If you’re a Maui lover and you’re wondering if it’s the right time to go, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority has an emphatic answer for you. “Yes.” I caught up with Kalani Ka’ana’ana, the authority’s chief brand officer, for an update on Maui tourism as he was boarding a plane on Wednesday. There have been suggestions in some quarters that it’s too early to return to the island, which saw the town of Lahaina burned to cinders earlier this month. At least 115 people are confirmed dead, and the missing persons count could be as high as 1,100. “I know it’s Read more

A gorgeous patio overlooking the runway and San Francisco Bay. Tons of great food. A lovely bar with craft cocktails. And plenty of space to work. The new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport is a great place to relax or roll up your sleeves and work. The lounge opened last month at Terminal 2 at SFO, and it’s a beauty. The rooms are decorated in soothing shades of tan, grey and soft brown, with floor to ceiling windows in many areas. There are plenty of quiet, cozy corners for a business person to plug in. Read more

Canada Jetlines has announced the launch of an expanded winter flight schedule, including flights from Toronto Pearson Airport to both Montego Bay, Jamaica and Orlando, Florida. The new flights are in addition to existing services to Cancun, Mexico, and Las Vegas. “We’re delighted to announce the expansion of our winter flight schedule, providing travellers with a wider range of options to escape the cold and experience unforgettable destinations and holiday options,” said Canada Jetlines CEO, Eddy Doyle. “With our expanded schedule and exceptional service, travellers can look forward to convenient and hassle-free journeys with Jetlines, to sought after destinations including Read more

I’ve been telling myself it’s only a tree. But it seems to be a lot more. Lahaina, Maui has been home to a massive banyan tree for decades. It’s said to be the second largest Ficus benghalensis in the world, and it spreads over an entire block on Front Street, just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Planted 150 years ago, this handsome, romantic, shady tree has witnessed wedding proposals and probably a few break-ups. It’s thick vines have been swung on by kids for generations, and its multiple trunks carved into far too many times by visiting lovers. Still it’s Read more

It’s National Cheap Flight Day on Wednesday, Aug. 23, and a new study says airline prices are dropping in the U.S. and Canada. An analysis of CheapOair bookings data over the last two months shows that the average cost of a U.S. domestic airline ticket has dropped 25% since June 1st of this year, while U.S. international flight fares have decreased 24% for the same period. The numbers reveal similar trends for Canada, where average fares for domestic flights are down 17% since June 1, and international flight fares are down 21 percent. “And there is more to get excited Read more

The Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island region in southwestern Ontario is blessed with many gifts, among them fine people, a relatively benign climate, cool waterfront towns, and tons of great outdoor activities to try. I’ve come to understand there’s also a wonderful, rich Black history to explore that’s both painful and inspiring. On my latest visit to the area I was lucky enough to get a guided tour of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, and to visit the Sandwich First Baptist Church. Being relatively easy to reach from Detroit, the Windsor area was a very popular entry point to Canada on the Underground Railroad, the Read more