Honeymooners travelling more in less time

Westin Hotels and Resorts revealed this week a bold new study that illustrates a seismic shift in honeymoon travel trends in North America.

In the last five years, rising wealth, digital connectivity and an increasing global demand for wellness have changed the way couples book, plan and experience their honeymoon.

The survey found surprising results centered on the fact that couples are packing more into their honeymoon travels, which means seeking more active experiences and visiting more destinations in less time.

With time out of the office at a premium, it’s no surprise that a growing number of couples are travelling more in less time. The number of couples who have visited more than one destination on their honeymoon has increased from 35 per cent to 70 per cent in the last five years.

Newlyweds are spending less time getting to their honeymoon destination, opting for trips closer to home that provide robust itineraries that pack a punch. Three out of four couples are staying in the U.S. and Canada as part of their honeymoon, a sharp increase from more than five years ago. In fact, travel to Canada has triples among North American honeymooners and quadruples in the western mountain region of the U.S.

In summer and winter months, Westin hotels from Beaver Creek and Blue Mountain have seen significant growth in honeymoon travel. Before arriving at the Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler, for instance, couples plan helicopter tours, skiing or cycling excursions before booking spa appointments and restaurant reservations.

Similarly, the Westin Bear Mountain Golf and Resort Spa in Victoria has seen a spike in requests about hiking, mountain climbing and Jeep tour outings for couples planning their honeymoon itineraries.

Finally and unexpectedly, couples aren’t ditching their pre-wedding health routine post-nuptials. Everyone talks about the wedding diet and the assumption that once the wedding is over, couples relax their healthy habits. The data shows something else: four out of five respondents increased their approach to active well-being and healthy food choices while on their honeymoons, creating a catalyst to continue their wellness routine following the wedding bells.

Bus service resumed to Belle Isle

Detroit has resumed bus service to Belle Isle in a move that allows riders to visit the island park without paying the usual cost of entry.

A standard $1.50 bus fare will offer access to the park via a stop that’s near attractions such as the aquarium and conservatory.

Typically, a recreation passport is required for vehicle entry to Belle Isle, which costs $11 a year for Michigan-registered vehicles.

Bus service to the island was discontinued in 2007. The state now manages the park that’s located in the Detroit River.

Discounts for Canucks at Florida site

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in southwest Florida is rolling out special offers for Canadians this spring and summer.

The discounts apply to room rates and food and beverages consumed in the resort’s restaurants and lounges.

The Canadian resident rate offers 25 per cent savings on all room types, including suites, plus 25 per cent off food and beverage menu selections. Registered hotel guests will also receive 25 per cent off Marina activities including marina boat rentals, paddleboards and kayaks. The offer is valid for stays through Sept. 30 but must be booked by June 30.

To book, visit www.westincapecoral.com and click on offers, or call 1-866-716-8128 and ask for the rate plan “OCanada”.

The 263-room resort boasts a prime waterfront location overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Calooshahatchee River and San Carlos Bay.

Turks and Caicos offers meal deal

The Turks and Caicos Collection has introduced an optional daily meal plan at its properties on Providenciales, just in time for summer vacation savings.

The collection of beachfront resorts consist of Alexandra Resort, Beach House Turks and Caicos and Blue Haven Resort and Marina. Each resort offers an optional daily meal plan for $120 per person and half price for children 12 and under.

A daily breakfast credit for adults based on standard room occupancy is already included in rates at the resorts. The meal plan includes the breakfast credit and also provides lunch, dinner and select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The collection resorts also offer a free dining shuttle between properties.

Shrewsbury photo contest begins

Ever wanted to see one of your photos appear in a calendar?

Thanks to the Friends of Rondeau that opportunity exists in the form of a Shrewsbury Photo Contest for a 2017 Shrewsbury calendar. Three entries per person are permitted and the deadline is Nov. 1.

The photos must be Shrewsbury-area-themed and can be historical, natural, sports and event oriented. You can enter your own photos or those you have permission to use.

Entries can be submitted to Shrewsbury.ca@gmail.com.

Chatham Ghost Walks reminder

Sheila Gibbs noticed my mention last week of a recent visit to Maple Leaf/St. Anthony cemetery by former Chathamite Ryan Collins and dropped me a note to say the eighth year of cemetery strolls are scheduled for Oct. 14, 15, 21 and 22.

The strolls take place three times each night starting at the Legion chapel at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. For more information visit the Facebook page “Ghost Walks of Chatham-Kent.”

During a recent visit to the cemetery with his mother, Collins noted the value of the burial spot as a repository of history as well as a place of in memoriam.

“Ryan has expressed exactly the goal of our annual cemetery strolls in Maple Leaf cemetery in which we highlight the past of Chatham-Kent through the people of the past who accomplished so much in all avenues of life in our area,” said Gibbs.

She said guided groups of participants have met such notables as figure skater Sandra Tewksbury, Dr. T.K. Holmes, historian Victor Lauriston, Victoria Cross recipient Harry Bedford Miner, amateur archaeologist Edwin Bassett Jones, and many more.

“Some names are familiar to people but others are not as we move together through the darkness on an October night,” said Gibbs. “We meet these remarkable people and hear something significant about their lives in dramatic fashion.”

Gibbs said she is hoping Collins can make it home for one of the walks, as he and his mother would surely enjoy learning more about local history.

First Nations languages fading away

Speaking of interesting people, I chatted for an hour this week at a downtown Sarnia bar with 80-year-old Stan Plain, a native Canadian who is concerned that the use of the Indian language is quickly disappearing with the younger generation.

Plain said he enjoys meeting up with Winston Day from Walpole Island from time to time and talking Ojibway and Pottowotamie.

Plain also invited me to attend Solidarity Day celebrations at the Sarnia reserve on the St. Clair River on June 28. He said it is a day-long celebration of Indian culture and features a huge fireworks display at dark.

Plain said the federal government proclaimed Solidarity Day for native people in 2000.

History made in Cuba

History was made this week when the first American cruise ship in 50 years docked in Cuba. Carnival Cruise Line’s Adonia departed Miami last Sunday with 700 passengers aboard. Its passage marks the latest milestone in the renewed relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, which in late 2014 agreed to restore diplomatic ties after five decades.

Carnival billed the cruise as a cultural exchange and tickets started at $2,662 per person. Passengers made stops in Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos, three of the five ports that I visited two years ago on a ship that sailed out of Montego Bay.

American businesses have been eager to enter the Cuban market since the two countries restored relations. During his historic visit to Cuba in March, President Obama brought with him CEOs from 11 companies, including Airbnb and Paypal, to meet with Cuban entrepreneurs.

Here come the tall ships

A fleet of 20 tall ships are scheduled to visit each of the Great Lakes this year and will include a replica Viking long ship and a 170-foot Spanish galleon.

The fleet will sail the lakes over the course of four month with scheduled port stops and races on lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior between July and September.

The ships will be taking part in the Great Lakes Challenge race and will make port at least eight times, including Toronto July 1-3, Bay City, Mich. July 15-17 and Brockville Sept. 17-18.

Public tours will be available during port stops, which typically coincide with festivals. Since the tall ships began racing in the Great Lakes in 2001, Bay City has hosted its tall ship celebration five times, taking home port of the year honours in 2001 and 2006. Chicago won the award in 2003 and 2010.

High-speed ferry operates

The Lake Express, a high-speed ferry that operates between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Mich. has made its first run of the 2016 season following an extensive overhaul during the winter months.

Features to improve radar and navigation on the 192-foot-long ship are among the upgrades. The ship runs through Nov. 1 and will make two trips a day through June 14 and three trips daily beginning June 15.

The ship holds 250 passengers and 46 cars on each crossing.

An adult ticket is $87.50 for one way and $145 for round trip. Children 5-17 are $31 one way and $50 round trip, and children four and under are free.

Lufthansa makes Canadian anniversary

Lufthansa is marking 60 years of service to Montreal this spring.

In April 1956 a Super-G Constellation flew from Hamburg to Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport marking the first flight by the company to Canada.

The service was added a year after the airline began servicing New York, its first North American destination.

Service to Canada grew steadily with the carrier adding service to Toronto in 1973 and to Vancouver in 1983.

The company today operates six nonstop routes from Canada to Germany.

Big renovations at Meadowvale

Four Points Mississauga Meadowvale has completed an all-encompassing renovation to the hotel’s 205 guest rooms and suites. To celebrate the hotel’s 10th anniversary and the renovation, the hotel is offering a special package featuring 10 per cent off best rates available until July 31 for arrivals Thursday to Sunday.

Car show planned in Chatham

A mini car show hosted by St. Andrew’s Foundation in Chatham is slated for June 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cars will be displayed in the St. Andrew’s Residence parking lot on Park Street.