Après, Après! Post-Ski indulgences at BC's snowy resorts

It's easy to stoke the fire (a.k.a. work up an appetite) while carving tracks on British Columbia terrain. And when skiers and boarders wrap a day's play, they reward themselves with everything from family festivities to toast-worthy treats. Here are some of the best ways to soak up BC's après atmosphere. Destination BC is on Twitter and Instagram. Follow us at @HelloBC. Family Fun Activity suited for all ages is a tall order, and British Columbia delivers. In Whistler, après activity is an outdoor affair. Set in the Whistler Olympic Plaza, select evenings in the winter months feature Family Après, with everything from live entertainment and snowman-building competitions, to storytelling and tobogganing. Tip: check with a Village Host, as offerings change week to week. At Sun Peaks Resort, Moonlight Snowshoe & S'mores tours explore the winter landscape overlooking the village, a sight illuminated by shimmering lights. The one-kilometre (0.6-mile) trek through the forest ends next to a campfire with freshly made, ooey-gooey treats and hot apple cider. Big White Ski Resort's Happy Valley Adventure Park is home to a 60-metre (197-foot) Ice Climbing Tower, geared for everyone from beginners to advanced ice pickers. To take it up a notch, book a twilight snowmobiling tour, and finish the evening with hot chocolate and marshmallows toasted over a bonfire. A hop, skip, and a schuss further north, SilverStar Mountain Resort offers the ultimate all-in-one experience with My1Pass. A flash of the pass guarantees all-inclusive lift tickets, plus sliding fun at the tube park, spins on the outdoor mountain pond, and snowshoe and cross-country treks through forests of fir. If you still have steam, look beyond pass inclusions, and opt for mini snowmobile rides, sleigh rides, dinner tours, and friendly competition at the only ski-in/ski-out bowling alley on the planet. At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, near Golden, families hit the newly redesigned Tube Zone. Head to the top, via the Jelly Bean surface lift, and hold on for a shriek-worthy downhill glide. Further south in Fernie, cool kids cruise on the snow in an entirely different way, thanks to mammoth-wheeled fat bikes. What's in store? A low-gear ride easily mastered by first-timers and seasoned cyclists alike.

Dominican Republic attracting increase in tourism investments, cruise passengers and new developments

Multi-million-dollar investments, new developments, and new cruise port lead to great tourism expectations for 2017.

(News Release)

TORONTO – The Dominican Republic, having broken arrivals records in many categories in 2016, is setting aggressive new targets for 2017, underpinned by new developments, increased investment in infrastructure and increased cruise traffic.    Several arrival records were broken in 2016, with a nine per cent increase from 2015. Even more impressive is the 67.5 per cent increase in cruise passenger arrivals, with 580,000 cruise passengers arriving throughout the year. Punta Cana airport arrivals increased 7.1 per cent over 2015, and continues to be the most popular airport in the Caribbean, accepting over 2.4 million arrivals each year. With new hotel developments, US$100 million investments into Las Terrenas, a collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for sustainable tourism, and the addition of Cap Cana Marina as an international cruise port, plus new and re-invigorated activities and festivals throughout the country this year, all signs are pointing to a strong and profitable tourism industry within the Dominican Republic for 2017.

Game on: W Hotels Worldwide blazes into 'Sin City' with W Las Vegas

Amplifying the Emerging North End of the Las Vegas Strip, W Las Vegas Offers

an Exclusive Experience within SLS Las Vegas

NEW YORK – December 2016 – W Hotels Worldwide, now part of Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), made its much anticipated Sin City debut with today’s opening of W Las Vegas. W transformed a 289-room tower of SLS Las Vegas, providing guests an elevated hotel-within-a-hotel experience, located on the emerging North End of the Vegas Strip.

“If there are two things in this world that were truly made for each other, it’s W Hotels and Las Vegas,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide.

  “After nearly two decades of anticipation, W Las Vegas will show guests a different side of the strip, offering an unexpected and irreverent twist on the typical Sin City experience.”

Built by PENTA Building Group designed by Gensler in collaboration with AvroKO Hospitality Group, guests arrive at the Welcome Desk and are invited into the brand’s signature Living Room to mix and mingle.

Evoking a sense of Vegas glamour, the Living Room bar was inspired by casino gaming tables, while intimate seating nooks nod to the hotel’s original mid-century incarnation as the Sahara. Behind the bar, a neon art “desert garden” by artist Keith Lemley dramatically transforms the space from day to night.

Visit California Insights: October 2016

October 2016

Brand Campaign Visit California’s new commercials showcase the best of the Golden State Filming for both the "Living the Dream" and "Welcome to Kidifornia" television commercials has officially wrapped, rolling out worldwide in early 2017. CHECK IT OUT

From the President & CEO President Obama delivers address at Lake Tahoe Summit During his first visit to Lake Tahoe, President Obama shined a spotlight on tourism and the preservation of California’s natural wonders. READ MORE »

Do you love west coast sunsets from Fairmont?

Residents in the Pacific Northwest save up to 20% off. Learn more 

Reservations Destinations Loyalty Don't Let the Sun Set on Summer Now is the perfect time to plan your Fairmont getaway in the Pacific Northwest. With the busy summer season winding down, we have a special offer, just for locals. Visit our historic properties, Fairmont Empress and Fairmont Olympic, which have had some exciting renovations. Plan a staycation in downtown Vancouver or a pre-flight getaway at Fairmont Vancouver Airport. All of our destinations will inspire your city strolling, patio lounging and sunset viewing.   BC, Washington, Alberta Residents Rates Up to 20% Off* Book Now

* Includes parking at select properties. Proof of residency in British Columbia, Alberta or Washington (ie. Driver's License) must be provided at check-in.  Reservations require a one night non-refundable deposit at time of booking. For reservations or more information, please visit fairmont.com or call 1 888 270 3350. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts fairmont.com Enroll in Fairmont President’s Club to experience Fairmont your way. Sign in to Fairmont President’s Club to update your profile.

Andy Grammer, Ben Rector, Better Than Ezra and More Join Host Sister Hazel for 17th Sailing of The Rock Boat

For Immediate Release
June 10, 2016  

Sign Up for the Pre-Sale Now through June 13, with Public On Sale Beginning June 15
 

Atlanta, GA – Now in its 17th year of seafaring musical adventure, The Rock Boat – one of the first themed cruises of its kind – returns for 2017 with a brand new lineup and unlimited adventures in store. Hosted by renowned alternative rock band Sister Hazel (“All for You”), The Rock Boat XVII will feature five nights of rock ‘n’ roll mayhem aboard the beautiful Norwegian Jade with stops in two Caribbean paradises along the way.

The top of the lineup includes first time Rock Boater and feel-good hit maker Andy Grammer, indie pop star Ben Rector, and ‘90s alt-rock icons Better Than Ezra. Returning Rock Boat favorites include heartland jangle rockers Red Wanting Blue, Celtic tunesmiths Gaelic Storm, Texan-bred roots group Green River Ordinance, alt-rockers Melodime, rock & roll purists Wild Adriatic, the modern folk of Andy Suzuki & The Method, Midwestern soul rockers Welshly Arms, bluesy crooner Amy Gerhartz and the jam-happy Brian Fechino & Friends.

 

Newcomers include moody soundscapers Grizfolk, the intricate melodies of Jared & The Mill, party-starting maestro Andy Frasco & The U.N., piano popper Aijia, the funky seven-piece Ripe and the quirky art-rocker Wrenn.

From Big Ben to the Colosseum, see the best of Europe at a discount with Rail Europe

TORONTO, ON, February 2, 2016 – Rail Europe, Inc., the largest distributor of European rail products in North America, announces exciting sales promotions this winter, providing travelers with great deals on popular passes and rail tickets throughout Europe. Offers include:

• 20% off the France Rail Pass
• 20% off selected German Rail Passes
• 20% off Standard Premier Eurostar tickets
• Free extra train travel days on Eurail passes including Global, Select, and One-Country Passes

Whether travelling from Paris to Bordeaux, Berlin to Munich, through the Chunnel to London, or sight-seeing across 28-countries on a Eurail Global Pass, Rail Europe offers savings and travel inspiration for all jet-setters this winter.

Play time reimagined: Le Meriden and Westin Hotels & Resorts redefine the future of family travel

NEW FAMILY PROGRAMS ROLLOUT GLOBALLY AT MORE THAN 300 HOTELS & RESORTS

STAMFORD, CONN. -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has announced the launch of new family programs rolling out at more than 300 Le Méridien and Westin Hotels & Resorts around the world. In response to the growing global demand of family travel and their evolving needs, both programs reinvent the kids club concept, reimagine family experiences within the hotel and introduce more meaningful branded amenities for young travellers.

With multigenerational family travel on the rise, the programs specifically cater to the new way modern families travel, with any combination of parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents traveling with children of all ages.

“Today’s family travellers are more active, more global and more socially-connected than ever before, and the way they travel together has changed dramatically,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and Westin Hotels & Resorts. “In speaking with our most loyal guests, we know that the new dream vacation - for many - looks like an active adventure, exploring new destinations and experiencing a new culture. To help us develop these new family programs, we also zeroed in on insights from our littlest travellers, who will define expectations and inspire the future of family travel.”