Travel and Getaways

Coca-Cola is one of the most recognized brands around the world. People enjoy drinking their products, whistling their catchy theme tunes, and collecting their memorabilia. Each year over a million people make their way to the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia, to understand the history of the world-famous soda, meet other Coca-Cola fans, and taste over 60 flavours from around the world.

The World of Coca-Cola is located in Pemberton Place, in honour of the company founder, John Pemberton. Guests start the interactive tour by entering a pavilion filled with artifacts and advertising memorabilia. The tour continues with a five minute 4-D film in the theatre.

Afterwards guests are invited to explore the remaining areas of the facility including the newest area, The Vault of the Secret Formula, where the secret of Coca-Cola is revealed.

Other areas include Bottle Works, a walk through a bottling processing plant, Coca-Cola advertising movie theatre, and the Pop Culture Gallery, with hundreds of artifacts and fun facts about Coca-Cola.

The highlight for most guests is Taste-It, where Coca-Cola products from all seven continents can be sampled from self-serve soda fountain dispensers.

At the end of the tour, each visitor receives a complimentary commemorative glass Coca-Cola bottle. The final stop is through the vast Coca-Cola gift shop where thousands of branded items from drinkware and pajamas, to crystal bottles and train sets can be purchased.

To get the best deal on the World of Coca-Cola, purchase an Atlanta CityPass and save up to 42% on admission, plus get tickets to other Atlanta attractions including the nearby Georgia Aquarium and the CNN Studio Tour.

For more information on things to do in Atlanta, visit the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

In 1999, the City of Houston put out a request for proposals to redevelop to aging landmarks – Fire Station No. 1 and the adjacent central waterworks plant. In 2003, Landry’s Restaurant would re-open the facilities under the new name, Downtown Aquarium, featuring two restaurants, a bar, banquet facilities, and 500,000 US gallons (1.9m L) of aquariums.

The aquarium is broken out into five theme areas; The Louisiana Swamp, a 17th century Spanish galleon shipwreck, a tropical rainforest, a sunken temple, and the Gulf of Mexico. Each area showcases plants and creatures related to the theme.

On the Discovery Rig, there are three hands-on touch displays where guests can interact with stingrays, bamboo sharks, horseshoe crabs, butterfly fish, triggerfish, and tangs.

The centerpiece of one of the restaurants is a 110,000 US gallon (420,000 L), aquarium, the largest, cylindrical tank in the United States. The Downtown Aquarium is also home to a white tiger, marine themed musical carousel ride, Ferris wheel, miniature train ride, and outdoor adventure park.

To get the best deal on the Downtown Aquarium, purchase a Houston CityPass and save up to 46% on admission to Houston’s top attractions, including the Museum of Fine Arts.

For more information on things to do in Houston, visit the Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Shopaholics and fashionista’s visit Houston know the largest mall in Texas is the Galleria. If you’re planning a shopping trip it can easily take you a few days to tour the entire mall, so make a trip out of it! Located just two blocks away is the Royal Sonesta Hotel, a full-service hotel with all the amenities to complete your vacation.

Guest rooms are decorated in a pleasant contemporary palette and décor. Rooms range from standard to full suites. Crisp, white linens grace the beds, while cool refreshments await in the mini-bar. Views of Houston downtown are spectacular. The bathrooms have Bvlgari soaps and lotions – a pleasant treat!

The Club Floor, located at the top of the hotel, has a morning continental breakfast, happy hour in the afternoon, and has coffee, fruit and water throughout the day.

Guests are welcome to use the outdoor pool, hot tub and deck chairs to soak in the warm Houston sun. There is also a modest fitness room with cardio and weigh equipment and free weights.

Both the guest rooms and lobby have complimentary WiFi internet so you can stay on top of email and messages.

Just off the lobby are both a full-service, fine-dining restaurant and a lobby-bar. Room service is also available. The food is really good too!

The Royal Sonesta is a $25 cab ride from the Montrose (gay) district. It is a LGBT friendly property.

Guest Room: ★★★★☆

Bedding: ★★★★☆

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★☆

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★☆

Customer Service: ★★★★☆

Overall Experience: ★★★★☆

An incredible adventure awaits of Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, which is home to over 120,000 animals of over 500 species. It’s an amazing spectacle of underwater life, where creatures swim through an overwhelming 8.5 million US gallons of marine and fresh water.

The Georgia Aquarium is divided into six distinctive areas representing different and unique types of water creatures – from playful dolphins and magnificent beluga whales, to cute little penguins and colourful starfish. Each are is categorized into specific themes, creating fun adventure and learning zones.

There are surprises around every corner. Guests pass by large viewing windows to see brightly coloured fish, look above to see fish swimming over head, and peer through portals to get a glimpse of giant turtles.

Guests can feel like they are standing in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by magnificent giants in one of the two viewing platforms, or feel like they are swimming with the belugas in the two-story observation theatre.

To get the best deal on the Georgia Aquarium, purchase an Atlanta CityPass and save up to 42% on admission, plus get tickets to other Atlanta attractions including the nearby World of Coca-Cola and the CNN Studio Tour.

For more information on things to do in Atlanta, visit the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

When you travel to places like Atlanta, Georgia, there are just certain things you need to do. On my most recent trip to Atlanta there was one location I just had to get to, and that was Gallery 63, the famed auction house from Discovery Channel’s, Auction Kings.

About a 15-minute drive from Midtown, still inside the perimeter (ITP as the locals call it), Gallery 63 is tucked in behind a little white church, just off the main road. Standing out front, it’s almost exactly as you would expect it to be from the TV show.

As soon as you open up the doors the excitement of the treasure hunt begins. That’s part of what makes auctions so exciting – you never know what you’re going to find for sale. By taking a quick gander throughout the auction house you can tell that after being in the business for over 30 years, Gallery 63 has created reputation for gathering a great selection of authentic, vintage items, which are in good repair and are high quality.  It’s not your everyday auction house. You can find antiques, collectables, and rare items all going up for bid on the auction block.

Look close, you can see Delfino in the centre of the photo, right behind the yellow ladder.

Depending on the days of the week you visit, you might get a glimpse of some of the popular faces from the show. On the day I visited, Delfino Ramos was busy repairing and hanging a light fixture. Unfortunately, Paul and Cindy, the two I really wanted to meet, weren’t in.

The 12,000 sq ft famed auction house, located at 4577 Roswell Road, is open mid-week 9:00am to 4:00pm, and Saturday’s before auction days, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Fit for a fabulous queen! Gorgeous guest rooms, a full services Cairnes spa, complimentary car service downtown, a spectacular pool, restaurants, and more, the Four Seasons Houston is where the who’s who of the LGBT travel community stays when overnighting in downtown Houston.

The gay-friendly Four Seasons Houston is pretty much a full resort property. There are over 400 guest rooms in the hotel ranging from superior rooms to executive and Presidential suites. Each room is inviting and tastefully decorated. The larger rooms are ideal for entertaining small groups of friends for cocktails before a night out on the town. There is beautiful linen and down duvets on the beds, sound-proofed walls, wonderful terry-cloth bathrobes, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries.

It’s easy to relax and spend the entire day without leaving the front doors. Inside the hotel guests are welcome to use the resort-style pool, located on the fourth floor, which is lined with live oak and palm trees, deck chairs, and of course a marvelous poolside bar.

Also located on the fourth floor is the fitness centre, with both cardio and weight-lifting equipment – cause a gurl needs to keep in shape on vacation, right? If you need to catch-up on your gossip and email, the business centre is open daily.

If you don’t like being away from Grindr, there’s no need to panic; there is complimentary WiFi located throughout the property – so just take your iPad with you to the pool, brunch, or the cocktail bar – it’s totally cool.

There are two restaurants, two cocktail bars, and room-service at the property. There are plenty of healthy, low-fat, high-protein and no-carb options on all the menus too. Again, you need to watch the figure when you’re on vacation, right?

If you do decide to venture out for a few hours, there is a complimentary car-service that can take you anywhere within the downtown core. Just a few blocks away is the train, which can take you out to the museum district, which is totally worth going to check out. The gay bars are about a $10-$15 cab ride away from the hotel, in the Montrose district.

Make sure you don’t miss out on Happy Hour, after all, you’re on vacation! And on Friday and Saturday afternoons there is a fantastic afternoon tea service from 2-4pm, with premium teas, light fare, Prosecco, and likely conversations about the debauchery about to take place throughout the evening.

Be cool. Do it in style. Enjoy yourself. Relax. After all, it’s your vacation, and you want to have run, right?

Guest Room: ★★★★★

Bedding: ★★★★★

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★★

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★☆

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★★

A jewel-encrusted hat

It’s an art-lovers paradise. Over 63,000 works of art ranging from drawings and sculptures, to painting and antiquities span the 300,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.

Visitors could easily spend days wandering the galleries and exhibit halls, studying and learning about art and culture from around the world; from treasured pieces of history right through modern art.

A sarcophagus on display

To facilitate the broad mandate of the museum, The MFAH has multiple buildings dedicated to exhibits, galleries, and education. Guests are invited to attend lectures and tours to learn more about the special features at the museum.

Now through May 27, 2013, Picasso Black and White, is currently on exhibit. It’s a fantastic display of works from the world-famous artist.

There are a few ways to save on admission for the MFAH (guests are still required to purchase tickets to the special event exhibits):

• Purchase tickets online and save $1 on adult tickets
• Thursday’s are complimentary general admission thanks to a corporate partnership with Shell; however, do note that there will be many families and school-aged children.
• Save up to 46% off general admission and visit four other Houston attractions by purchasing a Houston City Pass.

Solid gold slippers

The MFAH is located in the museum district in downtown Houston at  1001 Bissonnet, Houston. It’s easily accessible by the light rail line or by car.

History is preserved through precious paintings on display.

“Traveling around for work for five years straight, staying in different hotels gets tiresome and lonely,” explained 25 year old retired gay porn star, Travis Irons. “But, if I had to choose, then I guess I would say any of the W’s are nice.”

If you’re like Travis, and are bold, like to express yourself, and do it with class, style, and funk, then next time you’re in Atlanta, you’re going to want to book your stay at the W Midtown Atlanta.

The swanky property boasts sensational customer experience, fantastic views of the city, and rooms that will blow your mind. Not only is it totally up beat, but it’s also located just a few minutes walk from the gay village. You can’t go wrong.

From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a surreal world, where the only thing that matters is you. As you drive up, you’ll be greeted by a team of attentive bellman and valet’s, ready to whisk you into the lobby so you can quickly get checked in, and off to your awaiting room.

The rooms are fabulous! Ranging from two-queens to two-bedroom suites, each room has a personality of it’s own. In true W Hotel style, bold colours mix pop against black and white backgrounds. The textures of fabrics, wall coverings, décor accents, chandeliers, and surfaces, all add to the visual and touch sensations throughout the room.

W Hotels rooms are for people who are confident. Why is that? Bathrooms aren’t tucked away in the corner. They are on display. The bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass rain-fall showers that peer right through to the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, the soaps, monogrammed linens, bathroom accessories are nothing more than amazing too; they make you want to scream out in excitement.

There’s nothing better than sliding into a king size bed with crisp white sheets, bolster pillows, and overlooking a view of the city. That’s exactly what you’ll find here. Even if you’re just wanting to lounge around, there is a chaise lounge calling out against the window, perfect for curling up with a book, watching the sunset.

If you’re in town and are entertaining a group, the parlor is set up with comfortable seating for a small crowd. Turn up the music from the in-suite sound system, order up a few items off the room service menu, and crack a bottle of Grey Goose, and you’ve got one hell of a party!

The hotel also has a gym in the lower level with both cardio and weight equipment. If you want to be pampered, Bliss Spa can take care of that. There is a whisky lounge inside the hotel, along with Spice Market, for modern fusion fare.

Relax. Enjoy yourself. Be you. The W Midtown Atlanta is exactly what you need to spice up your next visit to Atlanta!

For more information on exiting things to see and do, including gay-friendly restaurants, nightlife, and accommodations, check out Gay Atlanta.

Guest Room: ★★★★★

Bedding: ★★★★☆

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★☆

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★★

Have you every wondered how the news gets put together from start to finish, and how it’s broadcast around the world? In Atlanta, CNN’s global headquarters has opened their doors and offers a 55-minute guided walking tour throughout the studio to show you exactly how it’s done.

CNN’s global headquarters serves more than 1 billion people in 212 countries. The Inside CNN Studio Tour allows visitors to go behind-the-scenes to see just how news stories are put together and aired on television. Some lucky guided tour guests will even get a chance to read the news! At the end of the tour, visit the CNN Store to purchase photos from the tour and cool branded merchandise.

Tours are offered daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm, with tours departing every 10 minutes. It’s recommended to make reservations can be made in advance, but drop-ins are welcome by visiting the box office to secure a specific tour time. News happens around the clock, but your best chance to see a live broadcast are weekdays from 10:00am – 3:00pm.

To get the best deal on the CNN Studio Tour, purchase the Atlanta City Pass. One ticket booklet can save 42% on admission to CNN and four other Atlanta attractions including the nearby World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

For more information on things to do in Atlanta, visit the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

A staycation in metro Vancouver doesn’t instantly mean getting a hotel room in downtown Vancouver. Hotels in the downtown core can be expensive, especially for the value / budget conscious person who wants to enjoy the local area.

In nearby New Westminter, the original capital city of British Columbia, the Inn at the Quay offers great value and is a good option for a staycation. It’s convieniently located just a few minutes walk from SkyTrain, so there’s no need to drive if you already live near public transit.

Recently renovated, the Inn at the Quay has a variety of room choices, most of which overlook the Fraser River. Rooms are comfortably decorated in vibrant colours. The beds are comfortable and the rooms are outfitted with 32” LCD TV’s, workstations, and complimentary WiFi.

Located inside the hotel is the Boathouse Restaurant. The menu options include lobster ravioli, prime rib, muscles, and salmon. There are fresh dinner features every night of locally sourced seafood.

Next door there is the New Westminster Quay, with shops and dining options. Saturday’s there is a farmers market with all kinds of local baked goods, vegetables, fruit, and hand-crafted products.

If you’re looking for a fun evenings of cocktails, consider checking out Drink Urban. They have a full menu of hand-crafted cocktails, martinis and seasonal drink features.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or just want an escape from your every day, consider a getaway to the Inn at the Quay.

Guest Room: ★★★★
Bedding: ★★★
Towels and Toiletries: ★★★
Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★
Customer Service: ★★★★
Overall Experience: ★★★★

Photo credit: Big White Ski Resort

Downhill skiing and snowboarding is thrilling adventure. You can whisk downhill, carving up the snow, dash in-and-out of the trees, fly over jumps, and sink waist deep into powder snow. If you’ve never tried downhill skiing, or it’s been a few years since you’ve been on skis or a snowboard, here are some tips on what you need to know:

1. Instead of purchasing new skis, boots, poles, and other ski gear, plan on renting. You’ll want to try out the sport to make sure you enjoy it before you lay down the cash to own your own. This way, if you decide it’s not for you, you haven’t laid down a huge financial commitment.
2. Register for a beginner lesson. Most ski areas and resorts offer a learn to ski program taught by certified instructors. In a two-hour ski or snowboard lesson you’ll learn the basics of how to go down hill, turn, and stop. This short lesson will take the frustration out of learning on your own or from a friend and allow you to enjoy the rest of the day out on the mountain exploring the green runs.
3. Dress warm and in layers. Mornings can be cool on the mountain so you’ll want to dress warm, but as the afternoon sun comes out, you’ll warm up and want to shed a layer or two. Wear a toque, gloves or mitts, a scarf, warm jacket, turtle neck, base layer, long johns, snow pants and warm socks. Stay away from cotton because it absorbs moisture and doesn’t breath. Do not wear jeans because they don’t allow flexibility into your legs, which will be working the entire way down the hill. If it’s sunny or foggy, wear goggles or polarized sunglasses.
4. Learn with a friend. Learning to ski or snowboard with a friend is more enjoyable, especially when the lesson is over and you can spend the rest of the day on the mountain. Take photos of each other learning to ski/snowboard and at safe stopping points on the mountain such at the top of the chairlift, the village centre or at the run signs.
5. Stick to beginner runs. Beginner runs are commonly marked with green circles on mountain maps. Green runs are the easiest runs; they are wide and gentle. Experienced skiers and snowboarders know to watch out for beginners and will leave plenty of space. Blue runs are more challenging; they aren’t as wide and often have rolling hills, bumps, and more trees. Black and double-black diamond runs are the steepest runs and are very narrow. These are for experienced skiers and snowboarders who know how to navigate difficult terrain.
6. Make a weekend out of it. Going for a ski weekend is a lot of fun. After a morning of lessons and a day on the mountain enjoying a number of runs, you can sit back and relax on a patio for après ski (drinks), followed by dinner at an on-mountain restaurant, and a hot tub to relax your aching muscles.

It’s that easy! Following these simple tips will help make your first time fun and gear you into a life-long skier or snowboarder.

Big White Ski Resort, located 56km (35mi), south east of Kelowna, BC, in the Thompson Okanagan. It’s a great resort to learn how to ski and snowboard. There are lots of affordable accommodation choices, fantastic spring skiing conditions, certified instructors, and have a wide-range of dining options. Central Reservations has spring skiing packages that include free lift tickets and ski-in/ski-out accommodations starting at $51 per person – call 1-800-663-2772 for details.

Photo credit: Big White Ski Resort

Contest

Enter now for a chance to win a ski vacation package to Big White Ski Resort! Package includes two nights accommodation and two days of lift tickets for two adults^*.

There are five ways you can enter. Each entry counts for one vote.

1. Tweet: Wow! I might be headed to @BigWhite to learn how to ski! Why? Check out @br_webb’s blog: http://ow.ly/jlT2S #SkiAtBigWhite 
   
2. Leave a comment on this blog post describing why you want to learn how to ski or snowboard at Big White Ski Resort.
3. Share this blog post on Facebook and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have shared on Facebook.
4. Subscribe to myWebbSite.ca and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have subscribed.
5. Follow @br_webb on Twitter and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you are a new follower.

Contest closes at 5:00pm PST, Friday, March 29, 2013. One random drawn winner will be announced on this blog post on or before Saturday, March 30, 2013. Read the complete contest rules.

^*Package includes two nights accommodation at a Hotel at Big White and two days of alpine or nordic skiing. Lessons are not included. Valid Sunday through Thursday only. Package expires April 13, 2013.

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This contest is now closed.

Congratulations Leeann Froese, you are the lucky winner of a trip for two to Big White Ski Resort! 

Thank you to everyone who entered by sharing on Facebook, twitter, and subscribing to myWebbSite.ca. Please keep watching for more contests coming soon.

While we may be tired of what feels like non-stop rain in Vancouver, in a few more weeks it’ll be spring. Many people believe gardens are only beautiful from late spring through the summer, but at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, the plants and foliage thrive year-round, and there are surprises around every corner.

Photos used with permission from VanDusen Botanical Garden

The west coast receives an intense amount of rain during the winter months, but despite the heavy precipitation, life continues to thrive at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Broadleaf evergreen shrubs are full of life, and an assortment of winter berries provide bursts of vibrant colours against the cool, grey skies. The park is also home to a variety of birds during the winter months.

Photos used with permission from VanDusen Botanical Garden

Don’t be fooled thinking the garden isn’t very exciting right now. If you take a closer look, you’ll see the classic telltale signs of spring beginning to make their appearance. During the transition from winter to spring, pastel coloured crocuses and snowdrops appear under the trees and shrubs. As the days get longer and the warmer, sunnier days return, daffodils, tulips and narcissus come out.

Photo provided by: VanDusen Botanical Garden

Just as the seasonal plants return, so do the seasonal events. Over the next few months there will be a number of sales of a variety of the gardens unique and special plants, an Easter egg hunt for the kids, and exhibitions of works by local artists. If that wasn’t enough, Truffles Cafe, located in the newly expanded Visitors Centre, is now has a fantastic charcuterie platter and BC wines – perfect for a romantic day at the garden!

Instead of staying inside on a rainy weekend, get out and watch spring unfold before your eyes at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. It’ll help make the dreary wet days less miserable and remind you that spring is just around the corner.

Contest

Enter for a chance to win an annual membership ($67 value), for two adults to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens, one of the top ten public gardens in North America. To enter tweet:

I want to win an annual membership to @VanDusenGdn from @br_webb. http://ow.ly/i0lyI #WinVanDusen

Once you have tweeted this contest you can receive up to four additional chances to win by doing the following:

1. Follow @br_webb on Twitter and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you are a new follower for an additional entry.
2. Leave a comment on this blog post describing how you get through the long, cold, dark, and wet winter months in Vancouver.
3. Share this blog post on Facebook and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have shared on Facebook for an additional entry.
4. Subscribe to myWebbSite.ca and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have subscribed for an additional entry.

Contest closes at 5:00pm PST, Friday, March 1, 2013. One random drawn winner will be announced on this blog post on or before Saturday, March 2, 2013. Read the complete contest rules.

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This contest is now closed.

Congratulations Darcy, you are the lucky winner of two adult season passes to VanDusen Botanical Gardens! Now you can enjoy the gardens year-round! 

Thank you to everyone who entered by sharing on Facebook, twitter, and subscribing to myWebbSite.ca. Please keep watching for more contests coming soon.

Photo credit: Big White Ski Resort

Photo credit: Big White Ski Resort

Wine aficionados know the Okanagan Valley has amazing wines, and outdoor adventure seekers know Big White is an amazing outdoor winter playground. Mix these people together in one room and you have an awesome event called Big Whites at Big White!

The 3^rd annual Big Whites at Big White is a showcase event of the best white wines from the Okanagan Valley. Held on March 23 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at the Village Centre Mall, there will be dozens of fantastic Okanagan wines to choose from.

“In addition to being well known for our incredible snow conditions, the Okanagan is perhaps most celebrated for its outstanding wines,” says Trevor Hanna, Food and Beverage Director at Big White. “The Big Whites at Big White event is a great way for skiers and wine lovers alike to enjoy the finest the Okanagan has to offer.”

Many of the restaurants at Big White, including the Kettle Valley Steakhouse, 6 Degrees Bistro, Carver’s Restaurant and the Bullwheel to name a few, get involved by serving up tasty appetizers made with local ingredients.

Tickets for the wine tasting spectacular are $60 per person and are available through the Big White Concierge Desk.

The best deal on accommodation at Big White for this event is the Book 2 and Get 3 at the Inn at Big White package.

Photo credit: Big White Ski Resort

Big White Ski Resort is located 56km (35mi) south east of Kelowna, British Columbia, in the Thompson Okanagan. Known for its dry powder snow, family friendly environment, and ski-to/ski-from accommodation, it’s the ultimate BC ski vacation destination. If you don’t ski, that’s ok too – there are plenty of other activities that will keep you busy all day long including the day spa, horse-drawn sleigh rides, tubing, ice hockey, and of course lively bars and nightlife. More than just family friendly, Big White has a wide-range of international visitors making it a safe, friendly, and fun destination for everyone.

CONTEST

I’m always sharing stories about the amazing places I’ve gone to. This time, I want you to experience it yourself!

Enter now for a chance to win a fabulous ski vacation for two to Big White Ski Resort in the beautiful Okanagan. Package includes two nights accommodation at a hotel at Big White and two days of downhill or cross-country skiing for two adults. To enter, tweet the following:

I want to win a ski trip to @BigWhite from @br_webb! http://ow.ly/hZ3Ou #WinBigWhite #BigWhite #Okanagan #Wine Please RT to enter.

Once you have tweeted this contest you can receive up to four additional chances to win, by doing the following:

1. Subscribe to myWebbSite.ca and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have subscribed for an additional entry.
2. Follow @br_webb on Twitter and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you are a new follower for an additional entry.
3. Leave a comment on this blog post on why you need to take a ski vacation break.
4. Share this blog post on Facebook and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have shared on Facebook for an additional entry.

Contest closes at 5:00pm PST, Friday, March 1, 2013. One random drawn winner will be announced on this blog post on or before Saturday, March 2, 2013. Read the complete contest rules. This Big White ski package is valid Sunday – Thursday and expires April 13, 2013 (other restrictions may apply).

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This contest is now closed.

Congratulations Gary Jones, you are the lucky winner of a two-day ski vacation for two adults to Big White Ski Resort in the beautiful Thompson Okanagan!

Thank you to everyone who entered by sharing on Facebook, twitter, and subscribing to myWebbSite.ca. Please keep watching for more contests coming soon.

Starting April 29, 2013, WestJet will be flying daily to Dallas, Texas. The new flight is part of their 2013 expansion plan, opening up new routes to service more destinations in Canada and the United States.

If you need a place to stay, check out the Warwick Hotel.

When you go to Dallas, you gotta get the fried chicken and waffles from Lucky’s!

Dallas is a fantastic city to visit. From the Reunion tower and a bustling arts district, to authentic southern barbeque and great nightlife, there’s a lot to see and do. If you’re passionate about history, you can go to the exact location where President JFK was shot and walk through the Schoolbook Depository at the 6^th Floor Museum to see the recreation of the events of his death. For the history buff’s, there are many museums, cathedrals, church’s and other landmark buildings worth checking out too.

In addition to WestJet’s new daily flight to Dallas via Calgary, they will be launching a new daily flight to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.

Starting in June, WestJet will fly from Vancouver to Victoria

In Canada, WestJet will open up new routes to Fort St. John and Nanaimo, and a non-stop flight between Vancouver and Victoria. These new routes will begin June 24 and are expected to be dramatically lower in price compared to the competition.

These new routes are all possible because WestJet is taking delivery of new aircraft, including two new twin-prop planes, which will fly under the name WestJet Encore. Advertised pricing on WestJet’s website now also displays the total cost of the flight, including taxes, fees and other charges, in accordance to new airline pricing regulations.

WestJet has has the honour of having Mr. Gay Canada 2012 – People’s Choice (that’s me!) on their flights to get to many festivals and events across Canada to support the LGBT community.

If you have a trip coming up, check out WestJet. They offer competitive fares, have super-friendly and entertaining flight crew, and now offer even more options to get you to your business or travel destinations.

See you on a WestJet flight soon!

Perched high above the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and on the edge of downtown Edmonton, Alberta, is the distinctive Coast Edmonton House. The 45 story hotel boasts 299 guest rooms and a host of amenities for both corporate and leisure travellers.

At the time the property opened in 1971, it was the tallest building in Edmonton, standing at 121 metres (397 ft). Over the years the property has undergone multiple renovations in the guest rooms, public areas and most recently the conference centre.

All the rooms in the hotel are suites, complete with full kitchens, sitting areas and bedrooms. The suites are spacious and include private balconies. This Coast property has new beds, sheets, and eco-friendly towels – which all travellers appreciate. The hotel offers complimentary high-speed, wireless internet and local calling.

Guests at the hotel are welcome to use the pool, hot tub and gym, located on the mezzanine level. Also on the mezzanine level is a convenience store, perfect for picking up snacks and refreshments. Rutherford’s Restaurant & Lounge is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering standard American fare, and an assortment of beer and wine (cocktails and martinis are not available). Room service is a good in-hotel dining option and only has a nominal service charge.

Photo contributed by Matt Pruse.

If you’ve been on the road for a while, the hotel does have self-serve laundry facilities so you can have clean clothes to continue on your journey, and dry-cleaning available. This property is also pet-friendly.

Guest Room: ★★★

Bedding: ★★★★

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★

In 1846, just as Dallas was finding its roots as a small village, it became a popular stopping point for many Methodists along their circuit rides. It took over 20 years, but after land was donated money was raised, and plans began to build the First United Methodist Church.

Unfortunately the American Civil War delayed the construction, and by the time the war was over, all the money to build the church was gone. However, the members of the church were determined, and in November 1868, Lamar Street, in downtown Dallas, become the home of the Methodist Church.

In 1879 a fire broke out in the church and it was destroyed. It took another 10 years to finance and build a replacement, which was dedicated five years later, in 1894.

Throughout the early 20^th century the congregation continued with strong growth, with over 3,440 members after the First Methodist and Trinity Methodist churches combined in 1926. In 1927, a new church was dedicated.

The current church, the First United Methodist Church, has played an instrumental role in the formation of other Methodist churches in northern Texas, and continues with their active in mission work, service, and worship, while honouring the traditions of the founders.

The church is open to the public on a limited basis. The sanctuary has beautiful wood pews, brass railings, a large pipe organ, and vaulted ceilings. The Church is available for weddings – perhaps even gay marriage when the United States and/or the State of Texas finally legalizes same-sex marriage!

Dubbed ‘the home of country music’, The Grand Ole Opry in one of the most famous stages in the world for both upcoming and legends in country music. Thousands of people make their way each year to Opryland, just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, to experience the magic and history, and to hear The Show That Made Country Music Famous.

The Grand Ole Opry started out as a radio show in 1925 and has grown into a spectacular television show and live music venue attracting millions of views. The television show is airs on CMT Canada (Canada), Great American Country (USA), and online at opry.com. It’s not just country music, but also bluegrass, comedy and gospel, attracting everyone from rising stars to superstars to stand on the stage to entertain.

“The Grand Ole Opry celebrates the diversity of all the musical styles under the country music umbrella. In addition, the Opry presents the many generations of artists who have formed country music’s rich legacy and continues to forge its future course,” says Opry General Manager, Pete Fisher. “The key to the Opry’s longevity can be attributed to its ability to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape of the times.”

The Opry called a number of venues home in Nashville before settling at the Ryman Auditorium in 1943. The Ryman Auditorium was a religious meeting house building in 1893 for Reverend Samuel Jones. After 31 years of amazing history, The Opry said goodbye to the Ryman, and moved to a new location.

The new, larger facility, located nine miles from downtown Nashville opened in 1974. The multi-million dollar venue was part of a larger entertainment complex and offered 4,400 theatre seats, state-of-the-art video, lighting and audio equipment to bring the hit TV show to life.

The Opry never forgot their past. When the new venue opened, a six-foot circle of the original oak stage in the Ryman Auditorium was cut and inlaid into the new stage at the new venue. The circle represents a piece of history, where thousands of legends once stood, including Uncle Dave Macon, Ernest Tubb, and Patsy Cline. Today, when the entertains take to the stage, they all take a moment to think about the famous names who have stood inside the circle.

In May 2010, the Grand Ole Opry House sustained significant damage after a two-day flood hit the area. The entire stage was underwater, but remarkably, the circle remained unbroken, and upon the restoration, the circle and the history continues.

Each year the Opry continues to inducts new members, welcome new talent, and remains as the home of The Show That Made Country Music Famous. Today, visitors can hear the musical talents from many country music stars including Montgomery Gentry, Diamond Rio, and Carrie Underwood.

Sound Quality: ★★★★

Staging / Lighting: ★★★★

Ticket Price / Value: ★★★★

Audience Interaction / Enjoyment: ★★★★

Overall Performance: ★★★★

At the entrance to Vancouver’s Chinatown is Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the first full-size Chinese scholar garden’s built outside of China. Since it opened on April 24, 1986, just in time for Expo ’86, it has welcomed thousands of visitors every year and has become an important part of the local community.

The outer park, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park, is free to the public and is build with North American materials in the traditional Chinese style. It is connected to the inner garden, the Dr. Sun Yet-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, through an artificial pond. The inner garden park does have an admission fee to help cover operating and maintenance costs. Together, the two park areas bridge the understanding between the Chinese and Western cultures.

The Classical Chinese Garden was designed by Wang Zu-Xin. Funding for the garden came from the Canadian and Chinese government, private donations, and public sources.

Many of the plants selected for the garden were chosen because of their blossom schedule and because of their native location in the Suzhou region in China, where the climate is very similar to Vancouver. In true Chinese Classical Garden style, plants are used sparingly, invoking their historic and symbolic meaning. The garden also takes into consideration the principles of Feng Shui and Taoism.

The large pond is home to fish, turtles, and birds. The water unifies the park elements, including large, strategically placed rocks representing mountains, and the large pagoda.

Other noteworthy gardens in Vancouver to visit include the Bloedel Conservatory and the VanDusen Botanical Gardens.

First opened on August 17, 1907, Seattle’s Pike Place Market has become the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in the United States. Full of fresh produce, seafood, handmade crafts and gifts, it’s an essential stop for any visit to Seattle.

Over 500 vendors call the Pike Place Market home. Spread across eight different buildings, small farmers, craftspeople, food vendors and merchants proudly display their goods for sale.

The Pike Place Market is located in Seattle’s central business district. It runs from Belltown in the north, and Elliot Bay and the waterfront to the south west.

The market is one of Seattle’s most popular visitor destinations. It’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon on a rainy afternoon.

If you’re visiting Seattle and looking for a comfortable place to stay, check out the nearby Roosevelt Hotel.

Along the shores of Lake Okanagan in the heart of downtown Kelowna, British Columbia, is the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. The 390 guest-room property has been the flagship of the waterfront since it was constructed in the 1980’s, and today remains one of the premier properties in the city.

For years the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort has been referred to as ‘the only place to stay when you visit Kelowna’, but in the past few years, the hotel was beginning to show it’s age. In 2012, the hotel underwent a massive renovation, bringing the property back up to Delta standards.

The modern new rooms are warm and inviting. From large LCD TV’s, to workstations with connections for any kind of electronic device, the new rooms are a gadget-geeks dream. The bathrooms are outfitted with well-lit glass walk-in showers, high-end fixtures, fluffy towels, and premium toiletries. Although the room was spotlessly clean, there could have been greater care taken in ensuring the linens were pressed and tucked tightly with proper hospital folds; a miss for a premium hotel property. Rates start from $139CDN per night.

While the hotel is located on Lake Okanagan, home of the fabled Ogopogo, it is peculiar that the lobby water feature is of dolphins. It’s a nice water fountain, just an odd choice given that the Okanagan isn’t even near the ocean.

The Resort property is home to a 30,000 sq ft casino, restaurants, a pub, outdoor pool and hot tub, fitness centre, and spa.

Whether you are visiting the Okanagan on business, to see friends or family, or enjoying the skiing, golf and other outdoor activities the Valley has to offer, make the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort your home away from home.

• Guest Room: ★★★★
• Bedding: ★★★
• Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★★
• Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★
• Customer Service: ★★★★★
• Overall Experience: ★★★★