| VANCOUVER - CITY OF SUMMER FESTIVALS |
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Experiencing a local festival gives visitors and tour groups a truly authentic taste of a destination. Vancouver offers an exciting line-up of summer festivals with events happening almost every week from May through September. Visitors can experience everything from waterfront performances of Shakespeare to jazz, folk music and fireworks, and some of these events cater specially to groups.
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
May 29 - September 27
Tickets are on sale now for Bard on the Beach's upcoming productions of Twelfth Night, King Lear, The Tempest and Titus Andronicus. The plays are staged in open-ended tents in Vanier Park set against a backdrop of ocean, mountains and sky. Tickets start at $18 for matinees with performances Tuesday through Sunday. Groups of 15 or more save $3 per ticket (valid Sunday through Thursday evenings and 3pm Saturdays). Special events include "Bard-B-Q and Fireworks" (a play and BBQ followed by Celebration of Light fireworks - July 23, 26 and 30, August 2), "Celebrating Red & White" (a play plus a wine tasting - August 16), "Opera and Arias" (Vancouver Opera Orchestra and UBC Opera Ensemble featuring a performance of Don Giovanni - August 25 and September 1 and 8), and "Chatterbox Tuesdays" (a pre-show primer and a post-performance Q&A - June 17 through August 26).
www.bardonthebeach.org
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 20 - 29
For nine toe-tappin' days in June, the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival brings some of music's edge-pushers, mainstayers and international ambassadors to indoor and outdoor venues around Vancouver. In addition to the many free public performances, this year's ticketed events include Herbie Hancock, along with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Pink Martini, Cowboy Junkies and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra featuring Wynton Marsalis. Consider taking clients to dinner at a top Vancouver restaurant followed by an unforgettable evening of jazz.
www.coastaljazz.ca
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
July 18 - 20
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival characterizes the laid back attitude and style of the West Coast. Now in its 31st year, the festival brings some of the finest folk and roots musicians from around the world to Jericho Beach - a stunning outdoor venue complete with sunsets, food vendors and an art market. Tickets are on sale now, with the full performance schedule to be released in June. Full weekend passes are also available.
www.thefestival.bc.ca
Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition
July 23, 26 and 30, August 2
Vancouver's most popular free event is the HSBC Celebration of Light - Vancouver's annual international fireworks competition that draws crowds of more than 1.5 million people over the four-night celebration. This year's competition pits pyro-technicians from Canada, the US and China in a race for the most brilliant display of fireworks choreographed to music. Best viewing locations are at English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, Vanier Park, Jericho Beach and West Vancouver. Many waterfront hotels, restaurants and boats offer special packages with prime viewing. All performances begin at 10pm and the free music simulcast is on 101.1 FM.
www.celebration-of-light.com
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| CRUISE INTO VANCOUVER |
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Vancouver's 2008 cruise season begins on Wednesday, April 2 when Celebrity Cruise line's Mercury arrives at Canada Place. The Vancouver-to-Alaska cruise is on of the world's most popular cruises and is serviced by a number of top cruise lines including Holland America, Princess and Cruise West. Vancouver is also increasingly popular for pre and post cruise experiences. During the 2007 cruise season, the Port of Vancouver welcomed 33 ships and 273 calls at its two cruise ship terminals, Canada Place and Ballantyne Pier. Berlitz, the London based travel publisher, recognized Vancouver as the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America (2005). And according to a 2006 Vancouver Cruise Passenger Study conducted by the Pacific Rim Cruise Association (PRCA), passengers rated their Vancouver cruise terminal experience 4.5 out of a possible 5.0, giving the highest accolades to smooth and efficient baggage handling, security processing and Canada Customs procedures.
www.portvancouver.com
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| NEW VANCOUVER ADVENTURES |
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These new adventures will add an injection of fresh air, fun, good food and adrenaline to your Vancouver tour packages this year.
- Thrill with Canadian Outback Adventures Heli-Rafting
Experience the beauty of British Columbia from both air and river on a Canadian Outback Adventures Heli-Rafting excursion. Tours begins with a breathtaking helicopter ride over volcanoes and waterfalls followed by a thrilling whitewater rafting experience in Whistler. Great food, great guides and tremendous scenery make this single day rafting getaway the experience of a lifetime. Tours are available April through September and last six hours. Round trip transportation from Vancouver and Whistler is available. Prices from $954 per person. Special support and commissions available for meeting planners and tour operators.
www.canadianoutback.com
- Wow with an Ecomarine Rainforest Kayak Tour
Vancouver's venerable kayak company, Ecomarine, now offers a Rainforest Tour out of their English Bay Bathhouse location in downtown Vancouver. No experience is necessary for the scenic paddle which takes participants along the shorelines of beautiful Stanley Park, with the North Shore Mountains in the background. Kayaks are beached at Stanley Park for a leisurely walk through the majestic rainforest to learn about British Columbia's natural heritage and native legends. Trip duration is four hours and the cost is $80 per person (tax excluded). Dates and prices are negotiable for large groups. Sunset tours and full moon tours also available.
www.ecomarine.com
- Impress with an Edible British Columbia Audi Escape Weekend
Culinary concierge service Edible British Columbia is proud to partner with Audi Canada to offer new culinary weekend escapes to Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley wine region. Participants on these fun filled weekends see the best of the province's food and wine scene behind the wheel of a brand new Audi! Private chef dinners, winery tours, and lots of opportunity to relax and enjoy the scenery makes this a perfect getaway for families and groups. Available year round for $1,249 per person. Commissions offered for meeting planners.
www.edible-britishcolumbia.com
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| BILL REID GALLERY OF NORTHWEST COAST ART OPENS MAY 10 |
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A new Aboriginal gallery opens in downtown Vancouver on May 10. The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art honours Bill Reid - one of Canada's great artists of the 20th century and a pivotal force in introducing to the world to the artistic traditions of the indigenous people of the Northwest Coast of North America. Located across from the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, the gallery will feature many of the masterworks contained in the Bill Reid Foundation collection including carvings, totem poles, jewellery, bronze sculpture and textiles. The Bill Reid Gallery adds to Vancouver's rich collection of First Nations attractions including the stunning Museum of Anthropology, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Takaya Tours and the Stanley Park totem poles.
www.billreidgallery.ca
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| PERFECT PATIOS |
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Vancouver's mild climate and stunning scenery has resulted in a surfeit of fabulous restaurant patios. The following restaurants offer indoor and outdoor spaces that are great for group dinners.
- Nu Restaurant + Lounge's waterfront location offers intimate views of False Creek, Granville Island and the Burrard Street Bridge. Sections of their wrap around patio and bar can be reserved for cozy group cocktail parties. High glass railings and heat lamps keep little-black-dress-wearing guests protected from the breeze.
www.whatisnu.com
- Nestled among the yachts in Coal Harbour, sleek and sexy Lift Bar Grill + View has a rooftop patio that features an outdoor fireplace. Inside, an illuminated bar serves elaborate cocktails and fine wines.
www.liftbarandgrill.com
- Conveniently located across the street from the Canada Place cruise ship terminal, the stunning new Metro Restaurant features sophisticated West Coast cuisine from Chef Brian Fowke, a sleek interior, and a sunny patio with mountain views.
www.metrodining.ca
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