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TAKING THE HIGH ROAD

July 24, 2019 No Comments

What’s worse than the bumper-to- bumper summer traffic heading north from Toronto on a Friday afternoon? The car is cramped, tempers flare, kids melt down, everyone’s hungry, and we’re not even past the city limits yet. What should be a 90-minute drive turns into a mind-bending, patience- testing three-hour crawl. Well, what if I told you there’s a better way? This May long weekend — the unofficial start to summer and the official start to cottage season — instead of taking to the highway, I boarded a 40-minute flight from downtown to Muskoka. I could get used to this…

11:25 AM After a quick and friendly check-in, I take a seat in the comfortable lounge at Fly GTA Airlines at Billy Bishop Airport. With free WiFi, ample magazines, and complimentary refreshments, I take a few moments to relax before heading out on the tarmac.

11:51 AM Unlike traditional flights, as soon as all the passengers are checked-in, we can board the plane. Staff are eager to assist with luggage, if needed. A brief welcome from the pilot, seat belts buckled, and we’re ready to go!

11:56 AM Time for take-off. Nothing quite like an aerial view of Toronto’s incredible skyline. On board, I meet fellow passengers and cottagers from Lake Rosseau, Michael and Shea. It’s also their first time flying north for the weekend. “This couldn’t be easier,”exclaims Michael. “Better than traffic.” My thoughts exactly.

12:10 PM Soaring just above the clouds now. A signal is spotty at this altitude, but I did manage to get in a few business texts, with pictures, of course. Sitting back, enjoying the scenery, I feel relaxed already. What a start to the long weekend!

12:17 PM There’s no mistaking the enormous, deep blue of Lake Simcoe. I can almost taste cottage country now.

12:26 PM Zipping past the cottage- country traffic starting to build on Highway 11.
12:32 PM The scenery grows ever more familiar, as we enter deeper into cottage country. Lakes dotted with islands and windswept trees: Muskoka’s rugged landscape starts to take shape.

12:36 PM And, in no time at all, we’ve landed at Muskoka Airport. I’m impressed with the service, the ease — what a stress-free way to start the weekend. Back on the ground, I ask Michael and Shea if I might see them again on another flight this summer. “Oh yes, the value of your time and decreased stress level is worth it, it’s a no-brainer,” Michael replies. FlyGTA Airlines (flygta.com) offers flights to Muskoka Thursday through Tuesday throughout the summer months. Check back often for rates and scheduled flight times. Need a ride? FlyGTA can also arrange for airport transfers. I, for one, will be taking this route as often as possible.

Hope to see you on board!

Story by WENDY MCCLUNG

The Suite Life

April 1, 2019 No Comments

Whether you call it your home away from home or your own private oasis, living “the suite life” is a breeze with Celebrity Cruises.

With suite accommodations setting the standard for modern luxury, Celebrity offers unparalleled comfort and convenience, as well as exceptional amenities and exclusive on-board experiences from personal butler service to private restaurants and lounges.

Celebrity’s spectacular Penthouse Suite, available across its fleet (with the exception of Xploration and Xpedition), offers 1,291 square feet of indoor space and comes with a separate living area, Baby Grand piano and private veranda, complete with whirlpool and lounge seating. Guests can unwind in modern living spaces or soak up the experience in a marble master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower.

Celebrity also indulges every suite guest with an array of special services and amenities, including butler service; Luminae, a private restaurant for suite guests only (available on all Millennium, Solstice and Edge Class Ships); and Michael’s Club, an exclusive lounge with dedicated concierge. Suite guests also receive complimentary 24-hour in-suite dining; unlimited dining and preferred seating in specialty restaurants; fully stocked mini bar daily; complimentary Premium Beverage Package; unlimited Internet; and reserved theatre seating on Evening Chic nights.

Taking the cruise experience to the next level are exclusive features like priority check-in, embarkation, debarkation and port tendering; priority luggage delivery; Celebrity’s eXhale bedding, featuring plush duvets, 100% pure cotton sheets and a pillow menu; Bulgari luxury bath amenities; fresh flowers delivered daily; and complimentary laundry service twice per cruise.

Celebrity’s newest vessel, Celebrity Edge, transforms the suite class experience even further with its outward-facing design and introduction of The Retreat, an exclusive resort sanctuary indulging guests with a spacious outdoor lounge area with plush, stylish furniture, sundeck, full-sized pool and hot tub, dedicated butlers, and restaurant – all complimentary. This is a special space available 24/7 for beverages, gourmet bites and live entertainment. The Edge’s new suite options include the Edge Villa, Celebrity’s first two-storey suites offering 950 square feet of split-level splendour, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living, with one bedroom and two bathrooms and the Iconic Suite perched above the bridge for panoramic views. With two king-sized bedrooms, two full baths, and enough indoor/outdoor living for six guests, this is the the ultimate in indulgence at sea.

Find a suite spot of your own, visit www.celebritycruises.com, call 1-888-283-6768, or contact your travel agent.

Story by GREG COATES

Non-Stop luxury To Asia

April 1, 2019 No Comments

Longest flights in the air by Singapore Airlines

Our planet is massive, and there’s no way around it without spending many hours in the air. But Singapore Airlines is taking some of the sting out of the transcontinental, transoceanic travel experience. It’s called the AIRBUS A350-900 ULTRA LONG RANGE, an airplane specifically designed to bridge
the gap between North America and Asia as quickly as possible. Of course, the best way to accomplish the briefest possible travel time is to stay in the air and avoid connecting flights. This plane is capable of flying further in commercial service than any other, and Singapore Airlines is the first airline to deploy the aircraft. Singapore Airlines will launch nonstop services between Singapore and New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco this fall. With a flying time of up to 18 hours and 45 minutes, these will be the world’s longest commercial flights.

Passengers will be treated to an inflight experience that includes an improved air circulation system and cabin pressurization to a lower altitude, as well as higher ceilings, larger windows and 16 million LED lighting options to allow for optimal inflight rest. Passengers will also have access to videos in the inflight
entertainment system that have been created with the participation of award-winning Canyon Ranch, a leading wellness brand. These focus on ways to maintain health and wellness during the flight with described, illustrated exercises.

The inflight menu has also been advised by Canyon Ranch with those same wellness goals in mind. For instance, passengers in business class can look forward to enjoying prawn ceviche and lavosh with orange, cucumber, grapefruit, cilantro, scallions, and bell pepper, as well as braised pork with citrus and white bean cassoulet with spinach The lie-flat seats in business class are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving all passengers access to an aisle. Don’t forget to download the myKrisWorld app before take off, allowing you to create playlists of your favorite movies and music before you board. In addition, the system bookmarks your content, so that a program cut off at the end of a flight can automatically resume at the same spot during the passenger’s next SIA flight.

Get on board and relax! Book your next trip on Singapore Airlines at singaporeair.com.

Story by Ted Davis

Day and Night in New York City

April 1, 2019 No Comments

New York City

DAY

It’s the new New York. There’s no better time to plan a quick trip to NYC than 2019, when there will be a record number of restaurant, cultural attraction, and hotel openings across the five iconic boroughs.

CHECK-IN As of 2021, NYC will have a staggering 140,000 hotel rooms to choose from. A sure bet is the European glamour of Mr. C Seaport (mrcseaport. com). From the fourth generation of the storied Cipriani family, Mr. C Seaport is an intimate escape in the heart of downtown’s historic, cobblestoned Seaport District. Rooms are elegant and calm, with attentive service, and the hotel is just around the corner from landmarks like Market Hall at Pier 17, the Charging Bull, and 9/11 Memorial Museum.

BON APPETIT For brunch, lunch, or an afternoon aperitif, there’s an exciting mini French revival happening in NYC’s food scene. Share a cheese board or grab a hazelnut flour chocolate cake at La Mercerie (lamerceriecafe.com). Tribeca’s hot spot du jour, Frenchette (frenchettenyc.com), was recently named one of the best new restaurants in America by Eater. And New York institution, Pastis (pastisny.com), is set to reopen under new management after a four-year hiatus, bringing a piece of Paris back to NYC.

EXPLORE Hudson Yards (hudsonyardsnewyork.com) is the city’s newest neighbourhood and largest development since Rockefeller Center. Visit the 100+ shops, including New York’s first Neiman Marcus, stroll the High Line, indulge in 16 different dining experiences curated by Thomas Keller, stay at the new Equinox Hotel, check out the first-of-its-kind, multiuse arts centre, The Shed, and climb the neighbourhood’s permanent centrepiece, The Vessel.

MORE The new Statue of Liberty Museum (libertyellisfoundation.org), on track to open May 2019, will feature three interactive gallery spaces, an outdoor plaza, and rooftop terrace. Head to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to hang out with the hipsters at Domino Park – eat tacos, snap a selfie at the fog bridge, or play a game of bocce ball (dominopark.com). Next summer, MoMA (moma.org) celebrates its 90th anniversary with the completion of an expansion project to increase gallery space by 30 per cent.

NIGHT

They don’t call it the city that never sleeps for nothing. Here’s what’s great when it’s late.

DINNER In this city, dinner is an event not just a meal. At the recently opened Manhatta (manhattarestaurant.com), located on the 60th floor of 28 Liberty Street, Frenchinspired flavours are always served with a side of incredible views. For lighter fare, try Misi (misinewyork.com) in Brooklyn, a celebration of simple Italian cooking, serving iterations of fresh pasta and seasonal vegetables.

SHOWTIME With tickets to Hamilton or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child near impossible to come by, check out some of Broadway’s (broadway.com) star-studded hits of the season, like Network starring Bryan Cranston; To Kill a Mockingbird, play by Aaron Sorkin and starring Jeff Daniels; or The Lifespan of a Fact, with Broadway heavyweights Daniel Radcliffe, Bobby Cannavale, and Cherry Jones.

CELEBRATE In June 2019, NYC will be the first US city to host WorldPride (2019- orldpride- stonewall50.nycpride.org). The month-long celebration will feature a jam-packed schedule of energizing rallies, inspiring lectures, and epic parties. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, more than three million visitors are expected within the month of June.

PERCH What better way to take in the bright lights of the big city than at one of New York’s hottest rooftop bars? Check out the cocktails and sweeping skylines from Make Believe (sixtyhotels.com), a whimsically decorated social club high above the vibrant Lower East Side; the aptly named, The Roof (publichotels.com/eat-and-drink/ the-roof) for a sexy, energetic vibe; Mr. Purple (mrpurplenyc.com) on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo offering a bar, restaurant, pool, and variety of seating options; or the newly opened Pier 17 (pier17ny.com) for their summer concert series.

For more on what’s hot, go to nycgo.com.

By Ashley Rochefort

Barbados In Balance

January 28, 2019 No Comments

Barbados can provide touching experiences for those who appreciate a good massage. Offering a host of spa experiences, such as facials, skin analysis, manicures, pedicures, and body therapies, as well as a number of choices for the health-conscious traveller that can lead to overall healthier lifestyles, Barbados deserves to be top of mind for those seeking wellness while on holiday.

The island counts among its tourist offerings some of the world’s premier spa resorts, which enable guests to choose among the likes of rejuvenating in plunge pools rich in valuable nutrients, or soaking in a hot tub, while being pampered by trained staff. And, in addition, to spa choices familiar to North Americans are offerings native to the Caribbean.

Specific spa options include Soothing Touch Day Spa (soothingtouchspa.com) which offers an authentic Caribbean spa experience. Aesthetic treatments can include massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, body wraps and scrubs, and body waxing. For professional, modern, and sophisticated care, Fame the Grooming Club (famethe-grooming-lub.business.site) is a barber shop in Holetown supplying services and products designed to enhance physical appearance and stimulate mental relaxation. Found on the west coast of the island, Schotherapy International (schotherapyspa.com) offers lifestyle consultations, which include a smell test and detailed skin analysis used to effectively tailor treatments to suit your specific needs.

In between spa appointments, guests will enjoy dazzling evening sunsets from the island’s famed beaches lined with palm trees. The widespread popularity of yoga has reached Barbados’ shores as well, with vacationers looking to keep up their practice of the ancient discipline, while enjoying a warm Caribbean sun and sea breezes. Many hotels now offer yoga classes, and visitors will find plenty of yoga centres to choose from as well. Unusual options for yoga enthusiasts include classes that that put the participants on paddleboards floating on the ocean. Indeed, the island can now proudly claim to be home to some of the best yoga resorts found anywhere in the Caribbean, with those retreats employing teachers who are both well trained and with valuable earned experience.

Last year saw the island host the L’Atitude 13° North Barbados Beach and Wellness Festival, which drew yoga and meditation instructors, speakers, chefs, and others to collectively provide a transformational experience for those who attended what was described as a family-friendly blend of healthy Caribbean activities, cuisine, music, and conversation around well-being. Organizers noted with pride that all the festivities and activities enjoyed a beautiful backdrop in a destination known for its relaxed ambience.

To learn about more of the spas, yoga, and wellness activities happening in Barbados, check out visitbarbados.org.

By Ian Stalker

Have Family, Will Travel

January 28, 2019 No Comments

Behind the scenes with Workin’ Moms Star Catherine Reitman

Catherine Reitman is both literally and figuratively a workin’ mom. Known on-screen for her starring role as Kate Foster, the real life mother of two sons is also the creator, executive producer and writer of the acclaimed original comedy series Workin’ Moms, which is filmed in Toronto. As season three of the International Emmy–nominated show gears up to hit the air Tuesday nights on CBC starting Jan. 8, the Toronto transplant shares some memorable family travel experiences, like hiking New Zealand with her husband, producing partner and Workin’ Moms co-star, Philip Sternberg, and getting covered in vomit
while touching down in Costa Rica.

What do you never leave home without?
My phone and my kindle.

Carry-on or checked bag?
Anything under 10 days, I attempt a carry-on.

Favourite city or country to travel to?
Tokyo, Japan.

What’s still on your bucket list?
I’m very curious about exploring more of Asia. That’s next on my to-do list.

Where did you go for your honeymoon?
The Amalfi Coast. My digestive tract is still healing.

Best tip for surviving family travel?
Don’t bring them.

Best meal you’ve had on the road?
I ate pizza in a basement in Rome that I still fantasize about.

Do you have a travel ritual?
I never over-caffeinate before a flight.

What’s a memorable thing that’s happened to you while travelling?
My son managed to vomit on every private part I have while we were landing in Costa Rica. Silver lining,
they felt so sorry for me, they allowed me to skip the line at customs.

What’s your most adventurous/challenging travel experience to date?
My husband and I travelled to New Zealand and hiked mountains we were sure would kill us.

How often do you travel? Has that changed with kids and a busy work schedule?
We’re fortunate enough to still be able to travel frequently, both with and without children. However,
with has been more memorable.

By Ann Ruppenstein

The Butler Did It…A day in the life of a Sandals butler

January 25, 2019 No Comments

A day in the life of a Sandals butler

Nothing short of absolute perfection will do. Butler Elite service, only at Sandals’ highest level of suites, promises a supreme standard of service and luxury. At Sandals Royal Barbados, a personal butler, trained in accordance to the exacting standards of the Guild of Professional English Butlers, is with you every
step of your vacation to cater to your every whim and anticipate your every need.

11:02 AM When guests arrive at the resort after a long flight, I greet them with a refreshing glass of
champagne and a warm lemongrass-scented hand towel.

11:20 AM After escorting guests to their suite for a comfortable and quick in-suite check-in, I supply them with a cell phone, so they can reach me at any point during their stay. I offer to unpack their luggage or have any clothing items pressed, taking pride in making guests feel at home.

12:35 PM Lunchtime, and my guests have opted to dine at their private beachside cabana. After serving lunch, I restock the private cooler with their favourite cold drinks and bring fresh towels, so they can relax and enjoy the sun and sand all afternoon.

2:00 PM It’s my job to review preferences of returning clients, so I can anticipate a guest’s every desire. Special delivery! I surprise them with their favourite signature cocktail, delivered right to their beach lounger before they even ask.

2:48 PM Earlier in the day, I made a spa appointment for my guests, and now it’s time to escort them to the Red Lane Spa for a relaxing couples massage. Whether it’s dinner reservations, tour bookings, or property activities, I facilitate all of my guests’ appointments and requests.

6:45 PM I’ve arranged a romantic sunset dinner on the beach for two.

8:10 PM Just before my guests finish dinner, I prepare their suite for turndown. A couple of finishing touches – a rose petal bubble bath, plus champagne and strawberries – and the suite is ready when they are. Ask for Butler Elite the next time you book your Sandals vacation (sandals.com) and prepare to be wowed.

By Ashley Rochefort

Finding Mana

January 24, 2019 No Comments

Finding Mana

Polynesian culture runs deep in Tahiti

It’s not always easy to appreciate the many aspects of culture in an exotic destination when the relaxing white sand beaches and clear waters are calling your name. But culture runs deep in Tahiti, the name given collectively to the 118 islands that make up French Polynesia. While the French language remains as a legacy of colonialism, the Polynesian roots of the nation are still firmly established and celebrated through events, tours, and festivals that express a native love for the essence of Tahitian culture – called “mana”.

CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
Throughout the year, there are 16 days devoted to traditional dancing and singing representations across Tahiti. The Tere ‘A’ Ati cultural and historic event takes place on Rurutu in the Austral Islands. Here, visitors take long walks with stops at ancestral sites and sacred natural formations on their way to the three villages of Moerai, Avera, and Auti. Tere Faati is a circular tour of the island of Tahiti on a traditional “Le Truck” bus. The tour unfolds to the sound of the ukulele with stops at scenic and culturally vital sites. Also, check out the Tere Na Uta tour, which introduces visitors to the magnificent nature of the islands. Riding four-wheel-drive vehicles, visitors escape the main roads and are guided to places of natural beauty and spiritual significance.

TATTOO CONNECTION
One of the most authentic expressions of culture in Tahiti is through body art. The word “tatau”
originated in the islands of Tahiti, before evolving to “tattoo.” Tattooing is a sacred experience, and the
tattoos of Tahiti are believed to carry supernatural powers to prevent the loss of mana. Traditional
Tahitian tattooists work in nearly all the main inhabited islands of French Polynesia, and their reputation attracts visitors from around the world.

DISCOVERIES AT SEA
Divers, snorkellers, and adventurers alike come from all over to swim in the warm waters that surround the islands of Tahiti and teem with life from tiny clown fish to awe-inspiring humpback whales, which arrive between July and November. The combination of canyons, caverns, and coral beds provides a multitude of hiding places for marine life, and are home to more than 1,000 species of fish. For those wanting more adventure at sea, small luxury cruising options are a great way to check out a number of The Islands of Tahiti.

GUESTHOUSE GETAWAY
Laid-back and off-the-beaten path, Tahitian guesthouses are a great way to immerse yourself into French Polynesian life. Smaller than a resort and often much more secluded, traditional guesthouses are typically family-operated and renowned for their rustic warmth and Tahitian hospitality. Of course, if you can’t quit the five-star lifestyle, Tahiti abounds with diverse accommodations like luxury resorts The Brando or the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa or private villa rentals for customized travel. For more on booking tours, cultural experiences, and accommodations, visit tahititourisme.ca.

By Ted Davis

Beaches By The Numbers

September 10, 2018

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Village & Spa sets the standard for luxury all-included family vacations. It’s the perfect spot for every member of every family, ages 1 to 100. Here are a few reasons to make Beaches Turks & Caicos your next family vacation…

752 ROOMS from condo-style cottages to two-bedroom beachfront villas to oceanview suites with bunk beds and balconies; there’s a home away from home for every family.

92 ACRES of lush tropical gardens and outdoor activities like croquet, tennis, and beach volleyball

21 RESTAURANTS to choose from! Build-your-own tacos at Arizona’s Tex Mex; savour French-inspired fine dining at Le Petit Chateau; pull up a picnic table at The Jerk Shack; or enjoy ocean views from Schooner’s Seafood Grill.

12 MILES of world-famous, perfectly pristine Grace Bay Beach, where white sands, calm waves, and turquoise waters set the scene.

11 SESAME STREET CHARACTERS like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Julia, entertain the whole family with daily musicals, shows, and meet & greets; host birthday parties and classes; and even tuck little ones in at night.

8 WATERSLIDES at the thrilling Pirate Island Waterpark, complete with lazy river, splash pad, surf simulator, Mr. Mac and Curls ‘n Swirls food trucks, Bobby Dee’s Retro Diner, and, of course a pirate ship.

5 VILLAGES to suit your family’s vacation style – there’s the party-central Italian Village, picturesque French Village, quiet and tranquil Key West Village, and tropically charming Caribbean & Seaside Villages.

1 VOTED FAVOURITE all-inclusive family resort 19 years running by Canadian travel agents!

Story by ASHLEY ROCHEFORT

Up, Up and Away

September 10, 2018

Up, Up and Away

Among the ways of exploring Turkey’s famed Cappadocia region is by hot-air balloon, which give visitors lofty and dramatic views of Cappadocia’s volcanic terrain, frequently described as moonscape-like. Those keen on the up-up-and-away routine can head skyward in a balloon at sunrise. Flights of an hour or more are available, and passengers may have breakfast on board, followed by a hampagne toast after they’re back on terra firma.

Cappadocia itself has been described as a “wonderland of unique geographic formations sprinkled with green vineyards and fruit orchards.” Its features include the Goreme Open Air Museum, with that volcanic valley home to elaborately painted churches literally hewn from stone. Bordering valleys and villages are home to people who carved their dwellings from rock. Also of note, the famed Silk Road worked its way through the region long ago and visitors today can see stops built along the route to host wealthy traders. Visitors who prefer to stay closer to the ground can explore the diverse region on marked hiking trails or by horseback. For details on how to get sky-high views of Turkey’s lunar-like Cappadocia landscape, visit www.turkeytourism.ca.

Story by IAN STALKER