Happy in Halifax: That’s an order

Halifax has long known how to have a good time. In 1606, explorer Samuel de Champlain kicked off centuries of Nova Scotia merrymaking when he established L’Ordre de Bon Temps, the Order of the Good Time, to raise the spirits of his men wintering 200 km north of Halifax. The Order is still in existence … Continue reading →

Colonnade Hotel for baseball fans in Boston

On game days, bell staff sport Red Sox caps at this friendly 285-room hotel located a 15-minute walk from Fenway Park and adjacent to some of Boston’s best shopping. Stylish guest rooms feature earth-tone furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows and, beside every bathtub, a souvenir rubber ducky. Take in a ball game or entertaining ballpark tour, or … Continue reading →

Into the snow in Quebec’s Chic-Chocs

Staring down the powdery, steep slope dotted with snow-laden trees, I am far from lift lines, far from home and far–way far–out of my comfort zone. My ski guide Mia, one of a handful of bilingual staff at the remote Auberge de Montagne des Chic-Chocs on the Gaspe Peninsula in eastern Quebec, gives me an … Continue reading →

Welcome to the Rock: Newfoundland

“We didn’t do anything special,” says retired police constable Oswald “Oz” Fudge when describing this community’s efforts to welcome the 38 commercial aircraft carrying nearly 7,000 passengers and crew that were ordered to land in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Theatregoers seeing “Come From Away,” the hit musical based on those … Continue reading →

Road-Tripping on Vancouver Island

There is air, there is fresh air, and then there’s the brisk, briny, oxygen-thick air that rides in on wild ocean waves. That’s the air you’ll breathe as you explore the Pacific Marine Circle Route on southern Vancouver Island. This 255-kilometre-long drive begins in Victoria, hugs the rugged western coastline to fisher-and hiker-friendly Port Renfrew, … Continue reading →

A Guide to Cape Breton Island

Take a drive on the wild side with a visit to Cape Breton Island on the northern tip of Nova Scotia. With its soaring cliffs, bountiful seas and a heady mix of Gaelic, Acadian and Mi’kmaq cultures, this vast land delivers a Maritimes experience like no other. Visitors can hike, paddle or immerse themselves in … Continue reading →

Bonjour: Visiting Quebec with Kids

It is Paris without the jarring jet lag, a European experience wrapped in the warmth of Canadian hospitality. And in little more than five hours, you and your family can be there. A vacation in Montreal and Quebec City, in the Canadian province of Quebec, is the stuff family-travel dreams are made of. There’s just … Continue reading →

Warm Weather Hotels – Lord Balfour

Room Mate Lord Balfour, Miami Beach, Florida. Step into the lobby of this friendly boutique hotel, and you’re greeted by a wall of 20 sculptural hands, each holding a vanity mirror, as if to say, “Look at you, wise traveller, staying in this stylin’ place.” Housed in a 1940 art deco building … Continue reading … Continue reading →

Celebrate the Holiday Season in San Francisco

The lead-up to the holidays can be an especially exhausting time for parents. It’s a special time, yes, but — let’s be honest here — it is difficult to embrace the magic of the season when you’re face-planting into bed every night. Perhaps it’s time to hit the pause button, pack up the kids and … Continue reading →

Key West Two Ways

At the southern tip of the Florida Keys, more than 200 kilometres from Miami and a long way from normal, Key West offers amped-up outdoor activities and a laid-back cuisine scene. Seafood is king in Key West, but a certain pie reigns as its most famous food…Visit WestJet Magazine online to continue reading my recommendations … Continue reading →