One of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Engaging locals. And, coming soon, what looks like one of the most spectacular golf courses on the planet. There are so many great things to see and do on Saint Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Senior representatives of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority rolled into Toronto recently for a rooftop lunch at 1 Hotel Toronto to show off what’s great and new on the island, and I was given a one-on-one interview with Tourism Minister (and Deputy Prime Minister) Dr. Ernest Hilaire and tourism authority CEO Read more

Canada has its first-ever direct flights to Singapore. Air Canada today announced the strategic expansion of its international network with the addition of non-stop flights between its trans-Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Singapore’s Changi International Airport (SIN). The new route will operate four times weekly beginning April 3, 2024*, onboard Air Canada’s flagship Dreamliner fleet. “Air Canada continues to adapt its international network strategy in response to evolving global trends and is broadening its presence in the Indo-Pacific region to capitalize on growing business links and Canada’s changing demographics,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Read more

When it comes to fun, California takes the cake. Mississsippi? Not so much. A new study by Wallet Hub compared the 50 states across 26 key indicators of a jolly good time that won’t break the bank. They range from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita. Here’s the top 10: California (beaches, nature, cities, food, theme parks and wine) Florida (beaches, nature, cities, food, theme parks and not so great wine) Nevada (can’t argue with Vegas for fun) New York (I’d rank it higher, but there you go) Illinois (Chicago is one of the Read more

This is the second of my “Europe Shorts” posts, which are aimed at people who don’t have a lot of time but want to read about cool destinations in Europe. VIENNA – This stunningly beautiful city is known for prancing stallions, high-brow music and fancy coffee shops. But there’s also a rich, vibrant modern side to this city, with rooftop bars that blast pulsating dance tunes, wildly inventive architecture, and funky shops based on Monty Python sketches.  When I was there last year, tour guide Alexa Brauner, an engaging and enthusiastic art lover,  took me on a three-hour walking tour Read more

I recently started a regular feature called “Canada Shorts” for people who want travel tips but don’t have a lot of time. I also posted a “Europe Shorts” item on the weekend that was focused on Lisbon, Portugal. Today I’ll start my “Florida Shorts” item with a look at the top things to see and do near Crystal River, a lovely, natural part of The Sunshine State. CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA – The main attraction in this area a couple hours north of Tampa is the fresh spring water that bubbles up from the Florida limestone, creating crystal-clear creeks and rivers. Read more

It’s always great to get away to the wonderful J.W. Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa. It’s doubly great when you get a fabulous meal from one of Canada’s top chefs, and assisted by one of the top names in French cuisine, with wine pairings to boot! My wife and I were invited to take part in a six-course tasting menu at the resort on the weekend. It was a perfect June day, with sunny skies, temperatures around 21 C, and no visible smoke in the sky. We were treated to appetizers (including parmesan fritters) on the sun-splashed patio, Read more