**This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BMO Insurance. All opinions are my own. It was the last full day of my visit to Dubai a few years ago. I was writing a travel story on Dubai for the Toronto Star, where I was the travel editor. I’d had breakfast at a fine, luxury hotel and was heading out to tour some of the old city, check out the markets and have a drink with a friend who was living in the UAE. I had no reason to expect anything would go wrong. But sometime in Read more
Energy. Great food. And a little mystery. I’ve taken several trips to southeast Asia over the years and have come away hugely impressed each time. From friendly faces in a stunning bay in Vietnam to steamy food stalls in Malaysia and sleek hotels in Singapore, I’ve enjoyed a wide variety of experiences across Asia. George Town is a marvellous spot in Malaysia, with colonial architecture, a cool arts scene and magnificent food, while Vietnam’s Halong Bay is one of those “wow” spots you see photos of as a kid and think, “That’s a place I’ve got to see.” It’s easier Read more
Hawaii is open for business. I met with Hawaii Tourism officials on Monday at the IPW U.S. tourism event in Denver and that was their overwhelming message. Yes, there is some volcano activity on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii. But it’s limited to 10 square miles of an island that’s more than 4,000 square miles in all. Erin Kinoshita of The Anthology Group, which does public relations for Hawaii tourism, said there’s been no significant impact on the city of Hilo, which is only a half hour’s drive from the eruption site. It’s almost 100 miles Read more
LAS VEGAS – A fashionable hotel carved out of a Vegas classic. One of the top celebrity chefs on the planet. And a bit of CSI crime scene investigation at a museum dedicated to the mob. Great destinations are constantly on the go; firing up new attractions and opening new hotels and restaurants and re-making their current stock. And there are few destinations that can rival Las Vegas. TravelPulse Canada recently returned from a three-day, action-packed, VIP-themed visit to one of the destinations Canadians love to visit most. Here’s a look at some of what we found, and some previews Read more
A large room with all the amenities you need. Easy, quick transportation to Los Angeles International Airport. And a big breakfast to keep you going on your next flight. The Holiday Inn Express and Suites LAX Hawthorne makes for a fine spot for anyone heading into or out of one of the busiest airports in the U.S. I had the opportunity to stay there last month after a long day of flying from Hawaii to Los Angeles. I had a flight the next morning from LAX to Toronto and didn’t want or need a super-luxury brand. Instead, I opted for Read more
CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA – One of the best beaches in the United States. And a quiet, modern and super-convenient place to stay with tons of space. I recently had a night at the 629 Bay Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Florida, thanks to the folks at booking.com, which paid for my stay. It’s not a traditional hotel in many ways, but there are lots of nice amenities and bright, clean rooms. The initial approach is a little strange if you’re used to a traditional hotel. There’s no big lobby and not much in the way of signage at the property, which Read more
In 1968 we took our first family trip to Hawaii. I loved surfing at Waikiki Beach and hanging out with the Hare Krishna singers in front of the old International Market Place in Honolulu. And I loved body surfing at Poipu Beach and gazing at the grandeur of Waimea Canyon on Kauai. But where I really fell in love was at a crescent-shaped beach on the west coast of Maui called Napili. We stayed at a small hotel on Napili Beach called The Mauian in that summer of ’68. It was a lovely, family-friendly spot with two-storey units right on Read more
