Hawke’s Bay in New Zeaand today was named a Great Wine Capital of the world, setting it alongside eleven other prestigious wine regions such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley California and Adelaide, Australia. Admission to the Great Wine Capitals program (Hawkes Bay is the 12th Capital worldwide) comes after a stringent selection process that looks at a region’s winegrowing industry, its history, its wine tourism, educational opportunities, business, and travel, as well as the cities and region itself. In announcing the news, Hawke’s Bay Tourism CEO Hamish Saxton said the significance of being named a Great Wine Capital of the Read more
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Air Canada will begin direct flights between Toronto and Sacramento on June 3, 2023, with four flights per week. Here’s a story I wrote for the Postmedia newspaper group several years ago. SACRAMENTO – This used to be the Rodney Dangerfield of California cities, a government town that never got the kind of attention heaped on San Francisco or Los Angeles. But wonderful, local food, relatively affordable rents and a great location – 90 minutes from San Francisco and less than that to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains – have brought in a number of young entrepreneurs looking to make Read more
This is a story I filed for Postmedia a few years ago. Air Canada on June 1 will begin direct flights from Montreal to Toulouse, a large city in the lovely Occitanie Region of Franc. CIRQUE DE GAVARNIE, FRANCE – My tour guide is whipping along a narrow mountain road that overlooks a steep canyon at what seems like Formula One speeds. There’s only the bare minimum of a guard rail on my right, and we’re close enough to the car in front of us that I’m pretty sure I can see what radio station the driver is listening to. Read more
This is a repost of a story I wrote a few years ago. World class wines in an area that resembles the Napa Valley of California. Fabulous lodges with great food. And kayaking in deep blue waters that feel like the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. I arrived in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, the far north end of the South Island, knowing I’d be tasting some of the world’s best – and most popular – Sauvignon Blanc. Somehow I didn’t realize the area had such jaw-dropping scenery, as well. Upon arrival at the small airport in Blenheim, my Read more
This a story I originally posted in 2018. PORT DOVER, ONTARIO – I’m feasting on a trio of fine tacos on the sunny patio at Burning Kiln Winery, a few minutes outside of this city. Dusty Zamecnik of Hometown Brew Co., who I met during a tour of the area last year, spots me and comes over to shake hands. “Welcome home,” he says. I’ve taken trips to the north shore of Lake Erie almost every summer the past few years and I definitely feel at home. I’ve grown to love the towns and the rich farmers’ fields and the Read more
