TRAVEL gallery
Travel News You Can Use
By Cynthia David
At Ol Jogi Conservancy on northern Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, big game is as close as your bedroom window. This private 23,000-hectare wildlife sanctuary welcomes a group of eight friends or family for exclusive three- or five-night stays. Hop in comfortable open or closed vehicles for a guided game drive day and night in search of the Big Five. With luck you’ll spy a rare Grévy’s zebra or reticulated giraffe. Join a guided walking safari. Interact with orphaned rhinos at the Wildlife Rescue Centre. Cultural opportunities abound, from visiting a local school to meeting women in a traditional village. End the day in the hammam or book a massage, all included in the rate. Oljogi.org
Imagine landing by private helicopter on an untouched glacier deep in British Columbia’s ice fields, where sapphire-hued caves shimmer in the light and a glacier-chilled bottle of Champagne awaits. The Glacier Table, offered by Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Whistler, includes a guided tour by snow machine across the frozen expanse. At the heart of this icy wonderland, meet your personal Four Seasons team, complete with a spa therapist offering a rejuvenating back massage on the glacier and a host serving 2013 Dom Pérignon with Kristal Caviar at a table set in one of the most remote dining rooms on Earth. Priced at $28,000 for two, the four-hour experience is available year-round, excluding August to mid-October. concierge.whistler@fourseasons.com
Experts are calling 2026 the year of quiet escapes, with travellers choosing ultra-personalized retreats and craving slower, more intentional journeys. For a “slow” Mediterranean retreat, explore Croatia’s truffle-scented Istria peninsula, a cultural and gastronomic paradise with 3,000 years of history. The eight-day tour from UK-based Peter Sommer Travels begins at a Roman amphitheatre in Pula before heading out by minibus to explore medieval hilltop towns that overlook the shimmering Adriatic Sea. After walking along the ramparts of Motovun, venture into a nearby forest for a truffle-hunting adventure. Watch specially-trained dogs find and unearth the prized delicacies before tasting them in local dishes, accompanied by local wines and olive oils. Petersommer.com/tours/istria-croatia
While Machu Picchu defines Peru, stay awhile to discover the Amazon, which covers 60 percent of this beautiful country. Experience the lush rainforest on a river cruise aboard the Delfin I, the world’s first Relais & Châteaux ship. Like a private floating villa, it features just four large suites, perfect for families. View nature from your private panoramic terrace, from the air-conditioned observation deck or from the rooftop bar savouring a handcrafted cocktail. Solar panels generate clean energy and the ship’s sustainable furnishings are created in collaboration with Amazonian artists. delfinamazoncruises.com
Air Canada’s new premium bedding and thoughtful amenities are designed to make international flights more comfortable. Signature Class bedding now includes a plush duvet, mattress pad and breathable Airflow pillow for a restful sleep. Unwind in Economy and Premium Economy class with a generous 1.8-metre polar fleece blanket to keep you warm. New Signature Class amenity kits feature lip balm and hand cream from award-winning Canadian skincare brand Sahajan, while kits in Signature and Premium Economy come with a soft-fitted neoprene eye mask, 3M foam earplugs and cozy knitted cabin socks, all packed in reusable bags. Aircanada.com/ArriveRefreshed
After a $21-million makeover to celebrate its 50th anniversary earlier this year, CN Tower’s Lower Observation Level is now even more thrilling to visit depending on your tolerance for heights. Along with a new glass floor to walk on, sit or lie on, the floor-to-ceiling OverView windows tilt slightly outward, so you can lean over and look directly down the side of the tower. For an even better view, step onto the Outdoor Terrace, protected by mesh, where you can feel the breeze and hear the city from 113 storeys above Toronto. Back inside, marvel at the state-of-the art interactive Artmosphere video walls showcasing original works by Canadian artists, including Indigenous artists. cntower.ca/50
Scenic Cruises, known for its all-inclusive luxury cruises, has reimagined the traditional cruise experience with their new Scenic Wellness Voyages. Begin your day with sunrise yoga overlooking the open sea, spend the afternoon enjoying a bespoke facial at the Senses Spa then relax into a sound-healing session designed to restore balance and calm. Culinary experiences support good health without sacrificing pleasure. Depending on each guest’s needs and energy levels, a sauna might appeal, or perhaps an invigorating dip in a cold-plunge pool. Workshops explore topics such as stress management and mindful eating, with plenty of ideas to take home and integrate into your daily life. scenic.cruises/CA/en-US/ocean/ocean-experience/excursions-discoveries/spa-voyages
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s “no excuses” philosophy inspired the “Wellness Without Walls” experiences offered at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts across the globe. At Fairmont Tokyo, wellness reaches new heights in the 35th-floor infinity pool framed by the Tokyo Tower. Rejuvenate with sakura-infused treatments and relax in soothing sauna and steam rooms. Fairmont Royal York’s new fitness centre in Toronto, open 24/7, is equipped with the latest training technology, a private studio and treatment room. Have Nike workout gear and shoes delivered to your room! At Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, alternate between intense heat and immersion in ice-cold water at BASIN Glacial Waters spa. Outdoor wellness activities include guided mountain hikes, canoeing, forest bathing and sound baths. fairmont.com/en/wellness-without-walls.html
For more than a century, the soaring glass dome of Allan Gardens Conservatory has given Toronto residents and visitors a downtown tropical oasis. Towering palm trees and giant ferns flourish year-round beneath the Palm House dome, the award-winning restoration has revived the heritage building to its former glory. The east portico entrance, removed in the 1950s, has also been restored to create a welcoming and accessible space for all. During the holidays, a Christmas flower show fills the Palm House with poinsettias and topiary sculptures. Admission is free. zeidler.com/projects/allan-gardens-palm-house-restoration
Two veteran hotel executives with decades of global experience believe the luxury hospitality industry must shift from excess to human connection to truly serve their customers. In their new book Checking In: The Power of Presence and Attention to Transform Hospitality, authors Philippe Krenzer and Jannes Sörensen argue that luxury hotels don’t need to add more opulence, more technology or more amenities. Instead, operators should focus on caring well for guests, understanding what guests truly need rather than what guests think they want. Beyond hospitality, Checking In offers a practical framework for building more thoughtful businesses, stronger connections to place and culture, and more human ways of living and working. Staykepler.com
In the heart of the Oltrarno district, once home to the great Florentine families, La Reserve Firenze has just opened to guests a short stroll from Florence’s famous landmarks. This meticulously restored 15th-century palazzo features six private apartments, from one to three bedrooms, plus services of a luxury hotel. Enjoy room service from the legendary Camillo trattoria, also located on Via Santo Spirito, or have dinner prepared by a MICHELIN-starred chef or a local cook. To complete your visit, let the concierge arrange a city tour, from private cultural visits to exclusive wine tastings. lareserve-firenze.com
An opulent 150-seat Italian steakhouse in downtown Toronto has won three major awards on the 2026 Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list. Bisteccheria Sammarco, which opened last year, won Best Restaurant Design for its exceptional craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, from terrazzo floors and a sculpted ceiling to bespoke lighting elements. It also ranked No. 7 on the Best New Restaurants list and placed No. 37 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants overall. The menu features dry-aged Ontario beef and boasts a tableside cocktail cart. Sammarco is the third culinary venture from MICHELIN-starred chef Rob Rossi and restaurateur David Minicucci in Toronto. It is listed and recommended in the current MICHELIN Guide. Sammarco.ca
Travel expert Cynthia David provides updates on the tourism industry in this curated collection that appears in every issue.
