Is the Canadian Elbows Up Movement losing steam? Statistics Canada this week reports that Canadian visits to the United States rose to 1.9 million last month. That’s up 9.5% from the same month in 2025. This marks the second month in a row that Canadian visits to the U.S. have gone up. Overall numbers are still well below 2024 levels, but the steady increase in Canadian visitors to the States is encouraging news for U.S. travel and tourism. “Canada remains a vitally important market for the U.S. and we warmly welcome our Canadian neighbors to our 50 states, five territories Read more
U.S.A.
The folks at Time Out have a nice, new list of the world’s top food cities. I’m quite shocked that Japan didn’t place any city in the top 10, and that only one Japanese city (Osaka) made the top 20. I’m also surprised that only two cities in North America (only one in the U.S.) cracked the top 20. Still, it’s an interesting, tasty list that includes a few cities you might not expect to see. Here’s their full top 20. Lima, Perun (I’ve never been to Peru, but Peruvian cuisine is excellent) Bangkok, Thailand (fabulous street food and very Read more
A pair of luxury hotels in Toronto and New York City are the newest properties to receive the AAA Diamond Program’s highest designation. The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto and Waldorf Astoria in New York City have earned AAA Five Diamonds for their stunning surroundings, thoughtful amenities, and unparalleled service, the Canadian Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association announced. I haven’t been to the recently renovated Waldorf in Manhattan, but I’ve stayed at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto’s trendy Yorkville district a couple of times, and dined there on several occasions. It’s an elegant property that definitely worthy of Five-Diamond Read more
A new list of the 50 best restaurants in North America gives the title to Chicago, but two Canadian restaurants also made the podium. Smyth in Chicago came out on top, rising from number five on last year’s list. Second was a new entry to the top 50, Eight restaurant in Calgary. Taking the bronze medal was renowned Pearl Morissette in Lincoln, Ontario (Niagara Region). Pearl Morissette was named Canada’s best restaurant a few weeks ago. The U.S. had 36 spots in the top 50, while Canada had a very solid 14 (and five of the top ten). In the Read more
Canadians have easier ways to get to great European and Asian destinations this summer. Starting in June, passengers from Montreal will be able to fly direct on Air Canada to Nantes, an historic city on the Loire River in the Normandy region of France. It’s the first time Air Canada will fly to Nantes, which also is served by Air Transat. Air Canada next month also will begin flights from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca in Spain, and Catania, Sicily. TravelPulse Canada reports customers in June also will be able to fly direct from Toronto to Shanghai, China, resuming flights Read more
