One doesn’t want to appear smug, but considering the situation we have in Canada in terms of the coronavirus, this news lands at a pretty interesting time. A report by US News has ranked Canada as the best country in the world for Quality of Life and as the number two country on the planet overall, trailing only Switzerland. We were third last year, so we moved up a spot on the podium for 2020. Here’s what their report had to say, in part: “Canada’s expansive wilderness to the north plays a large role in Canadian identity, as does the Read more
One of the most recognized landmarks in Canada re-opens to the public today, along with a wonderful shrine to hockey and a snappy museum for shoes. Starting around 10 a.m., folks will once again be able to ride an elevator into the sky high above Toronto and enjoy a visit to the renowned CN Tower. I was lucky enough to have a tour on Tuesday to see how they’re prepared to welcome visitors in this new world of ours. And I came away impressed with the health and safety measures they’ve prepared. “We’ve done everything possible to make sure the Read more
With Tahiti reopening for tourism today, here’s a post from a wondrous visit to Tahiti Iti in February. There’s no sign that says “Welcome to Another World” when you turn onto the section of Tahiti island called Tahiti Iti. I’m thinking there should be. A driver who makes the turn south on Tahiti’s main, road (there doesn’t appear to be a name or a number for this two-lane stretch of asphalt; the map I grabbed at the airport in Papeete didn’t provide a number, and the woman at the rental car counter merely called it “the road”) won’t notice an Read more
There are reports today that the Canadian-U.S. border will remain closed for another month. Meanwhile, Hawaii has extended its quarantine requirement for incoming visitors from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1. Also, Canadians appear to be having trouble getting good travel insurance. My Future of Travel blog for July 14. U.S. Border Not Opening Soon Canadians have made it pretty clear they don’t want any part of an open border with a virus-ravaged United States. The Prime Minister appears to agree. The Globe and Mail today reports that sources indicate the border will remain closed to all but essential travel until Read more
An interesting weekend for Florida and Disney fans. And also an interesting morning for Canadian airlines, with WestJet expanding while Sunwing offers more suspensions. Iberostar, meanwhile, will reopen 45 hotels around the world. My Future of Travel blog for Monday, July 13. Disney Opens Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom in Orlando Disney seemed to managed pretty well with its reopening of the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on Sunday. USA Today reports that Walt Disney World reopened to the public Saturday morning nearly four months after closing due to the widening coronavirus pandemic. But what Disney-lovers returned to wasn’t what they left in Read more
Tahiti opens for visitors on Wednesday, July 15. With that in mind I’m re-posting this blog on the tranquil island of Raiatea from earlier this year. RAIATEA – A quick afternoon rainstorm had ended, and it was getting close to the golden hour; that time of day that photographers adore for its soft light. I was staying at a family run lodge/hotel called Fare Vai Nui on the west coast of this beautiful, quiet island, which is about a 40-minute flight from Tahiti island. They have free bikes you can use and I wanted to see a bit of the Read more
We Canadians can be docile at times. But we don’t like getting pushed around by Uncle Sam, or any other country. Which is why it’s a very bad idea for a group of U.S. Congress members to be sending “please open your border” notes to the Canadian government. Global News has this report: A bipartisan group of 29 federal lawmakers led by New York representatives Brian Higgins and Elise Stefanik sent a letter to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf late last week, urging both countries to “immediately craft a comprehensive framework for phased reopening Read more
