| VANCOUVER AGAIN NAMED TOP CANADIAN DESTINATION BY US TRAVEL AGENTS |
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For the fifth consecutive year, readers of the influential US travel trade publication, Travel Weekly, have selected Vancouver as top Canadian destination in their annual Readers Choice Awards. The distinctive and widely recognized awards are presented annually to the industry suppliers who led the way in product and service during the previous year. Vancouver has won the top spot each year that the awards have been held. This award is the latest in a list of honours that Vancouver has received over the past 12 months, including being named "Most Liveable City" by the Economist Intelligence Unit in August.
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| OLYMPIC PREPARATIONS SPEED AHEAD |
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February 12 marked the official two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The city is buzzing with energy in preparation to "welcome the world". Along with the construction of official venues, here are a few projects taking place around the city that will add to Vancouver's tourism resources.
- Hotel boom: A number of new hotels are joining Vancouver's skyline in preparation for the Games including the Loden Vancouver (opening 2008) and the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver (set to open January 2009).
- Airport-downtown rapid transit: The Canada Line, an extension to Vancouver's Skytrain rapid transit line is set to be completed by November 2009. The Canada Line will take visitors from Vancouver International Airport to downtown Vancouver's Waterfront Station in about 25 minutes.
- Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre: The expanded Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre will be completed in early 2009. The beautiful new waterfront facility will function as the International Broadcast Centre during the Games, while afterwards it will contribute to Vancouver's attractiveness as an international meeting and convention destination.
- Sea-to-Sky Highway: The scenic highway connecting West Vancouver and Whistler is being upgraded in a massive project. The new highway will reduce driving time between the cities and was part of the Olympic bid process.
- Downtown Vancouver Live Sites: Planning continues on a number of Vancouver "Live Sites" including one at David Lam Park and another on Georgia Street. During the Olympic period, these alcohol-free sites will feature free main stage entertainment, giant broadcast screens, local artists, sponsor activities and the opportunity to mingle with guests and athletes from around the world.
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| 2010 DAILY COMPETITION SCHEDULE RELEASED |
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Where will you be in February 2010? Approved by the International Olympic Committee, the Vancouver Organizing Committee has now posted daily competition schedules for events taking place over the 17 days of Olympic competition. Download the entire sport competition schedule at www.vancouver2010.com
Some event highlights include:
(Dates subject to change)
- February 12, 2010 - Opening Ceremonies at BC Place
- February 14, 2010 - Men's Freestyle Moguls at Cypress Mountain
- February 25, 2010 - Ladies Figure Skating at the Pacific Coliseum
- February 28, 2010 - Men's Gold Ice Hockey at GM Place.
Tickets for the 2010 Winter Games go on sale in October.
www.vancouver2010.com
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| VANCOUVER TO HOST 2009 JUNO AWARDS |
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March 26, 2009
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences (CARAS), along with broadcast partner CTV, have named Vancouver as the Host City for the 38th Juno Awards - Canada's annual celebration of homegrown musical talent. All of the popular Juno weekend events including Juno Cup, Juno Fan Fare, JunoFest and Songwriters' Circle will take place over four days alongside local festivities and events starting March 26, 2009. Vancouver is a hotbed for musical talent and has helped cultivate mega artists and bands including Bryan Adams, Diana Krall, Hedley, Nickelback, Michael Bublé and Sarah McLachlan.
www.junoawards.ca
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| DOGSLEDDING BOUNDS INTO VANCOUVER |
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Mt. Seymour ski resort, only 30-minutes from downtown Vancouver, is now offering introductory dogsledding experiences for individuals and groups. Perfect for all ages and ability levels, the one-hour experience offers a "taste of dogsledding" in which guests are introduced to the sport, taught how to harness the dogs and taken on a thrilling 20-minute ride in the sled. And the best part? Lots of cuddle time with the beautiful and friendly pups. The program is offered several weekends during the winter. Mt Seymour's introductory dogsledding experience costs $49 for adults and $29 for children. Special arrangements and dates can be made for groups and tour operators.
www.mountseymour.com
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| ROMANTIC OVERNIGHT ESCAPES |
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Don't despair if you missed Valentines Day - in Vancouver there's romance all year round. Take your love to Vancouver for a surprise mini-break and live your decadent desires in one of Vancouver's world class hotels.
- Classic romance at the Wedgewood Hotel
Consistently voted one of the city's most romantic hotels, the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa's Romance Package offers one night's accommodation in an elegant guestroom or suite, a welcome bottle of chilled Champagne upon arrival and a romantic dinner for two in the award-winning Bacchus Restaurant. The next morning enjoy a continental buffet breakfast and a $210 credit at the luxurious Spa at the Wedgewood. The package starts at $717 (based on double occupancy).
www.wedgewoodhotel.com
- "Get a Room" at the Pacific Palisades Hotel
If you're not a traditionalist, The Pacific Palisades "Get a Room" package, brings together a king-sized bed, a bottle of BC wine and a Kama Sutra Lover's Paintbox with three flavours of chocolate body paint. The package also includes an in-room movie and breakfast in bed. Priced from $299, this package is offered all year long.
www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com
- Rose Petal Turn Down at Hotel Le Soleil
Hotel Le Soleil welcomes those hit by Cupid's arrow any time of the year. The "Romance Package", starting at $269, includes one night in a corner one-bedroom suite, along with chocolate-dipped strawberries, sparkling wine, late check-out and a rose petal turndown service. The package also includes a keepsake bedside box, full American breakfast and complimentary valet parking.
www.hotellesoleil.com
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| SPRING BREAK IN VANCOUVER |
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Spring "springs" early in Vancouver. Get some respite from the ho hum days of winter and take the kids to Vancouver for a super spring break. The city comes alive with arts, culture and educational activities that cater to little munchkins out of school.
Spring Break Theatre Festival
March 15 - 21
Granville Island's 11th annual Spring Break Theatre Festival features five professional theatre companies specializing in theatre for young audiences performing at various venues around the Lower Mainland during Spring Break week. The festival offers a range of great family entertainment for ages five and up. All seats are $9 and performances are set at 50 minutes to accommodate for short attention spans.
www.artsclub.com/onstage/springbreak
Spring Break Camp for Kids at the Vancouver Aquarium
March 17 - 28
This year, the aquarium is running their popular two-day marine camps over two weeks to accommodate even more kids on spring break. The "Conservation Crusaders" camp allows kids to learn about aquatic creatures, their habitats and how to help them. Through games, experiments, nature walks, hands-on experiences and behind-the-scenes opportunities, kids will experience the aquatic world like never before. The two-day program is $160 and runs from 9:30am to 4:00pm each day.
www.vanaqua.org
Play Dome at BC Place Stadium
March 15 - 20
Ride the ferris wheel, spin on the tilt-a-whirl, and snack on popcorn, cotton candy or mini donuts during Canada's largest indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium. Visitors can enjoy over 45 rides and attractions all day with the "Dome Pass" - just $20 each. Parents who prefer to stay on terra firma and supervise pay just $6 for a guest pass. Located just across from BC Place, the Georgian Court Hotel is offering a special Play Dome package that combines a stay at the hotel with all the fun of the carnival. Priced from $169 based on double occupancy, the package includes one night at the hotel and two passes for Play Dome.
www.bcplacestadium.com
www.thegeorgiancourt.com
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| NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR VANCOUVER ITINERARY? |
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Did you know that Tourism Vancouver has over 15 sample group itineraries online for you to draw from in planning your Vancouver travel packages? Click here (www.tourismvancouver.com/travel/itineraries/) to view the itineraries targeted towards arts and culture, students, shopping, outdoor adventure, families, Christmas and more. Some examples include:
- The "Art" of Walking
- A West Coast Culinary Experience
- Learn and Play, the Vancouver Way
- Golfing in Spectacular Vancouver
- Sin in the City - A Culinary and Art Tour with a Twist!
- Splash and Family Fun
- Winter Highlights - Sun, Snow and Spa
- 100 Days of Summer
www.tourismvancouver.com
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