When you’re traveling, sometimes you’re in a hurry, or like to treat yourself. It’s not always about the destination – it’s about the journey getting there. This summer if you have travel plans between Victoria and Vancouver, HeliJet is offering mid-week one-way flights from $179 per person!

It’s an amazing experience from the time you arrive until you arrive at your destination. Plan to arrive about 20-30 minutes before your flight time. After you check-in you can enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments including coffee, tea, oatmeal, cookies and yogurt.

When it’s time to board, the passengers are escorted to the aircraft. It’s perfectly normal to get one of the staff to get your photo taken with the helicopter – after all, you want to document that you flew on a helicopter!

The Sikorsky helicopter is comfortable and very spacious. The pilots will take you through a quick briefing and then you’re off on your 25-minute harbour-to-harbour scenic journey. Remember to bring your camera!

Even during inclement and most rough weather conditions, daily scheduled flights continue to operate – ensuring passengers arrive safely and on-time.

Summer is just around the corner and it wouldn’t be complete without Vancouver’s favourite amusement park, Playland at the PNE, which opens this Saturday, April 28, for another season of fun!

If you missed out on Atmosphere last summer, it’s back again this year, along with the corkscrew, wooden rollercoaster and the bumper cars!

There is a host of live concerts planned for throughout the summer too including Mariana’s Trench, Sarah McLachlan and Jann Arden.

The best deal on day tickets is by buying online or at a local 7-11. For the best summer fun value, season PlayPasses are on sale too!

Just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, an award-winning, destination attraction on the North Shore Mountains that gives visitors a true taste of the Pacific Northwest.

The original suspension bridge was built in 1889 and since then the bridge has seen millions of visitors cross over – well, not the original bridge which was made of hemp and cedar plans – it’s been modified and replaced with steel cable which is anchored in 13 tons of concrete on both sides of the canyon.

Recently the park opened up a new cantilevered and cable suspended bridge and walkway, anchored into the cliff wall, overlooking the Capilano River. The new Cliff Walk has special glass panels that allow visitors to look directly down at the canyon floor.

The park is filled with First Nations artwork, totem poles and the rich history of the Capilano area. The stories come to life through educational areas and special interactive zones located around the park.

On the west side of the canyon there is an entire overhead suspension bridge pathway through the treetops, taking visitors across some of the largest old-growth trees in the area.

There are free tours throughout the day. On the way out, stop by the gift shop for unique hand made Canadian gifts, snacks and souvenirs.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is located at 3735 Capilano Road in 
North Vancouver and is open 364 days per year (only closed on Christmas Day). Adults passes are $29.95, and BC residents can upgrade to a full year season pass for free with valid ID. The park is generally open from 9am – 5pm, but check their website because their hours change throughout the seasons.

Located just off the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, on the edge of the Whistler village, is the most affordable, vibrant, and modern chic hotel in Whistler; the Aava Whistler Hotel.

Seasoned travellers will appreciate the fitness centre, outdoor pool and hot tub, Aveda toiletries, complimentary in-room wireless, iPod/iPhone docking stations, and Kohler rain showers and soaker tubs.

Rooms at the Aava Hotel Whistler range from queen bed with sofa all the way up to a two-bedroom deluxe suite. Rooms include mini fridges and some have gas burning fireplaces.

First-time resort visitors can book activities, spa treatments, and get information on dining, events and other going-ons at the resort through the 24-hour concierge desk. The Aava Whistler Hotel was the official host hotel for the 2012 WinterPRIDE Pride House and the delegates in the Mr. Gay Canada 2012 competition.

There is a White Spot Restaurant on the hotel property that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hotel guests can access the restaurant by going through the tunnel located on the parkade level.

To make a reservation contact the Aava Whistler Hotel at 1-800-663-5644 or visit their website.

Heading out on a big trip can be stressful. Having to wake up early and hope you make it to the airport on time with all your luggage and documents ready to go. Take the stress out of the equation by arriving the night before and pampering yourself at the Fairmont YVR, located inside the Vancouver International Airport.

The Fairmont YVR is a 14 story, 392 room, sound-proof hotel boasting award-winning accommodations, spa, lounge and all the other amenities you would expect at a luxury hotel.

Upgrade your stay to the Fairmont Gold floor for even more privileges including complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and hors d’oeuvres.

If you’re arriving into Vancouver, refresh yourself before your meeting. Fairmont YVR has day-use rates so you can have a peaceful nap after your long journey and have a shower to freshen up.

Salt Spring Airoffers daily scheduled flights to/from Salt Spring Island. Their fleet of deHavilland Beaver float planes are based out of Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island and fly to Maple Bay on Vancouver Island, Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver downtown, and some of the larger Gulf Islands.

They also offer scenic tours of the Gulf Islands and offer packages including the Butchart Gardens in Victoria or a romantic picnic on a beach at sunset.  Scenic flight starts at $99 per person or $289 for the plane up to six passengers. It’s a great way to see the Pacific coastline from a birds eye view.

If you’re planning a trip to Salt Spring Island, Salt Spring Air is the fastest, most scenic and fun way to travel. Scheduled flight service starts from $89 per person per way. They even offer students 50% off on stand-by flights!

Booking can be made by calling 1.877.537.9880 or you can complete a booking request online.

The Jetside Bar located inside the Fairmont Hotel at Vancouver International Airport is now serving up traditional afternoon English tea service. Either before a trip, laying over, or arriving home, the floor-to-ceiling windows, over-stuffed chairs and large fireplaces are a great way to relax for an afternoon.

The signature handpicked loose-leaf Fairmont tea blends are the highlight of the tea service. There are nine distinctive blends to choose from:

• Fairmont Vancouver Airport “Jetsetter”
• Genmaicha Akaike
• Japan Sencha Fukujyu
• Cascade Peppermint
• Egyptian Chamomile
• Fairmont Breakfast
• Earl Grey
• Berry Berry
• Safari Masala Chai

After selecting your afternoon tea, served with a tea-timer so you know exactly when your tea is brewed to perfection. The first course is a fruit cleanser; a selection of fresh berries served in chilled Fairmont Berry Berry tea.

The main course includes four traditional tea sandwiches, fresh baked cranberry-lemon scones with Devonshire clotted cream and raspberry preserves, and four pastries.

To finish the tea service, there are four tea-infused cocktails to choose from – Tea Lani, Serenity Now, Sea Island Iced Tea and Beefy Tea. Each cocktail is $12.The English afternoon tea service is $36 per person and is available from 2:00-4:30pm.

Nestled in the Gulf Islands, between Vancouver and Vancouver Island is Salt Spring Island. It is one of the largest and most populated gulf islands. Over 10,000 people call Salt Spring Island home. It’s easy to see why. It’s full of natural beauty.

The island has a number of small villages with shops, restaurants and services – the largest village is Ganges. Visitors to Salt Spring can travel by BC Ferry or by float plane on Salt Spring Island air. There are a number of hotels and bed + breakfasts on the island.

For a quick weekend getaway there is lots to do – hiking, biking, beach combing, kayaking, and shopping at the many artisan boutique shops. Salt Spring Island also had an abundance of island made products including wine, cheese, coffee, produce and lamb.

Just because it’s winter and life is busy, doesn’t mean that there isn’t time to get away. Consider a staycation! A local weekend getaway can be fun and adventurous, especially when you get to explore new places you haven’t been to before.

Take for instance New Westminster. New Westminster is the original capital city of British Columbia. It has a rich history and the area has an assortment of antique & bridal shops, boutiques, restaurants, and work-wear supply stores.

Located right on the edge of the Fraser River is the Inn at the Quay. The 126 guest room property is the ideal location for a weekend of rest. The funky south-beach inspired décor is both unexpected for New West and also very inviting.

The guest rooms are clean, bright and spacious. Each room comes with fluffy bathrobes, crisp white linens, pillow-top mattresses, and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom features granite countertops and a rainfall showerhead – a nice treat to wash away unwanted stress. Best of all, most rooms have a great view of the mighty Fraser River.

In the evenings there are a number of restaurants within a few minutes walking distance, or if you choose to stay in, room service is available.

Head to the lobby living room on Tuesday nights for wines from around the world and Saturday’s for bubbly – oh, and they are free for anyone 19+ years to attend!

To get in your daily workout there is a boardwalk right in front of the hotel and there is an indoor fitness facility.

Overall, the property is a fun place to visit, even if it’s just for a quick getaway out of the city. It’s easy to get to by car (overnight underground parking), or by SkyTrain, an easy few minute walk from the New Westminster stop.

Guest rooms start at $104 CDN per night (winter season rate). Reservations can be made by calling their reservation hotline at 1-800-663-2001.

Katharine Hepburn with James Prideaux on the set of Mrs Delafield Wants to Mary, filmed in Vancouver, BC

In a 49-year span, Hollywood actress, Katharine Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003), won four Oscar wins for Best Actress. For the leading lady, her 62 year career of film, stage and television, she was best known for her roles in both comedies and drama.

During her career, Katharine had the opportunity to travel to Vancouver, BC, staying at a number of the cities most chic and private hotels and accommodations.

The Emmy-nominated television movie featuring Katharine Hepburn, Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry (1986), was filmed on location in Vancouver. According to her friend and writer, James Prideaux, it was Katharine’s idea to film the movie in Vancouver.

While in Vancouver Katharine dinned at many of the top restaurants and visited some of the local attractions.

Today guests of the Rosellen Suites at Stanley Park have the luxury of being able to stay in the very penthouse suite Katharine Hepburn once occupied during her many long-stay visits to Vancouver, BC.

The massive 1,900 square foot interior living space with wrap-around rooftop patio suite preserves the traditions of Hollywood’s golden era.

The master bedroom features a king size bed, desk, two full-length hallway closets, dual vanity sinks, glass shower and Jacuzzi soaker tub for two.

The suite boasts a spacious living room with real wood burning fire place, sitting room, wet bar, dining room, guest bedroom, office and kitchen – all furnished and styled with era appropriate fittings.

This is a great suite for hosting a retro-themed get-together, a weekend get-away with a family or close friends, or a relaxing weekend for two in the lap of disco-luxury!

Located just 10 minutes from the Kelowna International Airport is the Farfield Inn by Marriott, in Kelowna. The four-story, smoke free hotel features 126 guest rooms and 34 guest suites and two meeting rooms.

The air-conditioned rooms include luxury linens, thick mattresses, custom comforters and fluffy pillows. Rooms also have 32” flatscreen televisions with cable tv, mini fridges, ironing boards, and a work station. Travellers will also enjoy the free in-room WiFi service.

Hotel Amenities include a year-round heated outdoor pool with waterslide, outdoor hot tub, fitness centre, free hot / cold continental breakfast, Grab-n-Go breakfast, safe deposit boxes and a concierge desk.

The Farfield Inn in Kelowna is a great property if you are looking for a quality and affordable, quiet sleep with all the amenities expected. The staff are incredibly friendly and the property is very clean and well maintained.

For more information, or to make a booking for your next Okanagan getaway, visit their website.

Stunning views from the private luxury log cabins

On the shores of the Harrison River, about a 1.5 hour drive from downtown Vancouver is Rowena’s Inn, quite possibly the most romantic luxury resort getaways in the Fraser Valley.

Rowena's Inn

The Pretty family, well-known pioneers of BC’s timber, logging and natural resource industry, purchased the 160-acre estate located near Harrison Mills in January 1924. The first priorities for the new owners were to install running water and other basic living necessities into the two-story country farmhouse.

Pool, hot tub and views of the Harrison River

The property became a working dairy farm. In the 1950’s the farmhouse underwent major renovations.  The wrap-around veranda was enclosed to bring much needed space to the interior, a drawing room was added to the front corner and a pool was put in right in front of the house.

The house was maintained as is until the passing of Mr. Pretty in the 1990’s. At that time, his two remaining children, Betty Ann and her brother inherited the property and decided to turn their family home into a resort.

One of the five guest rooms in the Inn.

The home was renovated in 1994 and offered full-service accommodations. In 1998, golf course designer, Russ Olsen, completed work on the 18-hole natural forest golf course.

Family heirlooms, antiques and collectables located throughout the Inn

Today, the five-bedroom Inn offers visitors a chance to take a step back in time to appreciate the luxury of days gone by. The lovingly preserved home is filled with heirloom antiques and collectibles the family has acquired over the years and the décor is period appropriate.

Log cabins with king size bed, fireplace, patios and more.

The estate also offers four luxury log cabins, complete with heated slate floors, real wood-burning river-rock fire places, king size beds and two-person Jacuzzi tubs. The private cabins are the ultimate romantic accommodations.

The entire estate is open to the public. There is a full-service restaurant on-site open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a traditional English afternoon tea service is available in the Inn. The golf course is open early spring through late fall.

Private airstrip; just a 30 minute flight from downtown Vancouver.

Rowena’s Inn, named after Mr. Pretty’s wife, is open year round, and is the perfect getaway for a romantic birthday, anniversary or other special occasion.

For more information about Rowena’s Inn and to make reservations, visit the Rowena’s Inn website.

With over 300 acres of vineyards and 30 years of growing grapes on the volcanic hillside of the Kelowna’s Westside, it’s no wonder that Mt Boucherie Family Estate Winery is producing some of the best quality, award-winning wines in British Columbia.

For the last ten years the family has been making hand-crafted white, red, rose, late-harvest and ice wines from grapes grown in their own vineyards in Kelowna, Crawston and Okanagan Falls. Each year, one to three acres of grapes are left on the vine to create the very special late harvest and ice wines.

Current highlight wines include:

• The 2008  Estate Collection Smellion (0) has a clean, crisp taste. It has an unoaked finished (finished in stainless steel), and had a beautiful off-clear colouring.
• The 2009 Summit Reserve Pinot Noir recently won a gold medal. If you like spicy reds, this one is for you.
• For big and bold, their 2007 Summit Reserve also won a gold medal.

Mt Boucherie wines are available at most BC Liquor Stores, VQA wine shops, and select restaurants in Vancouver and Victoria. The full available selection of Mt Boucherie wines can be found in the wine shop located at the winery.

Mt Boucherie Family Estate Winery is located at 829 Douglas Road on Kelowna’s Westside and is one of the featured stops along the Tourism Kelowna Westside Wine Trail.

Since 1969, three generations of the Slamka family have owned and operated Little Straw Winery on Kelowna’s Westside. The family has a rich history as both growers and wine makers.

In 1964 the family purchased the 23-acre property, which today has 13 acres of grapes and 10 acres for their horses.

The first varietal in the ground was Marachel Foch in 1969, which they still grow and harvest today. Just five years later, in 1974, the family saw opportunity to expand and planted Auxerrois.

It wasn’t until 1994 that the family began to make and blend their own vintages. They are best known for Pinot Noir and Auxerrois icewine, however, there is a hidden cult of followers for their Tapestry blend.

The 2010 Tapestry, is a blend of Riesling, Auxerrois, Siegerrebe, Schonburger and Gewürztraminer. It has strong notes of citrus and has a clean, bold, crisp finish.

The 2008 Marachel Foch is a popular seller; however, because it has been blended with Lemberger it cannot be labeled as VQA. This vintage is still a bit young in the bottle and could sit for another year to reach its full potential. This wine is best served decanted for 4 – 16 hours to bring out the full pepper flavor and body.

Although they are well known for Auxerrois icewine, the Lemberger icewine is not to be missed. It has rich fruit flavours and is not thick and syrupy like most icewines. It’s high on the sweetness scale, coming in at a 30.

Grandpa Slamka is a self-taught wine maker and has passed his knowledge and skills to his son, who has since been experimenting with many new blends. Approximately 90% of the grapes used in their vintages are grown on the estate; the remaining 10% come from other Okanagan growers.

Little Straw wines can be found in select VQA wine shops in BC, but for the full selection it’s best to visit the estate at 2815 Ourtoland Road in Kelowna. The wine shop is open year around. For more information, visit their website.

Make the most out of the day by taking the Westside Wine Trail from Tourism Kelowna. The helpful guide will make sure you get to all the right stops along the way.

Quietly tucked away on Ganges Harbour is Hastings House; an Essex style country cottage that has been lovingly been transformed into a quaint country getaway on Salt Spring Island.

The quiet and peaceful estate offers visitors the chance to enjoy country luxury in a relaxed setting. The original timber-framed buildings are all original but have been re-purposed into rustic, upscale accommodations filled with genuine antiques and artwork.

The original Hudson’s Bay Company trading post and the original staff accommodations have been converted into a honeymoon and In-Law’s suites. The original manor home has been converted into a fine-dining restaurant on the main level and upstairs hosts two large suites.

It’s a slower pace. Get up early in the morning to watch the sun rise over Ganges Harbour with a fresh cup of coffee and homemade muffins. Even if it’s a rainy weekend, it is the perfect place to wrap up in a blanket with a good novel and a cup of tea and listen to the rain dance on the rooftop.

On the estate grounds there are beautiful manicured gardens and lawns, an art walk trail full of surprises, and a small heard of lamb. If you are into history, there is a wonderful journal in the lounge about the original estate owners (yes, there was some sexy scandals that went down on Salt Spring that you have to learn about). There is also a full-service spa for those looking to enjoy a mani or pedi.

Ganges village is about a ten-minute walk from Hastings House. In the village there are restaurants, art galleries and boutique shops. To see more of the island there are bike, kayak and car rentals.

Getting to Hastings House from Vancouver is easy. You could take a BC Ferry to Victoria and then connect to the Gulf Islands, or to save yourself a ton of time and make it an adventure, Salt Spring Air flies all day from the downtown Vancouver harbor to Ganges. It’s about a 25-minute flight and worth every penny!

Hastings House Country Hotel on Salt Spring Island is an ideal getaway for young city, double-income-no-kids, and professional couple to get away for the weekend to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of country island life, or to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or even to propose to someone special.

It’s not a traditional resort with a 24-hour reception desk, so after dinner, grab a bottle of Salt Spring Island’s very own Gary Oak’s wine and settle in for an quiet and relaxing evening and enjoy the accommodations.

The accommodations are open year-round. To get special offers and to make a reservation, visit the Hastings House County House Hotel website.

In June 2011 I was in New Orleans. I fell in love with the architecture, the atmosphere, warm temperatures and all the sites. Although most of New Orleans was dramatically effected by hurricane Katrina, the French Quarter escaped most of the damage.

During the day, Bourbon Street is a bustling street and can be a fun place to enjoy music and cheap beverages. At night the bars go full-tilt blasting jazz and blues music late into the night. In New Orleans beverages are served in plastic cups so you can take your drink to-go (yes, drinking in public is allowed).

If you enjoy architecture, there are wonderful decorative wrought iron railings though out the French Quarter. The wood clad buildings have large shudder windows and traditional French inspired facades. The Fleur de lis is found throughout New Orleans and since Katrina has been a sign of hope and prosperity.

Here’s just a glimpse of some of the many sights in the famous French Quarter of the Big Easy.

With over 3,200 beds in the City of Kelowna, accommodation choices are abundant. Often it comes down to location, budget and amenities to determine which accommodation is the right choice. Enter the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna.

The 185-room hotel a wide-variety of room configurations from two double beds to queen and king size beds. Each room has a small refrigerator, free local calling, and best of all, free high-speed Internet, something that is becoming harder to find.

Most guest rooms have balconies. Rooms will either have city views or overlook the outdoor year-round headed pool and hot tub. If sticking to your gym routine while out of town, the hotel also offers guests free access to the fitness centre.

The Coast Carpi Hotel is home to Vintage Room, a fine dining restaurant, where guests can dine indoors or poolside. Each morning the coffee bar is open for breakfast for those on the go, and for the late night crowd, the Coast Capri Hotel is the only hotel in Kelowna that offers 24-hour room service!

Within 10 minutes of the hotel are the orchards that have made Kelowna so popular. The bountiful seasonal harvests are celebrated at many of the local restaurants too, where locally grown fruits and vegetables are often featured on the daily menu.

Also close by are over 20 wineries. Tourism Kelowna has five distinct wine routes taking visitors to the different wineries for wine tastings.

For the past two years, the Coast Capri Hotel has been the host hotel for Okanagan Pride, hosting out-of-town guests and the venue for the highlight event, the Okanagan Pride Dance Party.

Whether you are in Kelowna for a conference, a golf weekend, visiting family, or just to relax and get-away for a weekend, the Coast Capri Hotel can certainly take care of you quite comfortably and at a reasonable price too!

For more information about Kelowna including things to do and to make your reservations, visit the Tourism Kelowna website, or book direct from the Coast Capri Hotel by calling 1-800-716-6199.

Harbour Centre is an iconic building on the Vancouver skyline. Originally opened on August 13, 1977, American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening and welcomed Vancouver and its visitors to enjoy the newest landmark in the city.

Standing at 168.8 meters (553.16 ft), Harbour Centre is one of the tallest buildings in Vancouver. It’s comparable in height to another lookout centre to the south, the Space Needle in Seattle, standing at 184.4 metres (605 ft).

To get to The Lookout, guests take a 40 second ride in an exterior glass elevator to the observation deck, 130 metres (430 ft) in the sky. From the obvervation deck there are 360 degree views of downtown Vancouver, the North Short Mountains, Stanley Park, the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic Peninsual Mountains.

Other sites of interest include venues from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: Cypress Mountain, BC Place, GM Place, the Village on False Creek and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Admission is $15 for adults and is valid all day, so you can go during the day for the day-time views and come back again in the evening to see the city at nightfall.

Located in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in the City of Vancouver, the Bloedel Conservatory is a triodetic dome that opened on December 6, 1969, and at the time was the second largest domed conservatory in the world.

The dome is 43m (140 ft) in diameter and 21m (71 ft) high at its centre. The triodentic dome allows for large ground space without the use of supporting columns.

Inside there are three distinct climates; tropical rainforest, sub-tropical forest, and desert. A path leads from the main entrance clockwise through lush gardens.

Some of the highlights along the tour include Japanese Koi, Green-winged Macaws, a Trumpet Tree, a cluster of golden butterfly palms, orchids, an African Gray parrot, a papaya tree and a candelabra cactus.

The Bloedel Conservatory is operated by the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association in partnership with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. The Conservatory is open year round.

On your next trip to New Orleans, try to pry yourself away from Bourbon Street and discover the haunted and exotic world of Louisiana’s swamplands. It’s the perfect way experience the ‘backyard’ of the Deep South and get up-close and personal with an alligator, or two.

Waterways, swamps and mysterious, moss-draped bayous surround New Orleans. The name bayou originates from a Choctaw Indian word meaning, small stream.

Located just a quick 35-minute drive from the French Quarter of New Orleans, in the hot, watery oasis there are many Louisiana native creatures including wild boar, alligators, turtles, snakes, nutria, hawks, owls, ducks, crawfish and more. Vegetation ranges from lily pads, cypress trees, rushes, reeds, and Spanish moss.

The most exciting, easiest and educational way to experience the secluded areas of the swamplands is to take a guided swamp boat tour. The thrilling high-speed ride on a six-passenger air boat will take you over the marshes and deep into the swamps.

The airboats are operated by captains certified by the US Coast Guard, and many of the operators have spent their entire life hunting, fishing and living in Louisiana’s swamplands; they know the areas and will ensure you have a safe, fun encounters with the local wildlife.

Bring your camera! The airboat captain will make sure you get up close with alligators and other wildlife. There’s also a great chance you will be able to hold a real, live, baby alligator!

Some tours will take you through the remnants of a logging operation from the early 1900’s. Most of the waterways the airboats take are from logging that was done years ago.

Most tours are 30-60 minutes. Tours run year-round, rain or shine. The microclimate in the swamps means there is often short bursts of rain; ponchos are available for purchase from most tour operators at a small fee.

Remember to bring a hat and sunscreen on hot, sunny days. It’s safe to wear flip-flops, t-shirts and casual clothes, but leave your expensive jewelry at home, unless you want to risk making an unintended donation into the swampy waters to be lost forever.

Most tour operators have a minimum height restriction of 48” and individuals with back or neck problems and pregnant women are not allowed to ride on airboats.