MONTREAL ,QUEBEC – To me, a great lobby is a huge part of the hotel experience. If I go away for a few days, or even a night, I want to walk into a place that makes me feel special. Of course, you don’t get that at a chain hotel with Belgian waffle makers at the free breakfast buffet. Often, you don’t even get it a lot of fancy, four-star properties. But, in my experience as a full-time travel writer for nearly 20 years, great hotel always seems to have something different and out of the ordinary that makes you Read more
Canada
The people at Michelin are famous for their restaurant reviews, which have been going on for decades. They got into the hotel review business a few years ago, and now put out a yearly ranking of the best places to stay around the world. The highest ranking is three keys, followed by two and then one. Even one key represents a place with everything you would want in a hotel. The 2026 hotel guide for Canada lists 42 properties in Canada; almost exclusively but not entirely in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. I wish there was more geographic variety, Read more
Air Canada has been named North America’s best airline for the second year in a row and tenth time overall. The Montreal-based company also was singled out for the Best Cabin Crew in North America in the recent 2026 Skytrax Awards, handed out in Europe this week. In addition, Air Canada was first for best cabin crew in Canada, second for Best Business Class in North America (finishing only behind Delta Air Lines), second for Most Family Friendly Airline in North America (behind only American Airlines). Air Canada’s operations at Toronto Pearson won for Best Business Class Lounge Catering Read more
You’d have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the fuss that U.S. President Donald Trump made when he asked American authorities to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America. It’ was a foolish, childish decision made in a fit of pique. But it has helped put a focus on the lake, the smallest of the Great Lakes by size but an amazing place to explore. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy LAKE ONTARIO. TORONTO Ontario’s biggest city sits on the northwestern “corner” of Lake Ontario. One of the best ways to see the lake is Read more
MSN Travel has an excellent story on its website that shows off some of the best small towns and cities of Europe. The story lists a smaller city or village in all 46 member countries, so you’ll find something in all your favourite destinations, including Italy, France, England, Portugal and Croatia. I must admit there are several I’d never heard of but look fabulous, such as Dinant, Belgium, Vianden, Luxembourg and Castle Combe in the delightful Cotswolds area of England, where I spent some time a few years ago. Others I know (Colmar, France, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland and Atrani, Italy, as Read more
