American Cruise Line will sail to Alaska for the first time in 2012, offering small-ship adventures along Alaska's Inside Passage aboard the American Spirit. With a maximum of 150 passengers on each sailing, guests are treated to an intimate onboard atmosphere on small ships designed to navigate calm, narrow inland waterways. Seven-night, round-trip cruises from Juneau and 11-night, one-way cruises between Juneau and Seattle travel into Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord, visiting Sitka, Hoonah and Petersburg. Complimentary shore tours are offered at each port of call....
Kauai's acclaimed Poipu Bay Golf Course, situated on the island's sunny south shore, has introduced a new "Tee For Two"program designed specifically for couples who want to enjoy an afternoon round on the course at a great value. Tee For Two allows couples to play an 18-hole round for US$125 (plus tax) p.p. -- a substantial savings over Poipu Bay's standard rate of US$240. The special rate includes rental clubs (a US$55 value p.p.), if needed, featuring the course's brand new Callaway RAZR X clubs. Tee times for the program are offered daily from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. only, and couples will be...
In BC's protected Khutzeymateen Valley, northeast of Prince Rupert, two eco-friendly outdoor adventure operators provide the best vantage points to watch grizzlies -- from a respectable distance. May through July, Prince Rupert Adventure Tours operates daily six-hour excursions into the "Valley of the Grizzly"in Chatham Sound. Alternatively, Bluewater Adventures offers the seven-day Discover the North Coast/Khutzeymateen journey. It promises a spectacular exploration of northern glacial fjords and estuary ecosystems. Onboard naturalists and a local bear guide provide keen insight along the...
Just in time for spring and summer travel are two Hawaiian specially priced packages from Courtyard Kaua'i at Coconut Beach, making its recently renovated and revamped property the ultimate oasis for a family vacation, honeymoon, or girlfriend's getaway. Guests can choose from the Mai Tais and Sunrises package through June 15 or the Sun Kissed Kaua'i from June 15 to Sept. 15. Mai Tais & Sunrises includes: Mai Tai welcome, early arrival, late departure, upgrade to next view room category (caps at Ocean View), Garden View to Pool View, Pool View to Ocean View, Ocean View to Premium Ocean View,...
The 521-room Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club has recently completed a $5 million room renovation that includes guestrooms updated with flat-screen TVs; island inspired weaves, textures and motifs with a contemporary twist; specially designed bed décor; Hawaiian kappa patterned carpeting; new artwork featuring local artists; and contemporary lighting. In addition, the hotel redesigned its waterfall fronting Ala Moana Boulevard; new carpet and furnishings have been installed at Prince Court and Hakone restaurants; and Wi-Fi service is now available for guests in all rooms as well...
Banff National Park's popular outdoor summer concert, "Performance in the Park", now in its third year, will host Montreal's Sam Roberts Band in Banff's Cascade Gardens June 23. Performance in the Park - produced with Parks Canada, The Banff Centre and Banff Lake Louise Tourism - kicked off in 2010 to celebrate the destination's mountain heritage and the importance of sustainability in protected Canadian places. Each concert has proved successful with ticket sales reaching maximum capacity. The Sam Roberts Band will be accompanied by folk-rock singer/songwriter Dan Mangan of BC, who is a Juno...
Following a $6.5 million renovation, the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa now features newly enhanced guest rooms. The 508-room resort has upgraded its in-room features with plush carpeting, traditional Hawaiian artwork, delicate drapery, freshly painted walls in warm hues, new tropical furnishings and newly installed wireless Internet....
In celebration of the civil unions bill that took effect on Jan. 1, Aqua Hotels and Resorts created the "C U at Aqua"package, which is perfect for LGBT travellers. This package is available at 12 participating Aqua hotels in Waikiki and includes a guaranteed king or queen bed, one Kama Sutra Getaway Love Kit, a box of chocolate macadamia nuts, a bottle of champagne, a coupon for a Mai Tai cocktail, and more....
Canada's first national Aboriginal Tourism Conference recently wrapped up in Osoyoos, BC, with 180 participants from across the country having taken part. They shared details on their growing industry and considered ways to develop new Aboriginal tourism destinations. The three-day conference was hosted by the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC), the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB). The principal message delivered was that the growth of Aboriginal cultural tourism will be driven by more partnerships, a more strategic...
For the first time in its 125-year history, the Royal BC Museum - based in Victoria - will open a satellite museum gallery in Vancouver. The Royal BC Museum at Wing Sang, located in Vancouver's Chinatown, will run June 14 to Sept. 3 with four concurrent summer installations. One of these is "Intimate Glimpses,"based on the evolution of artist Emily Carr and her depictions of First Nations culture and the forests/landscapes of BC. The exhibit will highlight Carr's life before becoming an acclaimed artist, and will feature more than 30 paintings, early sketches and books....