Archive for the ‘Vacation’ Category

June 30th, 2010 | Author: christie

Osoyoos, I Miss You

o12

o13o14

I stayed at brand new Watermark Beach Resort that’s bigger than my own apartment.

O2O1

My partner in crime for the weekend, Erin Ireland, and I about to step into our go-to transportation, a yellow school bus. We felt like school girls all over again.

O3o6

o8o10

o9o11

Some of the crowd’s most fashionable, including ET Canada’s Erin Cebula (top left) and a fierce woman rockin an umbrella.

o4

Heading to the Nota Bene Release Party at Black Hills Estate Winery, owned by 90210’s hunky star Jason Priestly.

05

No, this is not Vegas. It’s the Walnut Beach Resort.

Steven Page, ex-frontman of the Barenaked Ladies, played some old favourites to a lucky bunch as we eat dinner and sipped on local wine. I was filming from my table, so please don’t mind the random people that get in the way. He sounded amazing and wanted to share these three great songs that I’m sure are your old faves too. Brings me back to my teens. A weekend highlight for me.

o15016

There was no way I was leaving without stopping off at a few wineries, especially Road 13. They have tasty chardonnay that’s perfect for a summer patio.

017

Summer came early for me  a few weeks ago in desert wine country Osoyoos. At 30 degrees, the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival was packed with more fun than I’ve had in a long time. Being only 5 hours outside of Vancouver and almost guaranteed to be hot and sunny, it’s the perfect spot for a summer getaway.

You should follow me on Twitter @christie_lohr.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Vacation | 1 Comment »

June 16th, 2010 | Author: christie

Weekend With Mini

Meet the 2010 Mini 50 Camden Special Edition in white silver metallic, my speedy sidekick for one of the best weekends I’ve had. Thanks to Mini Yaletown, I had the opportunity to test drive the dressed-to-kill set of wheels to the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival this past weekend that included Jason Priestley, Steven Page from the Barenaked Ladies and Bruce Greenwood and many events featuring BC wine and local chefs. It was a fun and comfortable ride, amazing on gas and surprisingly roomy enough for five bags of luggage (ahem, it’s a girl thing) and my passenger Erin Ireland of itstodie4.com and host of FMA Entertainment Weekly. Packed with many features such as 17-inch silver alloy rims, a top-end audio system, striking modern interior, sleek white leather and black cloth front seats and  a double sunroof, the Mini has all the essentials for any stylish getaway. Watch the video, you’ll see what I mean.

So, if you’re in the market for a new car, my suggestion is a Mini. For more info on this model or any others, visit Mini Yaletown at 1039 Hamilton Street, Vancouver or www.yaletown.mini.ca.

It’s true what they say, nice things do come in small packages.

IMG_7061

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Events, Vacation | 2 Comments »

May 3rd, 2010 | Author: christie

Telus World Ski and Snowboard Fest

IMG_6341IMG_6342IMG_6343

IMG_6234

April is a month I look forward to every year — it’s the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler. With free outdoor concerts, such as the nostalgic 90’s group Arrested Development, the hot EXPOSED fashion show, tasty Tuscan treats at Trattoria, thanks to local gals (pictured above) for taking me, a soak in the jacuzzi at the Summit Lodge, apres on a patio at the foot of the mountain after shredding some pow (I’ve learned that lingo recently) and listening to MTVs Peak Season’s Dre Morel spin at the Savage Beagle, there’s an infectious buzz in the village.

IMG_6386

IMG_6368IMG_6377

IMG_6380

IMG_6370

This year I did something I’ve never done during the festival or in my life…downed 4 shots of ice cold vodka at the Belvedere Ice Room, Canada’s first permanent vodka ice tasting room at the Bearfoot Bistro (as if you need another reason to love this five star restaurant). Step up to the ice bar in this glowing, blue arctic room and sample a range of 50 vodkas from around the world. Each bottle is displayed in individual ice sculpted boxes and with a chilling temp of -24C, it’s the coldest ice bar in the world. Keep warm, cozy and stylish in Canada goose down parkas and fur trimmed hats.

As the weather warms up, here’s a new way to cool down.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Vacation | No Comments »

April 30th, 2010 | Author: christie

A Perfect Getaway

Grotto Spa-1

Ocean View Cabin

For my recent birthday my beau and I decided to indulge in a little spa getaway at Tigh-Na-Mara Spa Resort. If you’re like me, who had never heard of the place until now, you’re in for a treat. Nestled in a secluded beach just outside Parksville on Vancouver Island, it’s a true diamond in the rough. The resort boasts two restaurants, a lounge, and a first-class spa. Upon checking in we wandered over to our seaside cabin to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean framed by sprawling cedar trees and sandy beaches. The cozy log cabin felt like a home away from home with its stone-built fireplace and Jacuzzi tub, both of which we took full advantage of! After settling in we headed over to the Grotto Spa where we took a dip in their mineral pool, said to contain over seven healing and purifying minerals, before pampering ourselves with a side-by-side couples massage- oh so relaxing. As if that wasn’t enough to put me in a perpetual state of bliss, the luxury continued as we dined in our spa robes at the Treetop Tapas & Grill where we indulged in their endless tapas menu. The gourmet menu tantalized our taste buds with West Coast-inspired cuisine such as steamed local halibut, Peppered Ahi Tuna, and Tamarind marinated lamb. I opted for pure relaxation this time around, but for all you adventure seekers the area also offers Oceanside hiking, mountain biking, and cave spelunking. Sometimes time or money doesn’t always allow for a trip to some exotic locale, but with a gem so close to home, it’s nice to know a heavenly escape is just a ferry ride away!

1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC, Reservations: 1-800-663-7373, Info@tigh-na-mara.com

By: Chloe Berge, Vancouver

Posted in Vacation | 1 Comment »

February 1st, 2010 | Author: christie

A Whistler Getaway In Style

lobby chair

Antlerslobby

Escape to Whistler pre and post the Olympics. With the road improvements, the scenic drive only took an hour from Vancouver this weekend. I slept at the Adara Boutique Hotel, a contemporary stay for style lovers with sleek designs such as the red chic couches, wire circle chair and orange antlers in the lobby and a modern plush king size bed and funky chair in the room. Bring your bikini for a late night dip in the hot tub (pool is closed for the winter). And being only a few steps from the heart of the village, it took 30 seconds to get to the liquor store, allowing me to start the weekend with a toast of Liberty School Chardonnay. Rooms from $100.

IMG_5285IMG_5253

The Mix by Ric'sIMG_5324

For mouthwatering Scallop Risotto and Ahi Tuna Poke, a melody of ahi tuna, white truffle oil, sambal oelek, sesame and wasabi (above), I stopped in at The Mix by Ric’s for dinner and sipped on a tasty martini from the extensive and impressive list to wash it all down. Delish.

E4Elements

After a night in Whistler, chances are you’re a bit foggy the next day. I headed to Elements, a brunch hot spot, to spoil my taste buds and fill my grumbling belly. I shared the Carmalized Pecan and Banana Stuffed French Toast (above) and the newly added Healthy Hash Bowl, a mix of mushrooms, butter squash, red peppers, pesto and tomatoes toped with two poached eggs, with my pal. It was the perfect combo of savory and sweet.

Stay tuned for more on my trip to Whistler, including a brand new spa opening this Saturday and me sabering some bubbly!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Vacation | No Comments »