TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2009

CANADA
A WORLD OF CONTRAST
AND BEAUTy
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A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the greatest archaeological finds

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LECTURE PATRON EXHIBIT PATRON GOVERNMENT PARTNER

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This exhibition was produced by the Royal Ontario Museum in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority. The artifacts are on loan from the National Treasures of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The ROM is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Photo courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Please visit www.rom.on.ca/scrolls for latest information.
DREAMSCAPE-212,7x276,2-LA PALMA:Document 1 22/04/09 22:04 Page1

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OFICINA ESPAÑOLA DE TURISMO EN TORONTO • TOURIST OFFICE OF SPAIN • OFFICE DU TOURISME D'ESPAGNE
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Tel.: 1- 416 - 961 31 31 Fax.: 1- 416 - 961 19 92 toronto@tourspain.es www.spain.info/ca
 table of
VOLUME 14 i ISSUE NO. 4
contentS

10 W here MYths ANd

LeGeNds thriVe
Immerse yourself in Newfoundland’s
30 L iFe oN the roAd
What’s life like in a 15-square-metre
box? By Jo Charlton
58 A triP iNto trANQUiLitY
From breathtaking sunsets to its
wild surf, Vancouver Island is a feast
grand natural landscape and down- for the eyes and soul. By Valerie
home hospitality. By Bob Fisher
34 t rAVeL sLeUth
A vacation in your own city or
Marshall and Adam Saunders

14 e XPLorAtioNs iN
soUthWest NoVA sCotiA
Take the roads less travelled to
experience authentic Acadian culture
and lifestyle. By Sandra Phinney
province can be very gratifying.
By Jane Stokes 62 i NdiA is YoGA
Discover a spiritual way of
understanding life at peaceful
41 A FANtAsY CoMe trUe
Explore the diversity and culture of
the Caribbean nation known as the
ashrams throughout India.
By Mariellen Ward

22 s MArt reCYCLiNG
What are we to do with our old
electronics? We have some
suggestions. By James Careless
Dominican Republic.
66 A FLoAtiNG PArAdise
Escape to this drop-dead-gorgeous
49 K id-FrieNdLY MUseUMs
Countless discoveries and activities
for all ages await families at Ontario
wilderness retreat on B.C.’s west
coast. By Ann Campbell

24 M AssAChUsetts MeMories
A panoply of adventures and
museums. By Laura Byrne Paquet
70 G oLF oN the edGe
Alberta courses reflect their diverse
cultural diversions draws visitors
to these historic Atlantic shores.
By Gregory B. Gallagher
56 CC eLeBritY trAVeL
orNer
What’s your ideal vacation?
geography and offer value for the
average duffer. By Allan Lynch

28 ViNtAGe destiNAtioNs
Sample flavourful New Zealand
Donna Dooher shares hers.
By Stephanie Dickison 72 t rAVeL GALLerY
More travel bargains and
vacation ideas. By Patrick Dineen
wines right here at home.
By Michael Vaughan

14 62
CoVer CreDit: Strawberry iSlanD lighthouSe at SunriSe, off manitoulin iSlanD, ontario (robert fiSher)

41 76
SanDra phinney mariellen warD

Win A tRip FoR tWo to

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 Petra, a new seven wonder
Leisure & Wellness

Religion & Faith

History & Culture

Eco & Adventure

Simply Authentic
To receive a free DVD and more information,
Voluntourism please contact the Jordan Tourism Board
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 from my
travel bag by Donna S. Vieira
“
T
here’s something to be said
about exploring beautiful
places. It’s good for the spirit.”
—Dave Scott, American Astronaut
One of my responsibilities
as editor is to sift through tens of thousands
of photographs from a variety of sources for
the image that will grace the cover of each
issue.
Every spring I am reminded how beau-
tiful Canada is. While every cover presents
unique challenges, I always anticipate the
May/June issue of DREAMSCAPES with
some trepidation, as this one must capture
the diversity and beauty of Canada. How do
I choose between the lush wilderness on our
West Coast, the majestic splendour of the
Rocky Mountains, the expansive vistas of the
Prairies, the simplicity of Ontario’s historic
communities and national parks, Québec’s
joie de vivre and culture, the tapestry of
landscapes and seascapes in the Atlantic
6 Spring/Summer 2009
provinces, and the isolated mystique of our
northern territories? How I wish this issue
had six front covers.
As you consider which corner of Canada
to explore this year, here are a few things to
keep in mind.
In spite of the recession, lineups at bag-
gage check-in counters and security lanes
continue to snake through airport terminals.
Avoid long lines by printing your boarding
pass on your home computer before you
leave for the airport. And allow plenty of
tion. (Visit tendercorp.com and adventure
time for unforeseen traffic congestion, bag-
medicalkits.com for a list of active outdoor
gage check-in procedures and security
products available at Canadian retailers.)
checks.
Older kids can phone ahead to find out what
If you have children, involve them in
activities and equipment are available to
planning your family’s vacation. Capture this
determine what should be on their checklists.
wonderful opportunity to teach them how to
Give everyone in your party space for indi-
read maps and to explore the area online and
vidual experiences, but plan family time, too,
in guidebooks.
that includes simple pleasures like sitting
Kids love checklists so use them when
around a campfire, taking nature walks, star-
packing for the trip. Make sure yours includes
gazing and bicycling. Put kids in charge of
a medical kit, insect repellent and sun protec-
commemorating the family’s experience by
recording the trip in a medium of their own
choosing.
Renting a car? Refuse to buy a full tank
of gas at a “reduced” price. Purchase the gas
yourself before you return the vehicle. When
upgrades cost, just say no and get the vehicle
you reserved. If the rental company doesn’t
have one in the category you reserved, let
them upgrade you for free.
Check with your insurance and credit
card companies before you rent a car. If you
have comprehensive and collision on your
own car, chances are your coverage includes
a rental vehicle, eliminating the need for a
Collision Damage Waiver. Supplemental
Liability Protection is also likely unnecessary.
By law, car rental companies must carry the
minimum liability insurance required and
your own policy may provide more coverage.
Personal Accident Insurance and Personal
Effects Coverage are usually duplicated in
your home, life and health insurance policies.
Local, provincial and state taxes can add
more than 25 per cent to your total bill, so
be sure to ask about them as well as any
penalties related to flight delays, drop-off
locations or rental cancellation.
But most of all, wherever your summer
travels may take you, embrace the beauty
around you.
 w w w.lamar tinique.ca
1-800-361-9099

information@lamartinique.ca
 CANADA
2 0 0 9 T R AV E L G U I D E T O
DreamScapes Travel and Lifestyle Magazine is published by
GlobElite Travel Marketing Inc.
Visit dreamscapes.ca to view this issue of our magazine
in its entirety and to link easily to editorials, advertisers,
www.canadatravelguides.ca contest information, as well as previous issues.
Letters to the editor
We’d like to hear from you. Readers are always encouraged
ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE to submit e-mails to editor@dreamscapes.ca.

2009 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA

PUBLISHING
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Publisher

AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE 2010 EDITION Cover

FINAL
Donna S. Vieira
Editor
Managing Editor Judi Scharf
CONSUMER
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20 09 TR Copy Editor Anne Champagne

CANADA
AV EL
G UI DE TO
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This Guide is 198 pages of detailed information on

CANADA/U
S

Associate
travel within Canada's provinces and territories.
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Contributors Ann Campbell

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 WHERE
MyTHS
AND
LEGENDS
THRIVE
THE MAGIC OF WESTERN
NEWFOUNDLAND
by bob fiSher

background: An area of
great natural beauty, Gros
Morne National Park in
Newfoundland was des-
ignated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1987.
right: Icebergs are a com-
mon sight along the coast
of Newfoundland from
March until July.
Newfoundland and
Labrador Tourism

10 Spring/Summer 2009
 T
he view becomes even
more ethereal as we
continue to rise.
Cocooned in the
whirlygig aircraft and
wearing a headset
through which the
low, slightly disem-
bodied voice of the
pilot begins the narrative of this won-
drous geological spectacle, I begin to feel
aS tHe HelicoPter subsumed by the grand natural theatre
riSeS gently above surrounding us. There is also a profound
sense of timelessness and eternal quali-
tHe Humber ties in this primordial landscape. Human
time is of no consequence here.
valley, we look
down on a taPeStry A PRIVILEGED VIEW
As if he were silently intoning the first
of Subtle colourS, Movement of Dvorak’s new World Symphony,
the pilot artfully turns his aircraft into a
imPoSing granite
slow 360-degree sweep. Looking out and
mountainS, beyond, I see that we are surrounded by
an uninterrupted, cloudless sky—and
meandering riverS, infinite horizons. This is the prelude to
and Placid lakeS a very privileged view of Western
Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula.
wHoSe SHoreS are The expansive terrain below
reminds me once again of that quintes-
unblemiSHed by
sential Canadian sense of place; so inte-
imPertinent Human gral to our collective psyche. We are
where we live; landscape shapes culture.
StructureS. The latter is especially true in
Newfoundland and Labrador, in partic-
ular on the island known affectionately
and quite rightly as The Rock.
And here on the west coast of
Newfoundland where close-knit commu-
nities like Corner Brook and Deer Lake
provide the genuine down-home hospi-
tality that is bred in the bone of
Newfoundlanders, it becomes abun-
dantly clear how land and sea have
shaped social behaviour and community-
centred cultural values, and spawned
self-determination. This land and its
adjacent seascapes also demonstrate why
humans who have struggled and flour-
ished in such challenging terrain invent
myth-like stories to personify their larger-
than-life environs.
COLLIDING FORCES
Geology and history in Western
Newfoundland are inseparable. And
here the visitor is also a time traveller.
The great tectonic forces, earthquakes,
glaciers, and eons of geological time that
have sculpted this monumental terrain
are inherent in the recurring themes and
stories of the people.
At the very core of Western
Newfoundland lie the now silent forces
that clashed violently long before our
species made an appearance anywhere
on the planet. Here you will still find
evidence of the Earth’s mantle having
been pushed up to the surface over 1,200
million years ago during the Precambrian
era, when two competing continents col-
lided; one slowly slipping beneath the
other. Many may be surprised to learn
that the Long Range Mountains that
were eventually formed during the
upward thrust of Newfoundland’s
Northern Peninsula are actually part of
the great Appalachian chain that begins
as far south as Georgia.
And the ancient core of what today
is North America eventually became a
supercontinent, which began to break
apart, eventually splitting and fracturing.
The flow of molten rock from the Earth’s
core filled the gaps, cooled, and the
magma that remained can still be seen
and touched in Western Newfoundland.
And then began the continental
drift northward. The process was inexo-
rable; but the end result was the emer-
gence here of a land of majestic
glacier-carved fjords, ancient forests,
and in the fullness of time, ubiquitous
wildlife. What also eventually emerged
was an uncommon human culture
forged through adversity in a harsh but
magnificent environment.
Spring/Summer 2009 11

top: Discovered in 1960 on the
northernmost tip of Newfoundland,
L’Anse aux Meadows is the site of
a Norse village—the only authentic
Viking site in North America
outside of Greenland.
centre: Stroll along a sandy beach
in Gros Morne National Park.
Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
12 Spring/Summer 2009
Beauty and generosity prevail
As is the case in much of Newfoundland, here you will also
encounter solitary outport fishing villages that are models of
the tenacity and endurance of the people of The Rock.
Today wildlife abounds: Arctic hare, rock ptarmigan, wood-
land caribou and moose, to name a few. And yet, none of
these animals are indigenous to the island that for so long
was set apart in an immense basin, which in turn became
the Iapetus Ocean, a precursor to the Atlantic. But animals
and humans eventually came to the island over the last
15,000 years. They swam, flew or walked across the pack
ice. And it is their presence here that invested the land with
its essential life force.
When you interact with the affable and unaffected peo-
ple of Western Newfoundland, whether in cities like Corner
Brook or Deer Lake; or in more remote communities such as
Frenchman’s Cove, Rocky Harbour or St. Anthony at the
northern tip of the Peninsula, you will encounter hardy,
funny and generous people whose stories inevitably make
reference to their physical environment and to the human
character strengths that it begat. You will also encounter
what may be the most important human trait—common
sense. The people are the stories; they are the myth-makers.
And there are many stories to be told: the transmigra-
tion of the Maritime Archaic Indians who arrived here from
Labrador some 5,000 years ago; the eventual arrival of 239
species of birds just in Gros Morne National Park alone; the
undertakings of explorers John Cabot and Jacques Cartier
in the 1500s who, like Basque fishers and whalers, discov-
ered the region’s wealth of natural resources; the visit of
James Cook sent by the British Admiralty 200 years later to
survey Western Newfoundland; the ongoing negotiations
for fishing rights between England and France following
Britain’s gaining of sovereignty over Newfoundland in 1713;
and of course—to return to even earlier times—the arrival
of the Norse who established L’Anse aux Meadows, the
first-known European settlement in the New World.
As the aircraft turns toward the northwest and heads
for the Tablelands surrounding Gros Morne National Park,
we see the first part of the “Viking Trail” leading eventually
to L’Anse aux Meadows. And then we rise again and float
over the most beautiful fjord in the world.
travel planner
For more information on
Newfoundland and Labrador,
visit or call:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Tourism: newfoundlandand
labrador.com; 1-800-563-6353
Western Newfoundland &
Southern Labrador: westernnl.com
Trails to the Vikings:
westernnl.com
Gros Morne National Park:
grosmorne.com
Welcome to Newfoundland:
visitnewfoundland.ca
Regular_Silversea_2009:Silversea_2010 19/04/2009 10:50 PM Page 1

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 Explorations
in southwest
Nova Scotia
Authentic Acadian experiences
by Sandra Phinney

Every year , hundreds of travellers always seem to be

in awe of what we in Nova Scotia take for granted :
clear air , friendly folks and authentic experiences .

P
eople actually wave and let you cross
the street here—even when you’re
not at a crosswalk!
One place that’s fun to poke
around in is Grand Pré National
Historic Site. The site commemo-
rates the deportation of the Acadians
in 1755 and their struggle to survive
and develop as a unique culture.
There is always a special exhibit, talk or demonstration
going on, and if you’re lucky, you might luck into a
toe-tapping gig by an Acadian musician.
Nearby is Nova Scotia’s oldest winery, Grand Pré
Wines. Even seasoned wine aficionados learn a thing or
two at the wine-tasting bar. The staff is also passionate
about the region and can tell you the best places to view
the world’s highest tides or point you in the direction of
local cheese-makers and chocolatiers.

Side roads and Acadian shores

But the best that Nova Scotia has to offer is not always on
the main thoroughfare. There are as many captivating
experiences to be discovered on roads less-travelled as
there are pebbles on a beach.
For starters, head to Hinterland Adventures & Gear
in Weymouth Falls where you’ll find Hantford Lewis, an
amazing guide and outfitter. His canoe trips in the Tobeatic
Wilderness Area and kayak excursions in Saint Mary’s Bay
are “wow” experiences. Matters not if you are a novice or
seasoned paddler, or have one day or three weeks, Hantford
will customize a trip for you—and provide all the gear!

14 Spring/Summer 2009
left: A statue of Evangeline
stands in front of the Memorial
Church of Grand Pré, built on
the site of the ruins of the
Acadian Church of Saint-
Charles-des-Mines (c. 1687) in
memory of the Acadians who
were deported in 1755.
background: Birthplace of the
world-famous racing schooner
Bluenose, a designated UNESCO
World Heritage Site, Lunenburg
has maintained its German and
Swiss heritage.
Nova Scotia Tourism,
Culture and Heritage

Spring/Summer 2009 15

A Halifax landmark since 1876
the Waverley Inn is situated downtown
close to all the city has to offer.
Gracious guest rooms
featuring modern amenities
include on-site free parking,
hot breakfast and wireless Internet.
Visit us on-line at: www.WaverleyInn.com
902.423.9346 ~ 1.800.565.9346 Fax: 902.425.0167
welcome@waverleyinn.com
1266 Barrington St. Halifax, Nova Scotia. B3J 1Y5
16 Spring/Summer 2009
The whole area
zings with the
Acadian spirit.
Heading south from Weymouth, you
reach a region called Clare, a.k.a. Baie
Sainte-Marie, or Nova Scotia’s French
Acadian Shore. It spans about 48 kilometres
of coast and encompasses more than a dozen
thriving communities. (Some call it the
longest main street in the world.) The whole
area zings with the Acadian spirit. Potters,
painters and stained-glass artists are always
ready to roll out the welcome mat. Be sure to
ask about Musique de la Baie, a series of lively
kitchen parties at various restaurants featur-
ing Acadian musicians. And watch for my
favourite dish to eat; rapûre is totally weird
and wonderful.
Two of my favourite off-the-beaten-track
hangouts in this region include Pointe-à-
Major (a wee chapel with a big past, adjacent
to an enchanting trail) and the Bangor
Sawmill (one of the last functioning water-
powered turbine sawmills in North America).
Historical seaports and
Acadian lifestyle
Farther south, Yarmouth is a legendary sea-
port. Aside from having five unique museums,
a busy performing art centre and a satellite
provincial art gallery, the area has a number
of roads less-travelled like Overton Road.
Just follow your nose to a place called Stanley’s
Lobster. Meet Ernie and Brian Williams
who will tell you all about “chicks, quarters
and culls,” and how to identify the sex of a
lobster. Better yet, they’ll steam a lobster for
you to eat in their picnic area or on the beach.
Farther along is Cape Forchu and a hum-
dinger lighthouse, which features a little tea
room that serves the best bread pudding in
the world.
Moving around the coast, discover more
Acadian villages such as Wedgeport where
the likes of President Roosevelt and Ernest
Hemmingway came to fish for the mighty tuna.
top: Musique de la Baie is a series of
lively kitchen parties at various res-
taurants featuring Acadian musicians.
centre: Yarmouth hosts the annual
Seafest, a favourite summertime
celebration of life by the sea.
Sandra Phinney
 I also love to take visitors to Pubnico, the into a tour with town council member,
oldest Acadian village inhabited by descen- Elizabeth Rhuland.
dants of its founding families. There’s plenty Lunenburg is another favourite.
going on and you’ll invariably meet charac- There’s something about the town that
ters like Laurent d’Entremont (a widely helps me connect with the past in a pro-
known storyteller) who’s often at Le Village found way. Perhaps it’s the funky architec-
historique acadien or the Acadian Museum ture called “Lunenburg bumps,” or the
and Research Centre. Some days I simply sense I get when I look at the Bluenose II and
hang around Dennis Point Wharf, the busi- imagine sailing off to parts unknown. The
est fishing port in the province. Don’t be Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic is a blast;
shy. The fishermen love to talk about their it always amazes me how much there is to
lifestyle and the fishery. see and do there.
Farther along the coast is Peggy’s
More surprises Cove, a beloved icon. Its lighthouse is the
Another great detour is to veer off the most photographed in the world. The
highway and head to Birchtown, just region is a photographer’s dream; every-
before Shelburne. At one time it was the thing from shacks perched on rocks to
largest settlement of black people outside brightly coloured fishing boats and clumps
of Africa. It’s a powerful, little known of wildflowers show up in the most unusual
story so the Black Loyalist Heritage places.
Society is trying to change that. Not far Undoubtedly, Southwest Nova Scotia
away is Shelburne, where history (the fun offers more things for vacationers to experi-
kind) oozes from every wooden building. ence than most mortals can fit into a life-
One of the best ways to get insider infor- time. Be sure to ask folks why we are called
mation—even ghost stories—is to plug Bluenosers. I’ve run out of space.
travel planner
Fly into Halifax Robert L. Stanfield
International Airport and rent a car
or take a shuttle service (thecloudnine
shuttle.com) to the places mentioned.
Southwestern Nova Scotia is also
accessibleviaThePrincessofAcadiafrom
Saint John, N.B. to Digby, N.S. (nfl-bay
.com or 1-888-249-7245).
Recommended places to stay include:
Old Orchard Inn, New Minas:
oldorchardinn.com; 1-800-561-8090
Au Havre du Capitaine, Meteghan:
havreducapitaine.ca; 902-769-2001
Guest Lovitt House B&B, Yarmouth:
guestlovitt.ca; 1-866-742-0372
White Point Beach Resort, Liverpool:
whitepoint.com; 1-800-565-5068
For more information, visit:
Destination Southwest Nova Scotia:
destinationsouthwestnova.com;
1-877-552-4040
Yarmouth and Acadian Shores:
yarmouthandacadianshores.com;
902-742-0497
Hinterland Adventures & Gear:
kayakingnovascotia.com;
1-800-378-8177

The Adirondacks are

calling you to this pristine

wilderness — a setting impossibly

beautiful and amazingly close.

From lavish accommodations to

the call of the loon, the song of

Lake Placid sings to everyone

differently. Come find your song.

LakePlacidRegion.com
I Love NY is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.

Spring/Summer 2009 17
 As your feet walk,
Your soul will race.
Experience adventure and the gifts of nature, in the best
possible way. On foot. A vantage point that allows
unmatched intimacy with the earth.
Scott Walking Adventures offers an experience that will
change the way you think about walking and show you
new meaning of adventure. Call or visit our website
today to explore our many unique experiences just
waiting to be discovered. 1-800-262-8644

www.scottwalking.com

ATLANTIC CANADA’S RECEPTIVE

SERVICE SPECIALIST
TayMac Tours provides excellent, quality, memorable
vacations for individuals and groups of any size.
• Multilingual Step-on Guides
• Self-Drive Getaways
• Customized Group Tour Planning
• Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
Allow us to help turn your customer’s dreams into
memories that will last a lifetime! Contact us at:
902-422-4861 • 1-800-565-8296
www.taymactours.com tmt@taymactours.com
Canadian art
with a nova SCotian aCCent
Cheapside Cafe ∙ Gallery Shop ∙ Daily Tours
Family Sundays ∙ Programs for the Whole Family
Open 7 days a week 10 - 5pm | Thursdays open until 9pm
(Closed on Mondays November - May)
1723 Hollis Street, Halifax (902) 424-7542

www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca
DH157_Beach ad:Delta 4/16/09 2:52 PM Page 1

D ELTA VACATIONS ARE JUST PLAIN FUN

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serving the best of Maritime cuisine will be a welcome retreat.
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 Visit us o
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to save!
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nat i o na l h i s t o r i c s i t e o f c a na d a

Feel the heartbeat of Old Acadie

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BAY_15362_Dreamscapes.indd 1 4/24/09 2:16:20 PM

DESTINATION SOUTHWEST NOVA SCOTIA

destinationsouthwestnova.com • 902 634 8844
F U N D Y S H O R E & A N N A P O L I S VA L L E Y •

Slumber Inn Old Orchard Inn

In the scenic Annapolis Valley, vacationers will find a

warm welcome at the Slumber Inn. The comfort and
affordability of our 80 well appointed guestrooms
plus our convenient location close to restaurants,
wineries, shopping and attractions, makes the
Slumber Inn an outstanding lodging choice.
A landmark of hospitality for over 35 years, the Inn offers beautifully
appointed guestrooms, fine dining, full service spa and indoor pool. Located
in the midst of award winning wineries and stunning scenery, you are only
minutes from the many wonderful attractions of the Annapolis Valley.

Exit 12, Highway 101 New Minas Exit 11, Highway 101 Greenwich
Tel: 902-681-5000 | Toll Free: 1-800-914-5005 Tel: 902-542-5751 • Toll Free: 1-800-561-8090
E-mail: lbuchanan@slumberinn.ns.ca E-mail: reservations@oldorchardinn.ns.ca

www.slumberinn.ca www.oldorchardinn.com
 , E x p e r ien ce A n d E n joy …
e Find it all in Southwest Nova Scotia
x p lor
EYARMOUTH & ACADIAN SHORES • SOUTH SHORE

Canadian art
with a nova SCotian aCCent long thought to be where
Programs for the Whole Family ‘love at first sight’ originated.
White Point Beach Resort is a beach lovers slice of heaven on Nova Scotia’s
spectacular South Shore. Imagine days – or weeks of lobster boils, crashing waves, and a
May 19 - October 17 | Open 7 days a week 10 - 5pm
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pools, local cuisine and evening entertainment. Add legendary hospitality and day-trip
341 Main Street Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (902) 749-2248 proximity to UNESCO-site Lunenburg, Halifax and Kejimkujik National Park
and you have a year-round seaside adventure perfect for romance,
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Book online and save! Ask about our Vacation Home Rentals!
www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca www.whitepoint.com 1.800.565.5068
 SMART
RECyCLING
SAFE DISPOSAL OF COMPUTERS,
CELLPHONES AND CFC BULBS
by JameS CareleSS

yeSterday’S comPuterS, televiSionS,

cellPHoneS and cfc ligHt bulbS are
today’S toxic waSte.

below: Hewlett-Packard helps con-
sumers and businesses dispose of
any brand computer equipment or
HP printing supplies. Hewlett-Packard
Development Company
opposite: Dell’s computer recycling
programs allow for the free return of
all Dell-branded products. Dell Inc.
A
n old computer with CRT (cathode ray tube) display
contains lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and
other hazardous materials.
If dumped in landfill, this “e-waste” forms
a toxic legacy for future generations. If shipped
to unregulated dumping grounds in China,
Africa and India, it poisons the local popu-
lation today. This is why it’s up to us, the people throwing away
this technology, to ensure that our e-waste is recycled safely and
responsibly. Here’s how.

22 Spring/Summer 2009

layou
 COMPUTERS, MONITORS
AND TELEVISIONS
The bad news is our old electronics contain
many life-threatening materials. The good
news is they also contain precious metals
like gold, silver and copper, all of which
make them worth recycling.
To dispose of this technology, check
out recycling options recommended by
Electronics Product Stewardship Canada at
epsc.ca. EPS Canada is a non-profit indus-
try-run organization that provides links to
provincial recycling agencies and Industry
Canada’s Computers for Schools program,
where your old PC can be a student’s new classroom PC.
E-waste recycling makes a difference. In British
Columbia alone from August 2007 to the end of February
2009, “we diverted 15.5 metric tonnes of material from
going to landfill,” says Joyce Thayer, executive director of
the Electronics Stewardship Association of B.C.
Some computer manufacturers are doing their part in
e-waste recycling. “Dell’s computer recycling programs
allow for the free return of all Dell-branded products,” says
Mike Watson, Dell’s senior compliance manager for Global
Takeback and Producer Responsibility (dell.com/recycling).
“In addition, Dell has several convenient programs that
accept any make or model of computer, monitor, printer or
peripheral device.”
HP also helps consumers and businesses dispose of
e-waste safely through its HP Planet Partners program
(hp.ca/recycle). “Our recycling programs make it easy to
recycle any brand of computer equipment or HP printing
supplies,” says Frances Edmonds, HP Canada’s director of
environmental programs. “Our website also helps you find
where to recycle rechargeable batteries, which should never
be thrown into landfills.”
layout-final.indd 2
DONATE yOUR CELLPHONES
Cellphones are quickly becoming an e-waste problem as
consumers junk their old models in favour of new and shiny
models. But old cellphones still work, so it makes sense to
donate them to the Charitable Recycling Program of Canada
(CRPC) (charitablerecycling.ca). The CRPC takes your old
cellphones, fixes them up and then gives them to people
who need them in the Third World or right here at home.
POTENTIALLy NASTy CFC BULBS
Energy-efficient CFC light bulbs are real energy-savers; the
downside is they contain mercury. Throw out these fragile
bulbs and you risk releasing mercury into the environment.
The wiser thing to do is to recycle CFC bulbs; not with your
regular garbage, but at a special recycling centre like those
found in Home Depot stores. Just bring your CFC bulbs
with you, put them in plastic bags provided at the recycling
kiosk, seal them and place them inside. Home Depot han-
dles the rest.
The bottom line: There is no reason to throw out
e-waste, be it as large as a computer or TV or as small as a
cellphone, CFC bulb or rechargeable battery. you can help
reduce e-waste, starting today!
3/20/2009 12:35:41 PM
 EMOTIONS RUN HIGH THIS TIME
OF YEAR FOR VACATIONERS WHO
LOVE TO VISIT NEW ENGLAND,
AND NONE STRONGER THAN
FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS.

MassaCHusetts
MeMORies
unCOMMOn WeaLtH
FOR tRaVeLLeRs
BY GREGORY B. GALLAGHER

W
hile proximity plays a role in the decision-making
process for folks living in the eastern half of our con-
tinent, the sheer panoply of adventure activities and
cultural diversions here acts like a magnet drawing
visitors from all compass points.

Canadian COnneCtiOn
this summer will be a banner year for the state, with unusual events like
the legendary Canadian schooner Bluenose II in full regalia pulling into
Boston Harbor, and the July 4 diana Krall concert with the Boston Pops
symphony, part of the eight-week BsO annual residency in the Berkshire
Hills community of tanglewood.
For many of us, the Canadian connection to Massachusetts is deep
and abiding. simply mentioning places like Cape Cod, Rockport, Martha’s
Vineyard or nantucket causes a sensory eruption inside anyone familiar
with this friendly state. Often, personal memories are partnered with
particular smells, tastes or festivities. the sheer depth of travel choices to
be discovered while visiting the Commonwealth makes arriving here truly
enthralling at any time of year, for Massachusetts is memorable.

24 spring/summer 2009
Lieutenant Island
Fortunate to have spent a dozen consecutive summers as
a child on the beaches near Boston, this area will forever
feel like a second home to me. The same magic of
“place” has now entered the psyche of my adult son and
daughter, who return to Cape Cod to savour the seaside
delights through the serendipity of their six children.
They likely will not speak to me after this story is pub-
lished, because I must share our Lieutenant Island secret.
It is hardly mentioned on most maps, and visitors
will miss the turn-off from the Mid-Cape Highway
(Route 6) nine times out of 10, but this tiny speck of
sand is so exceptional as to be enshrined in my family’s
collective mind. There are no stores here, nor any res-
taurants, clubs, gas stations or movie theatres, and that is
precisely the point. Cellphones do not work on Lieutenant
Island and there is no Internet either.
Instead, there is a coterie of shingled saltbox vaca-
tion homes nestled in the sand dunes overlooking the
beaches of Cape Cod Bay. The journey onto the island opposite, top: An hour’s pleasant drive
north of Boston, historic Rockport of-
must traverse an unpaved trail leading to a one-lane fers exquisite dining and unique shop-
wooden bridge, which becomes impassable with high ping experiences. Gregory B. Gallagher
tides twice daily, creating the ultimate feeling of seclu- opposite, bottom: The Boston green-
sion. Dream space reigns here for strolling, exploring way, called Commonwealth Avenue
Mall, is punctuated with statuary and
trails and wetlands, or floating down the river on an air memorials. Greater Boston Convention &
mattress in the company of frogs, blue-shelled crabs and Visitors Bureau
pelicans flying overhead. An embracing privacy exists on above: Our family has been vacationing
in Massachusetts for decades and we
Lieutenant Island within close proximity to diversions now consider this magical place our
travellers might consider necessary. second home. Gregory B. Gallagher

Spring/Summer 2009 25
 t he new high- spe e d
catamaran se rvi c e
from B osto n
Har bor deli ve rs
passengers to
Prov incetow n
in 90 minut es.

Whale-watching Gadgets, liberty and art travel planner

Exciting news also abounds for those previ-
ously bogged down with car traffic to Cape
Cod; the new high-speed catamaran service
from Boston Harbor delivers passengers to
Provincetown in 90 minutes. This highly rec-
ommended service, known as the “Fast Ferry,”
also connects by direct bus with Logan
Airport, making the concept of relaxing at
land’s end without the worry of an automo-
bile more than a dream. Secure lots and
garages are available nearby, and Faneuil Hall
parking is even within walking distance.
Arriving in Provincetown, vacationers
discover an art community bustling with
creative energy for the entire family, and
whale-watching heads an extensive list of
not-to-miss activities based here. My lady and
I even spent our honeymoon in P’town, and
experienced our first whale-watching excur-
sion aboard the legendary Portuguese Princess,
now part of the new Dolphin Fleet.
One of the most memorable days of my
life was spent mesmerized by the sight of hun-
dreds of whales filling the waters off the
“Outer Cape.” Three different species (minke,
right and fin) surrounded our boat as far as
the eye could see. Not realizing the rarity of
the event, I assumed this was what all whale-
watchers experienced. Later, when speaking
with a well-travelled couple, I truly understood
the singularity of our day’s whale sightings. In
more than 30 years of global whale-watching
they had never seen so many.
The Watermark Inn is located directly on Cape
Cod Bay in the quiet east end of Provincetown,
Massachusetts. Gregory B. Gallagher
For travellers who also relish the latest in
gadgetry, try the exciting new GPS tour from
the town of Beverly to the quaint artisan
outpost of Rockport’s Cape Ann, where Route
127 comes alive courtesy of Boston.com.
Suggested sites and attractions along this
coastal pathway make the technology invalu-
able to novice travellers and regulars alike.
While in this area, don’t miss Thatcher Road
to Land’s End on Route 127A for idyllic New
England seaside architecture.
Or visit Merrimack Valley’s new Sowing
the Seeds of Liberty exhibition at the National
Heritage Museum for a tapestry of artifacts,
documents and sounds depicting the famous
Battle of Lexington. This fascinating show
explains what caused a small farming com-
munity to take up arms against their own gov-
ernment in 1775.
Farther up the road, art aficionados and
novices will enjoy the collections and exhibits
at the Worcester Art Museum, where, until
October 11, internationally renowned artist
Rona Pondick combines both ancient sculp-
tural methods and the latest 3–D computer
technologies in her show entitled The
Metamorphosis of an Object.
So whether your taste is hot dogs and a
Red Sox baseball game at Boston’s Fenway
Park, concerts in a lawn chair at Tanglewood,
a Science Made Public talk at Wood’s Hole
Oceanographic Institute, a visit to the Peabody
Essex Museum in North of Boston or frolicking
on the dunes and beaches of the National
Seashore, Massachusetts is a treasure chest
waiting for you to enjoy the uncommon
wealth of pleasures here.
Fast Ferry catamaran service from
Boston Harbor to Provincetown
can be booked via boston
harborcruises.com or by calling
1-877-733-9425. For informa-
tion on the car ferry or Fast Ferry
pedestrian shuttle for Martha’s
Vineyard and Nantucket, visit
or call steamshipauthority.com,
508-477-8600; or hy-linecruises
.com, 1-800-492-8082.
Dolphin Fleet whale-watching
information from Provincetown
Harbor is found at whalewatch
.com, along with Cape Cod
camping details, plus hotel/
motel and cottage rental prices.
To receive a free copy of the
Massachusetts Getaway Guide,
contact massvacation.com or call
1-888-966-0156.
For more information, visit or call:
Massachusetts Office of Travel
& Tourism: massvacation.com;
1-888-966-0156
Greater Boston Convention &
Visitors Bureau: bostonusa.com;
1-800-SEE-BOSTON
North of Boston Convention &
Visitors Bureau: northofboston
.org; 978-977-7760
BSO Tanglewood Concerts:
tanglewood.org
National Heritage Museum,
Lexington: monh.org;
781-861-6559
Worcester Art Museum:
worcesterart.org; 508-799-4406
Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institute: whoi.edu; 508-457-2000

26 Spring/Summer 2009
 Discover Ireland’s
legendary charm
Ireland A holiday in Ireland will awaken your imagination and delight your spirit. Expect
traditional Gaelic warmth and a dynamic, modern lifestyle, set against Ireland’s legendary
history. The island’s spectacularly beautiful countryside offers charming traditional pubs, ancient
castles, and breathtaking landscapes, while Dublin is a treasure trove of stunning architecture,
gorgeous parks, hip clubs and restaurants. With Transat Holidays, choose from direct flights
to Dublin or Shannon, and pick the accommodation that suits you, from stylish, contemporary
hotels to charming little Bed and Breakfasts. Succumb to the pleasures of this mythical land…

For details, consult your travel agent

or visit www.transatholidays.com

VTH-09-399 Dramscape irlande 4.indd 1 20/04/09 11:51:49


NEW zEALAND THRILLS EVERy SENSE
I T WAS MY VERY FIRST TRIP TO N EW Z EALAND . I MAGES OF
W HALE R IDER AND L ORD OF THE R INGS DANCED IN MY HEAD .
T
he non-stop Air New
Zealand flight to Auckland
didn’t disappoint with its
inspired cuisine, sensational
award-wining wines and
impeccable concierge service.
The local ingredients were a revelation from
superb local extra virgin olive oil, amazingly
flavourful honey, extraordinary cheddar, deli-
cious tender lamb and the freshest of seafood.
Especially endearing was Air New
zealand’s use of Ola and Marie Hoglund’s
colourful art glass dishes. The Hoglund studio
(a.k.a. Korurangi Café & Wine Bar) is located
near Nelson, New zealand’s must-see arts
capital. The dishes proved so popular that
passengers insisted on taking them home as
souvenirs. Now, you’ll have to buy them at their
studio. Remember to enjoy a sublime glass
of Riesling at the nearby Neudorf winery.
SUPERB CHOICES
My final destination was Wellington, New
zealand’s picturesque capital on the southern
seaside tip of the North Island. It’s home to
the world-famous ultra-modern Te Papa
Museum and its amazing collection of tradi-
tional Maori taonga (treasures).
Wellington is also where wine lovers
from around the world congregate every
three years at the international Pinot Noir
28 Spring/Summer 2009
vintage
deStinationS b y m i C h a e l Va u g h a n
Conference. Pinophiles are now signing up
for the upcoming February 1–4, 2010 event
where more than one hundred wineries will
be showing their wares.
Before the conference, I slipped in a
couple of vinous side trips. It’s a tough deci-
sion because every part of the two-island
nation produces destination wines. I first
went to the home of Pinot Noir in Central
Otago, located in the mountainous, most
southerly reaches of South Island. The vine-
yards and scenery are spectacular from
Queenstown to Wanaka with its heart-stop-
ping views of Rippon vineyards that overlook
the lake. Here serious wine fans can visit
some of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir
producers. Of course, fine Pinot Noir comes
from other regions as well, notably
Martinborough (Palliser) in Wairarapa and
Canterbury’s Waipara (Pegasus Bay).
Of the nine regions, Marlborough is the
largest with 53 per cent of New zealand’s
vineyards. While it is justly famous for fine
Sauvignon Blanc, a Canadian best buy hap-
pens to be red. Stoneleigh 2007 Marlborough
Pinot Noir at only $19.95 is juicy and
medium to medium-light-bodied with
plummy, cherry-driven flavours. It shows fine
versatility and is ready to enjoy. Like most
New zealand wines, it comes with a conve-
nient, taint-free, screw cap.
Summer weather is the perfect time to
enjoy Sauvignon Blanc and it’s hard to beat
the iconic, albeit pricey, Cloudy Bay. For the
economy-minded, let me suggest the ultra
tangy, gooseberry and yellow grapefruit-driven
Villa Maria 2008 Private Bin Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc at only $15.95.
The North Island’s Hawke’s Bay region
is New zealand’s sunniest and second largest
wine area. Its fine Chardonnay (Church
Road) and Bordeaux-styled world-class reds
(Craggy Range) have become the norm. I
am also very impressed with some great
Syrah (Trinity Hill) now appearing.
Now is the perfect time to discover New
zealand wines. Upcoming New zealand
wine fairs across Canada include Montréal
(May 19), Toronto (May 21), Edmonton (May
24), Calgary (May 26) and Vancouver (May
28). For details, visit nzwine-events.ca.
Additional recommendations/information are found
at michaelvaughan.ca.
zz planner
travel
anyone wishing to explore new zealand
should investigate the great air new zealand
(airnewzealand.ca) promotions offering non-
stop flights from Vancouver.
South Central Otago in
New Zealand is the world’s
southernmost winemaking
region. Michael Vaughan
 2008
Recipient

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and South Pacific
for the third straight year
Business Traveler Magazine (USA)

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What makes people
trade in their house,
most of their posses-
sions and well-paid
permanent jobs
live in a15-square-
metre box?
top: There’s nothing like a
road trip through the green
hills of Tuscany.
inset: Enrico shows off his
cooking skills in the Hymer.
Jo Charlton and Enrico Caporale
30 Spring/Summer 2009
Life on
the road
A change of scenery
b y J o C h a r lt o n
A
fter years of job-related frustration and appalling English
weather, the open road called as we sold our house, gladly
handed in our notices at work, and disposed of most of our
possessions. All our belongings that we were to keep were
carefully packed into boxes and loaded into our Hymer
motorhome and trailer, bought only three months previ-
ously. We crossed the continent to Enrico’s native Italy
where, thanks to his family, we had a storage building
and a piece of land as our “base.” With a connection to water and electricity
supplies, we were ready to start our new life as full-time motorhomers.
to The base has made it easier to earn money and store belongings, but
we’re by no means tied to it. Italy’s a fantastic country for motorhoming.
There are many inexpensive or free motorhome resting areas and, in some
regions, it’s acceptable to park overnight on the street. This makes it easy and
thrifty to travel around.
Full-time wheeling
Being a house-on-wheels, a motorhome is subject to the combined problems
of owning a house and a car. Living in one full-time means things go wrong
more often than they would otherwise because they aren’t really designed for
full-time living. Spare parts are more difficult to procure than they are for cars
or houses, and there’s the complication of keeping the leisure battery topped
up so you can use lighting, TV, etc. on the road. An inverter helps by convert-
ing battery power into a form that can be used to power a laptop or recharge
batteries. Whenever repairs need doing and cannot be completed in a day, we
of course need to find alternative accommodation. After two years, it now
feels strange to sleep in a house.
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 This lovely Christmas
morning view from our
motorhome window
was of Loch Lomond
in Scotland. Jo Charlton
and Enrico Caporale

Motorhome travel One pleasant surprise we’ve encountered has been the
Travelling in a motorhome brings both advantages and warmth and friendliness of other motorhome users. There’s
disadvantages. Every drop of water used in it must be put in a real feeling of community amongst motorhomers, and
and taken out at an appropriate “dump.” Some tourist they’re always ready with a helpful piece of advice on the
places have strict no parking rules for motorhomes, and a best route, a spare screw for your fridge vent, or a glass of
large, heavy motorhome can be difficult to drive along nar- limoncello at hand.
row winding streets or up steep inclines. Although easy to
heat up in the winter, it can be a challenge to cool down in Suitability
the summer. Of course, motorhomes aren’t for everyone. If you love the
For us however, the advantages far outweigh the disad- open road and the spontaneity that it offers, you’ll love
vantages. We are free from the ties of hotel bookings and motorhomes, providing you aren’t too squeamish about
transport connections. We can eat and drink whenever and emptying a chemical toilet. The small confined space does
wherever we want—perhaps at a deserted lake in the mid- mean high doses of tolerance and patience are necessary,
dle of nowhere or on a hilltop with a beautiful view. On any and it always helps to be tidy and maintain a sense of
given day, we decide what the view from our bedroom win- humour. We’ve travelled around Scotland, Slovenia and
dow will be. On our first Christmas in a motorhome, we Italy in our motorhome and everyday practicalities of such
drew back the curtains to a breathtaking view of a misty travel haven’t yet put me off my dream of driving all the
Loch Lomond in Scotland, parked as we were only a few way to Vietnam one day.
metres from the shore. Last Christmas, we chose a spot next
to Lake Barcis in northern Italy, and awoke to a fresh End of an era
untouched layer of snow as we watched the morning sun After two years being full-time motorhome residents, we’re
creep over the mountains. about to start renovating an old house. By the end of 2009,
Travel isn’t completely free from planning constraints. we should be living in it. It’ll be the end of an era for us, but
We do need to empty the water every few days, ensure we not an end to motorhoming.
have an adequate gas supply and think about where we’re Our Hymer will be parked travel planner
going to stay for the night if that’s likely to be a problem. right outside our house, wait-
If you own a motorhome and are
However, the only unfortunate situation we’ve ever experi- ing patiently for the next trip. interested in swapping it with
enced with overnight parking was in Florence, where we There’s still much of Italy to other motorhome enthusiasts
stayed at a near-deserted stadium car park on the advice of explore. We’re just an hour’s in Canada, the USA, Australia,
an Internet newsgroup. We ended up moving out about 2 drive from Slovenia and New Zealand, Holland, the U.K.,
Spain, Germany, Hawaii, France,
a.m. because we felt it wasn’t safe. An hour later, we found Austria while Croatia, France,
Sweden and South Africa, visit
an alternative spot, but not before having to reverse for a Germany and Spain can be motorhomeholidayswap.com.
kilometre down a far-too-narrow road, with Enrico slowly reached within a day. There’s Helpful videos on motorhome
backing the motorhome out while I walked ahead in the still a whole world to discover maintenance are available at
rain to make sure we didn’t get stuck again. out there. pedatarvcenter.com.

32 Spring/Summer 2009
 travel
SleutH
by Jane StokeS

EXploRE YoUR The first tends to fritter away time, while the second can be
so gratifying there will never be enough hours in the day.
Like any vacation escape, a genuine staycation fills each

oWn CitY on A day with pursuits of leisure, learning, recreation and good

STAYCATION
food. Playing the tourist in your own town can be invigorat-
ing, yet relaxing, and depending on the budget, a staycation is
bound to be unforgettable if you spend a night or two in a
luxury landmark hotel.
For planning purposes, city newspapers, magazines
T AKING TIME OFF TO RECHARGE and tourism websites are overflowing with current happen-
ings, seasonal promotions and special events. Your first day
DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY REQUIRE
could include a visit to a new-to-you neighbourhood. The
A PLAN TO TRAVEL FAR AFIELD . second to a popular attraction you’ve never enjoyed. Prepare
Y ET , THERE IS A DIFFERENCE a picnic basket and go cycling on marked trails. Plan a
museum and art gallery day. Savour an all-day experience
BETWEEN STAYING HOME ON YOUR
at a cultural festival. Get tickets to a summer concert or a
VACATION AND TAKING A STAYCATION . professional sports game—and since this is a vacation, eat
out, a lot, and try exotic foods.
In this snapshot of Canadian cities, we take a look at
some specific staycation ideas:

HALIFAx
destinationhalifax.com
Must do: Explore the Citadel to evoke our country’s
founding history. Stroll the waterfront, cruise on a tall ship
in the harbour, and take pictures of your kids with the
replica of Theodore Tug. Sign up for a sail on the Bluenose ii.
Find out much more at the Bedford Institute of
Oceanography. Go puffin-watching. Whale-watching.
Explore the Halifax Maritime Museum to learn more about
the Halifax Explosion—and where the Titanic tragedy
exhibits have made time stand still. Stay downtown for the
Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival in July, or for the Nova
Scotia International Tattoo.
Must eat: Relax at dinnertime in Fireside, or try
seafood at Salty’s or Five Fishermen.
Must stay: In nearby Indian Harbour, reserve a self-
contained beachfront cottage at Oceanstone Inn
(oceanstone.ns.ca) within walking distance of Peggy’s Cove.
The Inn’s food and wine are also worth the visit and its
beach location is a true Nova Scotia experience.

34 Spring/Summer 2009
Calgary
tourismcalgary.com
Must do: Cycle along the paved paths
of the Bow and Elbow rivers. See the prai-
ries and the Rocky Mountains from atop
the Calgary Tower. Spend an afternoon at
the Glenbow Museum for better insights
into western Canadian history. Take a steam
train ride and solve a murder mystery. Drive
to the Rockies. Ride the gondola to the
summit of Sulphur Mountain. Rejuvenate
in the hot springs of Banff and admire the
sheer beauty of Lake Louise. Visit the
Dinosaur Park at the Calgary Zoo. Stay
downtown during the Calgary Stampede in
July and the International Blues Festival in
August.
Must eat: Try Centini and Il Sogno,
and Big T’s BBQ.
Must stay: Spend a night at Hotel Arts
(hotelarts.ca), the centrally located boutique
property that is the talk of the town. Its
award-winning chef is a star in the Raw
Bar, the hottest place in Calgary for cock-
tails. After a luxurious sleep and a rain
shower, sunbathe on the deck of the swim-
ming pool. Hotel Arts is chic without being
pretentious.

P layingthe
tourist in
your own
town can be
invigorating ,
yet relaxing .

opposite top: Vancouver

skyline Tourism Vancouver
opposite bottom: Halifax
waterfront Nova Scotia Tourism,
Culture and Heritage
above: Cocktails at the Hotel
Arts in Calgary. Hotel Arts

Spring/Summer 2009 35
Montréal
tourisme-montreal.org
Must do: Stroll through Old Montréal to
walk in living history. Visit the Montréal
Science Centre. Cycle up Mont Royal. See
penguins and piranhas at the Biodome indoor
zoo and visit the Botanical Gardens. Rent a
boat, swim or frolic in Jean Drapeau Park on
Ile Ste-Hélène. Drive into the Laurentians
for the day and stop at Mont St-Sauveur for
its waterpark with tube slides and wave pool.
Stay downtown during the International Jazz
Festival, the Just For Laughs Festival and the
International Fireworks Competition.
Must eat: Lunch at the world-famous
Schwartz’s Deli and dine at Le Réservoir or
above: Skyline of downtown
Santropol. Montréal from the Old Port
of Montréal © Aventure Studio
Must stay: Families love the spaciousness
bottom: Meewasin Trail
and friendly atmosphere at Le Square Phillips on Saskatoon’s waterfront
Hotel & Suites (squarephillips.com). Fall in love
in the chic colonial French milieu of Auberge
Saskatoon Tourism Saskatoon/Marikay Falby

du Vieux-Port (aubergeduvieuxport.com). tourismsaskatoon.com

Calgary’s Premier Boutique-Style Hotel
Must do: Hike along the Cranberry
Flats, a unique landscape that blends prairie
grasslands with the beauty of river and sand.
Walk, run, skate and cycle on 60 kilometres
of trails along the South Saskatchewan
River. Pop into the riverside Mendel Art
Gallery. Take Broadway Bridge to shop
downtown. Go inside the spires and towers
of the grand St. John’s Anglican Cathedral
and the Cathedral of Methodism with their
true gothic design. Attend a rock concert, a
show or a sports game at Credit Union
Centre. Learn more about the early frontier
at the Saskatchewan Railway Museum. Just
out of town, spend a day at the Beaver Creek
Conservation Area, and another day at the
Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo.  
Must eat: Dessert especially, at places
like The Berry Barn, The Fine Art Café and
Calories Bakery & Restaurant.
Must stay: Indulge in a luxurious night
or two at the castle-like Delta Bessborough
Hotel (deltahotels.com), especially during
Jazz Festival time. Centrally located on two
hectares of prime waterfront, this historic
railway hotel is the most striking building
in the city.

Perfect for urban escape artists.

Unwind in luxury accommodations,
enjoy sumptuous dining and then get out
and about to experience great shopping,
tourism sites and entertainment options within
close proximity. You can have it all when you
make it an urban escape at the Arts.

119 – 12 Ave SW | Calgary, AB | T2R 0G8

Ph 403.266.4611 | Fax 403.237.0978
Email info@hotelarts.ca

36 Spring/Summer 2009
 CULTURAL WEEKENDS IN MONTREAL
AT 5 ★ FAIRMONT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOTEL

Enjoy a weekend getaway in Montreal, one of the most fascinating

and culturally diverse cities in the world. In addition, live the
Festival experience among the gentle breezes and musical
delights of Lanaudière. Topflight concert tickets and hotel rooms
have been put aside just for you.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES
July 4 2009: Gershwin piano concerto
July 11 2009: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 3
July 18 2009: Opera music + Symphonie fantastique
July 25 2009: Montreal Symphony / Brahms

PACKAGE INCLUDES:
• 2 nights at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth
• 1 round trip transfer by express deluxe coach service
from Montreal to the Amphitheatre
• 1 ticket for the Saturday performance (Category A seating)

$260 per person (double occupancy) + taxes

Added fee for single occupancy

RESERVATIONS & INFO

Ticket office opens May 6 at noon
1-800-561-4343 or
www.lanaudiere.org/getaway

246_015M_PUB_vƒ.indd 1 09-04-20 11:00

 Vancouver
tourismvancouver.com
Must do: Take a walking tour of historic
Gastown. Shop for natural remedies in
Chinatown. Drive the Railspur Alley road on
Granville Island to see artisans at work.
Spend the day at Stanley Park, in particular
at the aquarium. See buskers and musicians
in English Bay. Learn about the people of
our planet at the Museum of Anthropology.
At Canada Place, stroll among moored ves-
sels, big and small.
Must eat: Breakfast at Milestones, lunch
at the Observatory atop Grouse Mountain,
and dine at award-winning La Bodega for a
little bit of Spain.
Must stay: Overnight at the trendy
Opus Hotel (opushotel.com) in Yaletown,
perfect for couples and singles. Or, with the
Cycle along Vancouver’s
oceanfront trails. family, stay right on the waterfront at the Pan
Tourism Vancouver Pacific Vancouver Hotel (panpacific.com).

Acclaimed by
the television
“World’s Grea show
test!...” as th
e

“ World’s
Greatest Rail
Excursion!
PMS 130 PMS 282 ”

38 Spring/Summer 2009
 So close,
YOU CAN ALMOST
TASTE IT.
Taking the train is the only way to really see the Maritimes.

Trademark owned by VIA Rail Canada Inc.

Book online at viarail.ca, contact your travel agent

or call VIA Rail Canada at 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245)
TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).
TM

21416 (3457-09)_Dreamscapes.indd 1 4/14/09 12:42:29 PM

1253, av. McGill College, 3 e étage, Montréal (Québec) H3B 2Y5

Tél. : 514-845-7256 | Téléc. : 514-845-1648 | www.palmhavas.ca

2
Dir. artistique Rédacteur Réviseur Serv. clientèle Client

N o de dossier : VL21416 | N o Smart : 3457-09 | Produit : Annonce | Date : 14/04/2009 | Infographiste : SC

Client : VIA Rail Canada | N o Annonce : 3457-09 | Titre : Dreamscapes 2009 | Couleur : 4 c/p
Format : 8,375 po x 10,875 po | Publication : Dreamscapes 2009 May&June Edition
 S p e C i a l f e at u r e

A FA N TA S y C O M E T RU E

THE
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC I S A D E S T I N AT I O N L I K E N O O T H E R

I
among itS unique featureS iS a ricH HiStory and cultural Heritage.

t is the site of the first permanent Today the Dominican Republic

European settlement in the Americas.
Its capital, Santo Domingo, was the
first colonial capital in the Americas,
the site of the first cathedral, the first
university and the first fortress. The
Dominican Republic, affectionately
referred to as the DR by those in the
know, even boasts the first European-
built road in the Americas.
features a growing list of world-class
accommodation, stunning marinas and
incredible natural surroundings. Since
the end of military control in 1961, it
has moved toward a liberal economic
model and is, today, the largest economy
in the region. To appreciate the diversity
of this Caribbean nation, we look at
three of its most interesting cities.

top: Just a boat ride away

from La Romana sits the
impressive Saona Island,
a protected sanctuary
within a national park
that boasts abundant
wildlife and marine life,
such as turtles, whales
and sharks.
right: As noted by green
flags on the map, the
Dominican Republic fea-
tures a number of designer
golf courses.
Dominican Republic
Ministry of Tourism

Spring/Summer 2009 41
42 Spring/Summer 2009
PUERTO
PLATA
B
est known for its beaches and
all-inclusive resorts, Puerto
Plata is being rediscovered as
a cultural vacation experi-
ence. As the largest city on
the Dominican Republic’s
north coast, Puerto Plata’s Old City town
centre is made up of traditional Victorian
houses, colonial gingerbread architecture
and quaint narrow streets. Parque Central,
which features a two-storey Victorian
gazebo, is a special draw as is the eclectic
array of bars and restaurants, many of
which are run by expats from places like
Vienna, Amsterdam and Montréal. A wide
oceanfront boulevard ends at a historical
Spanish fortress.
Emblematic of the city’s growing
sophistication is Casa Colonial, fashioned
of local coral-stone in the style of a
Palladian villa. This high-end resort has
charmed guests with its old-world appeal
since it opened in 2004. The 50 suites fea-
ture an exceptional synthesis of graciously
traditional elegance and upbeat contempo-
rary design that includes custom mahogany
four-poster draped beds. Dominican-born
chef Rafael Vásquez is well known for his
Caribbean Asian fusion cuisine while the
resort’s Bagua Spa tempts guests with treat-
ments based on local natural ingredients
such as mango exfoliations and Dominican
coffee wraps.

top: White, powder-soft sandy

beaches frame the northern coast
of the Dominican Republic near
Puerto Plata.
bottom, left to right:
A typical street scene.
Crafts and souvenirs are plentiful.
Outdoor cafés on city streets draw
locals and tourists alike.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Spring/Summer 2009 43
 SAMANÁ
S
till on the north coast and east of Puerto
Plata, Samaná’s beauty lies in its simplicity.
Here, unspoiled beaches serve as a thresh-
old to vibrant coral reefs while mountain
waterfalls intersect lush rainforests. Samaná
is also home to one of the largest breeding
grounds in the world for the humpback whale, attract-
ing ecotourists to this off-the-beaten-path peninsula to
interact with the elusive mammals.
Samaná’s beauty is the stuff of legends, but its
history is equally renowned. Columbus stopped here
on his discovery of the New World but the area didn’t
become populated until 1756 when people began
migrating from the Canary Islands. Samaná eventually
became a lair for pirates, followed by a short owner-
ship by Napoleon Bonaparte, and later, a settlement
by freed American slaves.
The region has recently benefitted from trans-
portation infrastructure upgrades like the opening in
November 2006 of the Samaná El Catey International
Airport as well as a new highway linking Santo
Domingo to Samaná and the North Coast highway,
which opened in July 2008.
Booming tourism is adding a luxurious facet to
this wild and beautiful land. The region’s largest
operator, the Spanish hotel company Bahía Príncipe,
operates four five-star hotels, complete with heliports.
Also of note is the 195-room Gran Bahía Príncipe
Cayo Levantado, launched in December 2006 on a
tiny picturesque island that’s fringed by sugary sands.
Here, in winter, humpback whales swim so near you
can almost touch them!

top to bottom:
Dominicans view dancing as an art
and take pride in sharing their native
movements with others.
The largest breeding grounds in the
world for the humpback whale are
found off the coast of Samaná.
Cayo Levantado, a small island in
Samaná Bay features crystal-clear
turquoise waters perfect for swimming
and snorkelling.
Inspiration for Dominican cuisine
stems from native Antillean and hearty
Creole recipes.
opposite: Pueblo Príncipe is a Dominican-
style shopping and leisure time centre
at the Bahía Príncipe San Juan.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

44 Spring/Summer 2009

ROMANA
top left: The Casa de Campo Marina
is considered the most complete and
prestigious in the Caribbean.
top right: Set in an impressive hill-
side location above the resort of La
Romana stands the not-to-be-missed
completely re-imagined 16th-century
southern European village—Altos
de Chavón.
opposite: Ranked No. 1 in the Carib-
bean and 34th in the “Top 100 Best
Golf Courses” in the world by Golf
Magazine, the Teeth of the Dog Golf
Course attracts the best professional
and amateur golfers in the world.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
travel planner
for more information, visit or call:
Dominican republic ministry of
tourism: godominicanrepublic
.com; 1-888-494-5050 for
ontario and western Canada;
1-800-563-1611 for québec and
eastern Canada
transat holidays:
transatholidays.com
Casa Colonial beach & Spa
resort: casacolonialhotel.com
bahía príncipe Clubs & resorts:
bahia-principe.com
altos de Chavón: altosdechavon
.com; 809-523-8011
Casa de Campo: casadecampo
.com.do: 1-800-877-3643
46 Spring/Summer 2009
LA
K
nown for its sugar facto-
ries, La Romana on the
southern coast is one of
the more industrialized
areas in the Dominican
Republic. In fact, it’s the
sugar that makes La Romana and neigh-
bouring San Pedro de Macoris two of the
leading major league baseball player-pro-
ducing towns.
During the six months when sugar is
not in high production, workers compete
in baseball games against other sugar mill
workers, which fuels the passion for base-
ball that has become a Dominican hall-
mark. Fans will want to take in a game at
the Michelin Baseball Stadium located at
the city’s west end, cheering on the La
Romana Azucareros, which translates to
“Sugar Bowls.”
To the east of La Romana is Altos de
Chavón, developed by the owners of Casa
de Campo. This quasi-Tuscan village is
perched atop the Chavón River gorge, with
chic boutiques, gourmet restaurants and
high-end art galleries. The town’s amphi-
theatre has been home to show-stoppers
from Gloria Estefan to Julio Iglesias.
Nearby, Casa de Campo has been
long considered one of the most luxurious
resort communities in the Caribbean. The
resort’s recent expansions include the
Cygalle Healing Spa, which offers intimate
holistic healing practices. Private yachts
now dock at the new Casa de Campo
Marina, a complete port-of-call for wealthy
yacht owners such as international celebri-
ties George Hamilton, Shakira, Elizabeth
Taylor and the country’s very own Sammy
Sosa, as well as former presidents George
H. Bush and Bill Clinton.
With its fine restaurants and posh
shops, Casa de Campo has become a
Rodeo Drive by the sea. Casa de Campo
also offers golf lovers one of the best
courses in the Caribbean. Golf architects
Pete and Alice Dye carved out an 18-hole
course from dense forest above the shore,
named for the sharp limestone that locals
call diente de perro (Teeth of the Dog), which
opened in 1971, and has consistently been
named one the world’s top 50 courses. The
Dog’s coral-fanged bite was sharpened in
2005 with new tees, greens and bunkers.
These are just three coastal alterna-
tives for visitors to the Dominican Republic,
beyond which lie mountains studded with
waterfalls and lush green forests, new
upscale hotels as well as the ever-popular
all-inclusive resorts. With seven interna-
tional airports, seaports and marinas, para-
dise has never been easier to access.
Spring/Summer 2009 47
 The Dominican
Republic
The Republic of Colours Travel to any of the Dominican Republic’s top
destinations, and experience a universe of untouched natural beauty filled with glorious
sunshine, stunning powdery white sand beaches and wonderful resorts.

Transat Holidays is proud to offer direct flights to La Romana, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata
and Samaná, along with all inclusive packages at fabulous resorts and a wide array of
exciting excursions.

For more details, consult your travel agent

or visit transatholidays.com

dreamscapes.indd 1 4/23/09 1:22:46 PM

At the Canadian Aviation Museum
in Ottawa, parents and kids can
strap on a helmet and goggles, and
climb into the open cockpit of a
Waco UPF-7 aircraft dating from
about 1939. Ottawa Tourism

Kid-friendly museums
Open up to a world of family fun
b y L a u r a B y r n e Pa q u e t

D ressing up as a pirate . Showing your prized

fossils to a real scientist . C urling up in a
sleeping bag as night steals over a building
filled with rare treasures . Or flying over the
Peace Tower in a 1930s biplane .

C
hances are, these aren’t the sorts of activities that
spring to mind when you hear the word “museum.”
But they are just a few of the things your kids can
do this summer in museums, galleries and science
centres across Ontario.

Spring/Summer 2009 49
 Capital discoveries
The biplane trip is one of the high-
lights at the Canadian Aviation
Museum in Ottawa. Parents and kids
can strap on a helmet and goggles,
climb into the open cockpit of a Waco
UPF-7 aircraft dating from about
1939, and take off for a trip above
Parliament Hill or Gatineau Park.
With no beverage service, no inflight
movie and little protection from the
whistling wind, it’s a far cry from a
modern jet flight.
Back at the museum, there are
children’s workshops on topics rang-
ing from ground control signals to
clouds. In the Hang Glider Studio,
kids can learn about the world of
flight through puppets, puzzles, crafts
and more. I Spy kits, available at the
front desk, guide visitors aged five and
up through the museum’s collection
of more than 130 planes and count-
less artifacts. The aircraft include a ResO
replica of the Silver Dart (which made
Canada’s first successful flight, in
1909), an original World War I
Sopwith Camel, a 1945 Lancaster
bomber, helicopters, a Harrier “jump
jet” and more. If you live in Ottawa—
or are travelling there with a group of
children—you can also arrange an
unforgettable themed birthday party
at the museum.
Elsewhere in the capital, the
Canadian Museum of Nature offers
all sorts of family-friendly activities
and displays for kids who can’t get
enough of bears, birds and brontosau-
ruses. In the Discovery Zone, kids can
take part in crafts, watch high-defini-
tion nature movies, and examine fos-
sils, rocks and animal skulls—the
museum’s specimens or their own
all sorts of treasures—with researchers (check
with the museum for dates and times).

family-friendly
top: Learn about Neutral Iroquoian
culture and explore a reconstructed
The children’s area of the Bird Gallery
village at the Museum of Ontario shows young visitors how to care for

activities
Archaeology in London, Ontario. injured birds. And in the Talisman
Museum of Ontario Archaeology
Energy Fossil Gallery, families can
above: The Canadian Museum of
Nature offers all sorts of activities pretend they’re the Flintstones by
and displays for kids who can’t get strolling through a reconstructed swamp
enough of bears, birds and bronto-
sauruses. Ottawa Tourism
forest where seven life-sized dinosaurs
opposite: Science North’s F. Jean are locked in a pitched battle.
MacLeod Butterfly Gallery is an
exotic paradise that features
hundreds of tropical butterflies
in a glass-enclosed environment.
Science North

50 Spring/Summer 2009
 Then and now
Speaking of wildlife, past and present, the
glass-enclosed F. Jean MacLeod Butterfly
Gallery at Science North in Sudbury gives
kids the chance to observe hundreds of
free-flying insects in exquisite detail
through magnifiers at feeding stations.
The museum is also home to the TD
Canada Trust Toddler’s Treehouse, where
little ones aged five and under can don
pirate costumes or test their musical tal-
ents on an oversized keyboard. A museum
highlight for the whole family is Wings
Over The North: A 4–D Bush Plane Adventure,
which uses sophisticated 3–D film tech-
nology to make you feel as though you’re
sitting in an old Beaver bush plane.
In London, families eager to learn
more about Ontario’s first inhabitants can
visit the Museum of Ontario Archaeology,
which focuses on the human history of
southwestern Ontario over the last 11
millennia. Next door, archaeologists are
ResOntDreamscapesFINAL:ResOntDreamscapesFNAL 2/20/09 12:14 PM Page 1

Come on up to our place.

ASK FOR YOUR FREE GUIDE BOOK ONLINE & SIGN UP FOR SPECIAL OFFERS
1-800-363-7227 www.resortsofontario.com

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At Blue Mountain, you can create your perfect
getaway. Maybe you crave all-day action, total
relaxation or some of both. There are no limits, no
timelines and no hurry — just a day full of options
for you to create an escape to remember. With
packages to fit any budget, it’s your perfect spring
getaway. It’s all waiting for you and it’s so much
closer than you think.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL OF OUR SPRING HOT
DEALS & YOUR GUARANTEED LOWEST RATE
ON LODGING!

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Spring/Summer 2009 51
 excavating and reconstructing a village where more than 1,500
Neutral Iroquoians lived around AD 1500. Today, you can see a
reconstructed palisade and explore two longhouses. Come sum-
mer, kids aged six to 10 can join themed day camps on the site,
for a day at a time or a week or more.
London is also home to one of several Ontario museums
aimed squarely at youngsters. At the London Regional Children’s
Museum, a temporary show running until June 24—Pack Your
Bags! A Kid’s Ticket to Travel—gives children a chance to learn
about foreign lands and the planes, trains and automobiles that
take us to them. Permanent exhibits help kids understand life in
places as different as the Arctic and a one-room schoolhouse.
At the Hamilton Children’s Museum, the temporary Kitchen
Works exhibit (running until December 31) gives kids the chance
to mess around with non-toxic ingredients to learn about “kitchen
chemistry,” while the Wednesday Wigglers program for kids aged
four and under offers an hour of stories, songs and crafts on
themes such as kites and rodeos.

Ultimate sleepovers
Budding scientists will also get a kick out of the Ontario Science
Centre in Toronto. For kids eight and under, the focus is KidSpark,
where they can build a roller coaster, race balls along a track, play
with water, make music in a studio and more. The science centre
also offers wildly popular Cosmic Quest sleepovers, where families
see an IMAX movie, learn about astronomy and enjoy a late-night
DJ party (OK, the kids might enjoy that more than the parents),
then bunk down on the floor of an exhibit hall.
Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum holds very similar sleep-
over nights featuring a movie, a DJ party and after-hours tours.
The museum also offers ROMkids programming every weekend,
with family-friendly activities and talks. For instance, an exhibition
running until July 5 may be of particular interest to teenagers—
Housepaint, Phase 2: Shelter showcases the work of 10 street artists.
From kites to chemistry, and from birds to biplanes, there’s
certainly something in Ontario’s museums to conquer your kids’
claims of boredom this summer.

52 Spring/Summer 2009
 travel planner
For more information, visit:
Canadian Aviation Museum:
Biplane flights from $65/person;
reservations recommended;
aviation.technomuses.ca
Canadian Museum of Nature:
nature.ca
Science North: sciencenorth.ca
Museum of Ontario Archaeology:
uwo.ca/museum
London Regional
Children’s Museum:
londonchildrensmuseum.ca
Hamilton Children’s Museum:
bit.ly/vujPh
Ontario Science Centre: A H i s t o r i c L a n d m a r k I n Th e H e a r t O f O t t awa .
Sleepovers are $54/person;
reservations required;
ontariosciencecentre.ca Receiving The Royal Treatment
Royal Ontario Museum:
Sleepovers are $75/person; Is A Given When You Stay With Lord Elgin
reservations required; rom.on.ca
Privileges surround you when you stay with Lord Elgin in
Canada’s capital city. Warmly furnished rooms encourage
relaxation and helpful staff answers all your needs. Steps
away Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, Byward Market
left: Kids under eight years of age www.lordelgin.ca
enjoy KidSpark at the Ontario Science and much more awaits. If you expect more from life and a
Centre in Toronto. hotel, that’s exactly what you’ll find at Lord Elgin. 1-800-267-4298
top: Cosmic Quest sleepovers at the
Ontario Science Centre in Toronto
are wildly popular. 100 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5K8 T: (613) 235-3333 F: (613) 235-3223
Ontario Science Centre

Spring/Summer 2009 53
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 celebrity
travel corner by Stephanie Dickison

Donna
B
ut it may surprise you to find out that this petite lady
used to be an avid skier, drove a motorcycle (what a
way to escape) and loves “daredevil antics,” like diving

Dooher’s off high rocks and bungee jumping.

travel list
Donna Dooher made brunch
in Toronto an event with her
restaurant, Mildred Pierce,
and with her newly launched
restaurant, Mildred’s Temple,
she’s bringing the farm to the
table. She hosts The Cookworks
now airing on Fine Living.
So it’s no surprise that her
perfect getaway involves food.
Waterbound
“I loooove doing things like that. I usually go bungee
jumping at a place outside of Ottawa in Chelsea. I probably
haven’t bungee jumped for two years because we’ve been so busy
putting the place together. I love diving off high rocks and swim-
ming. I’m an avid swimmer. Someday I hope to swim across Lake
Ontario. That’s why I love to go to Big Rideau, because I can swim
across the big lake. My sisters, sister-in-law—oh, the whole family
—have been doing that for years.”
The water is clearly important to her, so perhaps her perfect
getaway would include it.
“I do love to go up to Big Rideau Lake near Kingston,
Ontario. My parents own a cottage up there on the lake. It’s on an
island and I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in all of
Ontario. That’s something I do regularly. I go fishing up there. I do
like to cast the rod occasionally for trout and bass. There are so
many great places to fish in this province of ours—in this country.”
A little culture
Or maybe she’d head to the opera.
“I’m a huge opera fan. We go to the opera faithfully. My hus-
band (co-owner Kevin Gallagher) and I have been huge subscribers
to the Canadian Opera Company for many years. That’s our
escape from the crazy world of restaurants.”
She has trouble deciding and laughs, “I lead a pretty boring
life. I’m not very interesting.”
I don’t think so, Donna.

Riding the rails

She finally chooses something that makes her practically giddy.
“I think I would take the train somewhere. I love to travel by
train. I’d probably take the train to Montréal. Good food, good
architecture. I’d go and stay in Old Montréal at one of the boutique
hotels and wander around. I just think Montréal is a fabulous city.”
She wouldn’t go on her own though.
“I would take my husband—we both enjoy train travel very
much, whether we travel abroad or in Canada. What I would
really love to do one day is take the train across Canada. I haven’t
had time to do that yet.”
What would she do while she was in Montréal?
“I’d shop. Eat. And eat. And eat again. I never really tire of
the restaurant business because I love it so much. And I absolutely
love going out to other restaurants. I think Toronto and Montréal
have some fabulous dining establishments, food shops, markets,
cheese purveyors and all kinds of interesting stuff. There’s certainly
a lot to see and do.”
Chef, cookbook author And when it comes to food, “We try it all. We buy hot dogs
and restaurateur, Donna
Dooher helps people dis- from street vendors and frequent the trendiest restaurants in the
cover their inner chef. city.”

56 Spring/Summer 2009
Discover BC’s invigorating nightlife and natural beauty.
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we could Have flown to
nanaimo or victoria, How-
ever tHat meant foregoing a
deligHtful ferry ride acroSS
Strait of georgia
tHe Scenic
to vancouver iSland.

A TRIP INTO
TRANQUILITy
VANCOUVER ISLAND OFFERS A GENTLE PACE
b y Va l e r i e m a r S h a l l a n D a D a m S a u n D e r S

58 Spring/Summer 2009
Nestled into the ocean level

I
of the Pointe building at The
Wickaninnish Inn, Ancient
Cedars Spa is inspired by its
natural surroundings. The
Wickaninnish Inn/Rachel Weill nstead, we stopped in Vancouver, relaxed at the Pan
Pacific Hotel, unwound at their luxurious Spa Utopia
and set off, well rested, the next morning to catch a BC
ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. The trip through
the Gulf Islands rewarded us with frequent sightings of
whales and dolphins and a bracing ocean breeze on a
late spring day.

ROOF GRAzERS
From Nanaimo we headed north to Coombs, famous for
its Old Country Market store, where goats idly graze on the grass roof
above the store! Coombs is so close to MacMillan Provincial Park that
a visit to Cathedral Grove was a must. Here, under the towering canopy
of old-growth forest, the largest Douglas fir reportedly stands 76
metres high, and measures almost three metres in diameter and nine
metres in circumference.
The awesome three-hour drive along Pacific Rim Highway past
Port Alberni and snow-capped mountains toward the west coast con-
firmed why this road was rated one of the three top drives in Canada
in the 2004 Michelin Road Atlas. One can imagine how Tofino’s earlier
settlers could forget the rest of the world after their inhospitable journey
across the island’s logging road—the only way to Tofino and Ucluelet
at the time. Rich in First Nations’ history, little was known about
Tofino until World War II when a military airport and hospital were
built in the area.

A MAGICAL PLACE
Reaching the Long Beach Lodge Resort in time to appreciate a breath-
taking sunset from our beachfront room, we were greeted by luxurious
surroundings and superb service. Indulged by an attentive chef and a
qualified sommelier, we experienced a truly memorable evening, hosted
by manager Perry Schmunk. A moonlit walk along the beach and the
sounds of the ocean outside our window provided a fitting end to a
wonderful day.
 bald eagles
swooped across
the beach
only feet from
our patio table

Owner Tim Hackett and his

team are justifiably proud of this
award-winning resort. Douglas fir
beams and the granite fireplace con-
tribute to the ambience in the great
room. A variety of beachfront rooms
and rainforest cottages accommodate
guests and pets are welcome.
Created by folks who settled there
in the 1960s and ’70s before the road
was completed in 1971 and recognized
as the “surf capital of Canada,” laid-
back Tofino is a magical town in a
major tourist area. An afternoon with
Don Travers from Remote Passages
Marine Excursions acquainted us with
the marine and wildlife in the region
before an escorted Zodiac tour through
the fjord inlets and wilderness areas of
Clayoquot Sound, during which we
spotted an abundance of wildlife,
including bears well camouflaged by
rock.
Another highlight was the award-
winning Ancient Cedars Spa at
Tofino’s renowned Wickaninnish Inn
where guests forget the outside world
as they enjoy exquisite 21st-century
accommodation, five-star dining at
the Pointe Restaurant, relaxing spa
treatments, seasonal storm-watching
packages and panoramic views of
Chesterman Beach.

Uniquely seductive
Following a hike through part of the
Pacific Rim National Park, we retraced
our cross-island route to the Comox
Valley to lunch at the Kingfisher
Oceanside Resort & Spa where bald
eagles swooped across the beach only
feet from our patio table. Guests
swoon over Kingfisher’s acclaimed
Oceanside Spa and its unique Pacific
Mist Hydropath, which involves a
series of waterfalls, Swiss shower jets
and mineral baths set in sandstone-
sculpted caves and pools.

60 Spring/Summer 2009
 opposite, top: Relaxation comes
easy at the luxurious Long Beach
Lodge Resort located in Tofino
on Vancouver Island’s west
coast. Long Beach Lodge Resort
opposite, centre: La Pause B&B in
the Comox Valley offers three
luxurious guestrooms as well as
an in-ground heated pool and
hot tub. David Innes
left: Sea kayaking in the Broken
Group Islands off the west coast
of Vancouver Island is incredi-
ble and includes a bit of every-
thing—open coast, protected
passages, warm lagoons and
narrow channels, all of which
teem with intertidal organisms,
seals, sea lions, porpoises and
whales. Vancouver Island Tourism

Evening found us at the Mediterranean-styled La Pause Bed and Breakfast,

hosted by David Innes and Lucille Doucet. David, a photographer and tour
guide, directed us to the local highlights that included warm hospitality at the
family-owned Titas Restaurant and the Atlas Café.

Wonderful sights and treats

Lucille prepared a memorable breakfast before we set out for the Comox Air
Force Museum where the care and attention of its volunteers provided a greater
understanding of the history and heritage of the Canadian Air Force on the West
Coast.
Heading south past large piles of oyster shells in Fanny Bay, our journey took
us through Qualicum Beach and Parksville, to the beautifully secluded cottages at
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort that overlook the Strait of Georgia. Tigh-Na-
Mara’s acclaimed cascading waterfall at Grotto Spa plunges into a magnificent
mineral pool and is so popular that reservations must be made well in advance.
En route to Victoria, we passed the artistic town of Chemainus renowned for
its giant outdoor wall murals before reaching
travel planner Cowichan Bay where the Udder Guy’s Ice Cream
For more information, visit: Parlour demanded an unscheduled refreshment
Tourism Vancouver Island: break. In Duncan, the Pacific Northwest Raptors
vancouverisland.travel; featured a thrilling display of raptors in flight. Home
250-754-3500
to rescued birds of prey, this remarkable centre edu-
BC Ferries: bcferries.com;
cates and trains handlers.
1-888-BC FERRY
Our last stop, Brentwood Bay Lodge, is an
Long Beach Lodge:
longbeachlodgeresort.com; exclusive boutique hotel and spa near Victoria and
1-877-844-7873 its famous Butchart Gardens. Chosen from more
Wickaninnish Inn: wickinn.com; than 80,000 hotels and resorts worldwide,
1-800-333-4604 Brentwood Bay touts the title of “Best in B.C. for
The Kingfisher Oceanside Expedia Insider Select Hotels.” This luxurious
Resort & Spa: kingfisherspa.com; waterfront property features private balconies that
1-800-663-7929 front onto Saanich Inlet and offers several ecotour-
Remote Passages Marine ism packages and wonderful coastal cuisine and
Excursions: remotepassages
local wines in the Seagrille Restaurant or their more
.com; 1-800-666-9833
casual pub.
La Pause B&B: lapausebb.com;
1-866-703-4725 It was a quick half-hour drive to Swartz Bay
Brentwood Bay Lodge: where we boarded the ferry to Tsawwassen. We
brentwoodbaylodge.com; truly relished the tranquil pace of island life and
1-888-544-2079 intend to return for a longer visit.

Spring/Summer 2009 61
 India is yoga
Live naturally and with simplicity
by Mariellen Ward

As I sit writing this on the balcony of my room at the Anand Prakash

Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India, the melodious sound of people singing
kirtan (devotional songs and chants) floats up from the yoga hall below.

62 Spring/Summer 2009
F
rom here, I have a breathtaking view of
the imposing foothills of the Himalayas
and I can feel the invigorating mountain
air as it sweeps into this serene valley,
through which the jewel-green Ganga
(Ganges) River flows. It is easy to see why
legend refers to the Himalaya range as Dev
Bhoomi, land of the gods.
A special place
Rishikesh is a small and relatively (by Indian standards)
peaceful town that meanders along the narrow valley on
both sides of the Ganga, connected by two impressive sus-
pension bridges, Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, which are
open for pedestrian traffic, bicycles and motorcycles only.
Seers—rishis—and sages have gathered here since before
recorded history to pray, chant and meditate. Indian pil-
grims and foreign yoga students alike flock here to stay in
one of the town’s many ashrams and soak up the devotional
vibes. It is often referred to as the yoga capital of the world.
“Yogis have been coming here for a long time, and they
created vibrations in their bodies that have gone into the
Ganga water, trees, stones,” says Yogi Vishvketu (Vishva) who,
along with his Canadian-born wife, Chetana Panwar, founded
the Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh two years
ago. “People who come here from all over the world feel it
instantly. They experience immediate healing and they change
on all levels: mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.”
To Vishva, who has trained since the age of eight to
become a yogi and holds a PhD in yoga from the university
in nearby Haridwar, this is one of the main reasons why
yoga students are drawn to Rishikesh. The other is the
opportunity to be exposed to the whole philosophy of yoga.
“Our intention in creating this ashram is to give westerners
a safe, clean environment in India to experience both
the beautiful, magical energy of Rishikesh and to heal
themselves by following the Indian yogic system. We chant,
perform rituals, sing kirtan, observe the yogic diet and
lifestyle and give people the whole picture of yoga.”
Personally, the highlight of staying at Anand Prakash is
the 6 a.m. yoga class with Vishva in the rooftop yoga hall.
As we move, chant and meditate under the guidance of this
bliss-master (Vishva is the happiest person I have ever met!),
the sun rises from behind the mountains and bathes the
room in a golden glow.
A way of life
The first time I visited Aurovalley Ashram, about 10 kilo-
metres south of Rishikesh, I lay down soon after arriving
and fell into the most restful sleep of my life. I felt the pro-
foundly peaceful energy of this garden ashram almost
immediately and knew it was my spiritual home.
Several hand-painted signs on the ashram grounds
proclaim, “All life is yoga.” Reduced to its essence, this is
the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, one of the great Indian
thinkers of the 20th century. Aurovalley was founded 30
years ago by Swami Brahmdev (Swamiji), a disciple of Sri
Aurobindo and The Mother’s teachings. It is a garden
ashram, surrounded immediately by meadows and, in the
distance, by the mist-covered hills of Rajaji National Park.
Nature is ever-present at Aurovalley in the form of fragrant
tropical flowers, fluttering butterflies, colourful songbirds,
fruit-laden trees, gardens and glorious sunsets. Regular
visitors extol the ashram’s healing benefits.
Swamiji explains there are two conceptions of yoga.
The one that is popular in the West is that yoga is some-
thing you do. According to Swamiji, however, “Yoga is
established in your understanding and attitude; it is a way
of life. Yoga is living with a yogic attitude—naturally and
with simplicity. When that attitude is born, you are a yogi,
no matter where you are.”
Swamiji doesn’t lecture or teach. Every day he sits out-
side the ashram library building, under a mango tree, and
people gather to ask questions. Does one need to go to India
to learn to be a yogi? “If you want to buy vegetables where
will you go?” he answers, with lightness and a twinkle in his
eye. “India is a university for the world to understand and
collect more information on this subject.”
opposite, top: In Anand
Prakash Ashram, students
are encouraged to practise
all aspects of yoga as well
as contemplate various tra-
ditions in yoga philosophy.
Mariellen Ward
left: The heart of any yoga
practice is the performance
of yoga poses (called asanas),
each of which offers spe-
cific physical and mental
benefits. India Tourism
Spring/Summer 2009 63
 Peaceful oases
The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta
Centers is a non-profit organization founded
by Swami Vishnu-devananda. He established
the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in
Montréal, Canada, in 1959 and there are now
close to 80 Sivananda ashrams and yoga cen-
tres throughout the world. Mani Chaitanya,
director of the Sivananda centre in New Delhi,
is a tall, slim, soft-spoken man who chooses his
words very carefully. The Sivananda centre is
an oasis of calm in a very hectic city, and it is
where I practise yoga when I am in New Delhi.
“Yoga practitioners are naturally curious to
discover the roots of yoga,” he says. “In India,
people can discover a spiritual way of under-
standing life. They can experience a new life-
style and incorporate it into their own practice.”
Mani explains that Sivananda offers west-
erners a systematic method for learning the
traditional yogic lifestyle and balancing it with
the demands of modern life. “It’s a unique struc-
ture that is easy and effective to practise in daily
life. You can learn to manage a spiritual life that
doesn’t take you away from where you are.”
Sivananda is a worldwide network, a gate-
way to yoga for westerners, and the same
method is followed in all locations. One of its
64 Spring/Summer 2009
main attractions is that the ashrams are located
in peaceful places, away from city life. The
Neyyar Dam location in Kerala, south India,
for example, is set in a lush tropical paradise
surrounded by sacred mountains. The ashram
offers yoga holidays as well as various levels of
teacher training programs.
People come from all over the world to
study and practise yoga in India. And while
there are countless methods and styles, teach-
ers and ashrams, they are all streams leading to
and from the same ocean of yogic wisdom.
Navjeet Kaur Mackie is a yoga teacher
from Mississauga, currently living in Nova
Scotia. She studied yoga in North America
before heading off to India in 2007 to deepen
her practice and understanding of this ancient
tradition.
“India is yoga,” Navjeet says. “India is
where I found the very essence of yoga, and
discovered that yoga is not only a practice on
the mat, but a way of life. Although yoga is
everywhere in India, Rishikesh is where I prac-
tise my physical yoga the most. The feeling
that you get when you visit Rishikesh is one of
peace and serenity, yet still infused with the
typical Indian charm. I recommend India to
anyone who is exploring the yoga path.”
The Ganga (Ganges) is known as
a spiritual centre because the
people of India rely on the river
for most life functions.
Mariellen Ward
travel planner
For more information, visit or call:
India Tourism: incredibleindia.org;
416-962-3787/3788
Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram,
Rishikesh: anandprakashashram
.com
International Sivananda Yoga
Vedanta Centers: sivananda.org
Begin your journey at home
with India: A Cultural Journey,
published by Putumayo World
Culture, and its companion CD
entitled Putumayo Presents India,
a collection of musical masala
featuring mesmerizing vocals and
gentle beats (putumayo.com).
 everyone ’ s an original

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from Fairmont Hotels and Resorts will provide the superior comfort and exceptional

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*Taxes not included.

Valid to September 30, 2009.

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 A floating
paradise
Capture the spirit at
King Pacific Lodge by Ann Campbell

The sound reminds me of

a can of pop that has been
shaken vigorously and opens
with an explosive “pfft”
and a saccharine spray.

66 Spring/Summer 2009
B
ut this is no man-made
sound I hear as I stand on
the deck of a fishing boat in
the ocean waters of north-
ern British Columbia. It is
the exhalation of an orca, a
black-and-white killer whale
that has suddenly, thrillingly
surfaced 100 metres from the starboard bow.
Moments before, my boat mates and I
were lolling about in the late afternoon sun,
happily exhausted from a day spent salmon
fishing. Now we’re scrambling for our cam-
eras, chattering and pointing like excited
schoolchildren as a second dorsal fin appears,
and then another, and then another. We’ve
happened upon a pod of whales—10 in
total—heading south, breaking the ocean’s
surface with their fins and sending up plumes
of mist that mark their progress through the
steel grey waters.
Our boat captain, Joel Dundas, cuts the
engine and drops a hydrophone over the side
of the craft. We listen to the whales’ chirps
and songs as they cruise the watery depths
under our hull. I feel like I’ve stumbled into
my own national geographic documentary.
It’s a feeling that’s repeated during my
three-night stay at King Pacific Lodge, a
drop-dead-gorgeous Rosewood Hotels &
Resorts wilderness retreat on B.C.’s west coast,
about 640 kilometres north of Vancouver.
This “spirit bear” is in every way a opposite: King Pacific Lodge is a float-
ing paradise like no other on the coast
normal black bear except for its fur colour of Princess Royal Island in northern
(the result of a double-recessive gene). Each British Columbia.
September, the lodge offers bear-viewing top left: Every watery voyage from King
expeditions on which guests, if they are Pacific Lodge provides an opportunity
to spy orca whales, porpoises, otters,
lucky, see the bears feasting on salmon in the sea lions and seals.
island’s streams. top right: King Pacific Lodge sits in the
All guests are lucky enough to get a middle of the verdant Great Bear Rain-
forest, one of the largest areas of unde-
bird’s-eye view of this pristine wilderness as veloped temperate rainforest on Earth.
they fly 2-1/2 hours north from Vancouver, King Pacific Lodge
first via private charter to Bella Bella village,
then aboard a floatplane right to the lodge’s
front door.
réserve de parc national et site du patrimoine haïda
Gwaii Haanas
national park reserve and haida heritage site
Celebrate more than
10,000 years of Haida
connection with the
land and sea.

Venez célébrer les dix

ON THE WILD SIDE mille ans d’histoire qui
From May to September, this luxurious
unissent les Haïdas
17-guestroom barge—yes, it’s a floating
à la terre et à la mer.
paradise—welcomes visitors to Barnard
Harbour on Princess Royal Island. The
1.888.773.8888
island is part of the Great Bear Rainforest,
www.pc.gc.ca
one of the world’s largest remaining tracts
of temperate rainforest. Wildlife abounds,
including bald eagles, grey wolves, grizzly
bears, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and the
rare, cream-coloured Kermode bear.

Spring/Summer 2009 67

White gloves and hip waders
Mae West was right when she said, “Too much of a good
thing is wonderful.” The lodge is at once rustic and elegant,
all pine columns, red cedar and inviting earth tones. The
Great Room, a common area with weathered leather
couches, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and a stacked-
stone fireplace, dominates the lodge. The adjacent dining
area features three large tables on which imaginative, well-
grounded cuisine is served. Seafood rules the menu as do
organic produce and local ingredients. (Don’t be surprised
to find a stick of staghorn seaweed flavouring your soup.)
Staff members are consummate professionals, offering
white-glove service in a folksy, hip-wader kind of way. There
are never more than 28 guests, and staff number about the
same. The guest book is filled with photos of common folk
and celebrities. I recognize Kevin Costner, Joe Montana,
Dan Quayle and aviation legend Chuck Yeager mugging
for the camera with their daily catches.
The guestrooms are proof that, although the lodge
attracts scores of successful anglers, it’s worlds away from
the “whack ’em, stack ’em” fishing lodges that cater to
hard-core fishers. Each guestroom measures at least 37
square metres and includes a soaker tub, a wall of windows
and two comfy chairs in which to curl up and admire the
forest and ocean views.
68 Spring/Summer 2009
Endless possibilities
Before dinner each day, Joel Dundas, a member of the local
Gitga’at First Nation and head fishing guide during my stay,
asks each person, “What would you like to do tomorrow?”
What a loaded question. The possibilities include
salmon and halibut fishing (guests can drop their lines
within two minutes of leaving the lodge), wildlife excur-
sions, hiking, kayaking, First Nations’ cultural tours and—
new in 2009—a day of orca and humpback whale-
watching and research activities. There are heli-fishing
and heli-hiking, which involve using a helicopter to reach
remote fly-fishing spots and trekking peaks.
I particularly enjoy kayaking in the Caribbean-
coloured waters of McMicking Inlet and exploring sandy
Wolf Track Beach. Add long, lazy dinners with fine wine
and a seaweed body wrap in the lodge spa and it’s easy to
understand why King Pacific Lodge was named the No. 1
resort in Canada and ranked fourth “best of the best” glob-
ally in the 2008 Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards.
Model of conservation
It is also easy to see why King Pacific Lodge has become a
model of sustainable tourism. From its strong relationship
with the Gitga’at First Nations people (in whose traditional
territory the lodge is located) to its commitment to offset all
carbon emissions generated by lodge operations and guests’
air travel, this steward of the land “walks the talk” of
responsible tourism.
“I think our guests understand that we must be as
aware of fish counts as we are of thread counts,” says King
Pacific Lodge president Michael Uehara.
Certainly my visit makes me aware of how blessed
Canadians are to have this extraordinary wild place in our
own backyard.
top left: Red cedar tongue-and-groove, travel planner
a stacked-stone fireplace, weathered
leather couches and an open bar For more information, visit or call:
make the Great Room an inviting King Pacific Lodge:
area to relax. King Pacific Lodge kingpacificlodge.com;
top right: Take a front row seat on 1-888-592-5464.
the dock at King Pacific Lodge, a
Northern British Columbia
wilderness retreat that floats off the
shore of Princess Royal Island in Tourism: northernbctourism.com;
northern British Columbia. 250-561-0432
 Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

Condé Nast “Gold List” #1 in Vancouver & Most Excellent Spa Hotel, 2009
Travel & Leisure Magazine “Top 500 World’s Best Hotels”, 2009

Vancouver’s Most Romantic

Boutique Hotel & Spa

Vancouver’s

must see
attractions
Exceptional Dining • Luxurious Spa • Downtown Location

point. click.
experience. www.wedgewoodhotel.com • 1.800.663.0666

THE GRANVILLE ISLAND HOTEL

AlbertaVenture08-4.75x4.875_ver3.indd 1 4/19/09 7:25:52 PM
Your island retreat in the heart of Vancouver
AlbertaVenture08-4.75_4.875_ver4.indd
April 19, 2009
Ernest von Rosen
ernest@amgmedia.com

The Granville Island Hotel is a

boutique hotel offering the finest in
personalized service. Ideally located
on the water, just minutes from
downtown Vancouver and just steps
from the public market, live theatres,
artists’ studios, unique shops and
exceptional restaurants. Walk or bike
along the seawall, sail the harbour or
Vancouver’s North Shore logo watch a street performer’s seranade.
As of May 2006

The North Shore is Vancouver lifestyle defined, then concentrated. Set in

Full Size Logos in Vector/Raster Format
C: 100
M: 5 PMS
C: 100
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M:0 We invite you to stay with us and
PMS
Y: 0 308 Y: 0 3005 Y: 9 305 Y: 100 369 Y: 91 381

rainforest, oceanfront and mountainside, it’s where hiking, kayaking, skiing,

K: 47 K: 2 K: 0 K: 7 K: 0
Please refer to logo style guide when using these logos
discover Vancouver’s best kept secret!
snowboarding, golf, boating, fishing and mountain biking only begin to fill
It’s all 1253 Johnston Street,
here the list of activities that go with fresh and authentic
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6H 3R9
dining, stunning attractions and world class shopping.
t: 604.683.7373 f: 604.683.3061
Vancouver’s North Shore. Where CMYK nature lives.
e: reservations@granvilleislandhotel.com
www.vancouversnorthshore.com 1-866-699-5282
www.granvilleislandhotel.com
NST1053_WJ_Its all here_4.75x4.75.indd 1 3/11/09 11:53:47 AM
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Golf on the edge
A tour of Alberta’s links
When Canadian golfers dream of
their next place of pilgrimage, our
fantasies run to the better-known
destinations: Scotland, Ireland,
Palm Springs, Florida or
Beach. Alberta is not a traditional
golf destination for most of us.
70 Spring/Summer 2009
b y A l l a n Ly n c h
W
ell, the surprise is that this oil-
rich province has a surpris-
ingly good selection of quiet,
quality courses.
An old friend
Most players know about the
Myrtle mountain courses in Banff
and Jasper. While I’ve yet to be in Jasper in summer, the
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is like an old friend.
I love that it is an iconic course, which doesn’t beat up an
average player like me. Instead it treats us to fantastic moun-
tain views and the cleverness of our greatest designer, Sir
Stanley Thompson. That said, I pray for the round where my
drive on the par three 4th hole, the Devil’s Cauldron, doesn’t
splash into the pond that passes for a fairway.

The beauty of the Canmore Golf &
Curling Club surrounded by moun-
tains can be a distraction. Allan Lynch
travel planner
For information, visit:
Canmore Golf & Curling Club:
canmoregolf.net
Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country
Club: dinosaurtrailgolf.com
Fairmont Banff Springs:
fairmontgolf.com/banffsprings
Heritage Pointe Golf Club:
heritagepointe.com
The Links of GlenEagles:
gleneaglesgolf.com
Silvertip Golf Resort:
silvertipresort.com
Wolf Creek Golf Club:
wolfcreekgolf.com
On my last round in Banff, I used modern
hickory-shafted clubs. It was part of the Heritage
Golf Program launched to mark their 80th anni-
versary in 2008. We grabbed our retro set of clubs
and walked Thompson’s original layout. I haven’t
walked a course since I was a junior, and it was
fun returning to the non-motorized purity of the
game. This does come with a premium fee ($365
for green fees, club rental, balls) so it’s not some-
thing many of us are going to do often. Regular
green fees range from $119 to $219.
Very cool courses
Just outside the park entrance, Canmore is often
bypassed by those headed to the mountain resorts.
Stop because it is home to two very cool courses.
Silvertip Golf Resort bills itself as “Golf on the
Roof of the World.” They don’t lie. From its high-
est to lowest points there is a 213-metre drop. By
the time you hit the 16th hole you feel you need a
Sherpa to help you finish. The good news is the
18th tee is 38 metres above the green, so even if
you have a poor drive, gravity guarantees distance.
Green fees range from $105 to $175.
On the edge of town, almost within walking
distance from the shops, is the Canmore Golf &
Curling Club. What a little treat this is! Built in
1926, this is a real old-style course with stunning
mountain views for those who love the game and
don’t need to have a big-name designer. If you’re
on a budget this could be a replacement for the
courses in the national parks. Rental carts are
available, but most players walk this course. Their
high-season green fees are $80.
More surprises
Another course on my week-long tour of the
province was the Links of GlenEagles, 10 minutes
west of Calgary. I played nine holes before weather
forced me into the warmth of the bar. The stars
here are the back nine, which are beyond my abil-
ities. I’m not a long hitter so I could see the 12th,
14th and 17th holes making me suicidal. They all
have unforgiving gullies of prickly prairie plants
separating tee from green and I know I would
choke. But the views from the back nine, which
are 91 metres above the Bow River across
Cochrane to an endless line of snow-capped
mountains, are spectacular. The 16th hole, a par
three, is their Signature Hole. You hit from an
elevated tee over an impossible rough to a green
ringed by sand traps. There is no room for error
here. Green fees range from $33.50 without cart
to $112.50 for 18 holes with cart.
The Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club in
Drumheller is like playing two courses in one.
Drumheller’s streets are lined with sculptures of
prehistoric creatures. Even the kids’ playground
has dinosaur-shaped slides. That is a hint to the
back nine. The front nine are like any mature
parkland course: lush, treed and traditional. But
cross the road and it’s like going to Fred Flintstone’s
Bedrock. Fairways—on holes that have them—
are strips of grass dropped on a Badlands land-
scape. I got the impression that searching for a lost
ball would be like an archaeological dig for the
nearby Royal Tyrrell Museum. The back nine,
which opened in 1996, are described as target
golf. They weren’t kidding. The 10th hole is an
elevated, narrow fairway. Miss it and your ball
drops six or 12 metres into woods or quarry. The
par three 12th hole has an elevated tee over a green
positioned in a rocky crater, and they actually
thought to add a bunker to this hole. Green fees
are a modest $53.
One of my biggest surprises was the Wolf
Creek Golf Club in Ponoka, about 90 minutes
from Calgary. Normally you make excuses for
family-owned courses. Not here. This is pleasantly
sophisticated and fun, but with a couple of killer
holes. The 2nd hole on the West course requires
your tee shot to pass through a narrow opening in
the trees. It reminded me of a course in Wales—
I didn’t make that shot, either. The 4th hole is very
pretty and requires you to drive over a marsh to a
water- and tree-lined fairway. Instead of protect-
ing the green with sand traps, they border the
back with a large pond. Too much weight and it’s
splish-splash, you’re score’s taking a bath. And the
fun continued with gullies, water, elevated greens
and ball-grabbing prairie grasses. High-season
green fees are $102.50 with cart.
My last courses are at Heritage Pointe,
DeWinton, just outside Calgary. It has three nine-
hole layouts: Pointe, Desert and Heritage. We played
the Pointe and Desert nines. The course book says
“Pine Creek meanders throughout the course and is
a hazard that comes into play on nearly every hole.”
Little did I know how serious a hazard. On the
par five 5th hole called “The Natural,” the darn
creek crossed the fairway five times. I hit into it
three times. It’s one of those holes where you just
stop counting. The 2008 high season green fees
were $137 for 18 holes and a power cart.
Golf in Alberta was a pleasant surprise. I
came to Alberta expecting flat, open layouts and
somewhat generic modern courses. I was not
expecting that the Prairies would have woods.
What I found was a group of courses that reflected
their diverse geography, their Prairie culture yet
offered fun and value for an average player. You
don’t have to be a scratch golfer to enjoy these
courses, though you might win more bets. What
I liked most is that Alberta is not a pretentious
golf destination. And when you play like I do, you
appreciate that.
Spring/Summer 2009 71
 travel
gallery b y Pat r i c k D i n e e n

More bargains and vacation ideas . . .

C
ouples Resort, Ontario’s only five-star lakeside retreat (as
rated by Canada Select), has an intriguing offer in the midst
of a recession: book last minute on the website from now
through June and stay in the room for free. The hope is that you will
stay for dinner, which is extra, at the property, which was awarded a
top-10 dining experience by North American Inns and has a sommelier
on site. If you would rather not wait until the last minute, the inn is
offering in May and June a free one-hour spa treatment on a mini-
mum one-night booking with the meal package, at rates starting from
$220 per couple per night. The adults-only resort, located in
Algonquin Park north of Toronto, features 48 waterfront rooms with
private deck and wood- burning fireplace. Visit couplesresort.ca.

Five Fishermen Restaurant

A
must-do when visiting Halifax, the Five Fishermen Restaurant
is recognized internationally for its delicious seafood, fine
wines, warm ambience, gracious hosts and creative chefs.
Situated in one of the magnificent heritage buildings in Halifax, this
fine restaurant offers the best of Nova Scotia hospitality and cuisine. The
Five Fishermen has received the Wine Spectator designation for four
years running and current promotions include an “All Nova Scotia
Stimulus Menu.” Menus can be viewed online at fivefishermen.com.
Couples Resort For more information or reservations, call 902-422-4421.

I
n celebration of the 40th anniversary of its “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign,

OTTAWA
So Much to
Virginia wants Canadians to get more vacation for their money and has put together
a list of 40 free things to do. If you love the great outdoors, Virginia offers a variety

Enjoy
of trails and wildlife refuges suited to birding and wildlife-viewing, cycling, swimming,
tubing, fishing, canoeing, roller-blading, strolling and more. Historians might tour
Virginia Civil War Trails, the Booker T. Washington National Monument, the Richmond
National Battlefield Park, the Virginia State Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg and
Waterford, to name a few. Inspiring drives are found along Virginia’s parkways or around
Burke’s Garden. Art lovers can admire art from around the world at such venues as the
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts while music lovers enjoy the sounds of classic bluegrass,
gospel and old time music at the 400-seat Rex Theater in Galax. For something completely
different, visit the Westmoreland Berry Farm and Orchard, the McCormick Observatory
or Lays Hardware Jam Sessions. It’s all free. Visit Virginia.org or call 1-800-671-4195.

Value and comfort

by the Day, Week
or Month
• One-bedroom suites
with kitchen
from $ 94 per Night
• FREE High Speed Internet
• FREE local calls
• Daily housekeeping
• Exercise Room

163 MacLaren Street Ottawa K2P 2G4

www.arosahotel.com
TOLL
613•238•6783 FREE 866•238•6783 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

72 Spring/Summer 2009
 Aqua Dreamscapes CAN May/June09ISS 4/15/09 1:

Issue

M
into Suite Hotel, Ottawa’s only four-diamond, all-suite hotel, is surrounded by the
sights and amenities of the city. Spacious suites include separate living areas, kitch-
ens, washers and dryers. Children stay free in their parents’ suite making it a per-
fect choice for this family destination. Onsite is a complete pool and fitness centre including
separate cardio and weight rooms, a sun deck, a 20-metre lap pool, a whirlpool and sauna.
Paradise is Cheaper Than You Think
Guests even have access to free bike rentals as a memorable way to view Ottawa. The prop-

STAY HAWAII
erty’s environmental accolades include Audubon International’s 4-Leaf rating and the Hotel
Association of Canada’s 4-Key rating. Visit mintosuitehotel.com or call 1-800-267-3377.

STAY AQUA

TM

Minto Suite Hotel

L
ocated on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, the Ocean’s Edge Resort offers great
value for money and will include a management and rental program to ensure
ownership is worry-free for owners. Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., the No. 1
independent real estate firm in Toronto, has signed an agency agreement with Ocean’s
Edge Resort to market and sell the luxury properties to Canadians interested in purchasing
a vacation property in the Caribbean. Currently under construction, the resort includes
170 condominiums and 23 villa plots that overlook the ocean. Planned leisure facilities
include a clubhouse, fitness centre, restaurants, pools and tennis courts as well as concierge
and housekeeping facilities. Pricing starts from US$350,000. St. Kitts is easily accessible
from Canada with direct service from Toronto to St. Kitts during the peak winter season
and convenient connections through various U.S. gateways or nearby Antigua year-round.
Visit oceansedgestkitts.com or harveykalles.com.

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great rates (US$69 & up) + FREE stuff.

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 I
n a part of the world best known for its ancient history, Tel Aviv
is an anomaly. Founded in 1909 as a suburb of Jaffa, the modern
city of Tel Aviv is in the midst of celebrating its centennial this
year with a year-long schedule of festivals, concerts, exhibitions and
performances. Tel Aviv will host its annual White Night Celebration
on May 27—an all-night festival featuring live music, actors and stage
performances taking place on the famous Rothschild Boulevard in
the centre of the city. The Carmel Market will remain open all night
and a special photography exhibit documenting the market’s history
will be on display. A free, outdoor production of Verdi’s Requiem will
be performed by the prestigious La Scala Opera of Milan as part of
the Centennial Summer Highlight on July 16 in Hayarkon Park. Also,
the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center will host a series of free outdoor
musical events throughout July and August, including Saturday night
jazz and classical music concerts. Visit tlv100.co.il.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ministry of Tourism and Culture

Y
oung Island Resort, located off the southern coast of
St. Vincent, is offering an “unplugged” Caribbean retreat for
the ultimate girlfriends’ getaway. With its shimmering waters,
secluded white sand beaches, enticing tropical gardens and swaying
hammocks, this private island resort sets the stage for a rejuvenating
getaway that’s perfect for active girlfriends. Priced at US$900 per
person, this five-night, six-day package includes accommodation in a
superior cottage; a welcome bottle of wine; three meals per day; a
60-minute massage at Spa Kalina; a scuba-diving course for two with
Dive St. Vincent; a full-day rental of a crewed 44-foot yacht;
non-motorized water sports; round-trip airport transfers and more. A
minimum two cottage booking is required and reservations must be
made directly with Young Island Resort. Visit youngisland.com. Israel Ministry of Tourism

74 Spring/Summer 2009
 Canadiana
Quiz
b y  A l a n G . L u k e

Ottawa Tourism

H
ow much do you know about C anadian innovations
and achievements throughout our illustrious
history ? H ere is a chance to test your knowledge .

1. On July 23, 1993, Carlos Costa became the youngest 7. Pierre Berton, author of such books as Hollywood’s
and first disabled male athlete to swim across Lake Canada, The Invasion of Canada and Why We Act
Ontario in 32.5 hours. What great Canadian marathon Like Canadians, is a multiple recipient of the
swimmer coached him? Governor-General’s Award for non-fiction. In what
a) Marilyn Bell c) Jennifer Dorris region of Canada was this prolific writer raised?
b) Vicki Keith d) Elaine Tanner a) Yukon c) Northern Alberta
b) Labrador    d) Southern Manitoba
2. Which one of the following multi-million dollar fund-
raising tours was not initiated by a physically challenged 8. Gordon Pinsent portrayed what factual Canadian
Canadian athlete? Ambassador in Iran: The Canadian Caper (1981)?
a) Marathon of Hope c) Miles for Millions a) Ken Tyler c) Ken Barnes
b) Man in Motion d) Journey for Lives b) Ken Taylor d) Ken Burns

3. On September 22, 1981, just north of Valemont, British 9. During “Operation Overlord” on June 6, 1944
Columbia, what did Premier Bill Bennett dedicate to (D-Day), the massive Allied Invasion of Europe
the late marathon runner, Terry Fox? occurred.  What was the code name given to the
a) bridge c) lake designated section of Normandy beach where
b) highway d) mountain Canadian forces were deployed?
a) Juno c) Sword
4. The popular sport of basketball was invented in 1891 by b) Omaha d) Utah
Canadian-born James Naismith at a YMCA in Springfield,
Massachusetts. In what year did it first become an 10. What Canadian airport was the world’s busiest
Olympic sport in which Canada won a silver medal? during the Second World War?
a) 1936 c) 1952 a) Toronto, Ontario                 c) Gander, Newfoundland
b) 1948 d) 1960 b) Moncton, New Brunswick    d) Halifax, Nova Scotia

5. Four-time All-Star, Ferguson Jenkins, was the first 11. Air Canada was originally Trans Canada Airlines
Canadian baseball player to be inducted into the Hall of (TCA) founded in what year? (Hint: the same year
Fame in 1991. He had six consecutive 20-game win- the sculptured profile of the famous Bluenose
ning seasons as a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. What is schooner appeared on the dime.)
the hometown of this former Cy Young Trophy winner? a) 1921 c) 1932
a) Amherst, Nova Scotia c) Chatham, Ontario b) 1926 d) 1937
b) Brandon, Manitoba d) Drumheller, Alberta
12. What was Canada’s first satellite launched in 1962
6. What Canadian tunesmith wrote a song about CP Rail called?
for our nation’s centennial called Canadian Railroad a)  Argonaut c) Aero
Trilogy? b)  Alouette d) Anik
a) Burton Cummings c) Anne Murray
b) Gordon Lightfoot d) Murray McLauchlan

1. b) Vicki Keith 2. c) Miles for Millions 3. d) mountain 4. a) 1936 5. c) Chatham, Ontario 6. b) Gordon Lightfoot 7. a) Yukon 8. b) Ken Taylor 9. a) Juno 10. c) Gander 11. d) 1937 12. b) Alouette
 this prize includes:
• Round-trip economy air transportation for two (2) from
a major Canadian international airport to boston,
massachusetts;
• Two nights’ deluxe accommodation, based on double
occupancy, at the boston marriott peabody hotel,
breakfast for two at Sophia’s restaurant, and full use of
the hotel’s health club, whirlpool and indoor pool;
• Two nights’ accommodation, based on double occupancy,
at the four Seasons hotel boston;
• Boston’s Best Cruises round-trip transportation for two (2)
on board boston’s best Cruises’ 55-minute fast ferry (no

Win A tRip charge to bring bicycle) from boston downtown to Salem;

• Dinner for two (2) at Nathaniel’s Restaurant in the historic
hawthorne hotel in Salem;

FoR tWo to • Meal for two (2) at Victoria Station Restaurant located
on pickering wharf in Salem;

MAssACHUsEtts
• Discover Salem Passport* for two (2), which includes ad-
mission on the Salem trolley and passes for noted Salem
attractions such as the house of the Seven gables, the
peabody essex museum and the Salem witch museum;
COMPLIMENTS OF • Dinner for two (2) at The Beehive in Boston;
• Freedom Trail Walking Tour in Boston;
• Entertainment Cruises, Boston: complimentary cruise
for two on any available Spirit of Boston or Odyssey
(lunch, brunch or dinner cruise) of boston harbor; and
• Two-day adult Boston Go Card for two (2).

rules and regulations specific to this prize:

• Prize must be accepted as awarded;
• Prize may not be sold, transferred, is not convertible to cash and
extensions are not permitted;
• Prize may not be used toward any frequent flyer mileage accumulation
DREAMSCAPES TRAvEl & lifESTylE MAgAzinE invites you to enter our contest program and may not be combined with any other offers;

for a chance to win a four-night getaway for two to Massachusetts. The largest city in • Reservations are subject to space availability at time of booking;
• No change in travel arrangements can be made once the booking
New England and considered the cultural centre of the region, Boston has earned its has been confirmed;
place at the very forefront of American history. Experience a small taste of all there is to • Air prize must be used in conjunction with the hotel land prizes as
well as tickets, dining arrangements and passes listed above;
see and do North of Boston in Salem, America’s bewitching seaport. Simply read through • All prize values are listed in U.S. funds;
the editorial on Massachusetts in this issue of DREAMSCAPES TRAvEl & lifESTylE • Prizes are valid until March 25, 2010 inclusive. Blackouts may apply;
• Prize does not include taxes, surcharges, airport transfers and
MAgAzinE to find the correct answers to the two questions below. Contest entries will be transportation in massachusetts unless otherwise specified above.
accepted through our website or by mail no later than midnight, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. * Exceptions may apply to the Discover Salem Passport.
prize winner and travelling companion are solely responsible for all costs
not described herein including, without limitation, any applicable taxes
and surcharges not included above, security fees, air departure taxes
1. Where do the Boston red Sox play their 4. Where do you plan to vacation within the next 24 months? and related fees, local departure taxes paid upon departure from
home games? 2009 2010 massachusetts, airport improvement fees, fuel/currency surcharges,
Canada inflight meals and beverages, seat selection fees, ground transportation,
uSa gratuities, merchandise, telephone calls, insurance together with any
europe/mediterranean required travel documentation, all personal expenses of any kind or
nature, additional meals, beverages, together with any applicable over-
2. What museum is located in north of Boston? Caribbean/mexico night layover. flight dates and hotel accommodation are subject to
asia/pacific rim change without notice or compensation. prize winner and travelling
companion are also solely responsible for all costs incurred to and from
5. How many people in your household or office the departure point as the prize originates and terminates there. it is the
will read this copy of DREAMSCAPES? sole responsibility of the prize winner and travelling companion to obtain all
3. What travel and lifestyle topics 1 2 3 4 5 or more necessary travel documentation including passports and visas if applicable
interest you most? and to comply with any customs and immigration requirements.
pick your top three in each category: 6. My age group is: prize winner waives all recourse against contest sponsors if services
18-35 36-49 50-64 65+ offered do not prove to be entirely satisfactory.
DREAMSCAPES TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE and sponsoring or
travel lifestyle 7. My household income is: affiliated companies reserve the right to substitute the prize in the event
Cruising Vacation & retirement under $60,000 $61k to $100,000 $100,000+ of any unforeseen circumstance.
Spas & retreats real estate eligibility:
automotive information received from contest entries is used to iden- this contest is open to all legal residents of Canada excluding residents
exotic holidays of québec and employees of DREAMSCAPES TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
tify reader interests. Contact information is shared only
Driving holidays technology with contest partners and is not sold. MAGAZINE and sponsoring or affiliated companies. no purchase is
Sports Vacations health & fitness Check here if you do not wish to be contacted necessary. approximate retail value of this prize is uS$3,600 per couple
with special offers from contest partners (actual value depends on dates chosen and departure city). to qualify,
entrants must have reached age of majority in their province of residence.
only one entry per person is permitted. any entrant with multiple entries
will void participation. entries that do not contain full contact information will
name: be considered invalid. DREAMSCAPES TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
and sponsors reserve the right to cancel this contest at any time. the odds
of winning depend on the total number of correct entries received. the
address: draw will take place at the DREAMSCAPES office on July 8, 2009 with the win-
ner being notified by phone. Contest is subject to all applicable Canadian
federal, provincial and municipal laws. Contest void where prohibited.
City: province: postal Code:

enter OnlIne at dreamscapes.ca

phone: e-mail: Mail: DREAMSCAPES Contest,
3 Bluffwood Drive, toronto, On M2H 3l4
76 Spring/Summer 2009
 ’

1 ST ANNUAL DREAMFINDER REAL ESTATE CRUISE

FEBRUARY 9-19, 2010

Join us for a 10 night cruise aboard the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Navigator
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FORT LAUDERDALE ON A RESEARCH MISSION TO: water and a welcome Regent Champagne.

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the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten (with optional side trip to
• Meet the financial and legal experts who will Anguilla), St. Barts (with optional side trip to St. Kitts & Nevis), British
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Travel arrangements provided by Cruise Holidays of Etobicoke. Space is subject to availability at time of booking. Limited cabins so reserve early. Registration under TICO #50017254
 web
listing
2009 Travel Guide to Canada.........8 Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve Ottawa Tourism............................54
www.canadatravelguides.ca and Haida Heritage Site, BC.........67 www.ottawatourism.ca
www.pc.gc.ca
Air New Zealand...........................29 RCMP Foundation, Ottawa...........54
www.airnewzealand.ca Hibiscus Real Estate Cruise .........77 www.themountieshop.ca
www.hibiscusinternational.com
Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Resorts of Ontario .......................51
Brewery, Halifax...........................19 Hotel Arts, Calgary.......................36 www.resortsofontario.com
www.keiths.ca www.hotelarts.ca
Rosetta Stone...............................31
Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Hawaii.....73 Hotel Le Cantlie Suites, www.rosettastone.com/drs059
www.aquaresorts.com/dream Montreal.......................................52
www.hotelcantlie.com Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo,
Arosa Suites Hotel, Ottawa..........72 Halifax .........................................18
www.arosahotel.com Islander RV, Newfoundland..........12 www.ticketatlantic.com
www.islanderrv.com
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia............18 Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto.....2
www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca Jordan Tourism...............................5 www.rom.on.ca/scrolls
www.visitjordan.com
Bay Ferries....................................20 Scott Walking Tours, Halifax.........18
www.MyCatVacation.com Just for Laughs, Montreal.............39 www.scottwalking.com
www.hahaha.com/packages
BC Lottery....................................57 Slumber Inn, Nova Scotia.............20
www.bccasinos.ca Lake Placid, NY.............................17 www.slumberinn.ca
www.lakeplacidregion.com
Best Western Hotels.....................80 Southway Inn, Ottawa..................55
www.bestwestern.com Les Suites Hotel, Ottawa..............54 www.southway.com
www.les-suites.com
Blue Mountain Resort, ON...........51 Southwest Nova Scotia.................20
www.bluemountain.ca Long Beach Lodge Resort, www.destinationsouthwestnova.com
Vancouver Island..........................59
Canada Aviation Museum, www.longbeachlodgeresort.com TayMac Tours, Nova Scotia...........18
Ottawa.........................................55 www.taymactours.com
www.aviation.technomuses.ca Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa..............53
www.lordelgin.ca Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa
Cartier Place Suite Hotel, Resort, Vancouver Island..............61
Ottawa.........................................55 Martinique Tourism.........................7 www.tigh-na-mara.com
www.suitedreams.com www.lamartinique.ca
Tourism Saskatoon........................35
Delta Hotel, Halifax......................19 Miami, Florida................................9 www.tourismsaskatoon.com
www.deltahalifax.com www.miamiexpressions.com
Tourist Office of Spain....................3
Destination Halifax.......................18 Minto Florida................................79 www.spain.info/ca
www.destinationhalifax.com www.mintofla.com
Transat Holidays...........................27
Dominican Republic......................41 Minto Suite Hotel, Ottawa...........54 www.transatholidays.com
www.godominicanrepublic.com www.mintosuitehotel.com
Trek Escapes.................................33
Duty Free Americas, Buffalo.........25 Motorcycle Tour Guide, www.trekescapes.com
www.dutyfreeamericas.com Nova Scotia..................................19
www.ridenovascotia.com Vancouver, Coast &
Expo Cruises and Tours................13 Mountains, BC..............................69
www.expo-cruises.com Muskey's Landing, ON.................51 www.vcmbc.com
www.muskeys.ca
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts...........65 VIA Rail.........................................40
www.fairmont.com Oak Island Resort & Spa, www.viarail.ca
Nova Scotia..................................21
Festival de Lanaudière, www.oakislandresortandspa.com Virginia Beach.................................6
Quebec........................................37 www.liveforlifelessons.com
www.lanaudiere.org Old Orchard Inn, Nova Scotia.......20
www.oldorchardinn.com Virginia Tourism............................23
Fisheries Museum of the www.virginia.org
Atlantic, Nova Scotia....................20 Ontario Accommodation
www.fisheries.museum.gov.ns.ca Association...................................52 Waverley Inn, Halifax....................16
www.oaa.travel www.waverleyinn.com
Four Points Sheraton, Halifax.......19
www.fourpoints.com/halifax Ontario Northland Polar Bear White Point Beach Resort,
Express.........................................38 Nova Scotia..................................21
Grand-Pré National Historic Site www.ontarionorthland.ca www.whitepoint.com
of Canada.....................................21
www.pc.gc.ca/grandpre

78 Spring/Summer 2009
 Minto Living.

Florida Style.

For more than half a century, the Minto name

has been synonymous with unsurpassed quality,
integrity, value and a commitment to
customer satisfaction.
See why Minto homes and communities continue
to be best-sellers throughout South Florida.
We call Florida home, we hope you will too.

“Highest in Customer Satisfaction,

Quality and Design with New-Home
†
Builders in Palm Beach”
– J.D. Power and Associates.

arTEsia OLyMpia pOrTOsOL TOWNparK at Tradition ViLLas By THE sEa

suNrisE, FL WELLiNGTON, FL rOyaL paLM BEaCH, FL pOrT sT. LuCiE, FL LauDErDaLE-By-THE-sEa, FL
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For information on any of our award-winning Florida communities, please call 1-800-767-4490

Minto Creates Better Places to Inspire Life.

www.mintofla.com
Artist renderings, dimensions, features, prices and availability subject to change without notice. Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correctly stating the representations of the developer. For correct representations, make reference to the documents required by section 718.503, Florida
Statutes, to be furnished by a developer to a buyer or lessee. Not an offer where prohibited by state statutes. CGC 059780,CBC 005678, CGC 1516596. 2/09.
 Halifax, NS Winnipeg, MB

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Dreamscapes Ad 3-09.indd 1 3/27/09 4:16:01 PM