Destinations
Sharks in the spotlight at Maui Ocean Center
There's still a little time to catch Shark-tacular at the Maui Ocean Center, which is underway for the month of July. Guests can dive in and separate fact from fiction about sharks, one of the ocean's most amazing yet often misunderstood marine creatures. The centre has exciting shark-themed activities in store, designed to reveal truths and dispel myths about the apex predators. Daily presentations have fascinating shark facts and a Shark Tour package adds an Ocean Naturalist guide to the experience. Guests go behind-the-scenes of the Deep Reef Exhibit, home to blacktip reef sharks, and...
Residence Inn by Marriott set to open in YVR
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts will officially open its doors to welcome guests to the new Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown tomorrow (July 27), the first branded, designated extended-stay hotel in Vancouver. The $25 million transformation has infused new design elements to offer hotel guests a "home away from home"experience. Located at 1234 Hornby St., the 201-room all-suite hotel provides guests "with everything they need to thrive on longer stays by offering spacious suites ranging from 420 square feet to over 800 square feet with well equipped kitchens, free WiFi and in-room...
Insight puts America on show
Insight Vacations' new 2013-2014 USA & Canada brochure offers a wide range of premium and luxury itineraries that include a range of new inclusions and upgrades. Now, for a limited time, Insight is offering $400 in savings per couple on their 2013 USA & Canada trips. Cris David, president of Insight Vacations, said,"We are pleased to provide options that leave behind the big cities and delve into the immense natural beauty and diverse wildlife that exists in the USA, offered at a more leisurely pace." He pointed out that "We encourage travellers to discover their own backyard, and we're...
Maui Villa features cutting-edge TVs
Tropical Villa Vacations, which specializes in luxury vacation homes and villas on Maui, is breaking new ground by equipping one of its top properties with a Smart TV. The three-bedroom, four-bath Bella Luna (D302), at Wailea Beach Villas, now has a 60-inch Samsung Smart TV featuring 2D and 3D HD viewing, voice and gesture control options and unlimited Netflix programming via HD BluRay DVD player. It also allows guests to browse the web and access photos or music from digital cameras, cell phones and computers....
Sunset Strip music fest partners with hotels
The 2012 Sunset Strip Music Festival in Hollywood is coming up on Aug. 16-18. This year's outdoor street festival on Aug. 18 will feature Marilyn Manson as the headliner, and performances by The Offspring, Steve Aoki, Bad Religion and more. All SSMF hotel packages for the weekend include two tickets to the street festival -- a value of US$150. Some available deals are the Andaz West Hollywood's SSMF package starting at US$329/night; the Chamberlain's SSMF package starting at US$295/night; the Grafton on Sunset's "6 Pack 'n Rock"SSMF package, starting at US$229/night; and the Mondrian's SSMF...
WestJet adding more sun
WestJet is adding four new sun destinations and extend two more from seasonal to year-round as part of its 2012-2013 winter schedule. In the Caribbean, WestJet is adding Antigua & Barbuda, Curacao and Costa Rica -- all from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The carrier's newest Mexican destination is Manzanillo, via Calgary International Airport. John MacLeod, WestJet's vice-president, alliances, strategy and chief network officer, said that: "The addition of these new sun destinations as part of our 2012-2013 winter schedule demonstrates our ongoing strategic focus on expanding our...
New Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport
The all-new Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport has recently opened its doors, offering business and leisure travellers a stay near many of Central Maui's best attractions, plus the island's government seat and the majority of Maui businesses. Maui's newest property offers a refreshing outdoor pool surrounded by luxury cabanas, a well-equipped exercise room and the flexibility to combine both work and play in a comfortable and pristine island environment....
New winery a first for Kamloops
The first winery based in Kamloops, BC has just opened, proving that British Columbia has many areas suitable for growing grapes. Harper's Trail Estate Winery is named for the cattle drive trail of pioneer rancher Thaddeus Harper. The first wines, made by Michael Bartier at Okanagan Crush Pad, reflect this emerging region with flavours that the team believes will soon be known as characteristic of the Kamloops. Tucked into the city outskirts on the bank of the South Thompson River, the vineyard sits among rolling hills of sage and grass, home to bighorn sheep, bears and birds. The backdrop of...