SINGAPORE – Funny thing about travel. Some places you build up and build up in your mind, and then when you go you feel like Norm walking into Cheers and finding the taps have run dry. Other times, you’re not quite sure what to expect and end up getting bowled over by a place. The latter was how I felt about my recent trip to Singapore. I knew it was a small state with new, tall buildings and a Formula One race and the Raffles Hotel (home of the Singapore Sling). I knew you can’t chew gum and that there Read more
travel
National Geographic Travel has launched a product that should give our fair nation a nice boost. They’ve taken some well-known travel writers and some of the magazine’s best photographers and produced what they’ve billed as “a breathtaking, destination-based, digital super mag unparalleled in its comprehensive coverage of any single country.” Aw, shucks. Just for little old us? In what’s being called “the world’s first digital super mag,” (I don’t know if that’s true but it SOUNDS good), the National Geographic folks are showcasing “all-new content from every Canadian province and territory.” The feature launched at Nationalgeographic.com/canada50 on Oct. 1 and Read more
FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA – The weather didn’t cooperate so much, but I found a great spot in Florida this past weekend. Flagler Beach is only a half hour or so north of Daytona, home to roaring race cars and motorcycles. But it’s honestly a world away. Where Daytona and other Florida cities have high-rises lining the beach, Flagler has a law that forbids buildings on the beach. Instead, almost all the buildings (one or two stragglers got in but that’s it) are across the small, two-lane highway, A1A. It makes for a marvellous drive up from Daytona, with nothing between Read more
We don’t hear a lot about Como Hotels hear in North America. But that could change. Soon. There are nine hotels currently in the portfolio and three more are planned, including on at 24th and Collins in Miami Beach; close to the South Beach insanity but far enough away at the same time. The group was started by a woman from Singapore who had stayed in many hotels in London but didn’t find one to her liking. The emphasis is on stylish design and service, but they don’t aim to be a youthful, exuberant place. “It’s for people who have Read more
A cup of Tim’s and a pack of Trident. Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel site, this week announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers’ Choice Awards for Travel Favourites in Canada. The awards honour top brands in various categories, ranging from favourite lip balm to favourite camera, and there were 21 winners in Canada. I’m happy to say I agree wholeheartedly on the coffee, as folks chose Tim Hortons as their favourite spot. I love a latte at Starbucks, but the regular coffee is way too much for me and I much prefer Tim’s. I also like that Canadians Read more
