Remember that fabulous Christmas turkey
and those extra rum balls that were so darned tasty it really
didn’t
seem to be a big deal to eat 10 of them? What followed was the
New Year’s resolution to work off the delicious
baking by visiting the gym at least 5 times a week, even training
for the next local marathon. Now it is April and
maybe that didn’t quite work out… but don’t
fret, now with beach bodies around the corner, there is a new
way
to get in shape, and have tons of fun doing it! The Pacific Palisades
Hotel welcomes you to enjoy their Mind,
Body & Soul Package, including a one night stay in the South
Beach Suite, two 30-minute massages, deluxe
Continental breakfast for two, and the best of all – yoga!
Get toned for summer with a yoga kit for your stay
and an instructional yoga video to take home. After all,
you are going to feel terrific, look great, and keep up the
momentum all the way to the beach. See www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com for more information.
Ripe cranberries, juicy peaches, tart apples and sweet blueberries – there
is nothing quite as tasty as a glorious
fruit spread. Now pair that up with a swirling glass of refreshing
wine and you have something to write home
about. Even better, combine it together, and sip on some of
the most amazing fruit wine you will ever taste!
Wellbrook Winery is the place to find wine, and amidst fully
restored, century old farm buildings, the mood is
set for your spring sipping! See www.wellbrookwinery.com for
details.
By
now you have probably heard the rumors, caught the buzz, and
felt the excitement. Well, stop
holding your breath, it is finally here! May 2006
welcomes the launch of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations’ newest
ventures, the Fraser Discovery Route, guiding
you from Whistler to Jasper, and the exciting Whistler Mountaineer, journeying
from Vancouver to Whistler. Perfect for pre and post cruising,
the Whistler Mountaineer hugs the gorgeous
pathway of the Sea to Sky Highway, which we all know is one of
the most beautiful places on earth. So,
breath easy, it has been worth the wait. And for those who haven’t
heard about this latest train adventure, get
on board and find out first hand! See www.rockymountaineer.com for information.
There are three (yes, believe it) new B&B’s in the
region that should be on everyone’s “wish
to sleep” list.
The
first is Sweet Dreams B&B in Abbotsford. Luxury, opulence
and every comfort imaginable awaits you at this high
end treasure found at the end of a winding country lane.
The second is Ocean Breezes B&B, with stunning architecture
and is the ultimate in privacy, located in a tranquil,
wooded garden setting in Gibsons. Finally,
there is Inn Penzance, in North
Vancouver, where creativity has been a must in the décor.
Part time actor and movie set painter
Dennis Palladino helped to create a masterpiece with
a colourful palate at this unique getaway. So get sleeping,
and see if you can’t try them all in one
weekend! See www.sweetdreamsbandb.com, www.oceanbreezes.ca,
and www.innpenzance.com for details.
We’ve all been there, paid $100 for that miracle
cream which promised the smooth, unblemished skin blessed upon
10 year olds, soft, supple cheekbones, a ‘natural’ bronzed
glow and SPF of 75! We also know that the only
glow noticeable was that rosy shimmer on the salesperson’s
face as we handed over the credit card. Take matters
into your own hands…literally, at the Burnaby
Village Museum on April 30, 2006. This Heritage Beauty
Care Workshop takes you into the realm of the forgotten
eras, you know, when your grandmother made her
own beauty products. Sure, it looks like a grueling
scientific process, but hey, Grandma could do it, so
can you! Keep the shimmer on your
own face, and learn something crafty at the same time.
Visit www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for
details.
Have you been back to Harrison Hot Springs lately?
There is a new face in town, and it smiles wide at
majestic lake views and mountain
vistas. I would like to introduce you to the Harrison
Beach Hotel, a modern, boutique hotel
residing on the shores of Harrison Lake. Beautifully
decorated rooms await you, along with a day spa, offering
the most fabulous couples massage. Hold hands, enjoy
the attention, and rekindle all that
is romantic. Single? All the
better - treat yourself to both of the rub downs!
See www.harrisonbeachhotel.com for information.
While it is often patriotic and heroic to go down
in a blaze of glory, most of the time we are ever
so grateful
for those that manage to escape
the fire, especially when they leave a historic
mark on our community
- like
the Yale Hotel. The history
of this legendary hotel dates back to the 1880’s,
where this one-time CP Rail bunkhouse was
spared a raging fire, which destroyed most of the
surrounding community. Following the devastation,
the Yale became a gathering
place, and has evolved into THE place to be for
rhythm and blues in Vancouver.
Join talented crooners 7 nights
a week at the place where artists like Jimmy Page,
Colin James, Jim
Belushi,
and
Amanda Marshall have been know to drop in for an
impromptu jam session. See www.theyale.ca for details.
