South Africa is known around the world for its animal safaris, which are spectacular, but the country offers a great deal more, all within a relatively compact area. Combine that with an exchange rate that’s quite favorable to Americans and Canadians, and you’ve got a destination that’s both remarkable and quite affordable. It’s a country that boasts one of the world’s most beautiful cities; amazing animal experiences, a stunning coastline with fabulous beaches and tiny penguins, and also some of the world’s tastiest and most beautiful wine regions. Here’s a look at three areas where you can enjoy the best Read more

Elise Parker from Walk Into Luxury tours is guiding my wife and I along the coast of Western Australia near Injidup Beach. The ocean is an achingly bright shade of blue the Benjamin Moore people haven’t created yet, and is crashing against spiky, orange-brown rocks on a pale golden beach.  As we walk, she points out native plants that can be quite useful if one knows the secrets. The nectar from a Melaleuca can be licked, or collected and made into a sweet drink. Some grasses that don’t look like much can be eaten raw, or roasted. Being more of Read more

Americans and Canadians have been flocking to Fort Myers for years, and for good reason. The region gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, and a cold day is still warm enough for shorts if you’re from north of the border. Visitors will find fun family attractions, marvelous beaches, quiet nature, fine food, and hotels of every style and price range. Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter fly directly from YYZ to RWS/Southwest Florida airport, and there are easy connections from other major Canadian cities, as well as from New York, Boston and other big U.S. cities Beaches and most Read more

Somehow I missed it, but I now see that the Hawaii Tourism Authority has launched a campaign to boost Maui tourism. Called Mākaukau Maui, which means “Maui is Read,” the campaign seeks to let would-be visitors know that it’s a good time to visit. “We wanted to offer a platform and a voice for them to make that invitation to folks,” T. Ilihia Gionson,  the Hawai’i Tourism Authority’s public affairs officer, said in a story in Skift magazine. “We’re almost nine months since the fire, and we continue to hear ‘We’re not sure if Maui is open,’ or ‘We’re not Read more

Everyone knows San Francisco and Los Angeles, and with good reason. Both are tremendous destinations, with a huge variety of things to do, as well as great restaurants and beautiful scenery. But there’s far more to CALI than SF and LA. Here’s one native Californian’s list of other great places to check out. I also have news about Air Canada’s annual report for 2023. FIVE GREAT CALIFORNIA CITIES CAPITOLA     With its multi-hued cottages tucked into a corner of a fine beach and a lively downtown shopping scene, this might be the best California seaside town never mentioned in Read more

A look at where North Americans are thinking of traveling, the latest stats on foreign visits to Canada, miscellaneous news and a European theme park with something called “Spitting Toilet Man.” Today’s blog post has a little of everything. WHERE NORTH AMERICANS WANT TO TRAVEL Skyscanner has a new study out that shows North American travelers are seeking new destinations and also looking at old faves. Their date for June to August of this year shows a +3% increase in people looking at South America, a +2% increase for North Asia and a +1% increase for Southeast Asia. The shift Read more