Destinations
January on the Big Island
Hawaii, the Big Island is celebrating the arrival of 2012 with numerous specials and events. - Lava from Kilauea's remote Pu'u Oo vent has again reached the ocean within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park boundaries, at a location USGS scientists have named the West Ka'ili'ili ocean entry. The arduous hike from the bottom of Chain of Craters Road is about four miles one-way across an uneven flow field. Several streams of lava are pouring into the ocean, providing dramatic views, but conditions can change at any time. (http://www.nps.gov/havo) - Lava touched the sea on Dec. 9, 2011, and now...
Vancouver Playhouse wine festival starts Feb. 27
The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest consumer wine festivals in the world. Marking its 34th year with wines from Chile and a global focus on Cabernets, this year's festival runs from Feb. 27 to March 4. The event features 181 participating wineries from 15 countries, amounting to more than 1,700 wines on pour. Expected to entertain over 25,000 attendees, the festival offers seven days of special events, including the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, wine seminars, winery dinners and an assortment of lunches and brunches at Vancouver's finest...
Loden detox deal for New Year pain
Those who are still feeling the effects of seasonal over-indulgence can consider making a reservation at the Loden Hotel in Vancouver. It is offering a New Year's detox with a twist, helping guests to recharge with the Digital Detox Package. The $344 package includes overnight accommodation in the signature King guestroom, a Detox Elixir cocktail upon arrival, a 60-minute massage in the Loden Spa Treatment Suite, a 30-minute purifying infrared sauna treatment, a $50 dining certificate for Tableau Bar Bistro, an in-room lululemon yoga kit, complimentary valet parking and more....
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden rated tops
A new book by National Geographic has named Vancouver's Dr. Sun Yat-sen Garden #1 on a list of city gardens around the world. The small, but beautiful garden is rated, for instance, ahead of the Rodin Sculpture Garden in Paris. Only two other city gardens in North America were rated -- the Foster Botanical Garden in Hawaii and the Conservatory Garden in New York's Central Park. The Dr. Sun Yat-sen Garden was the first garden in the Ming Dynasty style that was created outside of China, and is located Vancouver's Chinatown, near to the city's downtown....
Haida Gwaii cruises set for 2012
Dates are now set for the 2012 sailings of the nine-day, eight-night Haida Gwaii eco-cruises operated by Maple Leaf Adventures of Victoria. The company does so with a classic 28-metre schooner that sails into the Gwaii Haanas National Park Marine Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, an area rarely travelled and explored. The cruises depart from Masset, BC (returning to Sandspit, BC) on May 7, May 16, May 25, June 4 and June 13. The cost per passenger is $4,640 and includes all shore excursions, meals, accommodations and use of onboard equipment....
Free service for agents
Hawaii travel wholesaler Condominium Connection is introducing an innovative, free travel agent service in the form of a real-time PDF client brochure creator that allows agents to select the Hawaii properties they feel are best for their clients. A PDF is created instantaneously and can be printed or e-mailed to the client. Customization includes travel agency logo (or an agent photograph), agent phone number, agent e-mail address, agent web site, client name, agent-selected recommended properties, travel agent comments and descriptions for comparisons. "This marketing tool is an easy and...
New ski tech for Bella Coola challenge
In BC's Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Bella Coola Heli Sports welcomes adventurers with three backcountry ski and snowboard lodges spread across a mass of terrain the size of the Swiss Alps. Now, the welcome is even warmer, thanks to custom-made reverse camber skis designed especially for Bella Coola Heli Sports by Whistler's Prior Manufactory. These skis feature advances in deep powder ski technology that allow lengthier runs with less stress on the knees. This is especially relevant for downhillers that take on the new Big Mountain Challenge. It gives experienced heli-skiers new mountaineering...
Banff celebrates winter with ‘SnowDays’ festival
Banff National Park's month-long celebration of winter is set to begin with a flurry of activities during the first annual "SnowDays"festival. Developed as a destination-wide partnership, SnowDays seeks to build on the traditions of past winter carnivals while establishing new events with a fun-filled month of weekday activities and weekend festivals jam-packed with wintry adventures of all kinds. From Jan. 14 to Feb. 12, visitors to Canada's first national park will be able to enjoy an array of winter pursuits including ice climbing in downtown Banff, skating on the town's new ice rink and...