What with the continuing US-Canada trade war and political troubles around the world, this year is definitely looking like another strong one for domestic tourism in Canada. With that in mind, I’m starting a new feature; brief looks at the best Canadian cities for visitors (Canadian or otherwise) to explore this year. First up: Montreal! Quebec City has more charm, but for overall things to do – as well as a lovely old city that will remind most visitors of a trip France – it’s tough to beat Montreal. Not only is there the French factor, but you’ll also find Read more
cruise ships
When to book your flights, the increasing power of sports tourism, the debut of the new MSC World America cruise ship, and great hotels in Toronto. Without further adieu, I bring you today’s Jim Byers Travel blog post. TRAVEL TIPS AND TRICKS FROM KAYAK Flight delays and cancellations can really kill the vacation vibe before your trip gets started. KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine, is urging Canadians to brace themselves for a possible increase in delays. KAYAK’s travel experts are helping Canadians save their summer with these tips and tricks for avoiding delays and cancellations, even before Read more
And now my Jimmy Awards for Best International Travel Experiences in 2024. I didn’t do a lot of overseas travel, but I did manage trips to Istanbul and Singapore, and our MSC cruise on the World Europe took us to Italy, Malta, Spain and France. Thank you to everyone who helped along the way, both in big and small ways. Best Tour: We had a superb tour of Palermo, Sicily with a local guide on our MSC World Europa visit. We admired the beautiful cathedral, nibbled on cannoli the size of a football, and briefly toured a furiously noisy local Read more
Travellers are flocking to cities and small towns in the path of today’s total solar eclipse. Cruise lines are positioning their boats to be in the path of the sun, and airlines are touting routes that will give passengers the best views. A total eclipse will slip across Mexico this afternoon (April 8), and then make its way northwest across Texas and the U.S. Midwest before it hits Niagara Falls, eastern Ontario, southern Quebec and New Brunswick. Folks in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland also could get a great view of an astronomical event most people never get to see. Read more
Choosing a cruise is a very personal experience. Some of us crave serenity, others want non-stop action. Some people like dinners in tuxedos and ball gowns, others (me, me!) want their most casual Jimmy Buffett attire. Some clients want quirky ports of call in southeast Asia, some want to see the great cities of Europe. I recently finished a one-week cruise around the Mediterranean on the posh MSC World Europa, and found it quite amazing. It’s a ship that’s a little tricky to categorize, as it really does offer something for everyone. When I wanted to enjoy a vibrant Broadway Read more
