Canada Trip.co.uk

Its time for another skiing article! And for anyone who’s ever heard of any skiing in Canada, they will have surely heard of this place!
Whistler is well deserving of its title as the number 1 resort in North America. There is more buzz and excitement than you can imagine.. and we reckon this will last.

With more than 8,000 acres of terrain, over 200 runs, 12 alpine bowls and three glaciers between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, you can then add the incredible Peak 2 Peak gondala and you have the longest and highest unspported lift in the world.

If that’s not exciting enough – try crossing in one of the two glass bottomed gondolas!! The 11 minute gondola ride linking the two mountains has changed the way you ski and ride the resort – it is truly amasing and the gondola ride is included in the lift pass price – so you can go back and forth as much as you like!

Every ability, every age is catered for in Whistler and despite its size, you’ll be impressed by how slick the operations are and how easy it is to navigate around, thanks to clear signposting and the ultra friendly “lifties” who provide endless advice on where to ski next. (more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Skiing in Canada | 2 Comments »

It’s the 1st of July 2010 – and that means its Canada Day!!

Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly Dominion Day, is Canada’s national day, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united two British colonies and a province of the British Empire into a single country called Canada. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as internationally.

Frequently referred to as “Canada’s birthday”, particularly in the popular press, the occasion marks the joining of the British North American colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on July 1, 1867. Although Canada is regarded as having become a kingdom in its own right on that date, the British Parliament kept limited rights of political control over the new country that were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were surrendered in 1982 when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution. (more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in Alberta, British Columbia, Canada Trip.co.uk, Nova Scotia, Ontario | No Comments »

On Friday i told you about places to stay at the alternative holiday destination of Powell River.. So, what do do while you’re on your holiday at Powell River? Well i suppose you could ask what can’t you do. As I’ve said this is the perfect place for an ‘Adventure Holiday’. You’re in Canada, home to the first nations – so Kayaking is a must! For ocean kayakers, Powell River is a world-class experience. Some of the premiere spots include Desolation Sound, the Copeland Islands, Mitlenatch Island, Savary Island and Texada Island. Not only does the natural setting feature rugged mountains and glittering ocean waters, but it’s also well-sheltered from the elements thanks to the bulk of Vancouver Island and nearby Texada Island. Ever wanted to touch the side of a WWII ship? Kayak to the Hulks, ten steel and concrete ships that now comprise the world’s largest floating breakwater.

Prefer freshwater kayaking and canoeing? This coastal community also offers easy access to more than 30 lakes including the world-famous Powell Forest Canoe Route, a semi-circle of eight lakes and portages. The best time of year to go is between June and October.
Expect enrapturing visuals: soaring coastal mountains laden with cedar, fir, and spruce trees overlook fjord-like waters, and wildlife sightings, from bald eagles to black bears, are always possible. Camping accommodations are available along the route.

Kayaking is of coarse one of many activities on offer at Powell River which includes Trails and hiking, Fishing and charters, Mountain biking, Climbing, Driving, Golf and Winter activities: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking and snowmobiling.

If you’re like me, and love to eat – Powell River isn’t short on this neither. What’s fun about dining in Powell River are the big tasty portions, which are the rule rather than the exception. In keeping with the community’s overall vibe, expect relaxed yet highly attentive service. This upper Sunshine Coast community is home to some fine dining establishments that serve West Coast cuisine with local, organic ingredients. Pub fare and ethnic restaurants figure into the hearty selection as well. Check for Mexican, Thai, and sushi restaurants while driving or strolling through the Marine Avenue dining district.

Head to Joyce Avenue, particularly the area around the Crossroads Shopping Centre, for fast food and chain restaurants. Coffee lovers can grab a latte or frappuccino at any of our several cafes or coffee shops. If Seafood is your thing, what better place to enjoy the ocean’s bounty than on its doorstep? Savour delicious dishes and experience the very best in culinary creations on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, complete with stunning views of the ocean, the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, mountains and the world-famous sunsets.

How do you get there? Well the first step is book your flight to Vancouver, which Canadian Affair will help you do easily – and with the lowest priced flight to Vancouver you’ll find.

(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Vancouver | 2 Comments »

Right, Most of the places we write about and feature are easy to get to, often well trodden amongst tourists from all over the world. So here’s somewhere that if you’re looking for somewhere secluded, off the well trodden path and certainly different – Powell River in British Columbia would be one place you really need to have a look into!

Powell River’s website says “The Sunshine Coast is a dream destination for people looking for year round recreation, cultural experiences and unforgettable holiday memories.” and I’m certainly not going to disagree – this place really must be seen if you’re looking for a more adventurous holiday.. Its arguably an adventure to get to! But I’ll tell you about that in a little bit!

No matter what type of holiday you’re looking for, Powell River offers all types of accommodation; Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Camp sites, Cabins, Cottages, Hostels and even Bed and Breakfasts – so you can be flexible about how you stay there.
Of the resorts, you have health spas, as well as the usual resorts you would find. I’m going to name two of the many which you will find here just to give you a couple of contrasting options.
(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Vancouver | 1 Comment »

Ever fancied going to those famous Chili cook off competitions you hear about so often over here in the UK? here’s your chance if you’re off to Vancouver.. Tomorrow is the date of the 18th Annual Fire and Ice Street Festival at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver!

Vancouver Island’s famous chili cook-off is once again one of the centrepieces of the Qualicum Beach Fire and Ice Street Festival. Join them to see up to 25 teams in their decorated booths compete for the best tasting chili served by enthusiastic cooks. Teams must prepare a minimum of 75 litres of chili with each team having its own distinct flavour. A one-time cup purchase for $3.00 from the festival ticket sellers will allow you to go from team to team on the streets of our quaint and friendly town sampling the culinary fare and voting for your favourite. The teams, all from local restaurants, supermarkets, golf courses, organizations and businesses, are competing for the “Best Professional”, “Best Amateur”, and the coveted “PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD”.

But this is the fire and ice street festival, we know about the fire, but what about the ice? Well..
(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Vancouver | No Comments »

I’ve been scouring the web as normal and found this seriously useful plan, if you’re visiting Vancouver, courtesy of http://www.tourismvancouver.com

A Near-Perfect 48-Hour Itinerary

You have two days in Vancouver. That’s it. How can two days possibly be enough time to experience this amazing city, you ask? We’ve got a fail-proof way to make the most of your visit in just 48 hours.

Photo © Matthew Walters

Vancouver at night

Day One

Time is short on this trip, so no sleeping in. Grab an early cup of joe at one of the many cafes on bustling Robson Street, which is the prime spot in town for window shopping and people watching. Once the caffeine has kicked in, head over to Robson Square for a stroll through the acclaimed Vancouver Art Gallery. The gallery features more than 9,000 pieces and great travelling exhibits.

The Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch is one of the largest public capital projects ever completed in the city, and it is magnificent. This complex is more than a simple library — it is an architectural gem in Vancouver. The nine-story structure was built to resemble the Colosseum and features a massive and striking atrium covered by a glass ceiling. There’s a continuous piazza surrounding the complex, which proves to be a gorgeous outdoor public space.

After you’ve spent some time feeding your brain at the library, it’s time to feed your stomach. Don’t settle for an ordinary lunch experience. Try something with a little ethnic flair. Dim sum is a culinary adventure, featuring steamed treats of all types of imaginable ingredients. It can be difficult to find good dim sum, unless, that is, you are in a multicultural mecca such as Vancouver — and particularly Vancouver’s Chinatown. North America’s third-largest Chinatown, the neighbourhood celebrates more than a century of heritage in the city and features plenty of authentic cuisine, including enough dim sum to hold you over until your next trip to China.
(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Vancouver | 2 Comments »

Lighthouse Park is a popular park in West Vancouver, Canada. Its area is about 75 hectares (185 acres) and it is almost completely covered with rugged, virgin rainforest. What most visitors (and locals) don’t realise is that most of the forests immediately surrounding Vancouver were logged before the 20th century. That is, the very first logging mills set up in Gastown were logging most of Vancouver and the local mountains of Seymour, Cypress and Grouse. Even Stanley Park was completely logged! The forests you now see in these locations are second or third generations post-logging. The trees may be tall, but they weren’t nearly as thick as the original trees that once grew there.

However, one of the few places that has never been touched by large-scale logging is Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. As a result, Lighthouse Park boasts to be one of the few virgin temperate rainforest parks in the area. The forest here is “mature” with all stages of growth present. While you’ll see very young trees and medium-aged trees, you will also come across some of the thickest and oldest trees still growing in the area. At the southermost tip of the peninsula is Point Atkinson with an impressive landmark lighthouse built in 1914 on granite boulders jutting out into Burrard Inlet.

The area was thus set aside in 1881 as the lighthouse reserve. Some ancient trees reach heights of up to 200 feet (61 m) and are around 500 years old.

There is a network of hiking trails in the park, some of which are fairly rough and can be slippery when wet. The park receives more than 50 inches (1,300 mm) of rain annually and has an abundance of various ferns, berries and mushrooms.
(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Vancouver | 1 Comment »

Well, should anyone not have watched, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver were everything they were expected to be – Especially for their Host Nation; Canada.
Ice Hockey is Canada’s national sport, and they’re as passionate for their national team as the England is for its football team. It was said that if Canada was to win only one gold in the whole of the Winter Olympics, the Men’s Ice Hockey was the one they were going for, and boy did they go for it!

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Mascots © VANOC

Strangely familiar to the roller coaster ride which England Football fans are used to, Canada’s trip to the final was bumpy, and early in the tournament, being drawn with the USA in the same group a giant of a game was played, leading to Canada actually loosing to the USA team. Hope wasn’t lost however and Canada pulled themselves up, fighting back with even greater ferocity, and beating all those put in front of them finally emerged for the fairytale final of the Men’s Ice Hockey.. Canada vs USA. The Canadian Women’s team had already won the gold, so now it was up to the Men to box it up…
(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Vancouver, Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics | 6 Comments »

“A Local’s dream” quoted one of the many onlookers as this very well is a dream that is now a reality, watching the many Olympic games on TV while growing up I had always wanted to see the Olympics in person, and the Vancouver 2010 games made part of that dream come true. On December 20th, 2009, my home town of Thorold was given the honour to be host to the Olympic torch’s path.

 I departed my house at 2:15PM and arrive in downtown Thorold to this sight: 

(One group of the many groups that made up the  hundreds of patriotic Thorold residents that showed up to show their support of the olympic games.)

(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Niagara, ON, Ontario, Vancouver, Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics | 1 Comment »

Well, it’s getting closer and closer to those fantastic winter games, and we’ll be doing another article on them within the next week. But, as everyone knows it’s always a good idea to get those flights booked nice and early – this obviously to get the best price you can get! Well the cheapest flight to Vancouver and back for the Olympics for one week is £452.80!

Thomas Cook 757 at Toronto in June 2006

I’ve been looking for a while and once again our recommended company to book flights with comes tops again! The £452.80 fare is based on you flying out of Gatwick on 11th February 2010 – getting you to Canada in time for the opening of the games, and after a week of experiencing the games in Vancouver flying back on 18th February. This is why i always book my flights to Canada with Canadian Affair.. They are the absolute cheapest way for anyone in the UK to get out there and experience Canada for themselves.

(more…)

Share on Facebook

Posted in British Columbia, Flights/Car Parking/Hire etc, Vancouver, Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics | No Comments »