Canadian travellers have spoken.
Air Canada Vacations has announced the winners of its first-ever Travellers’ Top Picks Awards, a celebration of Canadian wanderlust that drew over 100,000 entries and sparked a nationwide conversation about the places Canadians dream of exploring. Travellers voted across 10 categories curated by Air Canada Vacations experts, sending their favourite destinations to the summit of Canadians’ travel wish lists.
The choices are mostly excellent, and I was quite pleased to see a few personal faves (Rome, Singapore, New York City and two Hawai’i destinations) make the list.
“Canadians love to travel, which is what inspired us to create the Travellers’ Top Picks Awards,” said Selma Filali, Senior Director of Marketing and Ecommerce, Air Canada Vacations. “Travel is often influenced by third party recommendations and reviews, which is why it was important to us, as Canada’s leading vacation expert, to invite Canadian travellers to be a part of the narrative by sharing their unique perspectives on the destinations they love most.”
Bali, Indonesia emerged as the ultimate dream destination with over 21,500 votes, winning the Wellness category and topping the overall list for its immersive retreats and tranquil scenery. The iconic cliffs and postcard-perfect sunsets of Santorini, Greece followed closely in second place by dominating the Bucket List category. Coming in third, Rome, Italy earned praise for its rich history and vibrant arts scene.
A view of St. Peter’s Basilica from our vrbo unit in Rome, Italy. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Top 10 Winners by Category:
1. Beach Vacation: Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos tops this category for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters.
2. Bucket List: Santorini, Greece known for iconic cliffs, whitewashed houses, and azure seas make it the definitive pick.
3. Foodie Favourite: Naples, Italy earns this delicious crown, beloved for its authentic cuisine, especially as the birthplace of pizza.
4. Adventure Travel: Kauai, Hawai’i, distinguishes itself with lush landscapes and thrilling outdoor activities, making it an adventure lover’s paradise. I couldn’t agree more. I was on the island for a week in January of this year and loved it. The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking and there’s amazing food and fabulous places to stay for every budget. I got a note today to say that the Waimea Plantation Cottages, which I featured in a story I wrote earlier this year, has a sale on that allows customers to enjoy up to 26% off Best Available Rates with the “Hawai’i Nei Special Offer”. Guests booking this special will also receive a $26 Mahalo Gift Certificate for use in The Cottage Store for those all-important mementos of their trip.
5. Arts & Culture: Rome, Italy takes the lead thanks to its unmatched blend of ancient history, renaissance masterpieces and vibrant contemporary creativity. I rented a VRBO unit in Rome last year and thought it was fabulous.
Kauai’s famous Kalalau Trail. JIM BYERS PHOTO
6. Wellness: Bali, Indonesia captivates as the champion with its holistic retreats and spiritual experiences.
7. Romance: Paris, France known as the eternal city of love, reaffirmed its status as the world’s most romantic escape. Hard to argue with Paris for this category.
8. City Break: New York City was recognized for its boundless energy came out on top as the perfect city getaway. Also nearly impossible to argue with this choice. There are few cities in the world that can hold a candle to NYC.
9. Hidden Gem: Singapore, Singapore stands out with its rich cultural heritage and world-class food scene in a city where modernity and tradition blend beautifully. I was there on an Air Canada trip a year ago after the airline introduced direct flights between Vancouver and Singapore. It was my second visit to this vibrant Asian state, which is famous for not only high-end culinary offerings but super tasty and very affordable street fare. The mix of cultures is also a very appealing feature of Singapore
10. Family: Honolulu, Hawai’i, shines for its beautiful beaches, calm waters and family-friendly attractions sure to please all ages. I’ve always felt Honolulu is a wonderful destination, not just for the reasons above but also because of its museums, rich Hawaiian history and fabulous, “sample the world” food scene.
The awards for Hawai’i were duly noted by VoX International, which handles the promotion of Hawai’i tourism in Canada.
“These awards are especially meaningful because they are chosen by travellers,” said Susan Webb, President of VoX International. “It really is a reflection of how Hawaiʻi continues to inspire Canadian visitors.”
BARBADOS GOLF AND JAZZ PROGRAM
Barbados invites these Canadian golf lovers to explore their love of the game somewhere sunny this October. The Barbados Golf & Jazz Excursion weekend takes over the island from October 10-13, 2025. It’s a lively and festive way for Canadians to enjoy the sport in a brand new setting.
The event includes concerts, networking events, and of course ample time out on the island’s greens. The event’s founder Elan Trotman said, “Barbados is home — and there’s nothing like sharing that feeling with people from all over the world. The Jazz Excursion isn’t just a concert series, it’s a full island experience. We hit the greens in the morning, we play music with the ocean behind us, and we eat like royalty every night. If you’ve never been, this is the year to come.”
The Green Monkey golf course at Sandy Lane Resort, Barbados.
Barbados boasts several epic golf experiences that travellers will not want to miss—before, during, or after the Golf & Jazz Excursion:
- Apes Hill Barbados – Purchased and reinvented by Canadian businessman Glenn Chamandy, Apes Hill is a key link between Canadian and Bajan golfing culture. Voted one of the World’s Top 100 Modern Courses, this eco-conscious championship course offers sweeping ocean views, high-tech GPS buggies, and “Nine & Dine” experiences for players who want to mix golf with gourmet cuisine.
- Sandy Lane Country Club – Home to Tiger Woods’ wedding and a favourite of A-list travellers, this course offers five-star luxury at every turn with dramatic elevation changes and tropical landscaping.
- Barbados Golf Club – A welcoming, accessible course for all levels — ideal for group play, instruction, and travellers new to the game.
I’ve played on several great courses in Barbados, including The Green Monkey and Royal Westmoreland. I’ve stayed at Sandy Lane, which is magnificent, but have never played the golf course.
AIR CANADA BOOSTS DOMESTIC NETWORK
Air Canada today announced changes to its regional network that include new flights connecting Ottawa to both Fredericton and Moncton beginning Dec. 15, 2025, and non-stop flights from Vancouver to Fort McMurray starting Dec. 2, 2025. The airline is also increasing flights from Toronto to Sudbury as of Feb. 1, 2026. All flights will be operated with Air Canada Express Q400 aircraft. Flights are now available for purchase at aircanada.com, through Air Canada Contact Centres, and via travel agents.
As part of these network adjustments, Air Canada is also taking the difficult decision to suspend operations to Bathurst N.B. and to North Bay, Ontario, effective Jan. 30, 2026, for commercial viability reasons.
