A new look at the world’s best cities puts Vienna on top, but the top of the charts is dominated by cities in Canada and Australia. The Global Liveability Indes from Economist Intelligence looked at a variety of quality of life factors in cities around the world, including such issues as stability, health care, culture and environment. The list is for liveability, not necessarily what’s the best place for a tourist to visit. But it’s still instructive. Vienna was tops, with a score of 98.4 out of 100. Here’s a link to a short item I posted about Vienna recently. Read more
Zurich
New stats on the benefit of a road trip and being outdoors. New, daytime uses for hotels as work spaces. A chocolate museum for a popular European destination. And a potential Hawai’i hotel bubble for quarantined arrivals. My Future of Travel blog for July 29. Road Trips and the Outdoors: Not Only Fun But Good For You This doesn’t surprise someone who loves the outdoors and cherishes a great road trip. A company called Outdoorsy, which I talked about recently in a story I wrote about RV’s being popular this year, a huge majority of North Americans (94%)) say they’re Read more
Fabulous news for folks who love Tahiti and French Polynesia. Plus Switzerland will open its borders to European Union countries and the United Kingdom a week from today. I also have news on a re-opening for the wonderful JW Marriott Rosseau resort in Muskoka. Also, Riu Hotels is re-opening hotels in Mexico today and later this month. Here’s my Future of Travel blog for Monday, June 8. TAHITI AND FRENCH POLYNESIA TO RE-OPEN FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS JULY 15 French Polynesia has had no active cases of COVID-19 since May 29th. The country’s authorities announced today the borders will be re-opening Read more
Europe can get hot and crowded in summer. So why not try a trip in winter? Air fares and hotels will be less expensive, often wildly so. And you won’t have the crowds. Which means more time to delve deep and really explore. Here are some great spots to try. IRELAND A bit cool, you say? Well, it’s not like summer in Ireland is a guaranteed heat furnace. So why not explore Dublin’s Temple Bar when you don’t need a reservation for the best bar stool? And why not try a night at a sumptuous spot like Ashford Castle in Read more
The kids are almost back in school, and the annual summer tourism crush in Europe is subsiding. It’s also some of the best weather of the year. Which makes this a great time to visit any number of top European destinations. In no particular order, here are 10 great spots both tried and new. BRUSSELS This might be the most under-rated city in Europe. Grand Place is the most beautiful square in Europe; with fantastic, gilded buildings dating back hundreds of years. The square in front of the church of St. Catherine is more of a locals spot and a Read more
