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
Fairmont Hotels
Hotel restaurants are playing an increasingly central role in how Canadians dine and travel. New OpenTable data shows hotel dining is on the rise across Canada, with dining at hotel restaurants in 2026 up seven per cent, year-over-year.² To help diners discover standout spots near and far, OpenTable launches its second annual Top 50 Hotel Restaurants in Canada for 2026.³ Alongside the list, OpenTable is spotlighting new insights into how Canadians are embracing hotel restaurants across travel, staycations or everyday dining experiences that feel like a getaway. The destination is dinner: Nearly half (49%) of Canadians have dined at a restaurant located in a hotel within the Read more
There’s lots of news in the hotel world, and today I’ve got updates from both Fairmont and IHG. FAIRMONT HOTEL RENOVATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Driven by a commitment to ‘Make Special Happen’, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced that 20% of the Fairmont portfolio is undergoing transformation. This includes the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia with redevelopment projects at Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda and Fairmont Grand Geneva in Switzerland, both slated for a Fall 2026 reopening. ONGOING RENOVATIONS Fairmont Southampton– Bermuda: Embarking on the largest renovation project in Bermuda’s history. Fairmont Pacific Rim– Vancouver, British Columbia: The Wellness Club at the Read more
Canada is blessed with dozens of top-notch hotels, and I’ve been privileged to spend the night in many, if not most of them. Here’s one travel writer’s look at some of the best options Canada has to offer. VANCOUVER: It’s not fancy, but The Burrard is a stylish and affordable spot on the edge of downtown Vancouver. Rooms aren’t large, but it’s a fun environment, and close to downtown, Davie Village and Granville Island. BC Place, which is hosting Vancouver’s World Cup football games, is only a kilometre away. BANFF: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is the granddaddy (or grandmommy) Read more
New Planes. New routes. New opportunities for advisors to sell great trips. Air Canada officially unveiled its Airbus A321XLR to the media in Toronto on 04JUN. It’s a game-changer for Canada’s largest airline, a sing[e-aisle, fuel-efficient plane that brings a wide-body experience, complete with 14 lie-flat seats in Air Canada’s Signature Class. Air Canada has a firm order for 30 planes. Two are now in hand and three more should touch down in Canada by the end of the year. The airline hopes to have all 30 in hand by 2029. The first flight with pax is scheduled for 09JUN Read more
