Destinations
Hot breakfast included
Kelowna, BC's Best Western Plus Wine Country Hotel & Suites has implemented Best Western's new enhanced hot breakfast selections for guests. The Best Western brand has announced a new comprehensive breakfast buffet menu featuring the addition of new hot menu items that includes eggs, and hot breakfast meat in addition to freshly cooked waffles. Close to all the attractions in West Kelowna, the hotel is ideal for business, leisure or group travellers. This new-build, 100% non-smoking hotel features spacious suites with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators and microwaves. There is an indoor pool with...
PCC enhances agent booking system
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) has made a significant upgrade to its agent booking system. "PCC Agent"now allows travel agents to easily book reservations at one of Hawaii's top attractions seamlessly from anywhere in the world. With a few clicks, agents can send clients on a winding canoe tour through the PCC's 42 acres, on a cultural journey through six island villages, to a feast at the Alii Luau or the newly renovated Gateway or through a captivating tale at the evening show Ha: Breath of Life. PCC Agent places an emphasis on travel agency integration. The new system makes it easier...
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver gets new GM
Andre Zotoff, a 35-year veteran in the hotel industry, has been appointed the new general manager at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. A native of Munich, Germany, Zotoff began his career in hospitality as a culinary apprentice in 1977 working for top toques in Munich, Germany. Following his apprenticeship, he joined the Inter-Continental Hotels kitchen brigade as Sous Chef at the Hotel InterContinental in Berlin, Germany. In 1990, Andre headed to Canada as Executive Chef of the InterContinental, Toronto. It was then into the United States as Regional Director, Food & Beverage for...
1,600-year-old Byzantine bathhouse discovered in Israel
The remains of a 1,600-year-old Byzantine bathhouse were exposed last month during an excavation project by the Israel Antiquities Authority near Moshav Tarum, outside of Jerusalem. The 19.5-by-19.5-metre bathhouse includes the frigidarium (cold room), tepidarium (warm room) and caldarium (hot room), as well as a courtyard attached to its northeast section. The bathhouse is believed to have been used as an inn situated on an ancient road running along Nahal Harel through the southeastern Ayalon Valley, or as part of a wealthy country estate. "Bathing in bathhouses during the Byzantine period...
Sheraton offering Big Island golfers a big opportunity to play
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, an oceanfront resort on the Big Island, has partnered with Kona Country Club, Makalei Golf Club and Big Island Country Club to offer golfers the opportunity to experience three of the island's most unique golf courses. The new Kona Golf Trail Package begins at US$259 per night for two golfers in a partial ocean view room. The package requires a minimum three-night stay so that each of the three courses can be experienced. Players might begin their Kona Golf Trail experience by teeing it up on one of Kona Country Club's two 18-hole courses within steps of...
Northern lights, winter nights by Churchill operator
Solar activity, which rises and falls in 11-year cycles, is now on an upswing, approaching the highest levels in a decade and creating a prime period for northern lights viewing. Among organizations offering Churchill-based aurora tours in Churchill, MB this month and next is Frontiers North Adventures. It's an eight-day, seven-night "Northern Lights & Winter Nights"program operates Feb. 21-28 and March 22-29, starting with orientation activities in Winnipeg followed by a flight to Churchill on the western shore of frozen Hudson Bay. The package costs $3,999 p.p., double occupancy. This...
Sun shines at Florida Huddle
The annual Florida Huddle travel trade show kicked off late last week in Fort Lauderdale with an evening gala on the beach on the site of what will soon be a Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville hotel and restaurant complex in Hollywood (opening 2014). Canada, as usual, was represented a strong delegation of media and tour operator buyers, including WestJet, Sunwing and Thomas Cook. The show moved onto the floor of the Fort Lauderdale Convention Centre over the weekend, with meetings taking place that will help shape the look of next winter's Florida tour programs. Fort Lauderdale CVB vice president...
Gastown craft beer culinary tour
BC is one of North America's leading craft beer destinations, with local brewers offering their distinctive draughts at bars throughout Vancouver. Now, visitors can explore Gastown's explosive craft beer scene on a beer-centric culinary tour, hosted by Vancouver Food Tour. Led by a passionate beer educator, the tour allows beer aficionados to enjoy tastings at four destinations - each offering a unique aspect of beer - along with tasty, hand-picked food pairings. From learning about the history of beer and the brewing process to sipping beer cocktails and international selections, this tasty...