Loulou's views

Sometimes all you need is a road trip to help you recharge your batteries, and if you’re looking for a quick escape, Toronto is the perfect place to visit with friends or family because there is always so much going on, whether you’re a sports fan, museum buff, movie lover (hello, TIFF!) or shopping enthusiast. Here’s how you can spend a weekend in Toronto:   Check-in to St. Regis The St. Regis in Toronto’s financial district is one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, and for the second year in a row, awarded Five-Star Hotel and Five-Star Spa ratings by Forbes Travel Guide. The St. Regis Toronto helped redefine the standard of five-start luxury hotel stays in Toronto —and because of its ideal location, the perfect place to stay if you’re sightseeing, enjoying the city’s finest restaurants, or catching a sports game. The St. Regis Toronto is close to the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and the city’s premier shopping, theatre, and entertainment venues. My son and...

Are you planning a trip to the city that never sleeps in 2025? If New York City is on your travel list this year, planning where to stay can be a challenge, because there are countless hotels to choose from, but if you're looking for a luxurious getaway perfect for families in the heart of Tribeca, book your stay at Four Season New York Downtown .  The Four Seasons New York Downtown is considered to be one of the best hotels in New York, winner of the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star award, and only minutes away from my favorite bridge in the world--the Brooklyn Bridge. The hotel is also close to the 9/11 Memorial and museum, One World Observatory, and SoHo, the perfect neighborhood for shopping, dining, and walking around--especially if want to avoid the more tourist-y neighborhood of Times Square.  The Four Seasons New York Downtown is located in the financial district and is one of the tallest residential buildings in Manhattan, complete with 28 spacious suites and 189 guest r...

We are back from our month long annual summer vacation in Greece, and this year, we had the pleasure of staying at the brand new W Costa Navarino resort.  I was invited to the W to review the new property and surrounding areas and it was a wonderful experience! My entire family loved every minute, especially the pools, rooms, and dining choices. We stayed in two gorgeous and spacious rooms, both with a large, infinity-style shared private pool right off our back balcony decks. The W Costa Navarino is a beautiful escape for those looking for a getaway unlike any other. From the Navarino waterfront, to the vivid and bright design and architecture, the hotel prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming to everyone, in luxurious surroundings that include rooms with private swim-up pools, airy and modern one and two bedroom suites, and stunning beachfront villas overlooking the Ionian Sea. If you're planning on visiting Greece this year or next, you should definitely visit the W Cost...

I had the great pleasure of once again joining Choose Chicago on a press trip to experience the vibrant city of Chicago. Chicago was recently voted the Best Big City in America and as usual, Chicago was a dream, and I can't wait to return. (To read more about all the fun things to do in Chicago if you're planning a trip to the Windy City for your next holiday escape, you can read my article in Canadian Geographic Travel ).  Here are a few highlights that'll help you plan your next Chicago trip with ease--how to get there, where to stay, where to dine, and what to do:  Porter Airlines Travelling during the pandemic can be challenging, but my flight with Porter Airlines made the experience smooth, comfortable, and safe. I had all the necessary documents with me (proof of vaccination and rapid test for entry to the USA) and Porter took care of the rest--I was met with excellent service checking in, and in-flight (we loved our flight attendant so much!) along with tasty snack...

Summer 2021 went by in the blink of an eye. After months of no travel and lockdowns due to Covid, we finalized our travel plans to Greece once we were fully vaccinated, and couldn't wait to get on the plane. We spent one glorious month in Greece, and had an incredible time.  While we usually do a lot of exploring in Greece, this year we had a busier itinerary than previous years--we travelled across the country visiting many ancient sites, museums, and beaches, putting over 5,000 kilometres on our vehicle--and it was totally worth it.  A highlight of our trip was visiting the island of Lefkada on the Ionian Sea, near the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia. Lefkada is a popular island in Greece, thanks to it's world famous beaches, though thankfully not as packed as Santorini and Mykonos. It's rich with lush vegetation, natural landscapes, beautiful mountains, and breathtaking blue-flag beaches, including Kathisma and Porto Katsiki.  My husband and I had the great pleasure...

After spending a few days in the most beautiful city of all, I though I'd share with you what I consider to be the top five places to see when you're in the City of Lights, especially if you are only there for a short time. Whether you're travelling to Paris as a couple, with friends, or as a family, it really is a perfect destination for everyone–kids included. Of course, it will be more challenging navigating the cobblestone streets and exploring the sites if your children are very young or still in a stroller, so my advice is to wait until your children are old enough to truly understand and appreciate the greatness, beauty, and history of Paris. Top five places to visit in Paris:  Sacre Coeur:  Did you know the Sacre Coeur is the most visited monument in the world? It's no wonder why it's such a popular attraction, because it is truly breathtaking. Every year, over 11 million people visit this basilica, which was built at the end of the 19th century...

There is no better place to travel to than Europe in the summertime. I'm back to reality now after one month away–first, a few days in Paris, followed by four weeks in Greece–our second home. It's easy to fall in love with Paris; what you've read about and what you've seen depicted of this magical city are all true. It's a city unlike any other, one that is filled with so much beauty it'll leave you awestruck with every step you take. It is, of course, a perfect city for lovers, but equally wonderful to experience with the entire family, especially if you love history, culture, fine dining, and breathtaking museums. Of course, the shopping is excellent, too! I saw Paris for the first time last summer, on my return from my Portugal press trip. Earlier this year, my husband had the chance to visit Paris on a work trip. We decided to take our children this summer, before we went to Greece. It was the best decision ever. Our boys are at an age where travel an...