There’s an old saying that all roads lead to Rome. It appears the same goes for airplanes and Internet travel searches. With the funeral for Pope Francis taking place this weekend, and the election of a new pope coming in a few weeks at the Vatican, Expedia says global flight searches for Rome are up 125% for travel this week versus the same period last year. US residents are seemingly looking to make it to Rome soon, as flight searches are up 250% on Expedia.com and lodging searches up 35%.   For Canada, flight searches to The Eternal City on Read more

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We all love beautiful water photos, so here’s something to think about, and perhaps even plan a trip around. A new analysis by GoPro Alternatives, an action camera comparison site, examined the world’s top water destinations based on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube posts. Here’s their top 10: 1. Mauritius 2. Maui 3. Niagara Falls 4. Amalfi Coast, Italy 5. Kauai 6. Curacao 7. Bora Bora (Tahiti) 8. Florida Keys 9. Blue Lagoon, Iceland 10. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand As a Canadian, I love seeing Niagara Falls on the list. As a passionate Hawai’i fan, I love seeing Maui and Kauai Read more

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SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – Glamorous and casual hotels seconds from the beach. A farmer’s market where some of the country’s best chefs pick through selections of super fresh, lemons and Genovese basil to serve that night at local restaurants. Super cool neighborhoods, art galleries, and perhaps the most famous pier in North America. Santa Monica is a gem that embodies all the best things about the California lifestyle, an open-minded city that welcomes visitors of all types and embraces sustainability and inclusiveness. It was only three months ago that fires ripped through parts of southern California, destroying hundreds of homes. Read more

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This is one of the great cities of Canada; a vibrant but super-friendly spot where people aren’t in a rush and where drivers stop to let crazed Torontonians jaywalk across a busy street at rush hour. You’ll also find a wonderful waterfront, terrific food and trendy neighbourhoods to explore. Here are some of the top things to see and do in Halifax, and also some suggested places to stay and side trips to take. WHAT TO SEE   Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is a former British and Canadian fort that sits on a high hill overlooking the city. A Read more

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Travel associations on both sides of the border have banded together to tackle unprecedented challenges facing the industry in 2025 — starting with the ongoing tariff war between the U.S. and Canada.   The newly formed Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition (BBTC) brings together the United States Tour Operators Association and the Canadian Association of Tour Operators as well as the Adventure Travel Trade Association, American Bus Association, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, International Inbound Travel Association, National Tour Association and Student & Youth Travel Association. “The travel industry’s interconnected nature demands unified voice and action to tackle shared challenges arising from Read more

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Canadians seem intent on staying home this summer and exploring this great country of ours. With that in mind, I’m putting together a series of short items on Five Things to See and Do in cities and regions across Canada. I’ll start today with Calgary, a terrific destination on its own and also the gateway to the Canadian Rockies and marvelous Banff National Park. EAST VILLAGE   This is one of the most vibrant areas of the city, with fabulous boutique shops and the excellent Alt Hotel. One of the top attractions is the striking National Music Centre, located inside Read more

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The Golden State is showing Canada some love. At a time when many Canadians have soured on trips to the U.S. because of ongoing political disputes and President Donald Trump’s tariffs and 51st state comments, Visit California has launched a new campaign ” to show Canadians that they are missed, they are deeply valued, and they are always welcome in California.” “California would not be the same without Canadians,” Visit California officials said. ” In 2024, California welcomed 1.8 million Canadian visitors, making it the state’s second-largest global tourism market.” California Governor Gavin Newsom has a fun, cheeky video on Read more

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