Airline mixup sends folks to wrong continent ... Top Canadian cities ... Deal of day

You say Dakar, I say Dhaka. You say Oakland, I say Auckland.

It amazes me how these things can happen in this day and age of the information highway. But every once in a while the airlines give us a doozy.

The latest is a mixup involving a couple from Los Angeles who thought they were flying Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and then on to Dakar, Senegal. Their flight to Turkey was fine and they went to sleep on the second leg, thinking they were headed southwest to Africa. Instead, Sandy Valdivieso woke up and looked at the seatback video and found their plane was flying over the Middle East.

Turns out that there was a mixup at Los Angeles International and she and her husband were mistakenly given tickets to Dhaka, Bangladesh instead of Dakar, Senegal (see photo below right of Goree Island in Dakar, which I'll mention in a minute).

They got things fixed up and were sent back to Istanbul and then on to Dakar. Their luggage arrived a couple days later.

The airline wasn’t doing much for them, apparently, until the Los Angeles Times learned about the incident. The couple was then given free flight passes. In economy.

The story reminds me of the time, way back when before the Internet, when some guy in L.A. allegedly was trying to fly to Oakland, California (a one-hour flight) and couldn’t figure out why two hours later he could still see the Pacific Ocean outside the airplane window. The story goes that he was mistakenly routed to Auckland, New Zealand.

At the risk of offending my home town of Oakland, I think I’d prefer Auckland, actually. Putting aside the 12-hour flight, that is.

I also can recommend Dakar, actually. It’s the only place I’ve been to in Africa, having taken the trip to cover an International Olympic Committee meeting for the Star’s sports department. There are a couple of lovely hotels on the ocean with beautiful pools and even a small golf course with local caddies.

I didn’t see much of the city, although I did conduct an interview with the family of then Toronto Raptor Mamadou N’diaye, who was from Dakar.

The IOC folks also took the media along on a visit to Ile Goree, a pretty island near Dakar with a terrible history as the embarkation point for thousands and thousands of West African slaves. We toured the tiny chambers where people were held against their will while waiting to be put onto ships with deplorable conditions and saw the chains used to bind prisoners.

An awful place, for sure. But also one very much worth seeing (not unlike a World War II concentration camp in Europe) to remind us just how cruel we humans can be to one another.

The slave quarters and the so-called "door of no return" that led to the ships is powerful. But there also are beautiful views of the surrounding ocean and brightly-coloured boats on the beach, plus casual shops selling casual clothes in a million shades of red, green, yellow and blue - and just about any other colour you can imagine.

TOP TRIP ADVISOR CITIES

TripAdvisor today released a list of the most sought-after cities in the world, and the places Canadians are looking for.

The awards, based on reviews and opinions of millions of TripAdvisior travelers, found Vancouver on top, followed by Montreal, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Quebec City, Banff, Victoria, Whistler, Lake Louise and Ottawa. No surprise, I guess, given the millions of folks who live in the Greater Toronto Area and would be searching for places like Niagara and Ottawa and Montreal for weekend getaways or family trips.

Still, it's too bad we didn't get Halifax or St. John's on the list as they're both tremendous cities to visit.

TripAdvisor also did a world list, with the top 25 listed. No Canadian cities made the top 25. Here's the top ten: Paris, New York, London, Rome, Barcelona, Venice, San Francisco, Florence, Prague and Sydney. Three cities from Italy in the top 10; not bad.

For the U.S., the top ten were New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Washington D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, Honolulu and New Orleans. Once again, Minot North Dakota failed to elbow its way into the top 10. Or 25,for that matter.

CALLING ALL LOTTERY WINNERS

Someone down in Florida just won something like $60 million in a lottery. Which is an almost unfathomable amount of money.

The interest alone would be enough to live like a king. Or you could try living the high life in New York City.

A story I spotted on the weekend in the Telegraph (England), talked about the most expensive hotels in New York City. Topping the charts, the paper said, was the St. Regis.

At $823 a night, it’s quite pricey. Then again, there are marble floors, Louis XV furniture from France (I prefer Louis XIV myself; although he was a big fan of Ikea), Waterford crystal and more. Probably they have good soap and shampoo in the washrooms, too. And I bet they don’t bolt the blow dryer to the wall to prevent thefts.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a fabulous-sounding seven-night trip to Sicily, priced at $2,422.

Jaunt Highlights

• 7-Day/6-Night Taste of Sicily Tour, featuring visits to Palermo, Marsala, the Valley of the Temples, Mount Etna and much more!
• 6-Nights' accommodation in a variety of 4-Star hotels, based on double occupancy. See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Includes transportation via deluxe motorcoach, services of an English speaking guide, and all guided city tours as per itinerary
• Meals include 4 breakfasts and 5 dinners

• Early fall in Italy is the absolute best time to visit: perfect weather and less crowds
• Leisure time in Palermo paired with guided tours for the rest of your trip give a perfect balance of freedom and itinerary-based fun
• Visit stunning landmarks in Siracusa, Taormina and the beautiful and towering Mount Etna

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on September 25 & October 9, 2013
• Includes departure airfare from Toronto to Palermo (via Rome) and return airfare from Catania (via Rome) to Toronto, both on Alitalia, plus airport/hotel transfers
• Pricing (rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  September 25, 2013:
  Double: $1949
  Triple: $1949
  Single: $2199
  Tax: $523
  
  October 9, 2013:
  Double: $1899
  Triple: $1899
  Single: $2149
  Tax: $523
  
  For Other DATES or GATEWAYS Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Accommodations Included (or similar): Mercure Hotel (Palermo); Hotel Della Valle (Agrigento) and (Giardini Naxos) Antares or  Caesar’s Palace (Taormina)
• Includes all taxes and service charges
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5 PM EST on May 23, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

A cool Holland video/Jaunt.ca deal of the day/Win a scholarship based on travel!

I haven't spent a lot of time in Holland, but their latest video sure gets me thinking about a trip back.

It's a fun, cheeky piece of work that talks about everything from Van Gogh to gay-friendly lifestyles, not to mention fresh food, bicycles, tulips and beer. Oh, and cheese. And wooden shoes. And probably there's a windmill in there, too. And there's a fun bit about the one guy in Holland who doesn't speak English that's borderline brilliant.

I was in Amsterdam after graduating from university and had a great time at the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, both of which offer some of the most amazing art on the planet. The Rijksmuseum recently underwent a major renovation.

I remember being quite moved, as anyone would be, by the Anne Frank House. And I loved the canals and the small cafe/bars with the Delft tile and the old, wooden floors. I think I stayed in a hostel on the Prinsengracht, one of the great canals in town.

I distinctly remember some great pancake houses and a great spot that served rijsttafel (rice table in English). It's a great dish where you get a big bowl of rice and then a whack of small bowls with different foods from Indonesia, including satay, curried dishes, sambal, egg rolls, and much more. Often there are a few dozen small side dishes to choose from, which is an awesome concept.

There are a million Thai places in Toronto these days but I haven't seen much from Indonesia lately, which is too bad.

I also remember taking a bike tour outside the city centre and passing some beautiful pastoral areas with windmills and contented-looking cows. Definitely one of the real treats of Europe.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR TRAVEL LOVERS

Here's a cool concept. Someone sent me a note that talks about a scholarship kids can apply for,  based on their love of travel.

You can get $7,000 in school funding, so it's definitely worth doing a video and getting supporters, which is a requirement.Applications are being accepted until May 31^st 2013, so student travel lovers still have two more weeks to apply and then gather support for their application.

FLORIDA AND WORLD RECORD TOURISM NUMBERS

Hey, Florida, you’re welcome.

Visit Florida officials today reported 1.5 million Canadians visited the Sunshine State in the first three months of the year; part of a record 26 million visits between January and March.

That marks a 4.7 per cent increase over the first quarter of 2012.

Of those visitors, the Miami Herald reports, 21.8 million were domestic, 1.5 million visited from Canada and 2.7 million were overseas visitors.

Guests also spent more on hotels, with the average daily rate increasing 6.8 percent compared to a year ago to $136.45 across the state.

The state’s official tourism marketing corporation also revised its earlier estimate of 2012 numbers. The total count of visitors last year was actually 91.4 million, not 89.3 million as initially reported.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the “discovery” of Florida by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon. You can check out the action in this YouTube video.

As if Florida's numbers weren't impressive enough, the United Nations World Tourism Organization reported record numbers for the planet for 2012.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism receipts hit a new record in 2012, reaching an estimated US$1,075 billion worldwide, up four per cent in real terms, from US$ 1042 billion in 2011.

By regions, the Americas (up seven per cent) recorded the largest increase in receipts, followed by Asia and the Pacific (up six per cent), Africa (up five per cent) and Europe (up two per cent), said the website breakingtravelnews.com.

In absolute values, Europe saw US$ 457 billion in tourism earnings, equivalent to 43 per cent of the world’s total tourism receipts, the largest share by region.

The top ten ranking of destinations by receipts remained virtually unchanged in 2012, with the United States, Spain, France, China and Italy leading, followed by Macau (China), Germany, United Kingdom, Hong Kong (China) and Australia.

“It is encouraging to see that the growth in international tourist arrivals was equalled by a comparable increase in spending in spite of continued economic challenges” said UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai.“Considering that tourism is a key export for many economies around the world, this result is good news as it provides foreign reserves to destinations, and contributes to job creation in tourism as well as in related economic sectors,” he added.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, is offering a deal for a great trip to China, priced at $1,789, including $690 in taxes. The deal is hugely impressive in that it includes airfare and seven days in various parts of the country, including wonderful Shanghai and areas used in the filming of the movie Avatar.

Jaunt Highlights

• SAVINGS: Save up to $3400 per couple, compared to the cost of booking your air, accommodations, touring and meals separately!
• 9-Day/7-Night Visit China’s ‘Avatar' Tour, including visits to Huangshan - the filming location for the movie Avatar - Thousand Islands, the legendary Silk Factory, Suzhou and more!
• Includes international round-trip airfare from Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary to Shanghai with Air Canada
• Includes transportation via private air conditioned coach, accompaniment of licensed English speaking local tour guides, tours & entrance fees as per the itinerary and more!
• Pricing includes single-entry China Visa (valued at $120) and gratuities for local driver & guide (valued at $120)
• Accommodations for 7-Nights in 4-5-Star Hotels, based on double occupancy. See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Meals include 7 daily breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners including dinner with a traditional Apsara show 

• Visit one of the epic filming locations of the 2009 James Cameron film 'Avatar', the UNESCO World Heritage Site Huangshan
• Discover some of China's most unique places from Hangzhou to Sunzhou
• Shopping time in the immense city of Shanghai

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on October 23, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Vancouver:
  Double: $1099
  Single: $1369
  Tax: $690
  
  Calgary:
  Double: $1199
  Single: $1469
  Tax: $690
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $1399
  Single: $1669
  Tax: $690
  
  For Other DATES or LAND ONLY option, Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Accommodations Included (or similar): Howard Johnson Zhengdi, Shanghai (2 nights); Junrui Baihe Hotel, Tunxi (2 nights); New Century Hotel, Hangzhou (1 night); Nobel Crown Hotel, Wuxi (1 night); Marco Polo Hotel, Suzhou (1 night) and the Majesty Plaza Hotel, Shanghai (1 night)
• Valid passport and visa required for travel from Canada
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

Nova Scotia comes to T.O., Snowbird warning, Get social at Sheraton, Deal of day

Nova Scotia has come to Toronto.

From now until June 9, a 28-foot replica of the world-famous Peggy’s Cove lighthouse is on display at Bay and Wellington in the heart of downtown Toronto; part of a big push by Nova Scotia tourism that also included a series of stories in Star Travel a few weeks ago.

Thousands of folks braved morning rain and enjoyed afternoon sunshine and sat on deep blue Muskoka chairs yesterday, when the replica was unveiled. TV crews filmed at the site in the morning and at lunch there was fresh lobster being served up to hungry passersby.

“You get something like 25,000 people walking past this intersection every day, so we figured it was worth it,” said Patrick Sullivan, CEO of the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency. “Toronto is the largest city in Canada and an important market for Nova Scotia’s tourism industry so we thought it appropriate to extend a formal invitation.”

It’s a smart move, even if it did cost (Sullivan confessed) more than $100,000 and uses 30,000 pounds of sand for the base.

"Almost 500,000 visitors come from Ontario every year," Sullivan told me. "We wanted to finish our campaign with a big exclamation point."

Visitors to Peggy’s Cove west are encouraged to post a photo of themselves with the lighthouse with the hashtag #peggyscorner from now until June 9 for a chance to win a daily prize of a fresh lobster dinner for two delivered straight from Nova Scotia. There’s also a chance to win an all expense paid trip for four valued at $10,000 with the recently launched Hit the Road With Me Facebook contest. Simply “like” Nova Scotia on Facebook, enter the contest and you quality for a chance at four return flights, accommodations, a rental car and spending money. Hit the Road with Me is open until June 25 and you can enter the contest daily.

The tourism folks also have a Nova Scotia food truck/mobile kitchen that will patrol Ontario and Quebec until late July.

It's a beautiful province with tons going on; great restaurants, a fabulous coastline and the wonderful city of Halifax just for starters.

SNOWBIRD TAX TRAP?

I wrote in this space earlier this week about how U.S. politicians are considering a couple of bills that would allow Canadians to spend eight months of the year in the U.S., versus the current limit of six months. I pointed out there are health care issues as provinces tend to restrict the number of days Canadians can spend abroad and still get coverage. In Ontario, OHIP allows us to be gone no more than seven months.

Now comes word of a potentially bigger issue: taxes. I got a note from Moodys LLP to say Canadians would be subject to U.S. taxes if they stayed more than six months, which could be drastic.

While the proposed legislation would allow the individual to remain in the US for a period of 240 days, the law does not exempt these days for tax purposes, said Roy Berg, a Moodys tax specialist. "In other words, the “day count” for purposes of the visa is independent of the “day count” for tax purposes. As a result the would-be holders of the Snowbird Visa will become subject to US income tax and US estate tax and hence have light the fuse on the Snowbird Visa TAX BOMB.”

Yikes.

 

 SHERATON GETS SOCIAL

Here’s a great idea. Sheraton Hotels around the world, including the Sheraton Centre in Toronto and Le Centre Sheraton Montreal, will be hosting a Social Hour from Monday to Thursday nights each week from 5 to 7 p.m.

The program features top-rated wines from around the world (only wines with 85 or higher points from Wine Spectator magazine are included) and small glasses of wine will cost just $5; pretty good for Canada.

They’ll also have tasting events.

They held a reception Wednesday night at the Sheraton on Queen St. to toast the start of the event, serving up awesome pulled pork tacos and cheese and appetizers along with some stunning wines. I particularly enjoyed the Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon from California; rich and smooth and silky. Apparently it’s available at the LCBO for about $35, assuming you can get past the hordes of folks who’ll be lining up at the liquor store tonight to avoid a potential workers’ strike over Victoria Day weekend.

Similar events were held around the world, from Montreal to Buenos Aires to New York and Hawaii.

“Following tremendous early success, we’re proud to offer our guests at all Sheraton Hotels around the world the opportunity to experience this award-winning premium wine program,” said Michael Giguere, general manager, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal.

“As the world’s gathering place, we are continuously looking for ways to elevate our guest experiences with new social interactions and believe Social Hour to be a great program for both business and leisure guests,” said Tony Dunn, general manager of the Sheraton Centre Toronto.

There are more than 400 Sheraton hotels in nearly 70 countries round the world. Hseraton just finished a $6 billion global hotel revitalization plan and now is in the middle of an $8 billion global expansion in the next three years.

On a related note, Four Points by Sheraton will open its 175th hotel worldwide this year and plans for 200 by 2014. Among the properties planned by May of next year are Four Points by Sheraton Waterloo-Kitchener and at the Edmonton International Airport, as well as hotels in Edmundston, New Brunswick, Regina, Surrey, B.C. and at the airport in Kelowna, B.C. They also have plans for the Fort Myers Airport in Florida if you’re heading that way. Four Points also is debuting in Peru, Sri Lanka and Libya (Libya?) this year and expanding in Malaysia, Mexico and China, not to mention a new hotel in Brisbane, Australia.

 

AMERICAN TRAVEL PLANS

Trip Advisor did a story of summer travel trends and found these as the top five summer destinations: the ocean (51 per cent), the city (50), countryside (29), a national park (23) and a lake (17 per cent). One quarter of travelers said they’ll spend more on leisure travel than they did in 2012. Asked for their favourite summer treat, 33 per cent said ice cream. Top beverage was a margarita (nice choice), named by 15 per cent. Next favourite drink was beer (12) and iced tea (nine per cent).

 

THIS AND THAT

For the first time in the 25 year history of the park, a regular transit service is being offered from Toronto up to the Bruce Peninsula. The so-called Parkbus will soon be running, departing from various Toronto locations beginning at 7 a.m. and arriving in the Tobermory area sometime after 2 p.m. Folks can contact the company at 1-800-928-7101 or by emailing info@parkbus.ca. ... New Orleans has launched a new tourism campaign aimed at 35 to 65-year-olds, versus the party hardy sorts who come down for the pleasures of sidewalk and street drinking on Bourbon St. … I got a note from someone yesterday who represents the GSpot Hostel in Lisbon, Portugal. I didn’t know there was any such thing but a friend of mine at the office heard me mention the place and promptly replied: G Spot? I’ve been looking for that for years.” Ba-da-boom.

 

 JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a magical, 7-night trip to Disney World in Florida, priced at $1,131, including $142 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS of $140 per couple
• BONUS: Includes 7-Day Magic Your Way Base Tickets with FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
• 7-night stay at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort or Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to Orlando with Air Canada, and round-trip hotel/airport transfers in Florida
• Accommodations in a Standard View Room, featuring 2 double beds. Max. occupancy: 4 adults or 2 adults + 2 children

• You’ll be close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and will enjoy complimentary transportation to other Walt Disney World Resort locations
• Enjoy the ultimate family vacation - create memories to last a lifetime!
• Find the perfect resort for your family; choose from a music, movies or sports-themed getaway

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates: September 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12, 2013
• Pricing: (Rates are per person);
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $989 + tax
  Single: $1399 + tax
  Triple: $879 + tax
  Quad: $839 + tax
  Child (age 2-17): $669 + tax
  Tax: $142
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $1134 tax included
  Single: $1544 tax included
  Triple: $1024 tax included
  Quad: $984 tax included
  Child (age 2-17): $814 tax included
  
  For FLIGHT TIMES, OTHER DATES and GATEWAYS call us at 1-855-687-5925.
• Your FREE Meal Plan: The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan offers a convenient way to enjoy snacks and quick-service meals at over 50 select restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan includes two (2) Quick-Service Meals and one (1) Snack per person, per night of your package stay for everyone in the party ages 3 and over. The plan also includes one (1) Resort refillable drink mug per person, that is valid for the length of your stay (eligible for refills at Quick-Service locations only in your Disney Resort hotel). It is included in your package
• Book this offer at a Disney Moderate Resort and get the Disney Dining Plan Free. The Disney Dining Plan offers a convenient way to enjoy snacks and meals throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, including many located in the Downtown Disney area. The Disney Dining Plan includes one (1) Quick-Service Meal, one (1) Snack, and one (1) Table-Service Meal per person, per night of your package stay for everyone in the party ages 3 and over. The plan also includes one (1) Resort refillable drink mug per person, that is valid for the length of your stay (eligible for refills at Quick-Service locations only in your Disney Resort hotel)
• Magic Your Way Theme Park Ticket with Park Hopper Option: This option gives you the flexibility to come and go through all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks: Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. To add the Park Hopper Option to your booking, call our travel professionals 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
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

Canadians will spend slightly more than a week in hotels this summer. And they’ll be looking for a bargain. And nice amenities.

The folks at Room Key recently completed a survey and found Canadians plan to spend 7.84 nights (maybe they’ll get up early the last night) in hotels this summer for vacation. Some 78 per cent of travelers plan to spend about the same per night as last summer, when six out of ten folks spent $100 to $200 a night on a room and about 32 per cent paid less than $100.

Among those Canadians planning a hotel stay between May and August, they expect to spend an average of $1,029. Which adds up to about $14 billion on hotels for the summer season; a sizeable amount for sure.

As you’d expect, 78 per cent of respondents said price would drive their hotel decision, followed by location (64 per cent) and amenities (57 per cent). The hotel brand was cited by 37 per cent, while points and rewards programs were mentioned by 34 per cent of respondents.

“Value reigns supreme in the search for hotels this summer,” said Chief Marketing Officer Stephany Verstraete. “But today’s savvy traveler is looking beyond room rate to perks like complimentary Wi-Fi or free breakfast, the ability to earn loyalty points and more.”

When asked about their favourite part of staying in a hotel, 66 per cent amenities. Folks also said they prefer to avoid a room by the elevator or, no surprise, near the ice machine. (Of course, one option is to go to Europe and stay in an old hotel and avoid the ice machine entirely).

Fifty four per cent of folks said they plan to take it easy on a beach or on an island or at a spa. Big city sight-seeing that includes shopping came second at 48 per cent, following by family or school reunions at 32 per cent. More than half – about 55 per cent – said they’ll stay home on summer holiday weekends. Twenty seven per cent plan to travel for Canada Day, 17 per cent for this coming Victoria Day weekend and 23 per cent for Labour Day weekend.

I wouldn't turn down an invite for a cottage on the Canada Day weekend, but I do find it hugely relaxing to stay at home and do my chores and gardening and relax in the backyard with a nice glass of wine...

BARBIE HOME IN FLORIDA

I seem to recall my daughter playing with Barbie dolls. I’m sure my wife did as a little girl.

But I can’t help but feel a little weird about the idea of this Barbie The Dreamhouse Experience at the mall in Fort Lauderdale. It just seems so over the top and plastic. But maybe it’s just me.

If you haven’t heard, there’s a story on it in today’s Living section of the Star, a piece that talks about “an endless closet, elevators, a kitchen, bedroom, and everything pink."

It’s a life-size house that has some women turning to puddles.

“It’s a big deal,” said Lynn Mulvaney-Japes, who’s 51 and should have better things to do. “In fact, we all want to go work there.”

Japes says she has more than 3,000 Barbie dolls in her home and plans to visit Barbie’s home this week, along with other members of what’s called the Fashion Queen Doll Club.

It sounds awful. But, then again, somewhere in my basement at home is a Willie Mays bobblehead doll that’s cracked all apart and a Captain Kirk Star Trek figurine someone once gave me. So maybe I should keep quiet.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, priced at $821, including $392 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE TO JAUNT: Enjoy a FREE ROOM UPGRADE and a Bavaro Runners Tour - value of $220 per couple!
• BONUS: No single supplement!
• All-inclusive 7-Night stay at the 4-Star Vik Hotel Arena Blanca & Cayena Beach, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Upgraded accomodations in a newly renovated Superior Room Garden View featuring a king sized bed or 2 3/4 beds and balcony. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults + 2 children
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• We can't get enough of how gorgeous Bavaro beach is, and VIK puts you right on the beachfront
• Rejuvenated rooms for maximum comfort
• A revamped kids club will have your little ones entertained all vacation long

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 15 & 21, 2013
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Punta Cana and round-trip airport/resort transfers
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Single/Double: $429
  Triple: $399
  1st Child: $199
  2nd Child: $299
  Tax: $391.50 
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Your Bavaro Runners Tour includes transportation, tour guide, lunch, beverages and more! ( 1 tour per room)
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

Another Toronto Olympic bid could be on the horizon ... Deal of day: China

Here we go again. Maybe.

Canadian Olympic Committee chief Marcel Aubut was quoted last week as saying the COC is considering a Toronto bid for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

Aubut was believed to be pushing for a Quebec City bid for the 2022 Winter Games. And maybe he still is. But he said last week that the country needs a Summer Games more.

"Toronto is going to deliver a great 2015 Pan Am Games and it should be the first step in going higher for the Olympics like Brazil did (in winning the 2016 Summer Olympics), Aubut told Reuters. "If not we are going to look again at the Winter Games, and Quebec is a very good possibility. But the first goal is to convince people to go with Toronto in the summer."

The time for a 2022 Winter Games bid is almost here, actually. The International Olympic Committee will vote in September of this year on the site of the 2020 Summer Olympics, with the final ballot consisting of Istanbul (the favourite), Madrid and Tokyo.

A 2022 decision will be made by the IOC in 2015, while the 2024 decision comes two years after that.

It's good to see Aubut talking about the need for a Summer Games. Because Canada still needs good, Olympic pools and running tracks and other facilities. And a Summer Games in Toronto would do a lot for the city's tourism if it's done right.
Lord knows we should've learned how to bid, too, having lost out for the 1996 Games and then losing to Beijing in the 2008 race.

What we do NOT NEED is another ski jump or another bobsleigh/luge/skeleton course. It's bad enough to have Olympic winter facilities in Calgary and Vancouver; to spend public money on duplicating them in Quebec would be absurd.

Having staged the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver is probably enough for Canada. But the trouble is that, with global warming (or global inconsistency), there aren't many places cold enough to pull it off any more. Quebec might be one of the few dependably cold places the IOC can find for a Winter Games at some point, although there should be plenty of options for 2022, including perhaps China, Norway or maybe a Slovakia-Poland joint bid.

Staging the 2024 Games in Toronto is fairly soon after Vancouver. But it's definitely time for the big summer event to return to a North American stage as the last one here was way back in 1996 in Atlanta (after Atlanta nudged out Toronto and other cities).

Since then we've seen the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, and Rio in 2016. It's time to come back to North America.

But I’d be leery of the U.S. Big-time. The U.S. and the IOC were kinda like Karen Stintz and Rob Ford for a while; very much at each other’s throats. But they resolved a major issue over television money a while back and are now back on good terms. I think a Canadian bid would be extremely hard-pressed to elbow the Americans from the front of the IOC food line.

So far there's been interest from Los Angeles (which already has held the Games twice), Philadelphia and, um, Tulsa. I think Toronto could take on Tulsa, no offence to my Oklahoma friends. Also rumoured to be mulling a 2024 bid are Rome, Paris, Doha, Dubai and Durban, South Africa.

Aubut sounded excited.

"There won't be any political problems, there won't be a problem with terrorism. They (members of the IOC) love Canada. It's close to America. They love our country.

"But we have to make sure the interest is there, the government support is there."

I can see Mayor Ford jumping at it. Hard. But I'm not sure Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario government would feel the same way about such a huge undertaking during tough economic times. I'm also hugely worried about the potential security costs of a Toronto Games, as the bill would be massive.

Still, it should be fun to watch.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal today for a great-sounding trip to mystical China to see The Great Wall, rhw remarkable Terra Cotta Warriors and more. It's a five-star, 11-day trip priced at $2,419, including $720 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• 11-Day/9-Night Terracotta Treasures Tour, including visits to Tian An Men Square, the Imperial Palace, and the Great Wall of China, an itinerary offering time to shop for cultural and artistic treasures, and more!
• Includes international airfare with Air Canada, plus domestic airfare and airport/hotel transfers throughout the tour. See Offer Details for more info.
• Includes transportation via private air conditioned coach, accompaniment of licensed English speaking local tour guides, tours & entrance fees as per the itinerary and more!
• Pricing includes single-entry China Visa (valued at $120) and gratuities for local driver & guide (valued at $150)
• Accommodations for 11 nights in 5-Star Hotels, based on double occupancy. See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Meals include 9 daily breakfasts, 8 lunches & 6 dinners including dinner with a traditional Apsara show 

• You'll experience China in depth, from traditional medicine to dance shows and savoury foods
• See the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors
• Stay in true luxury at five-star acommodations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on November 20, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Vancouver:
  Double: $1699
  Single: $2119
  Tax: $720
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $1899
  Single: $2319
  Tax: $720
  
  Calgary:
  Double: $1799
  Single: $2219
  Tax: $720
  
  For Other DATES or LAND ONLY option, Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Accommodations Included (or similar): Oriental Bay Hotel, Beijing (3 nights); Titan Times Hotel, Xian (1 night); Sanli New Century Grand Hotel Zhenjiang, Hangzhou (1 night); Landison Plaza Hotel Wuxi, Wuxi (1 night); Grand Metropark Hotel, Suzhou (1 night) and Majesty Plaza Hotel, Shanghai (2 nights)
• Your Flights Include: Departure airfare from Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary to Beijing and return airfare from Shanghai to Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary, domestic round-trip flight from Beijing to Xian and Xian to Hangzhou.
• Valid passport and visa required for travel from Canada
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

More time down south? Canada tourism chases China & Brazil ... Deal of day

Fascinating news that the U.S. is considering a law that would allow Canadians to spend more time on American soil.

Currently folks are allowed to live in the U.S. only for 182 days or six months. After that, you're considered an American for tax reasons. And you don't want to be paying Uncle Sam and Mr. Harper, do you? No, I didn't think so.

Six months is a long time, but some folks might prefer more time in Florida or California or Arizona or some other sunny spot. Which makes the potential new law so intriguing.

It seems a clause buried inside a massive immigration bill that's before the U.S. Senate would allow Canadians - and apparently only Canadians - to stay in the U.S. for 240 days, not 182. Which would mean perhaps a snowbird being able to stay from October til the end of May and avoiding (pretty much) any chance of the white stuff.

The bill apparently would apply to Canadians 55 and older who own a residence in Canada and would rent or own in the U.S. Those eligible wouldn't be able to work or go on welfare.

It's an attractive proposition except for the fact that provinces usually limit how much time we can spend outside our provincial homes if we want health coverage. In Ontario and B.C., the limit is seven months.

The Canadian Snowbird Association is hoping it can get the provinces to match the U.S. eight-month limit, but that's no sure thing. Nor is it a sure thing that any bill will be approved by the U.S. government given the complexity and the rancour that exists these days in American politics.

Still, it'll be interesting to see what happens.

IGNORE U.S. TOURISM AT YOUR PERIL

China, China, China.

Brazil, Brazil, Brazil.

Almost every day I get press releases from tourism boards, or stories about tourism boards, around the world. And almost every day they say the same thing: “We really have to zero in on the Chinese market. And Brazil. That’s where the money is.”

And now comes word, courtesy of the Sunday Star and a story from Star reporter Curtis Rush, that the Canadian Tourism Commission, too, has heard the siren call.

And I’m a little worried.

Rush notes in his story that the average American who visits Canada spends $518 per trip. But the average Chinese person spends $1,670 and the average Brazilian spend $1,874.

On the face of it, the quotes from CTC officials about having limited resources and not chasing the U.S. market make sense. The Harper government has for no explicable reason slashed the CTC’s funding from $72 million in 2012 to $58.5 million. And this at a time when the Americans are going nuts with their lively and effective Brand USA campaign.

Also note that the state of New York last week upped its tourism spending from $19 million to $60 million. Which means that one single (albeit large) state in the U.S. is spending more than the entire Canadian Tourism Commission. Nice.

The CTC may be right when it suggests re-allocating dollars to China, Brazil, Australia and Europe. But one has to be careful not to chase the dazzling new baubles and ignore the steady stream that comes from the U.S.

If you look at the CTC’s just-released annual report, you’ll see that Americans don’t spend as much per trip as other visitors. But Americans last year spent a whopping $6.4 billion in our country. Brazilians spent a puny $152 million. The Chinese spent a healthier but still relatively tiny amount of $481 million.

In fact, if you add the spending together from Brazil, China, Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, The UK and South Korea you get only $3.7 billion in spending; barely half of what Americans spend here.

True, the provinces spend a good deal of money in key U.S. markets. But the CTC, I think, has to be careful not to focus so much on growing but still small markets in Brazil and China and needs to keep its eye on the American ball.

Besides which, to get back to my first point, EVERYONE is chasing Brazil and China. And, rich as they are, the Brazilians and Chinese can only spend so much.

A GOAT ON A HORSE IN NEWFOUNDLAND

You gotta love a province that sees a goat on the back of a horse and includes it in their tourism campaign. It happened in Newfoundland and you can find it by clicking here.

Kudos to the tourism folks, who at first rejected the idea but then figured they'd go ahead and emphasize that this is a province that's a far cry from Disneyland. And that's a good thing.

 

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great, 16-day trip to fabulous Turkey, priced at $3,307, including $458 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Save $200 per couple by booking this offer through Jaunt!
• 16-day/14-night Ottoman Discoveries Turkey Tour with visits to ancient cities, mosques, Turkish markets and more!
• Includes return air from Toronto to Istanbul via Air Transat. Land-only option also available. Call us to find out more!
• Includes all transfers in Turkey via air-conditioned motorcoach, services of a professional English speaking tour guide, and all sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
• 14 nights' accommodation in a variety of 4-Star and charming hotels, based on double occupancy. See below for hotels included (or similar).
• Includes 40 meals throughout the tour including: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches & 13 dinners

• Your small tour and boutique-style accommodations ensure a unique, personalized experience
• You'll visit famous sites of antiquity like Ephesus and Troy
• You'll experience the energy of Istanbul and the healing powers of Turkey's countryside

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 30, July 14, 28 & August 11, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $2849 plus tax
  Single: $3539 plus tax
  Tax: $500 per person
  
  We also offer other departure DATES and GATEWAYS.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Accommodations included (or similar): Aziyade (Istanbul), Iris (Canakkale), Kalehan (Selcuk), Pam (Pamukkale), Dogan (Antalya), Anamas Konukevi (Beysehir), Upper Greek House (Cappadocia), The Apple Palace (Amasya) & Kadioglu Sehzade Konagi (Safranbolu)
• Valid Passport and Visa required for travel from Canada. Turkish Visa’s available HERE.
• This offer is refundable until May 15 at 5PM EST. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable

  

 

Improved customs/entry for Canadians at Pearson ... Jaunt.ca deal of the day

Those new Automated Border Kiosks went live yesterday in Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson Airport, which should help considerably with the customs process.

In a note I received from the p.r. folks at the airport, I was told the kiosks can be used by Canadian passport holders returning home.

"You enter your (customs) declaration card and scan your passport, then you get a receipt and move on. A CBSA (customs and border/security) officer checks the paperwork and then you go to the baggage hall.

"No membership, no sign up – just scan your passport."

Border rules apply, so this doesn't mean you can go sneaking in 14 gallons of Crown Royal or $5,000 worth of clothes from the cheaper American Target stores. Still, it's a big improvement.

There are 20 of the kiosks in effect at Terminal One. They also have 20 at Terminal 3, which has had the system since February.

NOVA SCOTIA COMES TO TORONTO

Here's a great idea. The folks at Nova Scotia tourism will be re-creating the world-famous Peggy's Cove Lighthouse in downtown Toronto next week.

The likeness will arise at Bay and Wellington at noon next Wednesday, May 15. So check it out. And remember: it's BYOFAC - bring your own fish and chips.

FLY ME TO THE MOON ... AND MARS

Wow. Thirty five Canadians have signed up for a one-way trip to Mars on a space flight. We haven't actually figured out how to make the trip just yet. And certainly not how to get back. But some folks are just adventurous that way. Or maybe they're depressed about the Maple Leafs' prospects.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Dion Phaneuf take the trip given his bonehead play in game four.

As for me, I think I'll take a pass. To quote Elton John, "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise the kids. In fact, it's cold as hell."

WESTJET KUDOS

WestJet today announced it has once again been named Canada's most-preferred airline in a national study of Canadian flyers conducted in April of this year by Leger Marketing. The study also rated WestJet as the most trusted airline and the airline that offers the best customer service.

In a separate study also conducted by Leger Marketing, WestJet is also ranked as the most reputable transportation company in Canada. Leger's Canadian Corporate Reputation Study ranked the airline tops among six airlines, rail and bus companies.

PORTER STOPS RELEASING LOAD FACTORS

I thought something was funny the other day when WestJet reported its latest load factors, but Porter didn't follow suit. It turns out there was more to it than I thought.

The Financial Post reported today that Porter has stopped releasing its monthly figures on what percentage of its seats were filled. They claim it's normal procedure, but it seems strange that they did it for years and now, with their numbers slipping, have stopped.

In an earlier report, Porter said that for March their load factor fell 1.7 per cent to 58.1. Air Canada and WestJet have been reporting load factors higher than 80 per cent.

I'm no financial analyst but the failure to report can't be a good sign for Porter.

BOMBARDIER JET TEST COMING

The Star's Vanessa Lu reports today that the CSeries jetliner from Bombardier - the ones Porter says it wants to buy and fly out of longer runways at the Toronto Island Airport - is set to take off in late June for its first flight as promised.

“Most of the issues that could trip us up are behind us,” said Guy Hachey, president of Bombardier’s aerospace unit, after the company’s annual meeting in Montreal on Thursday.

“We’re still feeling very good about flying in June. Obviously there are always some risks until the end. I don’t anticipate any major delays if something were to happen,” Hachey told reporters.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for the Dominican Republic, priced at $746, including $387 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• SAVINGS: Two travellers save up to $112 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: ACV Privileges offer exclusive check-in/check-out, 10% spa discount, turndown service and in-room beach towels
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the Barcelo Puerto Plata, located in the Dominican Republic
• Includes return air from Toronto to Puerto Plata, with hotel/airport transfers in the Dominican Republic
• FREE CONNECTOR FLIGHTS: The cost of your connector flight from Kingston (ON), Ottawa or Montreal to Toronto is FREE
• OPTIONAL UPGRADE: Enhance your vacation by upgrading your airfare to Executive Class (C Class) which includes premium wines, spirits and cuisine, Maple Leaf Lounge access, extra baggage allowance, priority check-in and more!
• Accommodations in a Double Room, featuring 1 king or 2 twin beds and a balcony or terrace. Maximum occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
  
  

• Valid for travel on May 29, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Economy:
  Double: $359
  Single: $409
  Triple: $333
  Child: $349
  Tax: $387
  
  Executive Class (C Class):
  Double: $458
  Single: $508
  Triple: $432
  Child: $448
  Tax: $387
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  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
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

New York state launches $60 million tourism campaign ... Deal of the day

We love New York City. But do we really know New York state?

Canadians flock to Manhattan on a regular basis. And most of us in Ontario know Buffalo and Rochester and perhaps Syracuse.

But I suspect most Canadians aren’t as familiar with some of the great sights that the Empire State has to offer. Which is why New York state governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced the launch of what’s billed as “New York’s largest tourism campaign in decades,” committing some $60 million to grow tourism and create jobs.

The announcement came at the end of a massive New York State Tourism Summit, held to protect the fifth largest employment sector in the state.

“New York State has some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world. From the peaks of the Adirondacks to the beaches of Long Island, no matter what you’re looking for you can find it here,” Cuomo said.

Considering the state invested just $19 million in tourism last year, the $60 million figure is astonishing.

(It’s also a good idea for the Canadian government to follow should they ever wake up to the potential of tourism in a country with the variety we have. Instead, however, we have the Canadian Tourism Commission budget being gutted in a very short-sighted move by Ottawa. Shameful).

The campaign will include advertising space in New York subways and airports that promote upstate New York tourism, as well as an emphasis on new welcome centres and a focus on luring folks from Asia and South America.

Chinese and Brazilian visitors love New York City, so it makes sense to try to get them to visit great places like the Adirondacks or the Finger Lakes. But if they’re not bumping up their marketing in Canada they’re missing an easy target. We love shopping in New York and we love New York prices.

I was only in the Adirondacks once, and it was long ago, but it was a beautiful spot; much more mountainous than anything we have in Ontario. Rochester is a fun city we recently profiled in Star Travel, with good food and wonderful (and cheap) golf courses. The Finger Lakes have great food and wine and marvelous scenery, with stunning waterfalls and gentle hills that we’d consider mountains.

I spent a night at a great lodge outside of New York City a few year s ago, the Sagamore on beautiful Lake George (see photo at left). It’s an old-style place like Muskoka's Clevelands House, located on a lovely stretch of lake. A real Muskoka, old-time feel to it, with nice rooms and a big lobby and a fabulous golf course next door.

 

PANAMA CITY BEACH UPDATE

 

We’ve heard of the ball dropping in Times Square in New York. But did you know that on New Year’s Eve in Panama City Beach, Florida they drop thousands of them?

A few years ago, they decided to play up the beach theme down PCB way and drop 10,000 inflated, brightly coloured beach balls from suspended nets. It’s now a great annual tradition, with one group of balls dropping on thousands of kids in the early evening and then a single ball dropping at midnight for adults able to stay up a little later and enjoy live entertainment.

It’s one of many fun and clever events they stage down in Panama City Beach. They also have an annual pirates festival around Canadian Thanksgiving And each winter they do a prom for the seniors who spend their winters in the area. This year there’s also a homecoming event, with a homecoming king and queen.

They've built a new ampitheatre down at Pier Park, a fun area with shopping and rides that's right next to the beach. They'll feature ZZ Top on American Memorial Day weekend later this month and then a couple of teen idols: The Wanter and Cody Simpson.

It’s a fun part of Florida with incredibly white, fluffy sand beaches, good food, lovely nature reserves and good prices.

 

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a great escape to the Dominican Republic.

 

Jaunt Highlights

• SAVINGS: Two travellers save up to $160 by booking with Jaunt.ca!
• BONUS: Sunwing's SMILE inclusions - 2 children (2-12 yrs) stay & eat FREE (just pay for flight),  no single supplement for an adult sharing a room with up to 2 children, unlimited a la carte dining and more!   
• BONUS: Stay at 1, Play at 3! (Includes access to Grand Palladium Palace and Grand Palladium Bavaro)
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4.5-Star SMILE at Grand Palladium Punta Cana, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to Punta Cana, and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in the Dominican Republic
• Accommodations in a Deluxe Room, featuring 1 king or 2 double beds. Maximum occupancy: 4 Adults or 2 Adults + 2 Children
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Stay at 1, Play at 3 gives you access to the Grand Palladium Punta Cana's sister resorts which means more activities, more pools and more dining options
• Bavaro beach is considered one of the most stunning beaches in Punta Cana
• Kids clubs are available for all ages and have loads of activities to keep the little ones entertained

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on the following departure dates:
  Toronto: June 28 & July 5, 12, 19, 26, 2013
  Montreal: June 24, July 1, 8 & August 5, 12, 2013   
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $795 + tax
  Single: $1095 + tax
  Triple: $785 + tax
  Quad: $775 + tax
  Child (2-12yrs): $325 + tax
  Tax: $390
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $1195 tax included
  Single: $1495 tax included
  Triple: $1185 tax included
  Quad: $1175 tax included
  Child (2-12yrs): $745 tax included
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5 PM EST on May 15, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

Florida's 500th birthday touches down in T.O./Porter/WestJet news/Deal of day

It's tough to cover the entire Sunshine State in an hour. But they made a pretty good attempt at it.

Folks from Florida's tourism department put on a breakfast at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto today, serving up French toast and eggs and delicious orange juice (Florida variety, I presume). There were representatives from Miami, Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, Tampa, Amelia Island, Fort Lauderdale, The Space Coast, Fort Myers/Sanibel, The Palm Beaches and more, including some smaller, old-time places such as Flagler Beach (between Daytona and St. Augustine) and Crystal River, about 80 minutes north of Tampa.

It would take way too long to go over the details, but here a few tidbits/highlights to whet your Florida whistle:

- Ponce de Leon "discovered" Florida in April, 1513. There's a replica of one of his ships sailing the waters of the area he called "La Florida" right now.

- The $100 million Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibition opens in late June at the Kennedy Space Center.

- Greater Fort Lauderdale gets 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and there's a new Barbie Dreamhouse Experience opening at Sawgrass MIlls shopping centre tomorrow (May 8).

- Miami (this is from their p.r. person) has a temptation for everyone, "no matter what your vice." They also have upcoming months focussed on deals for romance, golf (speaking of vice), restaurants and spas. On top of that, they're getting set to open a 30-acre museum park with a science museum and an art museum and a new Metro station.

- The Inn on Fifth in Naples has undergone a major renovation and now has club level suites with larger space and 24-hour concierge service, while the Omni Amelia Island (a great beach location) near Jacksonville just underwent an $85 million reno.

- Tampa has several new hotel options, including a new Aloft on the HIllsborough River and a Le Meridien inside the old federal courthouse. In Tampa's Hyde Park historic district, a 137-room boutique hotel called The Epicuream will open in Dec. 2013. It will devoted to "extraordinary culinary experiences" and is being developed in collaboration with Bern's Steak House. It also will be the first newly constructed property in the U.S. to join the Autograph Collection of Marriott International and will sport a rooftop lounge. Nice idea.

- In Naples, there's a Dolphin Explorer Cruise you can take with scientists who study dolphins; a fun and educational experience, I'd think. They also have a new children's museum and a kids' area in the Naples Botanical Garden.

- They call The Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches area "the quiet side of Florida," with a real, old-time feel. I've seen photos and I like the look of the place, but alas have never been. Noting her area is between Daytona's famous speedway and historic St. Augustine, a public relations woman called the coast "between The Fast and The Past."

- Sea World Orlando will soon open "the coldest attraction in Florida," a ride/exhibit called Antarctica; The Empire of the Penguins.

- Orlando is adding a giant Ferris Wheel that's a replica of The Eye in London.

- There are 90 public golf courses in Fort Myers, not to mention excellent beaches and bird-watching opportunities. I had no idea, but there's also an Amish/Mennonite area of town.

AIRLINE COMPETITION. ISN'T THAT A GOOD THING?

I had to laugh at the Globe's Report on Business this morning. They had a solid story on WestJet starting its new Encore service and Air Canada getting ready to launch its discount Rouge service. The story talked about how the increased competition might mean too much capacity or could mean big discounts. When the story turned from the front page of the section, there was a headline that said "fare wars are feared."

Maybe if you're an investor, they are. But if you're a consumer like you and me, the appropriate headline might be: "fare wars could be coming: LET'S PARTY!!!!"

Speaking of WestJet, it's fascinating to see the front page story in today's Star on how the federal government has said the airline can now operate with one flight attendant for every 50 passengers, rather than the previous standard of one for every 40. The move allegedly was made to put Canadian airlines in line with U.S. and international standards.

But a union official made a good point in today's Star.

“What does competitiveness with U.S. airlines have to do with the safety of these employees and the flying public,” asked Paul Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents flight attendants at such airlines as Air Canada, Air Transat, Canjet and Sunwing.

An excellent point.

PORTER DEBATE CONTINUES

I think that was a pretty major victory for Porter on Tuesday, getting Toronto city council to sign off on studies (at Porter's expense) on how jets would impact the Island Airport. It sounds like the airline has made some concessions to opponents such as councillor Adam Vaughan, so we'll see where it goes. But I like their chances of getting final approval later this year; a move with wide implications for the tourism biz in Toronto and for travellers.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal this week for a 3-night bus tour to fabulous Chicago for just $489, all in.

• 3-Night, 4-Day Escorted Chicago Bus Tour, with transportation from Toronto via Deluxe Motorcoach
• 3-nights' accommodation at the Quality Inn Schaumburg (or similar) with daily breakfast
• Includes guided sightseeing tours of Chicago and Oak Park – including a River Cruise on the Chicago River, visits to Lincoln Park Zoo & Gardens and Wrigley Field, shopping on the Magnificent Mile, and more!

• Guided tour that hits many of the city's most popular attractions
• Lots of leisure time to explore cultural nightlife opportunities
• Close proximity to Chicago's renowned food scene, with eclectic dishes from Italian, Polish, Southeast Asian and many other nationalities

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 14, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, tax included):
  
  Double: $489
  Single: $689
  Triple: $469
  Quad: $439
  Child: $289 (11 yrs and under sharing with two adults)
  
  
• Depart from any of the following pick-up locations:
  
  5:30 am: Scarborough Town Centre (near YMCA)
  230 Town Centre Court
  Scarborough, ON
  M1P 4Y7
  
  6:30 am: Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre
  Omega Tours Office  
  Unit 55-3175 Rutherford Road
  Vaughan, ON
  L4K 5Y6
  
  7:15 am: Square One
  151 city Centre Drive
  South of Square One Mall
  ( in front of Tim Horton's)
  
  8:15am: Real Canadian Superstore
  GRIMBSY
  361 South Service Rd
  
  
• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to pick-up time. All departure times are dependant on traffic.
• Complimentary parking available at Sarracini Travel located at Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre
• Includes complimentary parking at Sarracini Travel, located at Vaughan Mills departure location
• Valid passport is required. If you are born outside of Canada, you must have a valid passport along with a visitor's visa. We do not take responsibility for anyone who is denied entry into the United States.
• This offer is refundable until 5 PM EST on May 8, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

Bike sharing comes to NYC ... Hidden gems of Italy ... Jaunt.ca deal of the day

I'm not sure I'd try it on Sixth Ave. in rush hour, but it's great to see that New York City is joining the crowd of cities with bike-sharing options.

City officials say the largest bike-sharing system in the U.S. will start sometime this month, with 6,000 bikes at 330 stations in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. That's for now. Ultimately, they plan on 10,000 bikes at 600 docking spots in Manhattan, booming Brooklyn and on-the-rise Queens.

The program is called Citi Bike after a $41 million sponsorship from Citibank, plus another $6.5 million from MasterCard.

AP reports that thousands of folks already have signed up as Citi Bike founding members, forking over $95 as an annual fee for unlimited rides of 45 minutes. Which sounds like a helluva deal to me.

AP quotes a U.S. bike expert as saying there are a whopping 534 bike-sharing systems in the world. That includes Toronto's seemingly trouble Bixi bike program, which I utilized today to get from the Thompson Hotel at Wellington and Bathurst to 1 Yonge St. in a little over 10 minutes.

HIDDEN GEMS OF ITALY

Cnn.com/travel has a good item today on some of lesser-known great spots of Italy. Among them are some spots we've featured in the Star or that I'm aware of, including Ischia (an island near Capri), Syracuse in Sicily and Turin, which has some fine restaurants and beautiful covered arcades for shopping and which, of course, hosted the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

Also noted by CNN were spots such as San Felice Circeo in Lazio, Pienza in Tuscany and Narni, located in increasingly popular Umbria region, not far from Rome and known by the Romans as Narnia (hence the Chronicles of Narnia). It's an excellent list. To which I'll add a personal favourite I visited a couple years ago: Ponza.

Ponza is a fairly short ferry ride off the coast of central Italy, also not far from Rome. There's a small village with faded, colourful paint jobs and working fishing boats, as well as excellent restaurants and hotels mixed among the t-shirt shops.

I rented a car and drove around for a few hours, checking out dramatic, cliffside scenery and swimming in beautiful water. There are caves you can explore by boat, but it was too windy when I was there. Still, I just loved the sense of remoteness. I imagine it feels like Capri did before it was discovered by the beautiful people, not that there's anything wrong with that.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a Bahamas and Caribbean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines, priced at just $672, including $153 in taxes.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes $50 Onboard Credit, and 1 bottle of wine per cabin
• 7-Night Bahamas & Florida cruise aboard the Norwegian Gem, starting from and ending in New York City
• Ports of call include: New York, New York; Orlando, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; and Nassau, Bahamas 
• Accommodations in an Inside (Category IE) or Balcony Oceanview (Category BD) Stateroom
• Includes Freestyle Dining on board offering tons of complimentary and specialty dining options

• Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line's exclusive island in the Bahamas - not just any ship gets to visit!
• Between the tennis, basketball, volleyball court and rock climbing wall, spend time on the outer decks doing more than just lounging by the pool
• Freestyle Dinning lets you eat dinner whenever you get hungry so you can make the most of your days on shore

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on September 7, 2013 sailing
• Pricing (per person, plus tax)
  
  Inside - Category IE (max. occupancy: 4):
  1st & 2nd person: $519
  3rd & 4th person: $399
  Tax: $153
  
  Balcony Oceanview - Category BD (max. occupancy: 3):
  1st & 2nd person: $749
  3rd person: $399
  Tax: $153
  
  We also offer Other DATES and FLIGHTS to NYC.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
• To book an Inside stateroom, click on the 'Book Now' above.
• To book a Balcony Oceanview stateroom, click HERE
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until 5PM EST on May 8, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.