Getaway in a Yurt with Ford Canada

Sunrise on BC Ferry

A last little trip before the end of summer, and what a way to spend it! We had the pleasure of driving the 2019 Ford Expedition for a little road trip to Port Renfrew to unplug and recharge before the new week. We started our island getaway with a Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay BRIGHT AND EARLY at 6am. We love starting our trip days early so we can take full advantage of our days when we get to our destination. So of course, we are pretty tired at the start of the trip, lots of yawns. After watching the beautiful sunrise as we pulled away from the city on the ferry sun deck, we decided to take a quick snooze. We tried to get comfy on the ferry seats, but that was next to impossible so we ended up heading back to the Expedition, reclining our seats back and getting our much-needed shut eye before our trip continues. The seats, I have to say, are SO COMFORTABLE. I personally have a 2008 Ford Escape, and this 2019 Expedition has such a roomy cabin. Leather-trimmed heated AND ventilated bucket seats and all the details make the ride feel very luxurious.

Other features that really impressed me is the Panoramic Vista Roof which features two panels over the first and second rows. The front panel opens for an open-air driving experience. It truly made for a very cool road trip experience for me! Even on rainy days, it was nice to look up at the rain drops falling onto the glass (I may be a little weird.) I took every opportunity to poke my head out of the moonroof (see photo below).

Ford Expedition interior - front seats with console

Ford Expedition - third row views

Ford Expedition Panoramic Vista Roof

We were set up to stay in the Tatoosh Yurt for the weekend with Soule Creek Lodge - my first time in a yurt! I kept saying we are camping for the weekend, but really it’s glamping. It was a quaint space equipped with all the necessities you’d find in an AirBnB. The views were absolutely spectacular and made the photographer in me very happy. I was able to capture a beautiful sunset over Port San Juan with mountain views and rolling clouds, as well as stars in the clear night sky. Soule Creek Lodge also included a hot a-la-carte breakfast in the mornings. We also opted in for the dinners there as there isn’t very many options close by for meals. We figured we should enjoy the quiet moments and not go too far. Their meals were delicious and a surprise every night.

Tatoosh Yurt at Soule Creek Lodge

interior of Tatoosh Yurt at Soule Creek Lodge

On our days, we took a walk on the Botanical Park trails at the very end of the island. I have to say, I can’t remember the last time I had driven to the end of a road! It was absolutely amazing getting the fresh air that day being IN nature - very EXPLORE B.C.! As a city girl, I always forget to take a moment to enjoy the beauty that is the west coast. I didn’t even mind the mist that morning!

As we drove away after the hike, we came across an inversion at the top of the mountain (along the highway). I gasped and immediately wanted to get to higher ground to snap a better photo of it. Thank goodness the Ford Expedition is an excellent off-road vehicle, we were able to climb up onto a pile on a logging road. ALSO very happy it has a great back up camera and sensor system. It helped guide us back towards the main road via this narrow windy path we ended up on.

Port Renfrew was such a great little place to unplug and unwind for a few days. It was so quiet you can hear your own thoughts! A big thank you to Ford Canada for supplying us with the Ford Expedition to help us explore areas we never thought we would end up. I can see myself going on many little (or big) adventures with this vehicle. For now, it’s back to the grind, back to reality.

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.

PRESS RELEASE | Starbucks introduces a new Canadian-exclusive: Teavana Black Sesame Tea Latte

Starbucks Canada has a luscious new drink – and it’s only available in Canada! Introducing the new Teavana Black Sesame Tea Latte. Smooth, nutty and only available here – starting March 5th.  

This luxuriously smooth handcrafted drink features bold black tea steamed with milk (or a dairy alternative – we recommend soy!) and a rich, black sesame sauce topped with a tasty black sesame brittle. The result is a subtly-sweet, nutty flavour profile.

The new Teavana Black Sesame Tea Latte is the first addition to the Teavana Tea Latte line-up introduced to Canada last year featuring Black, Matcha, Rooibos, Blossoming Rose Tea Lattes.

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!