Coronado and Del Coronado Hotel a San Diego treat ... Deal of Day: Med cruise

What a great area.

I knew about the Del Coronado Hotel, one of the legends of the California (if not the entire U.S.) hotel scene. But I'd never been there to my knowledge, and I certainly didn't remember the area at all. I won't forget it soon, however.

I was in the area for a night earlier this week and thought it was awesome. The hotel is a beauty that celebrates its 125th birthday this year; a wooden gem with turrets and charm to spare and tons of modern amenities.

With the pure white, wooden exterior and red roof and turrets and towers and arches and a dark wood lobby and fancy/fun shops and flags flying in the breeze, the hotel would look great if it sat in the middle of Downsview Park. The fact that it sits on a broad, broad strand of some of the finest sand in the country, Coronado Beach, makes it that much more appealling.

The hotel sits back a bit from the beach, with a huge pool and sun deck that makes a great place for a cup of coffee or a fancy cocktail. There's an extensive garden and a series of small casitas or condo-like homes you can rent, just steps from the water. (Be advised, however, that this time of year the water in southern California is still pretty chilly. I find most tourists are surprised to find out that the water at the beach in California is mighty cool most of the time, owing to the fact that it flows south from Alaska. You're likely to find warmer water in Nova Scotia or PEI in summer than in California because of the Gulf Stream.)

The hotel makes a fine spot to gaze out at the Pacific and at Point Lomas, which curls down from the north and provides a lovely backdrop to the bay.

The lobby at the Del Coronado is rich with deep wood beams and just oozes old-time authenticity. The rooms that I saw have been updated nicely, with beautiful linens and shades of taupe and beige. I wouldn't have minded a bit more sense of place versus a look you could find at a Four Seasons in Toronto, but that's just me.

The Del, as folks call it, has a wonderful history. It was built in 1883 after the railway came west to Los Angeles and welcomed high society folks for years. They also brought in average, everyday people with a large series of tents along the sand called Tent City, a nice touch.

The hotel fluorished, hosting the kings of industry, not to mention 11 U.S. Presidents and, in 1920, the Prince of Wales. Other luminaries include Thomas Edison, L. Frank Baum and Babe Ruth. Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was honored at The Del in 1927 after his successful trans-Atlantic flight, according to the hotel website.

"At this lavish banquet, a replica of Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis" circled the enormous Crown Room ceiling. In 1958, The Del was the backdrop for the comedy classic "Some Like It Hot," starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. The resort has also seen a steady stream of celebrity visitors - from Charlie Chaplin and Humphrey Bogart to Brad Pitt and Madonna."

Not bad.

The place was in something of a state of disrepair in the late 1960's but architectural fans and others stepped in and the hotel was saved from the wrecking ball. It's a wonderful reminder of another era, and a fabulous place to stay.

I didn't have a clear image of the town of Coronado, but fell in love with the nice shops and casual restaurants along Orange Ave. I had a nice meal at a second-story Italian place called Vigilucci's (try the veal). Better still was a small cafe on Orange called Cafe 1134, with a small outside seating area under the palms out front and a fun atmosphere inside, with local paintings and colourful locals. I just had a bagel but the Cortez Omelette looked yummy, with shrimp and veggies and giant slices of fresh, California avocado and fruit.

There are several surf shops in the area and lots of restaurants. If the Del Coronado is too pricey for your budget, there also are other hotels in the area, including the Villa Capri right across the street. Coronado is only five minutes from downtown San Diego by car, and there's also a passenger ferry from the downtown area if that's more your style.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: A MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE TO ITALY, ISRAEL AND MORE

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has the following deal on hand for a great cruise with MSC Cruises, listed at $2,936, including $297 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Two travellers save up to $300 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: Includes FREE Stateroom Upgrade, PLUS Sunquest's Tax Buster Sale means you don't pay the fuel surcharge & fees!
• 15-Day/13-Night vacation including a 11-Night Eastern Mediterranean Cruise sailing aboard the MSC Lirica, followed by a 2-night stay in Rome
• Cruise departs from and returns to Rome, Italy. Ports of call include:
  
  • Ports of call for June 4 & July 29 include: Messina, Sicily, Italy;  Marmaris, Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa, Israel;  Zakynthos, Greece & Genoa, Italy
  • Ports of call for July 7 include: Messina, Sicily, Italy; Rhodes (Lindos), Greece; Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa, Israel;  Zakynthos, Greece & Genoa, Italy
• Return airfare with Alitalia: Departure flight from Toronto to Venice (via Rome), and return flight from Rome to Toronto
• Includes accommodations, dining and entertainment aboard the MSC Lirica and all transfers between airport, hotels, and piers
• Accommodations available in an Outside Ocean View (cat.7/8/9/10) or a Balcony Suite (cat.11) stateroom
• Post-cruise enjoy hotel accommodations in the 4-Star Grand Hotel Beverly Hills in Rome with a 3-hour guided tour by coach and on foot with an English speaking guide 
• Explore fascinating Eastern Mediterranean ports like Cyprus and Israel
• Trust in the true Italian elegance of the MSC Lirica to ferry you between ports
• Spend two nights in the classic stronghold of Rome

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 4 & July 7 & 29, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  June 4, 2013:
  Outside Ocean View (cat.7/8/9/10):
  Double: $2639
  Tax: $297
  Balcony Suite (cat.11):
  Double: $2729
  Tax: $297
   
  July 7 & 29, 2013:
  Outside Ocean View (cat.7/8/9/10):
  Double: $3029
  Tax: $297
  Balcony Suite (cat.11):
  Double: $3119
  Tax: $297
  
  
  We also offer Other DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• To book dining times please fill out the 'Requests' form specifying preference for first or second seating at time of booking
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking 

Glorious mountains and fine apple pie outside San Diego ... Deal of day:

OUTSIDE SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA-We Canadians think of a few things when we think of San Diego; beaches, the zoo, golf, maybe the military presence and good food. Most of us don’t think of the beauty and ruggedness and charm of the mountains and small mountain and hill towns just east of the city.

Heck, I grew up in California and had never visited the area until a drive-through this week. But I would absolutely LOVE to go back.

My Dad and I were in Borrego Springs the other day, south of Palm Springs by a couple hours. The plan was to stay the night in Borrego, but a sandstorm shut down power and we opted to high-tail it to San Diego instead.

The road out of Borrego to the south is fairly desolate, but you soon pass through winding canyons around Yaqui Pass Rd., with towering cliffs and rocks and cactus and more rocks and more cactus. It’s pretty imposing, actually, and fairly inspiring.

It also feels pretty strange to look at a roadside sign that says it’s 65 or 85 (sorry, can’t remember) miles to the pretty, beachside community of Oceanside, as this part of the state feels more like the moon than the California the Beach Boys sang about.

After maybe a half hour you suddenly edge close enough to the Pacific that the prevailing winds bring enough moisture (or maybe the soil changes) and you suddenly, and I mean wham kind of suddenly, start seeing five to eight-foot high shrubs and green bushes and towering, rocky hills that feel like northern Spain or southern France.

The cactus gives way to small farm houses and ranches and horses as you wind your up the hill towards the western-looking town of Julian.

It’s a pretty community maybe 90 minutes from San Diego, but 1,000 worlds away, with stores like Miner’s Diner and Jack’s Grocery with western fronts and shops selling saddles and cowboy gear.

The region is famous for apples, and we stopped in at the Julian Pie Co. for apple pie and apple-boysenberry crumble, both of which were to die for. Two generous slices and two coffees set us back $11.

There’s a small patio out front at the pie shop but it was a freakin’ ridiculous 37 degrees Fahrenheit at 3 p.m. on Monday; about one-half the temperature we’d registered in my Dad’s car in Palm Desert at 10 a.m.

It warmed up as we went lower in elevation, past ranches and a camel dairy and out into broad, sweeping valleys of green backed by rugged hills and smaller mountains.

The main route from Julian to San Diego is through the small town of Ramona, famous for a bar called the Turkey Inn with a giant, brown turkey that’s lit up at night with neon. It’s a real hoot, at least on the outside, and I’d love to go back some time to have a beer or watch a San Diego Chargers game on TV with the locals.

The mountains and hills outside San Diego don’t get much publicity out our way, but it’s a glorious region with fruit orchards, ranches, egg farms, cowboys, wineries, cute towns with art galleries and lots more. Well worth checking out next time you’re in southern California.

Oh, by the time we got to San Diego it was sunny and a lovely 64 Fahrenheit. Just so you know....

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for fabulous Los Cabos, Mexico; priced at $952, including $357 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• SAVINGS: Two travellers save up to $370 by booking with Jaunt.ca.
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Holiday Inn Resort, located in Los Cabos, Mexico
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Vancouver to Los Cabos, and round-trip airport/resort transfers in Mexico
• Accommodations in a Gardenview Room, featuring 1 king or 2 double beds. Maximum Occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults + 2 children
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks 
• Shaped like a W, the resort has different wings that cater to both children and adults alike with a playground and an adults-only pool
• The Chiqui Kids Club is a great place for your children to make friends, learn something new and make the most out of their vacation
• Off the resort, Cabo San Lucas has lots of kid-friendly activities from swimming with dolphins to sailing on a real pirate ship

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: May 11 & 18, 2013
  Vancouver: June 3, 10 &17, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $595
  Single: $945
  Triple: $555
  Child (2-12yrs): $295
  Tax: $357
  
  Vancouver:
  Double: $665
  Single: $1015
  Triple: $625
  Child (2-12yrs): $335
  Tax: $340
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on April 17. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

Beautiful Palm Desert, California - great food, scenery ... Deal of Day: Antigua

PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA – I remember once reading a friend’s Facebook page. She was talking about visiting the American Southwest and remarked on how ugly the desert was.

Maybe it’s my Mom and Dad’s influence, since they loved the desert. But comments like that, to me, are the height of ignorance. The beauty of the desert takes a bit of looking. It’s not immediately in front of you like a rainbow or a deserted beach. But it’s there. Especially in the evening hours, when the light dances on the mountains and the sun shoots its dying, golden rays out over the landscape and the shadows deepen and the birds come alive and the animals come out into the cool, life-giving air.

I used to come to this part of California’s Coachella Valley for various golf tournaments when I worked in the sports department of the Star. Now I come for sheer pleasure; for the bright, pink-red bougainvillea and the orange-tipped flowers of the spiraling, towering ocotillo cactus and the dry air and the palm trees that climb into the blue, dry air of the desert.

Oh, and the golf. And the food. And the weather and heat.

On the dining front, Las Casuelas has several places in the valley serving good Mexican food. The one my Dad and I went to is in Rancho Mirage, near the fun, outdoor River shopping centre. There's a strolling mariachi band with  good margaritas and nice if not amazing Mexican food. It’s hugely popular with families, with dining under the stars and white lights strung on the massive trees overhead. Certainly there's nothing like it in Toronto.

The other night we dined at Pacifica Seafood on El Paseo, a pretty street that’s lined with boutique shops and outlets such as Lulu Lemon, Louis Vuitton, Tommy Bahama’s and the requisite Apple Store. Pacifica makes pretty good cakes, although they could use a bit more zip. The chowder was good, and the scallops on the half shell were a meal in themselves, topped with crème and cheese and spinach and baked in the shell. I also tried the calamari, which was an enormous plate for something like $14. There was a nice, spicy sauce with green onions as a base but the Vietnamese dipping sauce tasted like unalderated fish sauce, with none of the requisite sweetness to balance the pungent fish sauce base.

If you're so inclined they have a vodka night once a week with 152 varieties. And also a half-priced wine night on Tuesdays (God Love America). They also make a nice tasting menu for dessert with small bits of crème brulee topped with berries, a chocolate lava cake (yum) and a so-so raspberry cheesecake.

We had four appetizers and a shared dessert and a bottle of fabulous New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for $99, so it's not unreasonable for a pretty spot.

I didn’t get there this time but Thai Smile, with several locations in the valley, has the best Tom Yom soups I’ve had anywhere.

For breakfast, you gotta try Sherman’s Deli. Again, two locations. Both with fabulous, filling deli foods; blintzes and bagels and all that, plus excellent eggs and a fabulous sausage made with chicken and apple that I start thinking about the minute I cross into Palm Springs from L.A.

We had a few nights at the Embassy Suites on Highway 111 (the main drag) in Palm Desert. They have nice enough rooms and a good pool with a hot tub. The service was a touch spotty. The housekeeping folks forgot to give us towels one day. As in no towels at all, which makes it interesting when you get out of the shower. We called down for some and they delivered them when we were out for a while, but merely tossed them on the table instead of hanging them up in the washroom, which is bizarre.

Like most if not all Embassy Suites, there’s a free breakfast that includes pancakes and omelets and eggs made to order, plus the usual breads/pastries/fruits and yogurt and cereal. They also have a free happy hour from 5:30 to 7:30, which is great as it’s such a  a nice time of day here; with the deepening shadows and beautiful, golden light in the air and cooling temperatures.

It was around 90 Fahrenheit on the weekend, but very dry. And nights go down to the upper 60’s, so you get a decent cooling effect.

We didn’t play any of the beautiful, tough courses out here such as PGA West as we wanted to start slow and my Dad and I aren't as young as we used to be. We found a nice, executive course called Oasis (see photo) that was very nicely landscaped, with lots of water and flowering bougainvillea and palm trees and  excellent conditions, and a longer executive course called Woodhaven that was okay but not so visually interesting. Woodhaven was $69 including a cart and I think Oasis was $45 including a cart. Good deals on mostly tidy courses with nice mountain views and good conditions.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has an Air Canada Vacations deal on tap for beautiful Antigua for $1,352, including $363 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer personalized check-in/check-out, beach towel in room, 25% spa discount (excluding products) and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star The Verandah Resort & Spa located in Long Bay, Antigua
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Antigua and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Antigua
• Accommodations in a Hillside suite, featuring 1 king-size bed and 1 queen-size sofa bed and Kitchenette facilities. Maximum occupancy: 4
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, 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!
• The Verandah is the perfect place to visit for honeymoons or vow renewals
• Antigua is a breathtaking, serene island

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax and includes all tips, taxes and service charges):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $989
  Single: $1419
  Triple: $929
  Quad: $859
  Child: $699
  Tax: $363
  
  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 

 

Hilton's new spa in Markham ... Forbes snubs Canada ... Deal of the Day: Miami

Hilton will soon open its first branded Canadian spa.

Called Eforea Spa at the Hilton, it will open at the Markham Suites Hilton on Highway 7 on April 8. They'll feature organic products and all the latest treatments, including a "men's journey" program designed for guys. 

"We've never had a spa brand," said John Forrest Ales, senior director – global brand public relations. "Increasingly, however, guests say a spa has an impact on their hotel decision."

It will be only the third branded spa by Hilton in Canada, which now has 15 Hiltons in total out of more than 550 worldwide. Hilton also operates Hampton Suites and other brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.

The hotel chain also is helping boost their bookings from Chinese visitors, who (I mentioned this last week) now make up the second largest group of visitors to Canada after Americans. They created a program called Huanying with 20 hotels, offering a Chinese speaker at the hotel when guests arrive, Chinese language tour guides, Chinese televisioin stations, in-room tea, slippers and a Chinese breakfast menu.

There are now 70 or so such programs at various Hilton properties, including the Hilton Toronto, the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown and the Hilton Vancouver Airport.

Hilton is, of course, growing in China, where they set up shop 25 years ago. They also are opening their second hotel in Colombia soon and their first in Peru and also their first all-inclusive property in Mexico, on the Pacific Coast in Puerto Vallarta. Other all-inclusive's are being set up in Costa Rica and Spain.

The chain is having a bit of fun with North Americans who don't take enough vacations, sending out office survival kits and telling folks about the symptoms of "vacation-itis." If you go on their web site - www.vacationcarecenter.hilton.com and type in your address and postal code you'll get various offers or suggestions. I plugged in my data and my typical workload this morning and was told I should come by the Hilton Toronto for an after-work cocktail and try the lobster mac and cheese at their Tundra restaurant, or perhaps take in a meal at Ruth's Chris Steak House, which I find horribly overrated and way too expensive.

Anyway, it's a fun site and it's interesting to see Hilton being a bit more edgy than I would've expected.

FORBES SNUBS CANADA

The latest Forbes' list of great hotels and restaurants is another in a long line of American-centric lists that drive me crazy. They recently came out with their five-star awards and managed to find 58 properties in the U.S. worthy of the designation. But nary a one in Canada.

Restaurants? Twenty eight five-star quality in the U.S. Canada? Zilch.

Utterly ridiculous.

For the record, they did list 13 four-star properties in the True North Strong and Free. Four are in Toronto: The Park Hyatt, The Hazelton, The Ritz-Carlton (see photo at left) and The Trump Tower. Likely they didn't have time to review the new Shangri-La or Four Seasons. Also on the list for Canada wwere the Four Seasons Vancouver, Four Seasons Whistler, Shangri-La Vancouver, Sutton Place Vancouver, The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino B.C. (a personal fave), Hotel Le St. James in Montreal (a great spot), The Ritz Carlton Montreal and the Kingsbrae Arms in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

Five Ontario restaurants got four-star ratings: Langdon Hall in Cambridge, One Restaurant, Splendido, Canoe and Scaramouche.

Still, gimme a break.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has an excellent deal on tap for the beautiful Deauville Beach Resort in fabulous Miami . It's a seven-night package that includes air fare for just $718.

• Two travellers save up to $120 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• 7-night stay at the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach, Florida
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to Miami
• Accommodations in a Double Guest Room, featuring 2 double beds or 1 king size bed, in-room wireless internet access and refrigerator. Max Occupancy: 4
  

• Only a 20 minute walk from the illustrious South Beach strip
• Prime shopping territory in the Art Deco district and at the Bal Harbour shops
• 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!

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on April 7, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $579 + tax
  Single: $956 + tax
  Triple: $482 + tax
  Quad: $435 + tax
  Child: $305 + tax
  Tax: $139
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $803 tax included
  Single: $1182 tax included
  Triple: $708 tax included
  Quad: $661 tax included
  Child: $551 tax included
  
  We also offer 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

 

 

 

 

 

Canadians are getting hammered at the airport.

It'’s not a new trend by any means, but a study out of the University of Quebec at Montreal this week shows just how much Canadians are paying to fly out of airports in Canada these days, compared to the cost in nearby U.S. airports.

You might think we get hammered here in Toronto when you look at the cost of flights to Florida from New York state on such airlines as Spirit, but it'’s not so bad, really. According to a Sun Media report on the Quebec study, prices in Toronto are only 22 per cent higher than out of Buffalo. In Vancouver, however, it’'s twice as much; 44 per cent more to fly out of YVR than from over the border in Washington state.

Montreal? Hoo boy, unbelievable. The study said it costs Montrealers 96 per cent more to fly out of their own city than to go from Burlington, Vermont or Plattsburgh, N.Y., both short drives away. Plattsburgh, in fact, has taken to calling itself "“Montreal’'s U.S. Airport.”" I'’m sure the folks at Dorval aren'’t pleased, but I can’'t blame the Plattsburgh folks a bit.

U.S.. airports have lower operating costs and get tons of subsidies from government. Here in Canada, airlines pay more for labour and fuel and also get slapped with large airport fees from governments that see airports as cash cows.

The playing field isn’'t even remotely level. And it’'s hard to see anything changing soon.

A KAWARTHATS BUTTER TART TOUR AND A CHEESE TOUR, TOO

Did you know there’'s a Butter Tart trail in the Kawarthas? Nearly 30 bakeries in The City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and the Kawarthas and Northumberland County are currently on the tour, and there'’s a Kawarthas Butter Tart tour kick-off at the Morrow Building in Peterborough on Sunday, April 28.

Ten butter tart bakeries will sample and sell their tarts and a panel of celebrity judges (Hey, where’'s my invite?) will determine the best tarts in a number of categories, I read in a press release.

Categories? Like what? Most shapely raisins? I can see best pastry, I guess, but what on earth would be other categories?

On top of the fact that they're delicious (especially with raisins), it’'s great to have this tour because butter tarts are an Ontario thing. Which is pretty rare in the culinary world. I mean, think about it. Other than  butter tarts, I can'’t think of many things that you can find in Ontario but won’'t find, say, in Manitoba or B.C. or New Brunswick. Peameal bacon might be bigger here than in Winnipeg or Prince Rupert or Halifax, for that matter, but I don'’t think it’s as uniquely Ontario as the majestic butter tart.

On a related note, I see that Chowbella and CHEESEWERKS have teamed up this summer to bring cheese lovers “a food tour like no other in Canada.” City Mouse + Country Mouse is a “legend dairy” experience that takes folks on a day-long trip across southern Ontario, visiting artisan cheese producers, learning how the stuff is made and tasting local food along the way.

The tour starts at a popular bakery in Toronto'’s east end, where folks get breakfast treats before hitting the countryside to learn about Cow, Goat and Sheep’s milk cheese (what, no Tibetan Yak?), with samples at every stop. Lunch is served and then folks head back to the city to check out a top cheese boutique prior to heading back to CHEESEWERKS for “an exclusive Artisan Cheese and Craft Beer pairing and dining event.”

Current tour dates are April 20, May 25 and June 22, which means you can do this AND catch the butter tart tour in Peterborough April 28. The cheese tour costs $184 per person plus HST, which includes transportation, lunch, all food/beverage samples and the dinner with craft beer pairings.For more info go to www.chowbella.ca/tours.

CANADIANS STAYING HOME?

Figures released by Stats Canada this week show the country’'s tourism sector grew at an annualized rate of 3.6 per cent. That’'s excellent compared to the economy as a whole, and encouraging news.

A report in the The Globe and Mail said tourism spending, in real terms, has gone up in 13 of the past 14 quarters; up 9.4 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2009 to the fourth quarter of last year.
It’'s mostly due to Canadians staying home. Foreign tourism spending is up 7 per cent since the end of 2009 but has slowed considerably the last couple years. Real tourism spending among domestic travelers is up 10 per cent since the end of 2009, the report said.

The report also said real spending on air transportation has risen a whopping 27 per cent since the middle of 2009. That reflects both a desire to travel and, of course, the higher air fares we all face these days. Unless we fly out of Plattsburgh, Seattle or Buffalo, that is.

FLORIDA DRIVING UPDATE

There are reports that the Florida Senate has voted to repeal that silly law that requires Canadians to have International Driving Permits. But I haven't been able to confirm it.

The governor has said he'll sign the repeal legislation immediately upon receiving it. But, again, I haven't seen any reports to suggest when that might be.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for exploring "the gems of Europe." It's an eight-day, seven night deal priced at $1,050, without airfare, including all taxes.

JAUNT HIGHLIGHTS

• BONUS: One $50 optional excursion voucher per person!
• 8-Day/7-Night Glimpse of Europe 2013 Tour, featuring visits to the Mint Tower, the floating flower market, the renowned wine producing Burgundy region, the Champs Élysées, the Eiffel Tower and more!
• Includes transportation via private luxury motor coach, services of a local tour guide in Paris and more!
• 7 Nights' hotel accommodation in First Class hotels. See Offer Details section below for hotels included.
• Includes 6 buffet breakfasts, 2 three-course dinners and 1 BBQ dinner in Lucerne

• Visit Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, and Paris all in one vacation
• Enjoy the sights of sweeping landscapes and medieval castles
• Trafalgar knows all about luxury experiences and provides the best in accommodations during your trip

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 5, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Double: $1050 tax included
  Single: $1850 tax included
  
  We also offer other DATES and FLIGHTS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Hotels include the following or similar: Ibis Amsterdam Airport, Holland; Ramada Neustadt, Germany; Himmelrich or Paxmontana, Switzerland and Courtyard Paris Arcueil, France
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

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

 

More hotel gripes (and kudos, too) ... Future for Carnival cruise lines

I'm always amazied at how hotels can do so many things right. And then screw up on something basic.

I'm attending a funeral today in Windsor, and we spent the night at a Hampton Inn and Suites on Huron Church Road, near the Ambassador Bridge. (As an aside, the city is buzzing with construction owing to the new bridge to Michigan, which I would think would hurt businesses along this strip, which is now the connection between the 401 and the bridge.) We ended up in a pretty good sized room for about $150.

There's a small workout room and a heated, salt-water pool in a sunny spot and a hot tub. Very nice. They have a pretty good free breakfast, with reasonably strong coffee and cheese omeletes and back bacon and juice and cereal and oatmeal and breads and Belgian waffles. Standard mostly, but a nice touch with the tea biscuits and more than just one kind of jam (I'm a big jam guy and have grown to hate standard, boring strawberry).

The staff is quite helpful. I thought I had lost my Blackberry and was searching for it in the dark. The woman at the front desk sent out a nice young man with a small flashlight to help, although it turned out to have fallen under the work desk in my room.

As I said, the room is nice. Nothing exceptional but clean and bright and good size. There's a good-sized counter in the bath (always a key in my book) and a nice shower/bath with good water pressure and nice amenities.

I noticed at breakfast this morning that they also have breakfast bags to go if you don't have time to down a regular starting meal. The bags are at the front desk and have an apple, muffin and water. Very nice. Maybe it's common but I've never seen it.

Lastly, I'll mention that we'd heard some hotels give bereavement rates to folks in town for a funeral, much like airlines will if you have to fly somewhere last minute. They said they usually only give it if we're attending a service at a particular funeral home and not the one we were at on Sunday. But they made an exception and knocked $10 off the rate.

So I'm quite happy with this place. Except for one thing. They built a very large, nice wooden desk with a light and plugs in the right places and Internet access and a phone. Perfect. But the chair is so low to the ground that it just doesn't work.

Why can't hotels measure things properly and put in chairs that meet the desk height? It's hugely uncomfortable - and bad for your back and shoulders and arms - to type at the wrong height. I've piled up pillows on the chair but they keep sliding around and I can't get comfortable and I just know my back is going to be acting up.

So there you go. 95 per cent great. But they missed a pretty big one (and a pretty easy one) when they got the wrong chairs. Or, more likely, when they bought desks that are too high.

Still, I quite like the place and would definitely recommend it for a stay in Windsor.

CARNIVAL TROUBLES AHEAD?

The second high-profile incident involving a Carnival Cruise ship has some folks wondering about the company's future.

In case you missed it, a cruise ship belonging to the troubled company lost power in St. Maarten the other day, forcing passengers to be flown back to Miami. This came only a short time after another Carnival ship lost power in the Gulf of Mexico, forcing a days-long ordeal with a toilet shortage and folks sleeping out in hallways or on deck for fresh air.

You DO have to wonder about their maintenance and upkeep given the problems, which are unrelated to the Costa Concordia incident in Italy last year but still mean trouble for Carnival, which controls Costa.

A story on CNN.com today quotes an avid cruiser as saying he'd go on another Carnival ship but that' he''s keeping a close eye on the company. I'm sure he's not alone.

The CNN story says Carnival Cruise Lines announced a "comprehensive review" this week of all its ships, prompted by the engine fire that led to the Triumph's stranding in the Gulf of Mexico in February.

DEAL OF THE DAY WILL RETURN TOMORROW

My Jaunt.ca deal of the day will return to this space tomorrow.....

 

 

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

 

 

Myrtle Beach shows the love ... Lonely Planet top spots 2013 ... Deal of day

They certainly love Canadians down in Myrtle Beach.

The coastal South Carolina city is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month, and they'll be holding what's called "Can-Am Days" with discounts for Canucks from March 9 to 17. They made an appearance Friday at the Toronto Star Golf and Travel Show down at the convention centre and brought out some appetizers and a birthday/anniversary cake and, naturally, a little bubbly.

There have been a ton of renovations and upgrades at Myrtle Beach hotels, officials said, and the access is easier than ever. Porter began their flights from Toronto Island airport last month, and they also have vacation packages through their Porter Escapes company. WestJet will start run flights from May 2 to Oct. 24 (Thursday and Sunday), and they also have vacation packages with various properties so you can book activities, flights and hotels together and save.

In addition, Myrtle can be reached on direct flights from Niagara Falls, Plattsburgh N.Y. (useful for Montreal folks) and Detroit.

The area has 102 golf courses, most quite affordable and many of them stunners. I played one a couple years ago called Caledonia Golf and Fish Club that was absolutely outstanding; perhaps the prettiest non-oceanside course I've ever seen.

They also have great food and an endless beach and plenty of activities for kids and adults, both. They've created a website called visitmyrtlebeach.com/75secrets with 75 "secret" things to do in Myrtle Beach, ranging from Pirate adventures to dolphin-watching and visiting art museums and wine-tasting.

LONELY PLANET, ON THE OTHER HAND, DOESN'T LOVE US SO MUCH

Lonely Planet recently conducted an online poll/review, asking fans on Facebook, Twitter, Google-plus and Thorn Tree where they've travelled and what they liked most. Their top 20 destinations overall were as follows (in order): Bhutan (see photo below), Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Iceland, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Argentina, U.S.A., Indonesia, Iran, Burma, Peru, Nepal, Colombia, Georgia, Italy and the Maldives.

Interesting. Note the lack of the U.K. and France on the list, which weighs fairly heavy with unusual spots such as Iran (did Ben Affleck get a vote?), Bhutan, Colombia and Burma (Myanmar).

The top 10 for food were Italy, Thailand, India, Japan, Argentina, Vietnam, France, Lebanon, Taiwan and Spain. Top value spots were Thailand, India, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ghana, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia and Bulgaria. Top rated for entertainment were the U.K., U.S.A, Argentina, Australia, Ireland, Thailand, Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil and Singapore.

There were a slew of other categories, including shopping, "meeting locals" and "cultural sights."

Canada, you ask? Well, not so hot. We came in fourth on the safety list (big whoop), behind Japan, Iceland and New Zealand. And we were ninth in the nature category. Which is nice but also pretty boring, when you get down to it. The top 10 in the nature category were Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, Bhutan, Australia, Namibia, Ecuador, Brazil, Canada and Kenya.

Oh, well.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY: ST. MAARTEN

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for lovely St. Maarten in the Caribbean. The deal is for $1,095, including $230 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save up to $328 per couple compared to what's available in market!
• BONUS: Features lower taxes thanks to Sunwing's Tax Buster Promotion
• BONUS: Sunwing inclusions offer a spa discount, unlimited a la carte dining, $20 USD casino vouchers, discount on Hertz car rental and more!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-star SMILE at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, located in St. Maarten
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to  St. Maarten and round-trip airport/hotel transfers at your destination
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Garden View Room, featuring 1 King or 2 Double beds and private balcony showcasing views of the island and adjacent golf course. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

 

• Plenty of activities for kids will keep them in high spirits and you in relax mode
• A guest pass to the nearby Sonesta Great Bay Beach resort gives you access to double the exquisite amenities
• Maho village is known for both its charming boutiques and extravagant nightlife

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: April 11, 18, 21 & 28, 2013
  Montreal: April 11, 18, 21, 25 & 28, 2013
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  
  April 11, 18 & 21:
  Single: $1165 plus tax
  Double: $965 plus tax
  Triple: $930 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $230
  
  April 28:
  Single: $1065 plus tax
  Double: $865 plus tax
  Triple: $830 plus tax
  Child (2-12): $295 plus tax
  Tax: $230
  
  Montreal:
  
  April 11, 18 & 25:
  Single: $1435 tax included
  Double: $1235 tax included
  Triple: $1200 tax included
  Child (2-12): $545 tax included
  
  April 21 & 28:
  Single: $1375 tax included
  Double: $1175 tax included
  Triple: $1140 tax included
  Child (2-12): $545 tax included
  
  

 

 

U.S. budget situation could play out up here ... Major changes to Pearson YYZ

Folks at Pearson Airport and at U.S. border crossings are keeping a close eye on the budget situation in the U.S. With automatic cuts slated to come to all sorts of U.S. services if there's no budget deal between President Obama and Congress, things could get quite goofy up here in terms of U.S. Customs.

I had no idea, but Toby Lennox, Vice President, Strategy Development and Stakeholder Relations for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, told a business meeting in Toronto on Tuesday that Pearson is the fourth largest entry point for folks headed to the U.S. (Since U.S. customs has a pre-clearance centre here, Toronto is officially an entry point and, right now, is behind only New York, Miami and Los Angeles in terms of number of customers entering the U.S.)

Things at Pearson could be utterly normal by Friday or it might be "a calamity," Lennox told a session of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives at the Ritz Carlton in Toronto on Tuesday.

Lennox said things are happening in a big way at Pearson, with new restaurants (including the just-opened Fetta by celebrity Toronto chef Mark McEwan, announced just today) and new shops and lots of other changes coming down the pipe. Fetta, by the way, is located in Terminal 1 near gate E73 and serves paninis, salads and small plates.  It's part of a plan to install 15 new food and beverage places at Pearson, complete with 2,500 Apple iPads that folks can use to tap out an order for a quick meal, or even a pair of socks from a nearby shop.

Included will be a wine bar called Vinifera in Terminals 1 and 3, plus a place called Marathi for Indian street food.

Transportation is always key at YYZ, and Lennox said the train that will link Pearson to downtown Toronto, with a couple stops along the way, should open in 2015. It's great and will make travel much more reliable, especially for business folks on a tight schedule who can't afford 80-minute commutes to Bay St.. But he also noted the airport draws people from all over the GTA, as well as thousands of workers, and they all need convenient, affordable transportation options.

Pearson draws about 35 million passengers a year now but that could increase soon to 42 million, partly because of growing economies and more travel demand from China and South America, as well as India and Russia. That will mean more night flights and stronger connections to those parts of the world.

Asia already is going gangbusters, Lennox said. "I have to fly next week and it was tough to get a seat."

He also said Colombia is becoming very attractive as a source of passengers for Pearson and that Africa will some day be enormously important.

To his credit, Lennox said there are major changes needed to Terminal 3 at Pearson.

"We're badly in need of renovations. The floor is cracked. It's an energy hog. And the retail isn't adequate."

As much as Pearson would like new customers from places like China, it's hard to get them if would-be Chinese tourists don't know about Canada. And right now, they don't, he said.

Lennox's comments tie into the cuts made recently to the Canadian Tourism Commission's budget and also echo concerns issued by others in the tourism business lately. Namely, that other countries are beating the pants off Canada when it comes to self-promotion and that we're badly missing the boat.