On my way to Stirling Room, strolling down a brick-paved street edged by charming restored Victorian-era buildings of Toronto's Distillery District, I felt that I was in a previous age - a time when the upper crest of society enjoyed culture and life more fully at a slower pace than our busy life in this modern age. From their times we today can relish the renovated Victorian architecture in its pedestrians-only aura - no modern traffic to mar … [Read more...]
Touring Toronto: Bruce Bell best man for the job
In 1966 Toronto, you could smoke in elevators, but men had to doff their hats. In the early 19th century, when Canada was very much British, you could be hanged if caught singing the pro-United States protest song "Yankee Doodle Dandy,". In the now super-trendy and expensive Yorkville section of the city, folk legends like Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot got their musical start during that neighborhood's edgy bohemian days. And … [Read more...]
Tuscan Delights
When I first married into a Tuscan family, I was stunned at the sheer number of butcher shops that stood under the elegant porticos in Greve-in-Chianti's gracious piazza. This tiny town in the middle of the Chianti Classico wine country has a score of butchers, many more than I would have thought could possibly earn a livelihood from the miniscule population. Americans may be known for consuming large quantities of beef, but Tuscans are … [Read more...]
Varadero Golf Club – A Paradise for Golfers
"I must come back and enjoy this golf course!" my colleague sighed as we stood beside the 'Xanadu Mansion', the Club House of the Varadero Golf Club - Cuba's only 18-hole golf course. He went on, "Imagine we can combine a holiday by everyday romping on this beautiful beach with its talcum sand and relaxing waters then play [playing] a game of golf. It will be a perfect vacation for golfers seeking a fulfilling holiday." My colleague had a … [Read more...]
Stay in a Work of Art and Enjoy the Fun in its Melody Bar
The exterior of the Gladstone Hotel One going out in Toronto, Canada's largest city, to enjoy an evening of fun and tasty food will find no better place than the Gladstone Hotel and its Melody Bar. A unique renovated historical abode, it was built in 1889 and is the oldest still operating hotel in Canada. In 2005 it was re-launched as an art hotel with 37 rooms each designed by a different artist. With locally made furniture and its artist … [Read more...]
A Local’s Guide to Vancouver’s Top Ten Free Attractions
I grew up in Toronto, Canada. While Toronto is a tremendous city - boasting eclectic neighbourhoods, lush city parks and a vibrant cultural scene - it's also a place people get really practiced at leaving. Every Friday night in summer, the 400-series highways leading out of town are jammed with cars crawling towards the promise of fresher air and a lakeside cottage up north. I've left Hogtown for good and for the past six years have called … [Read more...]
Breezing through the Windy City
This last weekend in lieu of the Easter Holidays and my Uncle's 50th birthday I flew down to Chicago to spend the weekend with my family and go on a little adventure. Chicago is a huge city and a fairly popular one in North America; although last year alone I transited through the city 14 times I have never actually set foot outside of the airport, so needless to say I was quite curious and excited to grab a camera and have my cousin host me … [Read more...]
Travel Bloggers Meet up in Jamaica
JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD HOSTS FIRST-EVER BLOGGERS MEET-UP IN JAMAICA IN CONJUNCTION WITH SECRETS RESORTS & SPAS New marketing effort signals fresh approach to press visit, develops authentic, long-term rapport with influential travel bloggers KINGSTON, JAMAICA - July 23, 2010 - The Jamaica Tourist Board ramped up its social media and marketing efforts with its first-ever 'Bloggers Meet-up in Jamaica.' Jamaica hosted a four-night visit, … [Read more...]
Turkish Air, LAX-Istanbul, nonstop
Turkish Airlines to Fly LAX-Istanbul Beginning March 2011; New Flights Expected to Generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Annual Regional Economic Activity Los Angeles is First Nonstop Service From Turkey to U.S. West Coast LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa today cheered the announcement that Turkish Airlines will launch nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Istanbul, … [Read more...]
Huangshan Gems
"Since you are here in Huangshan, you must visit our two traditional villages, Xidi and Hongcun. They are little gems of elegance and tradition." A guide advised when I asked him his favourite attractions in the region. We had already made plans to visit these villages and his advice reinforced our decision. Both Xidi and Hongcun villages rest in the foothills of the Huangshan (Yellow) Mountain. They lay amid a landscape of greenery, … [Read more...]