Motel mania sweeps Canada; Beneath the waves with whale sharks, and much more!
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This luxury tour operator just added Africa to its travel portfolio
Classic Vacations, a global luxury travel company, is expanding its portfolio to include luxury offerings on a new continent: Africa. Classic’s Africa portfolio launches with a range of carefully crafted itineraries designed to highlight southern Africa’s most iconic destinations and hidden gems. Whether travellers are seeking adventure in the wilderness, cultural immersion in vibrant cities, or just relaxation, there will be a tour to
Here’s what it’s like diving with whale sharks in La Paz, Mexico
As the boat skimmed across the water, a massive shadow rose from the depths below. “Shark! Shark!” Cristian yelled, and cut the engine. Moments later, an ominous, black dorsal fin sliced through the surface. Seated on the edge of the boat, I fumbled for my mouthpiece and adjusted my snorkel mask. Then, taking a final shaky breath, I jumped. At
Five of the prettiest European flower festivals to visit this spring
Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful flower festivals. These festivals not only celebrate the ephemeral beauty of flowers but also serve as cultural showcases, enticing travelers from around the world to immerse themselves in the splendor of Europe’s floral heritage. Here are our five top picks to attend this spring! Maderia’s Flower Festival From May 2
Inside the Italian town that gave us Parmesan cheese
On a trip to the grocery store the other day, I found myself standing in the pasta aisle. Stocked between the packages of linguine and penne, rigatoni and fusilli, and hovering above exorbitant rows of pre-mixed jars of pasta sauce, were an army of plastic shakers, crammed with Parmesan cheese. Grabbing one, I rolled the container over and skimmed the
In Depth
30 female-led tours that celebrate International Women’s Day
According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the total employment. This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24 per cent surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to
Bahamas bound: life on the island beyond swimming with the pigs
It’s my first day in Grand Bahama — the northernmost island of the Bahamas archipelago — and I’m already ignoring the age-old advice not to be lured into a complete stranger’s house. Tempted by the promise of a home-cooked meal, I’m here to meet Colette Williams, a host with the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism’s People-to-People program, which is all about
Island hopping in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
It’s breakfast time at Young Island Resort, a 13-acre private island just offshore of St. Vincent, and I’ve requested one of the house specialties: Creole French toast on homemade cinnamon bread. “What we are using is our very famous rum — the St. Vincent strong rum — and it’s very lethal,” my server Donovan says with a smile as he
Here are some of the best things I did on an eight-day trip to Israel
Of all the things I envisioned doing in Israel – from floating in the Dead Sea to visiting the historic Western Wall – one thing I didn’t remotely anticipate was to wind up defacing public property. Yet here I am, feeling like a rebel, with a can of light pink spray paint in my right hand in the back streets
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Luxury motels are trending—but should you book a stay?
Boutique motels, with their modest room count, old school hospitality and all-around affordability are an ideal choice for travellers from all walks of life. A few years ago, if you’d told me that I would be willingly spending my weekend at a motel, I probably would have laughed. If countless road trips across Canada—and one too many reruns of Alfred
On a trip to Coastal Mississippi, explore 100KM of the best seafood
Indulge your senses and embark on a delectable journey along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where culinary creativity meets coastal, southern charm. From sizzling grills featuring unique seafood combinations to the elegant ambiance of fine dining establishments, Coastal Mississippi has become an epicenter of delight. Across the three vibrant counties along the coast of Mississippi, culinary masters blend local flavors with
Here’s what it’s like diving with whale sharks in La Paz, Mexico
As the boat skimmed across the water, a massive shadow rose from the depths below. “Shark! Shark!” Cristian yelled, and cut the engine. Moments later, an ominous, black dorsal fin sliced through the surface. Seated on the edge of the boat, I fumbled for my mouthpiece and adjusted my snorkel mask. Then, taking a final shaky breath, I jumped. At
This cruise line is now offering 22-day trips in South America
Bookings are now open for Holland America Line’s 2025-2026 South America and Antarctica season. Featuring a series of longer cruises up to 22 days, guests can experience the region’s captivating blend of diverse cultures, breathtaking natural landscapes and rich historical heritage — including 16 UNESCO World Heritage sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. From November 2025 through March 2026, Oosterdam cruises between
Five of the prettiest European flower festivals to visit this spring
Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful flower festivals. These festivals not only celebrate the ephemeral beauty of flowers but also serve as cultural showcases, enticing travelers from around the world to immerse themselves in the splendor of Europe’s floral heritage. Here are our five top picks to attend this spring! Maderia’s Flower Festival From May 2
This luxury tour operator just added Africa to its travel portfolio
Classic Vacations, a global luxury travel company, is expanding its portfolio to include luxury offerings on a new continent: Africa. Classic’s Africa portfolio launches with a range of carefully crafted itineraries designed to highlight southern Africa’s most iconic destinations and hidden gems. Whether travellers are seeking adventure in the wilderness, cultural immersion in vibrant cities, or just relaxation, there will be a tour to
Contiki launches island-hopping trip to the Philippines
Contiki recently launched its first trip to the Philippines. The new nine-day and 13-day Island Hopping tour visits some of the country’s most famous tourist hotspots and unique hidden gems on the Palawan Island. The nine-day version goes to Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, and El Nido, and includes many island adventures. Some of these include a boat ride through the
These are some of the best things to do at Fiji’s Nanuku Resort
After learning I’m the only one who turned up to the studio for morning yoga, instructor Sisilia Cece Nasiga asks if I’d rather do the session in the great outdoors. “Yes!” I exclaim without hesitation — I’m only here for a short time so why be indoors when I could be staring out at the natural beauty of Fiji. A
Travel in Style
Cayman Islands answers Canadian demand with more flights
As travel continues to rebound following the pandemic, the Cayman Islands continues to steadily climb back to 2019’s arrival levels and market share. Last year the destination saw record-breaking arrivals including the destination’s best Q1 and best ever March on record for Canadian visitation. The steady increase in Canadian visitation has also led to an increase in airlift to five
You can now fly directly to Osaka, Japan from Toronto
Air Canada has unveiled a new seasonal, direct service between Toronto and Osaka. Flights between Pearson International Airport and Kansai International Airport will run three times a week from June 17 to Oct. 25, 2024, onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Paired with increased frequency on their popular Vancouver-Osaka flight, this will more than double Air Canada’s capacity to Osaka, compared
There’s a mystery cruise happening in April 2025
Windstar Cruises just announced its first-ever “President’s Mystery Cruise” set to depart on April 19, 2025. The eight-day voyage is aimed at Windstar Yacht Club members (the line’s valued repeat guests) and their friends and will depart from and return to Athens. The rest of the port calls on the itinerary will remain a mystery to guests onboard Windstar’s 312-passenger,
An expedition yacht with 6 suites arrives in the Galapagos
Conservation-led luxury travel company &Beyond has announced the extension of its South America portfolio with the launch of an expedition yacht in the Galapagos Islands. Named the &Beyond Galapagos Explorer, the 38 m (124 ft) yacht will operate on two 7-night routes in the east and west of the famed Galapagos Islands. Boasting just six suites and cabins, the yacht
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A Four Seasons resort is coming to Los Cabos this May
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol is open for reservations and will begin welcoming guests as of May 1, 2024. Ideally located on the southern coast of the Baja in the heart of the Los Cabos Golden Corridor, the luxury resort community of Cabo Del Sol is home to a vibrant, Riviera-style village that includes the new Four
Winter Haven Miami Beach shows off new art deco rooms
Winter Haven Hotel Miami Beach, an iconic 70-room Art Deco boutique hotel, ideally located along Ocean Drive, has unveiled a renovation with fully re-imagined guest rooms. The newly revamped hotel exudes retro charm and classic elegance, drawing inspiration from the 50s-style representation of leisure destinations and its iconic oceanfront location. Elevated by a warm palette with a predominance of pink
Inside the Italian town that gave us Parmesan cheese
On a trip to the grocery store the other day, I found myself standing in the pasta aisle. Stocked between the packages of linguine and penne, rigatoni and fusilli, and hovering above exorbitant rows of pre-mixed jars of pasta sauce, were an army of plastic shakers, crammed with Parmesan cheese. Grabbing one, I rolled the container over and skimmed the
580 hotel restaurants take eel off the menu to prevent its extinction
The members of Relais & Châteaux’s World Culinary Council have voted to immediately remove eel from their own menus and are sending a call to action to the rest of the group’s 580 hotels and restaurants to do the same. The move comes after its NGO partner, Ethic Ocean, launched an alert that public authorities must urgently listen to scientists who recommend
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