The food and wine you probably know about. But did you know the Okanagan features Canada’s only desert? Well, technically the Arctic is a desert but the area around Osoyoos, tucked up against the U.S. border, is what most folks think of when they conjure up images of the desert. You’ll find small cactus and large sagebrush dotting the dry landscape. Not to mention great resorts like Watermark and wonderful wineries and restaurants and lots of things to do. It’s one of my favourite areas of Canada, so here’s a collection of photos from my recent trip. The Watermark Beach Read more

The new Four Seasons Resort inside Walt Disney World adds lustre to a city that’s on the rise. I also have photos of cool areas of Jacksonville and a look at two Florida spots you may not know much about; Amelia Island and wonderful Apalachicola. There’s plenty new at Disney World , including the new Seven Dwarves Mine Train ride and a revamped Dumbo ride in Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom. I also got a kick out of the Little Mermaid/Ariel attraction and ride, partly because of the colourful fish and the great music. The new Wizarding World of Harry Read more

WINNIPEG – There’s a ton to see in Winnipeg. I was there last week for a Canadian Tourism Commission and found several very cool areas. The downtown is still spotty, but things are definitely looking up. I didn’t know a thing about Assiniboine Park before going to Winnipeg for the first time last week. I took a stroll through the English gardens and a sculpture garden and was blown away by the fountains and floral displays. The flowers are as pretty as any beds I’ve seen in Canada or the U.S. The park was designed by a student of Frederick Read more

SASKATOON – There are so many changes going on in this great Saskatchewan city. Here’s a look at a few highlights from my trip this week. Saskatoon has smartly invested in a massive riverside park system. There are some 70 km’s of trails for biking and walking, and they’re adding a cool new art museum to the mix. Stunning views of the city and, in summer, great spots for swimming or boating. Riversdale is an area of the city undergoing a huge transformation. Buy a perfect iced coffee at Collective Coffee and sit outside on the sidewalk and watch the Read more

Jim Byers photo The James Hotel in Saskatoon offers fabulous views of the city and the S. Saskatchewan River. SASKATOON – In May of this year I was pleasantly surprised by new businesses and cool restaurants in Edmonton in my first visit in a couple years. This time, I made my first ever touch down (pardon the Riders speak) in Saskatoon . And was nearly blown away. If Edmonton is showing signs of a cool, new vibe, it’s in full flight in Saskatoon, which locals tell me has undergone a sea change. How much of a change? Enough that I’d Read more

Jim Byers photo Pull up a Muskoka chair at the Killarney Mountain Lodge and watch the boats go by in the channel. KILLARNEY, ONTARIO – Low-key, country charm and a dash of city glam. Folks heading to fabulous Killarney, Ontario are lucky to have several places to stay. I tested out two outstanding – and very different – properties during my visit. Killarney Mountain Lodge is a low-rise, old-fashioned kind of country spot with a big, screened-in porch, a central unit with several rooms and a series of small, wooden cottages spread over acres of grass and lovingly tended, colourful Read more