A $1.56 million trip of a lifetime ... New flights T.O. to Dublin ... Halifax golf

It’s a tad expensive as trips go. Roughly $1.56 million, to be precise. But it promises to be the vacation/expedition of a lifetime.

A company called VeryFirstTo.com is selling an Ultimate Journey package that includes the Taj Mahal, Petra in Jordan, Angkor Wat in Cambodia (see photo below), the Forbidden City in Beijing and Peru’s Machu Picchu. And a few other spots, such as, get this, every one of the world’s 962 World Heritage Sites.

Although various governments current advise against visiting some World Heritage Sites, including Pasargadae in Iran and Leptis Magna in Libya, the firm apparently will try to make everyone happy, according to the Daily Telegraph in London.

The trip includes overland travel and flights (in business class cabins or superior), while tours of the different sites will be guided (presumably by workers carrying peacock feathers and iced Grey Goose martinis). Accommodation will be at a range of luxury hotels, including Sandy Lane in Barbados (a lovely spot I got to stay in - briefly - a few years ago) the Hotel George V in Paris and The Plaza in New York (a Fairmont property, also a very fine hotel).

The trip – billed as the ‘world’s most expensive holiday’ – was launched last month by VeryFirstTo.com. Now the company’s founder, Marcel Knobil, says two wealthy travellers have expressed firm interest in becoming the first people to embark on what the Telegraph called “an epic odyssey.”

The first chap is said to be a Chinese fellow who can’t go until he’s finished his PhD tudies next year. An Italian industrialist also is on the verge of booking, according to Knobil.

Just in case you have cash to spare, VeryFirstTo.com also is willing to book you a trip into space for $108,000 and the chance to wake up surrounded by more than one million rose petals for a $110,000.

The latter seems kind of expensive to me. I think you probably could drive to Ottawa and lie down in front of Parliament Hill and wake up in mid-May with about a million tulip petals all around. And you’d only have to pay for your bail after the cops arrest you.

ON THE OTHER HAND

If you’re more in the market for value, Fox News recently put out a list of its top value hotels around the world.

Among them was the Coco Palm Resort in St. Lucia, which I’ve heard previously is a good deal, as well as Le Richelieu in the French Quarter of New Orleans, The Dean Street Townhouse in London, England and Hotel Le Germain Dominion in Quebec City.

Fox cited the Germain’s “historic, wood-and-stone façade” and bank vault doors that are played off against stylish, modern décor. Breakfast is included and there’s also free Internet (hurray) and a Nespresso coffee machine in each room.

I went online and found a room in early May for $222. Not cheap but not bad for what looks like a nice property.

IRELAND RISING

More than a million folks from Canada and the U.S. visited Ireland last year and spent more than $994 million, an increase of 9.3 per cent. This year marks a year-long event called The Gathering, a series of festivals and events celebrating “the unique nature of what it means to be Irish.” Which means numbers could increase even more. Air Canada this week announced it will start year-round service from Toronto to Dublin on its new, discount airline, Rouge, beginning May 1, 2014. Service this year is from May 17 to Sept. 30.

THIS AND THAT 

Toronto golf designer Tom McBroom has announced a new, championship course for Halifax. It’s called The Links at Brunello and is slated to open in June 2015. There hasn't been much in the way of new golf course construction in this country for a while, so it's a good sign. I hope … I guess we can put our pocketknives – and hockey sticks – back in cold storage. After suggesting they’d lift the ban on those and other items on airplanes, the folks at TSA in the U.S. now say they need to consult pilots, airline workers and other concerned parties (many of whom have expressed alarm at the proposal) before they can revoke the ban … Nice way to start a vacation? Not really. It seems a worker at Los Angeles International Airport the other day mistakenly hit a switch and, for eight minutes, caused flight status signs to flash the message “Emergency: Leave the Terminal.” …

Rudest spot in Britain: Butt Hole Road? New Travel + Escape mag ... Deal of day

I've been hanging onto this one for a while, not quite sure whether it fits a family newspaper like the Star. But I spotted a BBC post today on the rudest place names in Britain, so I figured I may as well let loose with my own findings on unusual/suggestive place names in Canada and the U.S.

First, the BBC report. The Brits, of course, have always had colourful names for everything from towns to food, such as Toad in the Hole. Much more inventive than North America, where we serve hot dogs and club sandwiches and chicken wings (although in Buffalo you can get Beef on Weck, which actually sounds like a farming community in England when you think about it).

Anyway, the BBC story is a hugely fun piece that talks about places like Cockermouth, Crotch Crescent, Fanny Hands Lane, Twatt (there are two of them, apparently), Hornyold Road, Back Passage and Cocks, not to mention Shitterton and Sandy Balls. The BBC also cites a place called Beaverclose, which is an easy one for Canada of course and, therefore, too easy a target.

There used to be a street in England called Butt Hole Road in Conisbrough but they changed it a while back to Archers Way, which is really, dreadfully dull. But it's easy to understand city fathers' desire to change things.

I had fun (hey, somebody has to do it) some time back checking out some Canadian examples. The most obvious and best-known is, of course, Dildo Newfoundland. There's also Come-by-Chance, Newfoundland and a few notable others.

But you might not know about a few places I stumbled across, including Climax, Saskatchewan, Crapaud, Prince Edward Island and Ta Ta Creek, British Columbia (not sure if it's a bodacious creek or just normal-sized). There must be some rude spots in Ontario, prudish as we may be, but I haven't been able to find them.

The U.S., however, is a gold mine: Butts, Georgia; Nutts, Arkansas, New Erection, Virginia; Hooker Hole, Louisiana; Fort Dick, California; Intercourse, Pennsylvania; Fanny, West Virginia; Easytown, Indiana; Assawoman Bay, Maryland; and Threeway, Mississippi among them.

Got more? Drop me a line at jbyers@thestar.ca.

PORTER POLL

Porter Airlines sent out a press release today saying that a new poll suggests two-thirds of Torontonians support Porter's plans for jets at the Toronto Island/Billy Bishop Airport, provided they're quiet enough.

This result is based on an unprecedented public opinion survey of 19,500 people, which is the largest-ever sample size for a publicly-released poll in Toronto, the airline said.

A summary of the results are as follows:

•         When asked, “Do you support allowing jets to fly out of the airport if they make a comparable amount of noise to the turboprops currently being flown from the Island Airport?”, 66.2 per cent supported these plans, 22.3 per cent were opposed and 11.5 per cent undecided or unsure.
•         When asked, “Do you support lengthening the runway if the area currently used by boats will not be changed?”, 62.5 per cent supported these plans, 22.3 per cent were opposed and 15.2 per cent undecided or unsure.
•         When asked, “Should Toronto City Council allow jets to fly out of the Toronto Island Airport?”, 51.3 per cent supported these plans, 28.7 per cent were opposed and 20.0 per cent undecided or unsure.

“These results show strong public support for the introduction of CS100 jet aircraft at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and also the required runway extension to support the use of these aircraft,” said Robert Deluce, President and CEO of Porter Airlines.

Good numbers, for sure. But I still suspect Porter's plan will face a rough ride at Toronto City Council.

While I'm on the subject, don't you just love the phrase "whisper jet?" I mean, is that brilliant marketing or what?

TRAVEL AND ESCAPE MAGAZINE LAUNCHED

Travel + Escape, the TV folks, have launched a digital travel magazine. It's only available for iPad and iPhone at the moment but an Android version is on the way.

Travel+Escape’s inaugural adventure issue features five of the world’s most gripping travel destinations: Norway, Chile, California, British Columbia and the stratosphere, according to a press release.

Get a head-cam view and behind-the-scenes look at the world of wingsuit flying with Norway’s champion BASE jumper, Espen Fadnes. Learn about the state of space tourism and what to expect in years to come. Readers can discover luxurious retreats, chic boutique hotels, oddball accommodations (including an Arctic ship hotel) and swipe through stunning retina-quality image galleries. Watch full-screen videos, including a high definition time-lapse of a serene Yosemite National Park.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY 

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a good deal on hand for a great trip to New York City, priced at $829 including air fare.

Jaunt Highlights

• BONUS: Includes 3 New York City Excursions per person. Excursions included are:
  
  • The New York City Highlights Cruise
  • The Sex and the City Hotspots Tour
  • The New York City Hop-on/Hop-off 24-hour Downtown Loop Bus Tour
• 3-night stay at the 5-Star Millennium Hilton, located in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Newark or from Montreal to LaGuardia
• Accommodations in a Double 1 King Bed Room. Maximum occupancy: 4

• Stay in the middle of the financial district surrounded by neighbourhoods like SoHo, Greenwich Village and Tribeca
• Included excursions take you to the filming locations of Sex and the City and other quintessential New York City sights
• Enjoy a cruise down the Hudson for a great photo op of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on June 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21. 27 & 28, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $699 + tax
  Single: $1065 + tax
  Triple: $731 + tax
  Child (2-17yrs): $335 + tax
  Tax: $130
  
  Montreal:
  Double: $944 tax included
  Single: $1314 tax included
  Triple: $970 tax included
  Child (2-17yrs): $570 tax included
  
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Mission District of San Francisco: history/great food ... Deal of Day:

For years I’ve been getting nudges from the San Francisco tourism folks to check out the Mission district.

It had gone from something akin to derelict to a trendy, fun area and was well worth investigating, I was told. Even our former mayor, David Miller, mentioned it in passing one day when we chatted about his travels.

I finally got around it on a recent visit, and had a great time. Mind you, it was one of those postcard-perfect spring days in the city; about 18 or 19 Celsius with hardly a whisper of wind and the chill-inducing summer fog still (they hope) weeks or even months away.

After circling the area for 20 minutes to find a parking spot (hint to visitors; take one of the many public transit options, or even take a short cab ride from downtown; the parking scene is a nightmare), we finally pulled up in front of a small, storefront church called the Voice of Christ Full Gospel Church that had a white zone painted on the curb; meaning we could park as long as services weren’t going on. We took the chance and left the car on a nearby street, then walked back to Mission Dolores (formally Mission San Francisco de Asis, named after St. Francis of Assisi), the heart of old San Francisco.

The mission was founded June 29, 1776 (oddly, just five days prior to the birth of the United States) by Father Junipero Serra, the wandering priest who set up missions up and down the state and who is possibly the father of modern California and certainly of Spanish California. According to the website, it's the oldest intact building in the city of San Francisco and the only intact Mission Chapel in the chain of 21 established under Serra's direction.

It’s a basic, white adobe structure at the base but there are towering, glorious spires with ornate carvings and green-gold domes that look very much like a cathedral in the south of Spain.

For a couple bucks you can take a short tour of the grounds and the church, which is well worth the effort. The church has brilliantly coloured stained glass windows that feature missions up and down the state. You’ll see Santa Barbara with what looks like an angel or Santa Barbara herself floating above in a cloud and streams of golden light shining down on that city’s classic, hilltop mission; a highlight of any visit to Santa Barbara by the way.

Outside there’s a beautiful tile mural in a small, pretty courtyard that shows Spanish missionaries at work in what would become the Golden State. There’s a small exhibit of local native culture; displays of pyramid shaped homes built with leaves or strips of bark, arrowheads and other nods to the indigenous people the Spanish were trying to “save.”

Best for my money was the small cemetery on the south side of the building, where the first headstone I spotted was in memory of a certain Henry Valley of Lower Canada, who died in 1854. There are a ton of headstones for Irish immigrants, too, and it’s all set in a pretty, tree-covered yard with towering evergreens, impossibly pink-and-white roses and perky yellow daffodils, at least in mid-April.

As we walked down Dolores St. we passed Mission Dolores Park, which was filled with maybe 100 folks doing outdoor yoga in the sun and kids playing soccer and Frisbee and lovers resting on blankets below those famous pastel San Frandisco homes of sunny yellow and creamy Delft blue.

We were headed for lunch at a fabulous restaurant on Mission called Foreign Cinema that the tourism folks had recommended. We walked past colourful murals on the local community centre showing what looked like Adam and Eve (I think) on the shores of San Francisco Bay, as well as a block-long painting dedicated to the hometown baseball heroes; the San Francisco Giants. Below a likeness of 1960’s pitching star Juan Marichal (I saw him pitch a no-hitter at Candlestick Park when I was a kid) were the words “All of us are created equal, Some of us grow up to be Giants.”

Foreign Cinema sits on what still looks like a slightly dodgy but very much up-and-coming stretch of Mission St., with old theatres and tumble-down shops alongside trendy bars. They show old movies on a giant sheet in the evening in the covered courtyard, but during the day Foreign Cinema is a bright, cool spot with a sunny indoor seating area with light-wood and high, white ceilings and a beautiful wood floor. There’s an adjacent courtyard (where the movies are shown at night) that’s covered with opaque cloth that lets in plenty of California light. The outdoor seating area also is sprinkled with old, clunky metal speakers from a drive-in movie theatre; a fun touch.

There’s also a very cool art display space next door with plenty of great local art to gaze at.

The food, of course, is the main attraction. And it didn’t disappoint.

The cocktails are named after movies; a nice nod to the Foreign Cinema angle. There’s a Last Tango In Paris with Plymouth gin, Seville orange, St. Germain liqeur, lemon and egg white (no butter, sorry) and also one called the Motorcycle Diaries, featuring Diplomatico rum, pineapple, lime, Velvet Falernum and mint. There’s a good selection of beers, including locally produced Anchor Steam, and also lots of awesome wines, more French and Italian then California (again, in line with the foreign theme). I can attest to the taste of the St. Germain with sparkling wine, St. Germain liqeur and lemon and also the “A Very Long Engagement,” with sparkling wine, brandy, lemon and peychaud’s bitters (delicious).

Being brunch and all, we had to try the homemade pop tart; a large, flaky pastry dusted with sugar and filled with strawberry jam. Later we tired some outstanding halibut tartare tostadas: small corn tostadas stopped with fresh halibut and spiced with wasabi, radish, daikon and Serrano chilies. A definite kick but oh-so-tasty. I wasn’t overly fond of the fishy tasting brandade: whipped cod with potatoes, thai chilies and grilled bread. But the Robust Persian flat omelet was fabulous, featuring  garlic, onions, sliced avocado, angel hair potatoes and outstanding tomato jam.

Even better was the calamari, done Oaxacan (Mexico) style in a small bowl with tomato, chick peas, peppers and hot peppers, served with homemade tortilla chips. Yum.

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal for a lovely looking Costa Rica rainforest resort for just $925, including $330 in taxes.

 

• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4-Star Villas Sol Hotel, located in Liberia, Costa Rica
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Liberia and round-trip airport/hotel transfers in Costa Rica
• Accommodations in a Supersaver Studio, featuring 1 double bed (Max occupancy: 2 adults) or a Hotel Room featuring 1 King or 2 Double beds (Max occupancy: 3 adults or 2 adults + 2 children)
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

• Kids won't want to go home they'll be having too much fun with all the activities animated by the resort's friendly entertainment staff including: pizza parties, movies and sports games
• Costa Rica's lush and vibrant landscape is teeming with exciting excursions like zip lining, horseback riding and hiking

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on May 20, 27 & June 03, 10, 17, 24, 2013        
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Supersaver Studio:
  Double: $595
  Single: $845
  Tax: $330
  
  Hotel Room:
  Double: $695
  Single: $1015
  Triple: $665
  Child: $385
  Tax: $330
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• To book Hotel Room option CLICK HERE
  
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is refundable until April 24 at 5PM EST. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

 

 

 

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.

• BONUS: Enjoy $1500 USD Resort Credit and 2 FREE Adult Beach Boys Concert Tickets per room!
• All-inclusive 7-night stay at the 4.5-Star Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, located in Cancun, Mexico
• Includes return airfare from Toronto to Cancun, and round-trip airport/resort transfers in Mexico
• Accommodations in a Superior Garden View Room featuring 1 king or 2 double beds. Maximum Occupancy: 4 adults
• Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Why We Love It:

• Enjoy the laidback beach beats of The Beach Boys in concert
• Pamper yourself with the world class spa services and golf course
• Entertain the whole family with Kids Clubs and numerous dining options

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on August 3, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Toronto:
  Double: $1379
  Single: $2069
  Triple: $1319
  Quad: $1259
  Tax: $347.56
  
  Other DATES and GATEWAYS available.
  Call us at 1-855-687-5925.
• Use your $1500 resort credit for a range of perks including spa treatments, select excursions, golf and more! For a full breakdown of how to use your credit CLICK HERE
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

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.

• SAVINGS: Two travellers save up to $100 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
• 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

• Beachfront property gives you direct access to the Caribbean sea
• The resort offers unique activities like dance lessons and horseback riding
• 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:
  Double: $449
• Single: $500
  Triple: $423
  Child: $399
  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

 

 

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):
  
  May 21, 2013: $1149
  June 4, 2013: $1199
  Tax: $487
  
  Dates don't work for you?
  Give us a Call  1-855-687-5925.
  
  
• Includes all taxes and service charges
• Valid passport required for travel from Canada
• This offer is 100% non-refundable at time of booking

 

 

 

 

 

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 

Fabulous San Diego, California ... Porter expansion very unclear ... Deal of Day

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - Star Travel recently published a story on cool new neighbourhoods in San Diego, mostly around Balboa Park. They're fun spots with funky bars and hip shops. Which is great.

But a lot of times when we travel we're looking for more iconic destinations or family spots. So when I had a day and a bit in town this week I opted to check out a couple more traditional places.

We didn't have time for the famous San Diego Zoo, but we did check out Balboa Park briefly. There are beautiful museums and exhibition halls, many of them built in an old Spanish style that rise up into the blue California sky with towers and fanciful designs. I sipped a lemonade as I watched a young Asian girl and a guitar player belt out some sultry blues numbers under a giant eucalyptus tree. We also checked out some beautiful cactus and flowering trees in a small botanical garden that's drop dead gorgeous in spring; bright purple jacarandas and cholla cactus and purple ice plant flowers and large, spindly varieties I'd never seen before.

We also dropped by Seaport Village, a fun series of shops and restaurants on the water on the edge of downtown. There are the requisite t-shirt stores but also a place called The Cerveza Shop and stores dedicated to honouring the U.S. military, this being a huge navy area and all. I didn't have time, but I noticed that the USS Midway was docked nearby and that they've created an eating/drinking spot on the back of the massive ship called The Fantail Cafe. I'd never seen an aircraft carrier, so it was hugely impressive. It's now a museum, and no doubt worth a visit.

We drove around Mission Bay, north of downtown, just to get a sense of the place. There are the usual assortment of business hotels but also a golf course and immense parklands. I was quite taken with the surf vibe of the small shops and apartments on Mission Blvd. just in from Mission Beach. It looks a lot like Venice or other California surf towns, and in my book that's a good thing; pizza joints and tattoo parlours and shops selling surfboard and surf gear.

We opted for an outdoor Mexican lunch in Old Town, where San Diego was basically born. There are old-time churches (Immaculate Conception) and wooden-front shops selling fudge and all, plus Mexican handicrafts and kitsch and a giant, tree-covered plaza. You can elevate things with a visit to a couple museums or by checking Casa de Estudillo, which dates to 1825. Touristy, but fun. And I had an excellent, huge lunch of fajitas with a side portion of chips and salsa, rice, sour cream, guacamole and soup for about $15. The restaurant provided giant, blue and pink and white sombreros and cloth sarapes to wrap around yourself if you wanted to dress the part.

I'll write more about San Diego and the Coronado area, including the terrific Del Coronado Hotel, on Friday. 

PORTER EXPANSION?

Porter announces it wants to buy up to 30 Bombardier jets and fly from the Toronto Island Airport to Vancouver, Florida and California. And that it needs to expand runways a mere 168 metres. On each side.

Is this a desperate act?

Anyone who watches the industry sees that Porter's load factors are way, way below the big boys. Maybe they don't need to 80 per cent of their seats like Air Canada and WestJet have been doing (and more, actually). But last time I checked Porter was still down around 60 per cent, or lower. And that doesn't sound sustainable to me, no matter how deep their pockets may be.

Industry analyst Robert Kokonis seems to agree. He told Canadian Press there's a big risk this will never happen because of opposition from environmentalists and residents.

"That would be a big win if all the chips fall in the right place or it could end up being a disaster," the president of airline consulting firm AirTrav Inc. said in an interview.

"In a zero sum game where they're all sort of chasing the same passenger, it does give one pause for concern that Porter might be struggling in some areas."

Joseph D'Cruz, a University of Toronto business professor and aviation expert, told CBC the move could be good news for consumers.

"It's going to be interesting to watch how WestJet and Air Canada react once Porter starts biting into their business," he told CBC News. "They're going to retaliate, and the only way they can retaliate is lower prices."

"This may trigger a vicious price war," D'Cruz said.

If it gets that far, yes. The political climate at City Hall is quite pro-business, so this is good timing on Porter's part. No way they'd have got this by Mayor David Miller, of course. But still. 168 metres on each side would mean the runways would extend quite a bit into Toronto's busy harbour, and it means jets would be that much lower to the ground (or the water, in this case) that much further east when they come in from that direction, assuming the jets would follow the same landing patterns as the current planes. Having jets land from the west, out over more open water near Ontario Place, might make things easier. But that 168 metre number is still disturbing to me as a lover of the Toronto Islands and our already busy harbour. I suspect a lot of other folks feel a lot more strongly than I do, which means fighting over a casino might just be a warmup for a much bigger battle over the island airport.

Community AIR spokesman Barry Lipton told reporters at City Hall that Porter will be in for a fight, according to the Star's Vanessa Lu and Daniel Dale.

“It’s not just going to be Community AIR, or just the residents across the waterfront,” Lipton said, noting another grassroots group quickly formed to stop the Port Lands plan in 2011. “People are going to, I think, come together, very quickly, and there will be opposition to this very rapidly.”

JAUNT.CA DEAL OF THE DAY

Jaunt.ca, a division of Torstar, has a deal on tap for a southern Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean for $1,614, including $152 in taxes. The deal is through Air Canada Vacations.

JAUNT HIGHLIGHTS

• BONUS: Includes free prepaid gratuities & non-stop flight from Toronto (in comparison to if you had booked your air and cruise separately!)
• 7-night Southern Caribbean Cruise sailing on the RCI Adventure of the Seas
• Cruise departs from and returns to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ports of Call include: Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Includes return airfare from Toronto or Montreal to San Juan, round-trip airport/pier transfers
• Accommodations in a Balcony Oceanview (Category E2)
• All meals included 
• The RCI Adventure of the Seas is an incredibly outfitted ship
• Each port offers relaxation and a host of optional activities
• Visit some of the Caribbean's best shopping destinations

Offer Details

• Valid for travel on December 15, 2013
• Pricing (Rates are per person, plus tax):
  
  Balcony Oceanview (Category E2):
  1st & 2nd Passenger: $1462
  Tax: $152
  
  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!
• 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 refundable until 5PM EST on Sept 24, 2013. After that time, this offer is 100% non-refundable.

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.