Loulou's views

Every trip to Toronto is made even more memorable for me when I stay at The Hazelton Hotel, located right in the heart of luxurious Yorkville.  I've had the pleasure of staying at the Hazelton Hotel many times over the last several years, and with each visit, I fall in love with the hotel even more. The Hazelton Hotel is most definitely a perfect escape for a couple looking for a romantic getaway and it's also perfect for a best friends weekend trip, a work retreat, or simply, any visit to Toronto. The Hazelton is "Canada's first and only Forbes five-star independent luxury boutique hotel" and though it's considered a boutique hotel because it only has 77 (very spacious) rooms and suites, it feels very grand and luxurious. The hotel is constantly ranked the #1 hotel in Toronto on TripAdvisor (five years and counting!) and was just voted the N umber Three Best Hotel in Canada  Conde Nast Traveller's 2022 Readers' Choice Awards. I have to agree, becaus...

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 a couple of years of limited travel due to the pandemic, passports are being renewed, and dream vacations are once again becoming a reality as people start to plan their summer 2022 vacations--with Gr eece being on the top of many lists.  There is nothing as magical as a summer in Greece. Always a popular travel destination, Greece saw a massive increase in tourism again in 2021, after being hit hard during the pandemic. Those who weren't able to get to Greece this summer can start to plan their perfect trip for next summer--starting in Athens, the capital of Greece.  One of the oldest cities in the world, and the birthplace of democracy, Athens is a great place to begin exploring before visiting the islands or continuing your journey through mainland Greece, because it offers so much for every type of traveller--a great mix of ancient sites, museums, dining options, sightseeing, and shopping, surrounded by the sea. If you have less than a week in Athens, here are a few ...

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...

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around every once in a while, you could miss it." We're all familiar with this line from the classic movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which took place in Chicago—the famous city I got to experience for the first time on a recent press trip. I was so fortunate to be travelling with some wonderful Canadian journalists, led by the most professional (and fun) PR firm, Fathom Co. (hi, Mark and Laura!) and hosted by Choose Chicago. Chicago—I definitely choose you! Some cities leave me yearning for more; I feel this way about New York City, and I feel this way about Chicago now. My first time visiting the Windy City left quite an impression on me, even though I was only there for a few days. I explored as much as I could, making good use of my time from morning to night. I walked around Millennium Park, took my picture by the famous "bean", watched Hamilton for the first time, (more on that late...