Representatives from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism met with travel media in Vancouver yesterday to showcase the many new developments in the archipelago nation.
Grand Bahama and Nassau are "the most popular and populous islands,†said Paul A. Strachan, director, Canada for the Bahamas Tourist Office, but the ministry is working to create more awareness of the Out Islands. That means a new niche marketing strategy, with various islands specializing in deep-sea diving, bird watching or fly fishing, for example…
Vancouverites surfed Australia's Gold Coast and watched the sun set over Sydney Harbour this weekend, all without getting on a plane. These were two of the 17 immersive experiences at Virtual Australia by Air New Zealand, a first-of-its-kind pop-up virtual reality exhibit presented as part of a three-year partnership between the airline and Tourism Australia…
There may be no image of Hawaii’s Garden Isle more iconic than the 27-kilmometre stretch of rippling green cliffs along the island’s north shore. Kauai’s Napali Coast is a staple of postcards, travel guides and Instagram feeds. No visit to the island is complete without at least one look, but you can’t get there by car.
“There’s no road to get there,” says Peggy Sowl of Outfitters Kauai “You can’t see it unless you go out and do something fun.”
Here, we explore three ways to experience this very special place.
By Sea: Catamaran or Kayak
A sail along the Napali Coast is not for the faint of stomach, but it is an impressive way to get a close-up view of the cliffs – and the area’s rich ocean life. It’s not unusual for dolphins to play in the wake of the boat, or for huge sea turtles to paddle slowly by. From December to May, you can add humpback whales to the list, as they come to the area to mate and give birth each winter. If you’re adventurous, hop onto the netting at the front on the catamaran for a wild ride – but hold on tight and be prepared to come away with sore elbows from bouncing and sore cheeks from laughing.
If conditions are right, those looking for a challenge can take a guided kayak tour of the coast. Be warned, though, this is a tough paddle and should not be attempted on your own. Book a tour with an experienced local company to stay safe.
By Sky: Hop a Chopper
Seeing the Napali cliffs from above gives a real sense of their impressive scale. But the best part of a helicopter tour is the chance to see the deep green valleys behind the shoreline, complete with waterfalls at practically every turn. Rainbows, too, are a common sight, including double and even triple arches best seen, of course, on cloudy days.
“I’ve flown helicopters in every state west of Mississippi,” says Paul Mateo, chief pilot at Safari Helicopters. “Places people dream about. This is the best. If I didn’t have to concentrate on what I’m doing, I’d be crying like a baby.”
By Sole: Hike the Kalalau Trail
Ninety per cent of Kauai’s land is inaccessible by road, making hiking a prime activity for view-seekers across the island. Only one trail winds its way along the Napali Coast: the challenging 18-kilometre Kalalau Trail. A round-trip would be too much for one day, so those dedicated enough to hike the whole thing camp on the beach for at least one night. (Note: You’ll need a permit to hike past Hanakapiai Valley or to camp.)
Those who want to sample of the trail without having to carry camping gear can explore the first three kilometres, from Kee Beach to Hanakapiai Beach. You’ll hit the first viewpoint after about half an hour of hiking. If you want support and guidance along the trail, connect with a local guide.
“All guides love showing off what we get to experience on a daily basis,” says Kelly Corbett, lead guide with Kayak Kauai, adding that guides ensure the trail is respected and minimize visitors’ impact on the land.
Just a 90-minute drive from Vancouver lies a resort town complete with a massive lake, scenic mountains, a provincial park and hot springs to boot. With less than 1,500 full-time residents, Harrison offers small-town living – and small-town real estate prices – with easy access to all the amenities of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. Here are five reasons this lakeside village is a great place to call home…
"May this be a very energetic, active and happy new year!â€
The Hong Kong Tourism Board's Karisa Lui offered those wishes for the Year of the Monkey as she welcomed members of the travel industry to a sumptuous celebratory banquet at Victoria Chinese Restaurant in Vancouver last night…
Stretching north-south between 16th and 1st Avenues and east-west between Granville and Ontario streets, the MLS-defined Cambie neighbourhood represents a huge chunk of central Vancouver real estate. From bustling Cambie Street to the sprawling Queen Elizabeth Park, this neighbourhood combines the benefits of well-connected city life with the joys of nature and some of the city's best recreational facilities.
Vancouver wine lovers and industry insiders gathered this weekend for the annual Vancouver International Wine Festival, this year showcasing the wines of Italy.
On Saturday night (Feb. 27), festival sponsor Delta Air Lines hosted travel industry VIPs at the intimate Delta Air Lines Tasting Lounge for a guided tasting with Delta's Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson…
"Canadians have always been great friends of France,†said Armelle Tardy-Joubert, director for Canada, Atout France, at the annual Destination France trade show in Vancouver last week. "This year, we would like to tell you how much we have appreciated your solidarity.â€
Tardy-Joubert was referring to the messages of support France has received from the Canadian public and travel professionals in the months since the terrorist attacks that shook Paris on November 13…
Tandem, a Madrid tapas bar. Photo: Christina Newberry
Looking for a great tapas bar in Madrid? Don’t follow the signs. “Tapas bars almost never have signs saying they’re tapas bars,” Context Travel guide Helena Vaello told me as we explored tapas culture in Spain’s capital city. Those that do are likely tourist traps. If you want the real thing, just look for a bustling spot with people standing at the bar – and keep an eye out for plenty of crumpled napkins on the floor, a sure sign of many tapas enjoyed before you arrived.
While there are plenty of worthy choices in any neighbourhood, here are five I’d happily return to again and again.
Casa Alberto
Casa Alberto. Photo: Christina Newberry
Once a favourite haunt of Spanish bullfighters, this classic bar has been serving up tapas since 1827. The no-nonsense waiters keep things moving, but finding a table can be a challenge – a problem easily solved by squeezing in at the bar.
What to order: Tortilla invertida. Tortilla in Spain means the classic Spanish omelette with potatoes and onions. Madrileños like it ultra-gooey and barely cooked, which is much more delicious than it sounds. Casa Alberto gets the tortilla just right and serves it stuffed inside a sweet, crunchy, grilled green pepper.
Wash it down with: Vermouth on tap.
Location: Calle de las Huertas, 18
Tandem
Salmorejo at Tandem. Photo: Christina Newberry
Tandem and its sister restaurant, Triciclo, serve up fresh, modern takes on the tapas tradition in a room that’s as hip as the food. The newer of the two, Tandem offers a more casual setting and lower prices.
What to order: Salmorejo. This cold tomato-and-bread pureed soup is a tapas staple, found at nearly every tapas bar in town. But Tandem offers a standout version topped with semimojama (lightly cured) bonito.
Wash it down with: A selection from the great local wine list.
Location: Calle Santa Maria, 39
Lateral Santa Ana
Lateral mixes the modern and the traditional in a bright, airy room on Plaza Santa Ana. It was packed during my lunchtime visit, but flagging a waiter down was never a problem thanks to the call buttons on the table – one for service, one to request the bill.
What to order: Rabo de toro. Literally “tail of the bull,” this classic dish is actually braised oxtail. Here served with impossibly creamy mashed potatoes, it’s difficult to resist.
Wash it down with: The highly drinkable house wine, or splurge on a glass of champagne.
Location: Plaza de Santa Ana, 12
Bodega de la Ardosa
Bodega de la Ardosa. Photo: Christina Newberry
Another of Madrid’s restaurantes centenarios (centennial restaurants), this charming classic opened in 1892. Not for those with bad backs or knees, Bodega de la Ardosa requires guests to duck under the bar to reach the washrooms – an adventure in itself.
What to order: Grilled artichokes. Simple and delicious.
Wash it down with: Beer or vermouth on tap.
Location: Calle Colón, 13
Juana La Loca
This lively, modern bar serves Basque-style pinxtos (small tapas served on bread), laid out in the Basque way – in glass cases on top of the bar. While you’ll find traditional options like tortilla (done here with caramelized onions – yum), Juana La Loca offers highly creative dishes, too.
What to order: Pinxto with quail’s egg and truffle. The menu calls this “the incredible confit egg,” and it’s hard to disagree.
Wash it down with: Txakoli, a Basque white wine. Watch for the high pour, an impressive way of increasing the wine’s light sparkle.
Location: Plaza Puerta de Moros, 4
To dive deeper into Madrid’s tapas culture, check out the Tavernas and Tapas tour from Context Travel.
I co-authored a report on this five-star Mexican resort with PAX Magazine’s Michael Pihach for the latest issue.
