IN THE DOGHOUSE?

It was Valentine’s day - when? Okay, so maybe you forgot the day, and now February is over and you are absolutely positive you will not hear the end of this mistake for the next 20 years. Make up for it quickly, and redeem yourself with the Taboo package at Inn at Westminster Quay. This sexy package includes adventure, surprises, seduction and more…in a deluxe waterview stateroom at the only hotel built over the waters of the Fraser River. The hotel was built like a ship in dry dock, awarding the hotel the honours of two City Builders Awards. With chilled champagne, Belgian chocolates, playful gifts, and an enticing game for two, Valentine’s day will be long forgotten, especially after your late check out! Visit www.innatthequay.com for information.

NOT JUST PRISON ISSUE…
Usually when you hear the word “swarm” it conjures up unpleasant memories from that dreadful camping trip you took, the one where every mosquito in a 20 mile radius discovered the fact that you have incredibly sweet tasting skin! That aside, there are some very positive connotations you could relate to SWARM, especially when it is in reference to the fabulous, high voltage percussion group found this year at the 9th Annual Port Moody Festival of the Arts. Dressed in orange jumpsuits, whirling drum sculptures and hand-crafted instruments, SWARM ignites the opening night of this interdisciplinary arts festival. Studio tours, hands-on art exhibits, theatre shows and art exhibits are also part of the Festival’s fun. Beginning March 31 – April 9, visit www.pomoartsfestival.bc.ca for information.

WOODEN SHOES GO A LONG WAY
In the times of yesteryear, visitors travelled far and wide to witness the spectacular tulip fields of the Netherlands. But thanks to mobility and a little business we like to call import/export, you can experience these stunning blooms throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Endless rows of coloured bulbs, stretching their heads towards the sparkling sunshine, spreading their petals wide in the day, and sleeping peacefully during the evening hours, tulips are everyone’s favourite introduction to springtime. One of the best places to sit amongst the tulips is Minter Gardens, where over 85,000 tulips bloom throughout the garden. The tulips are a garden show stopper, and reside amongst 11 stunning gardens that began with a massive mountain slide, ending its flow at the area which is now Minter Gardens. The slide created a unique topography for the gardens and, along with a beautiful backdrop set against Mt. Cheam, what remains is an unbelievably glorious setting for the regal Dutch flowers. See www.mintergardens.com.

WHAT A WORLD RECORD!
What do a Sturgeon, a plane crash, and a hot meal have in common? They are all linked to The Riverbend Guesthouse! While staying at this quaint Chilliwack B&B, hire a guide and learn to fish in a world class fishing area for Sturgeon. These timeless fish weigh in over hundreds of pounds (a world record 1000 pounder was caught on the Fraser River last year). A hike up Slesse Mountain, just behind the guesthouse, will present you with a view of the site of a 1960’s plane crash, and of course, hot meals are waiting for you each morning as you begin your adventures. See www.riverbendguesthouse.com for information.

MAKING MEMORIES LIKE THE LOCALS
You’ve done it, gone on the most incredible vacation of your life, returned home to find that your precious roles of film have mixed dreadfully with your leaked shampoo bottle, leaving you with about 5 semi-decent memories of your holiday. Of course, if you had known where that great shopping district was (that you spent 5 hours on a bus looking for!), you would at least have some terrific outfits and souvenirs to keep that vacation buzz going. This never has to happen again! Shopabout Tours in Vancouver will get you to all the places you have heard about for shopping, enabling you to shop like a local. See the sights, shop, score great deals, and return home with a smile on your face, knowing you had the vacation of a lifetime, and look fabulous to prove it! Visit www.shopabout.ca for details.

CAN YOU PRONOUNCE ST’AT’IMC?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to know how to say it to experience this unique culture (for the record, it is pronounced something like shtat-lium)! Fraser River Jetboat Adventures invites you to participate in a unique exploration of the St’at’imc people’s culture, history, and the ecosystem that their lifestyle depends on. Tour salmon spawning channels, learn traditional plant use, view ancient fishing, cache, and pit house sites, partake in a traditional feast, and enjoy a cultural performance. Follow the footsteps of the great explorer Simon Fraser, and gain an astounding insight into this historic culture. Visit www.rivboat.com for information.

SAY GOODBYE TO AIRPORT QUEUES
You awake with a start, glance at the clock, and realize that you forgot to set your alarm for AM – it sits ready to chime at 6:00PM! To be late for work, a meeting, or even your morning jog is one thing, but late for a flight could set your entire day back, as you wait for the next available seat. Delta Vancouver Airport has taken great steps to ease your mind, not to mention to implement a dandy convenience for any of us who like to sleep in, get a few more hours of shopping in, or even read the morning paper while relaxing with a fresh cup of java. Imagine checking out of your hotel and checking in to your flight at the same time without lining up at the airport…if you are flying out of YVR and staying at the Delta Vancouver Airport, imagine no further! The hotel is taking an industry leading role in adding common-use, self-service (CUSS) check-in kiosks to enhance customer service for guests…now if we could only invent something for customs counters! See www.deltahotels.com for details
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