Fall is almost here for folks in the northern hemisphere, which means the summer crowds are pretty much gone from many of the world’s – and North America’s – top destinations. Shoulder season is an ideal time to visit Europe, with the usual hordes having departed cities like Rome and Barcelona but with warm weather still lingering. Not to mention warm Mediterranean water. It’s also a great time to visit Northern California, which often sees it warmest temperature of the year in September and (usually) very little fog. And a fabulous time to visit Hawaii for deals and for Australia Read more
San Francisco
A new study by TD Economics says tourism spending in Canada is expected to grow at a modest 2-4% clip this year. Spending by U.S. visitors “is set to exert a drag on the overall tally this year. U.S. visits are falling amid trade tensions and economic uncertainty, with cross-border spending projected to decline by 5-10% this year,” the study said. “However, lower U.S. spending is expected to be offset by a rise in Canadian domestic tourism outlays as many residents redirect all or part of their travel budgets to the home market. Moreover, spending by non-U.S. international tourists in Read more
The Golden State is showing Canada some love. At a time when many Canadians have soured on trips to the U.S. because of ongoing political disputes and President Donald Trump’s tariffs and 51st state comments, Visit California has launched a new campaign ” to show Canadians that they are missed, they are deeply valued, and they are always welcome in California.” “California would not be the same without Canadians,” Visit California officials said. ” In 2024, California welcomed 1.8 million Canadian visitors, making it the state’s second-largest global tourism market.” California Governor Gavin Newsom has a fun, cheeky video on Read more
Whether you’re a visitor or a U.S. resident, it’s always good to maximize your US vacation with value-stretching travel tips. Here are some great suggestions from Brand USA. Even with exchange rates that makes things tough for Canadians, Aussies and other visitors, traveling to the United States doesn’t have to break the bank. Dozens of destinations and experiences across the country are both affordable (or even free!) and, of course, unforgettable. “Unforgettable experiences don’t have to come with a high price tag,” says Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA. “Whether it’s a breathtaking road trip along scenic coastlines, Read more
Maybe I’m a little sensitive about my home country these days. Many Canadians are, given the “51st state” talk and other nonsense about Canada coming from a certain U.S. president. But I was scanning some travel websites today, as Canada’s Travel Guy is wont to do, and noticed what I thought would be a nice list from Travel + Leisure, a publication I’ve come to respect over the years. This was a list published in January of this year that lists the world’s 25 most beautiful cities. I looked at the top of the list and nodded my head in Read more
