Hidden Vancouver Gems

[trip style = urban]

In the wake of the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver's in the spotlight, but when the crowds leave this popular city will continue to thrive as an urban and outdoor adventure gateway. If you want to experience a little of the real Vancouver, here are some suggestions from a local:

Do

• Skip the high-priced Capilano Suspension Bridge and drive 10-mins to Lynn Canyon suspension bridge/park
• Hike the Grouse Grind {spring/summer/fall} and have a beer and nachos while overlooking the city atop Grouse Mountain at Altitudes Bistro
• Skate at Robson square (winter only)
• Check out vancouver's lesser known art scene at The Vancouver Art Gallery or stroll along South Granville's Gallery Row
• Even though this is wildly talked-about, biking around Stanley Park is an excellent way to see Vancouver's city-in-nature beauty

Eat Since Vancouver is known worldwide for its culinary creativity and fusion, it's hard to only pick one or two options for each meal, but here's a starting point: - breakfast: waffles with chocolate lavender sauce at Cafe Medina - lunch: check out Iron Chef Rob Feenie's creations at the Cactus Club or have a sandwich at Meat and Bread - dinner: suburb eatery with a view: Fraiche or famous for its drinks and Chinese food with a mod twist: Bao Bei - dessert: chocoholics beware, you'll be heavily tempted at the Sutton Place Hotel's Chocoholic Buffet - drinks: a regular haunt for vancouver's savvy, the Opus Bar is the see-and-be-seen locale for a drink, just avoid weekends

Sleep - vancouver's newest luxe hotel, Fairmont Pacific Rim (from $250) - only a 5-min walk from the Fairmont a chic boutique hotel: Loden Vancouver (from $200) - stay in the heart of Vancouver's entertainment district at Moda Hotel (from $104) * Most Vancouver hotel rates fluctuate between $100 - $250 during low season, yet savvy travellers can often find these prices in high season as well.

Spotlight :: Scottsdale AZ

[trip style = urban]

When we flew into Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) the announcements proclaimed "voted friendliest airport in the USA." I would take that one step further and say that everyone I met in Scottsdale was very chipper and friendly. Maybe it's the 300+ days of sun they get year-round.  Jealous much?

Whether your interest is: shopping, golfing, hiking, art, walking and/or restaurant-ing, Scottsdale is an ideal destination for a winter, spring or fall visit. See more information about where to stay, where to eat and what to do in this past friday's post.

Pictures of Scottsdale, AZ Scottsdale Desert

Room at 3Palms

Room at Fairmont Scottsdale

Bar at La Hacienda (The Fairmont Scottsdale's Newest Restaurant)

Happy Hour Margarita + Appies at La Hacienda

Stone Rose Lounge

Fairmont Scottsdale Pool

Taliesin West

Taliesen West Breezeway

Vancouver 2010: Free Activities

[trip style = urban]

As Vancouver and Whistler launch into their final preparations to welcome the world, the Olympic Games are just over 20 days away!  As a Vancouverite, I'm in the 'excited for the games' camp.  For the vast majority staying in town, the general buzz is one of  pride and anticipation for what's to come.  Overnight, our lifestyle-driven, sea and mountainside turf will go from modest Canadian city to budding metropolis.  Normally you have to travel to experience an overnight change this significant, but in this case, both locals and visitors can travel together!

If you don't have tickets to any events, no worries, there is a host of free 2010 activities going on in and around Vancouver and Whistler.  For a full list of free Olympic Activities, check out http://www.citycaucus.com/2010freevenues

My Top Picks: Free 2010 Activities

• Vectorial Elevation :: A giant consumer generated light show over the Burrard Inlet :: dusk to dawn :: English Bay/Kits
• Laser Waterworks Show :: Nightly :: David Lam Park Yaletown
• Ice Skate at the GE Plaza :: Robson Square :: open 12 - 9pm daily :: skate rentals $3
• Heineken House :: Celebrate Dutch athletes and drink beer :: Minoru Arenas 7551 Minoru Gate, Richmond
• LiveCity Downtown :: See demonstration sports, entertainment and on-screen programming :: Georgia & Beatty
• LiveCity Yaletown :: Live arts, entertainment, pavilions, sponsor tents, refreshment and on-screen sport highlights :: David Lam Park
• Nightly Medal Ceremonies in Vancouver and Whistler :: not free but reasonable - tickets from $22 :: featuring athletes and world-renown singers :: BC Place and the Whistler Celebration Centre
• O-Zone Richmond :: 60-acre celebration :: Ice art, outdoor skating, athletes, virtual reality, food, fireworks :: Canada Line Brighouse Station
• Vancouver Art Gallery :: BC, Canada Pavilion :: 9am - 9pm daily :: catch the Renoir exhibit too!

4 Best Urban Winter Getaways

So often we focus our trips on far-off lands filled with sun, sand or snow, but there is still a mystique that surrounds the urban getaway --especially during winter when decorated buildings are a twinklin', snow is a fallin' and hot cocoa is a steamin'. So whether you decide to take a quick getaway during the holidays or in the early days of winter, these urban hot-spots will offer an experience sure to stimulate all 5 senses! New York, NY Let's face it, New York is great any time of year (except during heat waves), but there is something magical that happens in Winter.  The Big Apple transforms into a cozy urban backdrop offering endless hours of city and park walking, amazing shopping, people watching and SKATING to only name a few activities. Experience New York's vibrancy and nostalgia as you watch the Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall [dec 14 - jan 3], skate at Rockefeller, meander in Central Park, warm up in the MET and cap it all off with dinner and a show!

San Francisco, CA Last year, I stood on the 6th floor of Macy's and watched as the Union Square Christmas Tree was illuminated.  Everyone simultaneously cheered as the Christmas season was officially welcomed...and then they went back to their shopping.  Adjacent to the tree is the union square skating rink --a prefect activity for a winter urban getaway.  Open until Jan 18th, the rink is an excellent stop-over during your San Francisco sight-seeing adventure. Don't miss the 1930's-style Tonga Room Lounge at the Fairmont, the city views from Coit Tower, riding the cable car, watching cars twist and turn on Lombard street, the multiple museums and dining atop Macy's.

Vancouver, Canada Scared to visit Vancouver because it is the home of the 2010 Olympics.  Don't let this hold you back.  The Olympics take place Feb 12 - 28; before and after this time, hotels are reasonable.  If you are going to see Vancouver during Winter, this is the year to do it!  The city is "dressed to the nines" as it prepares to host the world and shine in the international spotlight.  Vancouver's walkability also makes it an ideal place to use your downtown hotel as a base camp and explore the unique neighborhoods, poke into local shops, skate at robson square, take a sleigh ride at grouse mountain and even ride the famous Christmas train in Stanley Park [until jan 2].

Quebec City, Quebec If you are going to visit Quebec in the Winter, do so during Carnaval [jan 29 - feb 14].  This winter celebration is similar to Mardi Gras except done in much cooler temperatures.  After a long day parading through the street blowing on your red trumpet, dancing with Bonhomme, marveling at the ice palace and gawking at the outdoor museum's ice sculptures, stay at the Ice Hotel (Hotel de Glas).  Oh, and make sure to wear something red!

An In-Your-City Christmas Vaca

[trip style = urban + staycation]

Even though this is a travel blog, I don't want to discount the activities one can do in their city over the Christmas Break or in the Winter. Rather than dreaming of the Turks and Caicos, a mini Vacation can be created in your own city. Often when we clear our schedule and  focus on the good times to be had locally, a travel-like escape can be just what the Doctor ordered!

Ideas: [each item below sounds much better if you add "& hot chocolate"]

• ice skating/hockey outdoors - on a lake, river or an open-air rink in the city
• tobogganing
• snowshoeing
• christmas bake-a-thon
• shopping and eating out
• play tourist for a day, visit sites and take pics as if you were visiting
• spa day
• movie and popcorn day/night
• theater night -- seeing what's playing on the local stage
• making a gourmet meal at home and invite friends to share it
• throw a theme party
• games night
• cozy-up on the couch, drink your favourite tea or coffee and read in front of the fire
• find a spot to have an outdoor fire and do a winter wiener and marshmallow roast
• go on a day trip to a local town or fun spot
• last but definitely not least: helping the homeless through a local organization or by getting some friends and family together to make sandwiches and hand them out