Alberta Ballet artists Hayna Gutierrez and Tara Williamson star in the production of “Balletlujah!” that celebrates the life and music of k.d. lang. (Paul McGrath photo)

Story by Jody Robbins
Vacay.ca Writer

Alberta Ballet rises high as its performers shine the spotlight on k.d. lang in Calgary. (Photo Paul McGrath)

CALGARY, ALBERTA — On the surface, the ballet and k.d. lang may not seem a match. One is traditional, the other rebellious. One tends to play to feminine stereotypes, the other has made a career of obliterating them. In the hands of Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître, however, the two meld beautifully, as evidenced by the premier of Balletlujah! last weekend. Kitted out in cowboy boots and crinoline, several lasses dressed up as an ode to lang, the latest muse of Grand-Maître.

Finding inspiration in one of the greatest singers of our generation, Alberta Ballet’s fourth portrait ballet is set to the music of the Juno and Grammy Award-winning lang. Previous tributes honoured Joni Mitchell, Elton John and Sarah McLachlan.

“He pulled it off a fourth time! Each time Jean Grand-Maître manages to capture the essence of the artist. Incredible — especially when they’re all so diverse,” marvelled attendee Talia Potter.

Lang, Alberta’s finest export, returned to the province to take in performances in both Edmonton and Calgary, and was suitably impressed, tweeting: “Jean Grand Maitre and the #albertaballet have created something so moving … such a sense of Pride thx”.

Balletlujah!, a contemporary ballet inspired by 16 songs from lang’s repertoire, showcases the singer’s entire career, including music from her 2011 album Sing It Loud, which, incidentally, Grand-Maître says is one of his favourite albums of all time, and tells the story of a love affair between two women.

“They really honoured that it’s a love story. Though it’s between two women, they didn’t make it sensational,” says attendee Laura Woollard.

Ballet Pays Homage to k.d. lang

Influenced by lang’s rich voice, and the dramatic Canadian prairies she grew up on, Balletlujah! is a testament to collaborative efforts. The show reunited many of the artistic partners from the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies, including Grand-Maître, lang, Alberta Ballet’s Company Artists, and Anne-Séguin Poirier, who designed the costumes for both events.

Those who like lang’s music but may not be sure about ballet, would not be disappointed. The performance was much more than dance. It utilizes the talented pool of designers and the latest in multimedia technology to immerse the audience in the prairie and city landscapes. The effect is not just from the video and set design, but also through the clever use of lighting, costumes and the dance itself. Particularly spectacular was the videography shot by video production designer Adam Larsen, who travelled to rural Alberta to film much of the visual projections for this show, including footage from Consort, where lang — born Kathryn Dawn Lang — was raised.

It’s Show Time

The performance begins against a backdrop of the prairies and follows lang’s progression from that kind of rodeo setting to Rodeo Drive, where the temptations of Hollywood threaten the lovers. The production re-creates the ethos of these settings, and communicates the influence both environments had on lang as an artist and as an individual.

Fans of traditional ballet might not appreciate the interdisciplinary approach to the production. There’s jazz, lyrical, chicken impersonations and even a spot of square dancing, but you’d be hard pressed to find a critic after witnessing the impressive number of Baryshnikovs (technically known as a jete en tournant, turning splits in the air, made famous by the Russian dancer), which had the crowd burst into applause. Equally impressive was watching 6-foot-3 male dancer Mark Wax, dressed in drag, strut around the stage in four-inch platforms for a nightclub scene. And forget pas de deux — three male dancers forgo ballerinas and partner with real scythes. Thank goodness nobody tripped.

What’s Next for Alberta Ballet?

Lovers of these accessible ballets needn’t fret that they missed this one. Another Joni Mitchell collaboration, based on her love songs is in the works, and set to premier May 2014. With new music and choreography, fans won’t be blue.

And after that, who knows? There’s certainly no shortage of Canadian artists to draw from. Hallelujah to that.

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Parlee Beach is one of Canada’s most renowned sandy spaces and its location in Shediac, New Brunswick one of the most glorious in Atlantic Canada.

Overlooking the Northumberland Strait, which separates New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from Prince Edward Island, Parlee Beach Provincial Park offers a friendly, fun environment for families, campers and RV owners. Travellers looking for a luxury getaway, will want to book a stay at the Tait House.

A mansion that dates to 1911, the Tait House is a short drive or a 40-minute walk to the beach in this town called the “Lobster Capital of the World.” Along with fine accommodations, the Tait House offers additional services such as a private wine-tasting class with its chef and sommelier Chris MacAdam, and the opportunity to book a cocktail cruise at sundown.

One-night rates at the Tait House start at $159 per night.

Vacay.ca Rides Through Acadian Country

Vacay.ca contributor Cinda Chavich made her way through New Brunswick’s Acadia territory last summer, stopping in Shediac and driving through coastal routes dotted with French heritage and old fishing towns. She came away wowed by the culture, the vistas and the lobster.

Chavich writes: “They claim the lobster sculpture next to the highway in Shediac is the largest in the world, it’s massive, anatomically correct claws and antennae making a killer background for the family holiday photo-op. But this scenic coastal strip of sandy beaches and cottages is also home to the country’s largest population of Acadians, a maritime French-Canadian subculture, known for its long history, unique language, culture and joie de vivre.”

Read the rest of “Acadian Captivates with History, Fun, and Lots and Lots of Lobster”

To book this hotel deal with the Tait House and explore Parlee Beach: Call 1-888-532-4233 (toll free) or visit the property’s website.

Map Showing Distance from Tait House to Parlee Beach Provincial Park 

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Before you hit the beach this summer, make sure you’ve done all your homework to ensure an enjoyable trip. Above, kids in Aruba hit the waves with abandon. (Julia Pelish/Vacay.ca)

Advice from Rod Charles
Vacay.ca Deputy Editor

Going on vacation is fun. Planning one, however, can be a chore.

There are so many things to consider before you leave — pets, children, airport taxes, medical emergencies. Managing the tasks involved with your getaway isn’t all fun and games and if you haven’t taken the time to think things through thoroughly, then your actual vacation may not be fun and games either.

Vacay.ca has compiled five tips for summer travel planning so that your next vacation is one you’ll always want to remember.

1. Budget. Start early and research those deals. Understand your needs and goals. Don’t wait until the last minute to look for those money-saving deals. Vacay.ca is a great place to start as we point to several packages and offers in our “Deal of the Day” features, which are determined entirely by our editorial staff, without any influence from advertisers. You can find the best discounts to some of the finest hotels, attractions and activities in the country. We let you in on deals on everything from a stay at Le Place d’Armes Hotel in Montreal to a Laughter Package at Century Plaza Hotel & Spa in Vancouver, to wilderness getaways in Algonquin Park, Manitoba, and Yukon.

Take the time to find out if there any packages or offers available for the places you want to visit. Research opportunities to save money. Plan your trip ahead so that you are not struggling to get things organized at the last minute.

Always assume you’re going to need more money than think, especially when it comes to shopping and eating. Children, seniors or those with special needs may need extra attention or care. Assume there will be unexpected costs from taxis, car rentals, emergency pharmacy purchases, airplane food and airport improvement fees. Always budget above and beyond.

Too many people make the mistake of just saying “we’re going on a relaxing vacation” without determining what those words mean to them. Are you looking for a romantic escape, hoping to get back to nature, take in a show or embark on a European adventure? The earlier you can determine the kind of vacation you want and where you hope to go, the easier it will be to research those deals and ensure you get what you want out of your holiday.

2. Plan for your human and furry children. If you have children, you need to consider destinations with options ideal for young people. Besides being home to a natural attraction that the kids will love, Niagara Falls has several hotel packages for the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. Another good idea for planning a vacation that children will love is building your getaway around an event like the PNE, CNE, Calgary Stampede or a professional sporting event. Remember not every location is child-friendly.

Another consideration is pets. Some hotels offer packages that are pet-friendly. If you’re hoping to bring your furry friend along with you then be sure and take the time to research which hotels and attractions are pet-friendly. And don’t make the mistake of assuming that you will just be able to leave your pet at a kennel. It isn’t always an easy thing to find space and even if you do find a kennel available, your dog may not like it. The point — know your pet and plan accordingly.

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3. Make sure your passports and licences are in order. If the vacation you want is a fishing trip, then you will need a fishing licence. In Ontario for example, if you are planning on going fishing you must have an Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag to fish, unless you’re buying a one-day licence. A One-day Sport Fishing Licence will cost you $12.95. An outdoor card will cost you $ 9.68. You can purchase these online.

If Ontario residents wish to both fish and hunt, they must apply for an Outdoors Card (hunting/fishing version), which provides for both privileges. For information on this option call the Outdoors Card Centre: 1-800-387-7011. Understand that by law, even if you want to put a line in the water at a cottage, you’re obligated to have a fishing licence.

When it comes to passports, many people don’t realize that some countries will not accept a passport if it has less than six months left on it. Countries love when you visit, but they want to make sure that you’re going to leave. Do you need to renew your passport? If you do, this isn’t something that you want to leave until the last minute.

4. Medication and Insurance

Organize vaccinations and deal with medical issues before you leave. Remember, some vaccinations need time to work. Don’t assume you’ll just be able to find a doctor on the road when you need one.

Always travel with more medication than you need. The 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland caused chaos for flights over the Atlantic for several days. When the Carnival Cruise Ship Triumph broke down at sea this spring, the stories of raw sewage seeping down the walls was what got the media’s attention. What didn’t get as much attention was the fact that many people had run out of medication and were really struggling without their prescriptions — on top of everything else.

Daily Beast: “They were running out of medicine. There was a huge line of people — some people with diabetes were running out of insulin, and mothers with babies were running out of diapers.”

Always, always carry a minimum of five extra days medication with you on any trip you take.

Another thing to consider is insurance. Vacay.ca Managing Editor Adrian Brijbassi wrote a terrific article called “How To Deal With Travel Insurance Pain”, a must-read for anyone planning to travel. One interesting thing Brijbassi mentioned is even a trip to another province may require purchasing medical insurance.

Brijbassi: “Yes, Canada has universal health-care, and we’re lucky it does, but it’s the provinces that cover your needs, not the federal government. So, you may need to add coverage when travelling outside of your home province as well. Check with your province’s health-care policy, and with your insurance company.”

 5. For crying out loud, have fun. The ultimate mistake is to come back from vacation more frazzled than when you left. Don’t laugh, it happens a lot more than you think.

Make sure you’re able to do what you want because it’s your vacation. Whether its spending time by yourself, going to a club, visiting an amusement park with the kids, or just chilling poolside with the person you love — whatever that something is — plan your schedule accordingly and make sure you do it. Never make the assumption that you’re going to have a relaxing time and do what you want to do just because you’re on vacation.

You’ve taken care of the planning, now let the plan take care of you. Let go, relax. Make great memories and enjoy those wonderful moments in the sun.

Travel Deal for May 17, 2013

Tourism PEI has posted a deal called “Cavendish Beach for Families“ from Fairways Cottages.

Starting at $1,150, this package is based on two adults and two children (all prices based on a family of four) and is available from June 15 to September 2, 2013. Enjoy Cavendish Beach warm waters and be a kid again at Avonlea Village, Matthew’s Carriage Ride and at Anne of Green Gables House & Trails.

Walk from your deck to the Haunted Woods. Enjoy a new Slide & Ride with a seven days unlimited pass to Shining Waters Family Fun Park and Sandspit Amusement Park. Other additional options include Mariners Cove Mini Golf, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum or Wax World of the Stars.

Package includes:

• Seven night(s) accommodations at Fairways Cottages
• One Matthew’s half-hour Carriage Ride Family Pass
• One Avonlea Village Family Pass
• One National Park Anne of Green Gables House Museum & Walking Trails Weekly Family Pass
• One National Park Beach Weekly Car pass
• One Cavendish Entertainment Family Pass
• One Slide & Ride Weekly Family Pass

These items can be added at extra cost:

• One Bike Rental of 2-4 hours
• One Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum! Family Pass
• One Mariner’s Cove Mini Golf Family Pass

Vacay.ca Recommends A Trip to PEI

Brijbassi writes: “For a city in a province that Statistics Canada says has less than 5,000 immigrants and less than 2,000 visible minorities, Charlottetown doesn’t feel like a homogenous or insular place. It manages to maintain the charm of small-town traditions such as the annual Old Home Week festival, which began on August 9 this year and coincides with the Gold Cup & Saucer harnesses races that have been running for more than half a century.” 

Read the rest of “The big-city appeal of tiny Charlottetown.”

To book with Fairways Cottages: Click here or call 1-877-963-2843.

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Ottawa is playing host to the Rendez-vous Canada tourism conference this week. (Julia Pelish/Vacay.ca)

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Canadian Tourism Commission has come under unwanted and ignorant criticism this week. The truth is, any of us would be hard-pressed to find a government agency that manages to do more with less than the CTC. Its budget has been slashed by 20% to $58.5 million from the 2012 level of $72 million, a sum that had also been reduced from previous years. Yet, the Canadian tourism industry grew 4.2% in 2012, increasing its revenue to $81.9 billion. A $100-billion target has been set for 2015.

“We’re the little engine that could,” Michele McKenzie said last week in Cape Breton while attending that Nova Scotia region’s annual tourism conference and she underscored that sentiment at Rendez-vous Canada, a yearly gathering of Canada’s tourism and trade industry happening this week.

In the face of relentless competition and staggering budget cuts, the CTC has deployed a strategy that involves provincial and municipal tourism boards and agencies focusing on traditional markets like the United States. On the federal level, the CTC is pushing all of its efforts toward attracting consumers from Brazil, India, China and Australia — nations where revenue potential is immense. The economies of Brazil, India and China are going to continue to grow and their citizens are will travel farther afield, and Canada has an opportunity to ensure consistent travel from those populations. Australians are used to long flights and the ascent in value of their currency allows many of them to fulfill the dream of venturing to Canada.

“The CTC deserves full credit for the work they’ve done. They are punching well above their weight, given where competitors have invested and in the face of enormous challenges,” said David Goldstein, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, which advocates for travel-related businesses across the country. Goldstein is a straight talker and a pragmatist not shy about criticizing government. His praise is hard won and meaningful. “Every single one of Canada’s competitors is increasing its spending on tourism, and we are going in exactly the opposite direction. The State of New York has now upped its tourism budget to $68 million, which means it is spending more than Canada.”

Goldstein’s main criticism is with the cost of air travel, saying the federal government should be working to reduce airfare costs and revamp its aviation cost structure, an area where the nation ranks 136th in the world. He suggests eliminating the value-added tax (VAT) that is charged on airfares, a strategy that has worked for other nations, or re-distributing that tax to tourism agencies. He also wants to see improved air access for emerging markets. None of those issues fall under the CTC’s umbrella.

(My feeling? If you reduced airfare costs in Canada by only 15% it would reverse the trend of Canadians using airports in US border cities. Last year, 5 million Canadians flew from across the border, equating to $2.3 billion and 70 fully booked flights lost to the US. Those lower airfares would also entice many more visitors to the nation. The reason this cost reduction doesn’t happen is likely because one government agency would lose a lot of revenue from the lower airfares, even though there would be improvement in many other aspects of the economy.)

Goldstein and McKenzie were among a contingent of speakers who commented about the successes, challenges and shortcomings of the nation’s tourism industry in Ottawa. The dichotomy of Canada’s tourism business was made clear through the presenters:

GOOD: The nation ranks first in reputation of travellers
BAD: It ranks 18th in number of visitors

GOOD: Its brand is so strong that it has been copied by numerous other nations, including the United States’ Brand USA campaign
BAD: The budget cuts limit the amount of innovation the CTC can undertake

GOOD: Double-digit growth in visitors is occurring from markets such as China, India and Brazil
BAD: Traditional markets, including Germany and the United Kingdom, have seen drops in travel in 2011 and 2012.

The week-long event is in the nation’s capital for the first time in 23 years and it is bigger than ever, with international tourism operators also on hand. The conference, held at the Ottawa Convention Centre, includes 1,500 delegates. More than a dozen international media, several from the Far East, are in attendance as attention on Canada increases thanks in large part to efforts by the CTC to concentrate on markets where visitors come a long way and tend to stay longer and expend more money. China, Japan, Korea, Brazil and Australia are nations whose visitation rates are bright spots for Canada.

Why the CTC Should Maintain Its Focus on China

China is now the world leader in global travel, leapfrogging the US and Germany to become the first nation to have its travellers spend $100 billion in foreign destinations. Only 288,000 of them came to Canada in 2012, which equates to just one-quarter of 1% of Chinese travellers. If the marketing efforts by the CTC can deliver a full 1% of those 83 million travellers, it would produce more than $1 billion in revenue (based on the average of $1,701 that Chinese travellers spent in Canada in 2012). Canada has one of the two strongest travel brands in the world — based on exit surveys of frequent travellers by Future Brand Index, an independent UK-based organization that rates marketing efforts of a range of industries. Once people get here, they like what they find. I discovered that myself at Rendez-vous, speaking to the visiting journalists who were unanimously overwhelmed by two things: How well Canadians get along with each other in a multicultural nation and the vast amount of space in the country. “There are no people here,” said one incredulous journalist from China, who was wide-eyed and excited that so much nature was available to be explored.

Read more on Vacay.ca about how Canada can attract Chinese travellers 

The Boom from Brazil

I asked Michele McKenzie about the challenges of growing the Brazilian market, and she acknowledged the lack of awareness of Canada within that country is an issue. However, she noted that more young Brazilians are coming to Canada to study in high school and university, and that leads to more visits from families. “We have a lot of opportunities to work with the education sector in Canada to make those connections,” she said.

Canada ranks first among Brazilians as the preferred place to study English as a second language and second after France as the place to learn French, according to the Ministry of International Trade.

Anyone who has travelled to Whistler or Vancouver in the summer or Quebec City‘s Ice Hotel in winter will tell you there are Brazilians visiting in larger and larger numbers — and they are delighted by what they see.

Support from Provinces Counts

Bruce Okabe, CEO of Travel Alberta, says that his organization always takes the approach that it comes second to the nation when marketing abroad. “People will always recognize the country first. So it makes sense that we are always promoting Canada first and then Alberta. It makes sense to help people get that knowledge they need of the destination. That’s why we are always fully supportive and fully behind the Canada brand,” he said during a Rendez-vous press conference. Alberta has seen strong growth in tourism, led by a record turnout of 1.4 million visitors for the 2012 Calgary Stampede, the centennial of that event.

Ottawa’s Red Shoes Deserve a Blue Ribbon

Anyone who knows Ottawa Tourism‘s Jantine van Kregten knows she is one of the sharpest users of social media in Canada’s travel industry. The organization’s Red Shoes initiative as part of the Rendez-vous Canada event is further proof of her skill and her team’s. Last year, Ottawa Tourism handed out red shoes to Rendez-vous attendees in Edmonton. This year, attendees wore those shoes and have been encouraged to take photographs of them in iconic locations around Ottawa and then post them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. It’s another form of engagement that encourages fun and interaction with your destination.

ROCKY HARBOUR, NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR — The Newfoundland kitchen party is one of those experiences travellers to Canada’s easternmost province will want to discover, if only to know what all the fuss is about. While they occur all the time and while Newfoundlanders are the friendliest of people and eager to extend an invitation, kitchen parties aren’t on the tourist itinerary. They need to be sought out.

I was fortunate to find one at the Ocean View Hotel, adjacent to Gros Morne National Park, a couple of months back. The kitchen party involves good food, great traditional music and lots of drink. Also, laughter galore. I met Shirley Montague, an integral part of the thriving arts community in Western Newfoundland and a founder of Trails, Tales & Tunes, an annual celebration that exudes the province’s way of life and gives visitors a hint of the kitchen-party atmosphere that goes on here all year long.

Musicians, including the sensational Sherman Downey & the Ambiguous Case, will perform, writers will give readings, artists will display their work, and chefs will prepare culinary treats during the festival that runs from May 17-26. The event is in Norris Point, which like Rocky Harbour is a lovely nook of a community that lies on the periphery of Gros Morne, a gargantuan national park that is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

“I grew up in a family where everybody played, a big extended family, and the kitchen where I grew up was the gathering place for music,” Montague said, while discussing the inspiration for Trails, Tales & Tunes. ”There has been a real sense of pride in writing about our own environment in recent decades. The stories are very much a sense of place, a sense of people, a sense of who we are, and people love to share music in this province. People invite you into their homes, share a drink with you, bring you to the dance floor and just offer a lot of real genuine authentic small-town hospitality.”

You’ll have plenty of chances to earn an invite to a home kitchen party or get a taste of the atmosphere of one during the festival that kicks off a string of celebrations during spring and summer in this part of the province.

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Travel Deal for May 16, 2013

The Urban Canoe Camping Saskatoon package is available from CanoeSki, via Tourism Saskatchewan.

This two-day, one-night package starts at $350 and is available from June 15 to September 2, 2013. Jump on board with skilled canoeing guide Cliff Speer. You’ll spend one night out in a tent to kick things off, and then a short two-day paddle on a stretch of river not far from Saskatoon. The experience will introduce you to the exhilaration of canoe-camping. Speer, an avid and highly skilled outdoorsman, offers lots of how-to instruction with emphasis on safety and enjoyment.

Are you just starting out in the world of canoeing? No problem. This trip is designed for beginners to feel comfortable and develop confidence.

According to the CanoeSki website:  “The river channel consists of glacial till covered by a thick layer of fine sand that is constantly being shifted to and fro by the variable current. At lower levels, usually in mid-summer, many sand bars surface creating lots of natural beaches — great for wading and swimming as a refreshing break from paddling on a summer canoe trip. ... We travel downstream to a wilderness riverbank campsite that has access to hiking trails in a unique wildlife refuge. Our overnight camp is completely self-sufficient; all the food and equipment needed to make a comfortable camp, including drinking water, is carried with us in our canoes. The intent of the program is to introduce people to camping and paddling in a relaxing and enjoyable format.”

Departures:

• June 15 – 16
• August 3 – 4
• September 1 – 2

Package includes

• Meals and camping gear (except for sleeping bag and rain gear)
• Tents & waterproof packs for personal items
• Certified canoeing instructor/guide
• Canoeing & safety equipment
• Parks Canada Historic Site entry fees
• Return transportation by passenger van from Saskatoon

Vacay.ca Recommends Seeing Saskatoon

If you have time after your canoeing trip, check out Saskatoon. Adrian Brijbassi, Vacay’s managing editor, was mighty impressed with his recent visit to Saskatchewan’s largest city. Brijbassi stayed at the Sheraton Cavalier while he toured the city, including visiting the trendy Broadway Avenue stretch and kayaking on the South Saskatchewan River with CanoeSki.

In an article headlined “It’s time to take Saskatoon seriously,” Brijbassi writes about the city’s new-found wealth: “You need to go to Saskatoon. Not only to realize that there may indeed be a tomorrow where prosperity is possible but to enjoy the sense of vitality that seems to arise when people, businesses and municipalities have a little extra in their pockets. The positive feelings that good times engender is palpable here in an outpost that many Canadians scoff at without ever paying it a visit.”

Packing list, liability waiver and detailed trip info with CanoeSki:  Contact Cliff Speer at 306-653-5693 or email him at cliff@canoeski.com.

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Report by Vacay.ca Staff

Vacay.ca has chosen its three finalists for the 2013 Foodie of the Year Contest. The Grand Prize winner receives round-trip airfare, a luxury hotel stay and dinner at the Top 50 Restaurant in Canada of her choice. The three finalists distinguished themselves for their writing ability, passion for food and ability to articulate why Canadian cuisine is so outstanding.

Here are the three finalists and links to the articles that earned them this recognition.

Deborah Son: For her article on Segovia Tapas Bar in Winnipeg

Excerpt: “Each plate of tapas overflows with fresh ingredients and a sexy mingling of flavours that delight the taste buds, leaving you only with the desire to steal another bite. One of my favourite dishes boasts Albacore tuna as the main attraction, with fried peanuts, mint aioli, radish, and Serrano peppers ($12). The fish tasted so fresh and just seemed to melt in my mouth as I took my first bite. Other standouts include savoury braised short ribs with fingerling potatoes as well as lemon mascarpone-filled dates with roasted pistachios and sweet maple syrup.”

Read the rest of Deborah’s entry

Jo-Ann Samo: For her article on Joe Beef in Montreal

Excerpt: “I must admit the Joe Beef experience is unlike any other that you will encounter. It is a cavalcade of outstanding dishes, each a conquest of amazingly glorious, gluttonous and eccentric recipes. Servers were knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. It’’s a celebration that needs to be on everyone’’s 2013 bucket list.”

Read the rest of Jo-Ann’s entry

Holly Fraughton: For her article on why she loves Canadian cuisine

Excerpt: “For years, I was an all-around journalist covering everything from the business beat to hard-hitting news stories. … Then, I moved to the not-so-sleepy ski town of Whistler, British Columbia. There, I took a job writing for a popular weekly newspaper, and soon found myself in the position of Arts & Entertainment Editor. Along with that position came a weekly column. A food column. Am I not the luckiest girl in the world?!

Read the rest of Holly’s entry

Hikers at Mountain Trek boot camp take on the trail in the Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Story by Lynn Burshtein (Twitter: @lynnb)
Vacay.ca Writer

Sunset Lodge is where guests at Mountain Trek rest and recover from the days gruelling activities.

AINSWORTH SPRINGS, BRITISH COLUMBIA — I had the opportunity to spend a week at Mountain Trek last summer, a boutique boot camp and fitness retreat in Ainsworth Springs, approximately 40 minutes outside of the town of Nelson, British Columbia. Nelson is the pick-up and drop-off point to Mountain Trek and is a cool destination in itself; it also has some of the most charming coffee shops in the country.

Mountain Trek’s motto is “Hike Your But Off”. A play on words, of course; the word “but” suggests resistance to a suggested course of action. In the present context, an example of such usage may sound something like: “I would love to exercise more, BUT I just don’t have the time.” (I may or may not be guilty of said excuse on occasion.)

So Mountain Trek has come up with a jam-packed, no-options program designed to do away with the “buts,” all in the most spectacular of British Columbia’s natural settings. Leaving aside for a moment the retreat’s rigorous schedule that includes 6 am yoga classes, cardio and strength training, green goddess smoothies and a meagre 1,200-calories-a-day diet, Mountain Trek’s calling card has to be its exquisite hiking. Making the trek through the stunning Selkirk Mountain range and near the beautiful scenery of Kootenay Lake, visitors will realize they don’t need to go to Nepal or Machu Picchu for a world-class hiking experience.

One of the Best Hiking Experiences in Canada

Aside from the gorgeous views, people visit Mountain Trek for other reasons: most with the goal of losing weight or improving fitness levels; others arrive to reduce stress or learn how to achieve more balance in their lives. To this end, a number of experts — including meditation and yoga instructors, personal trainers and nutritionists — lead classes throughout the week. But the main spotlight goes to Kirkland Shave, Mountain Trek’s program director. A former park ranger and wilderness skills instructor who leads the advanced hiking group with aplomb — and sometimes without shoes — Shave is also a certified life coach. He is most compelling when giving his daily lectures, breaking down complex information on topics such as nutrition, sleeping habits or detoxification into relatable tidbits. He is the perfect combination of disciplinarian and nurturer. If Smokey the Bear and Tony Robbins had a love child, it would be much like Shave.

To be clear, though, Mountain Trek is not a place for pampering. There are steam rooms and infrared saunas on-site and Swedish massages are scheduled regularly throughout the week, but these all serve therapeutic purposes more than anything else. Those looking for a relaxing spa vacation should probably go somewhere else. You’re gonna hustle a lot at Mountain Trek. Your calorie intake is strictly limited and you are grateful for every morsel of food placed in front of you (luckily this included tasty dishes such as lemon ricotta pancakes with fruit compote for breakfast; a nutritious lentil soup eaten on the trail at lunch; and barbecued cedar-plank salmon with teriyaki glaze or crab cakes with steamed broccoli for dinner, all made from local ingredients). As a result, there is a real sense of humility among the guests, no matter how prestigious their lives may be at home. (Fun fact: Actor Jennifer Coolidge was once a guest at Mountain Trek.)

Mountain Trek hosts no more than 16 people per week. One effect of being with such a small group in closed quarters is the serious bonding that inevitably takes place. Each day, guests literally face an uphill battle together to complete the strenuous four-hour-plus hikes. They then return to the lodge and alternate between soaking their feet in ice and applying heat while attending one of Shave’s lectures. They will be awoken the next morning at 5:30 a.m. for their first exercise class of the day. They will be deprived of their lattes, mid-afternoon sugar fixes, post-work cocktails, and fancy dinners. And they will love it.

So, you want to improve your lifestyle, but have a million reasons why you can’t? Rest assured, Mountain Trek will be able to provide a direct rebuttal to any of your excuses.

Travel Deal for May 15, 2013

Now is the time to start planning your trip to Alberta for the annual Calgary Stampede!

The Westin Calgary features a Stampede Special Offer on its website that includes an overnight stay and tickets to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Be one of the hundreds of thousands of visitors this year to celebrate the heritage and tradition of this legendary event, a 10-day festival including concerts, stage shows, a parade, the world’s largest rodeo, and more.

The Westin Calgary is located downtown, just a short drive or long walk from the festivities. Book your stay at recently renovated hotel and you will receive Stampede tickets with a special package that includes general admission, rodeo and/or chuckwagon and grandstand show tickets. This opportunity is valid for stays July 4, 5 and 6, and July 12, 13 and 14.

Package includes:

• Packages with general admission start from $349
• Packages with rodeo/general admission start from $419
• Packages with chuckwagon/general admission start from $451

Vacay.ca Loves the Calgary Stampede

In 2012, the Calgary Stampede celebrated its centennial in grand style and Vacay.ca was there in force to capture the moment and memories. Vacay.ca Managing Editor Adrian Brijbassi was impressed that “despite the big dollars and corporate presence, the Stampede manages to retain a small-town atmosphere that will charm any visitor. More than 7,000 volunteers help staff the event, greeting tourists at the airport and providing information inside and out of Stampede Park. While that’s sweet, there’s also a level of sophistication that was absent a decade or so ago, and to many who still know the city as Cowtown that may be a surprise.”

Brijbassi also writes: “This is a big-budget, world-class event. Proof of that is in the dynamic ‘Century’ Grandstand Show that ran each of the 10 nights of the 2012 Stampede. Built as a celebration of the first 100 years of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the $3.8-million production was simply epic, and wouldn’t look out of place as part of an Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies. It featured Cirque du Soleil performers, an amazing group of young Chinese acrobats, a massive fabricated eagle that soared up to the 500 level of the grandstand and was ridden by a First Nations hoop dancer. The show was headlined by country music star Paul Brandt, a Calgarian who grew up attending the Stampede as a fan. Brandt made his entrance in spectacular fashion. Like the soaring eagle, he appeared more than 100 feet above the stage, singing on a circular platform with a circumference of no more than eight feet.”

Read more about the Calgary Stampede and its goals for 2013

To book with The Westin Calgary: Contact Gwen Bennor at 403-508-5230 or email her at gwen.bennor@westin.com.

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