The first match of the World Cup in Toronto will be held in less than a week (June 12). I’ve lived in the city for 45 years, so here are some great things to see and do if you’re in town to catch the action in person or on TV. WHERE TO CATCH THE GAMES If you can afford a ticket, or maybe if you’re uncle is the Prime Minister or the head of FIFA, you’ll be attending matches at what’s being called Toronto Stadium; known to most of Toronto folks as BMO Field but changed for the tournament for Read more
New Planes. New routes. New opportunities for advisors to sell great trips. Air Canada officially unveiled its Airbus A321XLR to the media in Toronto on 04JUN. It’s a game-changer for Canada’s largest airline, a sing[e-aisle, fuel-efficient plane that brings a wide-body experience, complete with 14 lie-flat seats in Air Canada’s Signature Class. Air Canada has a firm order for 30 planes. Two are now in hand and three more should touch down in Canada by the end of the year. The airline hopes to have all 30 in hand by 2029. The first flight with pax is scheduled for 09JUN Read more
Air Canada on June 11 will begin flying from Toronto to Ponta Delgado in the Azores, a remarkable set of islands in the Atlantic Ocean with some of the world’s best hiking, fresh and fabulous food, Mediterranean villages, Hawaiian-looking coastlines and grass so green it makes the Irish weep with envy. Here’s a story I wrote for the Globe and Mail after my first (and still only) visit to the islands. AZORES, PORTUGAL – I am terribly confused. When I envisioned landing on some far-flung islands in the Atlantic Ocean – five and half hours east of Toronto; two hours Read more
A pair of luxury hotels in Toronto and New York City are the newest properties to receive the AAA Diamond Program’s highest designation. The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto and Waldorf Astoria in New York City have earned AAA Five Diamonds for their stunning surroundings, thoughtful amenities, and unparalleled service, the Canadian Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association announced. I haven’t been to the recently renovated Waldorf in Manhattan, but I’ve stayed at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto’s trendy Yorkville district a couple of times, and dined there on several occasions. It’s an elegant property that definitely worthy of Five-Diamond Read more
A new list of the 50 best restaurants in North America gives the title to Chicago, but two Canadian restaurants also made the podium. Smyth in Chicago came out on top, rising from number five on last year’s list. Second was a new entry to the top 50, Eight restaurant in Calgary. Taking the bronze medal was renowned Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario (Niagara Region). Pearl Morissette was named Canada’s best restaurant a few weeks ago. The U.S. had 36 spots in the top 50, while Canada had a very solid 14 (and five of the top ten). In the Read more
Canadians have easier ways to get to great European and Asian destinations this summer. Starting in June, passengers from Montreal will be able to fly direct on Air Canada to Nantes, an historic city on the Loire River in the Normandy region of France. It’s the first time Air Canada will fly to Nantes, which also is served by Air Transat. Air Canada next month also will begin flights from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca in Spain, and Catania, Sicily. TravelPulse Canada reports customers in June also will be able to fly direct from Toronto to Shanghai, China, resuming flights Read more
A new list of the 30 most beautiful destinations on earth, a fabulous grizzly bear-viewing trip to British Columbia, and new Canadian visitor numbers for Florida. All in today’s blog post. THE 30 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH: REALLY? Condé Nast Traveller is one of the top names in the biz. It’s an excellent magazine with informed editors and readers. But I’m baffled by their latest list, which claims to show the 30 most beautiful places in the world. There are a couple of entries here that I know nothing about or that don’t appear all that amazing in the Read more
