Fall is almost here for folks in the northern hemisphere, which means the summer crowds are pretty much gone from many of the world’s – and North America’s – top destinations. Shoulder season is an ideal time to visit Europe, with the usual hordes having departed cities like Rome and Barcelona but with warm weather still lingering. Not to mention warm Mediterranean water. It’s also a great time to visit Northern California, which often sees it warmest temperature of the year in September and (usually) very little fog. And a fabulous time to visit Hawaii for deals and for Australia Read more
U.S.A.
A new report from KAYAK finds domestic destinations are more popular with Canadian travellers for Labour Day Weekend this year than last year, with more than a 19% increase in searches. Top domestic travel spots include Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax, a city I love. Canadians also are looking for trips to Paris and London (the England one). Top trending destinations include Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Edmonton (an underrated Canadian city) and Dublin, Ireland, KAYAK said. A NEW ATTRACTION FOR NIAGARA FALLS One of Canada’s top destinations – and one of the great vacation spots in the world Read more
ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST – One of the world’s great drives. Sensational food. And a wide mix of places to stay. The Monterey/Big Sur region of California is one of the most magical destinations on the planet, a “pinch me, I must be dreaming” kind of place that almost defies the imagination with its mix of soft light and rugged beauty. Here are some highlights from a recent trip from Monterey to Big Sur and back, including visits to the towns of Carmel and Pacific Grove, and a stunning, hillside spot on the coast. I’m also sprinkling in some tips Read more
Two years ago I was sitting in my back yard in Toronto when I got a text message from my sister. “So awful about the Maui and Lahaina fires,” she said. I had been busy and hadn’t been checking the news. I had no idea what she was talking about, so I was dumbfounded when I did a google search and saw the photos and read about the devastation of a town I’ve probably visited 100 times or more. It was a delightful, slightly rowdy, engaging, colourful and somewhat ramshackle town with fine food, engaging shops and an old-time feel Read more
One of the world’s best beaches is getting bigger. Much bigger. I recently caught up with Brian Lowack, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater; one of the top destinations in Florida. He told me a beach renewal project that stretches from Sand Key on Clearwater Beach to St. Pete Beach will add 2.5 million cubic yards of sand, with roughly 200 feet of width. “It’s already great, but it’s going to be the most beautiful beach in Florida,” he told me in Toronto, where Visit St. Pete/Clearwater hosted media and travel agents at a Blue Jays-Yankees game. The cost Read more
