I posted this story a couple years ago after a visit to Burlington, Ontario. Now that Canadians are seemingly determined to stay close to home for their 2025 vacations, an easy getaway like this from the nation’s biggest city is even more attractive than ever. From trails with fabulous on-high views from the top of the Niagara Escarpment to fine dining, and from one of Canada’s greatest gardens to a stylish hotel on the shores of Lake Ontario, here are some great options in Burlington. THE GREAT OUTDOORS Mount Nemo Conservation Area The Mount Nemo Conservation Area is one of Read more
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Fine dining with inventive menus. A fabulous, Beatle-themed garden display. And a memorable kayak ride with one of the most engaging tour guides I’ve ever encountered. I recently spent two days bopping around Sarasota, Florida, enjoying craft cocktails, checking out fabulous, white-sand beaches and poking my head into casual, boutique shops. There was some damage to the region from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton last year. But almost all businesses and hotels are up and running, and I don’t think I saw a single damaged property in more than 48 hours in the city. Here’s a look at some great Read more
Things are a little tense these days when it comes to Canada-USA relations, and many Canadians say they intend to stay home for their holidays this year. With that in mind, I’m doing a series of “Canada Strong” travel stories to provide some ideas. Today I look at five great national parks across this great country of ours. Thanks for reading, and as we Canadians are prone to say these days, Elbows Up! KLUANE NATIONAL PARK, YUKON This is a rugged, starkly beautiful spot a couple hours northwest of Whitehorse. The drive to get here is nothing short of Read more
If you’re a Canadian, this is a great time to visit the country’s biggest city and support local tourism. If you’re an American or someone else who’s not lucky enough to be a Canadian, it’s also a great time. The weather is getting warmer, and the low Canadian dollar makes the city a relative bargain. (As of today, March 15, $100 U.S. bucks will get you a tidy $143 Canadian dollars. One hundred Euros will get an even more attractive $156 Canadian dollars.) With that out of the way, here are some great things to see and do in downtown Read more
It’s mid-morning on a lovely February day in Bradenton, Florida. I’m kayaking through the tranquil Robinson Preserve in the northwest corner of the city, sliding past deep green mangrove forests dotted with majestic blue herons and brilliant white ibis. I’ve lucked into a morning paddle with Ranger Randy West from Kayak Jack’s. We get to talking as we roll along, and West tells me he used to be a professional volleyball player. Among his opponents over the years was Karch Kiraly, the legendary U.S. volleyballer and two-time gold medallist often considered the finest man to play the game. “I earned just Read more
