The government of Canada has quietly issued travel advisories for a number of European countries that are very popular with Canadians.
The Canadian government’s travel advisory site has been updated in the past 10 days or so and now includes warnings about terrorism threats and crime in several major European destinations. The following countries are all at level yellow, the second level in a four-group warning system, which advocates “a high degree of caution” for visitors.
UNITED KINGDOM
Last Updated: Feb. 6, 2024
Warning: Exercise a high degree of caution in the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism. There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities.
In the United Kingdom, previous incidents have resulted in casualties. They include random violent incidents in public areas, such as knife and vehicle attacks as well as explosions.
These incidents have occurred mainly in the London area but have also happened elsewhere.
Further attacks in the United Kingdom are likely.
Madrid in the evening. FLORIAN WEHDE PHOTO/UNSPLASH
SPAIN
Last updated: Feb. 7, 2024
Warning: Exercise a high degree of caution in Spain due to the threat of terrorism. There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities.
In Spain, attacks causing deaths and injuries have taken place. Further attacks in Spain cannot be ruled out. Further attacks elsewhere in Europe are likely.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common. It’s most prevalent in larger cities and particularly during holidays, festivals and weekends.
Thieves work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings, such as asking for directions or informing you of a stain on your clothes.
Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers may ask to see your passport, IDs or wallets. In this situation, politely ask to see their official identification badge to verify that the request is legitimate.
FRANCE
Last updated: Feb. 1, 2024
Warning: Exercise a high degree of caution in France due to the elevated threat of terrorism. There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities.
Over the past few years in France, several opportunistic and premeditated attacks have occurred. These have resulted in many deaths and injuries. Further attacks are likely.
Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, and purse and mobile phone snatching are common.
Thieves are very skilled. They often act in groups and are often minors. They may use various techniques to divert your attention and steal your belongings.
GERMANY
Last updated: Jan. 3o, 2024
Warning: Exercise a high degree of caution in Germany due to the threat of terrorism. here is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.
Targets could include:
- government buildings, including schools
- places of worship
- airports and other transportation hubs and networks
- public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, Christmas markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs.
Organized groups of pickpockets often use distraction techniques and are particularly active in:
- major cities
- transportation hubs
- public transportation
- tourist attractions
The Canadian government also has “high caution” warnings out for other countries in Europe, including The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Turkiye.
Elsewhere, level two warnings are in effect for a variety of countries, including The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, The Dominican Republic, Thailand, Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil and many more.
The Ritz Calrton Toronto is one of Canada’s best hotels. JIM BYERS PHOTO
TORONTO RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS LEAD WAY WITH FORBES AWARDS
Forbes has come out with its annual list of top hotels and restaurants, and Toronto leads the way for Canadian cities.
Forbes reviewers awarded five stars to seven hotels in Canada, and five are in Toronto: The Four Seasons, The Hazelton, The Ritz-Carlton, The Shangri-La, and the St. Regis. I’ve dined at the Four Seasons a couple times and stayed the night and dined at all the others, and they’re all excellent. The other five-star hotel designations were for the Fairmont Pacific Rim and the Shangri-La Vancouver, which are both wonderful.
Forbes also gave four-star status to seven Canadian hotels: The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Four Seasons Montreal, The Four Seasons Whistler, The Muir in Halifax, The Park Hyatt Toronto, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal and the lovely Wickaninnish Inn on the beach in Tofino, B.C.
I was surprised not to see the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver on the list, but there you go.
Forbes gave four-star ratings to seven restaurants in Canada. Four are in Toronto: Canoe, Joni (at the Park Hyatt hotel), Scaramouche and TOCA (at the Ritz-Carlton hotel), while two are in Montreal (Toque and Maison Boulud at the Ritz-Carlton) and one in Quebec City (Chez Muffy).
FREED HOTEL TOWER AND CANADA’S FIRST KATSUYA RESTAURANT COMING TO TORONTO
Real estate developer Peter Freed of Freed Developments has announced the first-ever Freed Hotel and Residences tower, to be located at Adelaide and Duncan, just west of University Avenue in downtown Toronto.
The $800M skyscraper will bring both Katsuya by Sam Nazarian’s Disruptive Group by sbe and artwork by renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to Toronto. Designed by Chicago-based tall building experts Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, renowned for the next world’s tallest and most luxurious skyscraper Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, as well as Central Park Tower in New York, the project will feature 100 five star luxury hotel rooms and 400 luxury condominiums with a world class Skybar/restaurant on the 63rd floor, boutique spa, and a 10,000 sq ft Katsuya Restaurant on the 2nd floor.
Sam Nazarian’s sbe, the leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates world-class restaurants, lounges and nightclubs, is proud to announce the much-anticipated upcoming opening of the very first Katsuya restaurant in Canada on the second floor of the Freed Hotel and Residences, expected to launch in Fall 2028. This announcement follows Nazarian’s 2020 sale of Nazarian’s hospitality brand and management platform which included over 100 hotels (SLS, Delano, Mondrian and Hyde, among others), more than 150 restaurants and lounges, and over $4 billion of luxury residential sales. sbe‘s Katsuya is a groundbreaking fusion that ignited a new sushi trend that swiftly spread throughout the culinary industry with locations in Dubai, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and The Bahamas. This restaurant will mark the first location in Canada and the 12th globally. The menu, curated by Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi, who merges the elegance of Japanese cuisine with modern techniques and flavors, will feature staples from the 20-year tradition of excellence that has brought Katsuya international acclaim, and new dishes imagined specially for Toronto.
