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
Halifax
With Canadians increasingly interested in staying home for their vacations this year, a new report from KAYAK finds that domestic airfare prices are up 70% so far in 2026. It’s normal for domestic flights to increase in price in spring and summer as compared with winter, when Canadians tend to seek warmer climates. But the KAYAK study finds it’s a pretty serious increase; an average hike of $158 for flights between Canadian destinations. Not only are prices up 70% from January, but domestic airfares in Canada are up 26% in April of this year, compared to the same month in Read more
MSN has a nice list out of trending travel destinations for this year, including some of my fave places. Here’s a look at what they had to say in their report, as well as some thoughts from yours truly, who’s managed to visit all five (and lives in one of them). JAPAN MSN’s report said Japan “continues to draw travellers who value structure, safety and cultural depth. In 2026, the country’s focus on regional tourism — beyond the usual big-city circuit — makes it even more compelling.” Their story highlighted several great options for exploring the country, including scenic regional Read more
Talk about a wild day for travel. Air Canada today (Feb. 9) said it’s suspending all flights into Cuba due to an aviation fuel shortage, and will operate flights to bring home some 3,000 Canadians currently visiting the island nation. WestJet followed suit later in the day, saying it was beginning an “orderly wind down” of winter flights to Cuba for WestJet, WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations and Vacances WestJet Quebec. Around 8:30 p.m. ET, Air Transat posted a note on its website saying it would suspend operations to Cuba from now until April 30, 2026. “Due to a jet fuel Read more
Canadian Pride is at its strongest point in years, thanks to unwelcome advances and proposed tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump has been making and suggesting. With that in mind, here’s a piece I wrote earlier about great, easy getaways and day trips from five major Canadian cities. HALIFAX Lunenburg is one of my fave small towns in Canada; achingly beautiful and so colourful. Don’t miss a detour to the small, picturesque fishing village of Blue Rocks. The Eastern Shore is an easy drive from Halifax and features wonderful Lawrencetown Beach, as well as beautiful bays for kayaking or canoeing. Read more
