Sharing some Kodak moments from Panama's lovely and historic capital



Playful food vendors offer more than hot dogs in Panama.


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The walls of the Panama City are colorfully decorated.

The Panama Canal is a thrill to see.

Tiny locomotives guide giant ships through the Canal.

Panama City is one of Latin America's most beautiful cities.

Old Panama City is colorful and charming to walk.

I'm off to Panama in search of seco

Panama City is the new hotspot of Latin America.

I'm desperate for a good glass of seco, so I'm heading to Panama tomorrow morning to find the best in the world.

Seco, officially known as Seco Herrerano, is the national drink of Panama and is just like a premium vodka - elegant and smooth with a silky mouth feel and just a hint of light rum.

I actually tasted it when I was Brazil at a bar in Rio that claimed to be authentic Panamanian.
 

Now I want to taste seco in the land where it was first introduced to the world.

 

The Panama tourism board and Copa Airlines, which started service into Toronto recently, have invited me down to sample some of the Central American country's legendary charm and hospitality.

 

Copa Airlines, which boasts the youngest fleet in Latin America, wants to make Panama City a hub for Canadians travelling to places like Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile and all the other great countries in that part of the world.

 

I've never been to Panama City - so if any of my faithful readers has, please send me names of some good restaurants, bars and places you'd recommend I visit while I'm there.
 
I'll be reporting back daily so stay tuned - this is one trip I'm really looking forward to.

National Geographic recognizes Muskoka as top holiday spot for 2011

Muskoka region is a outdoor wonderland.

For years, Ontario’s gorgeous Muskoka region has been in the spotlight because of the Hollywood stars – Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell among them – who have chosen to vacation there.

Now Muskoka is the star – thanks to National Geographic Traveler magazine choosing it the No. 1 summer vacation spot for 2011.

Of course, anyone who has ever visited Muskoka and enjoyed its breathtaking Canadian Shield scenery, spectacular lakes, quaint towns and villages and awesome golf courses, probably are wondering what took National Geographic Traveler – the best of all travel magazines in my humble opinion – so long

Better late than never, though.

Muskoka tourism officials this week have been inundated with phone calls from all over the world and they’re basking in the limelight.

According to National Geographic Traveler, Muskoka offers “an unplugged pace that’s a world away from Canada’s largest city.”

“The 2,500-square-mile natural playground includes 8,699 miles of shoreline; 17 historic towns and villages; and countless waterfalls and lakes bordered by the granite peaks of Algonquin Provincial Park to the east and the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay Islands National Park to the west,” the magazine story said.

National Geographic's 10 best trips of summer 2011

1. Muskoka Cottage Country

2. Patagonia, Argentina

3. San Juan Islands, Washington

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

5. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

6. Cardiff, Wales

7. Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

8. Azores, Portugal

9. Roatan, Honduras

10. Istria, Croatia

Congratulations Muskoka – the attention is well deserved.

Princess cancels Puerto Vallarta stops

Princess Cruise Line won't stop in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican tourist officials are reeling thanks to Princess Cruises' decision this week not to drop anchor in Puerto Vallarta any longer because of safety concerns.

The drug war that continues to hold Mexico tourism hostage has damaged the country's reputation with world travellers and Princess' decision this week not to stop in Puerto Vallarta could ruin the country's tourism economy for many years to come.

Mexican tourism officials counter with statements intended to reassure travellers: "Puerto Vallarta is a leading cruise destination in Mexico and continues to offer a wide range of shore excursions and a safe experience for all cruise passengers visiting its port from around the world," the Puerto Vallarta tourism board said in a statement this week.

However, when a large cruise line like Princess takes such drastic steps, you know travellers will put more stock in what they say instead of what the Mexican tourism board wants us to believe.

Princess says its canceled calls in Puerto Vallarta on three Sapphire Princess sailings: Nov. 19, Dec. 10 and Dec. 31.

"Our security department continues to monitor the actions taking place in specific areas of Mexico. As the safety and security of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and based on the continued violence in these areas, we've made the decision to cancel our calls to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan," the cruise line said in a statement.

Those departures will instead include a two-day call in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico.

In April, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning that outlined areas throughout Mexico where there have been reports of crime and violence. For the state of Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta is located in Jalisco), the State Department said that official U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the cities of Colotlan and Yahualica in Jalisco, "because of an increasingly volatile security situation."

The Puerto Vallarta tourism board said in a statement that it was "sorry to learn of Princess Cruises’ recent decision," but referred to a recent security assessment study conducted by security consulting firm Thomas Dale & Associates, which found that the number of negative events involving foreigners or non-foreigners in Puerto Vallarta is fractional compared to the millions of visitors that vacation in Puerto Vallarta annually.

I feel so sorry for Mexicans. They are lovely people who have always welcomed me with open arms. However, until the Mexican government can get the drug war under control, tourism will be a victim of these thugs.

Luxury liner Queen Mary 2 fails surprise sanitation inspection by CDC

Cunard's QM2 gets a failing sanitation grade from the CDC.

The Queen Mary 2, the pride of the Cunard fleet, is in full damage control this morning after being broadsided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the well-respected Atlanta-based group which oversees cruise line sanitation.

During a recent inspection of the QM2, the CDC claims it found "human hair in an ice machine; extremely dirty water in a pool; chemicals stored near napkins and paper cups; and even a few errant cockroaches" on board the luxury liner.

So, the CDC slapped the QM2  with a grading of just 84 out of 100 - anything less than a 95 sanitation score from the CDC should send passengers running for the gangplank. Last year, the CDC gave the QM2 a score of 98.

So what the hell happened? Who at Cunard is asleep at the wheel? Nothing sinks a cruise ship's reputation faster than a bad score from the CDC. And thank goodness for a group like the CDC, which conducts "surprise" cleanliness inspections of vessels twice a year.

In the detailed report of the QM2, CDC inspectors cited dozens of other violations, including potable water tanks that were improperly maintained, wine and food products that were improperly stored directly on an open deck, and food residue on many surfaces that should have been wiped clean (e.g., a blender lid, steel shelving and even several deck surfaces). The word "filthy" is used in the report five times, according to an MSNBC report.

In a statement provided to Cruise Critic by Cunard, the line contends that the "poor (CDC) assessment on June 10 resulted largely from one small area of the ship's overall operation. All the issues raised in the report were immediately addressed and have now been corrected."

In response to the CDC report's citations of numerous staff lapses, Cunard says, "Ship and shore management have now redefined certain roles and responsibilities to clarify accountability and the company's already rigorous training schedule has been stepped up."

Low grades for ships, particular the larger mega-vessels, are exceedingly rare. In May, Norwegian Epic came close, scoring a lowly 89, while Carnival Glory squeaked by with an 87 after a January inspection. But there have been no failing scores since Albatross, a private vessel, earned a 69 in February 2010. The CDC claims a failing grade is anything less than 86.

Since January 1, 16 ships have nabbed perfect 100 scores, including Oasis of the Seas, Azamara Journey, Disney Dream, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Freedom of the Seas, HAL's Amsterdam, Celebrity Century — and even Carnival Splendor, which made big news last fall when an engine fire left it adrift off the coast of Mexico for four days.

If you'd like to see the CDC's latest rankings of cruise ships, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/

Always check the CDC score list before booking a cruise.

Florence set to levy a 'tourist tax'

Florence is my favourite city in Italy but not worth an extra tax.

 As if Europe, and especially Italy wasn't expensive enough for North Americans, now comes word that Florence has decided to introduce a "tourist tax" of 4 per cent which will be added to your hotel bill, which already comes with hefty local and national taxes.

Is the Mafia running Florence?

I know Italy is desperate for money, but really!

The already too high euro is scaring North Americans away and now this?

Just another reason why I won't be heading to Europe any time soon - Asia, the U.S. and South America offer much better value for North Americans.

The idiots running Florence will start collecting their 4 per cent tax starting July 1 and it will apply to hotels, residences, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and hostels, as well as campsites.

City "Godfathers" say the money collected from the tax will be used to improve a number of tourism services including maintenance works, support to properties, public services and so on.

Yea, right! Maybe they need the extra money to make bail.

Paolo's Air Deal Today is Paris

Paolo dug up another great air deal today!

Paris Airfare

$629

Return from Toronto

Airline: KLM

Air taxes: Approx. $486

Travel Period: 

June 24 - Sept. 10, 2011

Ticketing until: June 29, 2011

Call: 1.866.929.6688

Good Boy Paolo!

Sarasota beach tops Dr. Beach's '11 list

My friends in Sarasota - one of my favourite spots in Florida - are celebrating the news that "Dr. Beach" (better known as Dr. Stephen Leatherman), has named the city's Siesta Key Beach as the Best Beach in America for 2011.

The good doctor, who has been called a "son of a beach" by many communities not happy that he doesn't include their stretch of sand in his annual list, is a beach specialist who rates coastlines all across the United States.

However, it's always Florida's beaches which seem to top his list, and for good reason - they are the best in North America, hands down!

In Dr. Beach's previous surveys, St. Petersburg's Fort De Soto Park beach has been the top contender but this year Siesta Key edged it out. Not to worry - Parents magazine recently picked Fort De Soto as the best "family" beach in America in its annual  survey.

When I visited Fort De Soto Park a few years ago, I also discovered it features a "dog beach" and that had some people howling. However, the dog beach - it was a secluded stretch not often used - has become as popular as the human beaches in that wonderful park.

The beaches in Florida's Panhandle and on Sanibel Island are also among my favourite beaches in Florida.

I've complied my own list of Top Beaches so go to http://www.travelife.ca/ and have a look under "On The Marc" to see how my list compares with Dr. Beach's.

Paolo's Travel Deal Today is to India!

Paolo's dug up a great 2-for-1 tour to India

2-for-1 Tour to India

$3,999 for 2!

Air Inclusive

Departs Toronto:

November 16 - 23, 2011

Air taxes: $500 per person

Highlights:

• Tour Old & New Delhi

• Visit the Mughal Empire's opulent Red Fort
• See the monument of love, the Taj Mahal
• Tour the Agra Fort
• Explore Fatehpur Sikri
• Excursion to the Amber Fort in Jaipur
• Four Star accommodation
• Professional English speaking local guides, some meals, and much more!
Contact tour@toureast.com or call 1.877.578.8888

Kate and William should not attend chuck wagon races at the Stampede

The Stampede's cruel chuck wagon races are needless.

The Royal superstars, Kate and her Willie - a.k.a. the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - have found themselves in a bit of a pickle as they get ready to embark on their first "official" foreign tour to Canada.

One of their major scheduled appearances will be at the Calgary Stampede, one of Canada's biggest tourist attractions. Calgary is pulling out all the stops to make sure the Royal cuties like the city - I hear the palace was asked to submit the couple's shoe sizes and each will be getting their own handmade cowboy boots upon arrival.

However, animal rights groups on both sides of the pond are urging the Royal couple to sidestep Calgary's big show because they claim events at the Stampede, like chuck wagon racing and bull riding, cause harm to the animals.

People I know at Calgary and Alberta tourism are very nervous because the Duke and Duchess will be followed by an army of international media on their first "official" venture abroad and you know the cruelty to animals story line will keep coming up, thus bringing unwanted attention to the Stampede.

The animal rights' folks are right, of course. Over the Stampede's history, there's been many instances where horses have died because of what they've had to endure. And the Stampede's claims that "precautions" have been taken to make sure horses, especially, get plenty of tender loving care before they are required to pull heavy wagons around a dirt track course, is a weak response.

Here's an idea - replace the horses with Stampede organizers and have them pull the carts around the ring.

The Stampede's claim that this is all part of Calgary's heritage, is a lot of horse dung. The day the car was invented, was the day the Stampede should have switched from horses to horse power and had a tractor pull instead of chuck wagon races.

Why the Palace ever agreed to put the young couple in a potential embarrassing situation is mind boggling, to say the least.

The Royals will attend the Stampede - not to do so would cause an international incident because Canada's PM Stephen Harper, often called a horse's ass, is from Calgary. But let's hope Kate and Willie don't attend the chuck wagon races or bull riding events.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp includes a gig at the playful Playboy mansion

Paul Stanley, the legendary voice of KISS,
headlines the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.

While singing Elvis tunes at the top of my lungs in the shower this morning, with the nighbours providing musical backup by banging on the pipes, I remembered getting an invitation to attend a Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp.

The invitation read: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is the ultimate travel destination and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for musicians of all ages/levels to jam with rock legends, write/record an original song and play live on stage at a major concert venue.


Now in its 14th year, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has hosted dozens of celebrity rock star counselors including Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Roger Daltrey (The Who), Meat Loaf, Dicky Betts (The Allman Brothers Band), Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum (Both of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver), Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Brett Michaels (Poison), Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Michael Anthony (Van Halen) and many more.


I can only imagine what a night around the camp fire with these guys would be like.

“People come to Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp from all walks of life,” says Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp founder David Fishof. “It’s a joy to not only watch people come together in the name of music, but also to watch them accomplish things they never thought possible – both musically and in their personal lives. There’s a reason why 50 percent of our campers come back – it’s truly a transformative experience.”

There's actually two Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy camps scheduled for this year. The first runs between August 12-14 and relives the Woodstock experience at the home of the original Woodstock Festival with acts like Blood Sweat and Tears, Tommy James and the Shondells, and The Family Stone in attendance. The second is scheduled for November 10-13 and is titled "Fantasy meets fantasy" with Paul Stanley, the front man of the legendary rock band KISS, and other rock stars gathering at the historic Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

The latter is the one I want to sign up for.

The Woodstock camp kicks off in New York City, where campers will meet their rock star counselors and band mates, and rehearse in the amazing Gibson Rehearsal Studios, formerly the Record Plant. After rehearsing with guest stars including original Woodstock performer Leslie West, campers will travel to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the home of the original Woodstock festival.


The Hollywood camp offers a double fantasy jam at the legendary Playboy mansion where Stanley and a host of other rock stars and entertainment and sports celebrities will gather and perform.


“(The Camp is) a way for me to say thank you to a lot of people, but, nobody should think that this is just a joy for those people, and that they're getting the thrill,” said Stanley, rock icon and, for 35 years, the unmistakable voice of the kings of bombast, KISS.

“For me to get up and play with people who have that exuberance and energy, it's really a gift to me as much as to anybody else,” said Stanley, the co-founder and front man of KISS.”

In addition to the main camp, fans who opt instead to rock out for one-night only can purchase a ticket for the exclusive Final Night Party for a once-in-a-lifetime rock-n-roll jam. The evening features fully-catered grounds with Playboy Playmate hostesses, access to the world-famous grotto and private cabanas will be available too. This is also a great way to celebrate the experience with spouses and partners.

Sounds like great fun and if you'd like to find out more, go to www.RockCamp.com

Boston, N.Y. and Chicago holding festivals throughout summer 2011

Chicago's parks host great music festivals in summer.

Porter Airlines, the best little airline that ever flew, sent me a reminder this morning that there's a bunch of summer  festivals coming up in the cities where the 4-star (out of five) airline flies into.

In New York (Porter actually flies into Newark - the New Jersey city that's a short cab ride from downtown Manhatten) the Blue Note Jazz Festival is being held throughout June, That festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is expanding its doors throughout New York to feature numerous high-profile acts such as Dave Brubeck, Nancy Wilson, Bobby McFerrin, Roberta Flack, Brian Wilson and more.

For more information about what's happening in New York visit: www.nycgo.com

Over in Chicago (Porter flies right into downtown Midway Airport) they're holding the Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park. Chicago, which is the sister city of Toronto, is one of the best music festival cities in the world with events honouring blues and jazz being held throughout the summer and fall months. The music festivals in majestic Millennium and Grant parks, which showcase the parks' stunning landscapes, always attracts big crowds and great artists.

For more information about what's happening in Chicago visit: www.www.choosechicago.com

And in Boston, now home to the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Bruins, Art Fridays is a festival not to be missed.

Arts Friday is downtown Boston's largest weekly outdoor arts and crafts market that has grown into a Boston institution. Enjoy live music performances while you shop and delicious food options (make sure you try the lobster rolls) are only steps away. Arts Fridays run throughout June.

For more information about what's happening in Boston visit: www.bostonusa.com

Porter can get you to any of these great American cities in about an hour from Toronto's downtown Billy Bishop Airport and I guarantee you'll love the big service thrills little Porter delivers to its customers.

To book a flight on Porter, go to www.flyporter.com

New stories posted at travelife.ca

The Polar Star cruise offers great views of Newfoundland.

The editors at TraveLife have been busy finding stories for your enjoyment.

This week, four of our finest contributors sent us their recent travel experiences and we're now sharing them with our readers at http://www.travelife.ca/

One of the stories was contributed by Brian Brown and Laurel Rowbotham, two excellent Toronto-based writers who have become TraveLife's cruise experts. Brian and Laurel are renowned for finding great cruise deals at rock bottom prices and their latest story deals with their trip around Newfoundland and Labrador aboard the Polar Star, a fine Canadian vessel that offers discounted trips around Canada's youngest province in the shoulder season. Brian and Laurel write about the delightful people they met at stops along the voyage and the amazing scenery they saw from the deck of the Polar Star.

Another of our newest stories was contributed by TraveLife regular Cynthia Dial, a California-based writer and author of many travel books who recently attended a food festival on the South Pacific island of Guam. The American island, which saw its share of horror during World War II, is now an oasis of calm where people go to surf in the choppy waters and enjoy some great island delicacies.

Jane Holt, a Montreal-based writer, tells TraveLife readers about the House she happened upon while touring the Kowloon side of Hong Kong recently. However, as Jane points out in her entertaining story, Hullett House is no ordinary House. The charming colonial structure named after English scholar Richmond William Hullett that opened in 1881, was once the most important “house” in the former British colony because it was home to the famed Hong Kong Royal Marine Police. From its lofty perch on Canton Road atop Tsim Sha Tsui, the highest point on the Kowloon side – very near where the famed Star Ferry boats still dock - Hullett House afforded the Marine Police uninterrupted views of Hong Kong’s bustling harbour. It's now been brought back to life and its original brilliance.

Karen Asp, a writer based in Indianapolis, takes TraveLife readers on a joy ride around San Francisco on bikes and Go Carts she and her family rented during a recent visit to America's most beautiful city. The bikes and street legal Go Carts can be rented rather cheaply but offer up a lot of fun for travellers hoping to save a little money on a vacation in the City by the Bay.

So go to http://www.travelife.ca/ and read some great stories.

Airlines collect $3.5B in bag fees

Airlines are making
bags of money off us.

Just came across a new report from  Standard & Poor's showing once again how airlines are running off with bags of our money.

According to a Standard & Poor's study released this week, U.S. airlines collected $3.5 billion in extra bag fees from consumers last year - a 24 per cent increase over 2009! Most U.S. airlines charge a $50 fee per bag now.

Add that to the "fuel surcharges and air taxes" airlines are allowed to pass along to passengers without ever having to justify the amounts - in many cases, air taxes and fuel surcharge, which amounted to over $21 billion in total last year, account for more than the ticket - and you can see why airlines are doing very well these days despite their claims to the contrary.

"If it weren't for the fees, the airlines would most likely be losing money," rationalized Jim Corridore, airline analyst with Standard & Poor's.

According to the Standard & Poor's survey, Delta generated the most revenue from bag fees — $952 million — followed by the combined United and Continental at nearly $655 million. American collected $580 million and US Airways $513 million.

To be fair to the airlines, though, I should point out that the cost of jet fuel rose 37 per cent over the same period last year.

And, according one airline analyst, passengers have no one to blame but themselves for all this
"Unfortunately, for the airlines when they try to roll $50 into the ticket prices, people stop buying tickets," said Rick Seaney CEO of FareCompare.com.

As an airline passenger, these extra fees make me so sick I just want to grab a barf bag!

Paolo's Travel Deal Today

Paolo digs up great air deals every day!

Tokyo Airfare

$640

Return from Toronto

Air Taxes: $695.17 (appox.)

Travel Period:

Oct. 23 – Dec. 13, 2011

Dec. 25, 2011 – Jan. 2, 2012

Jan. 7, 2012 – March 21, 2012

April 1, 2012 – May 3, 2012

Ticketing until: April 30, 2012

Call: 1.866.929.6688

Good boy Paolo!

Disney ups admission prices again!

Has someone in the Magic Kingdom been smoking magic mushrooms?

I ask that after learning today that for the second time in less than a year Disney is raising admission prices at its Disneyland (Los Angeles) and Disney World (Orlando) theme parks - as much as 11.1 per cent in some cases. At Disney World, prices for a one-day pass will now cost $85 U.S. (up from $82); a five-day pass will cost $251 (up 5.9 per cent); and a 10-day pass will cost $291 (up 11.1 per cent).

So, at a time when travellers are looking for vacation bargains to offset the lingering effects of a troublesome economy and higher fuel prices, the folks at Disney sock it to us - how Goofy is that?

"We regularly evaluate and adjust our pricing and continue to focus on providing one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences at a great value," Disney spokesman Bryan Malenius told msnbc.com. "Our research tells us that nearly all our guests agree that a Disney theme park experience is a strong value."

Does Bryan and the rest of the Disney brass not read newspapers? Do they not see that consumers can't afford higher prices for luxury items like vacations? Has the once proud operation brought to life by the late Walt Disney turned into such a Mickey Mouse operation that they can only come up with ways to gouge the public instead of cutting prices to help them in these times of need?

I sit here writing this blog with my mouth open in amazement that Disney has the balls to pass along its bad business practices onto us.

Walt Disney must be spinning in his grave - he's probably reached China by now, which, by the way, is where Disney will be building its newest theme park in Shanghai. Maybe the increase on consumers here is to offset the high cost the Chinese are making Disney pay for its new Shanghai venture.

I know a travel company in Toronto who has been trying to sell Disney products to consumers for the last three months and they have not had one sale - lots of inquiries but as soon as people see the admission prices and the on site hotel accommodation Disney charges, they quickly hang up, my sources tell me.

The arrogance of Disney is almost laughable if it wasn't so sad.

Hosting the 2010 soccer World Cup has not helped South Africa tourism

Poor South Africa - and I mean that literally.

After borrowing billions of dollars to build soccer stadiums for the World Cup it could ill afford to host in 2010 with the hopes of attracting more dollars to its main industry, tourism, comes word that tourist arrivals in 2011 have dropped to pre-2007 levels. And, thanks to the continuing global economic woes, South Africa is now admitting that its tourism numbers may not increase again until 2014.

Yikes!

That's especially troubling news considering tourism is the biggest contributor to developing South Africa's GDP and those billions should have been spent on new  infrastructure likes roads, schools and hospitals instead of making the soccer gods at FIFA even wealthier.

One South African city that thought its investment in the World Cup would pay off handsomely was beautiful Cape Town, but this week its head tourism official  admitted the international soccer event did little to attract new tourists. So it's going back to the drawing board in an attempt to drum up interest in one of the most delightful places on Earth.

Cape Town's tourism CEO Marlette de Toit-Helmbold is calling for a new approach, one that relies on the notion that a "city sells itself." Toit-Helmbold also said that Cape Town can not just rely on its "natural beauty" to sell itself abroad.

According to Toit-Helmbold, "successful cities of the future will be stand-out urban centres seen as the most livable and enjoyable places on the planet, delivering benefits to residents and visitors alike. For many people, to escape does not always mean a wilderness experience, but rather to explore new and different cultures. Cities are now the epicenters of modern, living culture. They are the hot spots for urban travelers who make up 70 per cent of the world's travelers."

Ironically, earlier this week I got news from a contact in Cape Town that more Canadians arrived in South Africa in January of this year - almost 4,500 - than ever before. Sadly, though, Canadians and Chinese appear to be the only people in the world travelling at the moment.

And, Vancouver, which co-hosted one of the best-ever Winter Olympics in 2010 with Whistler, is reporting that that international sporting investment has paid off with record numbers of people choosing to vacation in Canada's most beautiful city.

So why has South Africa not benefited from the World Cup?

Well, mainly because there's very little air lift into the country from gateways around the world and security issues continue to plague Africa's most attractive country.

Things won't improve for South Africa until the cash-strapped Brits and Americans start travelling again and that may not happen for many years to come.

Dubai celebrates Montreal GP race

Dubai's Ferrarii theme park is the
biggest indoor park of its kind in the world.

Montreal may be holding a Formula One auto race this weekend on Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve but auto racing fans will no doubt be thinking of what’s taking place in Dubai at the same time because that’s where the world’s first Ferrari theme park will be holding a Canadian Grand Prix celebration of its own.

In tribute to the Montreal Grand Prix, the people running the Dubai Ferrari theme park will celebrate the race with Canadian Mounties – not the real ones, but ones on stilts – and an appearance by Canadian pop singing sensation Justin Bieber

Dubai F1 fans will be able to catch all the racing action in Montreal live on screens located throughout the Ferrari Park – including the UAE’s biggest High-Definition screen at Cinema Maranello.

Canadians who show up in Dubai will get a discounted entrance fee to the massive tent-like structure that’s painted Ferrari red, of course. The Ferrari park is covered by a 200,000 square metre roof, which makes it the largest indoor theme park in the world – and Dubai wouldn't have it no other way.

The Ferrari theme park was built on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates kingdom and offers 20 rides, one of which is called Formula Rossa, the fastest roller coaster in the world.

If Dubai couldn’t attract visitors by building the world’s largest skyscraper, the world’s biggest airport and the world’s biggest indoor ski hill, than the Ferrari theme park, which carries the most famous name in the auto world, surely will do it.

I can’t wait to get back to Dubai to see it!

Quebec puts accent on hospitality

Mt. Tremblant golf courses are some of the finest in Canada.

Spent yesterday on a golf course - for research purposes only - at an annual event hosted by Quebec Tourism.

Quebec, along with British Columbia, P.E.I. and Alberta are the four Canadian provinces that "get it" when it comes to promoting tourism. They always hold well organized events where their tourism partners - hotels, casinos, airlines, etc. - get a chance to showcase product lines to interested people like travel professionals and travel journalists.

That's why those three provinces get more ink than any others and reap the rewards for their efforts with impressive visitor numbers each year.

The big news out of Quebec is that the casino in Mt. Tremblant - one of the my favourite spots in all of Canada - is doing well and that plans are underway to build a mega resort right next door. The Quebec government agreed to give the Laurentian resort town its own casino in the hopes of luring more tourists and the plan appears to be working quite well.

Porter Airlines will soon be launching its annual summer direct flights to Tremblant to go along with its flights to Montreal and Quebec City.

Summers are special in Tremblant, which is world renowned for its ski hills and apres ski hijinks. But in recent years, Tremblant, with is outstanding inventory of mountain golf courses, has been challenging places like Ontario and P.E.I. as a top Canadian golf destination. Le Geant is my favourite course in Tremblant, which offers at least five other world-class layouts.

Accommodation offered in Tremblant runs from bargain basement to 5-star with lots in between. The Fairmont is my favourite spot to stay in Tremblant but one day when I have lots of money, I'll book a room at Hotel Quintessence, one of the most luxurious properties in Canada.

Montreal, Quebec City, the Eastern Townships, the Gaspe and the Laurnetians all offer their unique brand of tourism and the European flavour one experiences while visiting Quebec is something that most people treasure for a long time afterwards.

Quebec has a lot to offer and its puts an accent on hospitality.

For tourism options in Quebec, go to www.bonjourquebec.com

Paolo's Newest Travel Deal

My pooch Paolo digs up great air deals.

Dubai Airfare

$802

Return from Toronto

Air Taxes: $549 (approx.)

Travel Period:

July 15 – Sept. 10, 2011

Ticketing until: June 10, 2011

Call: 1.866.929.6688

Good boy Paolo!

Kayak.com wins online booking race

I'm always on the lookout for stories relating to Internet use and how it can help my fellow travelers .

So I think you'll be interested in this story I came across on MSNB dealing with the subject of browsing the Internet for travel deals.

According to the MSNB story, a 15-month survey conducted by Compuware Gomez for USA Today on the speed of travel companies online booking sites - specifically how fast they load - concluded that Kayak.com ranked  the fastest of all travel sites with a homepage load time of 1.231 seconds. Kayak.com beat 45 other online travel agents and all airline and hotel sites in the speed test.

According to the study, 40 per cent of consumers will click away from a website if it’s too slow to load or complete a transaction - average consumer time spent waiting for a site to load is about 3 seconds, according to the study.

Among the 12 airlines monitored, U.S.-based AirTran's homepage was the fastest to load at an average of 2.065 seconds Then came Delta, Frontier and Hawaiian, all of which clocked in at under 2.8 seconds. Alaska Airlines was the slowest at 5.12.

Among the 47 hotel booking sites monitored in the study, 10 beat the two-second mark - Marriott, Best Western, Holiday Inn and Hotels.com, Marriott and Best Western recorded the best times.

Canadian booking sites were not part of the study.

Rare white kiwi born Down Under

This rare white kiwi has New Zealand abuzz with excitement.

I'm embarrassed to admit that while I've seen most of the world, I've not made it to Australia and New Zealand - yet!

Shame on me. Maybe it's because so many of my friends and fellow writers have visited Down Under that I feel I've lived their experiences vicariously.

But one day I'll get there and when I do, it's the weird wildlife that lives on the opposite side of the world that I really want to see - the kangaroos, koala bears and the latest edition to the "strangest creatures in the world club" - the all-white kiwi bird.

The good folks at New Zealand tourism proudly sent me a picture of the all-white chick named Manukura (it means "of chiefly status") who was born - or is it hatched - at the country's national wildlife centre recently.

Manukura is not an albino kiwi, but the rare progeny of kiwi bird that were transferred to Pukaha from Hauturu/Little Barrier Island last year. The chick was the 13th of 14 kiwis successfully hatched at Pukaha Mount Bruce this breeding season, by far the most successful since 2003 when the kiwi were reintroduced into the wild there.

The white chick will remain in captivity with other chicks at Pukaha for at least four to six months where, subject to its behavior and welfare, it will be able to be viewed several times a week while being weighed. When it is old enough to protect itself, it could potentially be released into the sanctuary.

Now I have another reason to visit New Zealand.

For more information, go to www.NewZealand.com

Paolo's Travel Deal Today

My pooch Paolo digs up some great air deals!

Beijing Airfare

$631 Return from Toronto / Montreal

Air Taxes: $391.38

Travel Period:

Sept. 14, 2011 – Dec. 17, '11

Dec. 25, 2011 – Apr. 30, '12

Ticketing until: 30 Apr, 2012

Call: 1-866-929-6688

Good Boy Paolo