Destinations
Solstice Masts Clipped To Clear Lions Gate Bridge
One of the bigger cruise ships on the seas will soon make its way to Vancouver for the first time -- after getting some corrective surgery on its tallest masts. The Celebrity Solstice is scheduled to sail on the Alaska route from Vancouver this summer, bringing its capacity of 2,850 passengers into the waters of Burrard Inlet for docking at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal. It had previously been prevented from doing so by masts that would have made contact with the Lions Gate Bridge. Those masts have been altered to allow the ship to pass under the...
No-Charge Tuesdays
Storm season on the west coast of Vancouver Island is at its most scenic on the beaches near Tofino, and one of the top places to stroll the windswept sand is at the Long Beach Lodge. Guests can lower the price of a visit by booking a three-night stay that includes a Tuesday night, because that night will be free. Other nights will be at seasonal rates starting at $199/night for a standard lodge room, with rates rising from there for deluxe beachfront lodge rooms and Rainforest Cottages from $329 per night. The deal is available until March...
Christians Rally Behind Egypt
The Egyptian Tourism Authority reports a worldwide Christian women’s association has organized a worship celebration for Egypt on March 7. The Women’s World Day Prayers, which dates back to 1812, reports the service of the celebration is written by Egyptian women under the theme of “Streams in the desert.” “They will introduce their country on a human scale as they live,” says the tourism authority. “More than 170 countries around the world and 2,000 communities across Canada will gather on the World Day of Prayer to pray and act in solidarity with the people of...
Building The Perfect Retreat
Check out this week's Travel Courier cover story that sees Arctic Kingdom -- http://www.ArcticKingdom.com -- inviting southerners to take part in a Nunavut block party of sorts. The Iqaluit-based tour operator is inviting those visiting Nunavut's capital in spring to spend a day building an igloo, a dwelling that long provided a cozy home for those in the High North. The tour operator says ideally at least four people, but as few as two can undertake the festive, “quintessential Arctic activity” that Arctic Kingdom's Jason Hillier says doesn't require previous home-building...
More Comfort On Rides Up Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb plans to make the journey into the alpine from Whistler village a lot more enjoyable, with new eight-passenger gondola cabins announced. They will be installed on the Whistler Village Gondola, the workhorse lift that is the starting point to reach the network of lifts higher up on Whistler Mountain. In the new cabins, eight passengers will be able to sit comfortably with their gear in outside racks, with reduced vibration and noise over lift towers. The cabins will be installed during September and October for the winter 2014/2015...
Romance Is In The Air
Hawaii’s Aston Hotels & Resorts has introduced special spring romance packages and offers at two landmark Waikiki hotels, Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel and Aston’s newest Waikiki destination, the designer boutique Hotel Renew by Aston. Travellers can enjoy complimentary amenities and extras like sparkling wine, valet parking and even dinner -- all for sharing the love with Aston. The following are some of the special offers available: !!! Suite Deal: Book an Aloha Suite at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel and receive a $100 gift card to the hotel’s popular Tiki’s Grill & Bar...
Toronto Just Gets Better
Tourism Toronto reports that the city hit record level arrival numbers in 2013, welcoming its highest number of international visitors and selling the most hotel room nights ever. And for the third year in a row Toronto saw an increase in overnight visitors from the US. Tourism Toronto's estimates for 2013 show that Toronto welcomed a total of 13.69 million overnight visitors led by growth in international visitor arrivals. The 1.42 million visitors who arrived from overseas markets (all countries other than Canada and the U.S.) was the highest figure ever. A further 2.18 million...
Seven Nights For Five At Big White
Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley is now offering a discounted accommodation deal, with a seven-night stay available for the cost of five nights. Guests who book five nights at Big White get two free nights of skiing and accommodations. The deal is applicable to any of resort’s full service hotels and ski-in/ski-out lodges. The offer is valid until the end of the season in April, and guests should quote KO/1314 when...