DECEMBER IN VICTORIA: TAKE A COZY CHRISTMAS SELF-GUIDED FOOD TOUR

The tour begins at the CPR Steamship Terminal Building, located across the street from the BC Parliament Buildings pictured here. ©SueFrausePhoto

What better way to see the sights and taste the delights of Victoria BC than on a culinary walking tour in December? Off the Eaten Track (love the name!) is offering a Cozy Christmas Self-Guided Food Tour this holiday season.  

Included in the $45 passport are seven foodie stops along the 1.5 km downtown route plus a downloadable audio tour. Walking time is approximately two hours, but there's no time limit. Spend the day in BC's capital city while leisurely doing your tasting tour.

The tour begins at the CPR Steamship Terminal Building on Victoria's Inner Harbour, where you'll pick up your passport, GPS-triggered APP (they'll help you get started) and some savory Nuts & Bolts party mix. From there you'll walk along the Inner Harbour and up Government Street to Rogers' Chocolates for peppermint cream. The company was founded in Victoria in 1885.

The Festival of Trees at The Bay Centre features 70 decorated trees.

Then it's on to Bon Macaron Patisserie for holiday-flavored macarons, followed by a stop at nearby Artisan Wine for a festive glass of wine or soda. Pop inside The Bay Centre to take in the colorful Festival of Trees, followed by the Dutch Bakery & Diner for some traditional spiced shortbread. The last two stops include cheese from L'Apero Wine and Cheese Bistro, followed by the final stop at Chocolat & Co. for truffles.

Off the Eaten Track's Cozy Christmas Self-Guided Food Tour

• Offered thru Dec 31, 2022 (closed Dec 23-26)
• Available Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30AM to 5PM
• App works on both Apple and Android phones

Holiday music returns to Victoria BC with Daniel Lapp's HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Fiddler and trumpet player Daniel Lapp brings back his HOME FOR CHRISTMAS concert to Victoria, now in its 15th year.  Presented by the Victoria Conservatory of Music, the toe-tapping and joy-filled holiday concert returns to Alix Goolden Performance Hall for three performances on December 21 and 22, 2018.

Cara Luft | Photo courtesy Martin Woodhead

Special guest is Canadian musician Cara Luft, a founding member of The Wailin' Jennys who now performs with The Small Glories. Soley Lapp, Daniel's 12-year-old daughter, will also be sharing her vocal talents during the trio of concerts. 

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS performers also include members of The Shiny H'ornaments, The Swingin' Shepherds, Strings of Lights and Daniel's students in the Joy of Life Choir, Folkestra and BC Fiddle Orchestra. The dozens of musicians will fill the stage for the concert finale, I'll be Home for Christmas. 

Photo courtesy Victoria Conservatory of Music

The three holiday concerts are at VCM's Alix Goolden Performance Hall, an elegant 800-seat venue at 907 Pandora Avenue, which performer Emmylou Harris referred to as "a jewel box of a building."

DANIEL LAPP'S HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Victoria, BC  

• Friday, December 21 | 7:30PM
• Saturday, December 22 | 2PM
• Saturday, December 22 | 7:30PM

Tickets range from $12-$20 and may be ordered online at Ticketfly or by phone at 250.386.5311. The shows are suitable for all ages.

Vancouver Christmas Market features German-inspired sights, sounds & flavors for the holidays

The Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Vancouver's Jack Poole Plaza at the Olympic Cauldron for the holidays -- opening Wednesday, November 21 and running through Christmas Eve, December 24. This year's ninth edition of the German-inspired festivities has extended hours from 11:30AM to 9:30PM daily. 

The traditional German-style Christmas Market feature  80 huts stuffed with authentic sweets, treats and treasures. There is also a line-up of family-friendly activities plus live entertainment. 

Among this year's expanded highlights is the heated Alpine Lounge, a place to relax and enjoy hot beverages and food in a cozy environment. Also new is the Winterdeck, located next to the Alpine Lounge. The space features a festive entrance arch, giant lit-up picture frame and views across Burrard Inlet to the North Shore. 

There is even a Lovers' Lane -- an Instagram-worthy tunnel festooned with 10,000 twinkling lights and mistletoe. Tying in with the love theme is a Love Lock Installation near the tunnel to which can be attached Vancouver Christmas Market Love Locks (available for $3 or bring your own). 

For the wee ones, Santa will be floating underneath the Olympic Cauldron in a 12-ft. sleigh. And this year marks the return of Canada's first-ever Walk-In Christmas Tree, adorned with 36,000 twinkling lights. 

Food offerings: Gluhwein (hot-spiced mulled wine), German bratwurst, gulasch, spatzle, schnitzel, strudels, Transylvanian chimney cakes, German beer and wine. Vendors include: 

• Organic Villa Vegan Haus
• Charcuterie Haus
• Bon Macaron Patisserie
• Mr. Hot Cakes 
• JJ's Fresh Roasted Chestnuts 
• Howling Moon Craft Cider 
• Das Waffel Haus
• Wild Goose Winery

Shopping: Do your holiday shopping while perusing the dozens of booths featuring everything from jewelry to polar fleece, German beer steins to holiday ornaments made in Germany. There's even a booth selling Ugly Christmas Sweaters. 

Children's highlights: Christmas Carousel, Kinder Kraft Igloo, Santa Photo Hut and cookie decorating at Gingerbread Haus.

Tickets

(at the gate)

Adults $12

Seniors $11

Youth 7-12 $5

Kids 6 and under Free 

(Discount for online purchases)

Vancouver Christmas Market 

Jack Poole Plaza | Home of the Olympic Cauldron

(Vancouver Convention Centre West)

1055 Canada Place

Vancouver BC V6C 3GE 

Photos by Lindsay Elliott

Vancouver Christmas Market relocates to Jack Poole Plaza at the Olympic Cauldron

2016 Vancouver Christmas Market | Artist's Rendering

The Vancouver Christmas Market is celebrating its seventh year by relocating to a new seaside site at the Jack Poole Plaza at the Olympic Cauldron. Originally staged at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the new space at Coal Harbour will feature more than 70 huts specializing in authentic German gifts and cuisine.

The traditional signature delectables are returning, including Gluhwein, Bratwurst, Gulasch, Spatzle and more. With the expanded vendor space, there will be new additions, such as demonstrations of the Feuerzangenbowle ('Fire Tongs Punch'), a mulled wine and rum concoction that is dramatically prepared by caramelizing a large sugar cone over the concoction. This year's market boasts more than 22 food and drink huts, a dozen that are making their debut in 2016. Click on for a complete list of the 2016 food and gift vendors.

Vancouver Christmas Market Locale

Among this year's additional highlights is Canada's first-ever Christmas Pyramid, a 23-ft. tall structure adorned with angels representing various aspects of European culture. The sculpture rotates via a propeller at its peak and plays music from the various regions of Germany. There's also the enclosed Alpine Haus tent and seating area, which accommodates more than 250 people and offers views of Coal Harbour and the North Shore.

2010 Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza | SueFrausePhoto

2016 Vancouver Christmas Market

• Hours: Open daily beginning November 26, from 11 AM to 9PM, through December 31. Closes at 6PM on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
• Location: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place.
• Admission: Single admission tickets from $4 (children under 6 free)
• Highlights: Christmas Pyramid | Christmas Carousel | Live Entertainment | Alpine Haus Tent | 2016 Vendors
• Out of Town Guests: Vancouver Waterfront & Coal Harbour Accommodations. The Fairmont Pacific Rim also has a number of holiday packages, and is located just steps away from the Vancouver Christmas Market.
• Tourism Vancouver Website: www.tourismvancouver.com

Photo by Stephanie Bachmann

Brightly lit CP Holiday Trains rock the rails in Canada and the U.S. for a good cause

Canadian Pacific Photo

Now in its 17th year, the CP Holiday Train is bringing food, cash donations and awareness to local food banks and food shelves across North America. Two brightly lit Canadian Pacific trains -- one U.S. and the other Canadian -- kicked off their tours in the Montreal area the last weekend of November. They'll be visiting approximately 150 communities along the way through December 19, 2015. 

Canadian Pacific Photo

The Canadian train travels west across Canada, ending in Port Coquitlam, BC. The U.S. Train visits communities in Quebec, New York and Southern Ontario before traveling across the US Northeast and Midwest, returning to Canada for its final "shows" in Saskatchewan and Alberta. 

Bill Watson Photo

Each Holiday Train event features performances by professional musicians performing holiday-themed songs. The shows are complimentary, but patrons are asked to bring cash or a non-perishable food donation. All the money and food donated in a community stays in the community. 

Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy will be on the Canadian train, joined by his son Devin.  Also on the Canadian train is the band Chic Gamin, who will play all the shows in Quebec, offering Francophone performances. Country singer Kelly Prescott is also part of the talent line-up. 

The U.S. Train showcases Canadian country music star Kira Isabella, winner of the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association's Female Artist of the Year. She'll be joined by Wes Mack and Doc Walker. 

For a complete schedule of dates and times, and to see a video of the train, click on the CP Holiday Train website. 

If the train doesn't pass through your community, follow its journey via social media: Twitter @CPHolidayTrain and Instagram @CPHoliday Train. Fans are posting images of the trains and entertainment, and are eligible to enter the Capture the Spirit photo contest to win an exclusive ride on next year's train. Details about the contest may be found on the Holiday Train Facebook page.

Scuba Claus returns to the Vancouver Aquarium for daily dives during the holidays

Scuba Claus. Photo courtesy Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre.

Scuba Claus is back! And the newly expanded Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is welcoming his annual holiday appearance as he does his daily dive in the Georgia Strait. Santa made his diving debut on November 27 and will continue diving through December 24.

The underwater Santa exhibition features colorful marine life found on BC's coastlines, which includes halibut, rockfish, sturgeon, crabs and sea stars. Other holidays highlights include:

• Electric eel-powered holiday tree, with lanterns that light up when an electric eel discharges a pulse
• Jelly swarm exhibit, featuring origami jellies beaming with colorful LED lights
• 4-D theatre film adventure of The Polar Express, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year 
• Peter Clarkson's Marine-Debris Tree art installation, built with debris collected during this year's shoreline cleanup along the West Coast Trail
• Frozen Moments: Images of the Arctic photo exhibit, showcasing the Arctic as captured by five photographers: David McEown, Daisy Gilardini, Mark Robinson, Rob Stimpson, Nansen Weber
• Outdoor maze of decorated living trees
• Stories and crafts with Scuba Claus' elves

Holiday highlights at the Vancouver Aquarium run through January 4, 2015.

WestJet's Holiday Video, The WestJet Christmas Miracle, Goes Viral

If you haven't seen WestJet's holiday video, The WestJet Christmas Miracle, you need to tune in. It's all about how WestJet and Santa teamed up to delight unsuspecting travelers with a real-time holiday surprise.

So how'd they do it? West Jet's Digital Command Centre and a team of 150+ merry WestJetters were transformed into Santa's helpers, delivering personalized gifts to travelers arriving at Calgary International Airport. 

But it all started at Toronto and Hamilton International Airports in Ontario, where 19 hidden cameras captured travelers revealing their Christmas wishes with a virtual Santa Claus as they awaited to board their flights to Calgary. Upon arrival in Alberta, the travelers were totally surprised when a festively decorated baggage carousel sprang to life, bearing the gifts that had asked for just hours before. 

Once the video reached 200,000 views (which was fairly immediate!), WestJetCares for Kids donated flights through Ronald McDonald House Charities, one of WestJet's six partner charities. By December 11, the video views topped 7 million. 

I've only flown WestJet once, from Prince George to Vancouver, and I recall the crew and flight attendants being both helpful and friendly (plus one of them told some particularly funny jokes). The Canadian airline was founded in 1996 by a group of Calgary entrepreneurs, headed up by Clive Beddoe. Back then, it was a small western Canada regional carrier with just three aircraft flying to five cities. Today, it's Canada's leading high-value, low-fare airline with service to 76 destinations in Canada, the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. Its fleet includes 98 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft.

Holiday Classics 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and 'A Christmas Carol' have Canadian connections

Two of my favorite holiday shows, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and A Christmas Story (1983), have Canadian connections. I recently watched a report on CBC's The National, and learned that Halifax drummer Jerry Granelli is the lone surviving musician of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The popular trio provided the soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas (Guaraldi died in 1976).

Granelli, a San Francisco-born drummer who moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in the early '90s, hadn't played the music since its debut nearly 50 years ago. But this past weekend, the 72-year-old musician took to the stage once again to play the familiar tunes, this time in Halifax. Read the complete story (with video) about the reunion of the drummer and the Peanuts gang on the cbc.ca website.

Also aging nicely is A Christmas Story, which turns 30 this year. Although Cleveland, Ohio gets all the glory for being the setting of the film, the classic holiday movie has Canadian roots. Here's an excerpt from the Canadian magazine Maclean's:

"Very little of the film -- two shooting weeks of nine, in fact -- were filmed in the city. In what may come as a blasphemous shock to American fans, the rest of the movie was filmed on a sound stage in Toronto and on location in St. Catharines, Ont." 

Read the full story here: A Christmas Story has surprising Canadian roots. No matter where it was filmed, it's a family favorite, and we'll be watching it this weekend. 

If your travels take you to The Buckeye State, A Christmas Story House is open year-round in Cleveland for public tours. Now "restored to its movie splendor," Ralphie's house is located just across the street from A Christmas Story Museum -- which contains props, costumes and memorabilia from the movie (including Randy's snowsuit). And yes, you can even buy one of those famous leg lamps or deluxe bunny suit pajamas from Aunt Clara in the museum's gift shop. (Photo courtesy A Christmas Story House)

Win a Two-Night Christmas Getaway in Victoria Aboard Black Ball Ferry Lines' M/V Coho

The MV Coho arrives in Victoria, BC. Photo by Sue Frause

Share you favorite Christmas tradition, and you could win a trip to Victoria, BC on the Black Ball Ferry Line. The Victoria Christmas Traditions Contest has a wonderful Grand Prize that includes:

• Round-trip for vehicle/driver + 1 adult + 2 children aboard the MV Coho between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC
• Two-night stay in a one-bedroom suite at the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites
• Family pass to The Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas display (ice skating included)
• Family pass to Craigdarroch Castle, decorated in traditional Christmas style (includes gift basket with castle mugs, tea and DVD)
• Family pass to the Royal BC Museum to view the festive exhibits

Go to the entry form on Black Ball's website and share your favorite Christmas tradition (you don't need a Facebook or Twitter account to enter). The contest runs through December 4, 2013.

Vancouver Aquarium's Scuba Claus goes diving in December to swim amidst the sealife

Santa goes diving among the sea stars. Photo courtesy Vancouver Aquarium.

If you've never seen Santa Claus underwater, he's making regular appearances at the Vancouver Aquarium this December. Each weekend through Christmas, Scuba Claus joins the halibut, rockfish, sturgeon and sea stars of the Georgia Strait at 12:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Between December 21-24, he'll be diving daily at 12:30 PM.

The aquarium's special winter feature is Luminescence: A Celebration of Aquatic Light, which runs through January 22, 2013. Through special exhibits and shows, you'll find out more about the world of fluorescent and bioluminescent light in the ocean. Jelly Swarm is a special light installation designed by Tangible Intervention with origami artist Joseph Wu. It features nearly a hundred jellies all aglow with LED lights. Visitors may control the lighting using a touch screen, creating patterns of light through the swarm of jellies on high. Glowing in the Deep includes Eel-lectric Lights where visitors can experience "eel energy" in action.

The Vancouver Aquarium is all about kids, and the 20-minute holiday film The Polar Express 4-D Experience includes the rumble of the train, falling snow and even the scent of hot chocolate as travelers make their way to the North Pole. The Craft Corner is a spot to make clothespin anglerfish or an anglerfish hat. Family Programs in the Underwater Arctic Gallery will explain how people and aquatic creatures live in darkness.

Winter Wonderland: 75 skiing Santas at Whistler Blackcomb (PHOTOS)

What a sight it must have been! On Saturday, Dec. 17, a sea of red suits and bushy white beards flowed down the mountains at Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia. 


It was the annual Dress Like Santa-Ski For Free Day. At the crack of dawn, 75 skiers and riders showed up at the base of Whistler Blackcomb decked out in full Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus regalia ... much to the delight of fellow skiers, riders and onlookers. 

Photos by Emmanual Mendes Dos Santos, Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Quebec City Christmas Magic: Guided Walking Tours of Old Quebec

One of the most magical places in North America during the Christmas holidays is Quebec City. C'est bon! And a most fun and entertaining way to see it is with Cicerone's Christmas Walk Tour. The two-hour tour is led by a historical figure garbed in authentic attire from New France. You'll walk through Old Quebec and the Quartier Petit-Champlin district with all its colorful holiday decor -- plus learn more about the 400-year history of the city and how local Christmas traditions evolved in Quebec City.

The tour is given in both French and English every Saturday and Sunday during the month of December -- plus daily from Dec. 24, 2011 through Jan. 2, 2012. Meet at Hotel du Vieux Quebec (1190, rue St. Jean) at 11 AM for the French tour and 1:30 PM for the English tour. Rates are $21.95 CAD for ages 13 and up, children are free.

Pictured Above: Quartier Petit-Champlin district of Quebec City and Le Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Old Quebec. Photos by Sue Frause. 

Christmas Is Here: Victoria, BC launches a special holiday website

Tourism Victoria has come up with a link on its website just for the holidays. Simply called Christmas Is Here, it's the place to go for all things Christmas. The seasonally-themed site provides an online list of Christmas events in and around Victoria -- and they even provide a fun Top 5 Things To Do list.

If you're looking to spend a night or two, book your room online, with nightly rates starting at $50 CAD. Victoria is beautiful during the holidays, with all the lights, music and seasonal events filling the streets and the capital city's various venues.

New this year is the outdoor ice rink at Centennial Square. It was unveiled during the city's annual Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 26, and will be open through Jan. 2, 2012. Hours are Monday-Wednesday, 12-5; Thursday-Saturday, 12-8; Saturday, 11-5, Sunday, 11-5; and 1-3 on holidays. Admissions is $2 -- limited skate rentals are available.

A place I've enjoyed during spring and summer is on my list to visit during the holidays. The Butchart Gardens and its Magic of Christmas opens on Dec. 1, 2011. That day marks the beginning of the 25th season of these festive Christmas displays. To mark the silver anniversary, garden goers born in 1987 will receive complimentary admission from Dec. 1-15, 2011 (bring your ID). Regardless of your age, the gardens will be aglow with tens of thousands of colored lights, including the Twelve Days of Christmas display tucked throughout the gardens. Holiday performances featuring traditional carols and music will be performed in the Piazza daily from 5-9 PM. The Butchart Gardens Light Up Ceremony is Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5 PM and includes free rides on the Rose Carousel. There's also ice skating (and really good food!).

BC Parliament Buildings and Queen Victoria in Victoria, BC
Photo by Sue Frause

Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe Christmas Concert Tour 2011

It's probably un-Canadian to say that I'm not familiar with Stuart McLean, but that's the category I fall into. A friend dropped off his CD, Stuart McLean at the Vinyl Cafe (The Christmas Concert) so I could take a listen. He thought I'd like him. Well, it's not really my cup of tea, but then I'm not a big fan of Garrison Keillor and Prairie Home Companion, either.

If you've never heard of Stuart McLean, he's a journalist, humorist, best-selling author and host of the CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe. The show has a million+ followers, so he's definitely got his fans. Read his complete bio on CBC's Vinyl Cafe website. And during the holidays, he's touring with the Christmas Concert Tour 2011 across Canada (plus Seattle), starting out in Victoria, BC. Appearing with him is special musical guest Hawksley Workman.

Victoria, British Columbia
Nov. 28, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Royal Theatre 

Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nov. 29, 7 PM
Port Theatre 

Calgary, Alberta
Dec. 1 & Dec. 2, 7:30 PM
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 

Banff, Alberta
Dec. 3, 7:30 PM
The Banff Centre 

Edmonton, Alberta
Dec. 4, 2:30 & 7:30 PM
Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 

Regina, Saskatchewan
Dec. 6, 7 PM
Conexus Arts Centre 

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Dec. 7, 7 PM
TCU Place 

Toronto, Ontario
Dec. 9 & 10 at 7:30 PM, Dec. 11 at 2:30 PM
Sony Centre For The Performing Arts 

Seattle, Washington
Dec. 13, 7:30 PM
Paramount Theatre 

Vancouver, British Columbia
Dec. 14 & !5, 7:30 PM
Orpheum Theatre 

Ottawa, Ontario
Dec. 17 at 2PM and Dec. 18 at 2 PM & 7 PM
National Arts Centre 

Montreal, Quebec
Dec. 19, 7 PM
Place Des Arts - Maisonneuve 

Kitchener, Ontario
Dec. 22 and 23, 7 PM
Centennial Hall 

Michael Buble's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" top holiday tune

I love Christmas music.

One of my favorite versions of I'll Be Home For Christmas is by Canadian Michael Buble.

The song was written by American songwriters Buck Ram, Kim Gannon and Walter Kent. Bing Crosby made it a hit in 1943, when it shot to the top of the charts. It went on to be recorded by hundreds of performers including Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Canadian Anne Murray did a cover of it on her 2001 album, What a Wonderful Christmas.

I'll Be Home for Christmas is from Buble's Let It Snow album.

The popular Christmas song was #14 of the 25 Most Popular Holidays Song of 2008 as determined by radio airplay and compiled by the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP).

Miss Canada International at Banff's Santa Claus Parade of Lights

Miss Canada International 2008, Alesia Fieldberg of Calgary, will be judging floats at Banff's Santa Claus Parade of Lights on Nov. 24, 2007.

The annual parade, with twentysome lit floats, meanders down Banff Avenue beginning at 7 PM.

The colorful show caps off the afternoon's Christmas in the Rockies celebration and is part of Banff's WinterStart Festival that runs through Dec. 2. The festival also includes the CP Rail Jam and the Lake Louise World Cup.

Alesia Fieldberg is the first Miss Canada International from Alberta. According to her bio, she hails from Bindloss, "a small, rural community in the boonies of Southeastern Alberta."

Fieldberg grew up on a ranch in the South Saskatchewan River Valley with her parents Owen and Bonnie and younger sisters Salena and Kayla.

Vancouver sparkles during the holidays and throughout winter

Vancouver lights up for the holidays. Tourism Vancouver photo.

As much as I'd love to be in New York City for Christmas again some year, it's not going to happen. Even though my son lives there, traditionally we spend the holidays at home on Whidbey Island. Well, it's not such bad place to hang out, either.

In mid-December I'll be heading up to Vancouver, BC via Amtrak and taking in the sights, sounds and scents of the holidays. Here are some ideas for your next visit.

HOTEL HOLIDAY PACKAGES

The Wedgewood Hotel has completed its room renovations and are offering a Shopping Rate Package that includes accommodation and complimentary valet parking from $168 CAN (approximately $147 USD). Their newest package is the Girls Getaway Package that includes two nights accommodation, welcome gifts, continental buffet breakfast, luxurious spa treatments in the hotel's spa, and either lunch or Royal Afternoon Tea in Bacchus Restaurant.From $439 CAN ($418 US) per person. The hotel is just around the corner from Robson and across the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery. It's also just a block away from the perfect single-tall-skinny latte in Vancouver (they have five locations): Caffe Artigiano. Nearby on Burrard Street is the Famous Players Paramount Vancouver showing first-run films on eight screens.

The Listel Hotel on Robson is offering the Roots of Robson shoppping package. The package includes overnight in a Gallery or Museum Floor room featuring international and First Nations art; a $100 CAD gift certificate at ROOTS (the official outfitter of the US Olympic Team); and valet parking in their gated parkade. Rates begin at $219 CAN (approximately $191 US). Mellow out in the evening at O'Douls, which serves up jazz seven nights a week along with fine food and an extensive wine list.

The hip and happenin' Opus Hotel in Yaletown is offering a stay between now and Dec. 28 for $189 CAD per night (approximately $165 US). The rate includes a guestroom upgrade and complimentary valet parking. Have breaky at the hotel's Elixir, lunch at nearby Thai Urban Bistro, dinner at Blue Water Cafe or Glowbal and jazz at Capones. After a morning of shopping, go to Spruce Body Lab and indulge in one of its packages like the rock et science (Spruce Express Facial and a 60-minute Integrative Swedish Massage LaStone therapy treatment).

The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is focusing on family fun and shopping. The Family Getaway package starts at $285 CDN (approximately $248 US) for two rooms, and includes kids' tee-shirts to take home, child-sized bathrobes to use at the hotel (great for after spending time in the hotel's indoor/outdoor pool) and enjoying the nearby "fun stuff" for kids of all ages (see holiday activities below).

The hotel's new Shopping for All Seasons package includes accommodation plus a $100 Holt Renfrew gift card. The upscale Canadian department store is known for its quality fashions, accessories and cosmetics. And there's even a private entrance to the store from the hotel lobby so you can shop like a celebrity (the last time I stayed there I spotted actor Tom Sizemore in the hotel's sleek off-lobby Terrace Bar -- he was sporting a strange Elvis 'do). Rates begin at $205 CDN (approximately $179 US).

NEW YEAR'S EVE PACKAGES

The Pacific Palisades Hotel on Robson is offering a Total Indulgence package including one night's stay, two tickets for the Total Indulgence dinner and party in Zin Restaurant, two chocolate whipped cream body massages (!) and a late check-out (giving you time to get all that whipped cream off...). Packages start at $670 CAD (approximately $590 US).

The Metropolitan Hotel has an Ultimate New Year's Eve package that includes one night's stay plus a Culinary Countdown dinner for two in Diva at the Met. Packages start at $399 CAD (approximately $352 USD).

The Wedgewood Hotel kicks off the New Year with an elegant guestroom or suite, Moet Champagne upon arrival and a four-course New Year's Eve dinner for two in Bacchus Restaurant with live entertainment. Packages start at $635 CAD (approximately $559 USD).