48 HOURS IN VANCOUVER

The host city for this year’s Winter Olympics, Vancouver is an international town, offering vibrant backdrop for this year’s 2010 Olympics. So pack warm and hit these hot spots to enjoy the Vancouver games (or anytime).

Stay: The Hotel Opus, this lifestyle hotel offers unique styles from modern, minimalist, artistic and eclectic while retaining luxurious comfort. As well as, boasts a coveted Yaletown district address within walking distance of posh retail and restaurants.

Day One: Tick Tock in Gastown

Do: Start your visit at Vancouver’s birthplace, Gastown, by taking a historic walking tour and learning about it’s namesake “Gassy Jack,” a legendary sailor and saloon owner. Today on the cobbled streets you’ll find art galleries, high fashion boutiques, flavorful restaurants and bars. Don’t miss the famous steam clock, which gushes steam every 15 minutes on the corner of Cambie and Water Streets. Self-Guided Walking Tours available at City of Vancouver.




Eat: History geeks and foodies alike can enjoy a savory meal in Gastown at the Salt Tasting Room. Experience an ever-changing menu of artisan cheeses, local cured meats, and perfectly paired wines, beers and sherries. Be sure to try the Cashel Blue Cheese from Ireland with Similkameen Valley Honey.












Day Two: Whistler in Winter

Do: Ride the Whistler Mountaineer train to Whistler Village for a Vancouver day trip and see the host mountain resort of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The three-hour train trip takes riders through the stunning scenery of snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls and the brilliant pacific coast. While on Whistler Mountain head to the Whistler Sliding Centre were you can catch the Olympic bobsleigh, luge and skeleton competitions February 12th thru 28th or starting Summer 2010 Passenger Bobsleigh Rides and Learn to Luge classes will be available.

Eat: Taste the aboriginal inspired dishes of the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nation at the Fifty-Two 80 Bistro inside the Four Seasons Resort Whistler. Chef Scott Thomas Dolbee, creates his menu from the local ingredients and includes: Bannock, Caribou Sausage, Soapallalie Berry Juice, and Oolichan.

Scoring Tickets
Getting last minute tickets can be tricky but we’ve got the inside scoop on how to score.

Before: Tickets are being sold in phases at cosport.com. Check the web site to find next available date as well as accommodations and hospitality packages.
Tip: I found several on Ebay and Craigslist that are available to buy now.

During: If visiting during the Winter Olympics, February 12 thru 28, stop by the event location where remaining tickets will be sold.

Getting There
Anxious to get into the city? The easiest way to get from the airport to downtown Vancouver is the new Canada Line Skytrain. A quick 25 minute ride for usually $3.75 a person.

Getting Around
Avoid Olympic traffic and parking and opt for Vancouver’s convenient public transportation. Plus, your Olympic ticket includes a fulfillment fee, which allows you free local transportation in Metro Vancouver and Whistler on the date of event. (does not include transportation to Whistler) Plan your trip at tripplanning.translink.bc.ca

How about a new scene for this Halloween weekend? Check out these five spooky destinations this October 31st.

1. Ben Harper + Halloweenabaloo + Charity = Rockin’ Halloween!
Los Angeles, CA
Jam out this Halloween with Ben Harper at the Silverlake Conservatory Of Music’s Annual Halloweenabaloo Concert at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. This event is a fundraiser to support the Silverlake Conservatory and to help them provide private music lessons at a reasonable cost and grants scholarships to children in need, providing free lessons and instruments. Tickets on sale at 323-665-3363.

2. Wicked Witches of Salem
Salem, Massachusetts
Head to this historic town for the world’s largest outdoor Halloween party. The city is holding several events from a Festival of the Dead to Salem Trolley’s Haunted Pub Crawl. I would definitely check out Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop, a mock trail of woman accused of witchcraft in 1692. Held at the Old Town Hall ($9 adults, $8 seniors/students) various times through out the day.

3. Halloween on Parade.
New York, NY
Americans biggest public Halloween celebration for the last 36 years has been New York City’s Village Halloween Parade. Your welcome to join in the parade if you dress up, but if you prefer to watch the 50,000 big, crazy and creative costumers, line up on 6th Avenue between Spring and 21st St. Click here to see the 2008 Photo Galleries.

4. Behind Bars
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ranked the “Number one haunted house in America” by AOL City Guide is the Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. You arrive on a prison bus, where your are then processed, fingerprinted, and have your mug shot taken. From there you journey thru the horrifying chambers of the prison, where you learn crime doesn’t pay!($20 Weekdays, $25 Friday & Sunday, $30 Saturday)

5. Checking In Please
Ogden, UT
Check into a haunted hotel at Ogden’s rumored-to-be-haunted Ben Lomond Hotel. Many spooky stories have been told about this once old boardinghouse, read them here. Make sure to request your haunted room when reserving as recommend by yourheartout.com

What’s going on in your city for Halloween?

Unfortunately and coincidentally Las Vegas does not have convenient public transportation to the strip. Here’s how to get there on the fly!

1 to 2 People
If you are heading to Las Vegas by air, with only one or two people in you party, the best thing to do is to ride the shuttle service to the strip. As you exit the terminal you will find Grayline Shuttles. Here you can pay for one way or round trip tickets, We suggest the cheapest, a round trip for $14 USD per person.

There will be several other people waiting for the shuttle, and the driver drops people off in order of hotel. Be sure to have cash to tip your shuttle driver, I can’t tell you how many times we have forgot cash on a trip and gotten in trouble because.

3 or More People
Opting for a taxi to your hotel will be faster and cheaper. To lower the cost consider sharing a ride with other tourists. Not going to the same hotel? have the driver dropped you both off somewhere in between your hotels. A taxi to the strip from the airport (LAS), is around $28 USD.

This may seem extravagant but we like to fly, with no carry-on or luggage, in early morning and leave the same night. Both of us can only appreciate Vegas for a couple hours. We catch a shuttle and get dropped off at the Wynn and schedule to be picked up at the New York New York later that same night. This way we can stop by the mall, catch brunch (cause it’s cheaper then lunch, $17.95 USD) at Caesar’s Place, hit a couple slots, walk the strip, and have had our fill. That’s just how we roll Las Vegas!

Sunday Morning

DO: Visit Taquepaque
For traditional ceramics, glassware, and metalwork visit the neighborhood of Taquepaque. Along with handmade wares, you can also find unique mexican artist galleries. Don’t miss the Ceramics Museum where on display are customary pottery from different regions and styles of Mexico. Many restaurants, crafts and performing artist and musicians line the street.

EAT: Paco’s
All your favorite Mexican dish are available here. But the real treat is while you eat, under a gorgeous patio, you can be serenaded traditional Mexican music by mariachi bands. For Guadalajarian fare try Birria, a meat stew originally from Jalisco made with either goat or lamb and served with tortillas, onions, cilantro, and lime.

Saturday

DO: Visit Lake Chapala (30 minutes outside of Guadalajara)
Take a short drive to Lake Chapala and the suburb of Ajijic where the majority of ex-pats live on Mexico’s largest freshwater lake. Take a tour by visiting the Chapala dock where you can find two hour long boat tours. Also available are tours to Isla de los Alacranes (Scorpion Island) don’t let the name scare you, there a several small restaurants where you can sit by the water and have a drink, made with tequila of course.

EAT: Ole Ola Tappas y Mas
While your in Ajijic stop at Ole Ola Tappas y Mas for Spanish Tapas located at Donato Guerra and the 16 de Septiembre. The chef a retire delta pilot who has taken culinary classes from around the world. oleolatapasymas.com

Friday Afternoon

DO: Visit Tequila City
Take a short drive to the city of Tequila where the volcanic rich soil is perfect for growing the agave plant that tequila is made from. Take a tour of the local tequila factories for about $18 USD and learn how tequila is made and get to try a sample of Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas. Tours available from the town Plaza Principal.

DRINK: Local Tequila Favorite Drink
Tequila and Squirt, mix to taste.

STAY: Tierra Magica
We picked this cute hotel online because of their great location, beautiful rooms, traditional style, and free parking. As you walk into the hotel you are greeted by the friendly family that operates the hotel and tequila chocolates and water await you in your room. The hotel was very clean and full of traditional Mexican design including painted tiles, wood-carved furniture and white cotton linens. Call for reservations held until 7pm. Accepts cash only. tierramagica.com

EAT: Market Pastor Tacos
Don’t miss the small food market to the right of the town’s main church at the Plaza Principal, be sure to grab some Pastor Tacos with onion, lime, and hot red or verde chile. Our favorite is always Salsa Verde.

Coming soon… A Weekend in Guadalajara, Mexico: Saturday

Skip the sweltering Mexican beaches for the mild temperates, local tequila, and breezy Lake Chapala of Guadalajara. This high-elevated city in Jalisco, Mexico offers a relaxing getaway with cultural flair. Wether for just a weekend or longer be sure to not to miss these customary experiences when visiting the city and it’s outlying areas. Look for Day 1 & Day 2 coming soon!