If all the studies and polls I read are correct, it looks like it will be a very busy summer (in the northern hemisphere) for tourism. The price of flights and the jet fuel surcharges and bag fee hikes we’re seeing could slow things down, but people are travelling in near-record numbers these days. That means things could get pretty crowded in some of the world’s fave destinations. With that in mind, here’s one world traveller’s suggestions on great places to go in late April, May and into early June. I’ll have another, similar list in a week or so. Read more
wineries
One of Canada’s finest hotels. A marvelous, family-run winery. A highly-rated spa. And excellent food. Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of the top destinations in North America, a stunningly beautiful Ontario town with a rich, colourful history and one of the top theatre programs in the world, the Shaw Festival. My wife and I were lucky enough to spend a couple days in town earlier this month, a stretch of November that felt more like early October. We had sumptuous meals, wonderful wine, high tea at a posh hotel, relaxing spa treatments, and a fun walking tour. Here’s a look at our Read more
Europeans are avoiding the U.S. and increasingly looking at trips to Canada, Ontario and Toronto, a new study says. According to a new Europe Pulse Study conducted by Context Research Group (CRG) on behalf of Destination Ontario and Destination Toronto, more than half of leisure travellers from the United Kingdom, Germany and France are considering a trip to Ontario in the next two years. Although some people might think Canada and the U.S. are much the same, the study said Europeans feel Canada is culturally and experientially distinct from the States. The study found that half of the European travellers who were surveyed are considering Read more
A family-run brewery in the countryside. An historic beer-making spot in central Windsor. A fine winery with classic Chardonnay. And a bustling distillery with craft cocktails and fun, casual dining. The Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island tourism region is blessed with a huge variety of beer, wine and distillery spots, which they highlight on their Barrels, Bottles and Brews trail. The trail allows visitors (and locals) to explore 11 craft breweries and two distilleries in the area, and to have a special passport stamped along the way I was fortunate enough to explore a half-dozen or so fine establishments on a recent visit Read more
The Niagara Wine Region could be an even bigger tourism draw – and provide an even larger economic boost to Canada – if government and industry officials work together, a new report says. In a first-time partnership, Ontario Craft Wineries, Tourism Partnership of Niagara and Wine Growers Ontario have come together to commission a Deloitte report that reveals the Ontario wine sector is well positioned to drive sustainable economic growth for the region, the province and the country. Described as the Niagara Cluster, the region is made up of an extensive network or “cluster” of industries where intense economic activities Read more
