On the go with Vivian » Other

Glam Camping : Top 10 Luxury Camping Tips

vivian is virtual — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:41:52 +0000

I’m a city gal at heart. But even I can’t resist the call of the wild… only I like to visit in style. Read on for my luxury camping essentials!:

1.	Silk liner	Battle chilly nights with a silk liner. You’ll be cocooned in warmth AND keep dirt out of hard-to-clean down sleeping bags.
2.	Inflating mattress	Forget foam pads. These days, you’ll find lofty, self-inflating choices to rival your mattress at home.
3.	Headlamp	Don’t fumble in the dark. A lightweight, hands-free headlamp can light up your entire campsite. Or just your book!
4.	Coffee maker	Caffeine addicts rejoice. Brew gear includes hand-cranked bean grinders and moka pot espresso makers.
5.	Portable grill	BBQ over charcoal, gas, wood and even solar-powered models and make your camp meal repertoire explode.
6.	Gourmet gear	Shockproof wine glasses. Hand-powered blenders. Pizza ovens. Rethink backcountry cooking!
7.	Camp shower	If you’re picturing a bucket dangling overhead, think again. Solar-heated showers make for pleasant mornings, and double for dishwashing.
8.	Screen Tent	Mother Nature is great – bugs, rain, wind and searing sun less so. Pitch a big screenhouse for an airy retreat with a view.
9.	Handheld GPS	Want to hike off the beaten path? Never get lost with one of these. Just don’t forget batteries!
10.	Backup plan	Playing cards, board games and rough weather gear can make an afternoon fly by – but not an entire trip. If the forecast’s grim, try checking out the local scene in town!

So will you inject a little “glamping” into your next trip? Or is “roughing it in the bush” still the true Canadian way? Share below!

Love horses? Enjoy Québec’s International Bromont 2010!

vivian is virtual — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:35:48 +0000

What	International Bromont 2010
Where	The 1976 Olympic Horse Park, in Bromont, QC
When	July 21-25 & July 28-August 1, 2010
Why	One of the biggest equestrian events in Canada, with over 600 riders & their horses. Don’t miss the Double Slalom (sponsored by VIA) on Saturday July 31^st, where top riders race a course in parallel!
How	Get to Montréal by train, then take a leisurely 1hr drive to the pastoral Eastern Townships.

Ready to jump right in? Visit International Bromont 2010.

[Photos courtesy of Flickr (L-R): hippo-po, Daveography, flying tiger]

Toronto’s Caribana Festival

vivian is virtual — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:07:48 +0000

What	Toronto’s Caribana Festival
Where	Toronto, Ontario hosts North America’s biggest street party
When	Countdown from July 15, 2010 to the big draw – the July 31^st Caribana Parade
Why	Over one million partiers let loose along the Lakeshore, to pulsating soca, calypso, reggae, steel band & salsa rhythms, wild costumes & scantily-clad samba dancers
How	Throughout the season? See Kings & Queens duke it out for the throne, sample the food fest’s Caribbean flavours, swank it up for the Gala & take the family to a real “lime.” Look for deals getting there by train!

For the complete lowdown, visit Caribana Festival 2010.

This summer, kids travel for only $10 w/ VIA Rail!

vivian is virtual — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:47:38 +0000

Pack your bags, & take off anywhere in Canada VIA travels… with the whole family!

Pay only $10 for every child
joining you on the train*
Until September 10, 2010
(up to 5 kids per adult)
How to Book

Dread travelling with kids? I don’t blame you, if you’ve been flying or driving! Just take a look at some of the advantages taking the train has in store for young travellers:

1	COMFORT	Spacious seats, leg room, & group seating (where 4 people face each other) keeps families happy
2	IN & OUT	Priority boarding and fast security means no fidgety faces in long lineups
3	PACK HEAVY	Generous baggage allowances (carry-on & checked) makes room for strollers, diaper bags & toys
4	FREEBIES	VIA staff are loaded down with goodies for kids, including activity books & crafts
5	FUN	In Sleeper Touring? Expect special activities & video showings
6	ROOM TO ROAM	Kids getting antsy? Walk the aisles, or stretch legs in the lounge car
7	NAPTIME	Plush, cozy chairs that recline (or Sleeper cabins!) make sleep a breeze
8	FEED ME	Kid-friendly meal choices, snack bars & dining cars please picky palates
9	DAYDREAM	See scenery fly by, or marvel at panoramic dome car views on long trips
10	FRIENDS	Some of my best memories taking the train as a kid? The friends I’d meet onboard!

Want more? Try my: Fun activities for kids on the train

*Some conditions apply. Please consult full promotion details.

Contest: Win 4 VIP passes to Osheaga!

vivian is virtual — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:17:09 +0000

Land a dream weekend at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival, with 3 of your closest friends. You’ll score:

4 VIP festival passes, to see Arcade Fire, Weezer, Sonic Youth & more
4 round trip train tickets in the Québec City-Windsor corridor in Economy class
3 nights’ hotel accommodations
4 pairs of Oakley sunglasses, special edition
4 pairs of Sennheiser headphones
Lifetime Collective clothing
4 Bruxe travel bags
Promotional gift items

It’s a Grand Prize worth $7,500. Plus there’s 2 more festival pass prizes up for grabs!

Hurry – contest ends July 18, 2010*. Enter now!

Save an additional 10% on VIA Rail’s best fare!

vivian is virtual — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:32:54 +0000

Save an additional 10% on
the best available fare with VIA Rail!*

Travel to any VIA destination in Canada, one-way or round trip in Economy class, with the comfort, flexibility & perks only a train offers.

There’s 2 ways to get your e-coupon:

Follow VIA Rail on Twitter.
You’ll find our 10% discount offer posted at the top of the page – simply click on the e-coupon link!
Become a Vivian is Virtual Facebook Fan.
You’ll find our 10% discount offer posted at the top of the page – simply click on the e-coupon link!

Not a Twitter or Facebook member? Sign up today – it’s free, & you’ll get all the latest VIA Rail deals & news, + exclusive offers.

Hurry. Offer ends July 19, 2010. For travel until October 6, 2010.

*Some conditions apply.

Ecotourism in Canada: Travel responsibly

vivian is virtual — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:16:13 +0000

Want to give an ecotourism slant to your next vacation? Canada’s a perfect fit! Our wealth of parks, wilderness, natural regions and ecosystems lend themselves easily to the ecotourist’s mission to:

Travel to natural areas
Minimize impact & promote environmentalism
Support local culture & business
Give to conservation efforts

Before you go, try my green trip tips:

1.	Plan	Avoid tourist traps! In city or rural areas, spend some pre-trip time browsing online community sites and forums for local gems, including restaurants, hangouts, pastimes, specialty shops and artisans.
2.	Mingle	Skip hotels. For a friendlier stay, think B&B’s & inns, green cottage rentals, house swap deals, wilderness lodges, and camping.
3.	Slow down	Canada in 8 days? Hardly! Thoughtful travellers should focus on one or two regions, and get around on foot or by bike.
4.	Give back	Consider devoting part or all of your trip to volunteering. Try sites like Ecovolunteer, Pitch-In Canada & the Canadian Environmental Network for opportunities.
5.	Travel sustainably	If you’re flying or driving to your destination, offset your carbon emissions through programs like Zerofootprint. Or consider greener modes of transport, like trains & buses!

Are you going green on your next vacation? Share your tips below!

Top 5: What to see and do in Saskatoon

vivian is virtual — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:07:46 +0000

Misaskwatomin. Cree for the best fruit I’ve ever tasted. So good they even named a whole Canadian city after them… Saskatoon berries!

With a wild flavour of blueberries, honey and almonds, these Saskatoon trademarks make any summer visit a treat. But there’s more to do than munch! Try:

1. Wanuskewin Heritage Park

For over 6,000 years, Northern Plains peoples gathered here for the year’s most vital event – the bison hunt. On my visit, I sampled native foods; set-up a tipi; sat spellbound by First Nations dancers & storytellers; & hiked sacred grounds. Unforgettable.

2. Broadway

The city’s trendiest boutiques, galleries, restaurants & bars are found on Broadway Ave. I lunched at local-fave Nutana Cafe (trust chef Norm’s specials). Then swooned over cheesecake at Calories, with its focus on fresh Saskatchewan ingredients.

3. Riversdale

A neighbourhood on the upswing. I spent a fun Saturday brunching at the popular farmer’s market, chased by a matinee at historic Roxy Theatre.

4. Meewasin Valley

More than 1 million visitors walk Meewasin Trails annually. I strolled some of its 60 km length, crossing gorgeous river valley conservation zones, university lands, parks, museums & nature centres. It’s Saskatoon’s answer to NYC’s Central Park.

5. River Cruise

Split in half diagonally by the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon is unique in that its riverbanks remain undeveloped & unspoiled. All the more reason to see this “Paris of the Prairies” from a boat cruise like the Saskatoon Princess or the Meewasin Queen.

What are your Saskatoon must-visits? Share below!

The “Summer Vacation in Canada” contest winner is…

vivian is virtual — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:58:03 +0000

Our “Summer Vacation in Canada” contest showed Canadians have a spirit of adventure!

You’re dreaming about so many amazing ways to travel, involving:

Float planes	Ferries	Houseboats	Sea kayaks
Motorcycles	Horseback	Backpacking	RV’ing
& the Train (of course!)

And the winner is… Suzette MacNevin of Enfield, Nova Scotia!

Suzette wins $200 in VIA Rail train travel.

Thanks to all who entered, and wishing you a wonderful summer.

MUTEK 2010 – I was there!

vivian is virtual — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:57:39 +0000

Tickets to the 11th edition of MUTEK this June 2 to 6? Irresistible! Camera in hand, I plunged into an electronic music marathon that had me whirling around downtown Montreal. Check out my photo album!

Visions 4

My first stop was Visions 4 at the SAT, a venue akin to a beating heart… intimate one moment, then racing the next! I was lulled into the universe of Vladislav Delay, only to wince at the strident assault of CM von Hausswolff all part of the festival’s charms!

The hynoptic and innovative sounds of Tim Hecker quickly soothed, leaving the stage for Ben Frost – harder to relate too, but fascinating nonetheless!

Free Outdoor Event

Then it was off to the Place des festivals for the free, outdoor concert! UGlowing messages lit up of the scene, while the crowd fell under the electronic-rock spell of Golden.Talk about amazing energy from this Montreal foursome! Next, a Latin American port ‘o call under German colours, with renowned Señor Coconut.

The maestro dished up classics such as Sweet Dreams, Da Da Da, & Riders on the Storm with latin rhythms and electro twists – a little too lightweight for my taste. But definitely crowdpleasing!

Piknic 2

Next day, it was off to Piknic 2 at Metropolis for an afternoon with DJs drawn from the finest Canadian & international electronic scenes. In the Savoy’s intimate setting, I discovered and loved Nicolas Jaar, ‘s wide-ranging musical influences (marrying Asian musical traditions w/ an electro pulse) plus the seductive minimalism of Kressel. And I wasn’t the only one – the house was packed & loved them back!

Then Dave Aju of the U.S. got all of Metropolis moving thanks to a super upbeat and energetic set. Great vibes!

In all, a week-end of sight and sound overload, plenty of new artist discoveries… and major sleep deprivation!!

For even more info, artist backgrounders and MUTEK festival reviews, head to the Web site.