In case you’ve been living in a cave, Taylor Swift has a new album out. One of the songs, “Florida,” has a line about a Florida panhandle city called Destin, which is famous for its relaxed vibe and white sand beaches. “Little did you know your home’s really only a town you’re just a guest in, So you work your life away just to pay for a timeshare down in Destin,” Swift sings in the song, which is on her “Tortured Poets Department ” album. Destin Tourism, not being entirely without common sense, is hoping to capitalize on their five Read more
Western Australia
ESPERANCE, WEST AUSTRALIA – Our six-seater plane is swooping and soaring over perhaps the most striking coastline I’ve ever seen. The water is an insane shade of aquamarine that I’ve never imagined, with beams of navy blue and bands of brilliant green running along the coast. Under a brilliant Australian sun, the sand is a dazzling, pure, blinding white, and nearly deserted on a beautiful day just three weeks before summer. After a good 20-30 minutes of enjoying the heck out of our bird’s eye view of the southern coast of Western Australia, our pilot with Fly Esperance, the young Read more
For all those who have always had Australia on their bucket list, 2024 is the year to start vacation planning to your dream travel destination. Tourism Australia has created a great list of top things to do in Australia in 2024, recommended by local Aussies. Given the increasing enthusiasm among Canadians to explore Australia, evident in a remarkable 94% recovery rate compared to 2019, it’s clear why this destination is swiftly becoming a top choice for travelers. I just returned from a fabulous visit to Sydney, Tasmania and Western Australia. On previous trips I’ve been to Queensland, Victoria Read more
Pedestrians are getting a permanent break in Banff. Hawaii Tourism Boasts Strong Holiday Numbers. And indigenous tourism is poised for a Canadian boom. A few travel tidbits for today. BANFF PED ZONE NOW PERMANENT Banff’s popular downtown pedestrian zone is now a permanent feature in the wildly popular Alberta destination. Town officials have decided to keep the zone in place from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving weekend every year. Canadian Press reports the town decided to permanently fund the project, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of its annual operating budget. “It is, however, still unclear whether Read more
I had some great visits outside of Canada and the U.S. this year, visiting Sydney, Tasmania, Western Australia, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Scotland and England. Here are some highlights. BEST RENTAL CAR EMPLOYEE My reservation was all messed up and the Budget Rental Car counter was closed when I landed at the airport in Esperance, Western Australia. I called the phone number for after hours help and reached a very kind woman named Hope. She was about to head off to a gender reveal party but said she could drive out and get my car set up for me, which Read more
