As the legend Bob Marley sings… “One good thing about music …when it hits you, you feel no pain”. Kingston, Jamaica is a melting pot of music and history and positive vibrations! With so many legends and genres of music born out of Kingston, Jamaica from rock steady, reggae and ska to dance hall…. let’s just say a music lovers vacation here is by far the coolest music history class you will ever take. The safest and easiest way to navigate the epic music scene in Kingston is to hire a driver. I highly recommend JUTA Tours so that you can plan your own agenda and hit up all the sights and sounds at your own irie pace. Take a guided bus tour like the ‘Making of The Music Tour’ or map out your own musical adventure. Since you are heading to the birthplace of reggae, remember that Jamaica is a place for those music lovers with an open mind and an open heart. Interestingly, flocks of Japanese and Europeans... ...
Rocky Mountain Road Trip in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
Outdoor enthusiasts, the Toyota 4 Runner TRD Pro was made for adventures on and off the road. Rugged and strong, set your sights on owning this ride! A recent Rocky Mountain road trip to Jasper, Alberta proved that Toyota designed and built the 4Runner like a warrior. Blazing through remote areas in search of Canadian wildlife, we found the 4Runner TRD Pro the ideal transportation and then some. 4 Reasons You’ll Love to Adventure in the 2018 4Runner TRD Pro 1. Sturdy, Strong and Handsome: Be warned that if you prefer to travel discreetly this may not be the vehicle for you. It is an attention-grabber, especially in the Cavalry Blue! You will feel like a celebrity behind the wheel of the alluring and impressive 4Runner TRD Pro which IS capable of handling all your wildest off-road adventures. The One-Touch 4 Wheel Drive ensures you can go from the highway to the backroads with the simplicity of one touch. 2. Bells and Whistles: Nothing beats the functional back window feature which... ...
A Mazda Canada 150 Road Trip!
I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Canada 150 than to hit the road in a 2017 Mazda 6 with our kids to explore BC’s bounty. They don’t call our province “beautiful BC” for nothing! The west is the best with much to discover. Some advice for travellers: Lake Time: No matter where the journey takes you…make sure your road trip includes lake time especially in the heat of summer. It’s so refreshing! Pit Stops: Make spotting Canadian roadside attractions a family affair. Be sure to have your camera on hand Heritage and History: You can’t road trip right past some of the best heritage sights in BC and not stop and learn a little bit more about our history here in the west. Find Hidden Gems: You’d be surprised at all the hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Western Canada and we only made a small dent. From natural hot springs to miles of lava beds and waterfalls…Canada rocks! Play Outdoors: No matter where... ...
Surf-In Surf-Out – A Swell Convenience
Whether you are a seasoned weekend wave-warrior or a newbie braving your bucket list, surfing is a sport that everyone must try at least once in a lifetime. The West Coast of Vancouver Island boasts some of the best beaches and surf breaks in the country. Tofino, BC is a famous cold water paradise and home to surf-in-surf-out Pacific Sands Beach Resort …the best in beach bliss. Since the 60’s, catching waves has been considered not just cool but a sub-culture. Secondly, it’s a rush. Surfing is much harder than it looks to master and thus, humbling. So, let go of the outcome and really enjoy the ride. If you are ever to succeed in catching your first wave you must be open, brave and willing to laugh at your own failures, which are a big part of learning to surf. The bails and wipeouts are all part of the fun. Plan a get-away this summer and indulge. Treat yourself and your soul to a seaside escape for some well deserved “Tofino... ...
May 28 is Community Day at Playland!
On Saturday, May 28th, $10 from every ticket sold for Playland at the PNE will be donated to the Hastings Community Little League on the fifth annual Community Day at Playland. Since 2010, the PNE has raised over $85,000 for the sports organization, which has helped the Little League upgrade their facilities. This year all proceeds will support the Hastings Little League in hosting the 2016 Little League Canadian National Tournament, taking place from August 4-13, 2016. “The PNE believes in getting youth outdoors and active. We are proud to continue our support of the Hastings Community Little League,” said PNE President and CEO Mike McDaniel. “We are thrilled to have Hastings Little League bring the National Tournament to Vancouver this summer and can’t wait to see the kids out on the field!” The past four Community Days were extremely successful, and this year, Playland is looking to hit over $100,000 raised for this worthy non-profit sports organization. Proceeds from the 2010 100th Anniversary Golf Tournament were also donated to the Little League.... ...
Finding stillness glamping at Wya Point Resort
Life can feel like a treadmill. The daily grind of everyday living in the big city can take a toll on our spirits, especially near the tail end of winter. Take the time to check out of the work-life hustle and to check inward. Make a date with yourself to leap off the treadmill, to regroup and recharge. Camping is the ideal way to push the reset button, although the unpredictable west coast weather is not for everyone, not even the most adventuresome. Eco resorts like Wya Point in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island offer a dazzling alternative. It’s called glamping, AKA glamorous camping. A soul-filled getaway to Wya Point Resort on the edge of the Pacific Rim is both character building and raw. We made the trip in a new 2016 Platinum Ford Explorer, the ultimate storm trooper and perfect west coast road companion. Storm watching on the west coast of Vancouver Island and glamping in a yurt requires a fair amount of gear and the Explorer is roomy enough... ...
Top 10 reasons to head north to the Yukon
Some say the Yukon is Canada’s wildest frontier and some Canada’s golden nugget. Call it what you may but call it Canada’s biggest and best outdoor winter adventure playground. Only a short, direct flight from Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa or Yellowknife, Whitehorse is where you’ll want to hang your toque at the end of a winter day living large in the great outdoors. Here’s our top 10 reasons to put the Yukon on your winter travel bucket list. 1. A plethora of unique outdoor adventures With so many new and different experiences to be had, cabin fever AKA winter boredom does not exist in the Yukon. From snowshoeing to dog mushing, hiking, skiing and ice fishing, pick your pleasure and prepare to take on Canada’s wildest frontier. 2. Canada’s biggest playground Did you know that the Yukon represents 4.8% of Canada’s total land area and has a population of only 38,000 people while California, with the same land mass has 39 million people? It is said that the Yukon... ...
Banff: A Trip for all Adventure Seekers
Come explore Banff, Canada’s first National Park for yourself. You have to see it to believe it. A vacation on the mountain is not exclusive to skiers and snowboarders as one might assume. Come for a little R&R or an adventure or both. A quick flight to Calgary and a 1 ½ hour drive and I was in paradise. My other option was a 9 hour drive from Vancouver but I was anxious to get there. Downtown Banff is condensed into one Main Street with a few streets branching off from it. With hotels at one end, shops and restaurants at the other and jaw-dropping views in every direction, I was mesmerized from the get-go. My stay at The Fox was like having my own chalet. There is even a hot tub in the center of the hotel that resembles a natural grotto and is open to the sky. What better way to wrap up a busy day of snowshoeing Sunshine Meadows or ice walking Johnston Canyon than soaking in... ...