travelwriter

If you’re visiting the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada, this year – and you should – there’s a route you definitely need to check out called the Bottleneck Drive Wine Route in Summerland.
Comprised of 10 local wineries, this newest driving route offers a great variety that is sure to become a top attraction with visitors from around the world:

1.    Hijas Bonitas (Beautiful Daughters) – 14 acres on Okanagan Lake
2.    Award winning Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
3.    Family run 8th Generation Vineyards
4.    Sonoran Estate
5.    Silkscarf
6.    Adora Estate Winery
7.    Thornhaven
8.    hush-hush Dirty Laundry
9.    Hollywood & Wine
10.    Premium wine vinegars of Vinegar Works

Check them out!  The wineries of the Okanagan Valley are amongst the most beautiful in the world as they overlook spectacular Lake Okanagan.  Not to mention of course, the Pinots, the Syrahs, the Merlots – oo-la-la.

 Why stay in a hotel if you can experience the amenities of a cruise and the benefits of land?  Norwegian Cruise Lines has a deal for you.

Enjoy the Vancouver 2010 Olympics from the comfort of your own cabin onboard the Norwegian Star cruise ship.  These unique accommodations include either a three or four night duration, including gourmet dining, return airport transfers, transfers to/from the Sea Bus Terminal in North Vancouver, city tour and more.

While onboard the Norwegian Star, you’ll be pampered and can enjoy 13 restaurants, 8 lounges, spa, fitness center, endless activities, Captain’s cocktail reception, complimentary 24 hour room service, and of course, top-notch nightly entertainment.

Rates for staying onboard the Norwegian Star during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics start at only $99 USD per person.  For more information, visit: Vancouver 2010 Cruise Ship .

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary from May 28 to September 26, 2009, Bard on the Beach in Vancouver, BC, is sure to please.

For more information or tickets, visit: Bard on the Beach.

The Official Olympic Store for Vancouver 2010 is open and ready for business.

Here you’ll find a vast array of Olympic souvenirs and gifts with everything from gold coins to accessories for your pets.  There’s also clothing, collectibles, gift ideas and the oh-so Canadian Vancouver 2010 Quatchi Puck.

Some of the most popular products include the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Coin Collection ($29.95 CAD), Vancouver 2010 Park Life for Aritzia Organic Fleece Hoodie ($110), and the Vancouver 2010 Mascot Pack with Mukmuk ($60).

Vancouver, BC, is home to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.  View Vancouver’s Official Visitor’s Guide here.

Earlier this week the Vancouver Organizing Committee unveiled the Torchbearer Uniform that will be worn by 12,000 Canadians as they carry the Olympic Flame across Canada.

Designed by the Hudson’s Bay Company, the predominantly white uniform is highlighted by the blues of the Pacific Ocean and greens of the Pacific Northwest, symbolizing the Sea to Sky.  White is traditionally chosen for Olympic events as it represents peace and hope.

The 2010 Olympic Torchbearer Uniform is made specifically for the cold Canadian winter and includes a signature Maple Leaf toque and red mittens. 

The 2010 Olympic journey will take 106 days and will cover 45,000 kilometers across Canada before the games begin in Vancouver on February 12, 2010.

Vancouver Aquarium: with over 70,000 species of under sea creatures, including otters, beluga whales, and dolphins, the Vancouver Aquarium practices conservation through education.  Adults $19.95 CAD, children/seniors/youth $11.95-$14.95

Capilano Suspension Bridge: for over 100 years the Capilano Suspension Bridge has provided a breathtaking experience for those daring enough to walk 230 feet above the Capilano River.  Adults $27.95 CAD, children/seniors/youth $8.75-$25.95

Museum of Anthropology: showcases aboriginal art & culture & provides a looking into the authentic Pacific Coastal experience.  Adults $12 CAD, seniors/students $10

Gastown: walk along the cobblestone streets of the birth place of Vancouver to view shops, restaurants and galleries

Kitsilano: this area of Vancouver offers the most popular & best beaches in the lower mainland, plus endless shopping & restaurants, along with heritage B&Bs

Check out my other blog: MyFavoriteThings and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Holland America Line (HAL) has just released special fares for Canadian residents starting from only $599 CAD for a 7-day Alaska cruise.

This is part of Holland America’s “Vacation Stimulus Plan” where HAL has promised potential cruisers “more cruise, less cash” by offering unprecedented low fares, the suspension of the fuel surcharge, reduced deposits and cancellation protection savings.

If you’re not an Canadian citizen, HAL is still offering great priced on Alaskan cruises, especially for early spring or late fall.  If you’d like to learn more, check out HAL on Facebook, or the HAL blog, or the HAL website.

HAL offers cruises to Alaska, Canada, New England, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Europe, Panama Canal, South America and the Caribbean.

Beautiful British Columbia (BC), hailed as ‘The Best Place on Earth,’ can now be seen in pictures in a new photo gallery called Picture BC.

Over 120 photographers in 155 communities participated in this tourism project to promote BC as a destination.  Divided into 8 distinct regions, the website allows the user to search for a particular community within BC or by searching images.

Within each region, the user can read a brief introduction or watch a video about the area.  This is an informative stop for anyone planning a trip to BC.  Popular destinations within BC include Vancouver (Metro Vancouver), Victoria (Vancouver Island), Kelowna (Thompson Okanagan) and Nelson (Kootenay Rockies).

Who knew?  Japan is a country where almost 80% of the landmass is mountainous.  And where there are mountains, there is awesome downhill skiing.

Shiga Kogen is one of Japan’s largest ski resorts.  Located in Nagano, there are several mountains with 21 resorts in total where skiers can interconnect by buses and ski lifts but you only need one lift pass for the day.  Check out the view from one of their live web cams or cameras here.

At the Furano Ski Resort located on Hokkaido Island, skiers and boarders alike can enjoy world-class runs with 2 high-speed quad lifts. 

When I think about it, I guess these mountains are why the Winter Olympics were held twice in Japan.  According to Japan Tourism, Nagano and Hokkaido are Japan’s most popular ski resorts where the powder is rumored to be amongst the best in the world.

All I can think of today are the 3000+ passengers stranded at Vancouver International Airport because of the snow storm.

They’ll be missing the presents under the glowing Christmas tree, the unwrapping and throwing of paper everywhere, the excitement of giving and receiving presents, the snacks, the food, the turkey and cranberry…the alcohol, the fighting, and the yelling.  Well, maybe that was just normal at my house.

But mostly, they’ll be missing their families.  I hope that the snow clears and that all the passengers get home to their Christmas – whenever it happens for them.  I know that their families will recreate Christmas even if the travelers are a few days late.  With family, it can be Christmas any day of the year.

Happy Holidays,

Connie