A fabulous waterfront hotel. One of the world’s great cities. And amazing nature close at hand, including tiny, adorable penguins. Cape Town is one of the world’s most amazing cities; a place that truly does offer something for travellers of every style and every age. I recently spent three nights and days in the area, thanks to the folks at Goway Travel, and was overwhelmed by the variety of experiences and the vibrancy of the city. I was able to bed down for three nights at the posh Victoria and Alfred Hotel, which is located on the bustling V and Read more
Boating
A fabulous addition to a classic Muskoka getaway. And a new way to get there. I was lucky enough to spend a little more than 24 hours up in Muskoka last week, allowing to take a quick peek at the new Deerhurst Resort outside Huntsville and also to fly home from Muskoka to Toronto on the first Porter Airlines flight. More on that in a bit. I can’t quite figure out how it happened, but this was my trip to Deerhurst in maybe 36 years. Which is pretty crazy for a travel guy that absolutely adores Muskoka. But there you Read more
OCALA, FLORIDA – The prettiest, bluest springs I’ve ever seen. Terrific tacos. And a crazy good kayak ride. North Central Florida is perhaps best known as the Sunshine State’s horse country. It’s also home to some of the prettiest stretches of rivers and springs this long-time Florida lover and frequent visitor has ever seen. I’ve probably been to Florida 25 or 30 times over the years. I’ve explored remote islands in The Everglades, had drinks at the state’s oldest saloon in Fernandina Beach and gulped down giant oysters in Apalachicola. I’ve toured beautiful, serene waterways, dined at top Miami restaurants Read more
A sunset cruise, fine wines and the best steaks in California: A visit to Santa Barbara and Buellton
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – I’m geared up for my first-ever sailboat ride in Santa Barbara. But the weather isn’t co-operating. We’re supposed to take a sunset cruise with the folks from the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, but it’s a grey afternoon in mid-November and the prospects of an actual sunset are rather dim. But, hey, it’s warm enough for a ride on the water and this native Californian has 37 Canadian winters under his belt, so I’m not overly stressed. The captain and crew pull the ship out of the marina and out past the pretty Santa Barbara Pier, ,where Read more
LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO – I’m standing on the southernmost point of continental Canada, a thin strip of rocky sand at the south end of Point Pelee, Ontario that’s roughly the same latitude as Rome and northern California. There’s a soft wind in the air and hardly a cloud in the sky on a perfect summer’s day as I pose for a photo. Seconds after I leave, a young couple takes my place and I snap a picture for them. And on it goes; a steady line of folks waiting to have an Instagram moment at one of the most iconic places Read more
