From London to California to Canada, My 2018 Jimmy Awards (part 1)

This lucky guy has finished up another year of great travel. From classic train journeys in Canada to Atlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2, and from Florida to Hawaii to London, it’s been another incredible year. In what has become an annual tradition, here’s a look at my some of my favourite spots and photos from the year that was. Without further adieu, I give you Part 1 of the 2018 Jimmy Awards for great/weird/fun/engaging travel.

BEST RESTAURANT: I ate in some remarkable places this year, but Don Alfonso 1890 in Toronto takes the proverbial cake. Incredibly creative, remarkably displayed, well thought out cuisine in a restaurant that looks like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else in Toronto.

FAVE NEW FLORIDA TOWN (ATLANTIC SIDE): New Smyrna Beach. Great, casual feel and a nice beach, just south of Daytona. I didn’t stay there but I loved the look of small, beachfront Salty Mermaid Hotel. They make an outstanding salad with green apple slices, goat cheese, local greens and candied pecans at Riverpark Terrace, where they also feature a wonderful mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, honey and herbs for dipping your bread into. The New Smyrna Beach Museum is a fun spot with engaging hosts, while The Hub is an outstanding art gallery/community gathering spot. For information: https://visitnsbfl.com/

FAVE NEW FLORIDA TOWN (GULF SIDE): Homosassa. I loved that there’s a small café in town that also has a display of old printing presses, typewriters and other old-style gear. There’s also a cute gallery, a wonderful wildlife park (The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park), a fabulous tiki bar called Crumps? and a teeny, tiny island in the middle of the Homosassa River that’s populated entirely by monkeys. For information: http://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/

BEST OCEAN VOYAGE: In truth, I only did one; a November journey from England to NYC on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. But I can’t imagine a better experience than travelling across the ocean (my first time) on a such a majestic ship, and on a line with so much incredible history. A remarkable experience everyone should get to try once.

BEST LONDON HOTEL: One Aldwych is an outstanding hotel in central London, with beautiful design, great rooms (they’re re-doing the rooms from January to March, just so you know), a super location and terrific food, especially at the Basque-influenced Eneko.

COOLEST HOTEL POOL: The rooftop version at The NoMad in downtown Los Angeles. They also have very cool rooms, an outstanding lobby bar area and a lovely rooftop restaurant.

FAVE FAMILY PHOTO: This one, with my Dad and my sister, taken at The Mauian Hotel on Napili Beach on Maui; my favourite place in the world. We marked the 50th anniversary of our first trip to Hawaii earlier this year, having visited as a family for the first time way back in 1968.

BEST STEAK: As always, Hitching Post II in Buellton, California. Great cuts of beef grilled over an oak fire and served with an appetizer, salad, garlic bread, rice or potatoes and a veggie tray for as little as $29.95 (for a seven-ounce sirloin).

BEST SUNRISE PHOTO: This one at the Hilton Barbados.

BEST U.S. TRAIN RIDE: The Roaring Camp Steam Train in Santa Cruz, California takes you through magnificent forests of towering, ancient redwoods. Tons of fun for kids of all ages.

BEST CITY DISCOVERY: San Antonio, Texas. I enjoyed the Riverwalk and The Alamo, but I REALLY enjoyed The Pearl District’s beautiful architecture. I didn’t stay there but the Emma Hotel is built in an old brewery and is super-cool, with a funky lobby and a very nice-looking bar. I also loved the San Antonio Museum of Art. Which brings me to ….

FAVE TOUR GUIDE: Judith Ely at the San Antonio Museum of Art. A fun, engaging, witty live-wire of a woman you can’t help but love.

BEST PEOPLE PHOTO: Cecil, one of the drivers a group of journalists had on Eleuthera in The Bahamas. He had a Yankees baseball hat on when I met him, and I said I’d take his photo, but only if he said “Go Red Sox.” His ensuing laugh was one of my favourite moments of the year.

COOLEST CANADA HOTEL: The Douglas, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Vancouver has an amazing lobby with a giant Douglas Fir that’s been into sections, not to mention an excellent cocktail bar and outdoor patio and sleek, stylish rooms. It’s part of the Parq Vancouver complex, which also includes the JW Marriott? Check out Victor at the JW for fantastic seafood, steaks, sushi (the Dynamite Roll is outstanding), or try Honey Salt for breakfast. The casino is terrific, too.

BEST TRAIN TRIP OVERALL: You can’t beat a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer for luxury and scenic beauty. I knew we’d love the majestic Rocky Mountains on our trip from Vancouver to Banff, but I’d forgotten how beautiful the Fraser and Thompson River valleys were. An unexpected delight on a truly legendary train with great food and first-class service.

BEST KAYAK RIDE A ride on the Chassahowitzka River near Homosassa, Florida. Beautiful spring-fed waters with manatees, herons, swooping pelicans, egrets and much more. I even saw a live otter outside of captivity for the first time.

BEST CHEF EXPERIENCE: The Island Markets and Food Vibes tour of Barbados with Chef Michael Harrison. A fun guy and a wonderful tour of local markets and rum bars. Don’t miss this one.

BEST DONUTS: Technically they’re malasadas, Portuguese-style donuts, but we’ll call it even. They serve fantastic ones at Leonard’s, a legendary spot in Honolulu that’s quite close to Waikiki Beach. Hawaii information: https://www.gohawaii.com/ca

BEST THEATRE PRODUCTION: They did a romping and rollicking version of Rocky Horror at the Stratford Festival this year.

BEST CHOCOLATE: Dutch Boys Chocolate in Kingsville, Ontario. A great food town and terrific chocolates at this fun, boutique shop on the main street. The owners are an absolute delight. Try a night at The Grove, a fun hotel just a few steps away.

BEST VENDING MACHINE The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas has a machine that dispenses Moet & Chandon champagne. Now THAT’S class.

FAVE FLORIDA BEACH Still Clearwater Beach. I love Pier 60 in the morning and at sunset, especially. A great beach that’s close to my still favourite Florida town, Dunedin. For information: https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/

MOST SURPRISING CANADIAN HOTEL: Hotel X in Toronto is a game-changer for the waterfront; a truly fantastic place to stay down at Exhibition Place. They have a beautiful theatre, an on-site art gallery, stunning rooms with killer city and lake views, a fabulous rooftop with a grassy sun-tanning deck and a pool that’s open year-round, a world-class workout facility and indoor tennis centre and much, much more. The service is outstanding. Next year they’ll be adding a craft beer spot and restaurant in an historic military barracks next door.

BEST DRINK PRESENTATION: Without doubt a Mai Tai served in a Spam can at the oh-so-beautiful Four Seasons on Oahu. It’s fun because Hawaiians love Spam, and it’s not the sort of cheeky presentation one might expect at a Four Seasons. Tasted pretty damned good, too.

MOST SURPRISING CITY TRANSIT SYSTEM: When I lived in LA 40 years ago there was nothing. Now, the Metro system goes on just shy of forever, with lines that stretch all the way downtown to Long Beach, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica and more. It’s only a couple bucks to ride. For seniors during off-hours, it’s an insanely cheap 35 cents!

BEST TORONTO PHOTO: This one, taken in mid-summer at an event at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on the Toronto Islands. Toronto information: https://www.seetorontonow.com/

BEST GREEK FOOD Estiatiorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas is a fabulous dining spot, with seafood flown in from Greece, and wonderfully inventive food that takes Greek cuisine to a whole new level. Awesome octopus and terrific zucchini chips, among other great dishes.

BEST HOTEL REMAKE: They’ve done a marvellous job with the St. Regis Toronto, formerly The Adelaide and formerly The Trump. I didn’t like the feel of The Trump at all, and not because of politics. I found the lobby unwelcoming, garish and cramped. Now it’s open and bright and airy. And the upstairs restaurant is both extremely tasty and superbly stylish. Well done, folks.

BEST OCEANFRONT MUSICAL EXPERIENCE: One night in Crystal River Florida I drove out to the beach on Fort Island to see if I could catch a sunset. I found a local group of drumming enthusiasts gathered on the sand playing bongos, small drums and even plastic buckets. They invited me to play for a minute before I took some photos and chatted with organizers. So much fun. And great to see people passionate about their music. I was told they do this on the second Sunday of every month if you feel like going some time.

BEST BIKE TOUR: The folks at Red Apple Rides in Port Dover do fantastic tours of the town and surrounding region, including stops at local restaurants and wineries. I loved visiting Clonmel Castle, a fantastic-looking B&B on a hill that I’d love to stay at some time.

BEST TV SHOW CONNECTION On a trip to Las Vegas I got to make a sweet dessert with the folks from the Vegas Cakes TV show. Lots of fun!

MOST UNEXPECTED RESTAURANT: Located in the pretty town of Mt. Dora, north of Orlando, 1921 by Norm Van Aken is a truly magnificent dining spot with wonderful food and drinks and a cool, artsy vibe. The tilefish I had was exceptional.

BEST BBQ MEAL: As always, my Dad’s American Thanksgiving turkey, which he does every year on his Weber Kettle in his back yard in the San Francisco Bay Area. Love you, Dad. Here’s to another one next year!

BEST BEACH PHOTO: This one, of Hapuna Beach on Hawaii Big Island. It’s a great time to visit! www.gohawaii.com/ca

BEST SQUIRREL PHOTO: This little guy seemed to be giving me the once-over after dropping one of his treats as he scampered up a palm tree at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa Springs, Florida.

BEST DUNE BUGGY RIDE: I had a fantastic time bombing around the desert outside of Las Vegas with Sun Buggy Rentals. Very cool experience.

BEST HIKE: The scenery is beyond spectacular at the Kashe-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument near Santa Fe, New Mexico. I loved the slot canyons and the overall feel of the place.

MOST MEMORABLE SUNRISE: Coming into New York Harbor on the Queen Mary 2 in November is an experience I’ll never forget.

COMING UP LATER THIS WEEK: PART TWO