Having the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series is causing a large spike in demand for Toronto hotels. Air Canada launches new flights from Billy Bishop/Toronto Island Airport, including direct flights to New York City/La Guardia. And San Francisco opens a new “Martini Trail.” BLUE JAYS SPARK TORONTO TRAVEL SPIKE As the Toronto Blue Jays gear up for their long-awaited World Series return tomorrow (Fri, Oct 24), Toronto is seeing the impact not just on the field, but in travel demand as...| Jim Byers Travel
Leading global travel platform Skyscanner has unveiled its 2026 travel trends report, highlighting top destinations and insights into Canadian travel behaviour. Drawing from proprietary data, a global survey of more than 20,000 travellers, and trusted industry insights, Skyscanner has released its 2026 Travel Trends report. The findings highlight everything Canadians need to know for the year ahead – from emerging travel behaviours to the top 10 trending and best value destinations. ...| Jim Byers Travel
RICE LAKE, ONTARIO – It was maybe a quarter to 7 a.m. on our first morning at Elmhirst’s Resort. We were in a lovely, second floor loft at a lovely cottage overlooking Rice Lake, and I woke up to see a soft, orange light glowing in the sky. Not being one to miss a good sunrise, I threw on a t-shirt and some flip-flops, grabbed my cell phone and scampered down to the dock in front of our cottage. I could hear some distant Canada Geese welcoming the morning with their familiar honks as I st...| Jim Byers Travel
Kudos to Iceland, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada. Great marks for Singapore, Honolulu and San Francisco. Travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) has released its 11th annual State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report, “the longest running and most trusted research project evaluating the attitudes of U.S. travelers toward travel safety and travel insurance.” The Netherlands, Australia, and Austria have been named the safest countries to visit ...| Jim Byers Travel
Baseball fans in Canada are riding a rollercoaster, as the Toronto Blue Jays bounced back from two losses at home to the Seattle Mariners with a 13 to 4 win on Wednesday night. As the Jays look to advance to their first World Series since 1993 (a series I covered for the Toronto Star, allowing me to witness Joe Carter’s home run with my own eyes) attention on the team has advanced well past regular ball fans. New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds two-in-five Canadians foll...| Jim Byers Travel
Expedia Group today released Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel™. The annual global report highlights shifts in traveller behaviour and the destinations set to dominate itineraries in 2026, including…| Jim Byers Travel
A new study from KAYAK finds shoulder season is bringing great travel deals for Canadians. Between the heat of summer and the chill of winter, shoulder season marks a time for peak travel perks with off-peak prices, KAYAK officials said in a study released today (Oct. 9). I’ve often argued that the fall is the best time to visit Europe, as crowds are down and the weather not as hot as summer. The fact there are bargains to be had on flights makes autumn travel all the more attractive. KAYAK...| Jim Byers Travel
The annual Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards are out for best travel of 2025, and there’s plenty of great North American and world content to check out, as well as fabulous hotels and cruises. Canada made the top 10 for best countries to visit, while New York City won kudos for its food scene and hotels. Victoria, British Columbia was named best small city in the world, Barbados made the top three for most friendly countries, and Tokyo was named world’s best food city. The top ten hotel...| Jim Byers Travel
Muskoka has officially reached 100% colour change and the region is ablaze with vibrant reds, fiery oranges, and glowing yellows – making it one of the most spectacular fall displays in North America. Visitors from near and far are heading north to experience this breathtaking season before the colours fade. (Play @DiscoverMuskoka Video) While Algonquin Park has now passed its peak, Muskoka is just hitting its stride. Muskoka’s forests are glowing in full colour, dominated by vibrant r...| Jim Byers Travel
DETROIT – Once one of the richest cities in the world, Detroit has undergone a tremendous renaissance. I was in the city last summer for a few days to scout out its suitability for hosti…| Jim Byers Travel
Air Canada continues to raise the bar on the Economy Class travel experience with free beer, wine, and exclusive Canadian-made snacks now available for all customers on all flights, including routes to Mexico and the Caribbean. “Launched on September 1, these upgrades reflect the airline’s commitment to delivering award-winning service for all customers, and a sharpened focus on leisure travellers,” the airline said. Air Canada introduced free wine and beer on US and domestic flight...| Jim Byers Travel
Air Canada continues to raise the bar on the Economy Class travel experience with free beer, wine, and exclusive Canadian-made snacks now available for all customers on all flights, including route…| Jim Byers Travel
SAN FRANCISCO – The walk-in gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel was a big hit. Likewise the barking sea lions at Pier 39. But the thing that our almost-four-year-old grandson loved the mo…| Jim Byers Travel
Their timing was fabulous. Tourism folks from Meet Boston and VISIT FLORIDA, along with Elite Sports Tours, gathered in Toronto this week and treated a few lucky media and travel people to box seat…| Jim Byers Travel
A splashy, upscale resort with one of the best swimming pools on the planet. And a relaxing retreat that’s the epitome of old-time, Hawaiian charm. I loved my recent stay at both Koloa Landing in P…| Jim Byers Travel
We were only a few hours into our first day in Rome when it hit me. And we may never travel the same way again. I’m on the road maybe three months a year, but 99.9% of the time my out-of-town stays…| Jim Byers Travel
Canadian travellers have spoken. Air Canada Vacations has announced the winners of its first-ever Travellers’ Top Picks Awards, a celebration of Canadian wanderlust that drew over 100,000 ent…| Jim Byers Travel
My wife and I recently spent four days on Maui, seeing how things are going in the wake of the devastating Lahaina fires and checking out new (to us) hotels and restaurants. I’m happy to say …| Jim Byers Travel
Two years ago I was sitting in my back yard in Toronto when I got a text message from my sister. “So awful about the Maui and Lahaina fires,” she said. I had been busy and hadn’t …| Jim Byers Travel
A new study has revealed that Miami is the most popular city to visit in the US, at least according to the social media app TikTok. The research conducted by real estate company Portland Real…| Jim Byers Travel
