Stunning architecture. Fresh, local food and drinks. And the former home of one of Canada’s best-known writers. Not to mention trendy artists, family-friendly golf, a cool cabin in the woods, friendly alpacas, and a sunflower farm guaranteed to light up your social media accounts. I recently spent two days and a night in surprising North Durham Region. I was blown away by the creativity and cooperative spirit of local business people, as well as by their artistry and passion. Several times I found myself wondering if this region, which is less than an hour from Toronto, could become as popular Read more
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This is the first in my regular “Destination Spotlight” stories, in which I’ll give a quick taste of some places to check out in North America and around the world. CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA This is an outstanding beach town about a half hour north of San Diego. There’s a great, walkable downtown filled with cool restaurants such as Shorehouse Kitchen and The Goods, which dishes out inventive donuts and good coffee. You’ll find plenty of independent shops, including Fahrenheit 451 book store. The Beach Terrace Inn is a fun, boutique hotel on the water. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is named Read more
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – I’ve just finished a wonderful lunch at a place called Shorehouse Kitchen, and I’ve got time to explore the downtown area of this very walkable, compact city on the Pacific Ocean. I spot several nice, independent shops (if there are any chain shops downtown, I didn’t see them) and then poke my head into a marvellous Italian shop called Vigilucci’s. It’s one of those places that makes your head spin; filled with lovely meats (iberico ham, perfect Bresaola, pink prosciutto with just the right ribbon of fat), imported cheeses with deep, cheesy smells and Italian chocolates, olives Read more
Royal Westmoreland is a marvellous golf course in the northwest part of Barbados. The conditioning is superb and there are plenty of elevation changes to keep things interesting. Royal Westmoreland was designed by famed golf architect Robert Trent Jones II, so you know it’s an outstanding track. One bonus feature at Royal Westmoreland are the green monkeys that live in a nearby ravine. They’re awfully cute, unless they steal your golf ball that is. There’s a free shuttle from the villas at Royal Westmoreland to Mullins Beach, a terrific stretch of sand on the west coast of Barbados. Take a Read more
BANFF NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA – I’m standing in a pretty mountain bowl at Sunshine Meadows with small hills all around dotted with white and yellow flowers. The sky is that famous shade of Alberta blue and the deep grey hills are patchy with winter’s leftover snow. Our guide, Thalia Christou with White Mountain Adventures, points out the yellow Alpine Butter Cups and the western anemones, which look like yellow and white crocuses but grow interesting, fuzzy bits to stay warm. They look like they’ve grown hair in summer, causing Christou to refer to them as “hippie hair flowers.” We spot Read more
