Atout France has been on the road this week, rolling out its annual Destination France events for close to 350 agents, including events in Vancouver tonight (Thursday), Calgary last night, plus Montreal and Toronto. On average, close to two dozen suppliers are taking part, bolstered by nearly a dozen-strong supplier delegation from the Occitanie region of southern France.
It may not be as recognizable a name yet as the Cotswolds or Yorkshire, but England’s Great West Way tourism route – which runs west from London to Bristol and the Welsh border – already encompasses many of the country’s must-see sights, including Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath, as well as attractions like Hampton Court Palace and Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey), and Kew Gardens.
It’s a shame that ABBA never sang “The Time Warp” as it would be the perfect intro to the “ABBA Voyage” show now playing in London – a concert performance that transports concertgoers back to the 1970s via incredible avatars that are indistinguishable from the real members of the Swedish pop super troopers.
Call it “Another Side of Britain,” or “icons with a twist,” but VisitBritain is urging visitors, and those who send them there, to look at the destination with fresh eyes, and beyond the tried and true.
There are more than 3,500 pubs in London but, to be honest, some lack the distinctiveness that truly sets an establishment apart when it comes to having a memorable and quintessential British experience when dropping in for a pint or glass of wine (or two).
Canadians have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to travel to Britain, according to the country’s national tourism agency chief executive Patricia Yates.
Paducah, Kentucky’s National Quilt Museum is a stitch in time, but not the time you might expect. Dedicated to advancing the work of modern quilters, elaborate artifacts on display in the venue are not your grandmother’s blankets.
Myles Goodwyn has sadly announced an end to touring due to health concerns with his final shows to come in March. It’s been a long road – over 50 years – for the April Wine frontman, who is the last man standing from the original lineup of the iconic Halifax band, which rivalled the likes of BTO, Rush and Triumph during its 1970s heyday.
There’s a museum for almost everything it seems, so it’s of little surprise that automobile aficionados can get their hearts racing at a Kentucky venue dedicated to North America’s first sports car, the Corvette.
In the land of Fidel and Che, a venue based on the memory of John, Paul, George, and Ringo certainly comes as a surprise. Nevertheless, The Beatles Bar Varadero is one of the Cuban beach resort’s most popular hangouts, drawing crowds nightly for live music and mojitos under the stars – or more accurately, under leafy trees on a patio.
Fred J. Eaglesmith is a national treasure, but disappointingly one whose unique singing and songwriting talents may be better known amongst his peers than many Canadians, save a legion of “Fredheads” like myself who have found him somewhere along a dusty, county road during his rather under-the-radar 40-year career.
Consumers should help fund Ontario’s Compensation Fund, says the Canadian Association of Tour Operators, echoing long-held views by the retail industry that its members should not be solely responsible for mandatory consumer protection against supplier failure in the province, and equally that the Fund is insufficient to meet current needs.
The late great Mac Rebbenack, aka Dr. John, was the epitome of a New Orleans artist, combining, blues, jazz, funk, and R&B into that irrepressible, inimitable blend of music that could only come from the Big Easy.
With an onboard toast of ceremonial (and symbolic) Gatorade, plus pre-flight goodies for passengers, Swoop launched inaugural no-frills service to Cuba with a full complement of passengers (including Travel Industry Today) headed for sunny Varadero, departing chilly Toronto on W0652.
With the spotlight set to fall on Brazil again in February as the nation’s raucous carnival season kicks off, Embratur is looking north with the hopes of inspiring Canadians to travel to the South American country in 2023.
It’s hard to believe that its been over a decade (almost a dozen years to be precise) since the death of Amy Winehouse, the troubled troubadour who struggled with substance abuse and addiction and who, at the tender age of 27, died of alcohol poisoning.
Levison Wood – perhaps the most famous television adventurer since Michael Palin – says more people want to feel their travels will give them a “spiritual, emotional connection.” The British filmmaker and author adds, “They want to feel good about what their journey has achieved; it is about giving back.”
Brian May is now a “Sir.” The Queen guitarist, who also has a doctorate in astrophysics and is an animal welfare advocate, received a knighthood as part of the UK’s annual New Year’s Honours list for services to music and charity – the first such list to be signed off by King Charles III.
“We expect to reach 2019 levels…” “Record year 2019…” “When the world was normal in 2019…” 2019, 2019, 2019. I’m so sick of 2019. More to the point, can you believe this has been going on since 2019 (end of if you count China where it all began)? Seriously, it seems so long ago it might as well have been 1919.
“Those Were the Days” was a smash in 1968, topping the charts in the UK and almost (No. 2) in the US, where it was held out of top spot by “Hey Jude” no less. Not sure the song’s ranking in Canada, but it was a pretty big hit in my house and one of the first songs I remember when I was kid.
I implied last week that I am largely uninspired by most of the overwrought and overthought holiday musical fare that comes like the snow this time of year (whether you want it or not). But I’m not in fact a mean one like Mr. Grinch, because I do in fact love that classic song, along with many of the other great cartoon tunes that still make me smile.
It was only a stray line in the paper recently, but it hit like hammer: Gordon Lightfoot was performing at a small venue in Oakville, Ont. on the weekend. To be sure, the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter hasn’t been entirely out of the news in recent years, but the about-to-be 84-year-old (Nov. 17) is still going strong filled me with delight.
I never knew, met, nor (I confess) was even aware of Sandra Jaffe, but in hindsight the remarkable woman has without a doubt played an influential, unexpected role in my life. Jaffe, after all, was co-founder of Preservation Hall in New Orleans, an iconic institution that I have previously proclaimed my favourite place on the planet.