A limited number of Las Vegas casinos opened their doors again just after midnight today. I also have news on how cottage country opening for rentals, and on how both Antigua/Barbuda and Saint Lucia opened for tourism today. In addition, I’ve got a report on great things to do in Toronto.

ROLLING THE DICE: SOME VEGAS CASINOS RE-OPEN

A limited number of Las Vegas casinos opened just after midnight today as Nevada state restrictions eased. There are social/phsyical distancing in rules and plastic barriers to get used to, but a gambler who missed the action in Vegas (or Reno) will almost certainly not mind.

Channel 3 News Las Vegas says The Bellagio hosted a special show at its famous fountains to celebrate the occasion, while Wayne Newton helped welcome guests back to Caesars Palace.

Ontario Cottage Country Opens for Rentals

BIg news from the province of Ontario as Premier Doug Ford’s government today said that short-term rentals will be allowed to resume operations on June 5 including cottages, cabins, lodges, condos and B&Bs.

Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli announced the news in a tweet, adding as of 12:01 Friday, the restrictions on rentals would be lifted.

Some folks who live in Ontario cottage country might be leery of visits by residents of the Greater Toronto Area, which has had a lot more COVID-19 problems than other parts of the province. But seasonal businesses rely on the tourism trade, so it’s definitely a trade-off.

For folks like me who love going up north (or down south near Lake Erie, or west to Lake Huron, or east towards Kingston), it’s a wonderful announcement. But I understand how some locals might feel a bit of trepidation.

Sensational Saint Lucia

I’ve been to Saint Lucia I think three times now, and it’s definitely one of my fave spots in the Caribbean. The Pitons are probably the most iconic part of the island; two massive towers of rock that rise out of the clear, blue ocean water on the southwest coast. They’re unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere in the Caribbean, and the island’s tourism department wisely makes great use of them in its marketing campaigns. The most popular beer on the island is called Piton, as well.

Sugar Beach is a wonderful resort on a small but gorgeous stretch of sand in the shadow of the Pitons. The food is sublime and the outdoor spa sensational. A short distance up the coast is Jade Mountain, perhaps the most striking and decadent resort/hotel I’ve ever stayed at. Rooms are open to the air so you can enjoy those famous Piton views from your bed or your private splash pool. They also have a 24-hour butler service and wonderful food and cocktails. Worried about the open-air bit at night? Not to worry; they have mosquito netting around the beds. Next door is their sister property, Anse Chastanet, which has lovely units and a terrific beach, as well as a lively restaurant bar where my wife and I on our last visit enjoyed a fun, foot-stompin’ performance by country singer xxx . A lot of visitors seem unaware, but country music is very popular on Saint Lucia, especially with the older folks. There are a lot of theories about it, but the one that makes the most sense to me is that Saint Lucians worked in the sugar cane fields of Louisiana 60 or 70 years ago and brought back an appreciation for the likes of Hank WIlliams and Patsy Cline.

I always enjoy the Friday night Jump Up Street Party in Gros Islet, and exploring the cannons and hilltop ruins at nearby Pigeon Island National Park.

Another great place to stay on Saint Lucia is Cap Maison, which has sleek and stylish units on a hill overlooking the northwest corner of the island. You can walk down the hill to a fabulous beach bar and restaurant, and the sunsets are romantic as all get out.

Ben Cowan-Dewar, who built the remarkable Cabot Links golf course on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and then the even-more-impressive Cabot Cliffs next door, is helping build a new golf course on Saint Lucia, called Cabot Saint Lucia. It’s slated for completion in 2021, with a boutique hotel coming in 2022.

Here’s a link to a blog I wrote about Jade Mountain: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2014/11/01/jade-mountain-in-st-lucia-one-of-worlds-top-resorts/

Amazing Antigua

I’ve only been once, but I had a marvellous visit to Antigua and Barbuda five or six years ago. I stayed the first night or two at a place called Sugar Ridge, which has lovely units, a  beautiful pool and a great spa. It’s not on the beach but there’s a great one only a few minutes away by foot.

I also had fun exploring shops and museums in the capital of St. John’s. And I had a remarkable hillside unit at Hermitage Bay, which sits on a gorgeous beach and has splendid rooms filled with dark, polished wood and private plunge pools. The rooms sit high on the hill so you get fantastic views and great sunsets. I don’t remember what I had for dinner but prior to my meal I had the best caipirinha I’ve ever sipped.

The hotels were terrific, but the best part of my trip was renting a car and exploring on my own. I had a small sedan and drove barefoot all around the island, gazing at beautiful beaches from on high, watching old ladies carrying bananas on their heads and listening to the ceaseless chatter of uniformed kids on their way to school. I stopped to admire the view at Shirley Heights, which might be the prettiest view in the Caribbean, as well as to check out the boats in English Harbour. One of my favourite stops was at the Fig Tree Art Gallery, where you’ll find lovely works of art and an overflowing garden stuffed with wildly colourful plants and flowers.

Speaking at a virtual press conference today, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James called today “an important, and incredible day.”

An American Airlines flight from Miami was slated to arrive last night. James said he hopes to soon confirm flights from Canada, likely in July.

Here’s a blog posting from my visit to Hermitage Bay: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2013/12/18/heavenly-hermitage-bay-an-utterly-magical-all-inclusive-in-beautiful-antigua/

And another from my visit to English Harbour and Shirley Heights: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2013/12/14/a-great-charter-yacht-show-and-fabulous-views-of-antigua-plus-new-ferry-service-links-nova-scotia-and-maine/

Tourism Toronto: Tips for Locals

They’re not encouraging visitors from outside the city, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see and do for folks living in Toronto (like me). Tourism Toronto has put out a release highlighting a few of the wonderful things we can still enjoy, even in a state of semi-lockdown. Bike trails (Wednesday was World Cycling Day) are open, parks are available to enjoy (aside from playground equipment) and many if not most restaurants are available for takeout.

I got myself a new bike recently and have been checking out some great parts of the city, including the area around Sunnybrook Park in midtown and Ashbridge’s Bay on Lake Ontario. My wife and I have ordered takeout from places in our neighbourhood pretty much every week, including a smashingly good and huge parcel of food on Wednesday night from a place called Urban Hakka.

Here’s a roundup of some great things you can find on their website:

·         Toronto Digital Puzzles

·         Been There, Haven’t Done That Yet

·         Little India, Big Hearts

·         Top Cycling Routes in Toronto

·         Go East, Beyond Pierogi and Schnitzel

·         9 Toronto Group Activities You Can Do Virtually (That Aren’t Happy Hour)

Hotel Cleanliness: The New Marble Bathroom

A spokesperson for Virtuoso Travel made that remark recently during a TravMedia webinar I listened in on. I thought it was a terrific line; both smart and truthful. Now, I see a story along the same lines from the New York Times. The story talks about the changes brought on by COVID-19, and it’s extremely well written.

“In February, news from the Wynn Las Vegas included plans for Valentine’s Day (among the offerings: a “Lover’s Menu for Two”) and National Margarita Day (four new cocktails).