The Ultimate Date – Boat Cruises
September 23, 2008 by Admin · Leave a Comment
When you are looking for date ideas and trying to be unique and different, you might want to consider a boat cruise. Perfect for dancing, dinner and maybe some cuddling by the rails, topside, a dinner cruise is an excellent place for romance.
You may want to arrive in a fancy car or limo, pick up your date and escort her to the yacht waiting to sail the night away. Bring roses for the ultimate impression and brownie points. This is the perfect time to show off your gentlemanly finess and treat your lady friend like she’s a princess. You know you will be in her good books for some time to come!
A dinner cruise usually offers some quiet, romantic background music and sometimes live entertainment that is just right to set the mood. A few sips of vintage wine with your meal, by moonlight, is a guarantee to a relaxing and enjoyable evening.
After dinner, enjoy some hold-me-close dancing; sure to turn up the romance dial. Take her to the deck for some potential cuddle time, and don’t forget the wine. If you are planning on making an announcement of engagement, or just giving a choice gift, this would be the perfect place and time.
If you are looking for a creative and clever way to romance your special lady, consider boat cruises as an ideal place for your special date.
How to Rent Ski Equipment
September 21, 2008 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Ski vacations will require ski equipment. But whether you buy your ski equipment or rent it will depend, for the most part, on whether you’re a beginning skier or a pro on the slopes. If you’re a beginner or just trying out the sport, it will probably make more sense for you to rent the equipment before investing your money in what can be an expensive purchase.
Many local ski shops rent ski equipment, and they may even have lease packages where you can lease everything you need for an entire season of skiing. This can be an excellent option of those who take several ski vacations a year. One advantage of renting at a local shop near you is that it’ll probably be less expensive and you can pick up your equipment ahead of time instead of waiting in long lines and paying higher rental prices when you get to the ski resort. The downside of renting locally is transporting your ski equipment from home to the resort. Some ski resort shops allow their customers to store their equipment during the day or overnight for free, which is a nice benefit when you return from a tiring day on the slopes.
Most rental packages will include skis, boots and poles. You should have a choice of beginner or performance skis. Most shops have equipment for junior skiers. Skiing helmets may be available for an additional charge. That extra expense is well worth the safety you’ll enjoy by wearing a helmet. Many parents make sure their children who are skiing wear helmets whether they want to or not. There is always a chance when the slopes are full that accidents and collisions will happen.
Keep in mind that when you sign up for ski lessons at a resort, many packages will include the price for equipment that you can use all day. Most instructors will make sure that you are completely outfitted before taking you out to the slopes. Ski vacations that include lessons for beginners can be fun for the whole family!
Rental equipment usually includes skis, ski boots, ski poles and helmets.
Skiers will usually have the option of renting items individually or as a package. Many resorts also offer combination of different ski equipment items such as skis and boots, helmets and poles, skis and poles, etc. Some ski resorts will offer full-day prices or prices for afternoon-only skiing. Some packages will cost as little as $20 per day, others can cost $50 or more for 24 hours. Some ski resorts automatically add on damage insurance for a few dollars per day; it may be worthwhile to take the insurance if you are a beginning skier. If you refuse insurance, just a minor accident could cost you much more than it would have cost if you had paid for the insurance to begin with.
Plan ahead and reserve your ski rental equipment in advance, especially during peak season. That way you’ll know for sure that the equipment you want is available and ready when you get there to pick it up.
Accommodation at Cedar Creek in Whistler – Is it For You?
September 18, 2008 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Finding accommodation for a large group in Whistler isn’t always easy if you all want to stay together. Sure, there are plenty of hotel rooms and you can book a block, but would you prefer to share a fabulously spacious ski chalet instead?
If you’d chose the chalet, Cedar Creek might be just what you’re looking for.
Slopeside Location in Whistler
Like the hotels in Whistler, Cedar Creek occupies some of the most desirable Whistler real estate. Not only is it located directly slopeside on Blackcomb Mountain, but it’s only a short free shuttle ride or 10 minute walk to the Village attractions.
This development is truly ski in/out. Skiers and snowboarders will walk out the door, strap on their gear and be gliding down to the Wizard Express high-speed quad chair lift in less than a minute.
Because Cedar Creek is a little ways up the mountain and away from shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs it tends to be quieter and more peaceful which is great for getting a good night’s sleep. If you do want to venture into the hustle and bustle though, you’re still within striking distance by free shuttle, cheap taxi or good old fashion walking.
Why you Might Not Choose Cedar Creek
If your ski holiday isn’t complete without a soak in the hot tub, or dip in the pool then you’ll want to look elsewhere for accommodation. Cedar Creek is loved for it’s location, space and conveniences like in-suite laundry and fully-equipped kitchens – not overflowing hotel-like amenities.
If your group includes someone with mobility restrictions, Cedar Creek will not be accessible. Each unit has stairs separating bedrooms from the common areas. A single-level unit will be more appropriate.
Who Adores Cedar Creek the Most?
Large groups and families love staying at Cedar Creek in Whistler. If your family or group includes small children, you’ll love it even more because you won’t hear any whining about the trek to the lifts or lugging gear.
Die-hard skiers can’t get enough of this development for its quiet slopeside location so they can wake up rested and hit the slopes at dawn.
People who like getting the most bang for their buck also enjoy Cedar Creek because they’ve likely rented their townhouse directly from the owner meaning they’ve saved on middle agent fees.
Sun Peaks in Summer or Winter
September 16, 2008 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Are you looking for a great summer or winter vacation at a better price than Whistler or Banff? A well kept secret in British Columbia’s Okanagan valley is worth a look. Sun Peaks is new resort village created by developers offering hotel accommodations, golf, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, kids camps, shopping and health spas. As a family vacation, there are few spots that can rival Sun Peaks.
If you’ve never heard of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, you’ll be surprised to know how warm the weather gets in the summer and how much snow falls during the winter. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Coast Mountains to the west, the Okanagan is a weather protected valley. Its summer temperatures can rise well above 100 degrees or 36C degrees. I’ve ridden on my bicycle through the Okanagan valley during the summer where it was above 42 degrees Celsius. That heat and the dry humidity is ideal for growing many types of fruit crops including grapes for wine.
If wine tours and festivals interest you, there are plenty to keep you happy and tasting.
The Okanagan Summer Wine Festival is held every second weekend in August at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon and Sun Peaks Resort holds the Ice Wine Festival every year in mid January.
The Okanagan is a favorite destination of tourists from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. It is a unique Canadian vacation spot unlike anything else. At the south end near the US border are desert like conditions complete with huge sand dunes. Okanagan Lake is a 50 mile long lake in the middle of the valley and here you’ll find tourists who flow to the area for the watersports and casual lifestyle. Schuswap lake is another favourite destination of cottagers and houseboaters.
Close to the Okanagan
Sun Peaks Resort is just a 20 minute drive from Shushwap Lake, 100 miles northwest of Okanagan lake, and a 50 minute drive from the city of Kamloops. It is nestled in between Tod Mountain and Mt. Morissey. The terrain of the region is mountainous but much more accessible to hikers and mountain bikers. This isn’t the rocky mountains with huge inaccessible cliffs dominating the land. The highest altitude in the area is 7000 feet. The lack of height is more than compensated by the volume of snow for visitors creating perfect powdery snow for skiers and snowboarders. The Olympic ski team has chosen Sun Peaks as their training facility for the Vancouver Olympic games.
For hotel accommodations in the area, you might choose from several large hotel resorts and from a number of chalets in nearby areas. Since Sun Peaks is relatively young resort, the plentiful (7000+ beds) accommodations are newer and some of the resorts have a 4 diamond rating. The hotel room prices can be very affordable and given the range of recreational opportunities in this resort areas, it really is a bargain holiday of a lifetime for the whole family.
The village at Sun Peaks is designed for visitors with all the amenities you’ll need during your vacation. Restaurants, boutiques, restaurants, health centre, and food stores are close at hand.
Sun Peaks for Skiiers
It is British Columbia’s second largest ski resort area and for good reason. With 122 ski runs and an annual snowfall of over 22 feet, it is a skiers and snowboarders dream. It has 3,678 acres of skiable terrain, the third largest in Canada and the longest run is 5 miles. It’s not called Sun Peaks for marketing reasons. Residents here enjoy over 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. That’s an average 6 hours per day.
In summer, mountain biking is the popular sport here and the lifts have been upgraded to handle even more bikes. The Sun Peaks mountain bike park offers the use of the Sunburst Express Chairlift to get access to 37 biking trails for a distance of 70km.
If you have children, the Kids Adventure Camps offer an exciting mix of summer adventure including canoeing, horseback riding, tennis to mountain biking and hiking. The local Sports Centre features a year round heated outdoor pool, hot tub, kid’s pool, and two tennis courts.
If you check and compare the prices of Sun Peaks to other top BC resorts areas, you’ll discover how affordable it is.
Toronto Travel
September 2, 2008 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Canada in general is a great place to visit. From the sportsman to the history buff, there is a lot to do, see, and enjoy in this large country. There are sparkling cities with long stretches of wild countryside in between, and a choice of terrain from the seaside fisherman’s paradise to high mountain ranges.
Nestled in southern part of the province of Ontario is the teeming metropolis of Toronto. It stretches along the northwest edge of Lake Ontario, and has a population of approximately five million. The United Nations has named Toronto as the most “ethnically diverse city” not one, but five times.
A Brief History of Toronto
Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the area was later used as a trading fort by the French. After the American Revolutionary War, the British purchased much of it, and founded the town of York. It was captured and sacked by Americans in the War of 1812, but it wasn’t until 1834 that it was returned to it’s original name of Toronto and incorporated.
Because slavery had already been banned in Canada, many settled in the are and were part of the original population of almost 10,000. Many immigrants have made Toronto home over the decades, and industrialization helped the city grow through the mid-1800s. Railroad companies valued Toronto, and many routes linked up with the city. They wisely developed their city public transportation system, and today it is considered one of North America’s finest and well used.
Due to several waves on immigration, excellent city planning and infrastructure, and the suburban sprawl that occurred in almost all North American cities in the mid-1990s, Metropolitan Toronto’s population is over five million.
Why You Should Go to Toronto
When people think of Canada, they usually think of the cold. However, Toronto is located south of the country, and it’s climate is temperate. Winters can have short periods of extreme cold very much like the northern United States, but summers are warm (sometimes into the 90s) and humid, making it a perfect place for water sports. In fact, the water and wilderness areas surrounding Toronto are much of what brings tourists to the area. Two rivers river cut through Toronto, and there are many smaller rivers and creeks that run in various directions off them.
The Toronto area in general is well-known for its beautiful scenery. The outskirts and beyond are favorites of sportsmen, and in the summer camping is a big draw to this area. Often a drive between Toronto and other Canadian cities yields everything from great wildlife viewing to stunning landscape and lake views. If you like water sports, the area is perfect for it, with a plethora of rivers, harbors, and lakes.
Toronto is also well-known for its beautiful city skyline. There are many unusual buildings that run from the beautiful to the stunning, and feature the work of noted architects such as Normal Foster, I.M. Pei, Danial Libeskind, Frank Gentry, Will alsop, Mies vad der Rohe, Santiago Calatrava, and many more. In fact, one of the tourist centers is the CN Tower, which is a telecommunications building that has the distinction of being the world’s tallest structure (freestanding), at just over 1,800 feet.
Hockey is a big sport in Canada, and you will find the Hockey Hall of Fame in BCE Place. This downtown building complex is the result of two towers (TD Canada Trust Tower and Bay Wellington Tower) connected by the Allen Lambert Galleria (also known as the “crystal cathedral of commerce). BCE Place is often used as a backdrop for films, and is one of the area’s most popular places.
Another reason to go to Toronto is the professional sports teams. The teams include:
Toronto Maple Leafs (Ice Hockey and Baseball team) Toronto Raptors (Basketball) Toronto Blue Jays (Baseball) Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (Ice Hockey) Toronto Argonauts (Football) Toronto Rock (Lacross) Toronto Xtreme (Rugby) Toronto Marlies (Ice Hockey) Toronto FC (Soccer)
You can almost always find some kind of sports event going on, but you can find cultural events as well. It’s a popular venue for all kinds of performing arts, and has two symphonies, six operas, and too many ballet companies to count. Toronto boasts many world-class stages and concert halls, and some of their performing arts companies are also world renowned.
Other Things to Do in Toronto
Toronto is also home to lots of museums, zoos, and art galleries. For those who love natural history, you should not miss the Royal Ontario Museum, which also has a large world culture collection. While you’re on your natural history tour, also check out the Ontario Science Centre, which also has some wonderful displays that children love.
For art lovers, there is the Art Gallery of Ontario. It’s collection of local as well as African and European art is recognized worldwide. The only museum dedicated to ceramic arts is also located in Toronto, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts. In addition, you will find lots of festivals and exhibitions which celebrate the fine arts, and many of these are within close proximity to great dining and shopping.
Because Toronto is also a capital city, and a center for Canadian business, it’s a very popular place for conventions, conferences, and large business meetings. There is also such a variety of activity going on that it’s easy to put together satisfying executive entertainment packages for Toronto. From wilderness hunting and fishing in the outskirts to the arts and sports in the city, you can’t miss with a visit to Toronto.
Some Considerations
As with any other big city, you should always take common sense precautions during your travels. Toronto boasts a very low crime rate, but that doesn’t mean crime doesn’t happen and that it won’t happen to you.
If you’re traveling from out of the country, also make sure you have the proper traveler’s medical insurance. The great thing about Toronto is the superior medical care–just make sure you’re ready in case you need it.
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