D10
WITH CHERYL MacKINNON
lifestyles
THE VANCOUVER SUN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2006
CANADIAN LIFESTYLES We Canadians are getting out and exploring more in our backyards. If you have a favourite Canadian getaway, I would love to hear about it! Share the details with me at cherylmack@shaw.ca. Tune into my Getaway B.C. feature with Global Morning News on September 27th as you might be the lucky winner of a week away in vibrant St. John’s, Newfoundland. Exploring the great history of North America’s first port, as you step out the front doors of the Canada Select Four Star rated heritage Inn - Bonne Esperance House. St. John’s web site is filled with interesting facts – visit www.destinationstjohns.com. photo: Regina Anthony
& TRAVEL
A SPECIAL REPORT PROVIDED BY GLOBAL TV’S CHERYL MACKINNON AND
Travel & Lifestyles is a weekly information report from Cheryl MacKinnon, Founder of ‘kid friendly!’ family travel and Tourism British Columbia media award nominee for outstanding tourism promotion. Watch Cheryl on Global TV Morning News every Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. in B.C.
photo: Regina Anthony
St. John’s, Newfoundland A PLACE TO VISIT AGAIN AND AGAIN cherylmack@shaw.ca
Insider’s Angle A Weekly Profile with Tourism Leaders and Innovators Regina Anthony is a perfect host. Being born in St. John’s pretty much guarantees she would be inherently gracious to all, and always have a place at her table for unexpected guests. These charming qualities and thirteen successful years in the Special Events business in Toronto are serving her well as the owner of one of Newfoundland’s most delightful Inns. Her passion for people and enticing them to visit her home is reflected here… “The east coast of Canada is very different from the west. I’ve been to B.C. several times and while we share similarities – outdoor adventure, wilderness and friendly people, here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we have a completely different coastline - one that many have never seen before. Plus when you are in Newfoundland, you can’t help but think of those first trips across the Atlantic Ocean - the only thing separating the new world and Europe.”
When You Go
Our Home Is Your’s
Once will not be enough and yes, it’s a very long way to travel across this country of ours to St. John’s, Newfoundland. With a four-and-a-half hour time difference between Vancouver and St. John’s, it does take a day or so to adjust, but the landscape and people are so captivating the time difference is quickly forgotten. Unfortunately there are no non-stop flights from Vancouver – hopefully as interest in exploring our own country continues to grow, flying to the East Coast will become as easy as heading to Europe. Air Canada certainly provides great in-flight service, especially if you’re travelling with the kids. Got friends or relatives in Toronto? Stop over for a few days then head out to the real east. Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism’s web site is visually inspiring, easy to navigate and filled with interesting stuff. And their travel counselors are delightful – I call just to hear the warm welcome tinged with t h a t e n g a g i n g a c c e n t . To l l f r e e a t 1.800.563.6353 or, visit www.newfoundlandandlabradortourism.com.
Bonne Esperance House – officially designated a heritage property and a National Historic Site this past April, is definitely a find. It’s obvious as you cross the threshold of the main house (there is a cluster of three row houses), this ‘Inn’ has been lovingly restored by owner Regina Anthony and her husband Brett. Respecting original elements like gleaming pine hardwood floors, decorative plaster mouldings, colourful stained glass, and 1800s banisters, Regina’s modern design tastes – accent lighting, some furniture and accessories, blend in well to create the perfect complement to past design. Antiques grace the guest rooms, which are each custom designed with their own colour scheme and intriguing Newfoundland art. The suites are like an apartment, complete with everything except your clothes. They’re perfect for families – twin or queen beds with soft, luxurious linens wait, and the quiet of the surrounding neighbourhood makes for a completely restful sleep. The back gardens invite a peaceful wander amongst fragrant blooms in spring and summer, or you can simply sit and enjoy the view from one of the
photo: Cheryl MacKinnon
quaint patios…cup of tea and book resting on a nearby table. Room rates include a hot gourmet breakfast which can be taken in either one of the two dining rooms, then linger over coffee in the beautifully appointed living room…it was so relaxing here that although we were anxious to enjoy more of the city, we were terribly hard pressed to get moving.
What’s in the Neighbourhood The location is ideal – harbourfront cafes and shops are an easy walk just three blocks away. Make reservations for dinner at bianca’s – superb service with a great upscale menu of East coast delights. More at www.bonneesperancehouse.ca
Bring The Kids
Something to Brag About
A recent trip found us enjoying breakfast w ith a delig htful family…from Tsawwassen of all places. We shared a great conversation about explorating St John’s with kids in tow – this being a family of four with two teenage daughters. Of course I couldn’t help but feel great happiness for the group, in particular the girls. To be able to visit a vibrant city in Canada like St. John’s – one simply overflowing with rich Canadian history which many might only read about or see in movies, has got to be one of the high points of a ‘what I did on my summer holidays’ essay.
Families love walking the downtown neighbourhoods of this tiny, perfect harbour city, the first port in North America. Everywhere you turn, history speaks as the old world blends with the new. It’s the famous heritage-style ‘Jelly Bean’ homes - lovingly painted brilliant hues of colour like those found in a favourite crayon box, that easily make even the dreariest days feel cheery. Or, fancy a wee treat while you’re strolling? Then stop at Auntie Crae’s for an ice-cream or soda before heading down to Pier 7 for a boat tour of icebergs AND whales. Best seen from May to early July, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll see one or the other, if not both. Hun-
photo: Regina Anthony
gry tummies will love family owned and operated (for more than 50 years) Ches’s – home to Newfoundland’s best fish and chips. Another day, visit Signal Hill where the final battle between the English and French took place in 1762. There’s also a fascinating display of Guglielmo Marconi’s discovery of radio waves late in the 19th century. And you can see the oldest standing lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador. Built in 1835, Cape Spear’s light has been kept by one family, generation to generation, since 1846. Wonder which is the next nearest country, far out across the powerful Atlantic Ocean? It’s Ireland.
WHAT’S NEXT? Crave A Day Trip Before Heading Back to School? Check out Richmond’s Night Market and More book online at or call making a big deal out of the sun & europe
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from
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Departures are from Vancouver. All prices are per person. Packages based on double occupancy in the lowest room category unless otherwise stated and reflect the $100 savings. Transportation taxes, related transportation fees, surcharges and any GST are not included. Local airport taxes or tourist cards when applicable are payable at destination. All prices are valid at press-time, for new bookings only, subject to change without notice and non-refundable. More restrictions may apply. Products are with Transat Holidays (th), Nolitours (nol). Air Transportation is with Air Transat (ts), WestJet (ws), Skyservice (5g) or scheduled service. For more information and full Terms & Conditions, visit www.exitnow.ca. Ont. Reg. #50011377.TM This logo is a trademark of Consultour Inc. ® TM Trademark of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by Loyalty Management Group Canada inc. and exitnow.ca.
THE PROVINCE
WITH CHERYL MacKINNON
lifestyles
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006
CANADIAN LIFESTYLES Share your favourite Canadian getaway with me at cherylmack@shaw.ca.
photo: Cheryl MacKinnon
Tune into my Getaway B.C. feature with Global Morning News on September 27th as you might be the lucky winner of a week away in
TRAVEL
cherylmack@shaw.ca
Bring The Kids!
St. John’s, Newfoundland A PLACE TO VISIT AGAIN AND AGAIN When You Go Once will not be enough and yes, it’s a very long way to travel across this country of ours to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Unfortunately there are no non-stop flights from Vancouver – hopefully as interest in exploring our own country continues to grow, flying to the East Coast will become as easy as heading to Europe. Air Canada certainly provides great in-flight service, especially if you’re travelling with the kids. New foundland and Labr ador Tourism’s web site is visually inspiring, easy to navigate and filled with interesting stuff. And their travel counselors are delightful – I call just to hear the warm welcome tinged with that engaging accent. Toll free at 1.800.563.6353 or,
WHAT’S NEXT?
or call
leave this fall... south packages on sale
save $100 per couple book by aug 31 limited time offer
Walk the downtown of this tiny, perfect harbour city, the first port in North America! Everywhere you turn, the old world blends with the new. The famous heritage-style ‘Jelly Bean’ homes - lovingly painted brilliant hues of colour like those found in a favourite crayon box, easily make even the dreariest days feel cheery. Fancy a wee treat while you’re strolling? Then stop at Auntie Crae’s for an ice-cream or soda before heading down to Pier 7 for a boat tour of icebergs AND whales. Best seen from May to early July, it’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll see one or the other, if not both. Hungry tummies will love family owned and operated (for over 50 years!) Ches’s – home to Newfoundland’s best fish and chips.
photo: Regina Anthony
book online at
making a big deal out of the sun & europe
vibrant St. John’s, Newfoundland. Their web site is brimming with facts and pictures – visit www.destinationstjohns.com.
A SPECIAL REPORT PROVIDED BY GLOBAL TV’S CHERYL MACKINNON AND
&
Travel & Lifestyles is a weekly information report from Cheryl MacKinnon, Founder of ‘kid friendly!’ family travel and Tourism British Columbia media award nominee for outstanding tourism promotion. Watch Cheryl on Global TV Morning News every Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. in B.C.
❘ D11
visit www.newfoundlandandlabrador- colour scheme and intriguing Newfoundland art. The suites are like an tourism.com. apartment, complete with everything except your clothes. They’re perfect for Our Home Is Your’s families – twin or queen beds with soft, Bonne Esperance House – officially luxurious linens wait, and the quiet of designated a heritage property and a the surrounding neighbourhood makes National Historic Site this past April, is for a completely restful sleep. definitely a find. It’s obvious as you cross the threshold of the main house (there What’s in the is a cluster of three row houses), this ‘Inn’ has been lovingly restored by owner Neighbourhood Regina Anthony and her husband Brett. The location is ideal – harbourfront Original elements like gleaming pine hardwood floors, decorative plaster cafes and shops are an easy walk just mouldings, colourful stained glass, and three blocks away. Make reservations for 1800s banisters blend in well to create dinner at bianca’s – superb service with the perfect complement to past design. a great upscale menu of East coast Antiques grace the guest rooms, which delights. More at www.bonneesperanceare each custom designed with their own house.ca
Crave A Trip Before Heading Back to School? Check out Richmond’s Night Market
www.exitnow.ca
earn your AIR MILES® reward miles with exitnow.ca
1-877-672-3948 open 7 days/week 9 am to 9 pm EST
mazatlan
puerto plata
oceano palace
927
$
nov 4, 11, 18, 25, dec 2, 9 • 7 nights all inclusive • hotel room mountain view
vallarta nayarit
paradise beach resort & casino nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, dec 7 • 7 nts all inclusive • hotel room garden view
varadero
1077
$
punta cana
decameron los cocos
977
$
oct 15, 21, 22, 28 • 7 nights all inclusive • hotel room
ifa villas bavaro beach resort oct 19, 26 • 7 nts all inclusive • hotel room
playa varadero 1920 hotel oct 16, 23, 30, nov 6, 13 • 7 nights all inclusive • hotel room
1107
$
melia cabo real nov 4, 11, 18, 25, dec 2, 9 • 7 nts all inclusive • deluxe garden view room
mayan riviera
cancun
villas vallarta by canto del sol
real playa del carmen hotel & suites $
barceló tucancun beach
1067
$
oct 15, 20, 22 • 7 nights all inclusive • hotel room
1327
$
los cabos
puerto vallarta nov 4, 11, 18, 25, dec 2, 9 • 7 nts all inclusive • hotel room
photo: Regina Anthony
1177
oct 15, 20, 22 • 7 nights all inclusive • hotel room
europe air only round trip $ munich 499 $ manchester 549 $ frankfurt 549 $ amsterdam 599 $ london 599 $ glasgow 649 from from
1377
$
from from
1377
$
from from
Departures are from Vancouver. All prices are per person. Packages based on double occupancy in the lowest room category unless otherwise stated and reflect the $100 savings. Transportation taxes, related transportation fees, surcharges and any GST are not included. Local airport taxes or tourist cards when applicable are payable at destination. All prices are valid at press-time, for new bookings only, subject to change without notice and non-refundable. More restrictions may apply. Products are with Transat Holidays (th), Nolitours (nol). Air Transportation is with Air Transat (ts), WestJet (ws), Skyservice (5g) or scheduled service. For more information and full Terms & Conditions, visit www.exitnow.ca. Ont. Reg. #50011377.TM This logo is a trademark of Consultour Inc. ® TM Trademark of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by Loyalty Management Group Canada inc. and exitnow.ca.