British Columbia Canada Blog

The restaurants throughout British Columbia are some of the most diverse and eclectic that Canada has to offer.  Borne of a highly multi-cultural population, choose between any number of ethnic restaurants such as Japanese, Chinese, Szechwan, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Greek, Italian – there is something for everyone’s taste and mood.  Or, with so many options, choose between other ethnic fare, west coast cuisine, haute cuisine or down home cooking wherever your travels take you.

Food services in BC are regulated by rigid public health laws, so whatever your tastes are, you will find only safe and clean facilities serving up your favourite meal.  Sometimes the smallest, most unsuspecting roadside diners boast the most exceptional corned beef hash or hot apple pie!

If you lean towards a stylish wine and tapas experience or a generally more sophisticated repast, you will find a host of amazing culinary delights in any of the metropolitan areas of British Columbia, as well as some hidden gems in smaller towns like Nelson, Naramata and Tofino.  So many of British Columbia’s restaurants are set amongst the lakes, mountains and rolling hills that make the province beautiful – what better way to savour a meal!

You will also find world class and award winning chefs and sommeliers proudly plying their art at restaurants in Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler and on the Gulf Islands.  The west coast of British Columbia is famous for its fresh, organic ingredients and exciting, vibrant flavours.  Enjoy a west coast meal paired with one of BC’s exquisite local wines, from Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands or the Okanagan Valley wine region.

Whether your pleasure is for a quick, quaint bite on a busy road trip or if you prefer your meal to be a destination and an experience unto itself, British Columbia restaurants, bistros, cafes and eateries deliver!

Your trip to Vancouver this summer won’t be complete until you attend Shakespeare Festival. 2011 Season runs from June 2nd to September 24th. As you like it, The Merchant of Venice, Robert 3, Henry 6 are four main plays for the season and you can see them all for one ticket price of $145/person.

Other Bard on the Beach specials include: Bard B-Q and Firworks, Celebration Red and White and various discussions andlectures. So, if you like Shakespeare than this one is for you.  For more information, prices and schedules, visit: Bard On The Beach.

Know about a cool event in BC? Drop us a line at info@bctravelguide.ca

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BC Farmers do an incredible job and the least we can do is thank them for their fresh produce. This year BC farmers appreciation week will be celebrated from July 31st to August 6th and is a wonderful opportunity for us all to thank farmers across BC

Did you know that farmers make up only 1.5% of BC’s population? Yet, this small percentage of the population produces an estimated 48% of all foods consumed in B.C. Whether or not we are aware of it, British Columbians depend on BC farmers and BC farmland.

So come out and show your support by buying local produce.

Silverstar mountain resort has come up with an exciting new weekend getaway 2011  for all vacation lovers and I absolutely love it. Trust me, you can spoil someone special with this little breather in Silver Star’s outstanding setting.Check out the deal details below:
 

Saturday August 20

Food & Wine Pairing Seminar 4 – 6 p.m. Prepare to be entertained and learn how to cook like a chef! Have fun with guest chef Martin Laprise as he guides you through making delicious food and wine pairings.Gourmet at the Grand Café 6:30 – till late
Allow us to make your dinner reservation at the Bulldog Hotel’s Grand Café where a special ‘Indulgence’ menu will be sure to spoil you.

Movie Night at Club Snowbird
Enjoy a screening of Chocolat…sure to set the scene for Sunday’s seminar.

Sunday August 21

‘Everything Chocolate’ Seminar 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Join chocolatier Barrita Durward for an entertaining introduction to the art of chocolate making. This hands on seminar will teach you how to properly dip, make sweet treats, and create some chocolates to take home.Finish your weekend on a high!
Enjoy the spectacular view of the Monashee Mountains and Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes from the view point at the top of Silver Star Mountain. Take a relaxing ride to the top on the Summit Chairlift and either hike or ride back down. Lift is available from Noon to 4 p.m. on either Saturday or Sunday.

1 Night Indulgence Package – $215 per person Includes 1 night accommodation in a 2 bedroom Executive unit at luxurious Snowbird Lodge (based on double occupancy), Food & Wine Pairing Seminar, Chocolate Seminar, Movie Night, and a Chairlift & Hiking Pass. 12% HST additional. Some restrictions apply. This special cannot be booked in conjunction with any other special offers.

For more information or to book please call Silver Star Holidays at 1-800-663-4431

Visiting your timeshare can be a great experience that you look forward to every year. Your timeshare may be the perfect place for your vacations and provide all of the luxurious amenities that you want when you are relaxing away from the stress of work. But not all timeshares are able to provide such amazing vacations to their owners. For a lot of timeshare owners just the thought of their timeshare maintenance fees can give them a headache.

This is because for these owners the financial costs of timeshare ownership were not fully explained to them. They were not fully aware that the yearly dues to maintain timeshare ownership have the potential to increase over time. After a few years of timeshare ownership the costs can add up until they are at appoint that the timeshare owner can no longer afford them. This leads to owners looking for a way out of their financial timeshare obligations.

A lot of people will try to sell their timeshare on the resale market in order to get out. But this is not a viable solution to this problem. So many owners are being taken advantage of and scammed when they try to sell their timeshare. This can be very unsettling for those who have already spent so much money being a timeshare owner. Finding out now that a timeshare does not really sell as easily as they had been assured it would sell when they first purchased it can be devastating.

The timeshare trap is a serious problem that has led to companies like Transfer America to be created to provide viable exit solutions to owners. While there are some qualifications and the service does charge a fee, once you use them to get out of your timeshare you can be sure that you are out for good. Because they provide a written guarantee to timeshare owners which states they will no longer be responsible for their financial timeshare obligations they have been able to help thousands of people get out of their timeshares.

There really is so much to see and do in BC. From the bustling metropolis of Vancouver to the vast woods and mountains of the interior. Although the state has an enormous amount to offer tourists, there is one place that is rarely on the trail: the Haida Gwaii, previously known as the Queen Charlotte Islands until 2009.

Separated from mainland BC by the Hecate Strait that varies between 30 to 87 miles wide, the Haida Gwaii are comprised of 150 islands. There are however two main islands, Graham Island in the north and Moresby island in the south. There are three municipal towns, two modern Haida villages and various other smaller settlements.

You’ll find a variety of places to stay in Haida, if you like camping there’s plenty of well organised camp sites to stay at. If you’re more used to checking hotel websites, there are a variety of hotels, motels and inns, many of which have very useful websites. You could also hire a cottage or cabin, if you like the idea of staying in a building, but also fancy some independence.

There’s a lot to see on the islands – they have a maritime micro-climate that ensures the winters never get too cold and summers never too hot. This also makes for a beautiful flora and fauna – perfect for walking and bird watching and wildlife viewing. For those that like the wave, Haida offers great surfing, but there is also great kayaking and boating activities over the island’s numerous inlets and creeks. Let’s also not forget the amazing culture of the the First Nations who live on the island – there are plenty of museums to learn more. The totem poles of the First Nations of Haida are particularly striking, and art routes take around the island to see the full variety of arts and crafts available.

The easiest way to get to the islands is by ferry which are leaves from Prince Rupert. This journey is a particularly spectacular way of reaching the islands and takes you past the beautiful coastline. There are also planes that fly from Vancouver to Sandspit YZP (Moresby Island) and Masset ZMT (northern Graham Island), as well as a daily sea plane service. With such easy access, there is really no reason for putting off your journey.

 Wondering what is Performing Arts BC? Well, it’s an association of 34 BC Regional Festivals which was established in 1964. It’s interesting to know that over 80,000 young musicians, dancers and speech artists, ranging in age from 3 to 60 plus, participate annually in these regional festivals.  Adjudicators at the Regional Festivals recommend outstanding performing artists from each age category and discipline to compete in the provincial competition, held in a different city annually.

This year this annual provincial competition called Performing Arts BC will be held in Kamloops, British Columbia from June 5th to 9th, 2011. Join us along with other music enthusiasts to discover local talent. 

We highly recommend making accommodation arrangements in advance. To make your travel arrangements, visit:  Kamloops Lodging and book today!

Driving through interior British Columbia during winters could be treacherous but it’s a lovely drive during summer. You can expect beautiful lakes with crystal clear water, small hills, picture perfect picnic spots, campgrounds and hidden hiking trails.
Local attractions while driving from Revelstoke to Sicamous include: Enchanted Forest ( a great hit with kids) and Three Valley Gap. You can also check out the historic site of the Craigellachie Last Spike, hammered by Canadian Pacific Railway Director Donald Smith into the Transcontinental Rail Line that united Canada from coast to coast on 7th November 1885.

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Summer Weekend Getaways

Gong Xi Fa Cai!  I mean Happy New Year of the Rabbit. Chinese New Year has just begun so let’s have a look at Canada’s largest Chinatown located in Vancouver. Vancouver’s Chinatown has always been a great tourist attraction. I personally find it very captivating because of its colorful sights and exotic products.

Did you know that Vancouver is also home to North America’s third largest Chinatown? It provides us an interesting glimpse of Chinese culture and strong Chinese community. The easiest way to get to Chinatown from downtown Vancouver is to go east on Pender Street to Carrall Street and find parking on the street. You can also park in the International Village Parkade at the corner of Pender and Abbott and walk east on Pender and into Chinatown. 

 You know you are in Chinatown when you see paper lanterns, pagoda-style arches, and Chinese dragons. Great restaurants, food stalls and countless shops with imported goods will inspire you to explore this part of Vancouver on foot. 

The Chinese Cultural Centre at 50 West Pender Street, Vancouver, is the heart and soul of the China Town as it hosts variety of cultural programs ranging from lectures, exhibitions on carvings, paintings, ceramics and historical photographs as well as offers language courses in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

One of the most fascinating part of Chinatown in Vancouver is Bamboo Village which carries an extraordinary array of items that you won’t find elsewhere, from vintage wind-up clocks, vacuum-tube radios, authentic antique oriental furniture, and genuine Chinese. Stop by old- fashioned Garden Villa Seafood restaurant for the best dim sum in town. When you get tired exploring the Chinatown don’t forget to try some Chinese tea which is very refreshing.

Chinatown Night Market which will be held this year from May 20th 2011 to September 11th, 2011 (every friday, saturday and sunday) from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm on Keefer street/Main street is a must for all tourists. Besides hundred booths for gifts items, fashion and modern electronics it will feature multicultural performances like folk dancing, singing, magic shows, martial arts, lion dance, bands as well as games and prizes.

So, next time in Vancouver, stop by Chinatown.

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It has been snowing a lot in British Columbia and ski lovers are really happy. 5 must try ski resorts of 2011 are:

1. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort - One reason to visit Kicking Horse Ski resort is that it is celebrating its 10th anniversary and the other is that it has a new terrain for advanced skiers which offer 17 challenging chutes.

2. Whitewater Ski Resort – We suggest visiting Whitewater Ski resort if you are an expert skier because it has 18 new runs this year. Thanks to the new Glory Ridge Chair.

3. Revelstoke Mountain Resort – Want to try backcountry, cat and heli-skiing as well as stay in a brand new luxurious lodge (Nelson Lodge.) Well, head for Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

4. Silver Star Ski Resort - You have been visiting Silver Star Ski Resort for years and see no reason to go back this year. Well, wait a second, how about trying new Ice Climbing tower or sharpen your skills by taking a course on technical sides of skiing and snowboarding.

5. Mount Washington Ski Resort on Vancouver Island: Last but not least, we suggest trying Mount Washington Ski Resort because Little Washington Peak has opened an additional 40 hectares of tree skiing terrain. Not to forget that backcountry excursions to the back side of Mount Washington and heliskiing adventures within the Vancouver Island ranges is also available this ski season.

Get ready for some fun and plan your next ski vacation with BC Travel Guide

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