Vancouver – Following the announcement that One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary year with the addition of RCGS Resolute to its fleet in November 2018, the expedition cruise specialist has also revealed that it will be expanding its cruise program in 2019 to include several new itineraries in Chile. The first voyage of this new programme, which will also be the inaugural non-polar expedition on board RCGS … [Read more...]
Rocky Mountaineer, Western Canada – February 2018
One of the world's great train rides is through the awe inspiring Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountaineer offers a number of journeys both along the coast in British Columbia as well as both east and west rides through the mountains. Starting points are either Vancouver or Calgary. The train follows historical railways both in British Columbia and in Alberta. You do not sleep on the train, rather at the end of each day waiting coaches will … [Read more...]
Tofino, British Columbia: Eating on the Edge of the Earth
Tofino is a community on Vancouver Island’s unspoiled West Coast. Pristine Pacific waters are a thriving habitat for orcas, grey and humpback whales, seals, puffins and sea lions, while it’s old-growth forest is lush with plant and animal life. Adventure seekers come to surf the waves, fish for abundant salmon and hike to hidden hot springs. At first glance, this stunning little town with around 2,000 year-round residents appears to be an … [Read more...]
Seattle In Less Than 48 Hours!
Seattle had been on my list of places to visit since I moved to Vancouver. Turning 30 (excuse me while I just cry inside a little bit) seemed a good reason to make it happen. The plan was to use the Quick Shuttle bus, leaving from Vancouver at 5.30am and get to Seattle by 8:50am. Leaving so early though meant that we didn't come across any traffic, and no waiting at the border. We arrived in Seattle 20 minutes earlier than scheduled, … [Read more...]
All The Tea In Victoria, British Columbia
The history of tea drinking spans thousands of years and crosses many continents. If you didn’t know Victoria, British Columbia had a thriving tea culture, get ready to sip it in. This gorgeous city on Vancouver Island’s southern coast is as tethered to tea as peanut butter is to jelly. The island’s First Nations people have utilized the native plants and berries that grow here so prolifically to make freshly foraged medicinal teas for … [Read more...]
Six Things You Didn’t Know About Beijing
“I speak and speak. But the listener retains only the words he is expecting." So cautioned Marco Polo as he left the court of the great Kublai Khan in Dadu (modern day Beijing) in the year 1295 C.E. Certainly this was a timely reminder for me as I stepped off the plane in Beijing for the first time. Over the years, I had heard lots about Beijing, most of which with a negative slant. Much to my delight, I encountered a wonderful and fascinating … [Read more...]
Best Free Things to Do in Canada
People love free things, and visitors to Canada are not exceptions to this rule. Vacationers are forever looking for ways to get the maximum fun at a minimum cost. Fortunately, Canada is a loveable city that offers plenty of free ways to have fun. The free things you can do in Canada may be outdoor or indoor, adventurous or relaxing, child friendly or adult only. In brief, there is something for everybody and visitors can take their time to … [Read more...]
Where Eagles Roam: Howe Sound, British Columbia
Perched on a rock in the middle of Howe Sound, less than a half hour from downtown Vancouver, was one of nature’s grandest flying creatures: a bald eagle. Though we could not see the bird in its entirety, we could not miss its white head gazing down imperiously on a pod of harbor seals snoozing in the sun below. Our 30-foot-long rigid hull inflatable boat, powered by twin 225-horsepower Mercury Verrado engines, motored slowly by as the six of … [Read more...]
Pampered Luxury at Hastings House, Salt Spring Island
I was recently pampered with a two-night stay at luxurious Hastings House Country House Hotel on Salt Spring Island. While I've been to Salt Spring several times, I had yet to enjoy this corner of the island, close enough to downtown Ganges yet far enough away to appreciate the solitude and nature that helps define this Relais & Chateaux property. The welcoming hotel grounds are filled with fragrant flowers and colourful birds, all with a … [Read more...]
Traveller Information For Visiting Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai is an idyllic and fascinating Hawaiian island which looks remarkably untouched, despite being a favourite with US tourists and also home to over 62,000 people. Part of the island's natural looking charm can be attributed to the rule that no buildings can be erected on Kauai that are taller than a coconut tree, so the luxury hotels, shops, homes and other buildings are never tall enough to spoil the view, with tourist accommodation taking … [Read more...]