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Misc
Something for your App-etite
14/06/10 09:20
For more information and downloading instructions for GateGuru, visit www.gateguruapp.com.
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My Four Minutes of Fame
02/06/10 11:16
rebstevenson.com Giveaway!
29/03/10 14:33
All you have to do is watch my Sleeping Around videos (playlist HERE) and tell me which of these places you’d most like to stay overnight and why (use the comments field below). I will enter all of the comments into a draw on April 2 and randomly select the winner.
This book really is inspiring - I recently reviewed it for The Vancouver Sun. See details below!
Cheers, Reb Read More...
Smitten with Britain
09/02/10 22:04
Break a Leg, Thomas Cook!
21/01/10 15:28
a) Not going to Disneyland instead.
or
b) Declining travel insurance.
Now, being part of the 50 per cent of Canadians who don’t bother with travel insurance due to cost and hassle, I’m no expert in this domain. But I thought I’d let you know that Thomas Cook announced today that they’re launching their own travel insurance. For as little as $10 per trip, you can cover your ass (and head, and chest, and...well, you get it). All the details are HERE.
And on another cool note, last year Thomas Cook rolled out Canada’s first four currency ATMs in Toronto, Barrie, Mississauga, Saskatoon, Kelowna and Ottawa. They dispense Canadian and American Dollars, Euros and GB Pounds. Machines in Markham and Waterloo are also slated to open in early 2010.
Travel Tips for Twosomes
18/11/09 15:46
I know what you’re thinking as you peruse that glossy new guidebook: sunset strolls by the Seine, slow 
motion high-fives on Machu Picchu, steamy lovemaking on a secluded beach in Thailand where the sand doesn’t get in the way.
What you’re leaving out: non-existent street signs, less-than-aromatic local public transit and disappearing reservations.
And—oh God—that hellish reservoir of sweat that develops between your back and a knapsack on a hot day. Blech.
CONTINUE...
What you’re leaving out: non-existent street signs, less-than-aromatic local public transit and disappearing reservations.
CONTINUE...
Married by Martha
02/11/09 13:53
No whopping church wedding for you, thank-you-very-much: you and your sweetheart are heading to the Caribbean for a laid back beach wedding. As for the decorations? You can’t be bothered with those, either. 
May as well assign that job to the next best person: Martha Stewart. The relentless homemaker has teamed up with Sandals Resorts, offering a selection of six customizable themes with names like Flutter of Romance, Chic & Natural, Jailbirds in Love and Vision in White. Couples can expect all the usual good things that come with Martha’s tasteful touch: coordinated colour palettes, flowers, cakes, favours, etc. Fun extra add-ons include parasols to shield guests from the sun, petal-strewn aisles and candy buffets.
Starting in January, Weddings by Martha Stewart will be available at all Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean. For more information, go to www.sandals.com/weddings or call 1-877-SANDALS.
Starting in January, Weddings by Martha Stewart will be available at all Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean. For more information, go to www.sandals.com/weddings or call 1-877-SANDALS.
Can I have your (seat) number?
01/09/09 10:17
A return ticket on the Matchmaking Flight from Ottawa (connecting through Los Angeles) costs from $1,698. For more information, go to www.thematchmakingflight.com.
Slaughter the Swine Terror
29/08/09 17:35
By Reb Stevenson
Swine flu: when it broke back in April, I was in the eye of the storm. The heart of the action. The centre of the burrito.
Mexico.
My group of Canadian travel journalists was calmly taken aside by a Mexican Tourist Board representative and given a debriefing that began with something to the effect of: “now don’t freak out, but…”
At that point, though, the severity of the virus hadn’t hit home. Most of my companions’ health concerns centred around treating today’s tequila hangover and acquiring tomorrow’s.
A few days later, we connected through Mexico City’s airport and – bam – the panic response kicked in. That’s what happens when one in three people are wearing surgical masks and your breathing holes are naked.
Cougar Cruisin'
26/08/09 16:48
Cougars love to cruise for younger men – now they can cruise with them. The US-based Singles Travel Company just announced the first ever International Cougar Cruise, summoning older women and Cubs (men who prefer a 
mature lady). The event takes place from December 4-7, 2009 aboard Carnival’s Fun Ship Elation, leaving San Diego and visiting Ensenada, Mexico.
Despite the emphasis on young men/older women, Rich Gosse, chairman of The Society of Single Professionals, says nobody will be grilled about their age upon registration.
“If a 60-year-old man wants to date 70 or 80 year-old women, he’s welcome to come,” he laughs.
The guest of honour aboard the cruise will be Miss Cougar America (apparently Demi Moore was busy).
The trip costs from $125 US per person (double occupancy). For more information visit www.singlestravelcompany.com or call 1-888-286-8687.
Despite the emphasis on young men/older women, Rich Gosse, chairman of The Society of Single Professionals, says nobody will be grilled about their age upon registration.
“If a 60-year-old man wants to date 70 or 80 year-old women, he’s welcome to come,” he laughs.
The guest of honour aboard the cruise will be Miss Cougar America (apparently Demi Moore was busy).
The trip costs from $125 US per person (double occupancy). For more information visit www.singlestravelcompany.com or call 1-888-286-8687.
Ooh! Ooh! Eh!
23/08/09 10:25
By Reb Stevenson
The next time you hear a hot n’ heavy racket going on in the hotel room next door, don’t be surprised if you detect an “eh” amongst the “oohs.”
The survey polled 12, 500 frequent travellers in ten countries. Overall, 51 per cent reported that sleep was their top priority when checking in to a hotel, but only 48 per cent of Canadians felt that way.
“Either we have different customs, or we were more truthful than others in answering the question,” says Jean-Luc Barone, General Manager of the Westin Bayshore Vancouver. Read More...
The Coffee Buzz
14/08/09 15:27
A trip...
.When simply drinking coffee is not enough of a caffeine fix, why not partake of an entire vacation that revolves around java? Finca Rosa Blanca resort in Costa Rica is offering a three night Coffee Harvest Package this autumn. Guests will be lodged in suites overlooking the coffee fields at this lush boutique
property, which was deemed one of the top 10 eco-resorts in the world by Trip Advisor. But the buzz won’t stop there: they’ll be supplied with traditional woven baskets, hats and scarves and sent out with local pickers to harvest, clean, dry and roast the beans. Then comes the “coffee cupping session” – a lesson on rating gourmet beans – and a workshop on making cappuccino, lattes and a traditional Costa Rican cup of coffee using the chorreador method. Finally, caffeine cravers will be permitted to crash a little during the Tiramisu Spa treatment: an organic coffee, clove and citrus bath soak, honey and almond body exfoliation, facial and full body massage.
The Coffee Harvest Package runs from October 1 to December 14 and costs $1398 (based on double occupancy. For more info, visit fincarosablanca.com, or call 506-2269-9392.
And a sip...
What is it? A Starbucks Mug
Where is it? Seattle
Describe it? Everybody and his brother is striding around with a Starbucks cup of some sort these days. Yawn. If you really want to rise above all the cappuccino commoners, you must get yourself down to Seattle’s Pike Place Market, site of the very first Starbucks, which opened in 1971. The ubiquitous green logo is conspicuously absent: this location bears the original brown insignia, harkening back to the days when they sold coffee, tea and spices to Westcoast hippies. Buying a piece of souvenir merchandise like this java vessel here might suggest that you were a fan before Starbucks “got big and sold out.”
How much? $11
FROM MY FOOD AND SOUVENIR COLUMN IN
.When simply drinking coffee is not enough of a caffeine fix, why not partake of an entire vacation that revolves around java? Finca Rosa Blanca resort in Costa Rica is offering a three night Coffee Harvest Package this autumn. Guests will be lodged in suites overlooking the coffee fields at this lush boutique
The Coffee Harvest Package runs from October 1 to December 14 and costs $1398 (based on double occupancy. For more info, visit fincarosablanca.com, or call 506-2269-9392.
And a sip...
Where is it? Seattle
Describe it? Everybody and his brother is striding around with a Starbucks cup of some sort these days. Yawn. If you really want to rise above all the cappuccino commoners, you must get yourself down to Seattle’s Pike Place Market, site of the very first Starbucks, which opened in 1971. The ubiquitous green logo is conspicuously absent: this location bears the original brown insignia, harkening back to the days when they sold coffee, tea and spices to Westcoast hippies. Buying a piece of souvenir merchandise like this java vessel here might suggest that you were a fan before Starbucks “got big and sold out.”
How much? $11
FROM MY FOOD AND SOUVENIR COLUMN IN
Canada: Sleep Cheap
07/08/09 12:12
Just got wind of two AMAZING summer deals in Canada.
Boutique at Thrift Prices
Super chic Opus Hotels sent me an email regarding a 50% off deal. Book before August 15 and you can score a room in Vancouver for $165/night or in Montreal for $119/night. Click HERE.
Smells like Savings in Toronto
Now that the interminable garbage strike has come to an end (mine still hasn’t been picked up, mind you. I might open my own raccoon zoo soon), Toronto is desperately trying to coax tourists into spending the last of their summer vacation in the big smoke. Check out The Best of Toronto Package, which includes an overnight stay at The Sheraton Centre Toronto or Westin Harbour Castle, a top-priced ticket to a Mirvish Productions theatre performance (such as The Sound of Music), a three-course dinner at one of 14 nearby restaurants and admission to one of the following: the CN Tower, Ontario Science Centre or a Toronto Tours city bus tour. At just $149 per person, perhaps you shouldn’t turn your nose up at it.
Go to www.seetorontonow.com/summer or call 1-800-461-3333.
Super chic Opus Hotels sent me an email regarding a 50% off deal. Book before August 15 and you can score a room in Vancouver for $165/night or in Montreal for $119/night. Click HERE.
Smells like Savings in Toronto
Now that the interminable garbage strike has come to an end (mine still hasn’t been picked up, mind you. I might open my own raccoon zoo soon), Toronto is desperately trying to coax tourists into spending the last of their summer vacation in the big smoke. Check out The Best of Toronto Package, which includes an overnight stay at The Sheraton Centre Toronto or Westin Harbour Castle, a top-priced ticket to a Mirvish Productions theatre performance (such as The Sound of Music), a three-course dinner at one of 14 nearby restaurants and admission to one of the following: the CN Tower, Ontario Science Centre or a Toronto Tours city bus tour. At just $149 per person, perhaps you shouldn’t turn your nose up at it.
Go to www.seetorontonow.com/summer or call 1-800-461-3333.
Google's Latest e-Gadget
05/08/09 11:39
Operating on the universally accepted premise that celebrities know better, Google Maps has launched a new application that pinpoints restaurants, shops and other destinations that public figures love. 
Favorite Places tells us that Al Gore thinks we should see The Maldives before they’re submerged by rising ocean levels, Regis and Kelly recommend their own show in New York and Jean-Michel Cousteau is eschewing the great oceans in favour of Lake Itasca in Minnesota. Athletes, authors, comedians and artists also weigh in, making for a handy word-of-mouth reference point for travelers. Not to mention stalkers…
www.google.com/favoriteplaces
www.google.com/favoriteplaces
The Soft Goth Look
16/09/08 12:23
Sometimes, I dabble in a little fashion writing. Perhaps it’s a subconscious effort to offset that drab travel wardrobe.
You may recognize up-and-coming Toronto designer Lucian Matis from last season’s Project Runway. Read my feature on him HERE
This Just in from Sweet Valley
11/09/08 18:29
More from my Yahoo.ca Back-to-School Series for teens:
Geek to Chic
Give your Look a Kick!
A.M. Hairstyles
Get Over That Crush
Erasing Last Year’s Bad Reputation