Victoria B.C. in Fall . August 2010 News

Tourism Victoria’s Monthly Media Newsletter

THE MAN SPA
Pampering isn’t just for the ladies anymore and many of the spas in BC’s capital city are offering services specifically designed to relax, rejuvenate, and woo even the most reluctant male guests to make a little time for serenity. Three of the city’s best treatments are offered within an iconic property; the home of Canada’s only 36-hole Nicholas designed golf course and Vancouver Island’s leading Ayurvedic spa. The 60-minute facial found at The Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress is the perfect way for the active man to prepare for or restore from all the adventures Victoria’s outdoors has to offer. One of a number of Just for Menservices offered by the spa, the Post Game Face Treatment is $149.00 CDN / $147.00 USD and combines a shoulder and neck massage for tension relief as well as revitalizing exfoliation and massage on the arms, hands and feet. For men who like their relaxation to be as dirty as their play time, Bear Mountain Resort’s Sante Spa, offers just that with the Moor Mud Wrap. The $135.00 CDN / $133.00 USD, 60-minute treatment is the perfect way to end a day on the links, soothing the joints and muscles and promising to leave the body limber and ready for more! Finally, for the man who is looking to get his “zen on” the Gentleman’s Retreat at Sapphire Day Spa offers head to toe services sure to relax and refocus even the most high performance man. At $285.00 CDN / $281.00 USD the three hour retreat includes a 90-minute relaxation massage, gentleman’s facial, sea salt foot soak and foot massage treatment and lunch. For more information visit www.willowstream.com/empress, www.bearmountain.ca, and www.sapphiredayspa.com.

NEW BREWS IN LIEU
Do not despair if, like so many other beer aficionados, you weren’t one of the lucky ones to get your hands on a ticket for The Great Canadian Beer Festival taking place in Victoria, BC September 10 and 11, 2010. While the festival may have sold out in mere minutes the beer taps are still flowing in BC’s capital city with some new and exciting summertime brews that are definitely worth seeking out. New to Canada’s oldest brewpub, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, is a summer ale, named in honour of one of Canada’s most celebrated artists, Emily Carr. Our Emily Summer Ale, launched at the end of July, is a refreshingly clean floral and lightly hopped brew typical of the German-style beer that would have been served in Victoria during Emily’s time. A stone’s throw from Spinnakers is Canoe Brewpub where the Summer Honey Wheat Ale flows until the end of September, offering a crisp, smooth, light-bodied wheat beer infused with local Saanich Peninsula wildflower honey, perfect for summer sipping on Canoe’s spectacular patio. Bringing you flavours reminiscent of the West Indies is Driftwood Brewery’s White Bark Ale, a traditional Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with freshly ground coriander and curacao orange peel. Whether you arrive by car, on foot or via the Victoria Harbour Ferries, getting access to the cities’ best new brews is easier than ever. For more information visit www.spinnakers.com, www.canoebrewpub.com, www.driftwoodbeer.com.

ROCK OUT AT RIFFLANDIA 3
From September 23 to 26, 2010, BC’s capital city invites visitors to Victoria to rock out at one of the newest and most innovative music festivals. Back in Victoria for its third year, the Rifflandia Music Festival is a powerful and important West Coast event with more than 50 artists taking to the stage, including The Great Lake Swimmers, Dayglo Abortions, Melissa Auf Der Maur, and Gord Downie and The Country of Miracles, at a handful of venues throughout the city. 2010 marks the second year that the Rifflandia festival will have synergies with the music-industry conference, transmission. transmission: Global Summit is an invitation-only conference taking place just prior to the Rifflandia Festival in Victoria from September 22 to 25. transmissionprovides connections between leaders, thinkers and creators with a program that includes roundtable discussions, keynote presentations, B2B focus groups and showcases, which are live performances set up to connect artists with consumers and delegates to artists. Access to Rifflandia 3 will work on a wristband sales system, ensuring all-access to the fantastic music available over the four-day festival. For more information visit www.rifflandia.com and www.transmitnow.com.

A TEA PARTY FOR THE WEE
Crumbsy’s Cupcake Café, located in Oak Bay’s Estevan Village, 10 minutes from downtown Victoria, BC is offering a tea party sure to be a hit with the wee. Crumsby’s known for their delicious and delectable handmade cupcakes, such as the Mood Swinger – a threat triple-chocolate brownie cupcake with Callebaut chocolate chunks and chocolate ganache and the Mocha cupcake, featuring chocolate with mocha buttercream, also offers mini varieties for your little ones too. Arrive at this bright little gem, alive with neighbourhood chatter, often filled with moms, dads and tots in strollers and order a Tea Party for your little Prince and Princess to enjoy all on their own. The kid’s special includes two mini cupcakes and a pot of orange juice, apple juice, cider, milk or tea perfect to wash down all that goodness. The cost for the Tea Party is $5.00 CDN / USD. Should you wish to take your cupcakes and run, try the tasting flight of six in a take-out box, a fantastic idea for a little afternoon snack on the go or to add to your summertime picnic. For more information visit www.crumsbys.com.

A PICNIC PERFECT PACKAGE
The Queen Victoria Hotel and Suites located in Victoria, BC is offering a package perfect for visitors looking to get outdoors and enjoy some capital city summer sunshine during their stay. Located just steps from Victoria’s beloved urban oasis Beacon Hill Park, The Queen Victoria Hotel and Suites’ Walk in the Park package includes one night accommodation in a studio room and a boxed lunch for two to take away and enjoy while sitting beside one of the park’s duck-filled ponds, in front of one of its glorious garden displays or perhaps before heading into the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm with your little ones in tow. The picnic perfect lunch, provided by the Queen Victoria’s own restaurant Samuel’s by the Park, is complete with your choice of a roast beef, turkey, ham, or vegetarian sandwich, a bottle of water and a juicy apple. Rates for the Walk in the Park package start at $159.00 CDN / $157.00 USD and are available until September 30, 2010, based on double occupancy. The Queen Victoria Hotel and Suites is a locally owned and operated hotel featuring 146 spacious guest rooms and suites complete with kitchens and balconies, some with views of the picturesque Inner Harbour. For more information visit www.qvhotel.com