Australian Open – Melbourne, Australia – You can book your tickets on the day inside and just outside the grounds and even in Federation Square as they have a booth there. So unlike other Grand Slam tournaments, it’s a lot easier to get tickets.
Chania, Crete, Greece – If you are going to many islands in Greece and need souvenirs, from our experience, Chania was the cheapest. Mykonos and Athens were higher priced for the same items that we looked at. So load up!
Club S.E.A. – Sala Pergolesi, T1 Malpensa Airport – Milan, Italy – It was a good 10 minute walk to get to the gate from the lounge. Plan ahead so that you don’t have to sprint to get to your plane.
Draco Restaurant – Markham, Ontario, Canada – If you collect Marriott Bonvoy, pay with your credit card and earn 5 times the points.
Grazie Ristorante – Vaughan, Ontario, Canada – When ordering a pasta, you can ask them to split it on two plates. We always do this so that we share the pasta and then afterwards we can go in and devour the pizza!
Kotor, Montenegro – Wake up even earlier to see the ship sail into the fjords, the pictures you take will last a lifetime. When hiking up to the top, if you have any knee problems take a walking stick with you. It’ll ease the stress especially on the way down.
Mount Lycabettus – Athens, Greece – Walking up to the gondola is the best way to get up to the top, if you go up all the steps, you’ll arrive a bit sweaty. If you have bad knees, spend the 2.50 Euros to get the return ticket.
Palazzo Matteotti, Autograph Collection – Milan, Italy – Unless you take a taxi from Malpensa Airport (which is far and can cost quite a bit), the next easiest way is to take the Malpensa Express train to Cadorna (not Central Station as that is further North). I believe it was 14 Euros (each person) and then from there, the taxi ride which was 7 Euros for us. If you are taking the train back to the airport, just make sure to ask which platform the train is leaving from as we found it to be a bit lacking in signage there.
Palazzo Naiadi, Autograph Collection – Rome, Italy – Do yourself a favour, the next time you stay in Rome and want a great hotel, go here. Take the 32 minute Leonardo Express train from the Fiumicino Airport to the Termini. Head straight out of the Termini past all the stores and stay near the left side. Head straight and you will run right into the Piazza della Repubblica roundabout. Look left and you will see the beautiful building where the Palazzo Naiadi hotel is situated in.
Rogers Cup – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – As the tournament runs 9 days, the first two days of qualifying are completely free entry! Enjoy the first Saturday and Sunday of the tournament and bring the family for free events, giveaways and some great matches of players who didn’t quite make it in the main draw but are still ranked in the top 50 of the world.
Salerno (Pompeii), Italy – Plan ahead to get there and know which station you will arrive in. Bring good comfortable walking shoes and sunglasses as the dust can kick up from the wind. Wet wipes would be handy before eating anything to wash your hands.
Shanghai, China – Plan your trip out, you’ll need around 5 days to explore Shanghai alone. Get a good Metro Map saved to your phone. You’ll get around much more quickly and cheaply by Metro than by taxi. Try to get a hotel near a Metro as well as that will save time. Plan out your days with places near each other, it is still walkable to get around and take your time. Safety in Shanghai is so good.
Tapagria Spanish Tapas Restaurant – Markham, Ontario, Canada – Use Open Table to make a reservation, you will collect points. For the restaurant, go with the set menu, you won’t finish it! If something else on the menu catches your eye and it’s not on the set menu, add it on, especially the Jamon Date Wraps, they are delicious!