Off to Florida for a little Miami Beach time ... and some Key West key lime pie!

Except for one event, which I’ll get to shortly, my most vivid memories of being in Miami involve sports.

I’ve been there to cover Raptors’ games and baseball world series games, most notably when the Florida Marlins won the Series in 1997 and I was covering it for the Star. I was there at the fabulous Doral golf course in 2005 when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson duked it out on the final holes on the final day. Actually, that’s probably my favourite memory from covering golf for the Star for a few years.

I was down keeping an eye on the tourney in general and on Woods when it became clear that the Sunday round was going to end up like a match play event with he and Mickelson, mano a mano. They were back and forth, or at least tied, a great deal of the day. I remember Woods making a big putt on the 17th hole to really put the pressure on and I think he took a one-shot lead to the famous 18th hole on the Blue Monster course, a long par four with treacherous water down the left side.

And here’s the fun part. When you cover golf for a paper as big as the Star, they give you a pass to walk inside the ropes, near the players and away from the hordes of fans. You’re supposed to stay within an arm’s length of the ropes as they don’t want reporters in the way or sidling up to Mickelson asking for tips on his famous flop shot. I remember hearing somebody say something in the crowd that I liked after Tiger sank his putt on the 17th, or maybe I just had a rare thought in my head. Anyway, I paused for a half-minute or so to write something down in my notepad. As I scribbled, I noticed the other reporters and photographers with “inside the ropes” access walking past me. No problem, I thought.

I put my pen away and my notepad and got into the back of the media line as it snaked its way past the 18th tee box. The photographers with the big lenses usually walk down the fairway a bit, then turn around with their big lenses to get shots of the players on the tee without making noise. Usually they walk a fair piece down before they stop. But on this day the photographers at the front of the line stopped short. So that meant the people in line behind THEM stopped a little short. Which meant that little old me, in the back of the line because of my note-taking, was suddenly stopped from moving forward in the media line. That wouldn’t normally be an issue but this time I was stopped just two feet from where Tiger was leaning down to put his tee in the ground. Maybe less. I could almost hear him breathing as he put his ball on the tee.

His caddy, Stevie Williams, looked over at me and snarled, “Get the f--- out of here!!”

Williams has a reputation as a bit of a jerk but he was absolutely right. I was in precisely the wrong place at the wrong time and it was my own fault.

I nodded. I looked around. There was nowhere to go. The line in front of me was stopped. There were PGA Tour officials behind me. So I did the only thing I could do to get away: I got on my hands and knees and crawled under the ropes, through the crowd of fans gathered around the 18th tee.

“Excuse me, pardon me, excuse me.” I felt like Bugs Bunny in the theatre in that famous cartoon. I also felt like an idiot.

I was soon able to get to my feet and I walked down the edge of the trees on the right side of the hole, then clambered back inside the ropes to watch Mickelson just miss a chip that might have tied Tiger. Instead, Woods made a short putt for the win and, as I recall, regained his number one world ranking.

It was a great finish but I mostly remember it for my own stupid situation. It's certainly a golf story I’ll never forget.

My other favourite memory of Miami is being on a family trip maybe eight or nine years ago. We went to South Beach and my wife and my youngest son, then about 12 or 13,  waded out into the Atlantic to toss a football around, as I recall. They were having a great time when a couple of teenage girls (or maybe a bit older) decided to have a little fun. They stood on a sandbar not far from my wife and son and yelled "Let's get naked," and then whipped off their bikini tops.

To this day, I think my son has a real thing for Miami Beach.

I’ll be back in Miami this weekend, so look for a live blog posting sometime on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday I’ll report from the Florida Keys and Key West. And then I’ll be in the U.S Virgin Islands for a week, checking out St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix before heading back to Miami for a day on the way home.

Cheers and thanks for reading!

You can email me at jbyers@thestar.ca. Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter @jimbyerstravel

 

Outstanding sale for accomodations in beautiful Maui this fall ...

Always dreamed of those soft, warm nights under a palm tree with a mai tai and Hawaiian music playing in the background? A fan of great golf courses and endless, safe beaches and spectacular seafood and whale-watching and long, oceanfront drives?

You're in luck. My favourite island in the world, Maui, has  just released its quarterly “Special Values E-Alert,” listing the latest bargains offered for fall and winter by 53 Maui hotels, condos, villas, cottages, and b&bs. Go to mauiaccommodations.com and click on Special Offers for some truly terrific deals.

Lots of folks love Wailea and Kihei. Wailea is generally on the pricey side but usually has the best weather on the island. Kihei isn't as beautiful but has nice beaches and good weather, although it's often windy in the afternoon.

Me? I grew up going to West Maui, in particularly the Lahaina-Ka'anapali-Napili area, which includes legendary Kapalua and its amazing golf courses and also the affordable Kahana region, where there are tons of decent if not spectacular beaches and reasonably priced condos.

A couple of the deals that struck me on the Maui accomodations site this morning were a $99 package for the Napili Village condo. I've never stayed at Napili Village (see photo at left) but I've been through the property a gazillion times on my way to the little Napili Village store. The pool is small but the property is all of 25 feet from the beach. You might not get an ocean view, but it's all of 30 seconds away, and Napili Beach is for my money the best beach on the planet.

There's excellent snorkeling and swimming at Napili, and also bodysurfing when the surf is up. You can rent paddleboards or just go for a nice walk along a crescent beach where no building is more than two stories high.

The cute and highly recommended Mauian is right next door, with rooms on offer for $180/night. Or you can splurge a bit on a package at the fabulous Napili Kai Beach Resort and stay seven nights while paying for five.

Elsewhere on the island, I spotted rooms at the terrific Ka'anapali Beach Hotel for $166 and up. It's a perfectly located spot right in the heart of miles-long Ka'anapali Beach, which offers not only outstanding water activities but also great shopping at Whalers' Village (see photo at right) and tons of beachfront restaurants, including Hula Grill and Leilani's, which makes the best fish taco you'll ever try.

I saw rooms near Maalea harbor for $120 and up. Lots of folks like it down that way but I personally find it a touch sterile and far too windy. Better, I think, to go further down the coast into Kihei or, if you can afford, it Wailea. The Kihei Beach Resort, which I don't know, has rooms for $130/night. Several Wailea properties had deals, too, such as 25 per cent off or even 30 per cent off condo rentals.

The Wailea Grand Champions Villas, perfect for golfers, had studios listed from $110 when I checked this morning. The golf in Wailea is outstanding, and the beaches are just as good as most in West Maui. Lovely resorts all along the coast, including Four Seasons and the family-friendly Grand Wailea with its endless pools and slides for kids.

I went on Expedia and found deals on flights from Toronto to Maui in November for $900 on American Airlines, flying through Dallas. It's not a bad way to go and it's a pretty good fare when you consider it's easy to drop $600 these days on a flight to Vancouver or L.A.

 Aloha!

Cold nights in southern Ontario; time to think about some winter getaways

Good forecast for the next few days here in Toronto, but it's cold enough overnight that I had to bring my bougainvillea and croton plants into my sunroom for the season. Which means it's time to start thinking about our Canadian rights to winter travel.

It's not QUITE enshrined in the Canadian charter, but for many Canucks that winter trip to sunnier climes is certainly as de rigeur as eating and breathing and hockey.

In the interests of spicing up the blog a little and offering some advice after four years in the editor's chair here at Toronto Star Travel, I thought I'd start the occasional series on great spots you might want to think about for that fall-winter-early spring sunshine/vitamin E/beach time getaway. I haven't been to enough places in the world to do any kind of exhaustive list; my resume is sadly lacking, for instance, in South America and Central America experience. But I've been to almost every state in the U.S. and to southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as most of Europe and a fair bit of the Caribbean (although not as much as I'd like), so I think I can safely pass along some general ideas. We'll start with something nice and easy, but also with a few surprises you didn't know about.

FLORIDA

Yeah, I know you know about Florida. But like most Canadians you probably park yourself in the same condo complex each year and go to the same beaches and same restaurants each year. Nothing wrong with familiarity and finding a comfort zone, but it's a HUGE state with all sorts of variety and it'd be a shame not to experience more of it.

I had a chance last year to make a brief visit to Amelia Island on the Atlantic side near Jacksonville. It was spectacular in the fall and the weather there is usually quite good year-round. January might not be swimming weather for some as it's reasonably far north. But it's still closer to Orlando than it is to Myrtle Beach, so you're in pretty good shape year-round. The average high in January in Jacksonville is a very solid 18 degrees, so we're not exactly talking about having to wear a hoodie and gloves, guys.

There are some stunning resorts on Amelia, including the Omni Amelia Resort. It sits right on a long, terrific stretch of beach and there's a golf course right on the water; a beauty. They're spending about $85 million on renovations (they call it a "re-imagination") so check before you book.

There's also a Ritz Carlton if that's more your thing. There are also Comfort Inn's and Residence Inns and Hampton's for folks on more of a budget or who might want a unit with some extra sleeping or cooking space.

The town of Fernandina Beach is a little-known beaut; with a small town feel featuring fun galleries, great shopping and outstanding restaurants such as 29 South. Lots of places to dine alfresco in the nice weather in town and, of course, poolside at the resorts. The backside of Amelia, away from the beach, features lovely marshes that are great for a solitary walk or a canoe/kayak ride.

You know about Clearwater and Dunedin and all that. And I recently wrote a blog about the Space Coast in case you weren't up to speed on places like Canaveral State Park, with its dunes and bird life. One area you might not have heard a lot about but that I really loved on a trip a couple years ago was Everglades City, which is about as far south as you can go without hitting the Keys. There's a great, outdoors vibe to the place as it's a staging ground for fabulous fishing, birding and boating in the remarkable Everglades. I'm not a great kayaker but I had a wonderful trip with a guide who was extremely helpful, and we spotted everything from gators to bald eagles during a two-hour expedition, not to mention dolphins and egrets and lots more.

I had a great meal at the Camellia Street Grill, a funky spot with a wildly decorated VW bug out front and terrific seafood. Try the stone crab in season, or just munch on some fresh-caught grouper and watch the boats roll by while you sit on a casual patio overlooking the river (see photo). Old-time Florida at its best.

Down the end of a short dusty road at the southern tip of Chokoloskee Island, just south of Everglades City, you'll find the fabulous Smallwood's store, which opened in 1906 as a local trading post and lived on for 76 years before it finally shuttered its doors.

As I mentioned in a story in Star Travel, it was reopened as a museum and recreation of the store about 20 years ago and it's as entertaining an hour as you're likely to spend in a part of Florida where where locals post Confederate flags in their yards or the windows of their trailer homes and where they don't have to put alligators in a fake pond to give visitors a taste of nature.

 

You walk into Smallwood's today, and it looks pretty much like it must have at the turn of the century, with bare wood walls, displays of native American culture and row upon row of fascinating cures for ancient and modern ailments. They say that about 90 per cent of the original goods in the store the day it closed are still on display.

There are highly entertaining displays of local history, including tales of murder and community cover-ups. Dynamite stuff.

 

I stayed at the Parkway Motel and Marina on Chokoloskee, which had chairs under a covered veranda out front of the rooms for chatting with neighbours and a fridge and free Wi-Fi and was just fine. The Ivey House B and B in Everglades City gets fine reviews and is worth checking out. Or you could make it an easy day trip from Naples or Miami. Either way, it's a charming, old-time part of the state that I just loved.

 

American tourism/travel types have seen the future ... and we're it.

They’re after us.

I caught up with a dozen or so representatives of various U.S. states and cities at the annual Discover America Day in Toronto on Tuesday. It’s a day with a series of ten-minute appointments for U.S. tourism folks to meet with writers/editors and other travel journalists and fill them in on what’s happening in their region.

At the end of the morning your head is spinning from trying to keep track of which city is adding the 85-story Frank Gehry condos (oh, wait, that’s us) and which has the new transit line to the new gallery aarea with the cool new restaurants and mixologists and farm-to-table cuisine next to the awesome boutique hotel with a micro-brewery and a Hammam spa using all local, natural ingredients. But several things were fairly clear when I checked my notebook this morning, the main one being that a lot of places in the U.S. have their eye fixed directly north of the border, and not because they’re worried about a cold front coming down from Canada. No, it seems many folks in U.S. tourism have seen the future of travel. And, to borrow from the famous line about Bruce Springsteen, its name is Canada.

Arizona tourism officials told me they’re launching consumer advertising for the first time in Mexico and Canada; mostly Ontario, Alberta and B.C. Arizona gets a lot of visitors from out west but Ontario is such a huge base that we end up sending a lot of tourists to the golf resorts, spas and ranches of Arizona, as well.

It’s a number I heard over and over again at the meeting, but Arizona officials said Canadian visits have jumped by 10 per cent or so in each of the last two years.

There were some 700,000 Canadian visits to Arizona last year and they’re aiming to boost that to a million in the next couple years if they can by pushing their glorious nature, growing wineries and their food scene, including a Salsa Trail down near Tucson where you can visit small food places with their own cuisine.

A Phoenix tourism official told me they’ve gone crazy building a new rail line in the valley and that there are several new hotels, including a new Westin and a Kimpton, which has a hotel in Chicago, The Burnham, that I just love.

They’re also pushing spa treatments for guys, one of which, I kid you not, is a hot golf ball massage. I’ve heard of hot rocks being put on your back, but I love the idea of a hot golf ball. All you need to complete the guy-spa trifecta is a cold beer and a pulled pork sandwich.

Down Virginia way, I was told that Canadian overnight visits this year are up 10.6 per cent. Flights on Porter from Toronto to Washington Dulles (located in Virginia) and Air Canada flights to Dulles and to the under-appreciated city of Richmond have helped a lot, of course, as has the fact you can reach the northern part of the state from Toronto in 10 hours of driving, or get to the state’s beaches in 12.

The Washington D.C. area Metro line is slowly being extended all around the city and by 2017 should reach Dulles airport. Virginia folks also are excited about the coming release of Lincoln, the Steven Spielberg film shot in their state that features Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.

The wine scene also is growing in Virginia, where Donald Trump recently opened a winery (see photo at right).

A touch further south in North Carolina, figures show Canadian spending last year was up 17 per cent and that there were more than one million Canadian trips to the Tar Heel state. Unfortunately for Carolina, less than half of those visitors stayed the night. Which is why they’re launching a “Get Off The Highway” program aimed at convincing visitors to see more of what the state has to offer.

North Carolina, not unlike Virginia, has both beautiful mountains and rolling, pastoral hills and big, fun cities and fabulous beaches. So there’s no shortage of stories to tell.

There’s lots happening down in Vegas, too. Canada’s Shania Twain starts her rotation Dec. 1, joining Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and Elton John.  Faith Hill and Tom McGraw also will be regulars in town, along with Taylor Hicks and others.

A spokesperson for Las Vegas tourism told me a lot of the credit for the resurgence in town goes to Dion for her commitment and continuing musical presence.

In Orlando, they're always thrilled to see Canadians. They're also stressing family travel but reminding folks they can do a family travel but still allow mom to sneak out for a spa treatment or a round of golf with her girlfriends, or for dad to get some alone time. Which makes sense.

Officials say there are more and more hotels with suites so folks can spread out or do multi-generational trips.

Orlando folks call their city the "no compromise vacation" spot, as folks can not only do theme park visits but also shop at everything from boutiques to outlet malls, as well as take in fine dining and all sorts of other activities. They'll be doing their "Made for Canada" deals in November, so have a look for those.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a few things happening in San Francisco, one of the favourite American destinations for Canadians. They just completed the new Pier 27 Cruise Terminal on the waterfront. It’ll be used for the America’s Cup in 2013 and then will be made operational for cruise ships. San Francisco may not be the first city that comes to mind for cruises, but it’s a very active port and the new terminal will accommodate vessels up to 1,200 feet in length carrying 2,600 passengers.

The Port of San Francisco celebrates its 150th anniversary next year. The Golden Gate Bridge, for those of you keeping score at home, celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. The renowned San Francisco Symphony celebrates its 100th season this year, too, and the Walt Disney Family Museum (located in the restored Presidio army base) celebrates the 75th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s first feature-length animated film, from Nov. 15 to April 14 of next year.

Elsewhere, there’s a new “Earthquake” exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences, where you can experience a high-magnitude jolt in an an earthquake similar and learn all about quakes and plate tectonics and other cool stuff. They’re also redesigning Jefferson Street in Fisherman’s Wharf (completion date 2015) to make it more pedestrian friendly and bring in “mini-plazas” where folks can stop and relax or take in a street performance (see design/drawing above left).

I sometimes find tourism folks – and travel writers like me – get all caught up in what’s new in a particular city. But in some ways it’s a ridiculous question. I mean, it’s great that the symphony is 100 years old, I guess, but what most tourists want to do is ride cable cars halfway to the stars and stroll past the Italian cafes and shops of North Beach or drive down Lombard St. or ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. None of those activities is remotely new, but they’re what makes San Francisco what it is, and often folks in the business, myself included, forget that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

September "Shoulder Season" a perfect time to check out these world spots ...

We had a story in the paper on Saturday from Pauline Frommer, talking about the joys of "shoulder season." It's the time of year that started about, oh, eight hours ago here in Toronto; those days right after Labour Day when the kids are back in school and the crowds of tourists suddenly diminish.

Think about it; a huge pool of potential tourists has suddenly been pulled off the market. If you have kids aged four to 18, chances are you're at home this week. If you ARE a kid of that age, or you're in college or university, chances are you're in school. So that means maybe half the potential tourism population of our fair city is unavailable for an overseas sojourn, at least in the middle of the week.

So the crowds will be down at the Uffizi in Florence and outside the Opera House in Sydney. The good tee times will be easier to get at the golf course in Banff or beautiful Kananaskis. Weather also is a factor in making September a great travel month. It's cooling down in northern Europe and in the Canadian Rockies, but it's still not winter coat time. In the Canadian Maritimes, it's still warm enough for the beach. And if you're a swimmer, the water should still be relatively warm in Muskoka or Lake Huron; as long as the nights don't get too chilly.

With all that in mind, here's a list of a few personal favourite spots around the world that would be ideal this month:

San Francisco: Most years (not all, but most) September is the finest month of all in this city by the bay. The fog tends to have disappeared by now and rain is extremely rare. It's a great time to take a driving tour through Golden Gate Park and across the bridge to Marin County, where you'll get killer views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Check out fun shops in the Haight-Ashbury area or cool bars in the Mission District or Hayes Valley. Head up to Alamo Square (at left) to see the "painted ladies." Try a ferry boat ride to Sausalito for fine bridge views and glimpses of Alcatraz. You can expect temperatures in the low 20's, but it's usually much much warmer than that in places like the Napa Valley. The magical Monterey Peninsula is only about two hours from San Francisco International. Check out my personaly favourite beach town of Capitola and also don't miss Pacific Grove, with its fine Victorian B and B's and old-fashioned main street. Passionfish serves great seafood.

Eastern Canada: Newfoundland is a personal favourite, with some of the nicest people on the planet. St. John's has a growingly sophisticated food scene, and with the kids gone back to school it should be easier to get a chair at the more popular pubs on George St. Looking for something a little closer to home? Halifax has a wonderful waterfront with great markets, shops and restaurants. The downtown has cool architecture and great food at places like Press Gang. And more than a few nice bars, including Economy Shoe Shop on lively Argyle St.

Slovenia: I like to call this "The Tiny, Perfect Country." It's wedged between Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary and has wonderful elements of all of those places. The coastline city of Piran has marvellous seaside promenades and cafes and red-tiled roofs along the Adriatic, plus Italian and Croatian food. The mountains near the Austrian border are gloriously ragged and sharp, with marvellous drives and killer views. The city of Ljubljana (at right) feels a bit like a miniature Salzburg, with a small castle on a hill and a pretty river that's also lined with smart cafes. There's tons of history and, again, really good food. The interior has good wine growing areas, remarkable caves and rolling countryside with spas and fine hotels and restaurants. Oh, and don't forget Lake Bled, with its magical views of churches and castles and an emerald-green lake and mountains and romantic boats and its wonderfully rich creme pastries. A mighty impressive package.

New York: It can be unbearable in the heat of summer. But the heat starts to dissipate a little about now, and the teeming hordes from Ohio and Ontario have mostly gone away. Take a harbour cruise. Meander over the Brooklyn Bridge to check out fine, emerging neighbourhoods. Check out the fashionable and trendy Lower East Side for cutting edge food and drinks. Walk the expanded High Line Park. Take a walk in Central Park or take in a show. There's a million things to do in the Big Apple and it's a great time to go.

British Columbia: Again, fine weather this time of year; mostly cool and dry. Victoria and Vancouver shine in late summer, as does Tofino and pretty much all of Vancouver Island. It's also a great time to check out the Okanagan region. Osoyoos is warm and dry this time of year, with fabulous wineries nestled into dusty country filled with cactus and rocky outcroppings that feel more like Arizona than Canada. Further north, near Kelowna, Mission Hills winery (at left) has a wonderful Marc Chagall tapestry and a fabulous restaurant with beautiful views over the vineyards and down to Okanagan Lake. Wonderful golf opportunites abound, and there are fine hotels along the lake in Kelowna and terrific restaurants in town and at the wineries. 

The Greek Islands: It should be starting to cool down a touch, and with the crowds gone you'll have a lot more breathing room than in July or August. I love Paros, with its old-fashioned, white buildings and simple, blue doors and pink or red flowers. Rent a moped and zip around the island for some marvellous views, pull up a chair at a seaside cafe and watch the sun go down. Or try one of the many beaches, some fairly rocky but others reasonably smooth. Beautiful water for swimming. Also popular are Naxos and of course Mykonos and Santorini. If you're in Athens and only have a day or two, try a quick trip to Hydra, where they don't allow cars and there are marvellous cafes and walking trails along the Mediterranean.

Down Under: It's almost spring in the southern hemisphere, which makes it a fine time to head down that way. I don't know South America, but I'll vouch for Australia and New Zealand for sure. The weather will still be a little cool in Melbourne and maybe Sydney, but the northern parts of Australia and New Zealand will be starting to shake off the cool temperatures quite soon. The Bay of Islands region of New Zealand (see photo at right, taken from the fabulous Kauri Cliffs golf club and resort) is breathtakingly beautiful; with small islands nestled into green-blue waters and a real tropical feel. In Brisbane, Australia, you can expect average high temperatures in the low to mid 20's this time of year; just perfect for the beach or city exploring. I haven't seen a lot of Queensland but had a fabulous time on Dunk Island following the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Even if the weather's a tad cool, it's still hard to beat Sydney for its combination of beaches, food, iconic architecture and shopping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myrtle Beach promotion for early fall ... Time to think about Whistler ski season!

Myrtle Beach is a hugely popular spot for Canadians, and with good reason.

I made my first-ever trip down that way last October and had a great time. The beach went on forever, the golf was outstanding and the food was excellent. There also were some hidden treasures, including the gorgeous Brookgreen Gardens and the fun "village" of Murrells Inlet, with its fun restaurants and bars along the water. I loved Caledonia Golf And Fish Club for golf; just awesome course with great conditions and a lovely clubhouse where you can sit out and watch folks play over the water to a tough 18th green. Tons of fun, with or without a mint julep.

 

 

To get more folks to come down and check it out, the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is telling folks 60 best-kept secrets of The Grand Strand during its 60 Miles in 60 Days campaign. The "secrets" are broken down into suggested itineraries, including "Classic Grand Strand," "Foodie Finds," "The Historic and the Haunted" and "Wildlife Wonders."

“Myrtle Beach is quite simply America’s favorite beach destination; nonetheless so many of our repeat visitors haven’t yet explored all that our 60 miles have to offer,” said Scott Schult, Executive Vice President of Marketing for the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The 60 Miles in 60 Days campaign not only helps inform the traveler, it showcases what sets us apart: our 60 miles of coastline and literally endless entertainment options.” 

The campaign will also include a pin-to-win contest on Pinterest, where interested vacationers can create a pin board titled “Myrtle Beach Dream Vacation,” pinning at least eight attractions from the 60 secrets to their board and adding the hashtag #MYRDreamVacation to each. By submitting their completed board’s URL to Visit Myrtle Beach via Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/mymyrtlebeach), participants will be automatically entered to win a 3-night, 4-day trip, complete with accommodations, a restaurant gift card and admission to choice attractions in Myrtle Beach, with one Grand Prize winner receiving admission to at least eight of their pinned secrets. A winner will be chosen each Friday of the 60 Days campaign, with the Grand Prize winner selected at the close of the campaign.

The Pinterest campaign starts Sept. 1, I'm told. 

In addition to Pinterest, the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will promote the campaign via television and online banner advertising, targeted media relations, a dedicated blogger campaign, and by revealing a secret each day via Facebook and encouraging fans to submit their own secret each Friday, during the destination’s “Photo Friday” contest. So check it out.

Porter Airlines is set to start its Myrtle Beach service up again on Sept. 13; just as things start to cool down a bit in Canada.

WHISTLER ON THE HORIZON

Yeah, it's hard to think about snow when it's 29 degrees here in the Big Smoke. But pretty soon those leaves will be changing colours and they'll be getting their first snowfall out in Whistler.

Whistler Blackcomb this week announced that early bird season passes are now on sale. Available through Oct. 8, an unlimited adult season pass is available for $1,489; a savings of more than $300. An unlimited senior's pass is $799, while youth passes (13-18) are $675 and children's passes (7-12) are $415.

Last winter, Whistler Blackcomb tallied a total accumulation of 1,389 centimeters or 45.6 feet of snow. While those numbers seem high, they are actually just above the annual average delivered to Whistler Blackcomb each year. Over the past ten years Whistler Blackcomb has received an average of 1,192 centimeters or 39.1 feet.

Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day for this ski season is November 22, 2012. Here are some details from a press release they sent out this week:

“Following on the heels of last year’s exceptional season, this winter we are looking forward to continuing to show guests why we’re a great skiing and riding destination,” said Dave Brownlie, Whistler Blackcomb’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “Last season we achieved the highest customer satisfaction score in the Canadian ski industry, affirming our reputation for delivering an incredible guest experience. This season we will continue to improve our guest experience by introducing a new “Family Certified” program, developing new Snow School programs, and unveiling the new Wonder Routes.”

The Wonder Routes
Whistler Blackcomb offers the most skiable terrain in North America with: 8,171 acres, 200+ runs, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers. With so much terrain to explore, some guests aren’t sure where to start. The Wonder Routes are a network of tours, trails, waypoints and stops that were created to help guests navigate the mountain and discover Whistler Blackcomb’s most wonder-filled places. There are six routes and each showcase a unique aspect to the mountains:

• Top of the World Route – features views from Whistler Blackcomb’s highest four peaks.
• The Steeps Sampler – highlights the steepest ski/snowboard runs on both mountains.
• Size Matters Route – showcases the longest runs on Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.
• The Gold Medal Route – features points of interest from the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Family Certified Route – highlights family-friendly areas and points of interest.
• The Powder Stashes Route – guides guests through powder snow areas.

 

 

 

 

Prince Harry antics boost interest in Vegas visits ... New Jaunt Golf site

The Queen is not amused.

Las Vegas is delighted.

In case you somehow missed the news, the Internet is awash with stories and the odd photo of Prince Harry cavorting naked in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Travelmole.com reports that the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is rather pleased.

"Las Vegas is excited that Prince Harry continues to visit the destination for his stateside getaways," said Courtney Fitzgerald of the LVCVA. "Las Vegas is about adult freedom and that means different things to different people.  It's important for friends to know what activities can be shared publicly and what activities are protected by the code of 'What Happens in Vegas; Stays in Vegas.'" 

Virgin Holidays said inquiries for trips to Sin City had shot up 30% since news of Harry's antics broke. The company said it had sent a care package to the Wynn hotel for the Prince, which includes spare trunks, sunglasses and an energy drink, and I like their style.

In the interest of being a family blog and all, I've only shown you a modest shot of the Prince in some nice, red Hawaiian board shorts. Other images, which don't appear to show anything, really, are available on the web for the curious.

GOLF TOURISM ON THE GO

Jaunt.ca and SCOREGolf.com have teamed up to launch Jaunt Golf, which offers exclusive, hand-picked golf getaways. It's billed as "the most extensive, fully-packaged online travel destination for beginners, avid golfers, Bubba Watsons and Happy Gilmores alike."

The first round of getaways are available now, featuring nine different locations. Included are Niagara, Muskoka, British Columbia, Mexico, Arizona, Florida and more. 

"We know that Canadians are eager to attempt new and challenging golf courses, and combining the most notable links with luxurious hotels and travel bonuses is the ultimate vacation experience," said Jonathan Tafler, general manager of Jaunt.ca. "We're thrilled to partner with SCOREGolf and pair our travel offers with their trusted voice and niche expertise."

Jaunt.ca is owned by Torstar Digital, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. Just so you know.

 

WEST JET VACATIONS KUDOS

WestJet Vacations this week announced results of a study showing it has the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty among the six most widely used tour operators in Canada.

Conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf of WestJet Vacations, the survey was conducted across Canada in June and July. WestJet Vacations scored higher than the competition for overall satisfaction, likelihood to recommend and customer service. It was also was rated as the most trusted vacation company, WestJet officials said.

FOUR SEASONS GROWTH

In addition to adding the new Yorkville hotel on Oct. 5, Four Seasons is busy around the world. The Toronto-based chain spans five continents and 36 countries and there's plenty more on the way.

China is a large growth area, representing more than 20 per cent of projected openings for the next four years. A new hotel in Guangzhou opened last month, and more hotels are coming to Beijing and Shanghai in the coming weeks.

This fall, Four Seasons also will enter Sub-Saharan Africa with the opening of the first of three properties. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania "will be a unique opportunity for the brand in an exciting new destination," officials said.

Located within Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the landscape features "the largest concentration of plains animals in Africa and is acclaimed for the best game drives and abundant, year-round wildlife."

Sounds pretty good to me.

U.S. TRAVEL SKYROCKETING

TravelAgent.Com reports that U.S. Commerce Department data shows international visitors have spent an estimated $82.2 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date. This is an increase of 11 percent when compared to the same period last year.

The new data confirms that the U.S. travel and tourism industry is on pace for another record-setting year and, if these trends to continue, international visitors could end up injecting more than $169 billion into the U.S. economy by year-end, the Commerce Department says.

The U.S. not long ago launched a new Brand USA campaign in the hopes of increasing visitor numbers. If the latest figures are any indication, it appears to be working.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segwun steamship on Lake Muskoka ... Shangri-La Toronto opens Sept. 17

I think it was last summer. We were at a friends' cottage on Lake Muskoka when the RMS Segwun chugged into sight.

 

"Oh, I don't like that thing," an acquaintance said. "It's dirty."

 

It was all I could do to not toss a drink in her face.

 

Okay, the Segwun is a steam ship. It sends out smoke.

 

We don't see it much, but last time I checked the cars we drive up to Muskoka emit a fair bit of pollution, too. Not to mention the boats and the jet skis we use. Of course a ship like the Segwun (see photo below) is going to send out smoke. It's an old-time steam ship.

 

And thank God for it.

 

Sitting at another friends' cottage on Sunday (we're lucky to have several friends in this happy situation), I was reading a book when someone said, "Look, the Segwun's so close."

It actually was the Wenonah II, which was built about 10 years ago and doesn't belch smoke. But it's very pretty and just as wonderful to see out on the lake.

Just hearing the whooshing "toot" of the horn when I'm on the dock or inside at the cottage is enough to make me smile.

If you've never taken a cruise on either the Segwun or the Wenonah II, you're missing something truly wonderful. The views of the lake and the cottages are lovely, and you get a sense of stepping back in time.

A check of the website shows that this year marks the 125th anniversary of the R.M.S. Segwun.

"This special anniversary will be celebrated on a grand scale Muskoka wide with live entertainment and performances planned throughout the summer," the website says.

There's a big beer, wine and cocktails festival planned for Aug. 25. Or you can hop a daytime or sunset cruise anytime.

Built in 1887, the R.M.S. Segwun stands tall as North America's oldest operating steamship.  With a sailing season of just 145 days, present day Segwun welcomes passengers on board from around the world.

SHANGRI-LA TORONTO

The Shangri-la, the latest in a string of top-end hotel properties in Toronto, is slated to open to the general public Sept. 17, a source tells me today.

The hotel, at the northwest corner of University and Adelaide, will open for the Toronto International Film Festival on Aug. 31 but that's for TIFF business and clients and partners, and not folks like you and me.

The hotel will have a much-awaited Momofuku restaurant, plus a sumptuous lobby with Asian touches and a first-rate Hammam spa. There are some 202 rooms.

More to come on this front later today or tomorrow.

The plan originally called for the hotel to open Aug. 7 but they ran into small delays.

The design look stunning, for sure. The Four Seasons new hotel in Yorkville is slated to open in October, and we already had the Trump open this year and the Ritz Carlton last year.

GOLF IN THE MALDIVES?

The Telegraph in London says the Maldives "has unveiled plans for a £320 million floating golf course, as part of a mission to transform the archipelago into a network of man-made floating islands, covering more than 80 million square feet of water.

Teaming up with the master developers of the project at Dutch Docklands, the Maldivian government launched The Five Lagoons project in an effort to save the sinking islands.

The lowest lying country in the world, the Maldives sits about five feet above sea level and is in danger of becoming uninhabitable due to elevated water levels and other effects of climate change.

Stunning hotels/resorts in Arizona: Palomar Phoenix, Tanque Verde and Tubac

Thanks to the Star's Richard Ouzounian for this comprehensive posting from Arizona

PHOENIX - You’ll find gold in the southwest this summer, my friends, you just have to know where to look.

I know lots of snowbirds come to Arizona once the weather chills up north, but now are when there are really awesome bargains to be had.  And don’t tell me how hot it can be down here in the summer.  You think Toronto’s has been exactly temperate?  And there’s no humidity here. None. That’s why it’s called the desert. 

But that doesn’t mean you won’t find a fountain of bargains.  My wife and I just got back from a wonderful week, where we stayed at 3 distinctly different places with marvelous deals attached.           

Start out in Phoenix, at the city’s newest hotel, the superchic Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape. (2 E. Jefferson St.; 877-488-1908; www.hotelpalomar-phoenix.com).  It’s a Kimpton hotel, which means it comes full of perfect attention to detail (see photo) and a sophisticated sense of humour.  The inside of each room’s wardrobe is painted with a list of outdated, but still legal, Arizona statutes, like “Any crime committed by someone wearing a red mask is automatically a felony.”

The rooms have wonderful views of the new Cityscape development that’s revitalized Phoenix’s downtown and you’re going to want to spend time on the third floor pool that blends invisibly into the happening Lustre bar. And for all this, there’s a special summer opening rate that will let you get all this for $149 US a night.  That also includes free access to the new Gold’s Gym Elite opposite, a nightly wine reception and a $25 nightly food certificate.

Believe me, you’re going to want to use that at the delicious Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, one of the best spots I’ve eaten at in North America this year (see photo). Small plates with pizzazz and punch, thanks to Chef Stephen Jones and a cocktail bar that mixologist Jacques Bezouidenhout keeps to state of the art standards.

Then it's time to hit the desert.  Take a 2 hour drive to Tuscon and drop by the Tanque Verde Ranch (14301 E. Speedway Blvd.; 1-800-234-3833; www.tanqueverderanch.com). It's the perfect combination of authentic Southwestern atmosphere and upscale Eastern comfort. Individual adobe-walled villas are incredibly spacious and beautifully equipped, many with a two-person Jacuzzi!

And that's going to come in handy after you've been out on the trail horseback riding over breathtakingly rugged cactus-covered terrain.  You can ride up to 3 times daily, get fed 3 enormous, delicious meals daily and enjoy all the other nature and fitness activities. Believe me, there are plenty.

Thanks to their "Fill Up Your Tanque" special, good until Sept. 15, you'll get to enjoy all this for $199 a night, $375 double.  That's all meals, horseback riding, activities, everything!  and they'll even toss in a $100 gas credit! 

How about getting a little closer to the Mexican border?  One hour further south brings you to the historic town of Tubac. Originally a Spanish colonial garrison back in 1752, it later became known as an artists' colony and a recent reinvention of the town has made it a fantastic place to visit, shop, eat and enjoy.

Mission central will be the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa (1 Avenue de Otero, 1-800-848-7893; www.tubacgolfresort.com).  Once a historic working ranch, it added a 27-hole championship golf course (see photo), a luxurious spa, several first-rate restaurants and 98 individual sleeping units to fill out the 500-acre ranch in comfort.

Bing Crosby and John Wayne loved to tee-off here, the movie Tin Cup was shot on location and during the summer, you can golf for as little as $29 (including a cart) depending on the time of day. I don't golf, but I found the location itself beautiful and restful enough to warrant a visit, especially at this summer's prices:  3 nights for the price of 2, with rooms starting as low as $114.

Like most of Arizona this summer, it's an offer you can't refuse.

 

 

 

 

The impossible beauty of the Hawaiian island of Kauai - a must-see destination

The folks in charge of Hawaii tourism sat down not long ago with the various islands in the state. At the end, each of the main islands was given a theme to work on to help lure tourists.

"I was worried a little, but they gave us the theme of rejuvenation," one Kauai tourism spokesperson told me at a Toronto sit-down last week.

It's a pretty good term for the island. Most folks from Canada seem to head to Oahu, home to Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, as well as to Maui, with its famous beaches and incredible infrastructure and golf courses. Hawaii, the Big Island, has tons to offer as well, especially for sun seekers on the Kona coast.

So does Kauai, but it's a little lower key in this most remote of Hawaiian islands. There's no community as thriving or lively as Lahaina, and there's no development that's nearly as big as, say, Wailea or Ka'anapali on Maui.

But I like that. There's no big city, but there's plenty of nice shopping to be had, including new opportunities at the posh Koloa Landing near Poipu Beach on the sunny side of Kauai. There's also a branch in Koloa of Merriman's, a fab restaurant with a popular branch near Kapalua Beach on Maui. And a new, private golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf called Kukui'Ula.

Poipu (see photo at left) has a series of fabulous beaches, with wonderful swimming and snorkeling and, in the right season, good surfing. It's often named one of the best beach areas in the state. There are hotels you can stay at, including some major chains. But a lot of folks like to rent condos for the space and convenience of cooking a few meals. My family stayed at Kiahuna Plantation a few years ago and absolutely loved it.    

But what's great about Kauai is you can get away from the developed areas in a heartbeat. Waimea Canyon has been called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, with its enormous, craggy depths and stunning landscapes washed and weathered and pounded and beaten by centuries of wind and sun and rain. Unlike the Grand Canyon in the mainland, this canyon is fertile and green and lush; a real gem.

The views from high up in the park of the famous Na Pali coast of Kauai are among the best postcards you'll ever photograph (see photo below right).

Kauai's central mountain, Wai'ale'ale, gets more rain than any place on earth; some 450 inches a year. But don't lash the entire island with that reputation. Just as Hana and Wailea are only a few miles apart but in completely different climates on Maui, so are Hanalei and Poipu utterly distinct climates on Kauai.

Hanalei gets frequent rain, but still manages a ton of sunshine and has glorious, lush scenery that looks like the South Pacific. Which is why part of the movie was filmed up that way. Poipu is dry, almost desert-like, but still gets enough rain to keep things green.

If you want near constant sun, head to the Poipu area and enjoy the beach. If you want something wild and green and jungle-like, as well as a good amount of sunshine, try up towards Hanalei. Or do a little of both and check out the other parts of the island and some of the 50 or so miles of white sand beaches.

There's outstanding golf up at Princeville near Hanalei, and also at Kauai Lagoons near the airport in Lihue on the south end of the island. A personal favourite is the oh-so-casual Kukui O Lono near Kalaheo on the south side; fun and cheap and funky and filled with locals talking story.

Want something active? You can kayak along the Wailua River on Kauai; the only navigable river in the state. The hiking is glorious all over the island, and there's also ziplining and deep-sea fishing and cycling and tons more on this,  the oldest and most beautiful and striking island in the Hawaiian chain.

You can drive from the resorts of Poipu to Waimea Canyon in just over an hour. Ditto for the drive to Princeville and the lush Hanalei valley, which will make you feel like you're in Tahiti. No structure on the island can be built more than four-stories; about the height of a mature coconut tree. So you won't have anything blocking your views.

The beauty of selling yourself as a rejuvenation destination is that everyone finds rejuvenation in different ways. For some, it might be a pineapple scrub and a Hawaiian lomi lomi massage at the spa at a posh hotel in Princeville. For others, it might be an ATV ride through the hills or checking out the birds out at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge or taking a helicopter ride into the lush valleys of the Na Pali coast or hiking the coast or taking in a whale-watching tour. On Kauai, you can take your pick.

People ask me about Hawaii and why I love it so much. Some of it is family memories. Some of it is great weather and food and beaches. But a large part of it for me is the Hawaiian culture. When I go to Barbados or St. Lucia I feel local culture, for sure. But not in as overt a way as I do in Hawaii, where the languague is exotic and lovely and the history incredible. Don't forget, people came here from the South Pacific in relatively tiny outrigger canoes to find a new life; navigating without instruments hundreds and hundreds of years ago over treacherous waters and thousands of miles. It's a history of human movement unlike any other on the planet, and the resulting culture in Hawaii is a wonderful mix of South Pacific melded with more modern influences from Asia, Europe and America. It's just a magical place.

Not enough for ya? Kauai is where they filmed most of The Descendants with George Clooney and a good deal of Jurassic Park. If that doesn't pique your curiousity, you need to check your pulse.