Japan remains for me “the trip of a lifetime” and even though I am there frequently, its magic makes each visit memorable and instructive. I learn something new every time. On a personal level, my time there has led me to think more about the group than myself; to be … Read more
What do you get when you pair a cool boutique hotel in the heart of San Francisco with the earth’s first soft drink? Well, you get a little greener, bubblier and definitely more refreshing! We’re talking about The Perrier Lounge at Hotel Diva. Do you sometimes feel like channeling your … Read more
At the entrance to Azul in the stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami, a dazzling white marble open kitchen catches your eye. Here is where you can observe true culinary art at work. The remarkable ambience with floor to ceiling windows showcasing the romantic Bay of Biscayne is fitting for a restaurant … Read more
I’m in a “junk” boat navigating mystical waters where thousands of craggy outcrops rise up like humps on an enormous underwater dragon. The mounds are shrouded in mist, making the scene surreal. A floating village suddenly appears as though it rose from the depths. Dogs bark on the docks and … Read more
If you’re one of those folks who tunes in regularly to the Food Channel and gets excited at the thought of attending one of the many Food & Wine Festivals held regularly across the USA and Canada, take my advice and head for Calgary, Western Canada’s latest destination food city … Read more
From a hot dog in New York City to a taco in Mexico, street food can easily make an impression on a growling stomach and not on your wallet! Street cuisine is as much a part of the local culture as the people and if you want to feel like … Read more
Are you curious about where that liquid libation you enjoyed at last night’s Happy Hour originated? From sugarcane in the Caribbean, the agave plant in the Mexican desert, Russian potatoes or malted barley from the American Heartland, when it comes to spirits the scope is vast. Puerto Rican Rum The … Read more
Full disclosure: I was a daily walker, not a hiker. Give me a pair of Jimmy Choo’s with 4 ½ inch heels and the directive to cross Manhattan’s Midtown and consider it done. But put me in a pair of hiking boots and I’m out of my element. So, when … Read more
The chief would be proud. The Wickaninnish Inn, named after the First Nations chief of the local Clayoquot people at the time of European contact in the 1770’s, is a world class Relais & Chateaux property that manages to offer a completely luxe experience in a wilderness setting. Owned and … Read more
Whether or not Niagara-on-the-Lake is the prettiest town in North America is up for debate, but if you ask Marian Markarian, trip advisor at Niagara Wine Tours International, you’ll get a resounding “Absolutely.” With its stately homes, pristine lawns and manicured gardens, a Main Street to rival any quaint New … Read more
Canada’s largest city, Toronto, is home to a diverse population of nearly three million people which includes virtually all of the world’s culture groups, reflected in the more than 100 languages and dialects spoken. As a result of this diversity, Toronto is known for its tolerance, open-mindedness, and acceptance. Multiculturalism … Read more
Porter Airlines is one of those quiet success stories. The airline has grown immensely since its humble beginnings just over six years ago from their Toronto Island hub base, to become an airline of choice for travelers to numerous key Canadian destinations. Since their maiden flight on October 23, 2006 … Read more
It’s time to get a bit creepy with the onslaught of Halloween! Don’t know where to start with getting the heebie jeebies? Well, maybe we can help by pointing out some spooky destinations that are guaranteed to make the hairs on your neck stand. From celebrating with the dead to … Read more
Usually, Halloween is about dressing up in costume, candy corn, jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin spiced lattes. But to some, Halloween is the spookiest time of year. And what better way to scare yourself silly then to stay in a haunted hotel? Thrill seekers will delight in visiting places where paranormal activity … Read more
If there’s anything that Canadians – at least the ones we’re hanging out with – know for sure, it’s that we own winter. The coldest season of the year is in our blood and in our bones. It’s a lifelong love affair born during childhood when, after the first major … Read more