Air Canada workers hit the bricks but all quiet at Vancouver YVR

THAT was pretty uneventful.

Reading about the Air Canada warnings in my email and checking the news in Vancouver, I thought I'd get out to YVR early to check out the impact of the strike by Air Canada's customer service agents, represented by the Canadian Auto Workers. I arrived bright and early and spotted some pickets out on the sidewalk, walking in circles and only occasionally shouting any kind of anti-management slogan.

I went inside and it was ... utterly normal. I did my check-in online Monday night, so I already had a boarding pass. I deliberately acted confused (no, really) and asked for help. A fellow who didn't look like an Air Canada worker wasn't entirely clear on what to do when I didn't get my baggage tag, but a more experienced worker jumped in and I had it all arranged in seconds.

Jim Wilkes in today's Star suggests Air Canada has hired outside workers, and judging by his description of folks in dark pants and white shirts I think some were out here. Either way, it was pretty simple checking in.

"I guess we're doing a good job," a worker at the check-in counter told me.

"No glitches so far," said someone manning the baggage drop-off belt.

One passenger I spoke with seemed shocked at the ease of his experience.

"I've NEVER checked in that fast before," he said.

Of course, it IS day one. And it's only one experience. But checking the websites out there and listening in on Twitter (you can find me at jbyers11), it sounds pretty much like business as usual for Air Canada today.

If you have any thoughts, send me an email at jbyers@thestar.ca. I mentioned the Air Canada situation on Twitter yesterday and got a note from a gentleman in Edmonton, Trevor Zimmerman. He said he's fed up with Air Canada.

"First, front line managers will be ill equipped to deal with the tasks their apparently under valued staff routinely perform, so I seriously doubt they'll make good on their promise" to carry on as normal.

He also said it's important that employees exercise their democratic rights in the workplace.

"If Canadians want to see the restoration of the middle class, it's time we started to respect the decisions of our fellow citizens to hold the line on cutbacks imposed by profitable organizations.
I hope more employees in more organizations grow the backbone the customer service staff at Air Canada are showing and tell their millionaire CEO bosses that they're in the wrong."

 

The delights of a day in Vancouver...Burrard Bridge, Kitsilano and a cruise

Nice day at TBEX11, the travel bloggers conference. I managed to get in morning and afternoon sessions but still get in a long walk from the convention centre to Kitsilano.

I stopped at Japadog on Burrard, the place made famous during the Olympics. Gotta admit it wasn't any
better than okay. I like Japanese food a lot and love hot dogs, but prefer in the future to keep them separate thankyouverymuch. I walked up Burrard, past the cyclists and the joggers, admiring the bridgework and the art deco-looking designs and all.

I'd driven over the Burrard St. Bridge many times but Sunday was the first day I'd walked it. It's a great way to see the city's harbour and the skyline and the exercise is good. Better if you don't eat chips and salsa and drink a Corona on a patio in the sun in Kitsilano, but still...

I'll be doing something more on 4th Ave. in Kits at a later date, but suffice to say it's one of the coolest streets in town.

Later, the folks at AMResorts put on a fine harbour cruise, taking us out under the Lions Gate Bridge, past Stanley Park and English Bay and under the Burrard Bridge to the start of False Creek. We had to turn around at Granville Island but it was a great time. There's something about being out on a boat that's simply wonderful. Great views, fresh air...

A bunch of us who didn't feel like stopping the evening at 9:30 walked down to Gastown and tried some wicked drinks at The Diamond, which has a great bartender (I HATE the word mixologist; it's so pretentious). One of the drinks, which I DID NOT try, had bourbon, vanilla and, wait for it, milk. No thanks. I had a sidecar, with bourbon, cointreau and lemon. Delicious.

It's got a great vibe, with exposed brick walls and cool overhead lighting that appeared to have tiny, wrought iron deer heads. Very East Coast in feel and probably better than any bar I've been in Toronto, not that I get out much in my own town.

Been staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, which is quite modern but a great spot. Cool-looking doormen with fedoras and big, grey-black suits and overcoats and a terrific lobby with a glassed-in fireplace and beautiful people at the glitzy, modern bar. I think pop-rock singer Tyler Stewart was here on Saturday but not sure.

The big deal here, of course, is the Canucks. More on that all day at the star.com. And, naturally, I'll keep an eye on the Air Canada situation as I'm supposed to fly home Tuesday. Yikes.

 

 

Great deals for Britain and New Zealand/Australia for a Friday afternoon

Before I adjourn to Vancouver for a travel bloggers conference (TBEX11), I should pass on a couple of solid travel deals.

British Airways announced a very nice business class seat sale for folks heading to London from all 24 British Airways Canadian and U.S. gateways. Fares start at just $2,110 roundtrip between New York andLondon and $2,746 between San Francisco and London.

Seats are available on at www.ba.com thorugh Thursday June 16 at 12:00 am EDT. Travel is valid from Canadian gateways from June 24 to Sept. 6.

Also included in the deal are savings of up to 50 per cent on London hotels, including the Ritz, the Savoy and other noted properties.

Meanwhile, Air New Zealand is making things attractive for families, announcing that the first two children travelling in a party with one or more adutls will get a 75 per cent discount from the regular adult fare. If more than two kids are in a group, the next ones get 25 per cent off.

The deal is for children aged two to 17 and is valid on travel from Canada and the U.S. to New Zealand and Australia from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, when things should be warming up nicely in the southern hemispherre. The fares are available on economy class trips booked between June 7 and June 30.

Happy travels.

 

Air Canada discount bluff? ... Florida and Canada: a match made in heaven

As the deadline approaches for a potential Air Canada strike, I gotta wonder.

For those of you wrapped up in the possible demise of the Vancouver Canucks, let me recap. Air Canada a few months ago said it wanted to start a discount carrier to compete with the likes of Transat. To do so, however, they said they'd need union concessions.

Now, they're trying to convince the Canadian Auto Workers, which represents customer service agents and which held a large rally on Thursday, to agree to reduced pension benefits for some employees. Having seen Air Canada management get handsome rewards of late, this suggestion isn't going over well.

The CAW says it hopes to avert a strike but that one could start Monday at midnight (just in time for a flight I have out of Vancouver Tuesday morning). Air Canada says it will operate a full schedule, even if there's a walkout.

The union will have to provide notice of a potential strike sometime today (Friday), so stay tuned.

Perhaps. But I wonder if this talk of a discount airline isn't something that will suddenly disappear in bargaining over the next few days. With so much competition from WestJet and Porter, I don't think Air Canada can afford a strike. It's hardly a well-loved airline in many people's minds, anyway. Respected, sure, but not always, as the #1 carrier in the country, so well-loved. They don't need a strike right now. And the CAW shows no signs of backing down.

Transat's latest numbers aren't bad, but anyone who reads the papers can see that more economic troubles lie ahead, and perhaps just around the corner. Even in Canada. I suspect this talk of a discount airline, and this is PURELY conjecture based on a little knowledge and a fair bit of political and bargaining experience, will suddenly get delayed. If they pulled that off the table and backed away from most concession demands, a strike likely would be avoided.

I could be wrong, but I don't think it's such a great time to start a new airline anywhere in the world. And I don't know that Air Canada wants to risk a strike over such a chancy experiment.

In a report on the 1130 News website, airline analyst Scott Clute said there likely would be "minimal" impact in Vancouver if a strike happens. Longer line-ups and slower boarding would be likely for international passengers, he said.

However, Clute suggests it's a different story if unions representing pilots, flight attendants or mechanics decide to not cross the picket line. Yeah, I guess so.

Interesting times, either way. Good luck to all my fellow flyers next week!

FLORIDA LOVES US

Three million, one hundred thousand Canadians visited Florida last year; a new record. But it's not enough for folks from the Sunshine State.

"Only another 30 million or so to go," Visit Florida chief Chris Thompson told a Canadian appreciation night crowd at the rooftop lounge of the Park Hyatt in downtown Toronto on Thursday night.

Governor Rick Scott, here as part of a trade delegation, gave a short and funny speech.

"I don't understand why you'd ever go home" once you visit, he said, echoing one of Thompson's lines.

Scott said Canadians acount for a healthy portion of homes sales in Florida and quipped that "there are a few homes for sale" in the state.

Scott invited attendees at the event to visit him at his office in Tallahassee.

"Just go to the Capitol and turn left," he said. "Unless you're a protestor. Then you turn right."

 

Air Canada strike could be looming...Santa Monica and California happenings

Good story by my colleague, Vanessa Lu, in Star business this morning. Things could change, but she points out that the sabres most definitely are being rattled as Air Canada's customer service agents bargain with management.

"After years of sacrifices to help the struggling airline, Air Canada’s 3,800 customer service agents are gearing for a fight, threatening a strike at midnight Monday night," Lu wrote in today's paper. "The Canadian Auto Workers union is meeting with the company at a downtown Toronto hotel in hopes of averting a strike."

She quotes Bob Chernecki, assistant to CAW national president Ken Lewenza, as saying there still are "major mountains" to climb as CAW types look over Air Canada proposals for a new, discount airline and consider changes to pension agreements.

“At this point, we’re not feeling very positive about the direction of it, but we’ll see," Chernecki said.

Naturally, yours truly is set to fly to Vancouver Saturday morning and return Tuesday morning; some eight hours after the strike deadline. Could be some good first-person colour, I guess!

SANTA MONICA ON THE MOVE

It was nice enough when I was living there back in 1979, but Santa Monica has really hit the big time in the past few years.  The Third St. Promenade sparkles with great shops, hotels such as the Shangri-La abound and now there's Santa Monica Place, with more excellent shopping and a new market featuring everything from artisanal salami and bread to cookies and fresh flowers.

They also have outdoor dining with awesome views of the Santa Monica Pier (still going strong after all these years and a real joy to stroll along), the Santa Monica Mountains and, of course, the enormous beach and the blue Pacific's rolling waters.

A couple of former budet hotels have been turned into a new, boutique spot called The Shore, labelled as a new, environmentally friendly and luxurious property that's just across from the wonderful Santa Monica promenade; a lush series of winding paths along the bluffs that line Santa Monica Beach, offering fine views up to Malibu and down to the hills of Palos Verdes.

The Shangri-La, which has a cool rooftop pool, also has poolside cabanasand fire pits for chilly nights. Santa Monica marketing director Kim Baker tells me budget travellers have several options, including the Bayside, the Embassy Hotel Apartments, and, yes, the Hotel California (mirrors on the ceiling and pink champagne on ice, I suspect, are on your own dime).

Santa Monica not long ago was named one of the world's top ten beach cities, and it's hard to disagree.

OTHER CALIFORNIA STUFF

Lots more happening in other parts of the Golden State. Tourism folks put on a nice spread with good finger food and California wines the other night at the Dolce Social Ballroom on King West, and there were folks from San Francisco, Monterey, San Diego, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, the lovely Central Coast, and more.

A few tidbits from a huge pile of press releases and brochures:

- San Francisco is hosting the America's Cup in 2013. I had no idea. The new America's Cup World Series, featuring all America's Cup competitors - will be held in the summer of 2012. www.americascup.com.

- We all know about northern California's wines, but there's also a new Bay Area Brewery tours. They offer a six-hour public tour that visits three breweries for tasting, plus lunch and a souvenir glass. Visit www.bayareabrewerytours.com.

- The village of Solvang, a town near Santa Barbara founded by Danish folks, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It's not my cup of tea, but there are plenty of Danish-looking buildings (see photo), a windmill, and, yes, Danish pastries on offer. It's a lovely part of the state, very close to the wonderful restaurant The Hitching Post II, featured in the classic wine movie "Sideways." They have a great wine list and a fabulously inexpensive steak dinner with all the trimmings.

- Beverly Hills has a new website, www.lovebeverlyhills.org, with lots of cool stuff. There's plenty to like about Rodeo Drive, of course, not to mention fine cheese shops and swanky hotels. I was told there's now a tour that takes joggers on tours of the star's homes, which is a pretty fun combination of typically California activities when you think about it.

- The de Young Museum in San Francisco will feature "Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picassio, Paris from June 11 to Oct. 9. The exhibition includes more than 100 of Picasso's works from their traditional home in Paris, which is temporarily closed for renovations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Travel guy takes in International Air convention in steamy Singapore

Star Travel columnist/reporter Bert Archer files this report from overseas...

SINGAPORE -- Did you know that every year, airlines that collectively represent 93 per cent of the world’s air traffic all get together in some exotic locale to discuss the issues of the day and plan for the future?

Until quite recently, I had no idea. And when I heard, I had visions of evil corporate backroom shenanigans, conspiracies on the boil to come up with new fees (“Oh, you want air with that oxygen mask? That’ll be $12. Sorry, credit card only") and ways to genetically engineer a new race of travellers with tiny little legs so they can push the seats even closer together.

It sounded like fun.

So I decided to take a look for myself this year, and popped into the 67^th annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association,  which just wrapped up Tuesday night.

It was many things, this IATA shindig where scores of CEOs from the world of aviation and other related fields – the heads of both the TSA  and INTERPOL were here, too, But I was a little disappointed when I was told between sessions discussing aviation in the age of terror, and how Japan is recovering from their triplex disasters in March that there were issues the CEOs weren’t even allowed to mention to each other when they met or chatted. Things like prices.

They did talk though, and it seems they meet quite often at various events around the world, and one of the biggest discoveries I made here is that our big CEO, Air Canada’s Calin Rovinescu, seems like big man on campus here. I wasn’t privy to how they spent their after-hours here, in the rooftop bars of the Marina Bay Sands hotel, where everyone stayed (see photo), or at Clarke Quay  with its riverwalk hangouts, but for some reason, Rovinescu (see photo) couldn’t walk by a fellow chief executive without getting his shoulder punched, his hand pumped, or being greeted with various corporate bigwig versions of “Dude!” He gave as good as he got, and spent much of his time here striding around the cavernous convention halls in a cloud of collegiality. I felt popular by association.

The place was also riddled with stealth Canadians, including IATA’s director of communications, Anthony Concil, who grew up in Sault Ste Marie, Singapore Airlines’ vice president of public affairs Nicholas Ionides, who’s from the GTA, and John Belcher, chairman and CEO of ARINC , one of the world’s largest aviation technology companies, an Ontario boy who went to U of O and Queen’s. NAV Canada, the company that runs our air traffic control, won the award for the world’s best air navigation service for the second year in a row. So, all in all, it was quite the Canuckathon here in Singapore.

There were any number of serious things discussed, including IATA’s downgrading of its forecast for the collective profitability of the world’s airlines from $8.6 billion to $4 billion, and the EU’s recent decision to charge every airline that flies through its airspace for its carbon emissions (people here didn’t like that). Check in on the Thursday travel sections over the next couple of weeks, where I’ll be writing about a few of them.

I’m still a little down about the lack of high-level corporate plotting and conniving, though. Maybe I should give Davos a try.

Thanks for that, Bert. I'll be back in the saddle, as it were, on Thursday with a report on Santa Monica and California's tourism reception in downtown Toronto on Tuesday night. Lots of new stuff to report on California, for sure...

 

 

 

Economy stalls - airlines downgrade revenue estimates...Tourism Toronto boost

Mixed news for a Monday. The latest report on the travel trade comes from the International Air Transport Association, which at its meeting in Singapore cut their forecasted airline profitss for the year by more than half.

It's a big pill to swallow. The IATA had forecast a profit for world airlines of $8.6 billion back in March. But then came the tsunami and skyrocketing oil prices.

The IATA also is worried about an emissions scheme proposed in Europe that would force airlines to spend a ton of money for permits if they exceed certain levels of carbon emissions. So, all in all, not a great time in the airline biz.

TOURISM TORONTO ON THE REBOUND

There are considerable concerns about U.S. travel to Toronto, which was down 3 per cent in 2010. Americans make up one-fifth of all visitors to the city.

On the other hand, Tourism Toronto's pursuit of overseas markets appears to be paying off. The latest report shows overseas visitors increased 11 per cent in Toronto in 2010. Visits from India were up 28 per cent and China visits were up 26 per cent. Both markets have been targeted by Tourism Toronto officials.

Tourism Toronto officials say their long-term growth will be from more far-away markets. There arent' as many visitors from those markets, but they tend to stay longer and spend more, which is the key.

Overall, visits to the city last year were up about 3 per cent, to roughly 9.9 million. Spending, however, was up 5.5 per cent, to $3.36 billion. In today's world, a 5.5 per cent spending hike is nothing to sneeze at.

Tourism Toronto has a good thing on its hand, but some observers suggest the city still lacks a certain identifiable quantity. Yeah, there's the theatre and Bollywood award shows and new architecture such as the Art Gallery of Ontario (seen in photo above) and semi-competent sports teams and cool restaurants and streetcars that sometimes work and nice neighbourhoods and ravines and a vastly improved waterfront. But Toronto can't match the beauty of Vancouver or the sheer power of New York City.

Then again, Chicago and Boston can't compete with New York, really, or with Los Angeles' star power or the beauty of San Francisco. Yet they manage just fine.

I was thinking that a really cool marketing scheme or nickname might help. Hogtown won't cut it. The Big Smoke? Not in today's age. T.O. probably works for us but most folks from outside of Canada would have no idea what the "O" is for. New York is the Big Apple, so fruit likely isn't the way to go.

But, really, does a special name matter? I don't think London or Chicago or Bangkok have special nicknames, at least none that resonate, so it probably is not an issue worth spending precious brain cells on. The city has come a hell of a long way in the last 30 years, and as long as people think "Hey, I hear good things about Toronto," that's probably just fine.

 

 

America's top beaches for 2011...MasterCard users love Toronto (we think)

 

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, AKA Dr. Beach, has released his 2011 top beaches report for American shores. He's listed Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Fla. as number one. It's an eight mile-long, crescent-shaped affair on the Gulf of MExico, known for powdery white sand that never gets too hot, even when people on the beach are turning the shade of boiled lobsters.

Here's the rest of his list:

2. Coronado Beach, San Diego

3. Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

4. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York

5. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

6. St. George Island, Florida (panhandle)

7. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts (see photo below left)

9. Waimanaio Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii

10. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne (Miami), Florida

For those of you keeping score at home, that's 3 for the Sunshine State, two for Hawaii and a bunch for other spots. Nice he's got some northeastern U.S. locations. Too bad he doesn't franchise out to Canada, though.

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS LOVE TORONTO

I should probably not admit that I don't know what this really means. But there you go; full disclosure.

I got a press release the other day from the folks at MasterCard, which said the top 10 destination cities in North America by international visitors (with MasterCards, of course; the folks at MasterCard don't track Amex users) so far this year was New York,followed by Los Angeles. No big surprise. But they said Toronto was third, and Vancouver 10th.

Toronto third? Ahead of Miami and Chicago and Boston and San Francisco? This surprises me a little, although it's also kind of neat to see as a Torontonian.

What I don't know is whether MasterCard users reflect visitors in general, or if maybe Rob Ford secretly was giving MasterCard holders free Leafs tickets or something. I'm not being entirely facetious; I really have no way of knowing why the numbers would come out like this.

But the MasterCard stats said Toronto had 3.7 million visitors from international ports in the first part of the year and that 2010 to 2011 growth was expected to be 9.2 per cent.

The report said the top cities of origin for international visitors was New York. Second was London, then Chicago, Frankfurt (a big hub for Air Canada and Lufthansa flights) and Los Angeles. Again, that would indicate where people are flying in from, so of course New York and London make sense.

It SOUNDS like good news for Toronto tourism, but judging by the caution we heard at this week's annual general meeting of Tourism Toronto and the concerns about Americans not driving over the border, it probably is wise not too read too much into it.

 

 

 

Quebec Tourism comes to Toronto...Emirates Air has Toronto anniversary

Tourisme Quebec brought la belle province to Toronto’s Distillery District Tuesday with a display of what to do in Quebec this summer. Here's a report from Star staffer Lorianna De Giorgio.

"Montreal, Quebec City, Laurentian, Eastern Townships, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Le Quebec maritime and Outaouais regions were all represented at Archeo Trattoria with the day’s theme being the St. Lawrence River (see photo) and all what the waterway and surrounding areas have to offer.

Everything from biking around Lac Saint-Jean to a stay at the Manoir Hovey, a luxury lakeside resort in the Eastern Townships, it was evident that Quebec is much more than just a weekend trip to Montreal.

'It has a rich culture. It offers a real feel for what is Quebecois,' says Nancy Donnelly, media relations agent for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

The region is home to a multitude of outdoor adventures for the nature lover, including cruises, kayaking and sailing trips along the Saguenay Fjord, a narrow inlet connecting Lac Saint-Jean with the Saint Lawrence. Similarly, the Outaouais region has a mix of indoor and outdoor activities with cycling trips, sightseeing adventures and national history relics. Not to be ignored, the Quebec Maritime region is home to stunning views of the river and the province’s coastal regions, as well as walking, cycling and rock-climbing day trips.

With all the outdoor fun, the province has a healthy supply of spas. Montreal recently welcomed the arrival of Bota Bota, a spa inside an old ship stationed in the city’s Old Port. But don’t think Pirates of the Caribbean. Instead le spa-sur-l’eau offers visitors views of the city and river while indulging in facials, massages and pedicures.

The Laurentian region, known as 'Montreal's backyard' and just a 20-minute drive from downtown Montreal is home to 35 distinct spas. One that particularly stands out is L’Oasis De L’Ile, a decadent spa in Saint-Eustache.

If spas aren’t your thing, each region is home to a number of summer festivals. Visit www.bonjourquebec.com for more details."

EMIRATES CELEBRATES WITH VISIT AND DEALS

This posting comes from Star Travel freelancer Heather Greenwood Davis:

"Two years ago I was one of the first Canadians to try out the in-flight shower spa on the (then) new- Emirates A380 superjumbos for a story [ http://www.thestar.com/travel/article/641321 ]  that ran in The Star. Since then the airline hasn’t slowed down.

This week Don McWilliam, Emirates’ manager Canada was in town talking to a handful of reporters about the airline’s fantastic year and grand plans for the months ahead.

Recently voted the #1 airline in the world by Air Transport World, Emirates is boasting record profits (The Emirates Group which owns the airline had $15.6 billion U.S. in revenue and net profits of $1.6 billion) despite a year that included volcanic ash, international disasters, new visa requirements for Canadians and recently, even more volcanic ash.

McWilliam says it is “business as usual” for the airline in Canada with more than 80% load factors  and more than 100,000 Canadians who have flown on the A380 double decker super jumbo jets to date.

This year they plan to add 4 new routes (Geneva, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro), 5 new Emirates lounges, 7 more A380 planes and 16 more Boeing 777-300 ERs to their offerings.

And there are two new offerings that are particularly attractive to Canadians planning trips to Dubai:  

• The Dubai Stopover Program: This build-it-yourself itinerary offers deals on everything from hotels to sightseeing packages when you book an Emirates flight regardless of the travel class or fare you choose. The new program also includes special perks for Stopover purchasers including a Dubai Mall privileges discount booklet, a 24-hour contact number, hotel transfers, buffet breakfasts and a personalized meet and assist in Dubai airport.  Rates start as low as $39 Cdn per night and include everything from self-catering apartments to top luxury hotels like the Armani. The program can be self-booked online, through your preferred travel agent  or through Kompass Express –Emirates’ new official “fulfillment centre” for Canada. Booking through Kompass removes the need to worry about filling out the Visa applications as they are authorized to do it for you.
• Summer Smiles: Family travelers on Emirates this summer (now through September 30)  can take advantage of the “Summer Smiles” program which offers kids half- price fares and complimentary stay, play (Dubai Aquarium & underwater Zoo, Sega Republic, Dubai ice Rink and more) and eat  packages at participating hotels.  Emirates also provides the children complimentary 96 hour visas. The offer is good  for up to 2 kids under the age of 12 traveling with an adult.

As for the bad blood between the UAE and Canadian officials that led to the visa requirement in January of this year, McWilliams is hoping it gets resolved soon but taking a “NHL referee” approach and staying out of it.

“Do I wish we didn’t have this stuff. You betcha,” he told the group. “Has it had a significant impact on our business? No, it hasn’t. But do I wish all visas would go away? Sure I do.”

For more information on the offerings or to book visit www.emirates.com or www.uaestop.com

 

 

 

World's Most Beautiful Cities list - no mention of Moncton or Mississauga...

This blog is dedicated to a colleague of mine at the Star who simply LOVES lists.

I spotted an item on the forbes.com website the other day listing the world's most beautiful cities. Not the cities best for doing business or best quality of life but, simply, most beautiful. A lot more open to interpretation and less scientific, but probably just as valid as anything more business-oriented.

Forbes pulled together architectural and city planning types (they're always eager for publicity) and came up with the following list. I don't think it was in order but I could be wrong. There are some surprises, so without further adieu here ya go:

PARIS

VANCOUVER

SYDNEY

FLORENCE

VENICE

CAPE TOWN

SAN FRANCISCO

CHICAGO

NEW YORK

LONDON

CAMBRIDGE (ENGLAND)

TOKYO

Fully deserved marks for Vancouver, for sure. On a clear day, there's perhaps no city more beautiful in the world. On a day-to-day basis, I'd take Paris. But on a lovely spring day with a dusting of snow on the mountains Vancouver can't be beat. Even San Francisco falls a bit short.

Ontario, not surprisingly, gets shut out again. Not to mention New Brunswick, Alberta, Florida, Ohio and Arkansas.

The list has some surprises. I think Cambridge is lovely, and the publicity with William and Kate as Duke and Duchess probably doesn't hurt, but I don't think of it as a city so much as a big town. Anyway, it's just fine.

I was surprised to see Chicago on the list, to be honest. I know the new "bean" sculpture is popular and it's a very handsome city to be sure, but I'd probably put Stockholm or maybe Barcelona above Chicago.

Tokyo is an interesting choice. The editors said it was partly physical beauty but also the way the whole city works, which I couldn't agree more about. It's remarkable that way. There aren't many gorgeous buildings and the physical geography is nothing special, but the way it all knits together, along with the pockets of stunning gardens and temples, make it awfully impressive as a whole. So kudos for thinking outside the box a bit on that one.

But still, it's odd to see just the one Asia city, compared to four in North America and five in Europe, all in England, Italy and France. There's nothing in South America; no Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, which is too bad.

Anyway, as my colleague would no doubt agree, that's what make lists so much fun. Right? I mean, Ilove listening to the top songs of all time on the radio but if I hear one more Oldies 1150 Countdown with "Satisfaction" as top song of all time I'm gonna hurl. Great song, but SO OVERPLAYED. See also: "Hotel California" and "Hey Jude," the latter a huge fave of mine but there's only so much you can take.

You know what? It would be like dating Penelope Cruz every night. After, oh, I don't know, 83 or 84 years you might want something else.