June 21, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Accommodation
View a larger image on flickr.com
Wrapping up a very busy week at work, we decided to stay downtown Friday night and have our own "staycation" at the new Fairmont Pacific Rim. What a delight!!! Possibly the nicest hotel room I have ever stayed in, the quality of the property was only surpassed by the view from our Japanese soaker tub. Absolutely breathless - view of the north shore mountains, Canada Place and cruise ships.
The high tech contraptions satisfied our curious nature and the coffee machine was so good I'm on the hunt for one to purchase.
If you can bring yourself to leave your room, also try out the great gym, Willow Stream Spa and one of the best outdoor pool and patio in the city. The scones at the local cafe Giovanes (anyone with the first or last name G must get your photo taken there!)
Thanks Fairmont Pacific Rim! We will be back!
June 18, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Accommodation
View a larger image on flickr.com
I opted to stay at
Nita Lake Lodge during a recent trip to Whistler. The Lodge is located near Whistler's Creekside area which is about 5 minutes from Whistler Village. The rooms were large and very welcoming - super comfortable beds and a very very large bathroom, complete with soaker tub! I had a view of the lake and enjoyed coffee in the morning on my deck. They have 3 food options in the lodge - The Fix (for coffee and insanely good granola etc.); The Cure (for cocktails and light snacks) and Aura for finer dining. We had a great lunch on the patio overlooking the lake so for dinner we opted to go to the nearby Rim Rock Cafe. To our great delight, the Lodge has a complementary shuttle so we didn't have to drive! Unforgettable meal followed by a great night's sleep. I will be back and when I return, I will also have to enjoy their spa, set to open Summer 2010.
June 18, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Spas & Wellness
Find more information about Whistler - Spas & Wellness
While in Whistler the other day I had the great fortune to visit the newly opened (January 2010) Scandinave Spa, located just a few minutes north of Whistler Village. It happened to be a gorgeous day, but I don't think it would matter what the weather was - you would still love this unique experience of going from the eucalyptus steam room to a series of outdoor hot tubs, cold plunge pools, a large sauna, and a handful of solariums where you sit to relax. And relax you will as the house rule is "Silence"....no Blackberrys, no cell phones and no chatter. Just solitude and fantastic forest surroundings. I think it will be very cool (literally) in the winter when there is snow everywhere....except on the heated paths between the pools. How neat is that?! Anyhow, its a not to be missed Whistler experience in my...relaxed and slightly jello-y legged opinion! Next time I am opting to book a massage too.
June 08, 2010 | Tips from Us >
West Vancouver, Hiking
Find more information about West Vancouver - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
The snow line is dropping, which means hiking season on the coast has begun. First hike of the year for me was up to Eagle Ridge bluffs in West Vancouver. The trailhead is in Nelson Canyon Park (take Exit 4 to Westport Rd).
The route starts by following the TransCanada Trail, but then branches off to the Whyte Lake Trail. Whyte Lake itself is small, but has an awesome log barge that will be put to good use in summer. We stopped to chat with a family fishing for trout in the lake (they'd caught three).
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the outhouse. Why? Because it’s swanky (or as swanky as an outhouse can be). It’s like a mini log cabin. A must-use.
Whyte Lake Trail hooks up with the Baden Powell Trail, which leads to Eagle Ridge bluffs. It was windy up top, so we had a quick lunch (which was eyed quite carefully by the resident raven), and then headed back down.
Total time for the trip was 5 hours (3 up, 2 down), and most of the route is in the woods. The forest floor was thick with ferns, mossy trees stretched overload, and fallen trees or man-made boardwalks crossed over streams. One huge boulder field mid-route and the bluffs themselves add an element of scrambling.
After the trip, my hiking partner and I commented on the number of families out on the trail – so cool! It's great to see kids out enjoying nature, especially nature in their own backyard.
May 25, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Ucluelet, Hiking
Find more information about Ucluelet - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
I absolutely love
Ucluelet - it's got the same charm but more character than Tofino and plenty of stunning hikes and beaches to explore. One of the best things to do in "Ukee" (besides having a "Ukee dog" and going to the Aquarium which is one of the best tiny tin-hut aquariums on the planet) is taking in the amazing walks along the
Wild Pacific Trail.
A great, one-hour easy hike is the Lighthouse Loop, which takes wanderers through forests and along amazing rocky coastline for about 2.4km. Perfect to watch waves crashing, birds soaring above or even deer crossing the paths. It's one of my fave things to do in BC and didn't disappoint when I was there in mid-May.
You can also pick up the Wild Pacific Trail from near the
Black Rock Ocean Front Resort. Black Rock is a new, stunning, modern hotel resort perched atop amazing cliffs and near shell- and driftwood-covered beaches. Sneak out through the side door of their excellent restaurant Fetch and you'll join up with another 3km of trails that run from Big and Brown Beaches.
Had to say I was blown away by Black Rock. The rooms face the ocean and if you're lucky enough to do some storm watching (a great way to enjoy a blustery day and we had a doozy while we were there - but then sunshine the next day!), you'll be able to see amazing waves and even a few cheeky otters. I saw four munching on clams from my balcony!
We were there during a power outage (as a result of the storm) and it was actually so much fun - the hotel gave us flashlights and we dined by candlelight. Amazing views, amazing rooms, amazing access to the Wild Pacific Trail. Such a highlight of our recent Vancouver Island roadtrip - Ukee is a real gem.
May 17, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Tofino, Whale Watching
Find more information about Tofino - Whale Watching
View a larger image on flickr.com
A day out on the water with Jamie's Whalewatching means more than whales, though they are undoubtedly the star attraction. We certainly saw a few lovely grey whales spouting and showing off from aboard our covered 65-foot cruiser (nice and warm, and there was coffee, tea and hot chocolate!). The greys were feeding near Tofino's Long Beach, which the on-board Jamie's staff explained was a good spot these days (mid-May).
But we also saw eagles, some super-speedy black harbour porpoises, a lone harbour seal and dozens of barking Steller sea lions on our three-hour trip.
And the best bit? Marine animals don't really care if it's raining (and it was for us) - so you're pretty much guaranteed some good sightings with Jamie's no matter what! A great day out on the Tofino waters...
May 15, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Parksville, Accommodation
View a larger image on flickr.com
Been meaning to stay at Parksville's in-the-woods/on-the-beach lovely resort, Tigh-Na-Mara for a while, and finally had a chance during our recent roadtrip across Vancouver Island. Was fab - our ocean-view sat practically right on the ocean overlooking the amazing Rathtrevor Beach. When the tide is out on Rathtrevor, there's a sand beach covered in blacky-purple sand-dollars, clams and seaweed that goes on for almost literally, MILES. (I know, I walked out until I hit surf and it took about 45 minutes).
After our relaxing beach walk, we met up with friends and had a drink and pub food at TNM's bar, the Copper Room. But the best bit? Why not relax even more after a relaxing day? We did! We headed to the Grotto Spa to sit in the spa's mineral pool and jacuzzi. Great way to unwind by the ocean. (Not to mention that just past Parksville is the quaint little town of Qualicum Beach - which is also worth a visit). A great day out in Oceanside.
February 24, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Whistler, Skiing & Snowboarding
Find more information about Whistler - Skiing & Snowboarding
Congratulations to ski-cross superstar Ashleigh McIvor who won gold on Feb 23 at the Olympics, representing her home town of
Whistler. Ashleigh was also a spokesperson for our awesome
Great Mountain Giveaway. Have a peek at this video with Ashleigh (chatting with the voice of a US interviewer, lol) and she talks about BC's ski resorts, what it's like to ski in BC and about her sport of ski-cross.
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Professional & Spectator Sports
Find more information about Vancouver - Professional & Spectator Sports
View a larger image on flickr.com
Vancouverites love their hockey (like all Canadians) – especially their Canucks. I’ve been to a handful of games and each time I have a blast. The fans are at once boisterous and respectful (jesting at the opposing team’s fans – especially Calgary Flames – but still polite to their fellow Canuck seat-neighbors. We are Canadian after all). I love when the mascot Fin playfully bites the heads of fans (the picture shown is of him going in for a "bite") and Mark Donnelly sings the national anthem! Lately the stadium announcer will belt out “Wooooo” after each Canuck goal, which is then repeated back by the fans. It’s addicting – you can’t not do it!
Vancouver is also home to a WHL team, the Giants. I haven't been to a game yet but here’s what my colleague Karen had to say about it: “At the Giants game I went to there were no business guys in suits heading to the game, it was lots of families and tons of people in jerseys...What I loved most was that there was so much entertainment in between periods: two golf carts on the ice, two blimps flying around, t-shirts being shot at the crowd, coupons dropping from the sky, and even a hamburger tossed out as a prize by the mascot...Impossible to be bored!”
If you prefer to hit the ice yourself, lace up your skates on one of Vancouver’s outdoor rinks. Grouse Mountain (in North Vancouver) has an 8,000 square foot pond high above the city, while Robson Square (downtown Vancouver) is a smaller rink but it’s free and right in the heart of the action (skate rentals are $3.00).
During the next two weeks though NHL team rivalries will be dropped and all Canadians will be cheering for their home country. We’d love to hear your pick on who will win men’s hockey gold. Post your picks/comments below!
Go Canada Go!!
February 16, 2010 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
Find more information about Vancouver - Art Galleries & Artists
View a larger image on flickr.com
One of my Olympic must-do activities was seeing the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit, “The Mechanics of Man”, at the Vancouver Art Gallery. On Sunday a colleague and I checked things out and although the line-up was long – we waited about 45 minutes – seeing the exhibit was worth it for me.
DaVinci’s anatomical drawings of the human body are incredibly detailed and beautifully etched. They are on yellowed sheets of paper, standard notebook size, and I was surprised to see how intact they actually were. I learned that some drawings have not been surpassed to date and others were the first-known accurate depictions (like his drawing of the spinal column). Pretty amazing stuff!
On every drawing DaVinci made cramped notes in Latin, which are written in his favored “mirror-style” way (ie: backwards). Each drawing had an accompanying description that explained which parts of the body we were looking at, his drawing techniques and methods, as well as other interesting information (such as how he made some discoveries two centuries before anyone else did).
Larger replicas of some drawings are placed on the walls and offer closer observation. Also splashed across the walls are random quotes by DaVinci. Overall, the exhibit was pretty amazing – I’m sure both biology nerds and art lovers will love it – and clearly very fitting for the Olympics!