Air Canada unveils growth strategy

Good news for anyone flying with Air Canada with the airline boosting its global connectivity.

The Candian flag carrier is planning its biggest-ever intercontinental expansion for summer 2027, adding five international destinations and seven new routes from its three Canadian hubs, Travel Mole reports.

The carrier will launch a year-round service from Vancouver to Guangzhou, China, while Toronto will gain new flights to Oslo, Shannon in Ireland and Nice. 

Montreal will add new links to Basel, Switzerland, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Air Canada will also extend several existing seasonal services to year-round operations, including Tenerife, Lima and Guatemala City.

The expansion will increase international capacity by more than 8% compared with summer 2026. 

The airline plans to operate more than 125 international routes, offering up to 169,000 seats a week from Canada to more than 85 destinations across the Atlantic, Pacific, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Toronto is at the centre of Air Canada expansion. The new Oslo service will operate four times weekly from June 2 through October 10, 2027, using Air Canada’s new Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Shannon will receive three weekly flights from June 10 through to October 2, giving Air Canada its second destination in Ireland after Dublin. The airline says it will be the only carrier offering non-stop service between Toronto and Shannon.

Nice will receive twice-weekly Toronto service from June 16 through October 23. Combined with Air Canada’s existing Montréal-Nice flights, the new service will provide a daily connection between Canada and the French Riviera during the summer season.

From Montréal, Basel will operate four times weekly from June 16 through October 23, while Dubrovnik will receive three weekly flights from May 11 through October 23.

Vancouver will gain three weekly flights to Guangzhou beginning May 4, 2027. The year-round service will use Boeing 787 Dreamliners and make Guangzhou Air Canada’s third destination in mainland China.

The airline says it will offer up to 24 weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou combined.

Air Canada expects the broader growth strategy to create more than 1,500 direct jobs by 2028. 

Mapping the best way to explore the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley is the birthplace of Victorian wine. 

With a 170-year wine legacy, the region is one of Australia's most popular wine tourism regions. 

Just a one-hour drive from downtown Melbourne, the Yarra Valley offers not only fine cool-climate wines, but also great produce, pubs, breweries and distilleries. 

There are tastes of city sophistication here, but you are very much in the country. 

With over 80 vineyards dotted throughout Healesville, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Seville and Lilydale, the Yarra Valley is regarded as one of Australia’s premier cool-climate regions, and is renowned for a wide range of wine styles, including chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and méthode traditionnelle sparkling.

In recent years, other highly acclaimed varieties have joined the party, including nebbiolo, gamay, arneis, sangiovese and savagnin.

The Yarra Valley isn't one destination - it's a dozen little pockets, each with its own character, its own back roads, and its own reasons to linger, the Wine Yarra Valley organisation boasts. 

To make it easier to find your kind of day out, Wine Yarra Valley has grouped the region's cellar doors into a handful of trails. 

You can choose by sub-region, or your favourites. 

Pick one trail, follow the vines, and let the day unfold. 

Here's what you need to know: https://wineyarravalley.com.au/explore-yarra-valley-wine-trails/

World Cup still kicking goals in Vancouver

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ circus is only a memory now, but the Canadian city of Vancouver is doing its best to keep the dream alive after the final whistle. 

The city hosted seven tournament matches and fans from around the world and now locals are enjoying the goal nets as hammocks dotted around Vancouver. 

The quirky installations remain, urging visitors to Recouver in Vancouver post-tournament. 

Hammock Goals is the name given to a series of custom hammocks crafted from soccer nets that have popped up at locations across the city, including one made from an actual World Cup match-played goal net. 

It’s a part of a Destination Vancouver initiative that invites visitors to slow the pace, look back on all the excitement the tournament had to offer and experience the city from a more relaxed perspective.

Made locally in Vancouver, additional hammocks crafted from goal nets will be gifted to the Swiss Football Association and Football Australia as a reminder of their matches in the city and an invitation to return. 

Hammock locations include Grouse Mountain, Kitsilano Pool, Van Dusen Botanical Garden, Stanley Park and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

 
Explore the interactive hammock map.

Moxy lands in the Japanese ski fields

If you are looking for fun hotels in which to stay without breaking the bank then the Moxy brand is a good bet. 

Moxy Niseko Village has just opened in one of Japan's premium ski resorts with the 310-room hotel offering direct ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes. 

Moxy Hotels is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio and its newest opening is located adjacent to the Niseko Village Gondola. 

"Moxy Niseko Village reflects the evolution of travel today, where guests are seeking authentic places, flexible experiences and meaningful opportunities to connect," said Cristiano Rinaldi, regional Chief Lodging Product & Services Officer for Marriott International and clearly a man who has mastered marketing jargon.

"Niseko's year-round appeal, global reputation and adventurous spirit make it a natural fit for Moxy.

"This opening brings the brand's playful social energy to one of Japan's most celebrated mountain retreats, creating a stay experience that is approachable, design-forward and deeply connected to the destination."

The hotel has three distinct dining and social venues, a 24/7 fitness centre and offers access to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling and golf. 

The opening marks Moxy Hotels' debut in Japan's alpine resort market and coincides with the launch of a new eight-person gondola from December 2026, doubling capacity and enhancing access to more than 30 kilometres of ski terrain. 

Moxy Niseko Village will be the brand’s fifth location in Japan, joining Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. 

See https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ctsox-moxy-niseko-village/overview/

Hobart's newest rooms with a view

Looking for a room with a view on the Hobart waterfront?

The former Somerset on the Pier has reopened as Citadines Elizabeth Street Pier following an expansion from 56 to 98 studios.

Set directly over Hobart’s waterfront on the pier, the refreshed property pairs contemporary studios and private balconies with harbour views and distinctly local touches - including a daily Sip & Savour hour, local experiences and a 1800-Martini service delivering cocktails straight to guests’ rooms, Tourism Tasmania reports.

The property boasts it is "steps from anywhere". My invite to the opening unfortunately failed to arrive. 

But those attractions on the doorstep include Salamanca Market, the MONA Ferry terminal, Constitution Dock’s dining precinct, the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, and the downtown shopping hub.



The blurb from owners Ascott promises modern studios and spacious guest rooms, all with balconies overlooking the water.

"Whether you’re here for culture, cuisine or adventure, Citadines Elizabeth Street Pier Hobart offers the perfect base to explore the city’s historic waterfront and the beauty of Tasmania," the website says.

For more info: https://www.discoverasr.com/en/citadines/australia/citadines-elizabeth-street-pier-hobart

In-flight food and drink prices a complete rip-off

Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?

That's Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols talking, but it could be anyone silly enough to buy food onboard a flight operated by Jetstar, an Australian budget airline and subsidiary of Qantas.

A $15 can of weak beer anyone? $5 for a tiny tube of Pringles crisps?

It seems Jetstar has decided that the best way to make up for its relatively low fares is to slug passengers in its tiny seats a mega price for food and drink.

There's been a lot of online chatter about the sky high prices Jetstar is charging. My tip: eat and drink before you take off.

The Jetstar prices are just absurd. 

Take that $15 price tag on cans of Hahn Super Dry, Super Dry 3.5 and Stone & Wood Pacific Ale.

I asked AI how much I would pay retail for a case of 24 cans. The response: A case of 24 cans of Hahn Super Dry (375mL full strength, 4.6% ABV) typically costs between $55.00 and $66.00 AUD, depending on the retailer and current promotions. If you are looking for the mid-strength version (Hahn Super Dry 3.5%), a 24-can case usually ranges from $54.00 to $57.00 AUD. 

So four cans on board a Jetstar flight costs the same as 24 cans at your local bottle shop.

How about those tubes of crisps? 

AI tells me: Small 53g cans of Pringles crisps generally cost $2.70 at major Australian supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths, though they are frequently on special for $2.00. 

And don't forget Jetstar would buy in bulk, at a reduced price. 

Then there is $8 for a cup of packet noodles in the air. 

AI tells me: Budget Name Brands (Fantastic, Suimin, Indomie): Standard 70g–75g single cups or bowls cost around $1.75 to $1.90. 

So a fairly hefty mark-up there as well. 

It's up to you - but just be ready to be ripped off.