Thinking of the sun and palm trees, one snowy and stormy weekend in Toronto, I decided to take my daughter Muna, along my grandson Mazin, and his wife Margarita, as a belated honeymoon gift, to the Dominican Republic. Now as we explored the huge Bahia Principe resort complex in Punta Cana, the Republic's resort par excellence, we were living our dream. As we walked the white sandy beach, Mazin remarked, "A great trip! I love your … [Read more...]
About Habeeb Salloum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeeb_Salloum
Habeeb Salloum is a Canadian author who grew up in Saskatchewan, joined the RCAF during the Second World War, and then worked for the Canadian Department of National Revenue for 36 years. For the last 30 years he has been a full-time freelance writer and author specializing in food, history and travel. Besides 7 books and 20 chapters in books, he has had hundreds of articles about culture, food, travel, history and homesteading in western Canada appear in such publications as the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the Western Producer, Contemporary Review, Forever Young, Vegetarian Journal and Saveur.
Among his most important published books are: From the Lands of Figs and Olives: Over 300 Delicious and Unusual Recipes from the Middle East and North Africa (Interlink Publishing, 1996); Journeys Back to Arab Spain (The Middle East Studies Center, 1994); Arabic Contributions to the English Vocabulary (Librairie du Liban, 1996) among others.
His most recent books, co-authored with Leila Salloum Elias and Muna Salloum, are Scheherazade’s Feasts: Foods of the Medieval Arab World (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013); and Sweet Delights from A Thousand and One Nights: The Story of Traditional Arab Sweets (I.B. Tauris, London, UK, 2013).
Habeeb was awarded the 2013 Saskatchewan Tourism Travel Media Award by the Saskatchewan Tourism on April 10, 2014 for his literary work on travel, tourism and the culinary arts of that province.
A Lure to the Distillery District in Toronto: Stirling Room
On my way to Stirling Room, strolling down a brick-paved street edged by charming restored Victorian-era buildings of Toronto's Distillery District, I felt that I was in a previous age - a time when the upper crest of society enjoyed culture and life more fully at a slower pace than our busy life in this modern age. From their times we today can relish the renovated Victorian architecture in its pedestrians-only aura - no modern traffic to mar … [Read more...]
From Jasper’s Icefields To Maligne Lake: A Panorama of majestic Colours
"You want to see the Jewels of Jasper National Park!? I suggest you take two tours: one to the Columbia Icefields; and the other to Maligne Lake. They are two gems set in one of the most beautiful spots on earth," a resident of the town of Jasper advised when I asked him what were the most important sites to see during our four day stay in one of Canada's most charming parks. Photo credit: Jasper Tourism I thought of these renowned … [Read more...]
The Mother of Canadian Shopping Plazas – The West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall, North America's largest covered shopping and entertainment centre and Alberta's number one tourist attraction draws some 31 million annual visitors. In this gigantic structure tourists and locals alike can take their families to an amusement park, skate in a large-sized skating rink, play a round of golf on a miniature golf course, and shop and eat in the more than 800 stores and restaurants - and do this all under one roof. … [Read more...]
Starting Early with the Philly Cheesteak: The Delicious Icon of Philadelphia
"Philly cheesesteak! Philly cheesesteak! You're always telling me that you can't wait until your son is old enough to enjoy a Philly cheesesteak!" Many times my grandson, Laith, would repeat these words to me about initiating his son to the delights of Philadelphia's famous sandwich. This day I thought that I would bring his wish to a happy conclusion. I invited my grandson and his family - his wife Maria and their almost two-year old son … [Read more...]
Varadero Golf Club – A Paradise for Golfers
"I must come back and enjoy this golf course!" my colleague sighed as we stood beside the 'Xanadu Mansion', the Club House of the Varadero Golf Club - Cuba's only 18-hole golf course. He went on, "Imagine we can combine a holiday by everyday romping on this beautiful beach with its talcum sand and relaxing waters then play [playing] a game of golf. It will be a perfect vacation for golfers seeking a fulfilling holiday." My colleague had a … [Read more...]
Stay in a Work of Art and Enjoy the Fun in its Melody Bar
The exterior of the Gladstone Hotel One going out in Toronto, Canada's largest city, to enjoy an evening of fun and tasty food will find no better place than the Gladstone Hotel and its Melody Bar. A unique renovated historical abode, it was built in 1889 and is the oldest still operating hotel in Canada. In 2005 it was re-launched as an art hotel with 37 rooms each designed by a different artist. With locally made furniture and its artist … [Read more...]
Casino Du Lac-Leamy: Offers ‘Lady Luck’ and Other Pleasures
Quebec Outaouais Casino du Lac Leamy We were excited as we walked in a glass walkway between the Hilton Hotel and the Casino Lac-Leamy located in the same complex in the city of Gatineau, across the river from Ottawa, Canada's Capital. This evening we were going to dine in the Casino's gourmet restaurant - one of the best dining places in the Ottawa Region - the only CAA/AAA Five Diamond ranked in the area. "Move quickly!" One of my … [Read more...]
Enjoying Sea and Sand in Varadero: A Catamaran Seafari
Through the years while visiting Cuba's resort spot Varadero, I have participated in its, many land and sea activities, but I had never taken a catamaran sea tour. However, today, this was to be remedied. I was on my way to join a catamaran safari - one of Varadero's top tourist offerings. Everything in Varadero, a town of some 8,000 inhabitants is geared toward foreign visitors. A spread-out town edged by 22 km (13.5 mi) of sugary- white … [Read more...]
Hangzhou: Marco Polo Called it the Most Magnificent City in the World
When I asked our guide to describe Hangzhou, he said: " We in China say, 'above is heaven; down here Hangzhou." His, were no idle words. They had a ring of truth. Marco Polo, the medieval traveller and the first Westerner to visit Hangzhou, was stunned with its beauty and described it as 'the City of Paradise.' China National Tourism has named it 'China's Best Tourist City' and other organizations have labelled it as 'China's Happiest … [Read more...]