MSN Travel has an excellent story on its website that shows off some of the best small towns and cities of Europe. The story lists a smaller city or village in all 46 member countries, so you’ll find something in all your favourite destinations, including Italy, France, England, Portugal and Croatia. I must admit there are several I’d never heard of but look fabulous, such as Dinant, Belgium, Vianden, Luxembourg and Castle Combe in the delightful Cotswolds area of England, where I spent some time a few years ago. Others I know (Colmar, France, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland and Atrani, Italy, as Read more
cocktails
DETROIT – A classic ballpark. A great hotel. Terrific food and drinks. My wife and I recently got to spend the better part of a day in Detroit, a city I’ve visited several times in recent years. My previous two visits were for several days, which allowed me to see and do a great deal, including The Henry Ford complex, the stunning Detroit Institute of Arts, the gloriously restored Michigan Central Train Station, and the super-fun Motown Museum (currently closed for renovations). I also got to check out amazing architecture, such as The Guardian Building, take in a Detroit Lions Read more
There’s something about a truly great hotel that wraps you up in a warm hug and lets you know you’re with a good friend. I can’t quite explain it, but Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer has long had that effect on me. When I step inside, it’s like I’m in a quiet, familiar sanctuary. The hotel being located in the heart of the city’s entertainment district, there are busy streets all around, as well as buzzing clubs and restaurants. But the tension and cacophony of downtown life disappears when you stroll through the front door and walk into the airy Read more
Sustainable, stylish and supremely tasty. I was lucky enough to spend a night at the 1 Hotel Toronto a week or so ago, and it was even better than I remembered it. The experience begins the minute you step into the warm, woodsy lobby of the hotel, which features more than 3,000 plants that provide a fresh, green relief from the bustling city. I find most North American hotels are somewhat lacking in the service department. But the greeting we got from the hotel valet and the front desk staff was as inviting and hospitable as you’d find in a Read more
Having the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series is causing a large spike in demand for Toronto hotels. Air Canada launches new flights from Billy Bishop/Toronto Island Airport, including direct flights to New York City/La Guardia. And San Francisco opens a new “Martini Trail.” BLUE JAYS SPARK TORONTO TRAVEL SPIKE As the Toronto Blue Jays gear up for their long-awaited World Series return tomorrow (Fri, Oct 24), Toronto is seeing the impact not just on the field, but in travel demand as well. New data from Booking.com (the official accommodation partner of Major League Baseball in the U.S.) shows Read more
