simon, a travel advisor with Vision Travel.

It's that hope that has avid travellers itching to book their next beach vacation.

Sharon Forbes said she normally takes at least two vacations with her family every year. They are saving up and are ready to go once international travel is safe again.

“We need that green light especially because we are travelling with young kids as well," she said. "Do we have our funds ready to go, yes! We’re building our vacation fund every year. It’s piling up now we need somewhere to go."

Michelle Ford, who normally travels four times a year, said the news about more vaccines on the way inspired her and her husband to book a trip to Cuba for November.

“Our travel agent phoned us and told us it would be a good idea to book now because other people are also interested and to book now while it's available and while the prices haven’t changed," Ford said.

For example, if you are looking at booking a trip to Jamaica this for a family of five right now, it could run anywhere from $7,500 to $10,000 according to Vision Travel. Those prices are expected rise

“If you want to go somewhere in 2022, you need to start looking now,” said Simon. “They want to get to a beach and they want a Pina Colada."

In addition to a bigger price tag for some trips due to supply and demand, the cost of travel insurance has done up as well but about 25 per cent.

But even with the potentially bigger bill, both Forbes and Ford said it is worth it. Planning a trip gives them something to look forward to.

“A lot of people have experienced the cancellation of really important life events as well as travel. And having something to look forward to gives us, and it can also help to inspires us to stick with the regulations,” said Kelsey Johansen, a lecturer for the department of recreation and leisure studies at the University of Waterloo.

Many hope putting their toes in the sand will become a realistic possibility soon.

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Group Travel

Relax & get away, enjoy your stay to the fullest extent, travel anywhere, we're here to help, get back to travel, plan your trip.

Our travel agents are experts in trip planning – let us take the worry away by planning your next vacation. We’ll deal with the airlines, setup your cruise, book your airplane tickets, and book your all-inclusive resort getaway. We offer a variety of getaway choices to any destination in the world. Find out why we’re Kitchener-Waterloo’s premiere travel agency.

WHY WORK WITH US

Our advantage, peace of mind, start your trip here.

“Just wanted to thank you for your awesome service. Oh Travel is by far the most professional travel agency that I’ve used!”

Enjoy & Remember Great Times with us

Travel together.

Our travel agency will give you the best price for destination weddings, celebrations, meetings, and organizational trips.

SEE THE WORLD

Destinations.

The world is waiting for you to explore. From weekend getaways to bucket list trips endless destinations await.

“Oh Travel is my go to travel agency in Kitchener. I contact them every time I need help booking airplane tickets and Caribbean vacations.”

Oh Travel was so caring and attentive and even found a BETTER deal for my vacation than I was seeing online. Best experience with a travel agency that I’ve ever had.”

BOJAN P. – Kitchener, ON

“Booked my trip to Europe and I must say the experience from beginning to the end was top notch. Very friendly and pleasant. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.”

SMIKI V. – Kitchener, ON

871 Victoria St. N., Suite 205, Kitchener, ON N2B 3S4

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• Kitchener, ON
• 519.208.2040

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Comprehensive Eye Care & Vision Therapy in Kitchener

Visual Sense Eye Care: Supporting Your Vision

At Visual Sense Eye Care, we believe that a person’s vision is an integral part of their overall well-being: it aids in your ability to achieve everything from daily tasks to your most ambitious dreams. 

If you believe that a comprehensive approach to vision could change the way you see the world, you’ve come to the right place. Visual Sense Eye Care is here to tap into everybody’s visual potential, no matter what challenges they are facing.

We are conveniently located just off of Highway 8, in the medical building in the Canadian Tire and Farm Boy plaza between Cineplex and Wilson Avenue. We are across the street from Fairview Mall.

Request a Lecture from Dr. Tanya Polonenko, OD, FAAO, FCOVD

Dr. Polonenko is an accomplished educator and speaker in the field of visual health. Not only has she lectured about vision health and practical strategies for optometrists, but she has also provided workshops and lectures to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and brain injury associations. Teaching and clinical supervising optometry interns at the esteemed University of Waterloo, she has spent many years generating discussion and developing optometry and vision science in pediatrics, binocular vision, vision therapy and rehabilitation.

Dr. Polonenko deeply enjoys educating the public and practitioners on visual health and wellness. To enquire about scheduling a lecture with her, please click the link below.

Learn More About Dr. Tanya Polonenko

We Look Forward to Seeing You

Our Address

Contact information, hours of operations, our services.

• Comprehensive Eye Exams

Comprehensive eye exams are an invaluable tool when it comes to protecting your vision and ocular health. Your optometrist can identify subtle changes in your eyes, which may indicate eye diseases and conditions.

• Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is the use of specific exercises, tools, and equipment to improve the way that the brain’s visual connections and visual system works as a whole. This includes developing vision and visual functional skills, treating visual dysfunctions, enhancing visual performance to meet defined needs, and restoring vision and function in patients with brain injury.

Contact Lens Exams & Fittings

Almost everyone can benefit from the right contact lenses. Visual Sense helps our patients discover the fit that’s true for them. Experience the lifestyle you deserve with contact lenses you can depend on.

For many people, visual impairments can be corrected through laser eye surgery, glasses, or contact lenses. For others, traditional methods will not provide better eyesight. If your vision cannot be improved through corrective lenses, this is known as low vision. Thankfully, our dedicated team of eye care professionals helps people live their best lives, regardless of vision condition.

Check us out on Instagram

• Our Practice
• Meet Dr. Tanya Polonenko
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility
• Adult Intake Form
• Child Intake Form
• ABI Questionnaire
• Vision Therapy Diagnostic Exams
• Children’s Eye Exams
• Contact Lenses
• Contact Lens Exams, Fittings, & Brands
• Myopia Control
• Order Contacts
• Eye Issues & Health
• Dry Eye Therapy
• Laser Eye Surgery Consultation
• Digital Eye Strain
• Eye Care Services
• Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management
• Emergency Eye Care
• Binocular Vision Difficulties
• Learning-Related Vision Difficulties
• Strabismus/Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
• Concussion/Acquired Brain Injury
• Sports Vision Enhancement
• Frames & Lenses

Visual Sense Eye Care

• 385 Fairway Road South Unit 202
• Kitchener , ON N2C 2N9
• P: 519.208.2040 E: [email protected]

Vision Zero

Traffic collisions are not accidents. They always have a cause, which means they can be prevented.

Our Vision Zero strategy is our long-term plan to reduce serious injuries and death due to traffic collisions to zero in our community. Everyone has a role to play in achieving this vision.

Read our full strategy

On this page:

Traffic collisions in Kitchener

High-risk driving doesn't make sense, our strategy, staff reports, vision zero dashboard.

More than 1,200 traffic collisions happen every year on Kitchener streets, causing more than 200 injuries. Over the past decade, there’s been an average of one death per year.

You may notice we use the term “collisions” rather than “accidents” to make an important point: these collisions do not happen by accident. There is always one or multiple causes of any collision. We’re committed to studying, innovating and educating ourselves about those causes so we can learn to prevent them.

Most of the traffic collisions in Kitchener involve one or more motor vehicles (examples: cars, trucks or motorcycles), which means our driving behaviours are very important.

Some common high-risk driving behaviours include:

• aggressive driving
• distracted driving

Aggressive driving

An aggressive driver follows too closely, exceeds the speed limit, disobeys a traffic signal or fails to yield the right of way. These are all behaviours that a driver can choose to change.

Have you ever seen someone speeding on a quiet residential street and wondered “how much time are they really saving?” The answer is not much.

Take an average trip to a grocery store, for example. Assuming the trip is about 5 km, the difference in travel time driving 50 km/h compared to 40 km/h is less than one minute. This example may not seem dramatic, but the difference could save a life.

If a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h is in a collision with a pedestrian, the survival rate for the pedestrian is about 15%. The survival rate increases to 70% when the vehicle is driving at 40 km/h and to 90% when driving at 30 km/h. This is why we're lowering speed limits in residential neighbourhoods to 40 km/h and in school zones to 30 km/h .

Distracted driving

Distracted drivers are inattentive and can cause collisions. When you’re driving without distractions, your reaction time is typically between one and two seconds. If you’re texting, reading messages or otherwise distracted, your reaction time increases to three or four seconds. If you’re driving at 50 km/h, the extra two seconds add about 26 extra meters to come to a full stop.

We believe that no loss of life on our city streets is acceptable. We want to eliminate serious injuries and death due to traffic collisions. Our Vision Zero strategy is a multi-year plan to get there by creating safer streets. By improving how we design our streets, enforce traffic laws and educate our road users, we will help to improve safety. This concept started in Sweden in 1997 and has become popular around the world.

Our strategy has five main components:

• engineering
• enforcement

We need continuous data-driven evaluation and analysis of the road network. This includes tracking the impact of safety efforts and understanding the causes behind traffic-related serious injuries and fatalities. Some ways we evaluate are through annual collision analysis and street network investigations to find the areas with a higher probability of a collision that can result in a serious injury or fatality.

Engineering

The design, operation and maintenance of our transportation network can significantly impact the frequency and severity of collisions. We acknowledge the role of human error and aim to account for it. For example, dedicated infrastructure for vulnerable street users (like cyclists or pedestrians) or street narrowing/speed humps to reduce speeding are examples of engineering modifications to improve traffic safety for everyone.

Enforcement

Illegal driver behaviours, such as impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding, are major contributors to severe collisions. These high-risk behaviours can be reduced through different types of police enforcement and related programs. Considering the limited resources available, we work with the Waterloo Region Police Service to target the areas most in need of enforcement.

Automated Speed Enforcement units remind drivers to slow down in areas where children and other vulnerable road users are. The goal of using ASE is to reduce speeding and increase safety in school zones within the region. The Region of Waterloo leads this program. Visit the region’s website to find more information.

Increased awareness and education related to street safety are fundamental to all Vision Zero programs. We’ll work with our partners to use educational programs to target high-risk driving behaviours such as aggressive driving, speeding and distracted driving. We are also working with local school boards to increase awareness and education for students.

As a part of our Vision Zero education, we created an education campaign that supports the goal of the Vision Zero Strategy to reduce the number of serious injuries and death due to traffic collisions to zero in our community. 

Traffic collisions are not accidents. They can be prevented.

We developed the videos below to promote awareness of the strategy and improve driving behaviour.

The continuous involvement of communities and other stakeholders is key to a successful and effective Vision Zero program. Subscribe to our Engage Kitchener page to learn how to contribute ideas and identify your priorities for a Vision Zero action plan.

Read these staff reports to learn more about our Vision Zero approach:

• Vision Zero Strategy - 2022 update
• City of Kitchener Vision Zero Strategy (November 2021)
• Vision Zero Review (February 2020)

We're working with these groups towards the common goal of reducing injuries and fatalities.

• University of Waterloo
• Waterloo Regional Police Service
• Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
• Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region
• City of Waterloo

This collaboration has helped us use shared resources and expertise to improve street safety and align our efforts towards achieving Vision Zero.

Visit our Vision Zero dashboard to find collision statistics and project updates.

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Vision Therapy in Kitchener & Waterloo region

Could your child benefit from vision therapy.

Is your child not reading at grade level? Is your child not reaching their potential in school?

Undetected visual problems may be keeping your child behind.

What Is Vision Therapy?

20/20 vision is but ONE of over 17 important visual skills required to function efficiently to perform well in school or sports.

Children with reduced vision skills may work harder than their peers, yet be unable to achieve the results they seek. Their poor vision skills may also cause them to struggle to concentrate throughout the day.

Vision therapy is an evidence-based program to effectively strengthen the specific vision skills impacting your child and has been clinically proven to increase reading levels, enhance comprehension, maintain longer attention spans and even improve sports performance.

See a difference in your child’s school performance!

If your child has been diagnosed with a reading or learning difficulty or just not reaching their potential at school, or on the sports field, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dolman in Kitchener & Waterloo region for a functional eye exam. Over 17 visual skills will be assessed, including eye tracking, reading fluency, focusing and depth perception.

Don’t let your child suffer in silence.

Vision therapy might just be the solution you have been seeking. Talk to us! We’ll help your child maximize their visual skills and resolve any underlying visual problems impacting your child.

How To Know If Your Child Needs Vision Therapy

If your child has any of the following, vision therapy can significantly change his or her life for the better.

• Skipping words or lines while reading
• Still not reading at grade level
• Confusing the letters b, d, p and q
• Rubbing eyes or closing one eye when reading or doing near work
• Holding books too closely or tilting head when reading
• Eyestrain or headaches with schoolwork or computer use
• Difficulty with reading comprehension
• Blurred or double vision when reading
• Avoiding homework
• Poor attention span
• Fidgeting and squirming in the chair

Help Your Child Reach Their Potential With Vision Therapy

At KW NeuroVision we use a holistic approach to vision care. In addition to the usual eye exam, we also test the entire visual system (functional vision exam) to check that it has the developmental maturity, strength, and stamina to function optimally throughout the visual tasks performed on a daily basis.

Once we identify any vulnerable areas within the visual system that could interfere with reading and learning, we develop an effective vision therapy regimen made of individually-tailored eye exercises made to improve visual functions and retrain the brain to interpret visual input more accurately.

Contact KW NeuroVision in Kitchener & Waterloo region today for a functional eye exam, or visit us with your concerns regarding your child’s vision, and we’ll be sure to find the best way to treat his or her visual problems.

Dr. Kimberly Dolman

What Parents Are Saying About Us

Vision therapy may be what your child needs | faq.

Improve your child’s confidence levels with vision therapy!

Vision therapy is a non-surgical treatment program that is typically compared to physical therapy, but for the eyes and brain. Vision therapy uses exercises, lenses, specific instruments, and occlusions to enhance visual function.

All vision therapy programs are customized and can result in significant lasting improvements within a relatively short period of time. To learn more, contact us today and discover how we can help your child improve their performances both in school and on the sports field.

medical-plus medical-plus Isn't 20/20 Vision Enough?

If a child has been told that they have ‘20/20 sight’, it means that they can clearly see the letters on the chart 20 feet away. The child may excel in reading the letters on the vision charts on the wall, yet lack the necessary visual skills needed for reading, writing, and learning —  all of which can adversely impact their performance in school and in sports.  

Keep in mind that school screenings, and even some regular eye exams, generally evaluate sight (visual acuity) only and most do not assess the essential vision skills required for sports, extensive computer use, reading and learning. Furthermore, it is common to not need glasses and still have poor visual skills. Therefore, a functional vision exam will determine whether a child has poor visual skills, and if so, a tailor-made vision therapy program will be put in place to help the patient succeed and reach their potential. 

medical-plus medical-plus What Are Some Major Benefits of Vision Therapy?

Developing visual skills can lead children to become better learners and students. In fact, vision therapy can be a key component in preparing a child for higher education, as increased success can lead to a rise in self esteem and greater confidence in one's abilities. This newfound confidence will inevitably trickle into other areas, positively impacting the youngster's quality of life and achievements. 

medical-plus medical-plus How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Results depend on the child's active participation and compliance with the program. Over time, the more one trains their brain, the easier and more automated the exercises will become. Gains can be experienced from as little as a few weeks to six months.

Children Vision Assessment

Symptoms Indicating A Visual Efficiency Problem

Vision Therapy Blog

Vision Therapy For Improved Reading Skills In Children

What Conditions Can Vision Therapy Help Treat?

Exercises and Tools Used In Vision Therapy

Can Vision Therapy Benefit A Child With a Learning Disability?

How Can Poor Vision Affect Your Child’s Behavior?

What Causes a Child to Be a Slow Learner?

Is Your Child Doing Poorly in School? Here’s What You Need to Know

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KW NeuroVision is a vision care provider in Kitchener, ON, CA specializing in vision therapy and binocular vision offering treatment for amblyopia, strabismus, convergence disorders, visual-perceptual problems, and more using Vivid Vision as part of their comprehensive vision therapy program.

KW NeuroVision prescribes Vivid Vision Home so you can do vision therapy in the comfort of your own house.

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Tell your story through beautiful documentary photography. Whether it’s your corporate or commercial event, workshop, product, project, profile, blog photography, head-shot, interior or exterior space; Catherine has been successful at achieving this since 2011. Serving the Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge area or beyond she can bring your business to life through her photography. Sessions can be booked in the Tri-Cities or she will travel anywhere needed.

Catherine specializes in photographing corporate and commercial events, workshops, products, projects, profiles, blog photography, head-shots, interior and exterior spaces. She has travelled all over the world for her clients to capture their photographic vision and exotic surroundings with stunning colour and beauty. Browse through her many  photo galleries available here .

Contact Catherine to discuss your photography needs from local Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge events & projects or destinations abroad, she’s ready to help.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission