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restaurants.

The people behind the 50 Best websites have come out with a list of the 50 top restaurants in North America. And there’s a ton of Canadian content, including two of the top three! Coming out on top overall was Smyth in Chicago, followed by Eight in Calgary and Pearl Morissette in Niagara wine region, Ontario. That’s two Canadian restaurants on the podium, which is quite something. Here’s the top 20 for 2027 Smyth, Chicago Eight, Calgary Pearl Morissette, Lincoln, Ontario Dakar NOLA, New Orleans Mon Lapin, Montreal Albi, Washington D.C. Atomic, New York City Quetzal, Toronto Taniere 3, Quebec Read more

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AUBERGE WEST BROME, QUEBEC – I first visited the Eastern Townships of Quebec 10 or 12 years ago.  I instantly fell in love with the rolling hills and the welcoming locals, not to mention the pretty villages like Sutton and North Hatley, and the amazing food. I’ve been back several times since, and I’ve enjoyed myself immensely every time. This past visit was, unfortunately, just an overnight stay. But it was at one of my fave places in Canada; Auberge West Brome. Located a few minutes from both Sutton and Knowlton (Lac Brome), the property sits in a pretty valley Read more

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CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS – A spectacular island. One of the world’s most famous families. And a stunning B&B fashioned from an old church. I recently spent 48 hours exploring the western edge of Cape Cod and the island of Martha’s Vineyard. I came away hugely impressed with the feel of the place, as well as the people and the restful scenery. Here’s a look at one way to spend a great couple days on what locals simply call “The Cape.” A FINE MUSEUM To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot of the Sandwich Glass Museum. I’m not a big Read more

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MONTREAL ,QUEBEC – To me, a great lobby is a huge part of the hotel experience. If I go away for a few days, or even a night, I want to walk into a place that makes me feel special. Of course, you don’t get that at a chain hotel with Belgian waffle makers at the free breakfast buffet. Often, you don’t even get it a lot of fancy, four-star properties. But, in my experience as a full-time travel writer for nearly 20 years, great hotel always seems to have something different and out of the ordinary that makes you Read more

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Travelling by rail is one of the great pleasures of life. The pace is lovely, you don’t have to hassle with big security lines, you can gaze out the window at wonderful scenery, and you usually get on and off the train in the middle of great cities; not out in the boondocks miles from town. I had a fabulous train trip all around Europe in 1979, including a journey between Rome and Florence when I met my wife, but also trips within England and Scotland, across France, and also Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands. I’ve taken the train Read more

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