Celebrating Canada Day in Vancouver

Tomorrow, July 1, is our national day. People all over Canada will come together and celebrate the birth of our nation almost 150 years ago. To help you decide how to celebrate, we’ve put together a list of some of the best Canada Day celebrations in Vancouver.

Canada Day at Granville Island Granville Island always hosts a wonderful Canada Day celebration with something for everyone in your family. This free, all-day event includes jazz performances courtesy of Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, face painting, a parade, free flags and pins, maple leaf decorating and much more. Click here for more information.

Canada Day at Canada Place The celebration at Canada Place is the largest Canada Day celebration outside of Ottawa! This celebration is FREE and features over 25 music and dance acts, including Said the Whale, a variety of engaging exhibits and interactive displays. There’s also a Canada Day Parade at 7:00pm! For more information on this event, click here.

Coast Capital Savings Fireworks at Canada Place Cap off your Canada Day celebrations with this pyrotechnic extravaganza! Watch as the sky lights up in celebration of our nation’s birthday - with Hudson’s Bay starting the show with a bang in green, red, yellow and blue and Coast Capital Savings, the fireworks presenting sponsor, closing the show with a fantastic finale in blue, all synced to a great Canadian soundtrack. Happening in Burrard Inlet, the fireworks show will be visible from Downtown, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Vancouver's west side. For details, click here.

Have any other suggestions? List your favourite Canada Day celebrations below.

Tips for Preparing for a Bike Trip

Bruce and Wendy Fougner, owners of Lloyds Travel, have been on countless bike trips, from weekend rides to Vancouver Island, to intense cycling adventures through France, Eastern Europe, and Sri Lanka to name a few. Embarking on a bike tour in a foreign country may seem daunting, but it’s an incredible way to discover new destinations. Cycling offers travelers a unique perspective, as it takes you away from major tourist hot spots and brings you up close to the natural landscapes, local communities and cultures of a destination. Plus, there are a variety of excellent private and group tour options for cycling trips all over the world.

To help you prepare for a foreign bike trip, we’ve assembled these helpful tips:

1. Talk to your travel agent

If you’re thinking about choosing a bike adventure for your next vacation, consult your travel agent about the best places to cycle based on your travel interests and skill level. A travel agent can help you choose the right destination and organize your travel arrangements, from booking flights to working with local tour operators to create the perfect customized itinerary for your cycling journey.

2. Choose the right destination for you

Be conscious of your cycling abilities and be kind to yourself! If it’s your first bike trip and you’re not a practiced rider, cycling the hilly landscape of the Cost Rica is probably not the best idea. You might be safer starting with Holland, whose flat landscapes are perfect for novice riders wanting to practice their touring skills. If you’re a seasoned cyclist looking for a challenge, you might be disappointed by Holland’s lack of hills. Talk to your travel agent about your cycling abilities and the kind of landscape you are looking for, and they will help you choose the right destination.

3. Choose the right bike

Most tour companies provide their own bikes, which is great because it means you can avoid packing your bike for plane travel and heaving it through the airport. If you have a special seat, many tour operators will allow you to bring it and will mount it on your bike when you’re being fitted.

Despite the fact that tour operators offer their own bikes, many travelers prefer to bring their own bikes. If you can’t part with your bike, make sure it is an appropriate bicycle for the terrain you will be riding. For instance, your road bike wouldn’t fare well cycling wild, mountainous terrain! Therefore, think wisely about whether your own bike is sufficient for the cycling journey.

4. Practice

If you haven’t been cycling regularly, make sure to start logging some km’s before you go away. Ask your travel agent the daily distance you will be riding and begin working your way up to cycling that distance comfortably. You can begin practicing by cycling to work rather than driving and taking longer rides on the weekends. Once you can comfortably cycle the average daily distance of your tour on similar terrain, you should be ready for your bike journey.

5. Pack the right gear

Tour companies will most often provide support vehicles for carrying your luggage, but you should still try to pack light and remember to pack essential gear not provided by the tour company. The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable on the journey, so be sure to bring the right clothing. Invest in one or two pairs of good cycling shorts, a few cycling jerseys and a good pair of cycling shoes. Also, don’t forget a lightweight, breathable rain jacket in case you end up biking on rainy days. Be sure to check whether the clothing you purchase is appropriate for the climate you will be riding in. You don’t want to end up overheating because you bought a thermal bike jersey for cycling in a tropical country!

6. Have fun!

This is probably the most important point. Bicycle touring can be intense and difficult, but it should also be fun. Take a break every once in a while and take in your surroundings. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself beyond your comfort level. Be safe and enjoy the ride!  

4 Unexpected Destinations for Food Travel

1. Croatia

Croatia is a fascinating destination characterized by diverse cultural influences and geographic landscapes, and their culinary scene reflects this diversity. Located on the Mediterranean between Italy, Central Europe and Eastern Europe, Croatian cuisine varies based on the geographic region. 

On the Dalmatian coast, enjoy locally sourced seafood and delicious pastas. Sample food enhanced with fine Croatian olive oils, truffles or organic honey on the Istrian Peninsula. In Slavonia, home to Croatia’s capital city, try savory cheese pie, cured meats, and other Central European-influenced fare.

2. Jordan

Influenced by Arabian and Lebanese cuisine, and infused with many herbs and spices, Jordanian cuisine offers a variety of local specialties with interesting flavours. A popular culinary tradition is Jordanian Mezze, which features an assortment of small dishes shared communally. 

Small plates commonly feature dips such as hummus and babba ghanoush, salads such as fattoush (salad made with lettuce, parsley, and fried pita bread), and other tasty bites like haloumi (a mild cheese) and falafel. Another specialty is Jordan’s national dish, mansaf, a Bedoin meal made from meat which is simmered for several hours and served on rice.

3. Peru

Peru offers an eclectic mix of culinary specialties, some of which are more “traditional” to Peru, while others have been influenced by culinary traditions in Spain, China, Japan and others. 

One of the most popular Peruvian dishes is ceviche, a dish of fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. Peruvian cuisine meets Chinese with the dish lomo saltado, a mix of beef, tomatoes, peppers, and onions, fried with soy sauce and potatoes and served over rice. Another favourite is rocoto relleno—stuffed peppers covered in melted cheese.

4. Scotland

Like England, Scotland’s cuisine is often equated with pub food—shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, mushy peas to name a few. However, there is much more to Scottish cuisine than this tired stereotype would lead us to believe. Ingredients in many Scottish restaurants are fresh, organic and locally sourced. 

Enjoy delicious salmon and sea trout sourced from the Hebrides, try wild boar, lamb, and venison sourced from the Scottish Highlands, and delicious cheeses and produce sourced from local farms. In addition to more traditional Scottish fare, many immigrants from India, the Middle-East, China and other destinations have brought other culinary delights, contributing to a thriving local food scene.

7 Great Packing Tips for Every Traveler

Packing properly is absolutely essential. Pack too much and you’ll end up heaving heavy bags through airports, train stations and hotels—plus, paying extra for airline baggage fees. Pack too little and you might waste vacation time shopping for items you could have easily brought from home. To help ease your packing woes, we’ve included 7 helpful guidelines for packing your suitcase.

1. Know the baggage policy of your airline

Before you begin packing, make sure you know the baggage policy of your airline. Though it varies depending on the carrier, many airlines allow one carry-on bag, one personal item (such as a purse or laptop), and one checked bag free of charge. However, some budget airlines charge for checked baggage and only allow a single carry-on with no personal item.

Check your airline’s baggage policy with your travel agent, or by going online to the airline website. Be sure to confirm the size regulations and weight restrictions. This will help you choose the right sized bag and prevent you from over packing, ensuring that you don’t get saddled with hefty baggage fees.

2. Check the liquids regulations of your airport

Make sure to check the liquids regulations for your airport before you pack your carry-on. In Canada, you are allowed to bring some liquids in your carry-on in 100mL containers. Each passenger must store their liquids in a single, closed, reseal-able one litre bag. Liquids regulations for airports in other countries may vary.

3. Make a packing list

You might think a packing list is unnecessary, but this step will help you ensure that you don’t forget any important items, saving you time when you arrive in your destination. Start thinking about what you will need to bring several days or even a few weeks prior to your trip. This will enable you to put together a complete list, while also helping you identify items that you still need to purchase.

4. Roll your clothing

Rolling is far superior to folding your clothing when packing for a vacation. Why? For starters, rolled clothing takes up less space in your luggage, so you have more room to pack souvenirs on your return home. Rolled clothing is also less likely to get creased, so you won’t need to iron your clothes at your hotel or walk around in wrinkly pants!

5. Use packing tools

Packing aids and tools, such as compression bags, can be really useful, especially when embarking on a long journey. In addition to compression bags, packing cubes are another great item, as they can help you save space while also organizing your belongings. Travel organizers are another helpful item that enable you to securely store items such as your iPod, pens, earbuds, gum and other loose items in a useful way.

6. Choose your wardrobe wisely

Think ahead when choosing what clothing you will bring on vacation. Consider the climate. Is it likely to be hot? Leave the jeans at home and pack light, loose-fitting clothing. Is there a possibility of rain? Be sure to pack a rain jacket or poncho. Will you be doing a lot of walking or hiking? Bring along a good pair of walking shoes or a pair of hiking shoes or boots.

It’s also a good idea to think strategically about the outfits you will wear. Bring items that can be layered when the weather is cool, and un-layered when the weather is warm or hot. Pack versatile clothing that can be worn for different events, such as a black dress that can be worn casually on a day tour, and dressed up in the evening for a fancy dinner or night of dancing.

7. Always keep valuable and important belongings in your carry-on bag. 

Money, jewelry, medication, expensive electronics, and other important items should be kept with you when embarking on a flight.

Do you have any other good packing tips to add to our list? Submit your best packing tips below!