Canadians want more airline competition...Naked body scanners...Deal of Day

More flights. More airlines. More purchasing options.

A study conducted for the Consumers Association of Canada shows Canadians are strongly in favour of more access for international carriers.

The group’s polling found that 60 per cent of Canadians believe foreign airlines should be allowed to increase their service to Canada. Only 14 per cent of respondents were opposed.

Looked at another way, 61 per cent of Canadians said they think foreign airlines should be allowed to compete with Canadian airlines for their business, with only 20 per cent opposed.

Air Canada has been fighting to keep Emirates from adding more flights to Canada, saying it would hurt the Canadian economy and cost jobs in this country. The Harper government, so far, has been swayed by that argument. But there’s been a thaw in relations between Ottawa and the United Arab Emirates government, and it could be that efforts by Emirates to get more landing spots in Canada will soon be renewed.

The CAC poll had some other findings that weren’t too surprising. Asked if allowing more foreign airlines to fly to Canada would lead to more competition for their travel dollar, a full 77 per cent of folks agreed. Only six per cent disagreed. Asked if allowing more foreign airlines to come here would lead to lower travel costs, 69 per cent said yes and 12 per cent disagreed.

But those are silly questions. Of course more airlines means more competition. The question that matters is whether that competition is a good thing. Sure, it’s good for our travel budget. But it might not be good for the economy as a whole, which is what Air Canada argues with some justification. I’d like to see more competitition, but I am mindful of the effects it might have here at home. So is the Prime Minister.

The CAC said it will use the poll “to renew our call for Canada to adopt a dramatically different approach to international aviation.”

“Current policy has protected vested interests,” said CAC president Bruce Cran. “It is time to open Canada’s skies and welcome foreign carriers into this market to compete for the business of Canadian travelers.”

Good luck, sir. Good luck.

CANADA’S SENATE WEIGHS IN ON AIR TRAVEL

The Canadian senate has weighed in with a report on the future of the aviation industry in this country.

The Standing Committee on Transport and Communications issued a report called “One Size Doesn’t Fit All: The Future Growth and Competitiveness of Canadian Air Travel.” Putting aside the sexy title and all, I can’t for the life of me tell what the report is supposed to mean by reading the committee’s press release.

The top sentence in the release says this: “Canada needs a single, cohesive national air travel strategy, which must take into account the needs and challenges of all regions, particularly in the North, to chart a new course toward increased air travel in Canada.”

The release says the committee determined that “efforts to improve the competitiveness of regional and northern air transport should begin with transportation strategies that support air traffic growth, and infrastructure improvements that lead to accessible pricing for all Canadians.”

Later I discovered, it talks about how airport rents should be phased out to make airlines more competitive. This also was in the committee's interim report and is an interesting item.

The National Airlines Council of Canada sent out a release today saying it welcomes the Senate report "supporting its position that air travellers are being unduly penalized by excessive taxes and fees that are making air travel more costly for Canadians."

LESS INTRUSIVE SCANNERS AT CANADIAN AIRPORTS

It’s probably a good thing that the Harper government says it will bring in new software that will reduce the size of the images revealed by so-called naked scanners at the airport.

Officials in Ottawa said the new software will produce a computer-generated stick figure, and not so much a realistic body image, while still protecting Canadians with proper security.

I guess it’s good. But I never bought into the whole civil liberties argument about body scanners and all those crazy folks screaming about invasion of privacy.

I mean, do folks honestly think that airport security workers who can access any pornography they want at home will get their jollies by looking at wavy, grainy images on a computer screen in a back room at Pearson Airport? I don’t think so.

BLUE MOUNTAIN CHANGES

Skyline International Development Inc. today announced the closing of a $20 million investment and acquisition in Blue Mountain.  Skyline has purchased both retail and undeveloped residential land interests in and adjacent to the renowned Blue Mountain Village at the base of Blue Mountain Resort.

"Under the retail portion of the agreement, Skyline has acquired 50 per cent of existing commercial retail space within the Blue Mountain Village from current owner Intrawest ULC. In addition, Skyline will manage the remaining 50 percent of the Village's retail space. Skyline has also acquired the land to build an additional 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space to expand the Village retail. Skyline's retail interest under agreement at Blue Mountain is currently generating $1.5 million of net operating income.

In the residential portion of the acquisition, Skyline has acquired 136 acres of remaining developable land in and adjacent to the Village, with plans to double the Village's current residential footprint. Skyline intends to develop 1,200 residential units, townhouses and single-family homes along the golf course and in the Village centre in the years ahead.

 

“We are very excited to be part owners of one of North America’s premier destinations. The Blue Mountain Village acquisition is an important milestone for Skyline’s growth. As of today, we can offer visitors and home buyers a unique set of four-season activity-focused destination communities, extending from downtown Toronto and reaching across southern Ontario,” says Gil Blutrich, Skyline Chairman. “We look forward to bringing the knowledge and expertise of our team to the table to make Blue Mountain this country’s top vacation destination, while offering more home buyers the chance to live in the heart of this thriving resort community and be connected to the rest of our portfolio.”

 

CARNIVAL IMPROVEMENTS

Good to see that Carnival Corp., the cruise operator that has suffered so many black eyes this year, will spend around $700 million or more on fire protection and backup systems across its 101-ship fleet.

According to Bloomberg News, Carnival will install added emergency generators and reinforce shipboard systems to prevent losses of power like the one that occurred on the Carnival Triump in February.

“Safety is our highest priority,” said Carnival vice chair and COO Howard Frank.

If it wasn’t before, it damn well should be now.

Nice moves, but the cruise company had little choice but to make a splash (pardon the pun) given the problems they’ve had.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for Cancun that includes a $1,500 resort credit and ticket to see the wonderful Beach Boys. It's priced at $1,727, including $348 in taxes.

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• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
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  Triple: $1319
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• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
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Honours for Canada hotels and YVR, WestJet teams w/ Iceland Air, Deal of Day

A couple of Toronto's newest hotels have made a mark. 

Conde Nast Traveler the other day issued its hot list of the top new hotels in the world. The new Four Seasons in Yorkville and the new Shangri-La on University Avenue both made the grade, as did the Ritz Carlton in Montreal and La Ferme in Baie-St. Paul, the new hotel built at the Le Massif ski hill by Daniel Gauthier of Cirque du Soleil fame.

The magazine described the look of the Four Seasons (see photo below right) as "uber-polished and somewhat austere, with huge, dark wood columns and 1,700 commissioned pieces of art." They said the "taupe and beige colour scheme and stone floors lend a somewhat chilly atmosphere to public spaces" but that "rooms are softer, with flowered fabric headboards and sweet little framed prints of Canadian wildlife."

They also said the new Four Seasons is a "clear departure from the old-fashioned, out-of-date original," that the sleek Daniel Boulud restaurant is "a magnet for Toronto's upwardly mobile" and that the 30,000 square foot spa is the largest urban spa in the Four Seasons chain.

I gotta admit I find the lobby area a bit cramped and not overly welcoming, but I'm a big fan of old-fashioned hotels with welcoming chairs and don't really like the artsy, austere look.

I personally much prefer the lobby space at the Shangri-La, with its Asian touches and sofas and open spaces. It seems like the Conde Nast folks agree. They call the look "urban zen" and commented on the subtle Asian elements, such as the Japanese watercolours and orchids that dot the property. They said the hotel "feels illuminated and airy thanks to a soaring lobby space with plenty of blonde wood and travertine stone (and the occasional pop of magenta from a silk pillow or rug).

"Guest rooms are painted in soft cream, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Toronto skyline create a cheery atmosphere, even on overcast winter days. Enormous bathrooms are swathed in veined marble and include the now almost ubiquitous TV in the mirror."

Although it may attract biz types, the magazine noted the Shangri-La "has all the necessities for a city vacation, including indoor cabanas surrounding a whirlpool, a gorgeous hammam spa and the excellent lobby-level restaurant, Bosk."

Heady praise, indeed.

In addition to citing both hotels, Conde Nast also named their respective spas as blissful hot spots for 2013.

Heading to Quebec? Conde Nast called La Ferme's look "eclectic and whimsical," with rooms that vary wildly in style. They seemed to like the French comfort food at the restaurant, Les Labours, but cited the lack of a good spa. They had lots of great things to say about the Ritz Carlton in Montreal, citing it's "turn-of-the-century grandeur" and the "Gilded Age fantasy" of the Palm Court, combined with modern, sleek rooms. They said the pool and gym feel cramped, but overall gave the place a very solid review.

WORLD'S BEST AIRPORTS

The folks at Skytrax, who do regular airline reviews, have issued a new list of the top airports on the planet. Vancouver's YVR was, understandably, named the best airport in North America, finishing eighth overall. YVR was the only North American airport in the top ten.

It marks the fourth straight year Vancouver was named tops in North America, based on a survey of 395 airports that looked at everything from comfort to efficiency to signage and amenities. The Vancouver airport has a bright, lively feel to it, with great shops and a large fish tank and even a liquor store on the way out. It beats the living daylights out of Toronto Pearson. which came 46th to finish second in Canada. Also in the top 100 from a Canadian angle were Halifax/Stanfield at 58 and Montreal/Trudeau, which came 83rd.

I said Vancouver was the only North American airport in the top ten. Actually, it was the only North American airport in the top 29. The next best facility in North America after YVR was Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky at number 30. Other American facilities in the top 50 were Denver (36), San Francisco (40) and Atlanta/Hartsfield (48).

Changi Airport in Singapore came first overall in the world, a common occurrence for the renowned facility with shops and spas and all kinds of attractions. Next was South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, followed by Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Hong Kong International and Beijing Capital International Airport.

WESTJET TEAMS WITH ICELAND AIR

WestJet continues to sign deals with world airlines to make things easier for Canadians heading out of the country. It was announced today that WestJet and Icelandair "have launched a new interline agreement opening up the skies for passengers connecting between the Americas and more than 20 Icelandair destinations throughout Europe." 

"Passengers can now book a single combined e-ticket for WestJet and Icelandair flights which includes the conveniences of single check-in for all flights and baggage sent through to the final destination. When connecting in the Americas, Icelandair customers will enjoy WestJet’s fleet of Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft serving more than 80 cities in North America, Central America and the Caribbean."

"Icelandair and WestJet share many of the same philosophies including offering our passengers a refreshing travel experience” said Helgi Mar Bjorgvinsson, Icelandair's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. "Our complementary customer service and connections through Toronto and Halifax make this a natural partnership. We also look forward to further opening the skies of Canada for both inbound and outbound passengers."

Earlier this year Icelandair expanded its seasonal service from Toronto to a year-round operation with plans to increase capacity next summer. Icelandair will also resume seasonal service from Halifax with two flights a week starting June 1, 2013. 

“We’re excited to welcome Icelandair as WestJet’s thirty-second partner airline,” said Todd Peterson, WestJet’s Director, Alliances. “Icelandair and WestJet share a reputation for quality service and great value. The new relationship between our airlines will enhance options for travel between North America and Europe.”

AIR TRANSAT IMPROVEMENTS

Missed this last week when I was away, but the Star's Vanessa Lu reported the other day that Air Transat  is rolling out Italian leather slimline seats on its newly revamped Airbus 330 planes, which are often used on transatlantic routes.

Joseph Adamo, Transat's vice-president of marketing (see photo), said while the pitch - the distance from any point on one seat to the exact same point on the seat in front of or behind it - doesn't change, it will feel roomier.

"We can't say it's more space, but it's a better experience," Adamo said as Transat  held a media event in Toronto to show off a mockup of its revamped cabin. "The seat is thinner with new generation foam."

The airline also is replacing its outdated entertainment system with individual seatback touch screens that feature movies, books and games like Sudoku.

It's adding LED lighting inside the cabin that switches colours, depending on the situation, including orange for when a plane is arriving in Europe to mimic a sunrise, and supposedly reduce jet lag.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for the sunny Dominican Republic for $836, including $387 in taxes.

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• Accommodations in a Double Room, featuring 1 king or 2 twin beds and a balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child
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• Barcelo is located directly on the beach at Playa Dorada, five minutes from downtown

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 8, 15 & 22, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
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  Triple: $423
  Child: $399
  Tax: $387
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Why choose Air Canada Vacations?
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• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
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Canada a nation of towel stealers? ... Hello Eaton Chelsea T.O. ... Deal of day

Are we really terrible people?

Well, maybe not as bad as Americans. Or Colombians. But not nearly as nice or considerate – or honest – as the Danes.

A study by hotels.com found that 88 per cent of Danish travelers say they’ve never taken an item from a hotel room, a number I find astonishing. They found that 85 per cent of folks from Holland said the same thing, followed by 84 per cent of Norwegians and 81 per cent of people from Brazil and those from Quebec. English-speaking Canada? Shame, shame: 70 per cent.

The survey didn’t include toiletries from the bathroom, since, in the words of the hotels.com press release, “everyone takes those.”

Worst on the list, if you can believe the numbers, were folks from Spain (64 per cent said they never take things), India (62), Mexico (60) and Colombia (only 43 per cent).

The company also asked people what their must-have hotel amenity is. To no one’s surprise, the answer was free Wi-Fi. Also scoring points were high-end coffee makers, free bottled water and happy hours.

DELTA CHELSEA CHANGING NAMES

Say hello to the Eaton Chelsea Hotel in Toronto.

Owners of what has been for years the Delta Chelsea on Gerrard announced Monday night that the hotel will be renamed the Eaton Chelsea Toronto starting July 1.

The hotel is owned by Great Eagle Holdings Limited, which counts Langham Hospitality as one of its subsidiaries. Part of the Langham group are Asian hotels with the name Eaton, with properties in Shanghai, Hong Kong and New Delhi. As luck would have it, what is now the Delta Chelsea is just two blocks from Toronto's Eaton Centre (where there's no Eaton's anymore, not to confuse things too much). The bustling hotel is an official sponsor of Canada's best known shopping centre, as well.

Major renovations are set to begin in a couple weeks, with millions to be spent improving the exterior, particularly the balconies, as well as on sprucing up the lobby and restaurants and bars. And continuing renovations on the rooms and on the function spaces.

I thought they might try to use the Langham name on the old Delta Chelsea but it's far too big a property to be branded a luxury hotel (it's 1,590 rooms make it Canada's largest hotel). The Eaton name should work well in its stead.

There already are Langham's in London, Sydney, Boston, Auckland, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Pasadena, California, and other cities, and there are new ones coming to New York, Chicago and other cities.

Officials said the Eaton Chelsea will be a "first-class hotel" with a focus on "great service and great rates" and that all workers will be kept on. So folks shouldn't notice too big a difference other than the updates/renovations and a new name.

“We are very excited about the addition of Eaton Chelsea, Toronto to the Langham family,” said Josef Ebner, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Eaton Chelsea, Toronto.  “In repositioning to an Eaton brand that will include some significant renovations, we are excited to now share a design philosophy of smart, modern and uncomplicated interiors and an enthusiastic “can do” service culture which will set us apart from the competition in downtown Toronto.”

CALGARY TOURISM AD SPARKS REAX

I might have been wrong on this one. I mentioned on Twitter the other day that I liked a Maclean’s story that criticized a new ad for tourism in Calgary. I thought the author of the piece made a good point in saying cities need to stay true to themselves and not be too generic when they create their ad campaigns.

I still think that but on looking at the video a second time I must say I kinda like it. A little more in the way of cowboys and mountain views wouldn’t hurt, but there are some sleek and sexy bits to the video that probably gives us freezing in the dark Easterners a better view of what’s becoming a very cool city.

TURBULENT TIMES AHEAD?

In the future, white-knuckle fliers may be able to blame those brutally bumpy flights over the Atlantic on greenhouse gases. In a story in the Los Angeles Times, it was stated that turbulence will be stronger and occur more often if carbon dioxide emissions double by 2050 and the atmosphere heats up, according to a study in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Not good news for nervous fliers.

CHINA RISES

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) says China’s total business travel spending should increase by 15.1 per cent in 2013 to $226 billion. The projected expansion of 16.9 per cent in 2014 is more than twice the rate of the U.S.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a southern Caribbean cruise, set at $1,668, including $148 in taxes.

 

• BONUS: Includes FREE prepaid gratuities & non-stop flight from Toronto (in comparison to if you had booked your air and cruise separately!)
• BONUS: Concierge Class features priority check-in, personalized Concierge service, priority seating time preferences in the main dining room and specialty restaurants, upgraded room service menu, evening hors d'oeuvres and veranda with lounge seating.
• 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise sailing aboard the Celebrity Summit
• Departs from and returns to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ports of Call include:  St. Croix, U.S.V.I.; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Roseau, Dominica; St. George's, Grenada and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to San Juan and round-trip airport/pier transfers
• Accommodations in a Balcony (Category C2) Concierge Class stateroom
• All meals included

• Summit is a newly redesigned cruise ship offering the best in modern amenities from an energizing martini bar to an authorized Apple reseller
• The ports of call introduce the diverse landscapes of the Caribbean, from the jungles of Dominica to the stunning bay area of St. Thomas (see photo above).
• Explore the islands on a variety of exciting and optional shore excursions

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on January 4, 2014
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Balcony (Category C2) Concierge Class stateroom:
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $1520
  Tax: $148
  
  We also offer Other DATES and Gateways.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• 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!
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• To book dining times please fill out the 'Requests' form specifying preference for first or second seating at time of booking
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on Oct 14, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

Beautiful - and tasty - Livermore Valley, California ... Deal of the Day:

LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA - It's a sunny April day, maybe 24 degrees. I've just finished tasting wine at three wonderful wineries in what's called the Tri-Valley area east of San Francisco, a region that in spring is covered with green, rolling hills dotted with yellow wildflowers and brilliant orange poppies.

The vineyards cascade up and down small hills, alternating with small ranches and farms and nestled in valleys with winding roads just made for a convertible.

This area has been a winemaking region for decades and has some of the oldest wineries in the state, including Wente Family Vineyards and Concannon. That much I knew, having worked in the valley for a small newspaper from 1979 to 1981.

What I didn't know is that there are now a whopping 52 wineries in the valley, most selling top-notch reds and whites of just about any variety you can think of. It's too hot in summer for really good Pinot Noir, but there's fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Bordeaux blends, Merlot, Zinfandel and smoky, tasty Port being made all over the valley, particularly in the southeastern section. They also make pretty good Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio and excellent Chardonnay.

What I also hadn't really realized is just how much the city of Livermore has changed. When I was hanging out in these parts it was a cow town, known mostly for saddle shops and mom and pop stores. When I pulled over the other day and walked around, I didn't even recognize the place.

First St. around N. Livermore Ave. is now a dazzling spot with all sorts of urban energy. On one corner I spotted a child splashing in one of those fountains that shoots water into the air in random patterns. On another corner, a second fountain was gurgling in a small park in front of one of the town's renovated, historic buildings.

A third parkette on another corner backed up against a Peet's Coffee Shop, a small chain based in the East Bay. Folks were gathered in the shade of several huge trees, gossiping about who knows what and sipping their lattes.

Around the corner I saw folks spilling out of a live theatre performance. A short walk down First St. revealed a series of cool-looking restaurants; barbeque joints, a Thai place, an Indian restaurant, and more. A couple of women were soaking up the sun at a lovely sidewalk cafe, as well.

All of this beautiful scenery and urban life and outstanding golf courses and the fabulous, world-class wineries are just 45 minutes to an hour from San Francisco or the Silicon Valley/San Jose area. Just as close as Napa to San Francisco and half the drive you'd have to make from San Jose, but much more user friendly.

I checked out one of the two Wente Family Vineyards tasting rooms, the one on Tesla Rd. There are beautiful grounds and a lovely patio with comfy couches and chairs and a fun tasting environment with friendly folks pouring a large variety of wines. I wasn't wowed by the Sauvignon Blanc but the Cabernet was good and the Pinot Noir, grown near Monterey Bay, was out of this world. You can find Wente Cabernet at the LCBO on general listing for less than $20, I believe. A tad light in texture some years but very food friendly.

The second tasting room is out away from town, near the winery's outstanding golf course and the outdoor concert venue. It's an outstanding spot to taste the local product.

I also wandered into Steven Kent, a high-end property also on Tesla Rd. that has a sleek, dark-ish tasting room and plenty of vibrant, local art on the walls. I liked the Merlot a lot and loved the Cabernet Franc, but at almost $50 a bottle it was beyond my price range.

More to my liking, way more, was Eagle Ridge, which my sister turned me onto. It's located a couple miles out of town on a pretty stretch of Tesla Rd. and sits on a ridge overlooking the eastern valley and up towards towering Mt. Diablo, which sometimes gets dusted with snow in winter.

Owner Jim Perry and his wife collect antiques, and the big barn/tasting room (see photo) is filled with curios of all sorts; Miss Teenage America posters, eagle statues, an old clock, a cowboy statue and lots more. Perry poured me a great glass of their 2007 Petite Sirah and some of their MadLyn port, both of which came in at less than $30 and both of which came home with me.

There are several great towns in the Tri-Valley.  I've always been a fan of the town of Pleasanton, with lots of great shopping and food spots on a beautiful main street. The town of Dublin is more suburban but has some good spots, including a branch of Casper's Hot Dogs, the best dogs on the planet. San Ramon also is part of the Tri-Valley and also has a suburban feel, but with lots of upscale restaurants and a pretty setting in the valley. Just to the north, Danville has more of an old-time feel with plenty of excellent shops and fun food spots.

Be sure to take a drive out MInes Rd. from Livermore and follow the signs to Lake Del Valle; a beautiful reservoir flanked by high, pretty hills that are as green as Ireland in spring (dusty brown in summer/fall, however) and dotted with majestic oak trees. A great spot for camping or kayaking/canoeing and for fishing, too.

If you've never stopped in the Tri-Valley, I highly recommend you give it a shot. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised at what you find so close to San Francisco.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for "an epic 8-day stay in Rome," priced at $1,636, including $487 in taxes.

• EXCLUSIVE OFFER: 8-Day/6-Night Italy Tour revealing Roman history, art, culture and more!
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Rome, and airport/hotel transfers in Italy upon arrival/departure
• 6 Nights' accommodation at the 4-Star Hotel Nova Domus, located in central Rome
• Includes 5 days at leisure with a half-day city tour of Rome
• Meals include daily buffet breakfast
• The airfare in your package is valid for 8 days without surcharge (to extend your stay, ask one of our travel professionals at time of booking)

• Your accommodations in the Nova Domus are in the heart of the city
• You'll enjoy a guided half day tour and spend the rest of the time at leisure, exploring the Eternal City
• Rome offers a plethora of astounding sites from world class museums to historical ruins

Offer Details

• Valid for travel from Toronto on the following departure dates: May 21 & June 4, 2013
• Pricing (rates are per person, based on double occupancy, plus tax):
  
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  Tax: $487
  
  Dates don't work for you?
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• Includes all taxes and service charges
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Sandstorms & wild desert sculpture in pretty Borrego Springs, Ca. ... Deal of day

BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA-The plan was to drive from Palm Desert to Borrego Springs, about two hours. We were going to check out the town of Borrego Springs, south of Palm Springs, and play some golf and have dinner at a funky spot called the Krazy Coyote Grill. But stuff happens in travel, and you have to adapt.

We woke up in Palm Desert to howling winds; 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph or more. You could see piles of palm tree fronds along Highway 111 on the way to Indio. And things didn’t get much better after that.

The road south from Palm Desert toward the Salton Sea, which definitely has seen better times, was covered with dust and sand. We drove past dusty hills and barren rock and cactus and spindly ocotillo cactus with bright orange flowers and made it to Borrego after a couple hours.

But it was fairly, um, desolate. The power was out at the visitors centre. Ditto for the hotel and all the restaurants on the main drag, Palm Canyon Drive (see photo at right). The golf course was closed as dust was swirling around like nobody’s business, sending sharp shards of sand into your skin and whirling about and penetrating your eyes and ears. In other words, not quite a Chamber of Commerce day. Almost all businesses were closed and the golf course was closed because of the conditions. The road to the resort we were going to spend the night at was occasionally covered with thick clouds of blowing sand, and we ultimately conceded defeat and decided to drive to San Diego for the night.

Still, it’s fun to see a new part of the state. Borrego is like a glimpse into what Palm Springs might have felt like back when it was being developed. There are beautiful, rugged mountains high to the west, which provide a wind break on a good day, and some to the north and south. East is fairly open to the high desert scrub.

There are a few scattered shops along what passes for the main drag and a small shopping centre with cute stores and restaurants and nice landscaping. There are several scattered motels and resorts, including the Borrego Springs Resort, where were we going to bed down prior to the sand storm. There’s also a small resort with adobe units that has a regular pool and one for nudists. It was sold out, which probably tells you something about how many folks like to roam free.

The only food we could find was at a small liquor store, where a woman made up for the lack of power by writing down the purchases of slowly warming Cokes and beers in a notebook and tallying up the tax and final bill on a solar-powered calculator and by keeping the till open. She had a pretty good sized lineup from people like me. For the record, I had a very healthy lunch of Cheetos (two food groups; corn starch and orange food colouring) and a Coke.

Borrego is in the high desert of California, with tons of pretty mountains and rocks and scrub and cactus. Quite pretty.

One of the resorts, The Palms at Indian Head, is home to the Krazy Coyote. Unfortunately, the cook had gone home due to the lack of power and the parking lot was littered with giant palm fronds and other debris. The resort, formerly known as Hoberg's, was quite the spot in the old days, with visits from the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Raymond Burr (a nice nod to Canada) and Bing Crosby.

One of the cool things, and relatively new, is the scattering of 129 metal sculptures around the town; dinosaurs and elephants and camels and a water dragon and lots more. The idea came from Dennis Avery, who owns Galleta Meadows Estates in Borrego. The sculptures were created an artist and welder named Ricardo Breceda.

A woman of a certain age at the Chamber of Commerce/visitors centre told me a delightful story about one sculpture of a tall Friar with his dog.

“Someone removed the testicles of the dog,” she told me with the giggle of a 16-year-old. I don’t know why. It might have been a stunt or a prank. Someone else said a grandmother had it castrated because she didn’t want her grandkids to see the testicles.”

At this she positively roars at the absurdity of the whole thing. And I think she's great.

Of course, I had to go check it out. Sure enough, north of town a couple minutes, out in the desert scrub is a tall, rusting Friar with his faithful dog alongside, a large stick in its mouth. Not that I’ve spent a lot of time looking at dogs’ private parts, but it did look like the poor thing had been doctored.

Testicles or no, it’s a fun and slightly bizarre twist to the area. It strikes me there likely more than a few characters among the small shops and resorts and small homes and trailer parks and golf courses out this way. I'd love to go back some day when the weather's better.

Tomorrow: A pretty drive into the mountains northeast of San Diego, including some fabulous apple pie in Julian, California.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for an 11-day trip to beautiful and historic Italy.

• SAVINGS: Save up to $300 per couple by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: Extend your flight for up to 14 days at no additional cost (accommodations extra) and return from Rome
• BONUS: $150 Future Travel Voucher per person to use on future travel with Transat or Nolitours
• 11-Day, 9-Night Under the Italian Sun Tour including visits to the Eternal City, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Sassi, the “White Town” of Ostuni, Castel del Monte and more!
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Rome on board Air Transat, and airport/hotel transfers in Italy
• 9-nights' accommodation in 4-Star hotels (double occupancy). See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Includes transportation via deluxe motorcoach, services of an English-speaking tour guide and all admission fees as per itinerary
• Meals include 9 hot or cold breakfasts, 1 local lunch and 6 dinners 
• Includes a visit to the trulli, a UNESCO Heritage site, and epically scenic drives along some of Italy's most stunning coasts
• Enjoy a morning on the carefree island of Capri
• There are plenty of included tours and excursions like wine tasting in Manduria

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on July 11 & August 8, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  Toronto:
  Double: $2069
  Single: $2519
  Triple: $2029
  Tax: $483.59
  
  We also offer other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• To extend your flight for up to 14 days at no additional cost, you must call to book pior to April 11, 2013
• Hotels include the following or similar: Nova Domus, Rome; Conca Park, Sorrento; La Chiusa di Chietri OR Masseria Chiancone, Alberobello Region and Mercure Rome West, Rome
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on April 11, 2013. 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 

 

American Graffiti flashback ... China conquering tourism world ... Deal of Day

I try to stick to travel themes and news in this blog. But occasionally travel can take you to a rather personal space, so allow me a small indulgence today.

To set up the story, I've got to go back in time a bit. I grew up in a small town outside San Francisco called Castro Valley; a semi-rural (at the time) township where former Blue Jays General Manager Pat Gillick once worked on a chicken farm that was either owned by my Uncle Jerry or was right across the street (neither of us could quite figure it out last time we talked).

It was so traditionally American that it's to laugh; mostly white, fairly conservative, with jocks occupying the top of the social ladder and a main drag where folks would actually cruise on a Friday night in 1974. Much like they do in Modesto, California in American Graffiti, which I watched Thursday night on a flight from Toronto to San Francisco, which is kinda the theme to my Friday posting.

The movie, a masterpiece in my humble opinion, came out in the early 1970's. And it was hugely popular at my high school, where I was (sorry if this sounds like bragging) senior class president and reasonably well known if not top of the social scene. I was getting ready to head out of town to go to university in Los Angeles. A few kids in my high school were going to university in the Bay Area, but only a few of us were venturing so far away.

It's not quite like American Graffiti, where two of the four main male characters are spending their last night in Modesto before (they think) heading East to college. But it's similar.

The joke in my high school, I guess, is that I was something of a Ron Howard (see photo above) kind of guy. Pretty straight, involved in student council, all that. I didn't date the head cheerleader like Howard's character, Steve Bolander. A shame, that.

At the end of the film, Steve reverses the course he talks about all movie long and decides to stay with his pretty girlfriend in Modesto. His buddy, Curt, played marvellously by Richard Dreyfuss, opts to ignore his previous instincts and fly east to explore the world.

The similarities between Bolander/Howard and I were strong enough that when the time came for my high school paper to put out an end-of-term, pretend look at where various Castro Valley High students would be in ten years, some smart-ass dplace me in the same spot as Bolander. The school paper story mirrored the end of the movie by stating that 10 years after graduation I'd be the same as Ron Howard's character, namely "Insurance Salesman, Modesto, California."

It was pretty funny, I gotta admit. And I've laughed about it over the years whenever I've thought of the movie or of Modesto or my semi-awkward days in high school, where I really wanted to be the cool football player and not a student council geek.

I got on the plane on Thursday night to fly back to my childhood home to visit my Dad in the San Francisco Bay Area. I scanned the movie list on Air Canada and, lo and behold, found American Graffiti. I watched it and smiled and laughed and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of a marvellous, marvellous movie that's touching and ironic and interesting and fun and wonderful in every way.

I've thought about the movie a lot over the years. I had a great time at UCLA and took a trip to Europe after I graduated. In Italy I met a wonderful girl from Don Mills who I ultimately fell in love with. I ended up moving to Toronto in 1981, where I've been working in journalism (32 years at the Star come August) ever since.

Anyway, as the movie ends, they flash up the main characters and explain where they were later in their pretend lives. I laughed when I saw the bit about Steve Bolander being an insurance guy in his hometown. But what slew me was the next part, which I'd completely forgotten about. The next sequence in the bit about "where are they now" is an update on what happens to Curt (see photo), the Richard Dreyfuss character who left the clutches of his small town home for a college life back east. What do they have him doing? "A writer living in Canada."

Wow. All these years I've laughed about being pegged as the insurance guy, played by Ron Howard. Instead, my life arc took me in the direction of Richard Dreyfuss, who became a writer living in Canada.

I was freaked out. I mean, what are the odds of a movie that takes place in a town so similar to where I grew up plays out so much like my life, and then my watching it for the first time in years on a plane from Canada, where I work in journalism, back to my Modesto-like home town in California? It was so bizarre. I was gobsmacked and had to get up and shake out the cobwebs. One of the flight attendants asked me what was wrong, so I guess I was either white as a ghost or talking to myself. Or both.

I explained the whole movie/life thing to her. I think she thought I was nuts. And maybe I am. But it just slays me. I mean, whoever wrote that high school story and put me as Steve Bolander had the right movie, just the wrong guy. I was Curt, Steve's best friend. But I guess I could easily have been Steve if I hadn't wanted to see the world a bit. Or maybe if a cute cheerleader had thrown her arms around me after a drag race crash and begged me not to leave my hometown for the lights of L.A.

Life is like that. You take a left turn walking down the street in Barcelona and in seconds you find something that changes your life. In my case, I was in Rome in 1979 with some girls who I liked a bit but not a lot. We were supposed to meet at the main train station in Rome one morning and travel together to Florence. I couldn't find them so I hopped on the train and started chatting with one of several girls travelling together. One of them ended up being my wife of nearly 32 years, bless her patient soul.

Typing up this blog on Friday I'm still shaking my head over the movie and how it intertwines with my life. And I'm glad I wasn't one of the other main male characters in the film. John Milner, the tough guy/racer with a heart of gold, ends up being killed by a drunk driver. Terry, the nerd who dates the goofy, ditzy blonde, ends up dying in Vietnam.

I got to be the writer living my dream job in a great country like Canada. How lucky is that?

CHINA ON THE MOVE

I wrote the other day about how China has become the number two source of tourists for Canada, surpassed only by the United States. Now I see there's a United Nations World Tourism Organization report that saw CHina is the top tourist source market IN THE WORLD.

I guess it was only a matter of time, but in 2012 Chinese folks spent $102 billion abroad.

Back in 2000, only 10 million Chinese went abroad. Last year? Try 83 million.

In 2011, Chinese tourists spent 73 billion dollars abroad. Last year it was $102 billion, an increase of 40 per cent, said Xinhua news agency in China.

Amazing.

Back in 2005, China was seventh in terms of international tourism spending. Now they're on the top of the heap. And I can't see them giving up the title any time soon.

Also rising up are Brazil, wiith $22 billion in spending, and Russia, which saw international spending jump 32 per cent last year, according to Xinhua.

No wonder every tourism board in the world is chasing the Chinese, Russians and Brazilians.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a crazily priced Sunwing flight from Toronto to Amsterdam, set at just $599 all in. That's less than a flight to Vancouver a lot of days.

Jaunt Highlights

• Sunwing prides itself on providing you with the best in-flight services and entertainment equipment.
  Your return airfare to Amsterdam includes:
  • Complimentary glass of champagne
  • Hot in-flight meals
  • Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks]
  • Complimentary wine with meals
  • Complimentary headsets
  • In-flight audio/visual entertainment
  • Hot towel service

• Extremely attentive in-flight service means you will be ready to conquer the city when you disembark
• See famous art in the Van Gough museum and Rijksmuseum
• Soak up the cozy charm or gezelligheid

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on either of the following dates:
  Departs June 24 – Returns July 1, 2013
  Departs August 23 – Returns August 30, 2013
  
  
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Base: $119 + $480 tax
  
  We also offer Other DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925 or visit our partner at targetvacations.ca for other great charter flights
  
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

World's least visited countries/A Barenaked Lady does travel TV/Deal of Day

We all know about the countries that get the most tourists: Italy and France and the U.S. and all that. France had 79.5 million visitors a year, which is tops on the planet. But what about the places that see the least number of visitors?

 I ran across a great list the other day, from the United Nations World Tourism Organization and blogger Gunnar Garfors. These are all countries that contrast - just a bit - to France's numbers, with visitations ranging from 73,000 down to a mere 200. Most are in the poorest parts of Africa or scattered across the Pacific Ocean.

Here's the list.

25. Dominica, 73,000. Pretty Caribbean country (see rainforest photo at right) but small.

24. Chad, 71,000. Not so many tourists given political unrest in this part of Africa.

23. Central African Republic, 54,000. One of the poorest countries in Africa, but apparently there are nice river trips you can take.

22. Liechtenstein, 53,000. Sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, it's a country I actually drove through once. Pretty spot. I think I stopped. For a minute. I don't remember.

21. Djibouti, 53,000. Said to have great diving. And a great, great name.

20. Sierra Leone, 52,000. Great beaches, Garfors said.

19. Tonga, 45,000. One of those tiny Pacific countries, with fab coral reefs but few tourists.

18. East Timor, 40,000. Political issies keep folks from visiting what's said to be a pretty country connected to Indonesia.

17. Bhutan, 37,000. I keep reading this spot in the Himalayas is the happiest country on earth. Maybe because they don't get many annoying tourists.

16. North Korea, 35,000. Safe to visit. Unless you run into Dennis Rodman.

15. Libya, 34,000. Do I really need to write anything for this entry? I didn't think so.

14. Guinea-Bissau, 30,000. Another poor Afircan country.

13. Mauritania, 29,000. Not much to see in this part of west Africa. Nice camels, though (see pic below).

12. Federated States of Micronesia, 26,000. Hard to get to, but beautiful.

11. Solomon Islands, 23,000. More beautiful South Pacific scenery but not a lot of flights in. Country includes Guadalcanal, site of one of the worst battles of World War II.

10. Afghanistan, 17,500. I'm shocked that many people go, to be honest. Looks beautiful in photos but way too many other things going on.

9. Comoros, 15,000. Garfors says great seafood in this island spot north of Madagascar, and mosquitoes not as bad as folks think. Still, I'll take a pass.

8. Sao Tome and Principe, 8,000. This island spot is said off the coast of west Africa is said to be the smallest nation on (or near) the continent.

7. Turkmenistan, 7,000. I can't think of anything to say about this central Asian country. Not quite as crazy as North Korea, says Garfors.

6. Equatorial Guinea, 6,000. I think there are too many countries in the world with Guinea in the name.

5. Marshall Islands, 5,000. Fab diving but even I, a map freak, couldn't find them on the globe without some help.

4. Kiribati, 4,700. Wikitravel says this nation of Pacific atolls is friendly but that "South Tarawa is one of the most densely populated, severely poverty-stricken places in the world."

3. Tuvalu, 1,200. Rising tides could make this Pacific nation disappear. So boogie on down to Tuvalu while you still can. Said to be the third least populous nation on earth, smaller only than Nauru and Vatican City.

2. Somalia, 500. See entry for Libya.

1. Nauru, 200. Not far from Kiribati (hey, a new tourism slogan!). The smallest nation on earth, just 21 square kilometers and just under 10,000 residents. If it was downtown Toronto it would, of course, have 1.6 million inhabitants in 86 storey condos with shards of broken glass littering the sidewalk. A troubled economy and a fair bit of poverty, apparently (see photo at left). Garfors calls it the only country in the world with a capital but I don't know if that's true. Lots of phosphate mining and some beautiful water.

BARENAKED LADY ON TV

Travel+Escape and Farpoint Films say they'll begin production on a new TV series called The Illegal Eater, and that former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page (remember him?) will star.

The 13-episode series will debut this fall and feature Page "on a mission to hunt down clandestine dining experiences as he explores the tastiest, creative, underground and often illegal spaces that chefs around North America have to offer."

"My passion on the road has always been to obsessively research the foods, restaurants and markets that make each place I've played different," said Page. "Often, newer trends start underground before breaking through on the public's palate, so I can't wait to explore everything from fancy, underground supper clubs to hole-in-the-walls."

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on hand for a week in sunny Samana in the Dominican Republic, priced at $791 (including $392 in taxes).

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: $50 Future Travel Voucher per person to be used on future vacations with Transat or Nolitours
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa, located in Samana, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Samana and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Room, featuring 1 king-size or 2 double beds and balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Located right on the beach, amidst lush greenery, with impressive views of Samana Bay
• Enjoy free shuttle service into Samana
• Dine at three different a la carte restaurants

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 6, 13, 20 or 27 and June 3, 10, 17, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  May 6, 13, 20, 2013:
  Double: $499
  Single: $729
  Triple: $479
  Tax: $392
  
  
  May 27 & June 3, 10, 17, 2013:  
  Double: $399
  Single: $629
  Triple: $372
  Tax: $392
  
  
  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