Disneyland celebrates 59 magical years in California!

CELEBRATING 59 MAGICAL YEARS -- Disneyland Resort guests joined 59 Disney characters on Main Street, U.S.A., to hear a recording of Walt Disney’s opening day “welcome” speech and sing “Happy Birthday” in a festive marking of the resort's 59th anniversary.

The upcoming 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration logo was unveiled as part of the annual July 17 anniversary celebration at Disneyland Park.

For more Disneyland news: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/

Save now with Starwood Hotels & Resorts' resident rates

Adventure and Fun Are Right Next Door

TORONTO, August 22, 2014 —Starwood invites residents across Canada to save up to 15% at hotels and resorts in their geographical region for end of summer and autumn stays.

 Rediscover the fun and adventure that can be enjoyed right next door with the ultimate local getaway.  Enjoy exclusive resident rates of up to 15% off at participating hotels and resorts for Thursday-Sunday arrivals, valid now for stays through December 31, 2014. 

Plan an end of summer or fall family or couples getaway that’s close by.  Valid Government issued photo ID must be presented at time of check-in to confirm these exclusive rates. Rates are per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy and availability at time of reservation.  Children 17 years of age and under stay free in parent’s room using existing bedding.

Hotel brands participating in this offer including Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien, W, Aloft and Element hotels.

Pucker up for the West Montrose "Kissing Bridge."

   One-Tank Trip for August 30/14

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Visitors are invited to come and validate the long-standing nickname of the West Montrose Covered Bridge as the “kissing bridge.”

   The heritage structure – Ontario’s only remaining covered bridge – is part of a heritage walking tour during Doors Open Waterloo Region on Sept 20.

   Built in 1881, it was “appropriately nicknamed due to the intimacy and privacy that the covered bridge offered its travellers,” Canada’s Historic Places says.

Tours will be given around the West Montrose “Kissing Bridge” in September. (Jim Fox photo)

   The iconic one-lane structure is located in one of the province’s most picturesque landscapes as it spans about 60 metres (198 feet) across the Grand River.

   It also represents the early history of Woolwich Township and of an earlier time in the village about 20 minutes north of Kitchener-Waterloo.

   The walking tours of 45 minutes leave at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Letson Park at Rivers Edge Drive and Letson Drive.

   Along with the bridge and the nearby Lost Acres Variety store and bakery, the walk includes West Montrose village, one of Ontario’s first recognized Cultural Heritage Landscapes.

   The bridge with its red-painted wood panelling and gable roof was designed by local contractor John Bear and built with his brother Benjamin as a replacement for an earlier open bridge at that site.

West Montrose “Kissing Bridge.” (Jim Fox photo)
For complete story, go to:
http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca/2014/08/pucker-up-for-west-montrose-kissing.html

Sanibel Island beach in South Carolina ranks top U.S. dog-friendly beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau 

LEE COUNTY, FL – If you're looking for beach destinations where you can enjoy some fun and sun with your four-legged friend, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida welcomes dogs with open paws!

Vetstreet.com, a top animal health and lifestyle website, has named Algiers Beach in Gulfside City Park on Sanibel Island to the top of its list of eight dog-friendly beaches in the U.S.

The site  notes that there is plenty of space for owners and dogs to get ample exercise or just take a break. The tropical nature of the island and the nearby nature preserve makes this beach even more of an exotic getaway.

Picnic areas and barbecue grills are available, and the area offers plenty of pet-friendly restaurants and accommodations, making an extended stay an easy option.

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver sparkles with prestigious Forbes Five-Star ranking

One of Only Four Canadian Hotels to Achieve this Recognition

Vancouver, BC - The 56th annual Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards' top picks for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas includes the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver as the proud recipient of the prestigious five star rating.

 

The Forbes five star rating is a coveted honour awarded to the best of the best; this year Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is among only four Canadian hotels receiving the highly esteemed nod of approval.  Sending out undercover inspectors to stay at the selected hotels and grade them on points including service, atmosphere and amenities provides Forbes with an impartial ruling of the guest experience. 

 

The distinguishing aspect between four star and five star hotels as per Forbes is predominantly service, a quality that Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has always prided itself on.  To achieve five star status hotels must "provide a memorable experience through virtually flawless service and the finest of amenities and delivery of service that is intuitive, engaging and passionate, and eagerly goes beyond expectations."  

Quebec Travel News for April 2014

The 350th anniversary of the Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Québec is both the first cathedral built on the continent and the first Catholic parish established in the Americas north of the Spanish colonies. The celebration of this milestone will not only highlight different aspects of Québec City society (faith, history, families, heritage and culture), but will see an important legacy be bequeathed to future generations. In addition to the many activities organized in association with the 350th Jubilee, Notre-Dame de Québec will also have the honour of having the first Holy Door installed outside Europe. The faithful are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of the city’s founding residents and embark on a pilgrimage to pass through the Holy Door. The religious heritage across the Québec City region comprises over 130 churches, twenty convent chapels, two cathedrals and two basilicas. Each of these ancestral sites bears witness to the origins of the many immigrants who settled in what once was the colony of New France. notredamedequebec.org/en/

Contemporary Art at Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland

Questions of Travel (Fogo)
a two-night guest package
celebrating an art exhibition
by Silke Otto-Knapp

Fogo Island, Newfoundland -- Fogo Island Inn, a radical new cultural and ecological hub, sits on an Island off an Island, on one of the four corners of the Earth.

Fogo Island Gallery, a contemporary art gallery located inside the award-winning Inn, will host the opening of internationally renowned artist Silke Otto-Knapp’s exhibition: Questions of Travel (Fogo). Fogo Island Inn marks the occasion with a two-night guest package including gallery and studio tours, now through August 31, 2014.

Fogo Island Inn’s Questions of Travel guest package is designed specifically for art lovers and inspired by the work of this celebrated German artist. The package offers: an introduction to the Island and the Fogo Island Arts residency program; an intimate overview of the artist’s work, practice and collections; and a screening of Ingmar Bergman’s Persona (1966) at the Inn’s cinema. It also includes all meals in the Fogo Island Inn dining room, which was recently recognized among the top three “Best New Restaurants of Canada” by enRoute magazine.