MSN has a fun (maybe not to him) look at European travel expert Rick Steves’ fave places – and not so fave – places in Europe. Rick (I dealt with him briefly when I was travel editor at the Toronto Star) doesn’t hate anyplace in Europe as far as I can tell, but there do seem to be places he recommends more highly than others. Here’s what MSN Travel and xxx published in a story about Steves’ personal faves – and not so faves. RICK’S FAVES Bruges, Belgium Istanbul, Turkiye Rome, Italy Prague, Czechia Mosel River Valley, Germany Norway NOT Read more

Canadian travel to the U.S. slowed in June of this year compared to May, but was still a fair bit higher than June of 2025. New figures released today (July 13) by Statistics Canada show that, for June of 2026, return trips to Canada from the U.S. were up 3.2% over June of last year. Return trips by car were up 5.2%, while returning trips by air were down 3.8%. Stats Canada said the June figures mark the third month in a row that return trips to Canada from the States were up over the previous year’s figures. For May, Read more

So, here is (perhaps) something of a surprise. A new study by WalletHub says the best state for a road trip in the U.S. is Minnesota. The study considered a wide variety of criteria, including “fun, scenery, and affordability,” and looking at everything from the number of attractions in each state, to the quality of its roads, and naturally, the average cost of gas.  Travel and Leisure reports the North Star State has the fourth-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation, and the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita during the summer, so there’s plenty to do. It’s also Read more

Travel and Leisure has come out with its annual list of top destinations, hotels and resorts around the world. It’s a list I always enjoy reading, so here are some highlights to help you make your next travel decision. Travel and Leisure is a pretty high-end publication, so keep in mind that you’re not finding many casual, mom and pop places on the hotel and resort lists. The cities are another story. Below you’ll find highlights for the world, the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as specific areas I love, including Hawaii and Australia. BEST WORLD CITIES San Miguel de Read more

I think I started touting Asia as a great value destination for Canadians back around 2010. That holds true even more today, as the Canadian dollar slips and travellers look for better deals. Which brings me to the Flight Centre Canada press release I received today. The release makes the same point I’ve been making for years, which is that Asia is a tremendous value for Canadians and other travellers. Here’s what Flight Centre Canada had to say in its latest release. As the dollar dips to a 14-month low, some travellers are staying closer to home. Many more are Read more

There’s lots of news in the hotel world, and today I’ve got updates from both Fairmont and IHG. FAIRMONT HOTEL RENOVATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Driven by a commitment to ‘Make Special Happen’, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced that 20% of the Fairmont portfolio is undergoing transformation. This includes the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia with redevelopment projects at Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda and Fairmont Grand Geneva in Switzerland, both slated for a Fall 2026 reopening. ONGOING RENOVATIONS Fairmont Southampton– Bermuda: Embarking on the largest renovation project in Bermuda’s history. Fairmont Pacific Rim– Vancouver, British Columbia: The Wellness Club at the Read more