The Canadian Automobile Association South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has launched a new series of emotional videos as part of a campaign designed to thank Canadians for voting the company the most trusted brand in Canada in the fourth annual Gustavson Brand Trust Index. “We really wanted to show our appreciation to Canadians for putting their trust in us and for their incredible loyalty,” said Erin Roux, brand manager, CAA South Central Ontario. “Everything we do is designed to keep members safe and to make their days better and it is so fulfilling to see that mission come to life Read more

If you love Kauai as much as I do, there’s great news. The Kauai Department of Land and Natural Resources says Ha’ena State Park, the incredible Kalalau Trail and Napali Coast State Wilderness Park will re-open in early to mid-June. They also say the north shore section of the Kuhio Highway is set to open May 1. The north shore of Kauai was hit by massive flooding in April of 2018, with significant damage to the Kuhio Highway west of Hanalei. In a story posted at www.thegardenisland.com, one local says the five landslides that took place on the 11-mile Kalalau Read more

Between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens we know who’s had more success on the ice the past few decades. And we know which team made the playoffs this year (said the guy from Toronto). But which team’s star is best at whipping up a hot breakfast? Holiday Inn Express hotels, part of the IHG hotel family, put hockey legends Guy Carbonneau of the Habs and Doug Gilmour of the Leafs together to see who could use the Holiday Inn Express breakfast table to come up with the best morning meal that would help fuel players to the Read more

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA – Designer name shops? Check. Celebrity-studded waterfront? Check. Posh hotels with sumptuous spas overlooking the coast? Check on that, too. Newport Beach is known as one of the more elegant destinations in southern California, and rightfully so. But it’s also got its fun, casual side, with waterfront carnival rides and corn dogs, a remarkable set of beach homes you can rent for next to nothing, and an ongoing, decades-old fight between two businesses who both claim to have invented the frozen, chocolate-dipped banana. I recently had a weekend to explore the charms of this popular city, which Read more

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – A fashionable, sexy hotel with a perfect location on the beach. And just a two-minute walk to an adorable downtown. The Beach Terrace Inn is a sleek hotel that’s been given a just-right facelift, with tons of stylish touches and just the right amount of cheeky attitude. The check-in area is a bright spot at street level with big windows and an outside seating area with ocean views. Look for a minimalist design that’s still warm and friendly, with lots of light-coloured wood and a few tall, spiky plants. I loved the little paper Read more

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – I’ve just finished a wonderful lunch at a place called Shorehouse Kitchen, and I’ve got time to explore the downtown area of this very walkable, compact city on the Pacific Ocean. I spot several nice, independent shops (if there are any chain shops downtown, I didn’t see them) and then poke my head into a marvellous Italian shop called Vigilucci’s. It’s one of those places that makes your head spin; filled with lovely meats (iberico ham, perfect Bresaola, pink prosciutto with just the right ribbon of fat), imported cheeses with deep, cheesy smells and Italian chocolates, olives Read more