Last month Keira and I were guests of the Magnolia Hotel in Victoria, which was my first stay a hotel right in the city’s inner harbour. After driving from Nanaimo along a snowy Malahat Highway we were greeted at the curb with a smile and promptly checked into our room. The lobby was warm with […]

I’ve been ending every day here in Mexico with a walk on the beach with John. Yesterday we brought out our cameras and wandered just about 200 meters off the resort’s beach to adjacent rocky shores. Chasing the sunset, we captured the incoming tide, fossilized imprints, and some unexpected castaways. Located on the Eastern side […]

After checking into the Westin when we were in Whistler last month we heading down to the concourse level to meet up with our Whistler Tasting Tour for the evening. Over the next three hours we would walk to four restaurants, sample wine pairings, and have some exclusive experiences in the village. Jamie was our […]

For nearly one hundred years the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria has been a regal monument of elegance and luxury. The most popular activity at the historic hotel would have to be its world-famous Afternoon Tea, enjoyed by tourists, locals, globetrotters and celebrities alike. Thanks to an invitation to tea by the Empress on Twitter, […]

Last Saturday the Westin Whistler hosted the annual Indulge Gala, benefitting the Whistler Health Foundation. Through a special arrangement, John and I were given a behind the scenes tour of gala preparations by Executive Chef Brad Cumming. Chef Cumming paired up with chefs from four other Westins including Chef JP Fillion from the Westin Grand, […]

Having spent more time in Whistler during the spring and summer months, I’m familiar with its many activities outside of carving up the snow-covered slopes. Even when the mountain opens up for its world-famous winter season you can still find plenty to do if you’re not a skiier or snowboarder. From ziplining to snowshoeing, the […]

During my stay in Victoria with Keira we were booked to to a tea workshop at Silk Road Tea in Chinatown. Recently expanded along Government Street Silk Road is a tea shop, tasting room, and spa rolled into one. Upon entering we were greeted with samples of their Westcoast Peppermint and were surrounded by infusers, […]

Chelsea Barr from the City of Nanaimo has been promoting the city’s latest (and sweetest) attraction. She’s put together the “Nanaimo Bar Trail” in honor of the famous 3-layer chocolate dessert invented in (and named after) Nanaimo. Photo credit: edwardkimuk on Flickr Normally served up in bar form with a layer of vanilla custard between […]

For most of my life, the only time I had ever spent in the Nanaimo are was either at Departure Bay or Duke Point ferry terminals. Nanaimo is a port for vessels carrying tourists, travellers and commuters however in recent years its own downtown core has become known as a great place to eat, shop, […]

The Ross Bay Cemetery is frequently mentioned on tours around Victoria as big buses and double-deckers cruise past the historic resting place that sits beside the ocean. It wasn’t until this past weekend that I had the chance to get out of my vehicle and take a frosty walk around to pay my respects to […]