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YOGA IN
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DS TABLE OF CONTENTS >>
VOLUME 20, ISSUE NO. 2 JOSE GIL/SHUTTERSTOCK
12 YOGA SANCTUARIES India is among the best places to learn and practise yoga. BY MARIELLEN WARD
48 SAIL INTO MARITIME HISTORY
26 A VIBRANT CALIFORNIA TOWN
The MS Saint Laurent evokes the elegance of popular steamboats dating back to the early 1900s.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the lifestyle. BY JILL K. ROBINSON
27 ONE BIG TEAM SPIRIT
BY E. LISA MOSES DARKO SILKMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK
50 A MÉLANGE À TROIS
Catch the spirit as athletes from around the world gather in Ontario to compete in the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games this summer.
Experience three very different faces of Louisiana. BY DENISE J. DEVEAU
BY STEVE GILLICK
54 BEYOND THE LINKS
29 GAME ON—A SPECIAL FEATURE SECTION
There’s much more to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, than golf courses.
The Central Counties of Ontario get ready to host the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
BY MARK STEVENS
BY STEVE GILLICK
37 A CITY CREATIVELY REINVENTED
56 TRAVEL SLEUTH SONGQUAN DENG/SHUTTERSTOCK
Advice on duty-free shopping worldwide. BY JANE STOKES
Proud of its out-and-proud history, Fort Lauderdale turns its attention to the LGBT market.
59 TRAVEL GALLERY News you can use. BY CYNTHIA DAVID
BY BRYEN DUNN
40 A TREASURE BY THE SEA
COVER: A sari seller on Candolim Beach, Goa, India
Stir up childhood memories in charming Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida.
© GARY TAYLOR/ALAMY
BY KEVIN FRITZ
41 DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT
V&V HOSPITALITY & MEDIA SERVICES
Top 10 reasons why Lago Mar Resort & Club, Fort Lauderdale, is your home away from home. BY KEVIN FRITZ
42 TURN PARADISE INTO A SOUND INVESTMENT Make sure your U.S. vacation real estate purchase is both cost-effective and tax efficient. BY JULIE CAZZIN
45 ICONIC BEAUTY IN A LAND OF PLENTY Visually stunning, the Monterey Peninsula offers a bounty of pleasures. BY GERRY SHIKATANI
6 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
HAIMARK LINE
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DS FROM MY TRAVEL BAG >> BY DONNA S. VIEIRA OFTEN ROAD TRIPS ARE THE BEST WAY to get from A to B, especially if they involve an overnight stay or two along the way. There’s no guessing what gems you’ll discover. Such was the case three years ago when I first undertook what has since become an annual pilgrimage from southern Ontario to Florida to conduct research for the annual Travel Guide to Florida. I had allowed for an overnight stay at the halfway point of our trip. I knew the mileage involved; however, never having done the trip before, I could not pinpoint exactly where to book our stay. Instead, I decided to just play it by ear. Wherever we ended up at 5 p.m. on the first day of our trip was where we would lodge for the night. That’s how I discovered Berea, Kentucky (berea.com), a haven for a thriving population of artists including weavers, instrument makers, furniture artisans, jewellery designers, glass workers, potters, painters, sculptors, quilters and musicians. The story of Berea’s artisan community is interwoven with the historic Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. Founded in 1855 by anti-slavery advocate John G. Fee, the college is well known for its mission to provide students an opportunity for a tuition-free quality education so they graduate with very little or no debt. Only academically promising students with limited economic resources and “upstanding character” are admitted to pursue bachelor degrees in 32 majors at an estimated cost of US$23,000 per student per year. While Berea primarily services the Southern Appalachian region, students from across the U.S. and from more than 60 other countries represent a rich diversity of colours, cultures and faiths. In return for free tuition, all students, without exception, are required to work 10 to 15 hours per week in approved jobs on campus or in the community while carrying a full academic course load. Such work experiences offer them tremendous opportunities to put into practice what they learn and to develop skills future employers can appreciate. Student-led tours of the college are available.
8 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
A variety of hands-on workshops by individuals specializing in artisan skills and crafts are also available to visitors year-round. From March to November, the Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen schedules both weeklong and weekend classes in the visual arts at their beautiful facility in Berea. Every year in July, the Berea Festival of Learnshops features workshops on a wide range of interests, including sustainable living, culinary arts, collage, painting, Appalachian crafts, fibre arts, jewellery, glass, storytelling, literary arts, theatre, music, dance, Native American folk arts, bonsai, woodworking or professional development for educators. This family-friendly event also organizes children’s activities and classes where intergenerational family members can create together. Accommodation choices in Berea range from inns to RV parks. My hands-down favourite is the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel, named for Appalachian hero Daniel Boone and located on College Square in the heart of Berea. Built in 1909 at a cost of US$20,000, the brick building was constructed by the College’s Woodwork Department. Since then, the property has hosted such dignitaries as the Dalai Lama, Henry Ford, President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. In keeping with community sustainable goals, a recent $11-million renovation prepared this gem for another 100 years by making it a LEED Gold Certified Green Hotel. Throughout its history, college students have handcrafted guestroom furnishings and, today, original southern cuisine is featured at its award-winning restaurant. So, like my annual research trip to Florida, an overnight stay in Berea has become a ritual in both directions. Some things are just meant to be and I’m so pleased I trusted my initial instinct to wing it. If you’re headed to Kentucky, I strongly recommend a visit to beautiful Berea for an enriching and creative experience any time of the year. DS
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DREAMSCAPES TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE is published by Globelite Travel Marketing Inc. Visit dreamscapes.ca to view this issue of our magazine in its entirety and to link easily to editorials, advertisers, contest information, as well as previous issues. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We’d like to hear from you. Readers are always encouraged to submit emails to editor@dreamscapes.ca. PUBLISHING Joseph P. Turkel ASSOCIATE Sandra Kitchen PUBLISHERS Valerie Saunders EDITOR Donna S. Vieira EXECUTIVE EDITOR Judi Scharf COPY EDITOR Anne Champagne EDITOR-AT-LARGE Jane Stokes CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Cynthia David ART DIRECTOR Mark Tzerelshtein ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Ben Gibbons PRODUCTION MANAGER Julia Wall CONTROLLER Gloria Mungo PUBLISHER
PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER
Joseph P. Turkel
CONTRIBUTORS
Julie Cazzin | Cynthia David | Denise J. Deveau Bryen Dunn | Kevin Fritz | Steve Gillick E. Lisa Moses | Jill K. Robinson | Gerry Shikatani | Mark Stevens | Jane Stokes | Mariellen Ward
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YOGA SANCTUARIES
INDIA IS NOT ONLY THE BIRTHPLACE OF YOGA.
BY MARIELLEN WARD
I
t’s arguably the best place in the world
Today Rishikesh is often referred to as
to learn and practise this ancient art
the “yoga capital of the world.” It’s chock-a-
and science. Here are some of the best
block with ashrams, yoga classes, stores
spots in India to “get bendy.”
selling chakra beads and harem pants, med-
RISHIKESH: THE YOGA CAPITAL
ABOVE: Most yoga retreats or shalas provide simple, but healthy, vegetarian fare. incredibleindia.org
12 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
specializing in western-Indian fusion food.
At dawn in Rishikesh, as the sun rises over
In Rishikesh, there’s comfort in having
the mountains and illuminates the sacred
many other foreigners in town while being
town and the emerald green Ganga (Ganges)
exposed to genuine, authentic yoga teachings.
River that runs through it, people begin
It’s a great destination for yoga students, new-
their morning yoga practice. Incense wafts
comers to India and solo female travellers.
through the air, temple bells ring and a
And it’s very accessible from Delhi via a four-
quiet sense of sanctity pervades.
to five-hour train ride or a quick flight to
In this picturesque spot in north India, TOP: Mandrem Beach in northern Goa is still very secluded. India Tourism Toronto
itation courses and river-facing cafés
nearby Dehra Dun, plus taxi.
at the place where the Ganga River emerges
There are innumerable options for yoga
from the mountains and heads toward the
study in Rishikesh. You can stay in an
plains, people have been gathering since
ashram and take a one-month (or longer)
time immemorial for spiritual practice.
intensive yoga teacher training course.
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Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Tapovan
if they do, the facilities are usually very
(the quieter end of Rishikesh) has one of
basic. Students are expected to stay one to
the best in town, designed for foreign stu-
two months or longer; drop-in classes are
dents. You can stay in a guesthouse or hotel
not encouraged. However you may find
and just take drop-in classes at one of the
yourself catching the Mysore vibe and not
many places that offer them. Or, just hang
want to leave.
out at the Little Buddha Cafe, overlooking the river, and drink banana lassis and talk
GOA: YOGA ON THE BEACH
about going to yoga class.
Goa, in southern India, is the top tourist destination in the country. A former
MYSORE: HOME OF ASHTANGA
Portuguese colony, the tiny, tropical state has
The Mysore Palace, with its imposing
a unique culture, a coastline on the Arabian
façade, onion domes and gilded rooms,
Sea and a laid-back vibe that attracts beach
dominates the centre of Mysore and lends
bums, hippies, party animals, vacationers
the town an air of exotic magnificence.
and yogis from all over India and the world.
About a three-hour train ride from bustling
Full-moon raves on the beach originally put
Bengaluru (Bangalore), the capital of the
Goa on the hippie trail, however they have
state of Karnataka, Mysore is much slower
been severely curtailed in recent years.
ABOVE: Take in spectacular views from the Lakshman Jhula, an iron suspension bridge that spans the Ganga River in Rishikesh. incredibleindia.org BELOW: A yoga instructor demonstrates postures at an old hotel in Rishikesh, India. Darko Sikman/Shutterstock
paced, a charming city of temples, markets and yoga shalas (places to do yoga), surrounded by green rolling hills. The most well-known yoga shala in Mysore is the Ashtanga Yoga Institute, which was founded by Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois in 1948. Pattabhi Jois is known the world over for popularizing ashtanga yoga. He taught here until just before his death, at the age of 93, in 2009. Ashtanga yoga is a series of moving postures, linked by the breath. It’s a vigorous style that creates heat in the body. Though they might be together in the same room, each student has their own practice, which follows certain sequences and patterns. This style is called Mysore practice, because it emanated from here. Other gurus, classes and yoga shalas are available in Mysore, however ashtanga remains the style of choice here, due to the influence of Pattabhi Jois. The Ashtanga Yoga Institute is located in a leafy suburb of Mysore, Gokulam, where many of the better yoga schools are found. Foreign students in Mysore generally stay in private homes or flats, as many of the schools do not have a residence facility; and
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 13
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Goa is an ideal sunny holiday destina-
known and respected school, such as the
tion replete with wide, sandy beaches,
Bihar School of Yoga, Sivananda Yoga
swaying palm trees, pink sunsets and
Vedanta Centres, Ashtanga Yoga Institute,
warm ocean waves. Beach shacks serve
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and
fresh, tender coconuts, beer and spicy
Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute. Make
Goan fish; resorts offer massages on the
sure the yoga instruction offered is at your
beach, meditation and yoga classes; and
level and neither too advanced nor too
stores, hawkers and flea markets sell a
basic for you. If you are seeking a teacher-
dizzying array of flowing beach wear and
training certificate, inquire about the
om symbol necklaces.
teachers’ credentials and where the cer-
Goa has become an increasingly pop-
ABOVE TOP: Welcoming about three million visitors a year, the historical Palace of Mysore is one of the most famous tourist attractions in India. Noppasin/Shutterstock ABOVE CENTRE: Colourful Indian spices and tea can be purchased at the Anjuna flea market in Goa, India. Pikoso.kz/Shutterstock ABOVE BOTTOM: Initiated in 1610, Dasara is a 10-day festival held on the streets of Mysore in the month of September or October. incredibleindia.org
14 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
tificate is recognized.
ular yoga destination and retreat centres
Also, read reviews and descriptions
are sprouting up like mushrooms. Gener-
carefully about what is or is not included.
ally speaking, north Goa is the busier half
Some yoga centres and ashrams have very
of the state, and where most yoga centres
basic accommodation (cold showers, hard
are located. Most also focus on wellness
beds and Indian-style toilets) and most
and serve healthy vegetarian food, while
offer only simple vegetarian fare. Be sure
some offer Ayurvedic treatments, mas-
to ask what you need to bring (towel, ear
sages and meditation.
plugs, water bottle, etc.).
The top-rated yoga retreats include
Most of all go with an open mind, leave
Oceanic Yoga in Mandrem Beach, SWAN
your cares and your gadgets behind and
Yoga in Assagao and Little Cove Holiday
immerse yourself in the bliss of experi-
Retreat in south Goa.
encing yoga in India.
WORDS OF WISDOM Before choosing a yoga retreat centre or ashram, do your research and find out if the instructors are well trained, from a
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER For more information on India, visit incredibleindia.org.
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A VIBRANT CALIFORNIA TOWN your good fortune to spend a little down time in this picturesque town.
Surfing at C Street, Ventura. Doug Mangum
LOOKING FOR THE LAID-BACK CALIFORNIA LIFESTYLE? LOOK NO FARTHER THAN VENTURA. BY JILL K . ROBINSON Families love Ventura Harbor Village, with its old-school carousel, arcade and ice cream
Early California history is evident
shop. Later, pick your perfect spot at an out-
throughout Ventura’s Historic Downtown
door table overlooking the Pacific Ocean to
Cultural District, which began as Father
sample fresh seafood directly from the waters
Junipero Serra’s final mission settlement.
offshore. Travelling without kids? Downtown
Here, streets are dotted with historic homes,
wine bars and the Ventura County Wine Trail
museums, boutiques and restaurants—and
offer opportunities for wine tasting in one of
the thriving music scene guarantees a great
the world’s leading wine-growing regions. Be
soundtrack nearly every day of the year.
sure to bring home a bottle to remind you of
NESTLED BETWEEN MALIBU and Santa
Ventura’s south-facing waterfront and
Barbara, the city’s original name, San
breaks along the beaches lure surfers across
Buenaventura, labels it as a city of good for-
the globe, so get in the water to try it out. Or
tune. With the modern-day city curving
at least relax on miles of beaches stretching
along the Pacific Coast Highway and framed
from Surfer’s Point to Ventura Harbor and
by mountains in the background, it remains
watch a few surf sessions.
your good fortune.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER To plan your Ventura getaway, visit ventura-usa.com
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ONE BIG TEAM SPIRIT
DANE SHARP’S EXCITEMENT IS CONTAGIOUS.
BY STEVE GILLICK
C
urrently ranked among the top
exhilaration and healthfulness. With well-
four squash players in Canada, he
ness tourism pegged as a $2 trillion global
enthuses the upcoming 2015 Pan
phenomenon and sports tourism, in Canada
Am/Parapan Am Games in the
alone, generating $5.2 billion a year, it’s no
Toronto and Golden Horseshoe area “will be
wonder why everyone’s buzzing about the
a great experience with each athlete feeding
upcoming Games.
off everyone else’s energy.” And for the
Toronto is energetically in the final stages
expected 250,000 visitors from around the
of preparation for the third largest multi-sport
world the effect will be nothing short of
event in sport history. The Greater Toronto
magical, as they share in the spirit of
Area (GTA) is the base for competition, how-
watching 7,600 inspiring, young athletes at
ever 16 communities will also hold events
their peak level of performance, proudly
representing 51 sports. And with 41 nations
showing off their sport to the world.
competing in the Pan Am Games from July 10
These thoughts are echoed by Teddy Katz,
to 26 and the Parapan Am Games from August
the chief spokesperson for the Games when
7 to 15, each country will have its own cheering
he speaks about the theme, “Ignite the
section, reflecting the multicultural nature of
Spirit,” which wraps all the attendees—ath-
the GTA where, in the city alone, more than 140
letes and visitors—in the same cloak of
languages and dialects are spoken.
ABOVE TOP: Toronto is in the final stages of preparation for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Songquan Deng/Shutterstock ABOVE CENTRE: Dane Sharp is ranked among the top four squash players in Canada. Steve Gillick/Talking Travel
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 27
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TOP TO BOTTOM: Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto will be one of three big celebration zones. vichie81/Shutterstock
A CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS
Union Pearson Express will whisk visitors to
Katz related one touching story about a Cen-
and from the airport in 25 minutes. Clear and
tral American squash player who requested
consistent signage will guide visitors to the
Known as The Shark, Benoit Huot will be competing in the paraathletic swimming competitions. Steven Gillick/Talking Travel
a photo of the Pan Am medals so he could
events, and a Games Trip Planner App will
use them as inspiration during his training.
offer suggestions on the best routes to the
And this story repeats itself in various forms.
sporting venues. Spectators will even be able
Canadian beach volleyball athletes Melissa Humana-Paredes (left) and Taylor Pischke (right) proudly show off the bronze medals they won in November 2014. FIVB
Benoit Huot is known as The Shark when
to use event tickets to access the public transit
it comes to para-athletic swimming compe-
system on the day of the event.
titions. The holder of 10 gold and seven silver
Melissa Humana-Paredes, one of Canada’s
medals in Sydney, Athens and London talks
top beach volleyball players, is looking forward
about Canada as his inspiration to excel in
to the Opening Ceremonies, where “the best of
the Parapan Am Games. “This is my only
the best” will electrify the Rogers Centre when
chance to compete on home soil in front of
the country teams and flag bearers parade in.
friends, family and visitors,” and he goes on
Cirque du Soleil’s performance will only
to explain that everyone at the Games will
enhance the energy of the evening.
become part of “one big team spirit.”
And Juan René Serrano Gutierrez, who
This spirit will be ignited in major celebra-
competed in archery in three Olympics, three
tion zones in the city. Andrew Weir,
Pan American Games and eight World Cham-
executive vice president of Tourism Toronto
pionships, sees participation in the 2015
speaks about the “vibrancy and culture” of
Games as nothing short of a gift. He com-
the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games as “the per-
mented: “The games are full of hope and joy.”
fect combination of elite sport and the spirit
What better way to spend the summer of
of fun.” In the Toronto area alone there will
2015 than cheering on a country’s athletes,
be three big celebration zones: The Toronto
sharing in the spirit of fun and healthy com-
Celebration Hub at Nathan Phillips Square,
petition, visiting the amazing new sports
where large viewing screens will be set up
facilities in Toronto and neighbouring com-
and medal ceremonies will take place;
munities, and being part of sports history.
Ontario Square, based at Harbourfront
Teddy Katz suggested: “The best games
Centre, where all regions of the province will
are the ones where people are blown away by
be showcased with music and festivities; and
how beautiful the city and the facilities are,
Celebration Square in Mississauga where
how nice the people are and how helpful the
community engagement will complement
volunteers are.” This is what’s in store for the
the competitions taking place in the area.
2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. Isn’t this what travel excitement and fulfillment is all
ACCESS MANAGEMENT But with the number of athletes and visitors expected in the Toronto area, some cynics have used the term “Pan-Am-demonium” to describe potential traffic chaos. Bob Nichols, senior media liaison officer for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation notes the goal is to instil a feeling of “home” to all visitors and, as such, a number of strategies will be implemented. The Games Route Network of roads and highways will provide reliable travel for athletes to ensure they arrive on schedule. The
28 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
about? See you in Toronto in July!
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER Tickets to the Pan Am/Parapan Am games are available through the official website at toronto2015.org. Ticket prices are reasonable with discounts for those under 16 and over 65 years of age. Hotel space is also available in the many different accommodation categories available in the Greater Toronto Area and neighbouring communities hosting events.
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DISCOVER THE BEST OF ONTARIO THIS SUMMER! By Steve Gillick
entle rolling hills. Long country drives. Culinary delights. Fairs, festivals and concerts. Incredible trails in natural surroundings. Unique heritage, arts and culture. And, of course, the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games! It all comes together just north of Toronto where urban and rural combine to provide the perfect summer escape. Celebrate the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Then linger on to enjoy the many festivals planned throughout the summer. Extend your stay by booking an overnight getaway at one of many resorts, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts or cottage rentals throughout the region. It’s time to discover some of the best experiences the Central Counties of Ontario have to offer this summer.
ONTARIO’S CENTRAL COUNTIES WELCOME THE WORLD! Comprising the regions of Headwaters, York and Durham, Ontario’s Central Counties are showcasing a number of energetic sport competitions, festivities, outdoor adventures and enjoyable family opportunities when the Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games come to Ontario in July and August, 2015.
Hosting sports near and dear to the fabric of their respective communities, Caledon/Mono, Markham, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa are prepared to welcome the world to the Games and their doorsteps!
COMPETING WITH THE BEST Headwaters is hosting the equestrian events of dressage, eventing and jumping at the world-class Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park. And on July 18, a one-day cross-country event, featuring a five-kilometre championship course with 35 log, water and drop jumps, takes place at the Pan Am CrossCountry Centre in Mono.
ball and baseball as well as women’s softball, and, for the first time in a multisport competition, women’s baseball. Whitby’s state-of-the-art Abilities Centre promises to thrill spectators at the Parapan Am judo and boccia competitions. And less than one hour by GO Transit train from Toronto, Oshawa’s Sports Centre is featuring boxing and weightlifting competitions.
Markham, one of the most diverse communities in Canada, is welcoming the Pan Am badminton, table tennis and water polo events as well as the Parapan Am table tennis competitions at the Atos Markham Pan Am Centre. At the nearby Angus Glen Golf Club, where PGA Tour events such as the Canadian Open have taken place, the very first Pan Am golf tournament tees off on July 16. In Ajax, the President’s Choice Pan Am Ballpark’s four “pinwheel” fields will come alive with baseball and softball competitions, which include men’s soft-
For tickets and information on the Games and other events and festivals happening in the Central Counties of Ontario, visit centralcounties.ca.
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CALEDON’S UNIQUE APPEAL
ocated in the heart of the scenic Headwaters Region,
truly one of the scenic treasures of
Horse Country’s stable tours, hikes,
Ontario. More than 350 kilometres of
BizBaz at the Osprey Valley Golf Course,
affectionately known as Horse
walking, hiking, cycling and horseback
the Orangeville Ram Rodeo, Horse Expe-
Country, yet only 45 minutes
riding trails meander through the lovely
rience 2015 and “Pan Am in the Park.”
north of Toronto, Caledon is far enough
Headwaters Region, in which Caledon is
away to maintain its rural charm, tran-
just one of several quaint towns.
For more news on events in Caledon, visit caledon.ca.
quil landscapes, nature trails, inspired
This region was made for road trips and
artistry, farmers’ markets, artisanal cui-
every back road promises a visual and
sine, and reputation as an escape for
photographic memory. If you prefer to
those who love to revel in the great out-
drive golf carts, opportunities await at
doors. What better place to appreciate the
Hockley Valley Resort, the Caledon Country
equestrian events of the Pan Am Games?
Club and Osprey Valley Golf Course.
HEADWATERS HORSE COUNTRY
inspires
One hundred and fifty-five horses from 11
ceramic artists, glass-blowers, wood-
countries will be stabled this summer at the
carvers, weavers, sculptors, clothing
world-class Caledon Pan Am Equestrian
designers and jewellers who call the area
Park facility. The dressage competition will
home and many open their studios to the
take place on July 11, 12 and 14, with show
public during the summer months.
The region’s breathtaking scenery resident
painters,
potters,
jumping events scheduled for July 21 and 23.
Foodies can start the day at one of many
The thrilling “eventing” competition will be
farmers’ markets, and end it indulging in
split between Caledon and the Town of
fresh, farm-to-fork, artisanal cuisine.
Mono, with the dressage portion taking place in Caledon on July 17. Action then
LET’S CELEBRATE!
moves on to nearby Mono on July 18 fea-
The region is going all out with festivals
turing 35 jumps along a 5.5-kilometre
all summer. In June, there are the
course. The last eventing component—show
Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival,
jumping—returns to Caledon on July 19.
Caledon Day with the Pan Am Torch Relay and the Pan Am Taste Trail, and Alton
INSPIRED BY NATURE
Mill Arts Centre Cuisine-Art 2015. In July,
With the Niagara Escarpment and Oak
Canada Day celebrations are followed by
Ridges Moraine as its backdrop, this is
flower festivals, rib fests, Headwaters
For more information, visit headwaters.ca.
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:19 AM Page 32
JOIN US IN MARKHAM!
erging state-of-the-art athletics with outstanding design, the newly opened Atos Markham Pan Am Centre will enthral athletes competing in the Pan Am badminton, table tennis and water polo and the Parapan Am table tennis events. Although parking is available nearby, an easy way to arrive here is on the GO Transit train to the Unionville GO Station, a short walk from the Centre.
CATCH THE ACTION! Markham is an energized community waiting to let loose when the first water polo matches begin July 7. Then, starting July 16, the first-ever Pan Am golf tournament will take place at Angus Glen Golf Club, featuring men’s and women’s, professional- and amateur-ranked competitions.
is nearby Main Street Markham. And there’s plenty more shopping and dining at the Pacific Mall—the largest Chinese indoor mall on the continent with more than 500 stores. For those who prefer a small-town feeling, Markham Museum, a 10hectare open-air collection of historic buildings, captures Markham’s history from its founding in 1794 to its present status as one of the most diverse cities in Canada. For more cultural immersion, the Varley Art Gallery houses Canadian and contemporary art and the Flato Markham Theatre stages local, national and international plays and concerts. Inspired by the Games? Markham offers many paths and centres for fitness, climbing, hiking and biking, including Rouge Park, Canada’s premier urban wilderness park.
LET’S CELEBRATE! Markham promises a celebration of diverse music, food and fun. Events include Unionville Festival, June 5–7; Markham Village Music Festival, June 19–20; a combined Ribfest/Pan Am Parapan Am Torch Relay Celebration, June 27; Canada Day, July 1; Taste of Asia, June 27–28; Markham Global Fest, July 11–19; and the TD Markham Jazz Fest, August 13–16. For more information about Markham, visit markham.ca. Markham is ready to welcome you to the Games and let loose this summer. Be there!
FUEL UP! HERITAGE AND CULTURE There are countless activities to enjoy before, during and after the competitions. There’s a Games-time Festival, called Markham Global Fest, just outside the Pan Am Centre. Just a block north, historic Main Street Unionville abounds with charming restaurants and shops. Also perfect for strolling and shopping
And then, there’s food. There are flavours here for every taste. Home to one of the largest Asian populations in Canada, Markham and its neighbours—Richmond Hill and Thornhill—have cooked up “Chopstick Walk,” a collection of local restaurants specializing in culinary delights from Southeast Asia.
For more information, visit yorkscene.com.
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GO AJAX, GO!
The President’s Choice Ajax Pan Am Ball Park will welcome the gripping action of men’s baseball and softball, women’s softball and, for the first time in international multi-sport games, women’s baseball, with two weeks of play culminating in the gold-medal games on July 26.
Lake Ontario waterfront beckons all to explore, picnic and breathe in the fresh air. If your definition of outdoor relaxation includes golf, tee off at one of five neighbouring golf courses. For another kind of entertainment, Ajax Downs offers Quarter Horse Racing every Tuesday, where your winning streak could be extended at the OLG Slots, open 24 hours a day, year-round. On the cultural side, St. Francis Centre in Pickering Village is the hub of arts and culture and features live music and performances throughout the year. Scheduled July 2015 events include singer/songwriter Patricia Cano performing in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese and acclaimed guitarist Rob Tardik playing Latin, world, pop and jazz music. And we’re just getting warmed up! The summer series in Ajax’s Heritage Square includes Music in the Square (July 8 and 22) and Kids in the Square (July 15). Outdoor family entertainment continues with Movies in Miller’s Creek Park on July 17.
AROUND TOWN
LET’S CELEBRATE!
Hotels are conveniently close to the Games venues in Ajax and there are so many things to enjoy before and after the Pan Am events. Ajax’s undeveloped
As the Pan Am and Parapan Am games come to a close in August, Ajax will be a key destination to kick off the Durham Festival. Starting with the
he seven-kilometre Ajax Waterfront Trail, popular with walkers, hikers, joggers, skateboarders and cyclists, pretty much identifies this vibrant, energetic, healthful and sporting community located less than an hour east of Toronto. Coincidentally, these are also characteristics of the upcoming Pan Am/Parapan Am Games during which Ajax is hosting the men’s and women’s softball and baseball tournaments. While trail blazers admire the unspoiled beauty of the Waterfront Trail that hugs the Lake Ontario shoreline, baseball fans will echo this same sentiment in their description of a fly ball, a tag, a steal and a home run.
PLAY BALL!
ELEVATION2015 cycling industry event on August 13, celebrations continue with the Taste of Ajax waterfront event on August 15, featuring craft beer, food trucks, local food and entertainment for the entire family. For more information on these and other events, visit ajax.ca.
For more information, visit durhamtourism.ca.
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THE WONDERS OF WHITBY
hitby exudes a positive, upbeat attitude when it comes to this summer’s TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games, during which Parapan judo and boccia will be hosted at the Abilities Centre. The mantra at this state-of-the-art facility encourages all people of all abilities to engage in sport, interact with others, and learn in a fun, safe, supportive environment. Home to beautiful parks, open spaces and waterfront facilities, Whitby promotes active living. Take in the town’s vibrant arts and cultural scene including art galleries, museums and theatres. Thousands of acres of parkland, two significant conservation areas, multi-purpose trails, two heritage downtown areas, a seasonal farmers’ market and a marina all contribute to an unforgettable getaway. Just a 48-kilometre drive from Toronto, access is quick and easy via GO Transit train service to the Whitby Station, which is less than a 10-minute walk from the Abilities Centre.
EMBRACE THE SPIRIT! Two Parapan competitions take place in Whitby from August 7 to 15. Boccia, a game similar to curling, requires athletes to propel a ball as close to a target
as possible. It was originally designed for people afflicted with cerebral palsy, however there is also a competitive category for athletes with disabilities that affect motor skills. The second sport, Parapan judo, is a competition for visually impaired athletes. In both instances, 700 spectators at each event will have a unique opportunity to watch elite, world-class athletes excelling at what they do best.
HEALTHY AND CULTURAL PURSUITS Whitby’s small-town atmosphere comfortably blends with amenities found in larger urban centres. Forming part of the Lake Ontario Trail, the Whitby Shores Waterfront connects to Ajax and Oshawa. The 11-kilometre shoreline is a magnet for such healthy pursuits as walking, jogging, cycling, rollerblading and skateboarding. Nearby, the Lynde Shores Conservation area lures photographers and nature enthusiasts. The award-winning Port Whitby Marina, next to the Yacht Club and down the street from the Abilities Centre, can accommodate visitors who wish to sail to the Parapan events. The downtown areas feature opportunities to stroll, shop and dine among a mixture of heritage and modern buildings.
LET’S CELEBRATE! Enjoy Whitby’s free summer events, which include: • Brooklin Spring Fair, June 4–7 • Canada Day and County Town Carnival, July 1 • Music and Movies in the Park, Wednesdays and Thursdays, June through August • Culture in the Square, Wednesday evenings, July through August • Whitby Harbour Day and Durham Festival, August 15 For more information on Whitby events, visit Whitby.ca/events.
For more information, visit durhamtourism.ca.
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 35
OSHAWA KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE RING he lakeside community of Oshawa, 45 minutes from Toronto, is gearing up to welcome the world during this summer’s TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games. With a variety of cultural pursuits and an impressive lineup of festivities on hand, Oshawa promises a knockout summer for locals and visitors.
HEAVYWEIGHT ACTION All eyes will be on Oshawa’s hometown favourite Evan Gillard this summer as he takes to the ring at the Oshawa Sports Centre (General Motors Centre). A member of Oshawa’s Motor City Boxing Club, Evan will compete in the men’s boxing competitions. Oshawa will also host women’s boxing and men’s and women’s weightlifting events, which are expected to draw enthusiastic crowds.
OUTDOOR AND CULTURAL PURSUITS The Games’ themes of unity and diversity continue in the city’s must-see museums, galleries and cultural attractions, as well as outdoor experiences. Aerial thrills await at the Treetop Eco-Adventure Park’s zip line, while the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve is
a haven for walkers, hikers, cyclists, birdwatchers and photographers alike. Oshawa, a very bicycle-friendly city, features more than 60 kilometres of bike lanes and routes. When it comes to retail therapy, three shopping districts are within easy reach of the downtown core. And for cultural quests, Ontario Philharmonic performances, tours of the Parkwood National Historic Site and Canadian Automotive Museum, and outdoor Concerts in the Park are scheduled on a regular basis. Additionally, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery will be featuring a Games-themed exhibit.
July brings with it the Durham Craft Beer Festival on the 11th and the Broken Arts Festival featuring entertainment, shopping and food on the 18th, while August will be ushered in with Bikes on Bond, an annual motorcycle festival on August 8 and 9. The Durham Festival's Woodland Disco and Glowfest on August 14 coincides with the end of the Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games in what is sure to be a night to remember. Learn more about our summer lineup at Oshawa.ca/panam.
LET’S CELEBRATE! From award-winning festivals to grassroots initiatives, summers in Oshawa offer festivals and events for every age and interest! Celebrations begin with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice and OLG, on June 5, which will be followed by one of 2015’s Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario—Oshawa’s Peony Festival on June 13 and 14. The month will close with an exciting celebration of culture at our Fiesta Parade on June 21 and Métis Heritage Celebration on June 27 and 28.
For more information, visit durhamtourism.ca.
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 36
Mono
Markham
Caledon
Ajax
Whitby Oshawa
ONTARIO’S CENTRAL COUNTIES WELCOME THE 2015 PAN AM/PARAPAN AM GAMES PAN AM EVENTS
DATES
LOCATION
Equestrian • Dressage • Show Jumping • Eventing Dressage • Eventing Cross-country • Eventing Show Jumping
July 11/12/14 21/23 17 18 19
Caledon Caledon Caledon Mono Caledon
Water Polo
July 7–15
Markham
Badminton
July 11–16
Markham
Men’s & Women’s Golf Tournaments
July 16–19
Markham
Table Tennis
July 19–25
Markham
Men’s & Women’s Baseball
July 11–26
Ajax
Men’s & Women’s Softball
July 12–26
Ajax
Men’s & Women’s Weightlifting
July 11–15
Oshawa
Men’s & Women’s Boxing
July 18–25
Oshawa
PARAPAN AM EVENTS
DATES
LOCATION
Table Tennis
Aug. 8–13
Markham
Boccia
Aug. 8–11
Whitby
Judo
Aug. 12–14 Whitby
For information on competition schedules and tickets for the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, visit toronto2015.org.
TORONTO2O15.org
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 37
A CITY REINVENTED
CREATIVELY
FORT LAUDERDALE HAS QUICKLY BECOME THE DESTINATION IN FLORIDA FOR THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) TRAVEL MARKET.
Stretching 37 kilometres, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s golden sand beaches attract millions of visitors each year. Doug Castanedo
BY BRYEN DUNN
T
his has come around in great part
ordinance barring discrimination based on
due to the local Greater Fort
sexual orientation to electing openly LGBT
Lauderdale Convention & Visi-
individuals to office since 1988. And as of
tors Bureau specifically targeting
January 2015, Florida also became the 36th
this market, by being the first in the
state to legalize same-sex marriages.
country to have a dedicated department, staff and marketing dollars to support LGBT
AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY
tourism, as well as integrate LGBT images
What this all means is an increased influx
and messaging into its mainstream mar-
of “pink dollars” being generated to the
keting initiatives.
economy. Most of the action happens in the
There are now more same-sex couples
enclave of Wilton Manors, less than a 15-
living there than anywhere else in the state,
minute drive from the beach. There are
and it’s estimated 15 per cent of the popula-
numerous restaurants, bars and inde-
tion identifies as LGBT. With a population of
pendent shops all scattered within walking
around 175,000, the city is at the centre of
distance along Wilton Drive, the city’s Arts
South Florida’s Broward County, which has
and Entertainment District. In terms of sig-
nearly two million inhabitants. Broward
nificant tourist sites, there’s the Stonewall
County has an out-and-proud history of
National Museum & Archives, with a sepa-
supporting LGBT equality, from being one of
rate Stonewall Gallery location, as well as a
the first counties to pass a human rights
five-acre Pride Centre.
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 37
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 38
The newly opened World AIDS Museum &
Broward 100 will commemorate this centen-
Education Centre is the first such entity in
nial
the world. Upon entering the main doors a
performance projects framed by four distinct
historical timeline of events begins with the
cornerstones of community engagement:
first-diagnosed cases of AIDS in the world.
VisualEYES, Inside Out Broward, Calendar
Each subsequent two-sided panel then
100 and Duende. Other ongoing arts initia-
displays images and text describing monu-
tives can also be found at the Flagler Arts &
mental facts, accompanied by pop culture
Technology Village, an evolving four-block cre-
references of that era. Museum director Ed
ative district north of downtown, and Riverwalk
Sparan states, “Since 1981 there have been 75
Arts & Entertainment District located down-
million people infected and more than 39
town. ArtServe opened in 1989 as one of the
million who have died from AIDS, and this is
original six arts incubators in the country
the only permanent collection in the world.”
while the Girls’ Club Foundation hosts the
The city hosted the first annual Gay Days
only private collection in the world dedicated
Fort Lauderdale this past November, with many
with
bold,
innovative
art
and
to exhibiting contemporary art by women.
events taking place at W Hotel Fort Lauderdale, including daily pool parties at the artistically
URBAN REGENERATION
designed oceanfront infinity pool area. There
The downtown area went through a major
are several other annual events around which
redevelopment at the turn of this century,
to plan a visit, including February’s Evening in
especially around Las Olas Boulevard, where
Paradise, Stonewall Pride in June, the Hal-
high-end restaurants, shops, nightclubs,
loween-themed Wicked Manors and the Pride
hotels and luxury condominiums now pre-
South Florida and Fort Lauderdale Gay & Les-
vail. This area also provides a great vantage
bian Film Festival in October. New for 2015 are
point over the Intracoastal Waterway, which
Gay Family Weekend in November, and the
is lined with multi-million-dollar yachts and
largest transgender conference in North
opulent mansions along Millionaire’s Row.
America, the Southern Comfort Transgender
The Lobster Bar Sea Grille is a must-stop for
Conference from September 29 to October 3.
a true Floridian experience, with smatterings
Broward County, Florida’s second-largest
of fresh seafood prominently displayed and
populated county, will celebrate its centenary
prepared in the open kitchen. Generous por-
in 2015 with many special events planned,
tions of perfectly presented plates have made
making this year the perfect time to visit.
this a go-to gourmet destination.
TOP LEFT: Fresh seafood is prominently displayed and prepared in the open kitchen at the Lobster Bar Sea Grille. CENTRE LEFT: Visitors to the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center can view the historical timeline of the history of HIV/AIDS. BOTTOM LEFT: Opulent mansions line the Intracoastal Waterway. OPPOSITE LEFT: The Pineapple Point Guest House & Resort is a unique men-only property situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood. OPPOSITE RIGHT: Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors is a popular gathering spot for the LGBT crowd. Bryen Dunn
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 39
There are also more than 150 LGBT-owned
featuring a menu that includes an extensive
with gay men, as well as Hugh Taylor Birch
businesses and establishments in the region,
raw bar, stellar selection of dry-aged beef
State Park, a sprawling green oasis fre-
including Pineapple Point Guest House &
from handpicked ranches, locally caught
quented by locals and visitors.
Resort, owned by Judd Chapman and Phil
seafood and signature dishes.
Urban studies theorist Richard Florida,
Quattrone. This unique men-only property
No visit would be complete without a
known for his concept of giving accolades
is situated in a quiet residential neighbour-
stop at W’s Bliss Spa with its elegant treat-
to society’s “creative class” for spearheading
hood, not far from the bustling oceanfront.
ment rooms, retail boutique and private
urban regeneration, has stated many times
It comprises six distinct buildings with
outdoor terrace. Try a Ginger Rub, Hangover
that artists and gays are often at the fore-
rooms, suites and villas that are intertwined
Herbie, Betweeny Wax or the famous Triple
front of this revitalization. Fort Lauderdale
over one hectare of lush tropical paradise of
Oxygen Treatment Facial. Hotel guests also
is one of those success stories of a city that
palm trees and pools. The exquisite three-
enjoy exclusive Bliss products in their
had a vision of reinventing itself, and has
level Grand Villa comes with its own private
rooms. For further relaxation, the hotel is
now come full circle with those ideologies.
pool, Jacuzzi, outside tiki bar and a chef’s
ideally located within a short walking dis-
To use another analogy, the city has found
dream gourmet kitchen. The owners recently
tance of the famed Sebastian Beach, popular
gold at the end of the rainbow!
announced plans to break ground on a new project in the city, the first of a national chain of independent retirement and assisted-living residences specifically targeted to the LGBT market. For those who want to be right in the action, the W Hotel is renowned as the hidden playground of the stars and starlets, and this once legendary party central has reinvented itself and emerged on the scene as the hottest comeback to hit the strip. Name dropping is back in a big way. Grab a creative cocktail at the 5th Floor Living Room, owned by Cindy Crawford’s hubby,
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: Broward 100: broward.org Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau: sunny.org Dapur Asian Tapas and Lounge: dapurkitchen.com Lobster Bar Sea Grille: lobsterbarseagrille.com Mild to Wild Greater Fort Lauderdale: glbt.sunny.org Mind Your Manors: mindyourmanors.co Pineapple Point Guest House & Resort: pineapplepoint.com Rosie’s Bar & Grill: rosiesbng.com Stonewall National Museum & Archives: stonewallnationalmuseum.org The Pride Centre: pridecentreflorida.org W Fort Lauderdale: whotels.com/fortlauderdale Wilton Manors: mywiltonmanors.com World Aids Museum and Educational Centre: worldaidsmuseum.com
and then dine at Stephen Starr’s Steak 954
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 39
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 40
A TREASURE
BY THE SEA
IT’S THE BEACH TOWN YOU REMEMBER AS A KID, BREATHING IN THE FRESH SEA AIR AND LISTENING TO THE SURF SET YOUR VIBE FOR THE DAY.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea offers everything you need to make your Florida vacation memorable.
BY KEVIN FRITZ
T
he charming seaside village of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, affectionately known as LBTS, welcomes you to stir up those classic memories of yesteryear and to create new ones. A perennial favourite destination for decades, LBTS has added a colourful twist to its walkable hamlet. Stroll along wider sidewalks and promenades as music fills the air and children play games, while adults relax at an outdoor café. Stop by one of 15 restaurants within a short walk from the beach or indulge at nearby ice cream shops and award-winning chocolatiers. Decorative Adirondack chairs beckon you to sit and relax and vibrant banners line the streets welcoming all to enjoy the community. Browse locally owned and operated gift, jewellery and clothing shops. Mosey over to Anglin’s Square where ballroom dancing is open to all from October to May. Snorkel straight from the beach to reefs teeming with tropical fish and turtles. During Bugfest, a weeklong series of events centred around Florida’s twoday lobster mini-season, July 29–30, walk directly into the surf, scuba dive and return with your catch. On and off the beach, LBTS is all about leisure. Picnic in quaint seaside parks, collect shells, bask on the beach and people-watch from the plazas. Or enjoy the renowned surf as you paddleboard, skimboard and fish the local waters to your heart’s content. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER Plan your next getaway to Lauderdale-ByThe-Sea at LBTSEvents.com.
40 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 41
DECIDEDLY
DIFFERENT INDULGE AT THE LAGO MAR RESORT & CLUB. BY KEVIN FRITZ
L
ago Mar Resort & Club, a luxurious Fort Lauderdale beachfront retreat, has been entertaining guests with genuine hospitality for more than 50 years. Here are the top 10 reasons to call Lago Mar Resort & Club your home away from home this year. 1. Enjoy peaceful, manicured gardens and two tropical pools on four lush hectares bordering the Atlantic Ocean. 2. A full-service European spa leaves you with a rejuvenated body, revitalized mind and recharged spirit. 3. The resort’s personal service anticipates your every wish.
4. Soak in glorious South Florida sunshine on a secluded, 150-metre fine-grained sand beach studded with more than 300 palm trees. 5. Make yourself at home in one of 204 luxurious rooms, 164 of which are suites with stunning panoramic ocean views and featuring beautifully upgraded kitchens with Dutch-made cabinets and gorgeous granite countertops. 6. It is among Fort Lauderdale’s most family-friendly resorts, with a children’s playground, four tennis courts and an oversized outdoor chessboard.
Relaxation comes easy at the family-friendly Lago Mar Resort & Club in Fort Lauderdale. Lago Mar Resort & Club
7. Named “one of the best resorts in Fort Lauderdale” by Zagat, Lago Mar is AAA Four-Diamond rated. 8. Parking and Wi-Fi are complimentary. Never pay resort fees. 9. Romantic packages offer you and your partner everything you need to indulge your passions. 10. Attend area events, such as the Tortuga Music Festival, April 11–12, featuring country music star Kenny Chesney. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER For more information, call 888-965-6324 or visit LagoMar.com.
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 42
TURN PARADISE INTO A SOUND
INVESTMENT IT MAY BE SURPRISING TO LEARN THAT MORE THAN A MILLION CANADIANS, AGE 55 AND OVER, LEAD A SNOWBIRD LIFESTYLE, REGULARLY SPENDING UP TO SIX MONTHS OF EVERY YEAR IN WARMWEATHER SPOTS IN U.S. SUNBELT STATES SUCH AS ARIZONA, FLORIDA, TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA.
42 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
BY JULIE CAZZIN
T
he dream is the same—to own a
too late. We can generally fix things to
small piece of paradise they can
accommodate the property owner’s tax
truly call home. And while real
and estate-planning wishes.”
estate purchases are often emo-
While 2015 offers more challenges to
tional, the right way to do it is to make sure
affordability than in 2011 when prices in
your purchase is both cost-effective and tax
several warm-weather real estate markets in
efficient. That often means consulting a tax
the U.S. touched bottom, the good news is
lawyer before you make an offer.
it’s still a great year to buy. U.S. real estate in
“While it’s cheaper and better to obtain
the Sunbelt is still very affordable and, at
good legal advice before you buy, about 50
the same time, demographic trends guar-
per cent of buyers come to me after they’ve
antee demand for U.S. Sunbelt real estate
already purchased their property,” says
will be steady over the next few years.
David Altro, a Florida lawyer and Canadian Legal Advisor and managing partner at
RESEARCH IS KEY
Altro Levy, a cross-border law firm with
“Canadian buyers gravitate to communities
offices in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Van-
where Canadian expats and snowbirds tend
couver, Florida, Arizona and California,
to buy,” says Aaron Bond, a real estate agent
which provides tax, estate planning and
with Keller Williams Realty in Tampa,
real estate legal services to high net worth
Florida. “Demand this year has been steady
individuals. “In those cases, it’s still not
and supply is good.”
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 43
If you’re interested in buying a home in
OWNERSHIP STRUCTURES
the U.S., do your research. Find out where
Canada and the U.S. have huge differences,
popular Sunbelt locales for Canadians are
especially when it comes to tax rates,
located. Some key ones include Naples
probate procedures and the treatment of
and Venice, Florida; La Quinta, California;
flow-through entities. “The good news is
Yuma, Arizona; and Galveston, Texas.
Canadian wills are valid in the U.S.,” says
Then visit them, set a budget and start
Altro. “The bad news is all wills are subject
looking at real estate in your ideal area.
to probate proceedings where the real
Also remember that if you buy real estate
estate property is located. Another chal-
in the U.S., whether for personal use or as
lenge arises when it comes to Canadian
an investment, mortgage lenders will con-
power of attorney (POA) documents, which
sider it a second home and you’ll be
may not be recognized in the U.S. For
required to put down a larger down pay-
instance, if one person on the title
ment on it than you would for a principal
becomes mentally incapacitated, the POA
residence. “Expect to put down 20 per
may not be valid and the U.S. property can
cent,” says Toronto real estate blogger and
be frozen. A guardianship procedure may
licensed realtor Romana King.
have to be set up were the property is
It’s also key to be informed. That means
located in such a case. Ownership has to be
reading up on the benefits of cross-border
set up properly to avoid this kind of issue.”
trusts if you plan to pass your property
Probate is another complicated process
down to your offspring and grandchildren
that has to be untangled in the U.S. The
in the most tax-efficient way possible.
entire process can take months to be
Estate, capital gains and U.S. withholding
completed. “Court fees, newspaper dis-
taxes are all issues you should discuss
bursements and attorneys’ fees may run
with a good tax lawyer.
three to four per cent of the market value
OPPOSITE: La Quinta is a popular choice among Canadians seeking a winter vacation home in California. TOP RIGHT: Homes line the waterfront in Cape Coral, a quiet residential community located on the west coast of Florida. CENTRE RIGHT: This contemporary residence is located on Amelia Island just off Florida’s northern Atlantic coast. BOTTOM RIGHT: A variety of architectural styles are found on Florida’s Pine Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. BOTTOM LEFT: Condos are popular choices among Canadians purchasing vacation real estate in Florida. V&V Hospitality & Media Services SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 43
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 44
of the property, plus worldwide assets may
In addition, Canada and the U.S. have
be listed in the probate court available to
different ways of taxing estates upon
the public. The key is finding ways to hold
death. Owning a property in the U.S. gives
title to your U.S. property so probate will
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the right
not be a factor, while ensuring the structure
to potentially tax that property on death.
will not raise questions regarding your tax
Whether that occurs or not depends on
situation,” advises Altro.
whether the value of your U.S. assets is
That’s why it’s so important to get
greater than US$60,000 and if your world-
advice on the best ownership structure,
wide estate is in excess of US$5.43 million.
which should address such issues as pro-
“Owning a vacation property in the United
bate, incapacity and U.S. estate tax. “Those
States could expose an estate to taxes
who own rental properties have two addi-
adding up to 40 per cent of the value of
tional concerns: creditor protection and
your U.S. assets,” warns Altro. “This is very
maximizing profits through tax planning,”
different from the capital gains tax trig-
says Altro. “Partnerships are a good way to
gered upon death in Canada.”
protect owners of U.S. rental properties.
For these reasons, it’s a good idea to at
However, since partnerships must have a
least consider purchasing your U.S.
profit motive, they’re not the right choice
property as a trust, which will limit your
for personal-use property.” That means if
tax exposure. For more information on
David A. Altro , a Canadian Legal
you are going to buy and lease out a U.S.
this and other limited liability partner-
Advisor and Florida lawyer, earned his
property, you should be careful and con-
ship structures, Owning U.S. Property the
civil law degree from the University of
sider owning the property as a limited
Canadian Way, Third Edition, by David
Montréal and his Juris Doctor ( J.D.)
partnership or draw up an irrevocable trust
Altro, provides an in-depth look at the
from Nova Southeastern University in
to give you creditor protection. “That way,
pros and cons of different ownership
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
if a tenant slips and falls and sues you for
structures. Key tax issues can be avoided
Mr. Altro has been practising law in
millions of dollars, they won’t be able to
with some planning and the help of a
Canada and the U.S. for more than 30
take away your Canadian assets, including
cross-border tax lawyer who can navi-
years and divides his time between his
your home.”
gate the tax rules for you.
Toronto and Montréal offices. He specializes in cross-border tax, estate planning and real estate for high net worth individuals and has written articles for numerous legal and industry publications. He’s also been interviewed and quoted in the Globe and Mail and the National Post. Mr. Altro is also the author of two books—Owning U.S. Property the Canadian Way and Americans Living in Canada–Smile, the IRS Is Watching You—and is a frequent presenter at legal and tax conferences throughout Canada and the U.S. For more information on crossborder tax and estate planning services available through Altro Levy, visit altrolevy.com or call 1-800-370-4860.
TOP LEFT: Lawyer and author David Altro advises clients who plan to purchase vacation real estate in the U.S. BOTTOM RIGHT: La Quinta, California, is known for its golf courses and majestic views.
44 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
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ICONIC BEAUTY I WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF IT, OR SHOULD SAY, IN IT. IT WAS UTTERLY ... VISUALLY STUNNING, THOUGH I CAME HERE WITHOUT AN IMAGE IN MIND.
IN A LAND OF PLENTY
BY GERRY SHIKATANI
S
oon after check-in at the Portola
The Clement Monterey. Their kitchen
Hotel & Spa, I passed the historic
works with smart choices such as fabulous
adobes of Monterey, and the shops
rock cod, abalone and fresh calamari. Pas-
and restaurants of a Cannery Row
sionfish, a perennial favourite in adjacent
I’d never known. This had been the sardine
Pacific Grove, orchestrates sea steward-
canning industry depicted in the novel
ship, impeccable seafood and Ted Walter’s
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, Monterey
precision cooking (rockfish with Japanese-
County’s great author from Salinas. I had
style cucumber pickle). His wife, Cindy,
come to the city’s main attraction: the
embraces her fishing family roots, and was
world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.
named 2008 California Woman of the Year
The aquarium’s gigantic undersea Kelp
for her passionate advocacy for marine
Forest tank teems with marine life including
TOP: Near Big Sur, the Pacific Coast Highway (a.k.a. Route 1) snakes along the dramatic edge of the Santa Lucia Mountains. SeeMonterey.com
huge
schools
of
sustainability.
silvery
anchovies. A special exhibit features the
A BOUNTY OF PLEASURES
astounding floral beauty of jellyfish. Else-
Blessed with Pebble Beach’s fabled golf
where, otters cruise on their backs.
courses, spectacular Big Sur, the Monterey
Sea Watch, a guide on sustainable catch
Jazz Festival plus a sunny, warm, moderate
initiated by the aquarium, has become the
climate year-round, Monterey County never
rule for the county’s leading restaurants
lacks for visitors. Then recently, Wine
like C restaurant at the InterContinental’s
Enthusiast magazine listed it among 2013’s
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 45
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 46
RIGHT: Countless types of jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium resemble floating blossoms. Gerry Shikatani BELOW: Dining at Marinus, the restaurant at Bernardus Lodge & Spa, is a total sensory pleasure. Bernardus Lodge & Spa OPPOSITE: A marvel of pickled mustard seeds at Poppy Hills Golf Course. Gerry Shikatani
Top Ten Wine Travel Destinations in the world. Reason to see why. From Cannery Row, most Monterey attractions are barely a 30-minute drive. North to Elkhorn Slough Safari in Moss Landing, skipper Yohn Gideon and a naturalist take passengers on a fantastic two-hour pontoon ride to view huge sea
Nearby, the National Steinbeck Center’s
lions, harbours seals, otters and many of
multimedia exhibits, memorabilia and film
the 300 species of birds in the area.
clips honour John Steinbeck. Books that
The closest wine appellation to down-
with its strawberry and bushberry undertones and fine acidity.
A few minutes southeast is the Salinas
triggered America’s conscience, such as
town Monterey, though, is Carmel Valley,
Valley, one of the world’s greatest fresh
East of Eden (Salinas) and Of Mice and Men
minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea, home to
produce regions. Castroville is the Arti-
(Soledad), told stories of migrant workers
Betty White, Doris Day and former town
choke Capital of the World. Artisan and
and the Mexican and Asian immigrants in
mayor Clint Eastwood. Its hotter sunny cli-
multinational growers based in this valley,
Salinas and Cannery Row.
mate produces Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah
known as the Salad Bowl of the World, har-
Farther south are the Santa Lucia High-
wines available at tasting rooms among the
vest gargantuan lettuce. It’s the romaine
lands, known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
chic town’s galleries and bistros. Carmel
and boxed arugula consumed in Canada
At Hahn Family Wines in Soledad, visi-
Valley Road also has tasting rooms plus
throughout most of the year. In neigh-
tors tour vineyards 300 metres up by ATV.
wineries, such as Joyce Vineyards, which pro-
bouring Carmel Valley, organic giant
It’s rocky soil with good drainage according
duces reserve and fresh fruit-forward wines.
Earthbound Farm began from a couple’s
to Andy Mitchell, director of viticulture.
Château Julien, a striking French Provin-
modest roadside stand. It’s still there.
“We have a strong influence from Monterey
cial château-style establishment, makes
In the city of Salinas, I take Main Street
Bay,” he tells me, describing how its waters
elegant wines including an award-winning
to pretty Patria for vibrantly fresh salads,
cool the air transported by afternoon winds.
flagship Merlot. Limited production Black
fried local artichokes and inventive flat-
“It gives us a really long growing season,
Nova III shows sumptuous Malbec-Syrah
bread pizzas.
which allows us to get true characteristics
fruit with crushed pepper and tannic allure.
of the flavours.” Indeed.
46 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
Sadly, except for widely imported Wente
Rich fruit, with minerality, acidity and
and J. Lohr’s Chardonnays from the Arroyo
tempered oak elevates Santa Lucia’s wines:
Seco appellation, the terrific wines such
Chardonnay (orchard, tropical fruit) and
as Bernardus and Paraiso I’ve tried from
Pinot (black cherry, strawberry, truffle,
Monterey’s nine AVA’s (American Viticul-
tobacco). Hahn’s are among the best. Try the
tural Area) rarely come into Canada.
Hahn Winery range and excellent estate SLH
Even Lodge Restaurant at Carmel Valley
wines (some available in Canada) and their
Ranch has produced its own first vintage.
exceptional
Lucienne
Lodge, with a gardener, beekeeper, botanist
Chardonnay (Alberta only) as well as the
and now a Pinot Noir with white pepper
exquisite Hook Vineyard Lucienne Pinot
undertones, clearly thinks terroir.
limited
release
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 47
A refined rural elegance to recall a Euro-
Ultra-luxurious Post Ranch Inn’s bunga-
Pacific Grove chef Jeffrey Weiss, who worked
pean auberge keeps the valley’s gorgeous
lows perch cliffside, balconies almost level
under star chefs Adolfo Muñoz and Dani García
Bernardus Lodge & Spa on several best lists
with clouds—a view repeated at its Sierra
in Spain courtesy of their government, delivers
for international hotels and resorts. Chef
Mar restaurant, open to the public. Chef
authentic arroz meloso (juicy Spanish rice) and
Cal Stamenov’s experience under masters
John Cox’s modernist cuisine inventively
deep-fried eggplant at Mediterranean-slanted
such as Pierre Gagnaire and Masa
transforms, in texture and form, superb
Jeninni kitchen and wine bar.
Kobayashi shows at their superb Marinus.
ingredients bringing new tastes: purple sea
Eclectic ingredients shimmer through
urchin, garden egg and foraged sea salt.
The last evening before departure makes a restored Monterey mansion a suitable set-
understated presentation and subtly com-
At Big Sur Roadhouse chef Matt Glazer
ting: Restaurant 1833. Hospitality reigns
plex flavours: hamachi sashimi with
weds his New Orleans roots to Monterey’s
throughout. Dishes focus on natural
paddlefish and flying fish roe, delicate
harvests in a lush smoky gumbo following
flavours: stunningly plated carpaccio
brioche crouton and ground espelette
shaved organic fennel ribbons dressed per-
(shimeji mushrooms, chili oil); or dig-in
pepper; pillowy red abalone; chocolate
fectly with olive oil, Meyer lemon and sea salt.
style luscious roasted bone marrow with
mousse bombe with almond financier.
Here, chefs source the finest artisanal
garlic. Respected Talbott wines echo the
quality from Monterey’s bounty, creating a
tour: Santa Lucia Chard, then a rich Pinot
HIGHWAY TO HEAVENLY CUISINE
varied and evolving cuisine. At Poppy Hills
Noir from Carmel’s warm sun.
The drive down Route 1 from Monterey
Golf Course in Pebble Beach, chef Johnny
alone draws world travellers. At magnificent
DeVivo’s brilliant creations have made the
Point Lobos State Reserve hiking trails pass
fairways a gastronomic destination: paprika
cypress and Monterey pine and unusual
oil, yogurt, preserved lemon and Arabic
coastal rock formations. Then on to Big Sur,
za’atar spice for roasted cauliflower, pecans
cameras click, cliff after cliff on a route
and raisins; and an ingenious “caviar” of
often rated best in the world.
pickled mustard seeds.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER The Portola Hotel & Spa (portolahotel.com) is ideally located for touring Monterey. Excellent comprehensive information on Monterey can be found at SeeMonterey.com.
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 48
SAIL INTO MARITIME HISTORY HAIMARK LINE’S NEW NORTH AMERICAN CROWN JEWEL SAILS NOT ONLY FAMOUS INLAND WATERWAYS, BUT ALSO CONQUERS FAVOURITE COASTAL SEAS. BY E. LISA MOSES
E
voking the elegance of the pop-
210-guest capacity—that can navigate any-
ular steamboats, which in the
thing from the vast spaces of the Atlantic
early 1900s ferried stylish vaca-
Ocean to the narrow confines of the
tioners back and forth across the
Welland Canal. “She has wonderful outdoor
Great Lakes, the newly refurbished and
spaces, fantastic food and many all-inclu-
rechristened MS Saint Laurent redefines
sive elements.”
“living in the lap of luxury.” After a $3.5-mil-
TOP: The newly refurbished MS Saint Laurent will embark on her inaugural voyage in May 2015 from Portland, Maine, to Montréal, Québec. CENTRE LEFT: The two large traditionally inspired Owner’s Suites provide a warm, cosy environment for guests. BOTTOM LEFT: The sun deck is the perfect place to relax with a book and enjoy the scenery. Haimark Line
48 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
lion renovation (more than the original
WELCOME ABOARD
cost of building 100 of those historic
From the moment passengers step on
steamers), the MS Saint Laurent will embark
board, they are embraced by the vessel’s
on her inaugural voyage in May 2015 from
classic lines and gracious spaces. Her four-
Portland, Maine, to Montréal, Québec. From
star-plus standard boasts 105 thoroughly
Montréal, she’ll continue along the St.
refurbished, smartly designed staterooms
Lawrence Seaway with stops at such attrac-
stocked with fine linens, towels and toi-
tions as Niagara Falls, Georgian Bay, Sault
letries. Outdoor lounges and dining venues,
Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island.
along with an excellent observation deck,
“We are gratified by consumer response
let cruisers make the most of the fine
to this exciting innovation,” says Tom
summer weather and breathtaking views
Markwell, managing partner, sales and
unique to this part of the world.
marketing. “In the 2015 summer months,
According to Markwell, Haimark knows
we have limited availability remaining on
that outstanding cuisine is essential to a
our 18 sailings.” He explains that one of the
successful cruising experience, and con-
biggest draws is the intimate ship size—a
firms that every itinerary has very attractive
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:20 AM Page 49
menus and local specialties. Both the
Lakes and explore exotic Central and South
Toronto. Other expeditions include the
indoor Shearwater Dining Room and Cliff
America. In her first year, she sailed the
“French-Canadian Maritimes and Coastal
Rock, the ship’s outdoor dining venue, pro-
Great Lakes as the Cape May Light. The
North Atlantic,” touching British, Scottish
vide unforgettable gastronomic journeys.
events of September 2011 led to the com-
and French-Canadian maritime ports—as
“The cruises are also fairly inclusive,” he
pany’s downfall, so she was subsequently
well as the world-famous Anne of Green
adds. “With the exception of gratuities, all
purchased by Fleetpro, a Miami-based pas-
Gables home. The “Historic St. Lawrence
onboard meals and an open bar are
senger ship management company, and
River and America’s Five Great Lakes” takes
included, as are shore excursions led by
renamed Sea Voyager. Seeing an opportu-
guests from the St. Lawrence River and
highly knowledgeable local guides.” Passen-
nity to bring her back into her element,
Montréal to Chicago.
gers can customize their excursions with
Haimark Line entered into a long-term
morning group activities and individual
lease of the vessel in 2014.
Like many other North Americans, the MS Saint Laurent heads south for the winter. The repositioning cruise, a 13-day “Historic
options in the afternoons.
ITINERARIES GALORE
Coastal New England” itinerary, sails out of
broaden their knowledge about the area, with
Many people have no idea how vast the five
Portland hugging the U.S. east coast on her
educational talks by experts and celebrities
interconnected Great Lakes really are, nor
way down. Stops include immortal metrop-
in various fields. On the ship’s inaugural
do they realize the potential they offer visi-
olises and towns such as Boston, Newport,
voyage from May 30 to June 11, internation-
tors for rare historical and cultural
Charleston and Savannah before she arrives
ally renowned journalist Dan Rather is the
experiences. Lakes Michigan, Huron, Supe-
in Nassau, Bahamas for her final two days.
featured guest. On some later voyages, guests
rior, Ontario and Erie comprise the world’s
From there, she heads to the warmer climes
will benefit from the unparalleled local
largest body of fresh water, containing 21
of the Panama Canal and laid-back Central
knowledge of Frederick Stonehouse, author
per cent of the world’s supply. Along with
and South America.
of more than 30 books on the maritime his-
the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Great Lakes
Haimark Line, created in 2012, is also in
tory of the Great Lakes and professor of
serve as major commercial and fishing
the process of launching upmarket river
maritime history at Northern Michigan Uni-
arteries that cruisers can explore and enjoy.
cruises in Southeast Asia on the Irrawaddy,
versity. Stonehouse has been a consultant for
Haimark’s itineraries are designed to max-
Mekong and Ganges Rivers, where a
both the U.S. National Park Service and Parks
imize the features of these waterways and
number of new ships have been introduced
Canada and has served as an on-air expert for
satisfy the interests of passengers, whether
over the last few months.
media such as National Geographic, His-
they like history, geography or culture. For
tory Channel and Fox Family.
example, guests on the 10-day “Great Lakes
Opportunities abound for cruisers to
While a recent addition to maritime his-
Grand Discovery” sail from Chicago with his-
tory, the MS Saint Laurent comes with a
toric stops on Lake Michigan, among them
respectable pedigree. In 2001, she was built
the Henry Ford Museum; Georgian Bay and
by the Mississippi-based Delta Queen
Ojibwa country; Lakes Huron and Erie; and
Steamboat Company to cruise the Great
Niagara Falls, before disembarking in
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER To book your Haimark Line cruise, contact Haimark at 855-HAIMARK (855-424-6275) or your travel agent. For more information about Haimark Line, visit haimarkline.com
RIGHT: Bright, modern and smartly designed, classically appointed staterooms offer spectacular views and thoughtful amenities. FAR RIGHT: Enjoy fresh selections at the outdoor Cliff Rock Bar and Grille. Haimark Line
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 49
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A MÉLANGE À TROIS THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU CAN SAY ABOUT LOUISIANA, BUT RUN-OF-THE-MILL ISN’T ONE OF THEM.
BY DENISE J. DEVEAU
A sleepy,
n oft-used word in describing
were some commonalities that make this
local food offerings is mélange.
region so special.
The same can be said of the cul-
First, while Louisiana is often touted as
tures that rub shoulders in the
a popular hunting and fishing destination,
climate,
it’s also home to some of the most beautiful
including Cajun, Creole, Spanish and
steamy
sub-tropical
protected wetlands and swamps this side
sundry others.
of the Mississippi (or the other side for
Our itinerary showed us three very different faces of Louisiana—although there
50 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
that matter since Louisiana is home to the Mississippi River Delta).
were many more to be experienced if time
It’s also a foodie’s haven. Louisiana
had allowed. While each of our destina-
natives were using local ingredients
tions (Lake Charles, Lafayette and New
decades before it became de rigueur. Just
Orleans) had its own unique flavour, there
about every menu you come across has
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:21 AM Page 51
some variation on alligators, turtles, craw-
Among other notable traits, the city claims
fish and catfish, all harvested from the
to be home to the largest collection of Mardi
nearby waterways (of which there are
Gras costumes in the world. The quirky
plenty). Even the rice is grown locally.
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu
Third, the uniqueness of the Louisiana
is housed in a former school building,
lifestyle is something so highly prized by
making the experience pretty much like
locals, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone
walking into the glitziest jumble sale you
who has left their hometowns. The
could imagine.
denizens love their own peculiar world of
Our favourite jaunt was the Creole
’gators and gumbos, zydeco music and
Nature Trail, a National Scenic Byway that’s
dancing, or sultry jazz and the occasional
home to a wealth of native flora and fauna.
voodoo practitioner.
As a migration destination, Southwest Louisiana is in fact ranked among the top
LAKE CHARLES
10 birding areas in the country.
Before bedding down in the city of Lake
The high point was a two-hour boat ride
Charles, our first stop was an unassuming
with Grosse Savanne Eco-Tours through more
little eatery called Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen,
than 200 marshland hectares, where we had
one of 20 stops on the Southwest Louisiana
an eyeful of rookeries crammed with all
Boudin Trail. Boudin (pronounced boo-dan)
species of birds, including the spectacular
is a sausage-shaped goodie made with
roseate spoonbill, pelicans and egrets. While
meat, rice, onions and seasonings. Each one you taste is as individual as the people who toil hours in their kitchens making it. It’s such a local point of pride, people will drive more than 160 kilometres to pick up their weekly supply of alligator, crawfish, shrimp or smoked boudin. After eating our way through multiple samples, we took a spin through Lake Charles’ Charpentier historic district.
OPPOSITE: Mardi Gras in New Orleans always brings winning smiles. Dustie/Shutterstock ABOVE: No visit to Louisiana is complete without experiencing a rousing zydeco concert. Louisiana Office of Tourism LEFT: The Atchafalaya River Basin is popular with boaters. Anton Foltin/Shutterstock
SPRING 2015 DREAMSCAPES 51
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WHAT YOU SHOULD TRY • ALLIGATOR MEAT: It does in fact taste like chicken, but has the texture of pork. • BEIGNETS: Without a doubt. • BOUDIN: Sample a few different flavours if you can; you’ll be impressed. • BREAD PUDDING: Nobody does it better. • COCKTAILS: Louisiana is a veritable cocktail mecca. There are even drive-through margarita stands! • CRAWFISH: Try a platter if you can handle eating with your bare hands. • PO-BOY SANDWICHES: They’re legendary in these here parts. So are gumbo and jambalaya. In LAKE CHARLES, check out the newly appointed L’Auberge Casino Resort, a grand-sized edifice that’s a veritable playground of activities and eateries for adults and youngsters alike. In NEW ORLEANS, Hotel Monteleone, in the heart of the French Quarter on Royal Street, is a lovely historic property that features the renowned Carousel Bar and Lounge complete with a rotating bar.
the temperature was hot enough to drive most of the ’gators into hiding, we were told mornings and evenings were prime times to meet hundreds of them in the flesh.
LAFAYETTE A 90-minute drive took us to Lafayette, where we were introduced to Vermilionville, a Cajun colonial village. If you arrive on Sunday, be sure to check out the afternoon Bal du Dimanche concert in the dance hall where you’ll get a good dose of Cajun and zydeco entertainment from talented locals. But don’t be surprised to get an invite to take a few turns on the dance floor. Next day we toured the Tabasco pepper sauce factory on Avery Island and learned the
WHERE TO EAT: In LAKE CHARLES, Luna Bar & Grill is a fun place with live Acadian music. If you’re lucky you might get a few ad hoc dance lessons from local members of the Cajun French Music Association. Also, Steamboat Bill’s on the Lake offers a taste of classic Louisiana cuisine (watch out, portions are huge!) In LAFAYETTE, try Randol’s Cajun Restaurant. The food is great, the music lively and the menu a cornucopia of deep-fried everything. Café Vermilionville is a lovely posh dining establishment in a landmark historical building that was Lafayette’s first inn. Sample some beer at the Parish Brewing Company in nearby Broussard, part of the statewide Craft Brewery Trail. In NEW ORLEANS, Ralph’s on the Park on City Park Avenue offers lovely upscale dining in an idyllic setting as well as fabulous cocktails. Le Foret on Camp Street and Mr. B’s on Royal Street both serve up an exceptional selection of quality cuisine.
52 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
story behind one of the world’s most famous and popular condiments. Then it was on to Rip Van Winkle Gardens. This botanical paradise was the perfect place for a quiet stroll through subtropical gardens, capped by a scrumptious lunch at the site’s Café Jefferson overlooking Lake Peigneur. Our last treat for the day was a tour of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. From the launch point at McGee’s Landing in Henderson, we leisurely drifted through areas of the vast river and swamp ecosystem, ranked as one of America’s last wilderness areas.
DS_Spring2015_Layout 1 2015-03-20 10:21 AM Page 53
LAST STOP: NEW ORLEANS
festooned with gorgeous and grotesque masks
What can one say that hasn’t already been
fashioned by leading artists. For the less
said about this wonderful city? While
adventurous, New Orleans has the brand
everyone is familiar with Mardi Gras and the
spanking new Outlet Collection at Riverwalk,
goings-on in Bourbon Street, the French
which offers tax-free shopping.
Quarter and Frenchmen Street, New Orleans
No trip to New Orleans is complete
is rife with countless oddities, from derelict
without a morning trek to Café du Monde, the
graveyards to the most bizarre food shops
legendary beignet establishment. It was
you’ll find anywhere.
idyllic starting the morning sipping a café au
We had a terrific time visiting the Langlois
lait and dipping into the plate of these sugar-
school of cooking where we attended a Cajun
dusted confections as we listened to talented
and Creole brunch cooking class. When the
local buskers.
hour was up, we had a pretty good handle on OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Highbrow or lowbrow, crawfish is a local mainstay in just about any Louisiana restaurant. Louisiana Office of Tourism
cooking gumbo and crepes. For a bizarre shopping adventure, check out Reverend Zombie’s House of Voodoo on St.
OPPOSITE CENTRE: Beignets (Frenchstyle donuts) topped with powdered sugar are a delicious treat. Jose Gil/Shutterstock
Peters Street right across from Preservation
ABOVE: Tourists enjoy a horse-andcarriage tour of the French Quarter in New Orleans. American Spirit/Shutterstock
include Original Death, Beyond Death and Slap
Hall. Or peruse the endless variety of hot sauces in the food stores (colourful labels Ya Mama). My favourite spot was the Mask Gallery on Royal Street where the walls are
Heading back to the airport, it crossed my mind that we hadn’t even begun to scratch the surface of what this wonderfully diverse state has to offer. All one can say is, next time…
TRAVEL PLANNER For more information on Louisiana, visit louisianatravel.com.
DS
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BEYOND
THE LINKS
THE SKIES ARE LAVENDER, THEN PINK, AS SUNRISE BURNISHES THE ATLANTIC HORIZON.
BY MARK STEVENS
T
owering over a beach with
Dunes Golf and Beach Club to Pawleys
talcum powder sand, hard by
Plantation Club. If I did indulge, I’d add
gentle dunes where seagrass
Myrtle Beach to my bucket list.
dances a stately saraband, a pro-
At Huntington Beach State Park we
piers jut into the sea like bores at a cock-
stroll along a boardwalk in a salt marsh.
tail party.
The tide rushes seaward, crabs scurry
Now the epiphany. In the past few days my wife and I have
We cross into a forest silent but for the surf’s tympani roll, the wind moaning
a destination with depth, more than T-
through the pines.
shirt shops, more than a golfer’s must-do,
Now we approach a beach a hundred
though the first thing my golfer friend Jim
metres wide, bordered by voluptuous
Fonger said when he heard I was coming
dunes, stretching to infinity.
Wrong. I don’t do golf. Besides, for those with eyes to see there
ABOVE: Where all the action takes place in Myrtle Beach: the boardwalk with its arcades, fast-food restaurants and T-shirt shops. OPPOSITE RIGHT: A boardwalk juts into a tidal marsh at Huntington Beach State Park. Sharon Matthews-Stevens
54 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
across flats exposed by its ebb.
discovered the other side of Myrtle Beach,
was: “I guess you’ll be packing your clubs.”
TOP: View of a perfect sunrise over Myrtle Beach from the balcony of Hampton Inn and Suites Oceanfront.
But I prefer my walks unspoiled.
cession of hotels reaches skyward. Two
The beach lounging beside downtown Myrtle Beach is spectacular. This one is among the most beautiful
is much to Myrtle Beach beyond the links.
I’ve ever seen.
GOOD WALKS
HISTORY LESSONS
While I’m with Mark Twain who once said,
One day we walk along the Waccamaw
“golf is a good walk spoiled,” I’ll concede
River in nearby Conway, passing beneath
that Myrtle Beach is a golfer’s must-do.
live oak draped in Spanish moss, through
There are around 100 courses here,
a riverside burying ground, along a self-
from the Robert Trent Jones-designed
guided historical walking tour. Twelve
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locations, according to the brochure, are on
For those who look beyond the links,
are devoid of any redeeming social value.
Myrtle Beach offers history galore.
And infinitely fun.
noting several Civil War exhibits on loan
UNEXPECTED ART
Clifton Hill meets Grand Bend, South Beach
from the South Carolina Civil War Museum.
It also offers, we discover at the Art Museum of
without the pretensions, Orlando with a
Given my fascination with all things belli-
Myrtle Beach housed in a transplanted former
gorgeous beach.
cose, that Myrtle Beach gem is our next stop.
summer mansion, some unexpected art.
the National Register of Historic Places.
Stroll the boardwalk: think Niagara Falls’
We stop at the Horry County Museum,
Illuminated in a blaze of blue lights, a
When co-proprietor Ted Gragg was eight
Now showing: fascinating metal leaf
huge observation wheel (called the Sky-
years old he began collecting Civil War
paintings by Joseph Bradley and Voices of the
wheel), dominates the skyline. Jimmy
memorabilia. After he put together a team
Island, a collection of Cuban art.
Buffett’s Landshark Bar and Grill reclines at
to discover the archeological site of a Con-
Farther south we discover an even more
its base. Around the corner is the wood-
federate naval yard and uncovered the
unexpected art installation. And another
fronted, neon-decorated Bowery bar, first
remains of a sunken ship, he was awarded
lovely walk unspoiled.
home to the band, Alabama.
the rights to showcase the artifacts, as long
Brookgreen Gardens, on the grounds of
Here is Ripley’s: the Odditorium, the
as they were exhibited in a museum. He
four former rice plantations, are both an
Haunted House. Here is Peaches Corner: six
hired a retired curator and his wife Connie
idyllic retreat and al fresco art gallery, show-
different kinds of hot dog. Here is Fun City,
designed the space. The rest—an unlikely
casing more than five hundred American
an arcade pumping out tinned music
exhibit space sharing a building with an
representational sculptures set amidst
worthy of a carnival midway.
indoor shooting range—is history.
formal gardens. Among the collection is the
Now head inland. Ripley’s Aquarium,
Next morning we visit Geneva Smalls at
work of Anna Hyatt Huntington, who, along
Broadway at the Beach: another amusement
Freewoods, a working farm in the nearby
with her husband, designed this horticul-
park, bars, souvenir shops. Visit the Holly-
village of Burgess, for a hands-on demon-
tural showcase in 1931.
wood Wax Museum; take in a show at the
stration of how freed slaves, post-war,
When you visit Myrtle Beach it’s easy to
Carolina Opry, slick and professional; be
survived. She escorts us past a wooden
focus on the usual suspects: a.k.a. kitsch.
serenaded by the Rat Pack and Marilyn
farmhouse, a tobacco barn, a field of
But the wealth of art we discover here is an
Monroe at Legends.
cotton and another of sweet potatoes, to a
unexpected—and welcome—surprise.
Classy? Maybe not. Fun? Very. But now, on our last morning here, the
barn housing two mules. “Kids come on school trips. They learn to plant, they
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
clanging bells of the North Ocean arcades
learn that pork doesn’t come from the
Your first impressions aren’t wrong—just
sleep off the night before, the bass
supermarket.” She pauses. “And they learn
incomplete. Those ubiquitous and often
grooves flowing from the beach bars rest
a little history.”
garish tourist draws—the usual suspects—
at last in peace. Now reprise the epiphany: this week my wife and I have explored another side to this popular destination. We have discovered a Myrtle Beach beyond the kitsch, beyond the links.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER Porter Airlines (flyporter.com) offers nonstop flights seasonally to Myrtle Beach from Toronto (to May 18) on a variable schedule while WestJet (westjet.com) is offering twice-weekly flights out of Toronto through October 22. To help you plan your Myrtle Beach getaway, check out visitmyrtlebeach.ca.
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DS TRAVEL SLEUTH >> BY JANE STOKES
SHOPPING FOR
DUTY-FREE SIGNS CALL OUT TO US AT U.S. BORDER CROSSINGS, AT EVERY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ON CRUISE SHIPS, AND OCCASIONALLY ON THE STREETS IN POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS.
DUTY-FREE
BARGAINS COUNTLESS INTERNATIONALLY-MADE
leather goods, crystal and electronics, are
goods are offered, many of which are sub-
still pricey enough to stop us in our tracks.
stantially cheaper than at home. Items,
So on that final day of your vacation,
ABOVE: Fashion icon Laura Bailey enjoys a shopping spree at London’s Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airports Limited
such as alcohol, chocolate, beauty prod-
when the lineup at the border is more than
ucts and tobacco, are everyday purchases,
an hour long or the airport is too noisy and
OPPOSITE: Zurich International is a shopping paradise, not just because of the wealth of goods on offer, but also because of the attractive prices. Flughafen Zürich AG
so a good deal on those is worthwhile.
distracting, perhaps a money splurge is too
However luxury items, such as fine jew-
much to consider. And so, just like the last
ellery and gems, watches, perfume,
trip when you walked away from an exqui-
56 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
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site, half-priced Gucci briefcase, this time
not be subjected to import duties. With this
shoes in Spain or Fauchon fine foods in
you returned home without that one-of-kind
windfall, several super brands, such as
France, you can get a good discount without
Cartier watch. Regrets?
Hermes, Dior, Swarovski, Gucci, Armani and
having to rush such a purchase at the airport.
There will always be another duty-free
others, are passing on a grand buying oppor-
However, opting for this tax-free offer
shop, so be prepared. Start by researching at-
tunity for international travellers. While
can be a complicated process. First, to
home prices on items you particularly want
discounts from 20 to 60 per cent off are real,
obtain the VAT refund, you have to spend
so you can spot a deal. Determine how your
the actual savings depend on the strength of
enough (on average $300) and retailer
departure airport ranks for duty-free shop-
our Canadian dollar at the time of purchase.
paperwork must be stamped at the air-
ping and pinpoint specialties produced in
Even so, the most talked-about airports for
port to get the tax back in either cash
your destination, such as cashmere from
variety and savings include:
euros or as a credit card reversal. To fully
Scotland, electronics from Hong Kong and
• Incheon International, near Seoul, South
understand the tax-free terms (such as
cognac from France. To eliminate pre-flight
Korea
non-applicable items, shipping, loca-
pressures, investigate whether your destina-
• Dubai International, United Arab Emirates
tions and alternative refund methods),
tion offers duty-free shopping on the main
• Heathrow Airport, London, England
visit the tax-free shopping page of
streets. And, before you leave home, learn
• Hong Kong International, Hong Kong
europeforvisitors.com.
how to stretch your Canada Customs
• Paris Charles de Gaulle, France
allowance. One way is to purchase products
• Milano Malpensa, Italy
on which duty cannot be applied due to our
• Singapore Changi, Singapore
WHAT SHOULD ONE BUY IN THE CARIBBEAN?
country’s free trade agreements.
• Zurich International, Switzerland
Removing the tax for travellers has inspired
• Madrid-Barajas, Spain
“duty-free destinations” where such bar-
• Copenhagen International, Denmark
gains are offered on the streets. The most
HOW “DUTY-FREE” IS THE ITEM? The concept seems simple enough but be
popular places for volume and choice are:
the country of purchase. It is a local promotion
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW FOR SHOPPING IN EUROPE?
to encourage visitors to spend money there.
Airport duty-free offers are at their best on
cious jewellery, watches, perfume,
Once you arrive home, Canada has its own
goods made outside that country. For locally-
leather goods, gemstones and more.
excise duty and sales tax rules, starting with a
made items however, city retailers may offer
• Sint Maarten-St. Martin, where all goods are
set dollar exemption if we buy personal items
you tax-free shopping, a system that allows
duty-free. Begin on the Dutch side for bar-
on trips longer than 24 hours. If you overspend
a refund of the value-added tax (ranging
gains on electronics, leather, jewellery and
your allowance, an excise duty plus Canadian
from 16 to 25 per cent), which is embedded
liquor. On the French side, look for deals on
sales taxes will apply (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).
in the ticket price. So if, for example, you
cognac, cigars, perfume and liqueurs.
aware that a “duty-free” offer applies only in
want to buy Tumi luggage in Italy, Begona
IS THERE A QUICK WAY TO EVALUATE A BARGAIN? Yes. Start by pinpointing the total cost of your desired item if you were to buy it in Canada or online. For example, if you want a new state-of-the-art camera and plan to visit Hong Kong, a comparison price list in your pocket will help. Be sure to convert that final Hong Kong price accurately into Canadian dollars to evaluate the deal.
WHICH AIRPORTS OFFER THE MOST? The premise is departing passengers are in a sort of “no man’s land” where items should
• St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where no fewer than 50 duty-free shops offer pre-
• Bahamas, for super-brand deals on
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DS TRAVEL SLEUTH >> RIGHT: London’s Heathrow Airport features a unique Rewards program whereby members can collect points on almost everything they do at Heathrow, from parking the car or taking the Heathrow Express to shopping and eating in the terminals. Heathrow Airports Limited
perfume, watches, precious stone jewellery and more. • Aruba, for bargains on fine china, perfume, crystal, jewellery, cameras and European clothes. Haggling is not the custom here. • Cayman Islands, a standout for watches, diamonds and Colombian emeralds, plus use. NAFTA terms are complex however, so
even antique treasure coins.
ANY TIPS FOR SHOPPING IN THE UNITED STATES?
Caribbean caution: The ultra-low pricing on
Keep your Canada Customs allowance in
item, talk directly to a border official at
alcohol is eye-popping here, but there are two
mind, especially on short trips, but here’s the
800-461-9999. Before travelling to the U.S.,
main deterrents for buying a lot. First, most air-
good news. Many products do not have to be
check out the website, madeinusachallenge.com.
line security rules don’t allow large liquids in
included due to the North American Free
It posts a comprehensive master list of
carry-on bags, and secondly, Canada Customs
Trade Agreement. Generally, items “made” in
American brands, which could easily side-
restricts the quantity per adult (for example,
the USA, Mexico and Canada (proven on the
step your allowance. However, these goods
just 1.14 litres of spirits) unless you are willing
label to be manufactured nowhere else) are
must still be declared and Canadian sales tax
to pay duty and Canadian sales taxes.
often free of duty if they are for your personal
will likely be charged. Additional free trade
leather goods, designer sunglasses and
to confirm this duty freedom on a specific
agreements are in the works with Canada (such as South Korea) so shopping anywhere in the world is looking bright.
WHAT DOES CANADIAN CUSTOMS CHARGE IF WE GO OVER OUR ALLOWANCE? If you make a full, accurate declaration of the Canadian-dollar value, with receipts, it paves the way for the special duty rate of seven per cent on another $300 worth of goods, plus provincial and federal sales tax. This rate does not apply, however, to alcohol and tobacco products, nor to items shipped home (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). Jewellery caution: Items you are wearing could be questioned by Canada Customs officials. Unless you’re prepared to bring pre-ownership proof such as appraisals or written and photographic certification, and get it all validated before you leave Canada, it is recommended to travel with as little jewellery as possible.
58 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
DS
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DS TRAVEL GALLERY >> BY CYNTHIA DAVID
F
rom the iconic Shaw Festival and art galleries to awardwinning wineries and soothing spas, historic Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a number of reasons to stay for a while. Representing more than 100 inns, cottages and bed and breakfasts in the area, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bed & Breakfast Association website lists a wide choice of accommodation to suit your needs and budget. Member lodgings must be licensed and must meet the association’s strict standards to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible. Inns and B&B hosts serve up tasty home-cooked breakfasts every morning and welcome you back to cosy quarters after a full day of touring. And fullyequipped cottage rentals are perfect for families. Reserve your Niagara-on-the-Lake getaway today. BookYourStay.ca
BATA SHOE MUSEUM
M
en in heels? Turns out men adopted heels before women as an expression of power and prestige when the shocking new footwear style appeared in the early 1600s. Find out more at the Bata Shoe Museum, where the exhibition Standing Tall: The Curious History of Men in Heels opens on May 8. From privileged rulers to modern rock stars, this provocative exhibition explores the history of men in heels from the early 1600s to present day. Standing Tall is expected to be one of the highlights of the museum’s 20th anniversary year. batashoemuseum.ca
ONTARIO TOURISM MARKETING PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION
Q
uest University Canada has announced its 2015 lineup for Renew Your Quest, an intellectually stimulating summer camp for adults. Offering courses on Chinese culture, global warming and political science, the Renew Your Quest program will run from July 12 through 17. Interactive classes take place throughout the morning and, in the afternoon participants are free to explore the local area by participating in guided hikes, excursions, additional lectures and discussions on philosophy and pedagogy. Space is limited to 20 students per class, with fees starting from $400 inclusive of tuition, activities, a welcome reception and a celebratory dinner. questu.ca/summer
VISITBRITAIN
H
eading to Britain? Check out visitbritainshop.com for deals and special offers available in Canadian dollars before you leave. Save on the pay-as-you-go Visitor Oyster Card for public transport and receive exclusive discounts at top restaurants and shops. The London Pass gives you priority entry to more than 60 attractions including Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. You can also save up to 60 per cent on a wide selection of live theatre tickets. The National Trust Touring Pass allows a week of unlimited access to more than 300 stately homes, gardens and castles for $46.60 (£24). And don’t forget many of Britain’s world-class museums and galleries are free to the public. VisitBritain.org
QUEST UNIVERSITY CANADA
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DS TRAVEL GALLERY >>
T
he picturesque Temecula Valley, located an hour from San Diego and 90 minutes from Los Angeles, is in the heart of Southern California Wine Country. May 29 marks the beginning of Summerfest, a chance to enjoy the valley’s casual atmosphere as you visit wineries and chat with the people who operate them, explore the organic farmers’ market in Old Town Temecula and experience Pechanga Resort & Casino. Watch balloons ascend at dawn and glow in the evening at the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival where you can also taste premium California wines paired with food created by local chefs. VisitTemeculaValley.com
VISIT BERLIN
T
he German capital, always buzzing with art and culture, promises a summer full of festivals, parades, concerts and special events. Start with an entire month of Mozart in May, featuring the beloved composer’s operas, chamber music and symphonies. From May 22 to 25, the Carnival of Cultures will draw a million people to the hip Kreuzberg district for a colourful parade of more than 100 groups and 4,700 dancers, singers and musicians from 80 countries. If you’re flying through Airport Tempelhof between June 10 and 14, stop by the exhibit of new products and projects from the best contemporary designers, part of the DMY International Design Festival. VisitBerlin.de
T
he second annual Niagara Integrated Film Festival will be held June 18 to 21 in the Niagara Region of Ontario. Paired with the region’s world-class wineries and food from award-winning chefs, the festival features top films from around the globe. Programming includes Filmalicious, an opportunity for guests to settle into a winery and have Canada’s most talNIAGARA INTEGRATED FILM FESTIVAL ented chefs present a sumptuous dinner with fine wines, followed by a film presentation in the vineyard. For Film Feast, guests will be taken by bus to Niagara’s spectacular wineries, where they can sample award-winning vintages accompanied by exquisite hors d’oeuvres and a viewing of short films. NiagaraFilmFest.com
RYAN KILLACKEY/CALIFORNIA TRAVEL & TOURISM COMMISSION
J
azz up your summer from June 18 to 27 during the 29th annual TD Toronto Jazz Festival. More than 1,500 musicians representing the best of local, national and international talent will take to the stage in more than 40 locations across Toronto to entertain more than half a million fans. This year’s highlights include Jamie Cullum, Robert Glasper, Snarky Puppy, John Pizzarelli, Tower of Power, Al Jarreau and more. With more than 350 concerts scheduled, the Festival is the place to be for any music lover this June. torontojazz.com
KRIS KING
60 DREAMSCAPES SPRING 2015
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O
n April 15, WestJet begins non-stop service twice daily between Toronto and Fredericton. The new flight coincides with a special season at Fredericton’s Beaverbrook Art Gallery where more than 75 works that have been on tour since 2012 will be reunited in the Masterworks from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery exhibit from May until August 23. This important exhibition represents the finest pieces in the Gallery’s permanent collection, which many consider the greatest legacy of Lord Beaverbrook, the Ontario-born financier, politician, author and publisher who funded the gallery. westjet.com; beaverbrookartgallery.org
NOVA STAR CRUISES
T
ravellers can now make reservations to sail aboard the Nova Star ferry between Yarmouth, N.S. and Portland, Maine. Nova Star Cruises offers daily round-trip services between the two ports between June 1 and October 14. This year’s prices vary based on the season, day of the week and direction of travel. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to travel, and Nova Scotia and round-trip passengers will receive a 10 per cent discount. The state-of-the-art cruise ferry comfortably accommodates up to 750 passengers and provides fine dining as well as a casino, retail store, children’s play area and spa. novastarcruises.com BEAVERBROOK ART GALLERY
T
he Eden Roc at Cap Cana resort in the Dominican Republic, 20 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, is the island’s first Relais & Châteaux property, promising European glamour and Caribbean charm. Built by the Solaya Hotels & Resorts chain and ranked Best Hotel in the Caribbean for 2015, the 34-suite hotel and residential complex is set on 12,140 hectares and features pristine beaches, cliffs, tropical forests, a marina and a Jack Nicklaus golf course. Guests are pampered with extravagant amenities, a complete spa, Kids’ Club and five superb restaurants. Patrons can also access the private Caletón Beach Club steps from their suite. edenroccapcana.com
SUNWING AIRLINES
S
unwing Airlines is offering twice weekly flights between Toronto and Amsterdam again this summer. Wednesday and Saturday flights begin June 27 until September 2. New this year, passengers will experience the brand new widebodied Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Its revolutionary design includes larger dimmable windows, special lighting and the most advanced air filtration system for a smoother ride and cleaner air. Choose from three distinct classes, from the comfortable Economy cabin to an upgraded Comfort Class and the spacious and luxurious Star Class. Amsterdam is the perfect base for a European vacation, close to “must-see” Paris, London and Bruges. Sunwing.ca
EDEN ROC CAP CANA RESORT
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DS WEB LISTING >> AIR CANADA VACATIONS ............................ 7 www.aircanadavacations.com
GLASGOW-BARREN COUNTY, KY ............ 23 www.visitglasgowbarren.com
MT. STERLING, KY ...................................... 24 www.mtsterlingtourism.com
AJAX, ON ...................................................... 33 www.durhamtourism.ca
HAIMARK LINE .............................................. 2 www.haimarkline.com
OCCIDENTAL HOTELS & RESORTS ............ 7 www.occidentalhotels.com
BAHA MAR CASINO & HOTEL, BAHAMAS ...... 3 www.bahamar.com
HARRODSBURG, KY .................................. 24 www.harrodsburgky.com
OSHAWA, ON .............................................. 35 www.durhamtourism.ca
BARDSTOWN, KY ........................................ 24 www.visitbardstown.com
HILLS OF HEADWATERS, ON .................... 31 www.headwaters.ca
OUTRIGGER RESORTS, HI............................ 4 www.outrigger.com
BEST WESTERN HOTELS .......................... 64 www.bestwestern.com
IROAM .......................................................... 62 www.iroam.com
2015 PAN AM/PARAPAN AM GAMES ...... 29 www.toronto2015.org
CARTIER PLACE SUITE HOTEL, OTTAWA ...... 8 www.suitedreams.com
KENTUCKY TOURISM ................................ 19 www.kentuckytourism.com
QUÉBEC MARITIME, QC.............................. 15 www.quebecmaritime.ca
CAVE CITY TOURISM, KY............................ 24 www.cavecity.com
KILLARNEY LODGE, ON ............................ 63 www.killarneylodge.com
SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY ................................ 24 www.jimbeamcountry.com
CENTRAL COUNTIES, ON .......................... 29 www.centralcounties.ca
LAFAYETTE, LA ............................................ 53 www.lafayettetravel.com/platelunch
VENTURA, CA .............................................. 26 www.visitventuraca.com/unexpected
CHARLEVOIX TOURISM, QC ...................... 11 www.tourisme-charlevoix.com
LAGO MAR RESORT AND CLUB, FL ........ 41 www.lagomar.com
VISIT FLORIDA ............................................ 40 www.visitflorida.com
CORBIN, KY .................................................. 25 www.corbinkytourism.com
LAUDERDALE BY-THE-SEA, FL ................ 40 www.lbtsevents.com
WHITBY, ON ................................................ 34 www.durhamtourism.ca
DANVILLE-BOYLE COUNTY, KY ................ 25 www.danvillekentucky.com
LEXINGTON, KY .......................................... 23 www.visitlex.com/becks
YMT VACATIONS ........................................ 58 www.ymtvacations.com
DISCOVER AMERICA ................................ 4, 9 www.discoveramerica.com
LOUISIANA TOURISM .................................. 9 www.louisianatravel.com/canada
GEORGETOWN, KY ...................................... 25 www.georgetownky.com
MARKHAM, ON............................................ 32 www.yorkscene.com
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