A local educator has this to say about Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. “I love it because it overlooks the fabulous garden in the park, city and the mountains – even on a foggy day – and the deck is heated and covered so any time of year is great. Sadly, there aren’t many ways to save money there, but you can save $3.00 on Valet Parking if you go for lunch instead of dinner!” For more info consult Queen Elizabeth Park

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During the summer, there are plenty of lovely sites to see along Victoria‘s downtown waterfront, The Empress Hotel, the unique Parliament Buildings, a stroll through Beacon Hill Park. However it may surprise you to know of some unusual visual feasts at a few of the local hotels. In December’s gloom The Empress Hotel, the Hotel Grand Pacific and the Inn at Laurel Point may be visited to see festive creations competing for your vote and raising money for local charities. We visited the annual Gingerbread Showcase, which has gone national, at the Inn at Laurel Point. These sculptures are created […]

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It has been quite some time since I last visited the beautiful Butchart Gardens just north of Victoria. I have happy memories of going with my grandfather on a sunny summer’s afternoon. Today, Butchart’s is run like a well oiled machine with an ample parking lot where you are carefully guided by the many staff to your parking spot. As one heads into the gardens you must pass the large tempting gift shop and the cafe. This particular visit was made on New Year’s Day. Yes, Butchart’s was open. It was dusk, and misting, not really a rain, and a […]

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When you have children, the challenge is to find places to eat that are boring enough for young palates. We were rendezvous-ing in Vancouver’s West End with relatives from Victoria. Questions to friends found that the options were limited in the Davie and Bute area that fit our kid friendly requirements. (Denny’s at Thurlow and Davie was a possibility but, gosh, it’s Denny’s.) There are a fair few ethnic (for lack of a better word) places around that corner but a fancy sauce would not work for the kids. As I was parking, I saw Hamburger Mary’s Diner at Bute […]

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It’s tricky to explain the allure of the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) in Vancouver. This Fair, which is the west coast version of the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) in Toronto, has that expected mish-mash of food, special exhibit buildings and the midway, which is called PlayLand. Perhaps the mish-mash itself is the allure. The deterrent and tarnish on the allure is the wallet busting pricing. E.g. a 591 mL bottle of Dasani water is shown everywhere (in perky lettering) as $3.50. My family and friends chose the Saturday of the Labour Day weekend to attend. Hot sunny day. Pure glorious […]

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Sonja of Harrison Heritage House & Cottages has five suggestions for your trip to Harrison Hot Springs. Check out the brand new ‘life size’ Sasquatch carving at the front entrance to Harrison Hot Springs. Check out Harrisons Festival of the Arts every July. Ten nights of music on the beach, concerts, art markets, literary cafes, art exhibits and workshops. Our lake is stocked with prehistoric sturgeon. The quest for the Sasquatch happens right here in Sasquatch Country! Harrison Hot Springs is a hot bed of Sasquatch sightings! Spirit Trail is a 1 km loop through an old cedar forest. Looking […]

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You can’t really use the words ambience and décor at Sophie’s Cosmic Café. The challenge is that it’s more a diner than a restaurant. There are the round twirly stools in front of the milkshake machine giving a soda fountain feel. They is outside seating and the rest are booths and tables. The interior does not have a corner where kitschy memorabilia does not bump into what might be considered art. The signed Warhol print on the east wall somehow goes well with the aging Kermit the Frog doll hanging from a tin child’s ride ’em airplane. If you are […]

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Kitsilano Beach Park (AKA Kits Beach) is a spectacular place to spend a day when visiting Vancouver. It’s particularly amazing when you land on a sunny warm summer day. My favourite reasons to hang out there are: The Scenery While sitting on Kits Beach and looking west you can, on a clear day, see the mountain ranges of Vancouver Island. In August the sunset sets right where the North Shore mountains touches the water and is breathtaking. It’s no wonder they built the restaurant above the concession stand so as to get a better view. If you head north along […]

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Desolation Resort is near Powell River and Lund on the Sunshine Coast and shares these five top tips for the Powell River area. If you go to Lund, go to Savary Island too. Its white sand beaches and warm waters are sure to attract the whole family. Relax on the beach! Lund Water Taxi departs on the hour. It’s a short trip and well worth it. A few excellent restaurants are nearby. Dining in Lund is a unique experience with incredible views. Wine and dine and behold the sunset! Kayak adventures are plentifully available in Okeover and Lund with Terra […]

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The Elbow Room Cafe is a Vancouver landmark that I’ve wanted to go to but never found the time to be on Davie Street at breakfast or lunch time. The restaurant follows the diner format and style with all-day breakfast and quite the array of sandwiches and burgers. The shtick for the place is mild abuse toward patrons. The first two rules are if you want more coffee or water, go get it yourself. Which is kind of innovative in a way — how many times have you wanted the server to come with more coffee and you could never […]

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