Travel

A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Bowen Island

Bowen Island is the kind of place that invites you to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and settle into a simpler way of living—at least for the weekend. It’s close enough to Vancouver to make the journey effortless, but far enough to feel like a true escape.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to the Cotswolds

There’s something about the Cotswolds that feels straight out of a beautifully lit film scene—rolling hills dotted with honey-hued stone cottages, thatched-roof inns straight from a storybook, and village lanes so picturesque that you half expect Hugh Grant to stumble out of a bookshop at any moment.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Muskoka in the Summer

There are summer vacations, and then there’s Muskoka in July—where mornings start with a quiet cup of coffee on the dock, afternoons are spent on the lake with a chilled rosé in hand, and evenings stretch long past sunset with good company and the scent of a crackling fire lingering in the air.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Palm Springs

Palm Springs is the kind of place where time slows down just enough to remind you how good life can be. The air is warm, dry, and filled with the faint scent of citrus trees. The streets are lined with mid-century modern homes, each more impossibly chic than the last. And the people? Well, they understand the art of leisure—long mornings by the pool, leisurely lunches with a chilled glass of something fabulous, and cocktail hours that stretch into the golden hours of the desert.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Greece

Greece is a place that gets under your skin in the best possible way. Every time I visit, I find myself lingering a little longer, eating a little slower, and appreciating the beauty of simplicity. This itinerary is about more than just seeing Greece—it’s about feeling it. So swim in the Aegean, drink the Assyrtiko, and let yourself fall for the magic of it all. Because in Greece, life isn’t just lived—it’s celebrated.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to a Weekend in Monaco

Monaco is a world of its own—where luxury is a way of life, not a special occasion. It’s where a simple coffee comes with a view of a multi-million-dollar yacht, where the scent of the sea mixes with the scent of expensive perfume, and where the art of elegance is mastered daily.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to the Canadian North in Winter

The Canadian North is breathtaking in a way that’s impossible to put into words. It’s not just about the snow-capped mountains or the endless tundra—it’s about the feeling of being somewhere completely untouched, where the world feels bigger, quieter, and more magical than you ever imagined.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Egypt

Egypt is bigger, more breathtaking, and more beautiful than you can possibly imagine. It’s a place where you walk through temples carved thousands of years ago, sail past palm-lined islands on the Nile, and eat meals so flavorful you’ll want to learn how to cook them at home.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Calgary, Banff, Canmore & Lake Louise

Calgary will always feel like a part of me—it’s where I became who I am today, and it will forever hold a deep love in my heart.And beyond the city, the Canadian Rockies never get old. Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise—each place is as breathtaking as the last.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to the Okanagan

The Okanagan in the summer is pure magic—warm evenings by the lake, wineries that feel like something out of a dream, and fruit so fresh you’ll never look at a grocery store peach the same way again.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to the West Coast of Canada

The West Coast is magic. It’s where modern luxury meets untouched nature, where every meal somehow tastes fresher, and every view looks like a postcard. Flying over the mountains, sipping wine by the ocean, walking through ancient forests—it all feels surreal, no matter how many times you’ve done it. And if you leave without trying a Tacofino fish taco, doing a Cessna intro flight, or filling your suitcase with Salt Spring Island lavender products? You’re simply doing it wrong.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to The Canadian Maritimes

The Maritimes are woven into the fabric of who I am. The foggy mornings, the golden sunsets, the way the ocean air always smells just a little saltier here than anywhere else. And while I may not be living here full-time (yet), I know I’ll always return. Because some places are just meant to be part of you forever. And if you leave without a cozy wool sweater from a tiny shop, a deep love for fresh-baked bannock, and at least one boat ride where you swear you saw a whale? You’re simply doing it wrong.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Isla Mujeres & Beyond

Mexico has a magic to it that’s impossible to describe—I’ve been dozens of times, and every trip is better than the last. It’s hot, affordable, vibrant, and delicious, and there’s something deeply grounding about this part of the world. And if you come home without a suitcase full of mezcal, handmade textiles, and at least one sun-kissed afternoon nap under your belt? You’re simply doing it wrong.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Oaxaca: Huatulco & Beyond

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to a Long Weekend in Mexico City

Mexico City is a destination that captivates with its rich history, dynamic culture, and culinary excellence. Whether you're exploring its grand avenues or hidden alleyways, the city offers endless opportunities for discovery and delight. Embrace the journey with an open heart and a curious spirit, and you'll find that Mexico City leaves an indelible mark on your soul.

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A Jonathon Hawes Luxury Guide to Austria in Winter

Austria in winter is pure magic—from the Christmas markets to the cozy, firelit meals and fairytale streets. Whether you’re here to shop, ski, or simply soak in the atmosphere, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve stepped into a holiday postcard. And if you do it right? You’ll be back next Christmas.

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A Jonathon Hawes Luxury Guide to Belgium

Belgium is effortlessly chic, indulgent, and completely underrated. Whether you come for the food, the design, or the sheer elegance of the architecture, it’s a place that stays with you. And if you leave already planning your next visit? Welcome to the club.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to San Francisco

San Francisco is a city of contrasts—it’s old and new, refined and rough around the edges, glamorous but never too polished. You can spend your day hiking through the redwoods and your night sipping Champagne at a Michelin-starred restaurant. That’s what makes it so special. And if you leave already planning your next visit? Then you did it right.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Central France

Central France is a place to slow down. To wake up in a château, spend the afternoon sipping wine, and wander through storybook villages without an itinerary. It’s where French elegance meets countryside charm, where the food is always sublime, and where you leave already planning your next trip back. And if you do it right, you’ll spend at least one night at Château du Grand-Lucé, with a glass of Sancerre in hand, just soaking it all in.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Berlin

Ah, Berlin—a city where history whispers from every cobblestone, art is a way of life, and the culinary scene is as dynamic as its storied past. It's a place that effortlessly blends the old with the new, offering a tapestry of experiences that are both rich and diverse. So, let's embark on a journey through this vibrant metropolis, savouring its finest offerings with a touch of that signature Jonathon Hawes wit.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Northern France

Northern France is elegance, history, and indulgence wrapped into one. Whether you’re sipping Champagne in Reims, indulging in melt-in-your-mouth butter-laden pastries in Normandy, or strolling through Rouen’s medieval streets, this part of France is unforgettable. And if you leave already plotting your return? That’s the Northern France effect.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Prague

Ah, Prague—a city where Gothic spires pierce the sky, cobblestone streets whisper tales of old, and every corner seems to have its own charming secret. It's a place that effortlessly marries the grandeur of its history with the vibrancy of modern life. So, let's embark on a journey through this enchanting city, savoring its finest offerings with a touch of that signature Jonathon Hawes wit.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Seoul, South Korea

Seoul—a city where ancient palaces stand amidst soaring skyscrapers, where the aroma of sizzling street food fills the air, and where the night is always young. It's a place that effortlessly blends tradition with modernity, offering a sensory feast that's hard to resist. So, let's embark on a journey through this dynamic metropolis, savoring its culinary delights and vibrant culture.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is pure magic. It’s fast, it’s loud, it’s indulgent, and yet, somehow, it always feels like home. Whether you’re sipping milk tea in a tiny cha chaan teng or watching the skyline light up from a rooftop bar, you just know—this city gets it. And if you leave already planning your next trip? Same.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Scotland

Like so many others, I have roots in Scotland—my last name, Hawes, tracing back to those rugged, misty highlands where whisky flows like water and the air carries the scent of peat and heather. Scotland is a place of deep history, wild landscapes, and an understated luxury that I can’t get enough of. Whether you’re staying in a grand hotel or a charming inn, sipping whisky by a roaring fire or indulging in the best shortbread of your life, Scotland just knows how to do things right. So, pack your cashmere sweaters, bring a sturdy umbrella (because obviously), and let’s explore Scotland in style.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to London, England (not Ontario, hunny)

London is a city I’ve been lucky enough to visit many times, but one of my most cherished trips was spending Christmas here a couple of years ago with Triet and his parents. There’s something about London during the holidays—the twinkling lights down Bond Street, the perfectly wrapped parcels from Fortnum & Mason, the scent of mulled wine in the air—that makes it feel like stepping into a Dickens novel, only with better tailoring and excellent cocktails. Whether you're after classic British refinement or something a little more modern, here’s my take on the very best London has to offer.

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Jonathon’s Hawaii: A Love Affair with the Islands

Having spent nearly a decade as a flight attendant, I was lucky enough to visit Hawaii more times than I can count. From the moment I first stepped off the plane, I fell head over heels, and that’s when Triet and I’s love affair with Hawaii truly began. Over the years, we’ve explored every island, each one offering something spectacular—though I do have my favorites. So, if you’re planning a trip, allow me to give you my personal take on each island.

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Jonathon’s Perfect Weekend in Paris

After years of traveling to Paris, Triet and I have perfected our approach. Here is my guide to the perfect weekend in Paris!

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to Southern France

The South of France is magic. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave—the scent of lavender in the air, the sparkle of rosé in the afternoon sun, the feeling of warm sand beneath your feet. Whether you’re luxuriating in the Riviera’s grand hotels or getting lost in the quiet beauty of Provence, this region never disappoints. And if you leave already planning your next visit? Bienvenue au club.

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A Jonathon Hawes Guide to the Hamptons

The Hamptons offer something for every taste and season. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, exploring a winery, or cozying up by the fire, it’s all about enjoying the simple pleasures in life—elevated, of course. Welcome to my Hamptons—let’s dive in!