March 15, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Tofino, Accommodation
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Looking for a place to stay in Tofino? I recently stayed at
Cox Bay Beach Resort and had an awesome time. Four things in particular made my experience ultra-enjoyable:
Hot tub near the beach: Even in the pouring March rain, the resort's hot tub rocked. It’s right near the beach, so I soaked in the view while soaking in the tub.
Beds: Soft mattresses, comfy pillows and super fluffy duvets. I’m not normally one to notice these things, but it was pretty cozy.
DIY Spa: To create my own personal spa sanctuary, I poured the sac of complimentary bath crystals into the gigantic soaker tub and set the heated tiles to high... the resort’s big white robe and candles took my budget-savvy relaxation night to a whole ‘nutha level.
Location: You can’t get much better than this. Set on Cox Bay, the resort is close to good surfing, an incredible beach/sunset viewing point (the trail is just a 10-minute walk through the woods), birdwatching and lots of sandy beach.
Next time, I’ll bring my bike, as I realized that Cox Bay is the southernmost point of the Tofino MUP (Multi-Use Path), making it easy to bike into town.
February 07, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Dining
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Checked out this great place in Yaletown last week called Raw Canvas. It is a funky space (brick walls, big wooden beams, long share tables, well-stocked bar) where you can have some tapas (cheese and meats), a drink (great wine selection) and then..the main event....you take your glass of wine to the other end of the room where there are 20 or 30 easels set up and smock-cloaked 'artists' creating magic on canvas. You choose/buy the size of canvas that suits your idea/budget and they set you up with an array of paints, brushes and other tips and techniques and you go for it. Great atmosphere as people check out each other's creations. We were really impressed with not only our piece, but with all the works of art heading home with their owners. It was fun for two, but would be great as a group outing. I kept thinking that it would be a great memory for anyone visiting Vancouver...maybe they could paint one of their favourite Vancouver landmarks, like we did.
January 04, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Galiano Island, Art Galleries & Artists
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On a recent trip to Galiano Island, I stopped by the Galiano Inn & Spa to check out the Kunamokst Mural Mosaic on display in their lobby.
It's impressive! The mural combines the work of nearly 200 artists (including some big-time names, such as Robert Bateman and Roy Vickers), and spans the width of the lobby. Up close, each panel is an individual work of art, but take a few steps back and it melds into a large Orca mural.
I had convinced a couple of friends that it was worth checking it out, and they both ended up being quite impressed by the detail and illusion created by the artwork.
This mural is a must-see for Galiano visitors... and the Sturdies Bay bakery is just down the street for a post-mural snack.
January 04, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Galiano Island, Art Galleries & Artists
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While browsing HelloBC.com for ideas of what to see on Galiano Island during our weekend cabin getaway, I found out about Stoneworld, and knew we had to visit. As an added bonus, the cabin we’d rented at was right next door (ie. a five minute walk) to Stoneworld – fantastic!
From our cabin, we strolled along the dirt road to Stoneworld’s entrance… only to find a “closed” sign on the gate. However, there was a phone number on the fence post, so we called and were pleasantly informed we could open the gate and wander about Stoneworld.
So what is Stoneworld? It’s a wonderfully quirky outdoor art display. Massive stones (they must weigh tons) stand on end, some randomly placed, some in a huge circle, some painted and some carved. We spent about an hour walking through the fields, while the resident sheep warily gazed at us in between bites of grass.
We followed wide paths that swooped upwards to the peak of Stoneworld, which held a solitary vertical rock (how do they get them to stand on end?) and well-placed benches to take in the view of the fields, stones, water and surrounding Gulf Islands.
It looked like there was a gift shop (near the owner’s house) with some rock carvings and artwork on-site, but unfortunately it wasn’t open during our visit. If you’re looking for a fun, non-gallery approach to artwork, I’d recommend popping by Stoneworld on northern Galiano Island near Bodega Ridge.
January 04, 2011 | Tips from Us >
Galiano Island, Hiking
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On New Year’s Day, five of us packed up sandwiches and headed to the Mount Galiano trailhead on the south end of Galiano Island.
The trail was mainly gentle switchbacks with lots of ferns and mossy trees lining the route. We were a little surprised that we didn’t see more hikers on our trip, but we did end up seeing two locals walking their horse down from the viewpoint – a unique trail companion!
A little under an hour from the trailhead, we reached the top (we missed a turn in one spot, but it all worked out). Once at the peak, we were treated to an amazing view: blue sky and sparkling water stretched between dark green forested islands – there were even snowy peaks in the distance. Soft, thick moss made the ultimate seat for our picnic lunch.
We spent almost an hour relaxing and watching Gulf Island life from the peak – bald eagles soaring below, and a BC Ferry navigating through the tight channels – before packing up our bags and trekking back down to our car. The view from the top of Mount Galiano (along with the good company) made this my most memorable New Year’s Day to date.
November 28, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Sightseeing Tours
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I had the pleasure of meeting driver and car collector Dale Mackie and checking out his very cool vintage cadillac while roaming around picturesque Royal Roads University. Turns out, in addition to weddings, he offers guided tours of Victoria through Classic Car Tours. Hop in the back seat, roll down the window and be swept back in time while exploring Victoria's beaches, the Fisherman's market, or heritage and historic sites, like Emily Carr House and Point Ellice House. We ended up parking at Equimalt Lagoon, which was a perfect way to end a relaxing Sunday drive.
November 28, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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Jolly good fun that the fine folks at the Inn at Laurel Point have created this swash-bucklin' treasure map for kids of all ages to roam around and discover the museum-quality art and other fine objects hidden in plain view throughout their Victoria waterfront hotel.
"Inn Search of Treasure" is available for staying pirates... I mean, guests and can be found at the front desk... if ya dare look for it!
October 08, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
I just completed a three night stay at Victoria''s newest hotel, the
Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa. All suites and in a fabulous location right across from St Ann's Academy and steps away from the downtown core, this property is perfect for families and people who love new, modern and are interested in their environment. Green at the Parkside however does not mean lean and the amenties are top notch. I especially loved the heated floor in the bathroom as well as two fireplaces and two flat screen tvs in my one bedroom suite! The restaurant wasn't open yet but having a kitchen provided a good alternative. The near by Browns Social House also does great take out! Check out the Parkside next time you are looking for a great getaway, I think you'll like it.
August 20, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Accommodation
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I had the opportunity to stay the night at the
Queen Victoria in downtown Victoria. This older property is super convenietly located across the street from the Royal BC Museum and I would definetly recommend it. The room I was in was spacious and had not one, but two, balconies....a bit of a rarity in hotels. The hotel was busy with tour groups, but as a single traveller, I enjoyed the buzz that they brought. Had dinner and breakfast in the hotel's acclaimed Samuel's Restaurant which has been turning out yummy food for over 30 years. Great service, great view, great food. All in all, a very pleasant stay.
August 17, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Victoria, Gardens
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As a former tour guide, I have had the opportunity to visit Victoria's
Butchart Gardens many many times as an escort to groups. This trip however was with my 10 year old daughter who had never been. She loved it and I saw it through a young person's amazed eyes. The real treat for me was going on the boat tour that departs from the foot of the Japanese Gardens. This 45-minute tour (on an electric boat) takes passengers on a trip around the periphery of the Gardens to where the property's original cement plant was located. The scenery was stunning and our captain told us area and Butchart family history. Can't remember exactly what we paid (think it was around $30 for both of us) but it was well worth it and highly recommended. It also provides a nice break from the heat on a hot day, and the crowds on a busy one! Thank you Butchart Team for a great product offering!