OK, it’s not the snappiest name in the tour industry. But once you dig into Academic Arrangements Abroad’s website, you’ll cast aside those first impressions. From tracing the history of the influential Bauhaus movement in Germany to discovering lesser-known Egyptian sites, these are customized tours that give you so much more than the usual drive-by.
Academic [...]

I stayed at the Opus Hotel in Montreal last September. At the time, it was undergoing a dramatic transformation. The goth-like rooms in the former Hotel Godin were being Opus-ized in bright, snappy colors. And even better, a resto was in the works. On May 9, Koko Restaurant & Bar is scheduled to open, blending [...]

King Pacific Lodge, a floating wilderness resort anchored off British Columbia’s Princess Royal Island, has designed a customized wellness program for guests.
The luxury wilderness lodge, located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest in Gitga’at territory along the central coast of British Columbia, is situated in the midst of the 21-million acre Great Bear [...]

Belize is on my list of places to experience, and now I have a real reason to go — a place to get well. The Lodge at Chaa Creek, an eco-resort in the western highlands of Belize, is offering a multi-day Rainforest Wellness Retreat package. It incorporates eco-adventure, jungle spa treatments, guided-naturalist experiences, Maya rituals, [...]

Montreal’s Grand Prix 2008 du Canada celebrates its 30th anniversary June 6-8, 2008. But the party goes on all week — from the Gilles-Villeneuve race circuit to the vibrant and diverse nightlife. The stylish Opus Montreal is at the center of the action.
After a blistering day at the tracks, cool off with a cocktail on [...]

As a frequent visitor to Montreal, I was happy to hear that Aeroports de Montreal (ADM) has opened a new common use V.I.P. lounge at Montreal-Trudeau Airport (YUL).
The V.I.P Lounge is located in the international jetty, after you pass through the pre-boarding security screening checkpoints. The new ultra-chic lounge features spacious surroundings and exclusive [...]

A new web site devoted to food and wine parings says it’s OK to drink wine with just about anything. Zinfandel with your Tex-Mex? Not a problem. A little Chardonnay with your fried chicken take-out? Delicious. Pinot Noir and wild boar? Why not, says Natalie MacLean, who has included these in a free, interactive matching [...]

One of Vancouver Island’s legendary inns has some sublime specials for spring. Sooke Harbour House, about an hour’s drive from Victoria, British Columbia, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most original and unique lodgings. Serving up cozy accommodations and fabulous food since 1979, I first stayed there shortly after it opened. At that time, owners [...]