April 16, 2009 | Tips from Us >
New Westminster, Dining
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If you're looking for a upscale accommodation conveniently located outside the Vancouver city core, you need look no further than New Westminster. The recently revamped Inn at Westminster Quay sports a spectacular face lift beginning with the addition of a bright, fresh tropical palate to it's lobby accented with the warmth of candlelight in the evening and comfy lounges to relax in, offset by an open-air feeling compliments of the vaulted ceilings and balcony overlooking the check-in area! There's also a great business centre and gym cover all your needs away from home and office.
Situated on the boardwalk, overlooking the Fraser River, rooms feature a spectacular waterfront view. And speaking of rooms, you no longer have to head to Yaletown to experience modern elegance and upscale, urban style, as each guest room has been completely refurbished with an exciting accents of jewel tone colours, offering some fabulous luxuries like fluffy bathrobes, flat-screen LCD TV's, Cutler Salon Bath ammenities and rain shower heads to name a few. You'll feel pampered in luxury!
Also conveniently located in the hotel is the Boathouse Restaurant & Lounge complimented by Al Fresco dining in the warmer months and spectacular views of the Fraser. We enjoyed an amazing mixture of appetizers including some scrumtuous coconut shrimp and a pot of steamed clams in a delectable sauce along with a loaf of oven-fresh sour dough bread to soak up every last drop!
The staff are friendly and professional and excited to show off all the new changes to their hotel! Whether you're on business or looking for a nice weekend getaway, I'd highly recommend you consider a stay at the Inn at Westminster Quay next time you venture out!
April 16, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Attractions
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Last Sunday I visited Vancouver's Anglican Christ Church Cathedral for the first time, to attend an evening Compline service, a Gregorian Chant. It was a calming and relaxing conclusion to the weekend and the beautiful music in a beautiful setting was appreciated.
An interesting note: For runners participating in this weekend's 10-km Sun Run who are looking for some spiritual preparation at the start line, The Cathedral is offering a special 8am service on Sunday. No promises on a faster finish time but angel wings might help carry you the distance!
April 05, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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When I first moved to Vancouver one of the things that impressed me the most about the city is that there's a defining moment when you know that spring has finally arrived. Two years on, I still look forward to the time when the city literally blossoms and explodes with colour and pinkness for the first time.
Visiting Vancouver at the end of March and beginning of April is always a treat - the crocus are out, and the cherry blossoms line every street. Their arrival ushers in warmer and longer days and it somehow lifts everything. The city also holds its annual
Cherry Blossom Festival too - lots of music, events and celebrations around town.
Here's a picture taken just off of Granville and 7th in Vancouver - I think it's fair to say that spring has truly sprung!
April 01, 2009 | Tips from Us >
Vancouver, Museums
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I had the opportunity to be toured around the
Vancouver Maritime Museum in Vanier Park this morning. I have to admit that it had been awhile since I had been through the museum. I fully expected to be awed by the size and historic significance of the RCMP Arctic Schooner, St. Roch and I knew I would be fondly reminded of the educational richness of the exhibits featuring shipwrecks, fireboats, pirates, deep-sea exploration, the old CP steam liners...and I was....but what I didn't realize is that the current Vancouver Maritime Museum is much more than a look at our maritime past - it is very much about learning from our past as we look forward to our
future. The newest exhibit is called Melt Down and it is a look at how oceans react to global warming. Visitors learn about changing marine ecosystems, the uncertain future of salmon stocks, CO2 emissions, carbon footprints and various concepts about sustainability. I was very impressed and wished I had hours to digest all the great information contained within this fascinating building. The picture in this blog shows the difference in size of the Arctic summer ice in 1997 (all the white bit) and then the Arctic summer ice in 2007 (smaller bit of white outlined).