March 07, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Skiing & Snowboarding
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I can't think of a better place to be on a sunny, warm day in March, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Grouse Mountain or any of the North Shore mountains for that matter!) Can you?
November 25, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Dining
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Traveling to Vancouver and want to enjoy a fine meal, in an informal, yet intimate setting, personally served to you by one of Vancouver's finest chefs? Then sign up for one of Edible British Columbia's many great events...including Cooking with BC's Best which I attended last night.
Vikram Vij, one of Vancouver's finest chefs, most gracious hosts, owner of Vij's and Rangoli, and generally enteraining guy, taught us some Indian cooking basics and took the intimidation right out of the preparation. Five delicious courses later (including three different curries), including each of the 20 guests attempting to make their own Naan bread, and accompanied by Eric Pateman of Edible BC's carefully chosen beer and wine accompaniments for each course (including two delicious, hard to get Orofino whites), we were fat and happy and ready to take advantage of Eric's kind gift of discounts on the delectable BC-only products sold in the Edible BC store.
The Edible BC store is in the heart of the Granville Island market and features an assortment of BC artisan-made culinary delights from sea salt, to jam, to marinated cherries, to hazelnut oil, to adventurous organic chocolate bars and everything in between. These make great gifts to take home to your family and friends who will be jealous of your trip to this foodies destination.
Find out more about Edible BC and the great events it hosts including chef for a day, shop like a chef, cooking with BC's best, gourmet kayaking and more at:
http://www.edible-britishcolumbia.com/
August 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Tofino, Beaches & Swimming
Late fall and winter are great times to visit Tofino on BC's wild, west coast.
This video compilation was put together after a terrific long weekend spent in Tofino storm watching in November 2006. Most days were clear, cool blue skies with tormented seas.
Accommodations were excellent - we stayed at the Middle Beach Lodge which has a terrific and comfortable common area (great place to warm up and play board games after a refreshing stroll on the beach) and easy beach access.
We dined at various restaurants but my favourites were Sobo for down to earth, well priced, delicious simple seafood (think Thai seafood tacos, polenta fried for about $10) and the Raincoast Cafe for finer dining (refined west coast cuisine in a comfortable, non-pretentious setting).
But alas we could not pass up enjoying a drink at the Wickininnish - superb setting, magnificent, dramatic view, prices to match.
Also enjoyed a jaunt to up Ucluelet and had great Halibut and Chips in a little road side diner called Smiley's. You can eat and go bowling at the same time!
February 26, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Mayne Island, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Great kayaking - for all levels - can be found throughout the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. My personal favourite trip this past summer was a guided tour with Blue Vista Kayaking on Mayne Island. We launched from Bennett Bay and had a 3 hour paddle around some beautiful islets that form part of the Reserve. The water clarity was amazing so we saw lots of underwater marine life - including spiny sea stars. The icing on the cake was seeing seals and their cubs.
February 26, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Tofino, Hiking
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Looking for a short, easy, beautiful hike through Pacific Rim National Park to a secluded little beach? Find the South Beach Trail (1.5 kl round trip) departing from just behind the Wickaninnish Beach and Interpretive Centre.
This easy to walk trail will take you past some curious looking flora as you make your way towards a small sandy beach, alive with dramatic crashing Pacific Ocean waves. This is a great little hideway for a romantic picnic.