Destinations
Discover the real New Zealand
Boomerang Tours is offering travellers a chance to experience a small group tour with its new local operator MoaTrek. The operator is not only a new addition to this year's line-up, but also available exclusively from Boomerang. David Boign, vice-president of Boomerang Tours, explained that each MoaTrek group has a maximum of 18 guests. Small and personal groups offer opportunities to meet the locals -- farmers, winemakers, gardeners and chefs. There are special occasion lunches and dinners in wonderful locations with warm hosts and fine wine and food included in the tour cost. As well, there...
Iconic Victoria hotel rebuilt, soon to open
Opening this fall, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel will be Victoria's newest, yet one of its most historically rich hotels. Guests can consider booking the "Putting on the Ritz"package for the hotel's grand opening. Guests will be greeted by a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, starting a stay with one night's accommodation in a king or double queen guest room, breakfast for two, full access to the seaside therapeutic mineral pools/fitness centre and dinner for two in the David Foster Foundation Dinner Theatre. Room rates start at $199 p.p....
Third annual Big Island film fest set for January
The Waimea Ocean Film Festival is a dynamic, world-class film festival held on Hawaii's Big Island each January. The event includes films, breakfast talks, Q&As with filmmakers, presentations, receptions, art exhibits and morning activities, such as paddling and yoga on the beach. Designed to be fun and inspiring, the festival also brings increased understanding and awareness of the ocean and island culture. The third annual edition of the festival will take place Jan. 3-6 at Waimea and the Kohala Coast, and Jan. 8-11 at the Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai....
Sunwing unveils US collection
With the Canadian dollar retaining its strength against the US dollar, more Canadians are flocking south of the border for their vacation than ever before and to keep up with this demand Sunwing has expanded its US program with the debut of its new "USA Collection"brochure. Sunwing continues to offer flights, hotels and vacation packages to such destinations as Florida and Las Vegas. Travellers booking Florida with Sunwing can take advantage of flights and packages to Orlando, St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as a range of hotel and resort offerings in nearby cities such...
Excitement builds in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is gearing up for an exciting fall with a host of special events planned. Kicking things off is the Hong Kong Mid-Autumn Festival, which runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2, and marks the ancient Chinese Harvest Festival and features traditional lanterns merging with the city's trademark neon beneath which fiery dragons dance through the busy streets and a full moon shines down on the revellers. Food always takes the limelight through the fall, and this year will be extra-special due to the 10th staging of The Best of the Best Culinary Awards, co-organized by the Hong Kong Tourist Board...
Over 3,000 attend second annual Food & Wine Fest
The second annual Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, held Sept. 6-9, was deemed a success by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The four-day epicurean festival hosted more than 60 world-class chefs, four master sommeliers, top-tier winemakers, local farmers and artisan food producers and innovators from across the Pacific. The festival attracted more than 3,000 attendees to special events held at The MODERN Honolulu, Halekulani, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Ko Olina Resort with Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa....
Eat, stay, love with yoga at Loden, Vancouver
In celebration of International Yoga Month in September, Vancouver's Loden Hotel invites travellers to channel their inner yogi with its "Eat, Stay, Love"package. Through Sept. 30, the package features Garden Terrace room rates starting at $259 nightly, double occupancy. It includes an in-room yoga mat, dedicated yoga channel, unlimited access to the Loden's infrared sauna and daily in-room orange juice delivery. Guests can up the add on a private yoga session with a professional trainer for $125 more. This must be confirmed at the time of booking, at least 72 hours before the requested time....
Dinos extend their stay at Royal BC Museum
The dinosaurs at the Royal BC Museum don't want summer to end, so they are staying an extra two weeks, until Sept. 30. The exhibition "Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries"is being held over due to its popularity. Visits to the museum are up by 14% over last summer. The two-week extension of the exhibition should be good news for local families that have spent summer away, as well as for tourists visiting in the early shoulder season and for local schools that may not have gone in the spring....