The folks at Time Out have a nice, new list of the world’s top food cities. I’m quite shocked that Japan didn’t place any city in the top 10, and that only one Japanese city (Osaka) made the top 20. I’m also surprised that only two cities in North America (only one in the U.S.) cracked the top 20. Still, it’s an interesting, tasty list that includes a few cities you might not expect to see. Here’s their full top 20. Lima, Perun (I’ve never been to Peru, but Peruvian cuisine is excellent) Bangkok, Thailand (fabulous street food and very Read more

The first game of the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver will be played on Saturday, June 13, with Australia matched up against Türkiye. Vancouver might be the most beautiful city on earth in terms of the proximity of towering mountains and the ocean. I’m from San Francisco, but I’d say Vancouver is even more striking. Cape Town is nice, and Sydney, too, but the combination of open water and snow-capped mountains give Vancouver the edge. I’ve been a good 10 to 15 times and have probably spent a couple months of my life in the city, including a month for Read more

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