July 24, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Culinary Tours & Schools
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On a recent overnight trip to Whistler my husband and I decided we wanted to go for breakfast at a non chain-type restaurant. We left our hotel and headed to the Whistler Village. On the way we drove right by a small restaurant called the Southside Diner. The Diner is located below a Youth hostel and provides a riveting view of the Husky gas station so we drove by it without a second glance. After wandering around the village for a couple of hours we decided there wasn't an eatery there that fit the bill for what we wanted. We decided to head back towards Vancouver and see what we could find. As we approached the corner where the Southside Diner is I commented that it looked busy, and that was usually a good sign. Besides, at that point I could have eaten straw and been happy. We gave it a try. What a brilliant decision it was. The service was exceptional and the food was great. No one raised an eyebrow when we ordered breakfast at 1:15 in the afternoon. The place was packed with lots of locals so you know it had to be good food, good service, and good prices! I think this restaurant is the hidden restaurant gem in Whistler. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and it is a perfect place to enjoy the local atmosphere.
July 23, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Attractions
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A trip up to Whistler is always busy busy busy. There is so much to do there. It is difficult to decide what to participate in when you are there for a short stay. One thing is for certain, you are guaranteed to be tired and hungry by the end of the day. After playing 18 holes of golf and then going out for dinner, I wanted some peace and quiet and some time to unwind. We found the perfect spot to do that at the Nita Lake Lodge. This boutique hotel is fairly new to the Whistler area and is a little oasis in an otherwise bustling town. It offered all the amenities we were looking for including an upscale restaurant as well as a Bistro type coffee shop. The hotel itself is situated across the street (highway 99) from Whistler’s Creekside gondola. It is right on Nita Lake so we woke up to a very calming lakeside view. I would certainly agree with the staff when they say they have the best back yard in Whistler. For me this hotel had it all and more. The staff were great, very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and all there was to do. You are situated close enough to the Whistler Village to enjoy all it has to offer, yet the hotel’s location is quiet and relaxing. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle back and forth to the village so you can have that second glass of wine or if you like, take full advantage of Whistler’s night life. Then, when you are ready to call it a day, the shuttle will take you back to a little piece of hotel heaven.
July 17, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Chilliwack, Hot Springs
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We've traveled to PEI, N.B., Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Palm Srings, Maui, Nashville, Vancouver Is., In catagories of relative to cost, experience, stress, variety, these rate second to what can be experienced in Harrison Hot Springs.
Maybe you have to pick your days, like what we're experiencing now. It's not far from Vancouver and you have lakes, golf, beach - sand castles, marine craft activities. The Harrison Hot Springs Hotel has to be the best around because of their location, many rooms with a view. When it snows, you've got skiing not a far drive away. There's hot springs pool open for the public. Of course, the pools in the hotel are second to none.
If you're going to be in Harrison on a Sunday, there's a cool church only walking distance from the hotels and B&B's.
July 11, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Kelowna, Golf
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In September 2005, my wife & I went to Kelowna. Of course, my plans were to golf at least one round of golf while there, which I did with my cousin who had recently moved there. He was actually a Marshall at the Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club in Kelowna. It was a beautiful day. The course was right in the city at the bottom end of the Mountain Range that overlooks the city. I had golfed a bit that summer as I had retired in April so I was anxious to play at Sunset. My experience was fantastic.
The course was impeccable. The greens were pristeen and the tee-boxes were great. I didn't really have my best of the year that day, but I enjoyed spending some time with my cousin., playing on his golf course, so to speak. There were some very challenging holes - tough bunkers and the like. I found the greens to be very lush as were the fairways. Lots of up and down play, but that was okay, as we rode that day. I would recommend this golf course to anyone who comes to visit the Kelowna area.
July 10, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Penticton, Golf
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Living in the Okanagan has its advantages, and being able to golf practically year round is definitely one of them!
I live in Penticton, which boasts a number of beautiful golf courses, and one of my favorites has to be Sage Mesa with its outstanding lake and city views.
We try to get out at least a few times a month during the peak season (so pretty much April until November and longer if we are lucky J)
It is a nine-hole golf course that offers a challenging game, with a great mix of holes from par 3, to par 5 shots, with the majority being par 4. It is a nice wide and open golf course (leaving me plenty or room for error J)
You have a sense of being out on the dessert, being surround by lots of sagebrush, and clay banks, but those lake views are incredible!
July 10, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Golf
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Chuck and I took a 5 day cruise from Seattle to Nanaimo and Victoria last fall. As always when we travel, we took our travel golf bags with 5 clubs - putter, driver, #2 or #3 fairway wood, #7 iron and pitching wedge.
I looked on the internet before leaving, and found golf courses we wanted to play, called ahead and made our reservations. As we disembarked, other passengers were wistfully thinking out loud, "Gee, I wish I would have thought of that!"
My most memorable moment (as it was a first for me) was at Olympic View Golf Course in Victoria, where I made a 68 yard chip in on the 8th hole!
July 08, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Ferry
I wil at Seattle Wa next week July 13 to July 22 and need inf about how I and my wife can get to Vancouver by ferries in the less expensive way.
Thks
July 02, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Vancouver, Biking
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The newest addition to my household is a burgundy, five-gear, Amsterdam-style bicycle. It’s not exactly suited to the few (okay, the many) hills that are scattered throughout Vancouver, but it cruises along flat routes. Solution? The seawall.
The Stanley Park seawall loops 8.8 km around the park and is must-do for Vancouver locals and visitors alike. It’s paved, which makes it a great place for a bike ride – especially if you’re looking to avoid hills.
You can also walk or rollerblade around the seawall; the pedestrian path is separate from the “wheel” path (bikes, rollerblades, skateboards) to keep things safe.
As I’m biking I like to keep my eyes on the sky and the water to look for wildlife that’s out and about. Today I saw six herons fishing, a bald eagle sitting on a rock by Third Beach, and loads of crows cracking mussels.
No seals spotted on this particular ride, but I do notice their glossy heads peeking out of the water quite often. If it’s low tide, I like to pull over to look for bright purple sea stars hanging onto the rocks (or hanging halfway out of a greedy seagull’s gaping mouth).
Some tips for first-time seawall users:
- There are lots of bike and rollerblade rental places near Denman and Georgia Street.
- If you’re on wheels, ride the seawall in a counterclockwise direction. That means starting from Denman and Georgia and working your way towards English Bay. There is a large one-way section in the middle and you don’t want to be going the wrong way.
- If you’re walking, stay off the “wheel” path and watch for oncoming traffic when crossing that path. Pedestrians can walk around the seawall in either direction.
- Bring your camera! There are great views of the mountains, water, beaches and the city along the way.
- Head out in the morning when it’s least busy – it makes for a very relaxing ride.
- When you’ve finished and have worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat on Denman Street. There is a huge variety of food here, including sushi, pizza, falafel – even a shop that sells nothing but cupcakes. My personal favourite is to order pizza to go from Nat’s New York Pizzeria and eat on the beach or grass in English Bay.
For a map of the seawall, as well as some of the landmarks and nature you’d see along the way, visit: http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/
July 01, 2008 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Attractions
In chetwynd there are alot of attractions! including the july drag races at the airport. Fishing and a shooting range also bring fun to this small town!