Wine Tours with Okanagan Wine Country Tour | Kelowna, BC

You simply cannot visit the Okanagan without at least visiting a few wineries & vineyards, you just can’t! Instead of driving around ourselves and going to the same five wineries, we decided to go with a Wine Tour company, and why not go with the original - Okanagan Wine Country Tours! The Okanagan Wine Country Tours were the very first tour company established in the Okanagan Valley and really started the ball rolling in wine tours in the region. Whether it is a half / full day tour with a big group of friends or with an intimate group, they are able to accommodate you.

Because we decided to look for a tour last minute, tours with OK Wine Country Tours have all booked up. Luckily the GM of OK Wine Country Tours, Marsha, was able to accommodate us with a private tour. We were so excited.

Upon meeting Marsha, we instantly knew we were going to have a great day ahead of us! She is very knowledgeable and very kind and friendly. She surprised us with a few of her favourite wineries in the area, starting with Sandhill Wines - located in the heart of Downtown Kelowna. We learned so much from our private tasting at Sandhill. Something I didn’t realize, was the fact that they source grapes from different vineyards, including Sandhill Estate, King Family, Phantom Creek, Osprey Ridge, and Hidden Terrace. We even got to sneak in a taste of the Wayne Gretzky Estates No. 99 The Icon 2015 - YUM.

Sandhill Wines, Downtown Kelowna

Blind Tasting Experience at Sandhill Wines

SECOND STOP - Arrowleaf Cellars - I swear I squealed a little when Marsha told us this was our second stop. Arrowleaf has always been one of my favourites - with its incredible views and delicious wines. Their beautiful winery is family owned and operated in Lake Country, overlooking Okanagan Lake. The cellar officially opened in 2003, and has since expanded and complete with a tasting room, cafe, and picnic area. I, of course, took home a box of their award-winning Bacchus & Pinot Gris.

Arrowleaf Cellars

THIRD STOP (also a lunch stop) - 50th Parallel Estate Winery - This is a winery I haven’t heard too much about, and definitely haven’t been to, but so so happy we came! We started off with a delicious tasting and I learned their 50th Parallel Estate Blanc de Noir 2017 is quite special, as it only produces 1 strand of bubbles in the glass (which is quite different than most bubbles). Jason of 50th Parallel then came over to welcome us to a table for lunch, BUT WAIT! He had a surprise for us (me). I had my first… FIRST EVER sabering experience. Oh my goodness, I was so nervous but so excited at the same time. I’ve always only seen others do it, and secretly hoping I’d be able to one day saber a bottle myself. Of course, as a first timer, I didn’t get it the first go, BUT I did manage to get it done the second time around. This is definitely not an experience I will soon forget. We also had some great recommendations for food as well, and went with what Jason had suggested - Beef Tartare, Truffle Fries, and the highly recommended Mac & Cheese - we made very good choices. Thank you Jason!

50th Parallel Estate

50th Parallel Estate Saber

Beef Tartare + Truffle Fries at 50th Parallel Estate

50th Parallel Mac & Cheese

LAST STOP - O'Rourke's Peak Cellars - another winery I haven’t heard too much about, but learned a lot (once again) here. We got a full tour of the vineyards, including a walk around their farm. They grow anywhere from snap peas, to tomatoes, to basil. It’s a true farm to table experience at their restaurant. Did you know that the cluster of grapes in my hands (pictured below) is equal to one glass of wine? Neat, eh? We ended our tour with having a glass of wine in the middle of the vineyard - another experience I have never had before.

O'Rourke's Peak Cellars

This equals one glass of wine

We ended our day with Marsha generously dropping us off at our next destination. And on top of that, she offered to drop off our boxes of wines we acquired throughout the day in our rooms back at Hotel Eldorado. She went above and beyond what I could’ve ever expected! Thank you Marsha for an incredible day in the vineyards - setting everything up for us so last minute, and taking us on a private tour with you! You have given us a very memorable and unforgettable experience. We hope to see you again very soon!

A Little R&R Weekend at Eldorado Resort in Kelowna BC

Ahhh… the Okanagan… it’s one of my must-do’s every summer, and why not? It’s only a few hours’ drive from the city! I find it to be a beautiful little getaway in Vancouver’s back yard. 4 hours away and you’re whisked into BC’s little “Mexico”. Of all the times I have gone up to Kelowna, I have never stayed at a more beautiful and relaxing resort as the Manteo / Hotel Eldorado.

Our experience started right at the front, no not the lobby, but with the parking valet! He was super helpful in directing us where to park as a guest of the hotel, and then ran off to find us a trolley for our luggage - all with a big smile on his face. The friendly hospitaility continued through the resort, from the front desk, to the restaurant staff, to any employee we walked by!

Manteo Lobby

Eldorado Hotel Suite

The rooms at both Manteo and Eldorado Hotel were very spacious and well laid-out. Aside from the beautiful rooms with breathtaking views of Okanagan Lake, there are also a lot of amenities that come with your stay, including a clubhouse (pool, slide, hot tub, pool table, sauna, etc), hot tubs, adult outdoor pool, exclusive beach, Eldorado Marina, just to name a few. I felt like we were whisked away into a different country all together. In fact, we did not leave the resort at all for the first 2 days there. It’s the ultimate way to unwind and relax in my opinion. Everything just moves a little slower and I am not complaining one bit about that!

Eldorado Marina

The Eldorado Marina has Okanagan's largest exclusive fleet of Mastercraft tournament boats and Waverunner rentals. You can rent one of their boats and rip around on Okanagan Lake during your stay, whether it be an hour, a day or for a week! You can also rent a SUP, kayak or bicycle from their Boardwalk shore! We rented a bike and biked from the hotel to Downtown Kelowna - what a fun ride, and a different way to explore the city.

This is the Spirit of the El - one of the owner’s personal 34 foot sedan cruiser. You can rent this beauty out for up to 8 passengers for $2200, comes complete with a Captain & Crew and will be catered. The thing that stood out to me the most is that the money collected will all be donated to the Kelwona General Hospital Foundation (KGH). It’s a way for the owner to give back - which is absolutely amazing!

Spirit of the El

We can’t forget about the food offered at both the resorts. We had an incredible dinner the first night there at Smack Dab (Manteo Resort) - it was so difficult to decide on what to order from their menu, but of course I ended up ordering the Lamb Rack. Chef Ryan Byrne did an amazing job! It’s no wonder they won Diner’s Choice 2019!

We then hopped over to the Hotel Eldorado side for the next few days of brunching, lunching and dining at Lakeside Dining - despite seeming like we are dining at the same restaurant for most of our meals, they have different offerings within their establishment - The Boardwalk, Dining Room, Lounge + Whisky Lounge. The Boardwalk is the perfect place for brunch and lunch - you are seated right on the boardwalk overlooking the Marina with the view of Okanagan Lake, while basking in the sun. We did a lot of people AND boat watching from this boardwalk while sipping on a latte. The Dining Room gives a slightly different vibe as the sun sets and the bottles of wine come out for dinner. You get a slightly different menu to choose from, and again, all the offerings are drool-worthy.

Wood fire oven at Smak Dab, Manteo

Eldorado Dining Room

Eldorado Boardwalk lunch - Plant Life Burger, Steak Frites + Arugula and Shrimp Salad

Eldorado Lakeside Dining Room - Filet Mignon with seared Quebec foie gras

On Friday night, we wandered over to the Whisky Room after dinner to experience “Friday at the El”. It was a cross between a lounge, bar, and club. The DJ was playing up some awesome tunes as we chatted with Patrick and Harry about their whisky selections. Along with their wide selection of whisky, they also have many whisky based cocktails, on-site barrel-aged cocktails and of course, flights of whisky. One of my favourites of the night is the Barrel-aged Old Fashion Sour that Harry had come up with - DELICIOUS!

Whisky Room

Whisky Flight

Aged Old Fashion Sour

Thank you for an absolutely relaxing getaway, it was a much needed weekend to unwind, and eat & drink our way through Kelowna. I can’t wait to be back at Eldorado Resorts next time I’m up in K-town!

Learn these tips before you travel to Mexico | guest post

Image from pixabay.com

Mexico is an incredible country to vacation in, drive through, or just backpack around. There is plenty to see and explore from the pristine surf beaches on the Pacific coast to lush jungles and incredible ruins. The country is also home to big tourist centers such as Cozumel, Punta Cana, Cancun, and Tulum as well as incredible resorts. Mexico has several regions and each of them is incredibly diverse, and the locals are some of the friendliest people on earth. 

The aforementioned tourist centers and resorts are a huge draw for visitors to the North American country. However, visitors tend to ignore other parts of the country during their trip, which can be a mistake. Are you planning a visit to Mexico? In this article, you’ll find tips on everything related to traveling to Mexico to help you make sure that you are thoroughly prepared for the trip. These Mexico travel tips will help you get the best out of your trip. Read on. 

When to Visit Mexico

When is the best time to travel to Mexico? You can travel to Mexico at any time of the year — depending on what you are looking for. The busiest season for travel to is New Years and Semana Santa. During busy seasons, resorts and big tourist centers are often crowded. If you want to avoid crowds, don’t travel during the busy seasons. Are any of the attractions you want to see dependent on seasons? Take that into consideration as you plan your trip to Mexico. 

The busiest tourist season in Mexico runs from December to the end of April. The temperatures are high but there’s plenty of relief in the coastal areas. This is the best time to visit if you want to take advantage of Mexico’s tropical climate. June to October is the rainy season in Mexico, mostly the central parts of the country — it hardly ever rains in northern Mexico. If you want to have the best trip possible, you have to plan. Book your flight 2-5 months before your travel date to get the best prices.

What to Pack

The next thing you need to do is pack. So, what do you pack for a trip to Mexico? Your packing list should include light clothing, a pair of comfortable shoes, a swimsuit, and a small medical kit — safety is important. Your packing list depends on the type of activities you will be involved in during your trip. All travel experts will advise you to pack light. That’s because it’s easier to get around when you are not dragging a huge suitcase around. It’s good to be prepared for anything but if you plan ahead, you’ll do just fine with a smaller suitcase. You’ll be able to move freely and get into your hotel more easily with a smaller suitcase. 

How to Stay Safe in Mexico

Contrary to what you may have heard on the radio or seen in the news, Mexico is a fairly safe country to visit. The media likes to paint Mexico as a dangerous place to visit, but that’s not accurate. Most of the conflict you may have heard about is between the drug cartels and Mexican authorities, which shouldn’t have any impact on your trip. However, bag snatching — and other forms of petty theft — is common so don’t let your guard down. No country is 100 percent safe. The locals are extremely friendly and helpful in difficult situations. 

The real threat when it comes to traveling to Mexico is online. During your trip, you will need access to the internet to communicate and keep in touch with friends and family back home. The country has seen an increase in internet penetration (more than 100%) in the last few years. Digital threats such as hacking incidents, data retention, and government surveillance have increased in proportion. Connect to a VPN server in Mexico to protect yourself from such threats every time you access the internet during your trip. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic making it unreadable to prying eyes such as hackers, Internet Service Provider (ISP), etc.

TRAVEL | A Winter Weekend Getaway at Whistler

Ahhhh… a weekend getaway into winter wonderland is exactly what was needed this holiday season! What better way to celebrate Christmas than to be whisked away to Whistler for a weekend, enjoying the slopes, adventures, restaurants, bars, and fireplace? I’m an avid snowboarder, so this was especially nice since the local mountains had a slow start, and I have been itching to shred since November!

The weekend started with a quick easy check in at Legends Creekside, located in the heart of Creekside Village and very convenient located beside the Creekside Gondola, perfect for ski-in, ski-out access. The building also happens to have one of the Whistler Blackcomb Guest Relations offices and Ticket Booth attached to it.

Once checked in, I was welcomed to one of the one bedroom suites on the top floor of this 6-floor hotel. The room comes complete with a King bed, a Queen sofa bed, a bathroom, a full kitchen, and features a gas fireplace, and an in suite washer/dryer. There was more than enough space for the 2 of us to wind down, cook some meals, and cozy up by the fire with some Christmas tunes. Being able to dry and warm up our wet snow gear at the end of the day by the fire is definitely an added luxury. There is also a ski/snowboard locker storage area located by the front desk to store your winter gear, conveniently located by Creekside Express Gondola. Legends also includes a fitness centre, pool table in the games room, a theratre, Nintendo Switch games room, and my favourite outdoor pool, complete with 2 hot tubs. There is nothing better than to relax in an outdoor hot tub with a warm beverage as the snow lightly falls onto your heads après-ski!

Legends Living Room

Tourism Whistler set us up with some awesome Whistler merchandise, including Dark Hazelnut Chocolate, Whistler branded Goggle Socs & Some Gypsy Soul bath salts & coffee scrub!

Onto the fun stuff! Waking up the next morning to fresh snowfall outside the windows was just absolutely lovely! It set the tone for the day as we prepare ourselves for the day up on Whistler Blackcomb! CAN-SKI helped us out with some ski rentals, the knowledgeable staff were able to set us up with the best gear for our skill level and snow conditions! The lineups for the gondolas and lifts were surprisingly not bad, considering it was Christmas weekend. The lifties & staff worked efficiently to get all the skiiers and snowboarders up on the chairs. We were whisked up to the top where the Umbrella Bar is, which is also where you can take the Peak to Peak chair between Whistler and Blackcomb. The conditions of the snow was amazing to say the least, the runs were nice and wide and nicely groomed with fresh powder on top. We frequented the Cougar Park, Bobcat Park, Jolly Green Giant, Green Acres, Old Man, and Franz’s runs.

The best part about snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb is the accessibility from the mountains to the village and being able to après-ski properly. How absolutely amazing is it to be able to snowboard down to the restaurant right by the lift after a day on the mountains? That is exactly what we did, we made our way down Village Run right onto the covered patio of Garibaldi Lift Company to enjoy some food and drinks by the fire pit, all while watching people wander the village. It was the perfect way to wind down and warm up the toes!

 https://s.insta360.com/p/fa10b2a1547c1cb6b369f344bd0ede34

Whistler Village this time of year is extremely festive. We went meandering through the Village and there were Christmas lights all over the Village Stroll. When we reached Whistler Olympic Plaza, it took my breath away! They had transformed the plaza into a skating rink and sledding area! It was absolutely beautiful to be in the middle of all of that and seeing couples and families enjoy the snow and ice under the warm glow of Christmas lights. There is something about this time of year that brings people together that I love seeing. It just warms my heart.

Whistler Olympic Plaza

We couldn’t end our trip without trying some amazing restaurants offered in the village. After checking out many different restaurants and menus online, we decided on Basalt Wine + Salumeria, conveniently located along the Village Stroll beside Crystal Lodge. I’ll try to keep this section short and sweet, but the dinner was amazing! We started off with a Beef Striploin Carpaccio (+ “a bag of chips”), and every bite was incredible. The texture and flavours come together so beautifully, I wish there was more of it, but alas we must move on to the main courses. As adventurous eaters, we decided on the more unique items on the menu. We chose the Cashew Crusted Rock Fish & the New Zealand Venison + Chorizo Ragu Cavatelli with its wine pairings, which paired beautifully with the meal. The rock fish with seaweek pesto and chilean crab stir fried red quinoa was an incredible flavour explosion in my mouth. The flavours & textures worked so well together, it leaves you wanting more, bite after bite. The Venison dish with Cavatelli is the definition of a savoury comfy food. It tastes like a warm hug after a cold day, telling you everything is going to be okay. We were already quite stuffed at this point, but felt we should try their dessert menu along with some boozy hot drinks to end our experience. We ordered their Apple + Butterscotch Crème Brulée, which to my surprise, was very delicious! Not that I was expecting it to be bad, but I’m just not a big dessert person!

Beef Striploin Carpaccio + “a bag of chips”

Cashew Crusted Rock Fish & the New Zealand Venison + Chorizo Ragu Cavatelli

Cashew Crusted Rock Fish with Daydreamer Riesling 2017

New Zealand Venison + Chorizo Ragu Cavatelli with Moraine Estate Pinot Noir 2016

Apple + Butterscotch Crème Brulée | maple almond tuile, ginger struesel

Basalt Boozy Hot Chocolate | Frangelico, Jameson, whip cream
Peanut Buttered Rum | Gosling's Black Rum, brown sugar, spice, peanut butter, steamed milk

Our weekend drew to an end, as the fluffy snow fell outside our windows, we really didn’t want to have to pack up and leave. It’s been such a great way to start the Christmas holidays. I hope you’ll be able to make your way up to Whistler sometime this season! There is something for everyone to do, from Skiing & Snowboarding, to strolling in the village, to trying out different restaurants, to relaxing at a spa, to a wild night out in the bars & clubs.

Thank you Tania and the Tourism Whistler team for setting this nice little getaway up, I’ll definitely have to find another excuse to come back up later in the season!

TRAVEL | Fairmont YVR Gold Lounge Launch

There are times when I’ve flown across an ocean or a continent and had a long layover before my next flight.  The airport hotels I’ve stayed in have been a welcome respite on a long journey.  Some are basic; a shower and a bed for a few hours.  Others are more luxurious.  The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel definitely fits the latter category.  The crème de la crème of the rooms available in the hotel are on the Gold Floor, essentially a hotel within a hotel.  Fairmont has recently renovated and updated all the Gold rooms and the results are impressive.

The hotel access is via escalator (or elevator) next to the USA Check In area on Level 3, the departures level.  From the escalator to the main lobby is a walkway with a great view over the concourse.  A horizontal chandelier the length of the walkway signals that you have left the hustle and bustle of the airport behind and you are now entering a zone of elegance.  Elevators from the main hotel lobby take you to the 14th floor, the Gold Floor.  The redesigned Gold Floor reception desk has changed from an enclosed office to a more friendly open desk.  The styling is West Coast inspired.  Aeronautical, streamlined, efficiently luxurious.

There are 37 Gold Rooms (36 of them on the 14th floor) and the first one we checked out was room 1422.  Talk about a room with a view!  Each and every room has mesmerizing views through the large windows.  A plane spotting guide and an optically excellent spotting scope (Olivon brand) are standard features in every Gold room.  1422 has two queen beds; rooms with a single king bed are also available.  The feeling is residential with furnishings carefully chosen to not impede the view.  Even from the soaker tub there is a clear view out the window if the privacy doors are opened.  The sleek aeronautical design of the headboards is reminiscent of a sleeping pod on a First Class long haul flight.

Connected travelers will be happy to see USB charging ports are plentiful and integrated with the regular electrical outlets.  Rooms have nice wall mounted large flat screen televisions, Nespresso machines, and cool wall switches by the beds to control lights and drapes.  I should mention that the sound proofing is excellent.  I did not notice any noise from outside and there were jet airplanes taking off and landing frequently.

As wonderful as the Gold rooms are there is another option for the discerning traveler.  The Jade Suite, room 1445, is the type of room that one believes movie stars and royalty would stay in.  The bed is king sized, the bathroom opulent with jade, the bespoke wood furnishings (by a Vancouver Island mill worker) fabulous.  The suite is large with a comfortable relaxed seating area and a dining area.  The expansive windows wrap around two sides of the suite.  I’m almost tempted to describe the suite as splendiferous but that doesn’t really convey the level of relaxed elegance I experienced.

The Fairmont Gold Lounge, located directly behind the reception desk, serves a Deluxe Continental breakfast buffet between 6:30am and 10am.  There is an option to have breakfast delivered to your room should you have an earlier departure.  The Gold Lounge is like a Business Class or First Class airport lounge, only better and more exclusive.  Snacks are available in the afternoon.  Canapés and desserts are available later in the day.  The honor bar is open noon to 9:30.  I quite enjoyed the food I sampled.  I estimated 36 people could comfortably sit in the lounge.  The style is equal to the Gold rooms with bespoke wood furnishings and, of course, amazing views out the floor to ceiling windows.

I was very happy to see the redesigned Fairmont Vancouver Airport Gold Floor.  It already had an excellent reputation and my expectations were exceeded.  The hotel is one of the top 10 airport hotels in the world and the Gold Floor is a fantastic choice for First Class and Business travelers.  I would even recommend it for a staycation if you are looking for a luxury hotel stay near home.  Downtown Vancouver is easily accessible by taxi or skytrain.    As Austin Powers’ villain Goldmember said, I love Gold!  You will too if you stay on the Gold Floor of the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel is located in Vancouver International Airport.

https://www.fairmont.com/vancouver-airport-richmond/accommodations/fairmont-gold/

Words: Steve McConnell
Photos: Jenn Chan

TRAVEL | THINGS TO DO | Old Docks Tour with Eating London Tours

Old Docks Tour Starting Point

Leigh Savage would be a great name for a pirate! Or, maybe, a porn star (sorry Leigh!), but it is most certainly also an excellent name for a tour guide! Mention his name while booking and you'll get a discount, mention mine while booking and you will only get a puzzled look. The tour started where all great food tours start: at a large, 19th century industrial engine house. No visit along the docks of Rotherhithe and Wapping, I'm told, would be complete without taking in the Thames Tunnel. The world's first tunnel built successfully under a navigable channel connecting these two beautiful boroughs despite the Thames' best efforts. 

A quick jaunt up the street and you come upon the The Mayflower Pub, the oldest pub on the mighty River Thames. It was from here that the first pilgrims to colonize the Americas left England bound for the new world. Just think about that. Now think about bangers and mash and blood pudding all sat on a bed of fresh vegetables and chased down with a bitter, yet smooth pale ale. Aside from the really good pub food, a cheerful decor, ample historical significance and ambience the pub also boasts a huge patio that hangs out over the ancient river. If you peek between the slats you'll see the water lapping the shore and the sound and the sun and tranquility of the space makes this pub a must-see!
 

The Mayflower

Bangers & Mash at The Mayflower

After we have descended the Thames Tunnel and examined the impressive, old-fashioned engineering we come up on the other side; Wapping. All along the way our cheerful, knowledgeable guide whips out his folder of history and photos and we take delight in standing on the sidewalk and learning about our surroundings. A tour like this gives you nothing, but time to smell the flowers! The Prospect of Whitby Pub also stakes a claim to the oldest pub on the Thames, but upon reading the fine print is relegated to being on the site of the oldest pub, advantage Mayflower. The Whitby wrestles away the title of my early favourite after a delicious plate of fish and chips is laid in front of me with a nice light lager to compliment it. It was so nice that I went back and got another glass halfway through my meal! The Prospect of Whitby is a place where they used to hang folk. They don't shy away from that fact either as a noose still swings in the wind at the edge of the balcony. Hanging Judge Jeffries was said to have executed some 700 men during his duties under the reign of King James II on this very spot.

 

Brunel's Thames Tunnel

The Prospect of Whitby

The Prospect of Whitby

Fish & Chips with mushy peas at The Prospect of Whitby

Joseph Turner was an eccentric man. A lover of women and secretive to the point of almost losing his own identity. Around the docklands of Wapping he was known as "Puggy" Booth. Puggy due to his slight stature and Booth adopting the name of one of his mistresses to further obfuscate his activities. When he inherited a pair of cottages in Wapping he converted one into Turner's Old Star and the pub still stands today after several renovations. Paul and Bernice Drew now run the freehouse and make their famous steak pies themselves from scratch! These are worth a trip all on their own, but the pub also has sports playing on every screen as well as billiards and darts. You could spend some time there!
 

Turner's Old Star

Turner's Old Star

Steak Pie at Turner's Old Star

Captain William Kidd was a notorious pirate. There is some debate whether he came about the monicker justly, but he was executed nearby for piracy. A converted warehouse with plenty of space and extraordinary views of the Thames. An alcove table with 180 degree views of the river and a spacious patio are just a few of the highlights. Oh ya, they also have beer, a lot of it! I would definitely recommend it for a calm night out or the starting point of a rager!
 

Captain Kidd

Four hours is a long time to spend with strangers, but with the masterful guidance of Mr. Savage we bonded and by the time we came up the Dickens Pub it was almost too early to say goodbye. Luckily, we were greeted with a giant cheese and fruit platter and some ciders, a truly European dessert! Excited chatter turned into a constant murmur and laughter rose up as the room started to fill around us. Leigh gracefully took his leave and we were left to socialize and eat and drink until our heart's content. I can't remember another tour where the group was left together at the end and the fun just simply continued! I would highly recommend it and don't forget to tell them who sent you!

English Cheese and Cider at The Dickens Inn

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan