The thing with Valentine’s Day is that everyone has their own idea of romance and the way we like to celebrate is very different from couple to couple. What doesn’t vary is that we all like to feel appreciated by our spouse, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, or significant other and there are many ways to show that you care. To add a little extra special touch this year, surprise them with a getaway that really reflects who they are, what they love and that thing they just wouldn’t splurge on for themselves. With travel, whether it is just a daytrip or a weekend getaway, you also get the added bonus of some extra quality time together. Read the rest of this entry »
Inside the Seattle Boat Show at Century Link (formerly known as Qwest Field)
I have always thought that the Seattle Boat Show falls at the perfect time of year. The end of January when winter is at its peak and it feels like there is no end in sight, heading to the Boat Show is a great way to take your mind off of winter. I think that given the recent winter storm that hit the Pacific Northwest, spending a day thinking about a summer on the water sounds especially enticing! Read the rest of this entry »
Chinese New Year celebration in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Joe Mabel/Flickr Creative Commons
The Year of the Dragon begins January 23, 2012 and the Pacific Northwest is ready to celebrate! Chinese New Year celebrates the new lunar year, which is based off of the cycles of the moon. Most Chinese New Year celebrations in Western culture feature lion and dragon dances and parades as well as lantern festivals. The celebration is 15 days long, this year from January 23-February 6 and throughout the Pacific Northwest, public events will be taking place to celebrate the start of the Year of the Dragon! Read the rest of this entry »
It’s called the Pacific Rim, this wild west furthest-most point of British Columbia in Canada – gazing to sea from my little Zodiac while out on a whale watching tour, the next land mass is… Japan!
I was wrapped up warm and dry, as I shared the bay with 4 or 5 large grey whales spouting and diving in the water around me, hardly making a ripple in the water at all. Calm and quiet, gentle giants, unaware that their presence was making momentous memories that I would cherish far into my dotage!
Your favorite Northwest cities are at their most glamorous during the Holiday Season when they start to spruce themselves up in twinkling lights and gleaming tinsel. They also start to roll out the best shopping of the year and some of their best festivities. Take advantage of the great Holiday travel at amazing prices and treat yourself to getaway or surprise someone you REALLY like.
United States Thanksgiving is probably not all that exciting for those in Canada (unless you have family in the US), however the day after is something that’s great for pretty much everyone who has to get some holiday shopping done: Black Friday! The day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year in the United States and retailers have amazing deals-especially for those who are willing to get up early!
Westlake Tree Lighting courtesy of flickr's mtcarlson
We were so excited to have the Clipper mentioned on the Today Show last week by local blogger, Hip Travel Mama. We thought that she did a fantastic job getting the word out as to why the Northwest is a great travel destination.
Summer is winding down and it’s time to start thinking about fun fall activities to do with family and friends. The first activities that come to my mind are: pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hay rides! Washington has countless farms that provide all of these activities! A great farm to keep in mind is:
Biringer Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkins – 3.7 mile trail
Victoria, BC can be at its most charming during the cooler months and there are so many reasons to go! Just as the air gets crisp in early fall, the timing is right to check out the area’s many cideries. A little later in October, celebrate the spookier side of the season with a Haunted Victoria Tour. You also have until October 31, to try a ziplining adventure including the very adventurous night zip. If your vacation style is more low-key, Victoria hosts two amazing Afternoon Teas; at the Empress Hotel and at Butchart Gardens. Either will keep you toasty. Read the rest of this entry »
June and July have been very exciting months for whale watching! There are two baby Orcas: L pod saw a new addition in June, and just last week a baby from K pod was spotted. All the whales in a pod contribute to care of a baby, so expect to see the baby Orca around all the other pod members.
Every Victoria Clipper sailing has seen whales so far in July, and all but one boat saw whales in June for a 97% success rate for whale sightings overall! Over the last week, there have been two extra exciting tours: on July 7th there was a super pod of whales (where multiple pods of whales were all moving together) and on July 11th, while the boat was stopped and shut off, whales came right up to the Victoria Clipper III. In addition to whales, most tours typically see harbor seals and other local wildlife, such as eagles and deer. Read the rest of this entry »
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