I still remember the feeling. It was my first-ever trip to Europe, way back in 1979, and I’d taken an overnight flight from San Francisco to London and had my passport stamped at customs at Heathrow Airport in London. I took a train to the city centre and then transferred on the Tube to the Russell Square station. I walked out and there it was. A red, British telephone box. Just like in the movies, I thought, with breathless wonder. And then I dropped in some coins and, like a good son, called my parents to let them know I’d Read more
golf
I wrote the other day in my Globe and Mail Navigator column about robots moving into the world of travel at a rapid pace, taking over the jobs of bartenders on cruise ships and even acting as a concierge at a hotel, where at least a lonely business person on the road doesn’t have to be embarrassed by asking another human being where to find a companion for the night. And we don’t have to leave them a tip, although they might appreciate gift certificates for Jiffy Lube. But I spotted something on travelpulse.com the other day that said Japan Read more
I can sort of remember the drive in the old days. Thankfully, it’s not like that now. The famous road to Hana on the island of Maui is legendary for its numerous (as in 600 or so) twists and turns and its numberous bridges (54 at last count, many of them one-way). It used to be full of potholes and bumps but the pavement has been smoothed out over the years and it’s now a great road. What used to take hours and hours can now be driven in two hours or less. But don’t hurry; you’ll miss the spectacle Read more
It never gets old. I’ve been to Maui I think 23 or 24 times now, but I never get tired of the beaches and the mountains and the views, not to mention the food and the towns and the fantastic golf at Kapalua. I thought about playing Kapalua’s Plantation course on my last visit but it’s pretty tough and I was organizing a family round with folks of varying ability. As much as I wanted to play the Plantation loop, where they just finished the Hyundai tournament of champions yesterday, we opted instead for the gentler but still fun Bay Read more
The other day I talked about my favourite Canadian destinations and travel bits for 2014. Here are some thoughts (okay, a LOT of thoughts) about the U.S. and a couple Caribbean and European spots I visited during the year. Most surprising U.S. destination: Apalachicola, Florida. A super-relaxed, fun town in a quiet section of the Florida panhandle with just the right mix of old-time charm and trendy, new shops. A very good brewpub, too. Most wonderful host: The delightful Anthony Hunte of Hunte’s Gardens in Barbados. A lovely man, great conversationalist and incredible gardener. His garden is always the highlight Read more
