LISTENING IN: Our favourite Welsh witch
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ My recent trip to Wales got me thinking about my favourite song about “an old Welsh witch,” as Stevie Nicks called it.
BOSTON UNCOMMON: A city that has it all, and then some
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Boston wears it’s history on it’s sleeve, even if it’s most obvious in its iconic landmarks and distinguished architecture. But the city, which is preparing to celebrate its 400th birthday in 2030, is, in fact, so much more: a combination of history and modernity, America’s most European city, and a democratic bastion at a time when it means more than ever.
SERENITY NOW: An insider’s look at what makes this Saint Lucia resort so special
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ What I remember is the ginger beer made from scratch. It’s a small detail but represents what makes Saint Lucia’s Serenity at Coconut Bay resort so special: nothing about the experience is canned.
LISTENING IN: A moving moment ‘Out in the middle of Lake Ontario’
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Who knew that a throwaway line in Blue Rodeo’s 1993 song “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” would resonate so deeply some 33 years later?
WHY WALES?: The considerable charms of the UK’s ‘forgotten cousin’
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ About 30,000 Canadians a year visit Wales, or 2% of those who travel into the UK overall – numbers that are sure to rise with the launch of new Toronto-Cardiff flights this summer by WestJet (already renewed for 2027). Nevertheless, most UK travel trade observers in Canada agree that limited output could – and should – grow.
FACETIME WITH ACTA: The association’s Eastern Canada Summit in photos
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The travel industry turned out in force last week for ACTA’s annual Eastern Summit, the first of three taking place across the country. More than 500 ACTA members took part in a day of education, inspiration and resiliency, and to meet with exhibitors – 127 of them to be precise – at the afternoon trade show. Here’s a photographic look at the event and some of those who were there.
AT THE ACTA SUMMIT: Association proud of past, looks to the future amid challenges
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) held its largest Summit event yet in Toronto Wednesday, bringing together travel advisors, agencies, suppliers, destinations and industry partners from across Canada and around the world.
LISTENING IN: CanCon in cottage country is Something to Live For
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Summer in these parts is sadly winding down, but there are still a few weekends left to enjoy (hopefully) some warm weather, the great outdoors, barbecues – and classic Canadian tunes!
CANADIAN AGENTS DISCOVER THE ‘WONDER OF WALES’
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last week, a handful of Canadian travel advisors were whisked off to Wales to get a taste of the small country’s large personality with the aim using their first-hand experience to return with the stories, confidence and product knowledge to inspire their clients to discover a lesser-known side of Britain – and one considered an “undiscovered gem.”
TOBAGO – WHERE WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH: New flights enhance access for Canadians
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Tobago is making a concerted push to grow its presence in the Canadian market, supported by new air access, major tourism infrastructure, and increased investment in consumer and travel trade marketing. And the island’s chief secretary promises Canadians are in for a treat.
LISTENING IN: The day Tim Curry went away
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ You might remember him from such movies as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Tim Curry, of course, had many roles beyond the iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter, both in film and on stage, but he’ll always be remembered as the cross-dressing transexual from Transylvania.
‘A VERY LARGE PIE’: Porter unperturbed about expanding to U.S. during trade war
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines continued its network expansion last week with news of the upcoming launch of four new routes from London, Ont., notably including two to Florida – Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. And while destinations aren’t new to Porter, they do represent more lift at a time when Canadians continue to have their feathers ruffled by the trade war and the antagonist attitude of the Trump regime south of the border.
LONDON (ONT.) CALLING: Porter launches first-time service from YXU
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Porter Airlines is launching service in London, Ont., for the first time in the airline’s history. Starting in November, London International Airport (YXU) – will see four nonstop seasonal routes to sunny southern destinations in Florida, Jamaica and Mexico.
BRITAIN’S BEST FOOTIE FIXES: A visitor’s guide, from Wrexham to Wembley and Lasso to Liverpool
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The English Premier League has kicked off for another season, following hot on the heels of this summer’s frenzied World Cup. And with sports tourism (and soccer in particular) on the front foot, the “home of football” is poised to welcome fans from around the world for both games and stadium experiences across the country.
25 YEARS OF CRICKET (AND CUCUMBER SANDWICHES)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Goway and Air New Zealand broke out the traditional cucumber sandwiches once again (ok, it was actually poutine and chicken sliders) as the two sporting frenemies convened for their annual summer cricket match at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club late last week.
LISTENING IN: 7 billion hearts united in song
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ It’s been a while since we checked in on Playing for Change, the amazing musical collective that aims to “inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.”
A STICKY WICKET: My attempt to get googly with Goway (replay)
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ As the eyes of the sporting world fall on Goway’s 25th Annual Cricket Match with Air New Zealand today (Aug. 20) in Toronto, I’m inspired to look back at my own participation in the esteemed event some eight years ago, which I chronicled in a column that has proven to be one of my most popular.
SKAL IN FUN: Annual golf tourney highlights industry connections, charity
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With planes roaring overhead – somehow fitting for a travel event – the Toronto Skal Club attracted members and friends from as far away as Calgary last week on a picture-perfect day on the course to celebrate the tourney’s remarkable 70th year.
WINTER IS COMING: Why now’s the time to start planning for ski season
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With the exception of my friend Terry who is already fine-tuning his snowmobile in the garage in anticipation of winter, most Canadians are still basking in this country’s too-short summer season to be feeling sentimental about snow.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (IN BOSTON, PLEASE): Iconic Fenway is a big hit in Beantown
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ I hate the Red Sox. Beantown bums! Foes of the beloved Blue Jays. But, on a sunny summer afternoon, there’s no place I’d rather be than historic Fenway Park, home of the red stockings since April 20, 1912.
LISTENING IN: Sweet Caroline – where it began
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ If you’ve ever been to Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Red Sox baseball team (see previous story, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”), you’d know that the crowd sings “Sweet Caroline” each game after the 8th inning. That’s close to 38,000 people rendering the Neil Diamond classic into one of the world’s largest karaoke singalongs.
DO GO CHASING WATERFALLS IN GRENADA
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Grenada has long appealed to Canadians seeking an authentic Caribbean escape, but the island is nevertheless still emerging from the shadow of some of its better-known neighbours. With expanding air service from Canada, growing recognition in the luxury market, and an impressive culinary scene, the Spice Island is increasingly demonstrating that it is one of the Caribbean’s most compelling destinations.
LISTENING IN: Styx still sailing away
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Styx was always particularly popular in Canada in the 1970s and ‘80s, and still is decades later, as evidenced by the Chicago-based band touring the country this summer with a gig in Toronto this week (a double bill with that other great Chicago band, Chicago) and continuing in the fall in St. John’s, Halifax, Moncton and Quebec City.
LISTENING IN: Sex and drugs and ice cream, David Lee Roth guaranteed to satisfy
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last Sunday (July 19) was national ice cream day – hope you had a cone or two to celebrate the “holiday.” The occasion brought to mind the cool Van Halen song, “Ice Cream Man,” a rocked-up version of a tune written and originally recorded by the Chicago blues musician John Brim in 1953.
WISH YOU WERE HERE – GRENADA
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Grenada was recently ranking the No. 2 ‘Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas’ by Travel + Leisure in its ‘World’s Best Awards 2026,’ marking a major rise for the Spice Island in one of the travel industry’s most respected reader-voted rankings. Not only that, but the delightful destination was also named the No. 15 Best Island in the World.
LISTENING IN: Remembering Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler, the gravelly voiced, Grammy-nominated Welsh pop star whose 1983 chart-topping power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart” enchanted succeeding generations with its bombastic charms during solar and lunar eclipses, has died. She was 75.
ACTA EVENT ON COURSE, DESPITE THE STORM
By Michael Baginski/ It wouldn’t have been an ACTA golf tournament without a monsoon, but despite the irritatingly inclement weather, which cut the round short by a few holes, 154 members and friends of the association (220 in all including dinner) enjoyed a full day of industry unity, support, and fun on July 9.
LISTENING IN: Sweet Home Leningrad, you can’t turn away
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Every once in awhile, you hear or come across something that makes you say what the… I mean, wow. This summer’s WTF moment has been the odd Quebecois duo Angine de Poitrine (check them out if you dare!). On the other hand, there’s the Leningrad Cowboys. Not as current mind you, but jaw-droppingly delightful, nonetheless.
LISTENING IN: Peace, love and Ringo
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ It seems like it was only a year ago that Ringo had a birthday. Well, he’s at it again, turning 86 on July 7. And is tradition, each year on that day (since 2008), the former Beatle invites people everywhere to pause at 12 noon local time to say, think, or post “Peace and Love” as a collective moment of global unity.
LISTENING IN: Flying away with Anne Murray, our favourite snowbird
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With Canada Day at hand, we thought it appropriate to dust off a Can-con classic to suit the occasion. And who better than this country’s favourite snowbird, singing her first big hit, er, “Snowbird” in this special Canada Day edition of Listening In.