MOTEL 6: Not what it used to be! ... Deal of the Day: 7 nights in sunny Aruba

I remember Motel 6 when I was a kid in California. Small rooms. Paper wrapped around the drinking glasses. And the vibrating beds with the "Magic Fingers."

Not exactly the Ritz. But they've come a long way.

Motel 6 is renovating its Canadian properties with bright, splashy orange colours and other amenities. They've also created something called Studio 6, a long-stay affair (very popular these days) but with a budget in mind.

They have a Studio 6 (see photo below left, with the green accents) in Mississauga already and they're planning one for late spring in, get this, Kensington Market in Toronto; about as urban a spot as you'll find in the country.

"The hotels are not dumps," laughs Monica Nowak, who's in charge of p.r. for the chain. "The hotels are clean, consistent. But there aren't frills. We have minimal operating costs and that helps consumers.

"There's no food or beverage; just free coffee and vending machines. But there's always a Tim Horton's or an A and W or something nearby. And prices are reasonable; usually $59 to $109."

There are 31 hotels scattered in five provinces: Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Alberta. More are planned.

The newer style Phoenix rooms (Nowak describes them as having an "Ikea look") feature free Internet and they're also pet friendly. About one half the motel 6 buildings feature the new Phoenix rooms now. They all should be renovated by 2015, Nowak said.

"They're very good for young professionals or families on a budget. They're called motels but that's just the name. They all have interior corridors like a hotel. The properties are lower-end in the U.S. but not in Canada."

STUCK ON "IT'S A SMALL WORLD"

As a guy who grew up going to Disneyland a lot and still enjoys the Magic Kingdom, I had to chuckle at the story of the guy (well, not really) who got stuck on "It's a Small World" for a half hour. The poor fellow is disabled and apparently didn't get evacuated in the way other guests were when there problems on the ride.

He sued and his attorney says Disneyland awarded him $8,000.

I think we've all been on that ride and thought to ourselves, "Please, lord, don't let this ride break down and make me listen to that insipid song over and over again."

To borrow a phrase from My Fair Lady, "I'd be equally as willing for a dentist to be drilling..."

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for sunny Aruba for $1,719, including $320 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer private concierge service, spa discount, $50 casino coupons and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Occidental Grand Aruba, located on Aruba's Palm Beach
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Aruba, and round-trip airport/resort transfers in Aruba
• Accommodations in a Supersaver Room, featuring 1 king-size bed plus sofa bed, and balcony or terrace with gardenview
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
  Earn & Redeem Aeroplan® Miles, in-flight seat-back entertainment on most flights, airline service and reliability of Air Canada, and more!

• Aruba is one of the loveliest Caribbean destinations
• The casino on-site is a great source of excitement after a lazy day lounging beachfront or poolside
• Aruba's Palm Beach strip is loaded with entertaining things to do from glamourous shopping to decadent dining

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 31, 2013
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $1399
  Single: $1829
  Triple: $1359
  Child: $1279
  Tax: $320
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

China visitors spending up in Canada ... Pearson improvements ... Deal of day

So, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty makes headlines by tabling his budget and high-tailing it to Asia.

Good call. He’s following the money.

Yesterday in this space I talked about a VISA credit card study showing how China was leaping up the ranks of countries in terms of spending in the U.S. Today I can report similar findings for VISA spending in Canada; data surely Mr. Flaherty is aware of.

According to 2012 VisaVue Travel data, Visa account holders visiting Canada increased their travel-related spending from $6.6 billion in 2011 to $6.66 billion last year.

The U.S. remains number one by a huge margin, with more than half of that spending: $3.49 billion in all. But just as China jumped from fourth in the U.S. last year to second, so it did in Canada. Figures show Chinese visitors spent $379 million on their Visa accounts last year, up 15.2 per cent from the year before.

The Canadian Tourism Commission (as well as the province of Ontario and Toronto and other cities and just about every tourism board in the world with its salt) has been courting the Chinese market. Canada also introduced new visas to make traveling and staying in Canada easier, and it appears to be paying off.

No doubt the panda public relations could help, too, now that Toronto is home to a pair of beauties airlifted from China this week.

In a less than shocking result, Visa found most Canadians spend their money abroad in February, March and August, while visitors tend to come here between June and September. Smart visitors.

Here’s a look at the ten biggest contributors to inbound tourism spending in 2012 and the ten biggest outbound markets for Canadians, all based on Visa card spending. It’s not a perfect snapshot of overall trends, but it’s probably pretty close in terms of market share.

INBOUND

1. United States, $3.488 billion (-1.1 per cent)
2. China, $379 million (+ 15.2 per cent)
3. UK, $348 million (no change)
4. France, $343 million (-2.5 per cent)
5. Australia, $171 million (-7 per cent)
6. Japan, $144 million (+ 2 per cent)
7. Brazil, $141 million (+ 1 per cent)
8. Germany $123 million (no change)
9. South Korea, $121 million (- 11 per cent)
10. Hong Kong, $102 million (- 4 per cent)

 

OUTBOUND

1. USA, $11 billion (+ 4 per cent)
2. Mexico, $591 million (- 1 per cent)
3. UK, $477 million (- 5 per cent)
4. France, $400 million (- 4 per cent)
5. Italy, $281 million (- 9 per cent)
6. Australia, $234 million (- 3 per cent)
7. Germany, $161 million (- 2 per cent)
8. China, $151 million (- 2 per cent)
9. Spain, $145 million (- 4 per cent)
10. Thailand, $139 million (+ 7 per cent)

MAJOR PEARSON IMPROVEMENTS

In order to make connecting through Toronto Pearson easier, it will no longer be necessary for people arriving in Terminal 1 and connecting onward to the United States to collect their checked baggage.

Pearson Airport officials today said checked bags "will be directed to your onward flight to the United States without a requirement to claim your bag in Toronto before proceeding to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)."

Air Canada officials say it'll make the airline "an even more attractive option for travellers connecting to the U.S."

It's a definite improvement, as the "claim your bags and proceed through customs" bit was a real slog for folks on connecting flights.

HOTEL WORKERS GET EVEN

If you’ve ever been rude to a hotel worker, you know they have ways of getting even. But an interesting study by the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business? shows that workers in different parts of the world react quite differently to hostile guests.

The study found that North American service workers are more likely to sabotage rude customers, while Chinese react by disengaging from customer service altogether.

“Our research shows that culture plays a significant role in how frontline workers deal with customer abuse,” says UBC Sauder School of Business Professor Daniel Skarlicki, a co-author of the study.

“In North America, employees tend to retaliate against offensive customers – doing things like giving bad directions or serving cold food. In China, workers are more likely to reduce the general quality of service they provide to all customers – nasty or nice.”

In their paper, to be published in the journal Personnel Psychology, Skarlicki and former Sauder PhD student Ruodan Shao studied how frontline employees at a luxury hotel with locations in Vancouver and Beijing reacted to customer mistreatment.

Although the level of abuse was consistent in both locations, North Americans resorted 20 per cent more often to sabotage to get revenge. Abused Chinese workers were 19 per cent more likely to feel a lack of enthusiasm in their jobs, responding negatively to statements like, “I voluntarily assist guests even if it means going beyond job requirements.”

“North Americans take a surgical approach to abuse, zeroing in on individuals who mistreated them,” says Skarlicki, noting that managers must be mindful of these cultural differences when expanding operations across the Pacific. “Chinese don’t blame the transgressor. They blame the system – the company or customers they serve.” 

Skarlicki says the implications are clear.  “When service-oriented companies go global, they need to heighten their sensitivity to how culture in a new market can influence the performance of frontline staff and tailor their customer service operations accordingly.”

FREE INTERNET FOR IHG LOYALTY MEMBERS

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announced today that it will be providing free internet to all its 71m loyalty program members, worldwide. The announcement comes as IHG reveals the results of a global online survey which show that nearly half of adults (43%) would choose not to stay in a hotel that charged for internet.

IHG also is renaming its loyalty program from Priority Club Rewards to IHG Rewards Club and introducing new benefits.

It's a smart move in a very competitive environment for hotel operators. The rewards program is free to join, so there's no reason not to set up a membership.

IHG said it's "the first and only hotel group to offer free internet in all hotels to all loyalty programme members." But that doesn't seem to be true.

Fairmont has been offering free Internet to its Presidents Club members for years. Kimpton, not as big a chain but still a player, has free Wi-Fi in all rooms and the lobby for loyalty program members. I suspect a few other groups, too.

Not to take away from a good move by IHG. But they're clearly not alone.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a 15-day river cruise across Europe for $5,883, including all taxes.

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $1,000 per couple! (reflected in pricing)

• BONUS: No Single Supplement!
• 15-Day Magnificent Europe River Cruise onboard the Avalon Tranquility, Panorama or Expression sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam (or vice versa depending on the sail date. See Offer Details for more information)
• Includes guided sightseeing programs in the following cities and/or ports of call:
  Amsterdam, Holland; Cologne, Germany; Rhine Gorge–Rüdesheim, Germany; Miltenberg, Germany; Würzburg, Germany; Bamberg, Germany; Nuremberg, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; Passau–Linz, Austria; Melk, Austria; Dürnstein, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Budapest, Hungary.
• Accommodations in an upgraded Avalon Deluxe Stateroom:
  Category P - Located on the Royal (highest stateroom) Deck
  Category A - Located on the Sapphire (middle) Deck
• Includes all meals on the ship, complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks with lunch, and wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner and a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner

• A whole list of excursions are included in your itinerary without any extra cost
• Avalon cruises offer the best in all categories: views, food, entertainment and experiences

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on October 12, 16 & 23, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, including tax):
  
  October 12, 2013 sailing on the Avalon Tranquility (Amsterdam to Budapest):
  Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. P): $6707
  
  October 16, 2013 sailing on the Avalon Panorama (Budapest to Amsterdam):
  Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. P): $6295
  
  October 23, 2013 sailing on the Avalon Expression (Budapest to Amsterdam):
  Avalon Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. A): $5883
  
  NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
  
  For ways to SAVE MORE, Other DATES and FLIGHTS call us at 1-855-687-5925.
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

Make air passengers pay by weight? ... China eclipses UK ... Deal of the day

If we buy meat at the supermarket, we pay by weight. If we ship a box to cousin Joe in Saskatoon we pay more for heavier items. So why not make heavier folks pay more for airline seats?

It's almost certainly never going to fly, pardon the pun, but a professor in Norway is making the point.

Writing in this month's Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management (I get it at home but only for the articles), Dr. Bharat P. Bhatta of Sognog Fjordane University College in Norway said weight and space need to be taken into account when airline tickets are priced.

"Charging according to weight and space is a universally accepted principle, not only in transportation, but also in other services," he noted in a story I spotted on travelmole.com.

Yeah, I want to be the Air Canada worker who says, "Excuse me, ma'am, I have to price your ticket. Can you please go over and step on that scale for me?"

There is a certain fairness in the idea of a basic price for everyone and then perhaps a surcharge if you're making the airline burn way more fuel. But it'll never happen.

CHINA SPENDING IN U.S. ECLIPSES UK NUMBERS

It had to happen sooner or later. I read the other day that China now sends more tourists to Los Angeles in a year than any other country outside North America. Now I see a VISA study that spending by visitors from China grew by a whopping 30 per cent last year, putting the Chinese in third spot in terms of spending by inbound markets in the U.S.

Tops, of course, was Canada, and then Brazil. Canadian spending last year was up 4 per cent from 2011, while Brazil spending went up 6 per cent. The UK is now fourth overall in spending in the U.S., followed by Mexico, Japan, Australia, France, Puerto Rico (counted here even though it's part of the U.S.) and Germany.

The study said more than one-half of all VISA spending took place in Florida (up 10 per cent overall from 2011), California and New York. States with high VISA spending growth included Wisconsin (31 per cent), Hawaii (14) and Washington (12).

The study also lists top places Americans spend their VISA money. Number one was Mexico, followed by Canada, the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Puerto Rico, China, Japan and Spain.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great cruise of the eastern Mediterranean and a visit to Rome on top of that, priced at $2,025 (including $676 in taxes).

• XCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $700 per couple by booking with Jaunt.ca
• 11-Day/9-Vight vacation including a 7-night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise sailing aboard the MSC Divina, followed by 4-star accommodations for 2 nights in Rome
• Cruise departs from and returns to Venice, Italy. Ports of call include: Venice, Italy; Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Izmire, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey and Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Flights with Alitalia:  Departure flight from Toronto to Venice (via Rome), and return flight from Rome to Toronto
• Includes accommodations, dining and entertainment aboard MSC Divina. Accommodations available in Oceanview (Cat. 4/5), Standard Balcony Oceanview (Cat. 7/8/9) or Superior Balcony Oceanview (Cat. 10/11/12).
• All transfers between airport, hotels, and piers included
• Post cruise enjoy hotel accommodations in the 4-Star Grand Hotel Beverly Hills in Rome, a 2-hour guided coach tour in Venice and a 3-hour guided tour by coach and on foot in Rome.

• The diversity of the ports of call in four incredible countries
• Accommodations on land in 4-Star hotels
• Experience Venice and Rome on foot and in a coach during your last two days

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 10 or 17, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Outside (cat. 4/5): $1349
  Balcony Ocean View (cat. 7/8/9): $1499
  Balcony Ocean View (cat. 10/11/12): $1649
  Tax: $676
  
  For CRUISE ONLY option, Other DATES and GATEWAYS
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

View the terms that apply to all Jaunt Vacations offers

More about your Jaunt

A cruise adventure with extra gumption, your time on the MSC Divina will float you toward some of the Mediterranean's most dazzling ports. Once you disembark in Venice, you'll be whisked off to Rome to enjoy more of Italy's effervescent sights with a land tour and luxury hotel stay.

Day 1: Venice, Italy, Depart 4:30 pm

Day 2: Bari, Italy, 10 am - 3:30 pm

Day 3: Katakolon (Olympia), Greece, 8 am - 1 pm

Day 4: Izmir, Turkey, 8:30 am - 3 pm

Day 5: Istanbul, Turkey, 7:30 am - 5 pm

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: Dubrovnik, Croatia, 11:30 am - 5 pm

Day 8: Venice, Italy, Arrive 8 am

Day 9: Rome, Italy

Day 10: Depart Rome

 

Divine accommodations on the Divina
The MSC Divina displays the company's classic high end interior and every other hallmark of elegance, comfort and luxury elevated to an art form. From the real stone piazza and crystal staircase to the Broadway-style theatre, this ship is dressed to impress. Discover the opulence of the Aurea Spa before perusing the specially commissioned works of art on display at the MSC Yacht Club, and retreat to spacious accommodations with interactive TV and available internet.

 

The ship is outfitted with restaurants to ease any level of hunger, from light snacks to four-course freshly prepared specialties, and the galaxy disco with its retro-chic ambiance and gorgeous panoramic view is the perfect place for a meal or to dance the night away under the stars.

 

Refined Mediterranean exploration

Glorious sights and experiences await you along the Mediterranean's coast. In Bari, you'll get a chance to tour the historical centre, famous Church of St. Nicholas and Castello Svevo. Set on fantastic coastline, Izmir is Turkey's most Mediterranean in style and content. Enjoy the maze of tiny streets filled with shops and covered stalls.

 

Istanbul's skyline is filled with the spires and domes of mosques and medieval palaces. A king's ransom of Ottoman treasures is displayed at the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace (formerly home to the Ottoman sultans and their harems). Meander through the medieval, walled city of Dubrovnik, and delight in a two-hour guided coach tour of Venice upon arrival at the conclusion of your cruise.

 

Ten places I'd rather be today ... Bogart festival in Key Largo ... Deal of Day: Italy

I've just about had it.

I love this city. I really do. But I HATE WINTER AND I'M SICK OF THE COLD. I mean, has anyone looked at the forecast for the next couple days? Two degree highs from now til the end of the weather page on the back of the Star's sports section today.

TWO DEGREES? IT'S ALMOST APRIL!!!!!

The Weather Network forecast this morning shows the temperature climbing all the way to six degrees by next Thursday. Woo hoo!

Geez, I know it'll warm up eventually but I could really use a blast of heat. Which brings me to this list of 10 places you should check out if you feel the same way; all of them places I've had the good fortune to visit in the last few years.

1. Tahiti. Okay, it's expensive to get there, but it's one of the most beautiful places on the planet; crystal clear lagoons, green, jungle clad mountains rising into an impossibly blue sky, great food and warm, friendly people. The most romantic place I've ever stayed in my life was an overwater bungalow (alas, I was on my own) at Le Taha'a Resort. Unbelievable. Bora Bora is a prettier island, as is Moorea (see photo at right at the fabulous and affordable Club Bali Hai resort) But I liked that bungalow the best.

2. Dunedin, Florida. Last chance to catch the Jays in person before they fly north for their home opener. Maybe the last chance to see Ricky Romero in a big league uniform for a while, too, given talk that he might start the season in the minors.

3. Jamaica. You could try one of the all-inclusives but I had a fabulous time at Jake's at Treasure Beach a couple years ago. There's not much in the way of a beach, but the coastline is beautiful and there's a small pool. Best of all is that fun, funky spirit of the place, which has rooms that feel like Morocco meets the Caribbean and great staff. Dougie the bartender is a treasure.

4. New Zealand. It's just turning fall down there now, but the weather is still pretty great. It's supposed to be 23 degrees in Auckland tomorrow. It's a cool city with a great harbour and excellent food. Tremendous beaches are close by, as is Waiheke Island, which has not only great beaches but world-class wineries, olive orchards and inventive, local cuisine. It's still pretty warm down on the South Island these days, too. Queenstown lies on the shores of one of the prettiest lakes you'll ever see. And the Pinot Noir they make at nearby wineries is to die for.

5. Santa Barbara, California. Great wineries, terrific food and beautiful scenery. The beaches are long, the hotels are terrific and the red tiled roofs and towering palm trees paint a pretty picture (see photo at left).

6. Corsica. Okay, it's only 16 degrees today but it's a lot better than here. It's a great part of France, with historical ruins, glittering beaches, great local wines and absolutely tremendous food. An easy flight from Paris or Marseille.

7. Hawaii. Anywhere in Hawaii. I prefer Maui because it was my family's semi-annual vacation spot for years, but Kauai is beautiful and the Big Island has tremendous variety, including the volcanoes and huge ranches with cowboys, called paniolos. I recently wrote about Lanai, which is tons of fun. And don't forget Oahu. Waikiki is fabulous, and Honolulu is a fun, cosmopolitan city with great food and culture. There are great hiking trails and incredible beaches all over the island of Oahu, which doesn't get enough exposure in my book.

8. Barbados. Terrific golf courses and endless, sunny beaches in the west. On the east side, you can find casual restaurants and rum shacks and windswept beaches that go on forever, often with big surf. Don't miss a chance to visit the eccentric and highly entertaining Hunte's Gardens.

9. New Orleans. Again, absolutely killer food and a great cocktail scene. But also tremendous history in this whirling melting pot of a city (see photo at right). I've got a story on New Orleans in Star Travel tomorrow.

10. Australia. Sydney is one of the great cities of the world, with picture perfect beaches like Bondi and Manly, an outstanding harbour, great architecture (well, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, anyway) and great food. I had a great visit to Dunk Island, up near the Great Barrier Reef, after the Olympics in 2000. And I was lucky enough to take a trip to Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) and the outback a couple years ago, a near religious experience. A country with a little bit of everything.

VOGUE PUMPS UP TORONTO

Despite the weather, Vogue Magazine is touting our fair city. A story I spotted on their website (via Twitter) talks about taking urban trips for March break and names Toronto, Istanbul, Dallas and Lisbon as "four of the buzziest cultural capitals."

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID

Nice item here from Associated Press on a cold, dreary morning. (Wait, did I mention that already?)

Key Largo will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the movie "Key Largo" with a film festival honouring the movie's late star Humphrey Bogart.

Bogart was married to Lauren Bacall, who also starred in the movie. Their son Stephen Bogart is scheduled to headline several events at the Humphrey Bogart Film Festival in Key Largo May 2-5, including a May 2 cocktail reception that he will host with film critic Leonard Maltin. The reception will be followed by an outdoor waterfront screening of the movie.

The 1948 movie "Key Largo" told the story of a group of gangsters holed up in a hotel with the hotel owners and others during a ferocious hurricane.

The festival will feature screenings of additional Bogart films and other classics. Cruises will be offered on the original, century-old African Queen, the boat used in the Bogart film of the same name. Registered as a national historic site, the vessel was relaunched in 2012 following a $70,000 restoration.

Stephen Bogart will also host a "Casablanca"-themed Bogart ball May 4 at the Hilton Key Largo Resort with a Moroccan-themed dinner where Maltin will speak about Humphrey Bogart's contribution to the film noir genre. Tickets to the ball are $175 per person.

Tickets to individual screenings are $10 each. Details at http://www.bogartfilmfestival.com.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on offer for fabulous Tuscany for $2,647, including $498 in taxes. As a guy who met his wife in Florence, I highly recommend this part of Italy for a romantic getaway. Even if you don't drink wine.

Jaunt Highlights

• SAVINGS: Save $300 per couple off regular rates!
• 9-Day/8-Night Dolce Vita in Tuscany, Italy Coach Tour, featuring visits to Cinque Terre, Florence, wine tastings, a cooking class, and much more!
• Includes departure airfare from Toronto to Florence (via Rome) and return airfare from Rome to Toronto, both on Alitalia, plus airport/hotel transfers in Italy
• 8 Nights' accommodation at 4-Star Hotels featuring rooms with private bath or shower, 2 single beds or 1 double bed. Hotels include NH Hotel Excelsior in Siena, Italiana Hotels Florence and the Grand Hotel Beverly Hills in Rome.
• Includes transportation via motorcoach, boat and train, services of an English speaking guide, and all entrance fees as per itinerary
• 16 meals including daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, one including a ¼ litre wine & ½ litre water

• Experience a real Italian cooking lesson in Tuscany
• Sample the robust taste of Italian wines in the countryside they're created in
• Stay in luxurious 4-star accommodations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 6, 2013
• Pricing (rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $2149
  Single: $2849
  Triple: $2099
  Tax: $498
  
  We also offer other departure DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Includes all taxes and service charges
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

Better summer ahead for Canadian tourism?/Jimmy Buffett hotel/Deal of the Day

Encouraging news out of the U.S. this week, as a survey suggests the optimism of travellers has risen beyond pre-recession levels.

A story by Hugo Martin of the Los Angeles Times says the Travel Sentiment Indes, put together by a company called MMGY Global, "may help predict how much Americans plan to travel for vacation this summer."

The survey, Martin said, asked respondents about their attitude toward travel; looking at prices, affordability and other issues. The February 2013 score jumped to 100.8, passing the previous high of 100 in March, 2007.

Martin wrote that the survey found that factors that influence travel, such as fuel costs, personal debt and the cost of airline tickets, all have declined in February, compared to Feb. 2012.

It remains to be seen if Canada, with our relatively woeful marketing budget these days, can take advantage of Americans who seem willing to spend. But it's encouraging news for Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, Banff and the rest of our splendid country.

WASTING AWAY IN ST. THOMAS

Singer Jimmy Buffett is planning a Margaritaville resort on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to USA Today.

The resort will be a timeshare on the site of the former Renaissance Grand Beach Resort on Smith Bay, east of Magens Bay on the northeast corner of the island. I visited St. Thomas last year and had a great time.

Buffett and Wyndham Vacation Ownership President and Chief Executive Officer Franz Hanning announced the 262-unit resort, which is due to begin construction in July. First units could be done 18 months later.

Buffett plays the buffoon on stage but has become quite the business tycoon. USA Today reports Buffett now has about two dozen Margaritaville bars, cafes and restaurants and hotel in Pensacola, Fla., plus one due in Bossier City, La. And, of course, one in Niagara Falls.

There also are Margaritaville casinos in Vegas and Biloxi, Miss., with more to come.

A Margaritaville casino is due this spring at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and one just announced that's coming to the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great holiday in beautiful Jamaica for $1,135, including $390 in taxes.

• BONUS: FREE UPGRADE to a Royal Beachfront Room with 1 king-size or 2 double beds, balcony, and prime beachfront location. Max. occupancy: 3 adults, 2 adults + 2 children
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Braco Village Hotel & Spa in Rio Bueno, Jamaica
• Includes return airfare from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal or Quebec City to Montego Bay and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Jamaica
• Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• As part of Sunwing's Family Collection, Braco Village has a range of activities for the whole family, including a supervised Kids Club
• Resort won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2012
• Enjoy amazing views from your Royal Beachfront room

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  
  Toronto: April 3, 12, 15, 20 & 24, 2013        
  Ottawa: April 5, 19 & 26, 2013            
  Montreal: April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2013            
  Quebec City: April 5, 19 & 26, 2013   
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $745 + tax
  Single: $945 + tax
  Triple: $705 + tax
  Child (2-12 yrs): $445 + tax
  Tax: $390
  
  Ottawa:
  Double: $754 + tax
  Single: $954 + tax
  Triple: $714 + tax
  Child (2-12 yrs): $445 + tax
  Tax: $380
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $1145 tax included
  Single: $1345 tax included
  Triple: $1105 tax included
  Child (2-12 yrs): $845 tax included
  
  Quebec City:
  Double: $1145 tax included
  Single: $1345 tax included
  Triple: $1105 tax included
  Child (2-12 yrs): $845 tax included
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 27 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

 

Easter Travel dull for Canadians ... Carnival cruise cancellations ... Deal of day

I guess it makes sense. It doesn't exactly make Canadians look like world travel beaters in terms of exotic destinations, but it shows some very solid bargains to be had for next weekend.

Hotwire.com this week unveiled a list of the 10 most popular Easter destinations for Canadian travellers, based on bookings with their site. They said Canadians seem to be staying closer to home this year compared to 2012.

Here's a look at their findings for most bookings, with average nightly rates found on Hotwire:

1. Toronto, $80 (quite the bargain)

2. New York, $201 (not bad for NYC, actually)

3. Montreal, $80 (see photo at right)

4. Vancouver, $82

5. Seattle, $97

6. Las Vegas, $81

7. Boston, $97

8. Orlando, $73

9. Chicago, $80

10. Minneapolis, $54 (probably shoppers from Manitoba)

New York was the top destination for Canadians last year. Vancouver was sixth last year but fourth this year.

CARNIVAL CRUISE WOES

Carnival has cancelled ten cruises that were slated for its damaged Triumph ship. The cruise line announced Tuesday that the Carnival Triumph will be out of service longer than first expected after it was crippled by an engine fire in the Gulf of Mexico last month, leaving 4,200 people stranded for five days.

AP reports the company said the ship won't return to service until June 13, which means the cancellation of 10 more cruises.

"Those guests will receive full refunds, reimbursement for non-refundable transportation costs and a 25 per cent discount on a future four- to five-day cruise," AP said. "Also, the Carnival Sunshine, which is undergoing a scheduled full-ship makeover, will return to service May 5, following the cancellation of two European cruises."

Carnival says it is improving services that can run on emergency power and also fixing ship's fire prevention systems. Yeah, I would hope so.

USA TRAVEL WOES, TOO

A story from USA Today says overseas travelers want to avoid the United States because of long wait times and inefficient entry procedures at gateway airports -- and recommend to others that they too stay away.

A new survey of travellers from Britain, France, Germany, Japan, China and Brazil (but not Canada) found 43 per cent of travelers who had traveled to the United States say they'll tell other countrymen and women not to visit because of the cumbersome entry process.

It comes at a bad time for the U.S. as they're spending a small fortune to promote the country with their BrandUSA campaign. It's a good campaign that shows off the best of the U.S., but it may not matter if people are turned off by a customs or immigration hassle.

The USA Today story said one in three travelers said that "the U.S. was falling behind other countries or it was the worst they had ever experienced in terms of getting through U.S. Customs and Border Protection procedures.

* Business travelers, especially, said they were put off by the entry process, with 44% saying they will refuse to visit in the next five years.

* One in seven international travelers said they had missed a connection because of delays at Customs. Two-thirds said they would consider the U.S. an attractive destination if the Customs lines and wait times were shorter."

Speaking of the Statue of Liberty, the old girl's island was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. But officials Tuesday said it should re-open by the Fourth of July. Hopefully visitors will be able to clear U.S. customs by then.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on hand for an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Reflection for $898, including $99 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $75 Onboard Credit per cabin
• BONUS: Includes Classic Beverage Package for Two! See offer details for more info.
• 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise sailing on the Celebrity Reflection
• Ports of Call include: Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Accommodations in a Oceanview (Category 8) or Deluxe Ocean View w/ Veranda partially obstructed (Category 2C) stateroom

• The brand new Celebrity Reflection has the most up-to-date amenities and attractions
• The beautiful grassy knoll of the Lawn Club has private alcove hideaways, a delicious grill and other activities
• Visit some of the best ports the Eastern Caribbean has to offer

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on December 7, 2013
  We also offer other departure DATES and FLIGHTS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Oceanview (Category 8):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $799
  3rd & 4th Passenger: $399
  Tax: $99
  
  Deluxe Ocean View w/ Veranda partially obstructed (Category 2C):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $889
  3rd & 4th Passenger: $499
  Tax:  $99
  
  
• Classic Beverage Package: Applies to two guests per stateroom and includes beers up to $5 per serving; spirits, cocktails, and wine up to $8 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, and teas and non-premium bottled water.
• Server gratuities are included
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 20 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

 

Men are more loyal travel partners ... A dog's Ireland adventure ... Deal of the day

Yes, we have our share of philanderers and strays and men with wandering eyes. Tiger Woods, for one.

But a new study by Toronto-based G Adventures seems to suggest men are loyal to their spouses than wives when it comes to travel. In advance of March 20 being International Happiness Day (who knew?) the company did an online survey of friends, family and partners and found that men suggested their ideal travel partner is their wife. Women? Ha. No loyalty at all. A majority of the women who responded said THEY would rather go on a trip with their friends.

As a man, I'm insulted. Yeah, I'm sure you ladies have a great time with your girlfriends. No demands (well, maybe or maybe not) for sex, for one. And presumably nobody waiting at the door of the shops at the outlet mall starting at their watch and tapping their foot as they pass the time. Still, it gives me some degree of pleasure to know that men prefer to take their wives on holidays than to go with their friends. Of course, we all know we'd be hopelessly lost without our wives, as we're often reminded (INSERT SMILING EMOTICON HERE).

Actually, I don't put much faith in these online polls but it's innocent fun, I guess. The group they were surveying were friends and family and G Adventures is a travel company, so it's no surprise to find that 83 per cent of folks said travel is very important to them. And no surprise to find that 61 per cent of folks said they'd rather get more time off to travel than get a raise or a nicer office.

The survey had some other interesting findings. Asked to name a perfect destination, 2 per cent of folks said they "find bliss in the snow." Eight per cent said they're nautical enthusiasts, and 46 per cent said they "need to keep on movin'" and would enjoy an active holiday. Forty three per cent said they "wanna take in some sun." And amen to that.

On the other hand, when asked to name their perfect destination, Australia and New Zealand came out on top, followed by Antarctica. Brrrr....

Following those three destinations came South America (a surprise, perhaps, but remember G Adventures isn't packaging European bus tours for seniors), then Europe, Asian, a tie between North America and Central America and then the Arctic. You'd like to see the Arctic, some of which is in Canada, do better than Antarctica. But I guess it's tough to beat penguins.

DOG TAKES A RIDE

Hendrix, a six-year-old Spaniel, was supposed to be flown from New Jersey the other day to Phoenix. But there was a mixup at the airport and the poor pooch was sent on a long ride to Shannon, Ireland. Which isn't terribly close.

The dog was put back on a flight to the U.S. after the error was discovered. He also was upgraded to Milk Bone class and got to watch The Incredible Journey in 3-D.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for Cancun, Mexico for $908, with a $550 U.S. resort credit.

• BONUS: Enjoy $550 USD Resort Credit per room to enjoy on spa services, room upgrades, lobster dinners and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 3.5-Star Barceló Tucancun Beach, located in Cancun, Mexico
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Cancun and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Mexico
• Accommodations in a Superior room, featuring 2 double beds or 1 king-size bed and Garden View. Maximum occupancy: 2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults and 1 child
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• A host of recreational facilities provide tons of fun right on site
• The perfect, waterside location is a short distance from Cancun sports, shopping and nightlife
• Use your $550 credit at their full-service spa, various bars and other on-site perks

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 31, 2013
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Single: $1130
  Double: $599
  Triple: $599
  Child: $499
  Tax: $309
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

Milk bone class.

DEAL OF DAY

 

Iceland & New Zealand most friendly to tourists (not Bolivia) ... Deal of the Day

Looking for a warm embrace? Try a trip to New Zealand or Iceland. But don’t even think of Bolivia or Venezuela.

A global tourism study by the World Economic Forum that ranks countries on tourism (I referred to it a few days ago as Canada was ranked eighth overall in the world) also looks at how welcoming they are to tourists. And apparently not everyone exhibits the same level of hospitality.

The study gave top scores to Iceland and New Zealand, with 6.8 marks. Next were Morocco, Macedonia, Austria and Senegal at 6.7, followed by Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland and Burkina Faso at 6.6. Canada was ranked 12th, with a mark of 6.4.

Not bad. And way ahead of the UK, which came 55th, and the U.S., which ranked a dismal 102nd out of 140.

The worst was Bolivia, which was ranked 140th in the world for warm welcomes with a mark of just 4.1. Why? I haven’t a clue, although I did find it funny that the first photo I found of Bolivia in the Star's library this morning was the one at right, showing a guy at a festival south of La Paz looking like he might be ready to cold-cock a visitor from Orillia.

I went on the Internet this morning and found some nice photos. But I can't say I had much of a mental image of the place before today, except for Lake Titicaca. The mountains look kinda pretty in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Aside from the shooting and violent deaths, I mean.

Next worst was Venezuela (maybe a new president will help) at 4.5, followed by Russia at 5.0. Rounding out the bottom ten were Kuwait, Latvia, Iran, Pakistan, the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria and Mongolia.

I’ve never been to any of those. But I did meet a guy from Bulgaria once. It was 1985, and I was a general assignment report for the Star working out of 1 Yonge St. There had been an incident about some Bulgarians being expelled from Canada, allegedly for spying. Something to do with computers.

I was dispatched forthwith to the Bulgarian consul’s office, which I recall was in a decrepit building near the old Winston’s restaurant downtown. I walked into an office that looked like a reject from the old Barney Miller TV show, with a sagging sofa and tired looking flowers and photos on the wall of burly generals in full military regalia.

It was like the Cold War was still at full throttle. I started leafing through a really horrible magazine showing sad-looking buildings in Sofia and pictures of Bulgarian peasants stomping wine grapes and smiling and doing all sorts of other delightful things that peasants do. Then I got called onto the carpet. A man who looked a lot like one of the Bulgarian generals on the wall (you know the type; one eyebrow, which you could’ve cut with a lawnmower set on high) peered menacingly at me over his desk and said in a thick, thick accent, “So, how come you never write anything good about Bulgaria.”

I was stymied. Not to mention baffled.

“Sir,” I told him. “I’ve never written ANYTHING about Bulgaria.”

I had to explain I was a general assignment person, not a seasoned European correspondent. He took it well enough and was actually fairly pleasant, as I recall. He insisted, of course, that no Bulgarian would consider spying on Canada.

And that’s my Bulgaria story.

TRANSAT REBOUND?

Transat still lost money in the last quarter. But not as much.

The Montreal-based company reported losses of $15.1 million for the final three months of 2012, which is substantial but far less than the $29.5 million they lost in the same quarter in 2011.

In a story on OpenJaw.com, chief executive Jean-Marc Eustache says the time to make money is right now.

“Tomorrow morning I plan on being profitable,” Eustache told a Montreal press conference. “Make no mistake, we will be profitable this year. If not, we have to fire the President. This is not a sustainable situation. We are not in business to lose money."

Eustache admitted that he expects Air Canada’s new leisure airline Rouge to offer new competition. "For sure there is concern. Their President (Calin Rovinescu) has said very clearly that he is going after Air Transat. This summer their capacity is negligible. And it remains to be seen how quickly the 767's are moved over from AC. But am I afraid? No. I have seen a lot of competition over the last 25 years. In fact, on one of the most competitive routes - Paris - we make money. AF (Air France) is #1. Then us. Then AC.”

Still, Canadian Press quoted one Bay Street analyst as saying the improvement was "below expectations" and that the company's "outlook remains muddled."

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY 

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal available for a great trip to Peru at a very reasonable price of $2,324, including $325 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $400 per person by booking this offer through Jaunt!
• BONUS: June 20th departure date includes VIP access at Inti Raymi festival in Cusco
• 10-day/9-night Peru Highlights Tour, including visits to Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and more!
• Includes round-trip flight from Toronto to Lima, domestic flights as per itinerary, and airport/hotel transfers in Peru
• Transportation throughout the tour via deluxe vehicle, domestic air, train, and bus
• Meals include daily buffet breakfast and two lunches throughout the tour
• Accommodations are double occupancy. Refer to itinerary for hotels (or similar)
• Includes accompaniment of an English-speaking guide and all entrance fees as per the itinerary
• You'll travel to Machu Picchu - one of the most famous sites in the world
• Spend some time travelling through amazing landscapes on a scenic train ride
• Tour includes accommodations, breakfasts, all transportations tickets and English speaking guides

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates: June 20, Sept 4, Oct 16 & Nov 20, 2013
• Option to upgrade train travel to Vistadome train service for additional $100 per person, offering glass ceilings for better view of scenery, and meals on board.
  For Upgrade, Other DATES and GATEWAYS call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Jun 20, 2013
  Single: $2675 plus tax
  Double: $2255 plus tax
  Tax: $325
  
  Sep 04, Oct 16 & Nov 20, 2013
  Single: $2419 plus tax
  Double: $1999 plus tax    
  Tax: $325
  
  Vancouver:
  Jun 20, 2013
  Single: $3025 plus tax
  Double: $2605 plus tax
  Tax: $325
  
  Sep 04, Oct 16 & Nov 20, 2013
  Single: $2769    
  Double: $2349    
  Tax: $325
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

The perfect road trip?

Not a bad theme for a tourism campaign aimed at folks from eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. In this case, it’s the new marketing scheme put in place to lure folks to the lovely shores of Nova Scotia; an “aggressive emarketing campaign to increase first-time visitors and boost overall tourism.”

“The province’s new tourism direction and marketing campaign will allow us to compete as a top travel destination,” said Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris.

The new campaign, “Take Yourself There,” portrays the province as a place where a "diverse, vibrant landscape and culture combines with friendly and engaging locals and accessible seacoast and communities to create the spirit of a perfect road trip."

I get the bit about the friendly locals. When I was in Halifax last year, on two occasions I was attempting to jaywalk and had drivers pull up and stop and wave me across the street. Try THAT on Yonge St. sometime.

Because first time visitors spend 42 per cent more and travel more extensively through the province, the campaign is aimed at bringing in more first-timers, said Patrick Sullivan, CEO of the Nova Scotia tourism Agency.

“If we get them here once, our research shows that they come back again and again.”

The new ads will run in Ontario and also, for the first time in three years, in Quebec in both French and English. They’re also going after the mid-Atlantic and New England states, as well as the UK and Germany.

Our family took a road trip through Halifax and Cape Breton and the south shore of Mahone Bay and Chester many years ago, where we toured the waterfront in the city, drove the jaw-dropping Cabot Trail, spotted a moose and played the wonderful Highlands Links Golf Course. I seem to remember our first lobster boil, too, up in Ingonish at a small cottage.

I hadn’t been back for a while until my daughter enrolled in grad school at Dalhousie University in Halifax a couple years ago. That allowed me to go and do a quick story or two on the city, which is a real treat and feels a bit like Vancouver to me with its seaside heritage and slower pace of life. There are awesome walks and boat tours and fabulous restaurants and breweries and nearby lakes; a great place to visit or to raise a family, I’d think.

I also found time on that trip to dash up to Cabot Links, the new golf course in Inverness on Cape Breton Island. It’s the only true links course in Canada, with views of the ocean from every hole and a handful of holes directly along the sea. It’s also a beauty and a huge asset to the community, complete now with accommodations and a fine restaurant and more.

Last year I was able to take a trip in May and explore a bit more of the province, taking in more time in lovely Lunenburg, as well as Annapolis Royal and Wolfville. Lunenburg was great; with some of the best food of my life at the Salt Shaker Deli (killer scallops with pancetta and an award-winning chowder) and Fleur de Sel (a fabulous, inventive menu in a beautiful old home with some wonderfully tasty drinks). There’s also, of course, the lovingly resotred Bluenose II and lots of maritime heritage. Be sure to drive out of town a bit to check out the fishing village of Blue Rocks.

From there I drove up past the lakes and ponds and hills of Kejimkujik National Park, passing small villages and cute roadside stops as I wound pass rivers I imagine are teeming with fish and hardly a soul to be found.

I had a day and a bit in Annapolis Royal, which has fun, colourful shops due to the many artists in the community. Good food, too, and a great inn called HIllsdale House with (when I was there) the most marvellous blackberry-lemon muffins you can imagine.

The town of Bear River is nearby and has some some nice galleries and pretty wineries. The Bay of Fundy is only a short drive from Annapolis Royal, and the shore road that goes along the bay is a beauty; very gentle with lovely sea views and small villages and rocky bays. Just as striking is the Annapolis Valley, with its rolling hills and orchards and the Annapolis River running through it all. It feels like a kinder, gentler era in these parts, and it's a real tonic for the soul.

Wolfville features the oh-so-pretty Acadia University and some fun shops on the main street. Tempest, a restaurant in town, was serving up an incredible chowder when I was there, with chunks of smoked haddock (a common ingredient in chowder in these parts), local chorizo sausage and smoky paprika oil. The Blomidon Inn is a fabulous B and B with good food and lovely rooms and grounds and a great porch that's an excellent place to read a book or sip a local beer, or a glass of wine from one of the many wineries in the area. My personal favourite winery was Luckett Vineyards (see photo at right) but there are more opening up all the time.

And don't forget to check out Grand Pre, with its nice museum explaining the history of the Acadians and their expulsion from this part of North America. A pretty chapel, too, with a large statue of Evangeline, heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem.

There's a ton more in this most lovely province, and I hope to get back sometime soon. 

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for Panama's Pacific Coast.

 

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Sunwing's SMILE inclusions offer: Includes spa discounts, welcome cocktail, two in-room beach towels and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-star SMILE at Playa Blanca Resort, located in Panama
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Panama City and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Panama
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Room, featuring 2 Queen beds. Maximum occupancy: 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

 

• Panama is an up-and-coming resort favourite
• Includes SMILE inclusions perfect for a family getaway
• Engage with resort activities like kayaking and mini-golf, or head off the resort to bustling Panama City or the historic Panama Canal

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on March 22, 29 & April 5, 2013
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available. Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Single: $815
  Double: $665
  Triple: $635
  Quad :$615
  Child (2-12): $295
  Tax  $310
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 20 at 5PM EST. After this time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

 

 

Florida drive law for Canucks on its way out/Port Hope Canada's #1/Deal of Day

I read in two Florida papers this morning, The Palm Beach Post and the Lakeland Ledger, that Florida's House of representatives yesterday voted to repeal that silly law about Canadians needing international driving permits.

As first reported by the Star (thanks to a tip I got here in the travel department), Florida had quietly introduced a bill to require all non-American drivers to have an international driving permit. Canadians were caught by surprise and huge lineups ensued at the Canadian Automobile Association offices that were selling the permits for $25.

Florida lawmakers reacted immediately, and state highway officials said they wouldnt' enforce the law. But it wasn't clear if ALL law folks in Florida would act the same way and some folks were (typically Canadian) still nervous.

Now comes word the Florida House voted to repeal the law on Tuesday and that it was headed to the state senate. The Ledger reported that a Senate committee will hold hearings on the issue on Thursday of this week and suggested it will go to the full Senate next week.

After that it will no doubt be signed - quickly - by the governor. I can't imagine anyone in the state citing a Canadian under the circumstances, but I guess it's still possible until the governor puts pen to paper.

Florida Rep. Ben Albritton, who had formally apologized to Canadian officials for the passage of the 2012 law, said he felt "relieved" that lawmakers were moving to correct the problem.

"And I hope the folks in Canada feel relieved," Albritton was quoted as saying in the Ledger story.

“We can let everybody know our state is open for business and we can roll out the red carpet,” said Rep. Daniel Davis, who is sponsoring the repeal effort.

The Post quoted Sheila and Brian Sutherland, Toronto residents who spend three months each winter in Boynton Beach, as saying "they stayed cooped up in their Quail Ridge home this winter after learning about the law," fearing cops saying "Whoa, Canada,” if they drove by.

“We did not leave the property until we found out that the police weren’t going to act on it until further notice,” said Sheila Sutherland, 65, explaining that her son-in-law waited three hours in line to get one of the international permits here in Canada. “We take this seriously; we don’t want to break any laws.”

IS PORT HOPE REALLY THE TOP DESTINATION IN CANADA?

Please, no angry messages. No “we hate the Toronto Star Travel Editor” bumper stickers. No boycotts.

Okay, do we understand? I’m not trying to be personal about this. I’m not trying to offend. But I might.

An item came over our travel wires this week from Canadian Press, stating that Quebec City came out on top as “Canada’s most interesting town” in a contest sponsored by Reader’s Digest.

The magazine’s readers were invited to write about their communities and a panel of judges selected the Quebec capital “based on the quality and the persuasiveness of the submissions,” said managing editor Dominique Ritter.

Runners-up were also named, split among various categories. And here’s where I take issue, nay umbrage.

Best cuisine was Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec. Best destination overall: Port Hope, Ontario Also in the winners’ circle: best community spirt: Welshpool, New Brunswick; most entpreneurial, Chemainus, B.C.; healthiest St. Albert, Alberta; greenest, Craik, Saskatchewan; and most artistic, Bouctouche, New Brunswick.

Readers were also able to vote for their favourite entries (as opposed to the above awards, which went to a panel of judges). More than 1.4 million votes were cast, with Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, getting the most.

I can’t argue with Quebec as most interesting. It’s an awesome place, with history and great food and ambience to spare. I also love little Annapolis Royal, which has some great inns and pretty, gentle scenery and a fun little downtown with a goofy shop or two and nice restaurants.

But, really, Port Hope is the top destination in Canada? There was a nice entry on the Readers Digest contest website from Nancy Hooper, who wrote about the “Best Preserved Main Street in Ontario” and about the “crazy watercraft at the annual Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny event.” She also mentioned the lovingly maintained historical buildings, “rousing parades” and happy locals.

No doubt all true. But I somehow can’t see the Canadian Tourism Commission ripping up all those posters of Victoria’s harbour and Banff and old Montreal in favour of a new campaign based around Port Hope.

Likewise, how does Iles-de-la-Madeleine, visited by upwards of 13 people each year, get named for best food? I’m sure the seafood is awesome. And no doubt the locals are great, as one would expect in a small outpost. But getting the nod over Quebec and Montreal and Toronto and Vancouver? I don’t think so.

It’s all such silliness, really. And perhaps this reflects more upon Reader’s Digest than it does anything else. I mean, I doubt too many folks who flip through the magazine these days have even heard of Ossington Avenue.

Then again, there’s a lot to be said about not publicizing the obvious. If we all pitched our tents for Vancouver or Montreal (or Toronto or Calgary) things would be pretty boring. And I wouldn’t have anything to write about (insert smiling emoticon here).

To set the record straight, maybe I need a trip to Iles-de-la-Madeleine this summer. Or at least a weekend in Port Hope!

WESTJET ANGRY AT AIR CANADA DECISION

WestJet today responded to the federal government's decision to extend Air Canada's pension funding arrangemen.

Ottawa on Tuesday said it would give Air Canada more time to eliminate the $4.2-billion deficit in its pension plan, although it will mean restrictions on what the airline can pay its executives and apparently limit payouts to shareholders.

"While we recognize this has been a difficult decision for the government, we are disappointed with this announcement," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "We are supportive of a strong and competitive aviation industry in Canada. To that end, we trust this marks the end of special treatment for Air Canada as such treatment at the expense of other industry players has become too common. We look forward to working with the government to create a level playing field and an environment that supports a healthy industry that benefits the travelling public."

Nothing like a good bun fight in the aviation industry.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY IS GREECE

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal this week for a great, nine-day/seven-night trip to Greece and magical Santorini, set at $3,504.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $150 Future Travel Voucher per person to be used on future vacations with Transat or Nolitours
• BONUS: Extend your flight from Athens for up to 30 days at no additional cost (accommodations extra) and return from Athens
• 9-Day, 7-Night Flavours of Greece Tour including visits to the the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, Acropolis Museum, Mount  Parnasus, the Koutsoyannopoulos wine museum and more!
• Includes ALL MEALS which offers the rare opportunity of experiencing Greece the way the locals do!
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to Athens on Air Transat, domestic round-trip flight from Athens to Santorini and airport/hotel transfers in Greece
• 7 nights' accommodation in 4-Star hotels (double occupancy). Hotels include the following or similar: Hotel Titania and Hotel El Greco
• Includes transportation via deluxe motorcoach and services of an English-speaking licensed tour guide (French assistance available)

• All transportation is included from your round-trip flight to Greece, to your deluxe motorcoach, to your flights between Athens and Santorini
• Taste a variety of scumptious Greek fare at all hours of the day as breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included
• Greece is full of beautiful sights from gigantic ruins to stunning seaviews

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on September 15, 2013
  We also offer other departure DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• Pricing (per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Single: $3398 plus tax
  Double: $2998 plus tax
  Triple: $2948 plus tax
  Tax: $506
  
  Montreal:
  Single: $3904 tax included
  Double: $3504 tax included
  Triple: $3454 tax included
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until March 13, 2013 at 5PM EST. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable