As appeared in JustLuxe.com
by Cynthia Dial
At this time of year noted for family, fun and festivities, what
better way to revel in the season than a weekend in a city where celebration is
effortless? Having hosted such world-renowned fetes as the 2010 Winter
Olympics, Vancouver is no stranger to entertaining guests, so pack your bags
and head to this chilly Canadian metropolis for a pre-holiday warm-up. Long
known as the “Castle on the Hill,” Fairmont Hotel Vancouver seems the epicenter
of activity. Follow me for a short but seasonal kickoff that starts in the
city’s center on North Georgia Street and continues beyond.
Photo from Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Welcoming
surprises begin upon check-in, especially for the smallest of guests and dog
lovers (of any size), when greeted by one of the hotel’s resident canine
ambassadors – Ella, a yellow lab, and Ellie, a black lab. Continuing with such
amenities as a white-terry toddler robe, cookies and milk delivered at bedtime
and a miniature stuffed dog named Ella and the hearts of Fairmont’s youngest
guests are forever captured.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
An old-fashioned locomotive engine marks
the entrance to the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Notch8, complete with a
steam blast, a train whistle and decked out with holiday items for purchase. So
named for the train term, “notch-8” translates to the final notch at which a
train can travel (basically the highest speed) – a level that can only be
attained when all systems are running perfectly – a name underscoring the
restaurant’s goal of perfection.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
Famous for its ever-changing themed teas
throughout the year – from the Great British Tea Party to the Enchanted Tea
Menu – Winter Wonderful Afternoon Tea marks this time of year with such
inclusions as fromage frais ‘penguins’ and Battenberg biscuits (a festive
green, white and pink dessert), as well as a children’s tea menu. Served in a
cozy library-style room within Notch8, the setting is very British, very
authentic.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
Christmas
decorations are everywhere, from the blue-themed Christmas trees in the lobby
to the red-and-green decorated trees in the Pacific Ballroom – setting of the
annual Santa Claus Breakfast, a morning treat complete with egg entrees, fresh waffle
and hot chocolate stations, a cookie decorating table and, of course, a
one-on-one with Santa. Followed by the Santa Claus Parade (it’s Western Canada’s
largest) which travels a route fronting the hotel, this once-a-year breakfast/parade
duo – always the first Sunday in December – is the official kickoff to a full
calendar of across-the-city activities.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
Set
harborside at the home of the Olympic Cauldron lit in holiday red and a
background of city lights is the Vancouver Christmas Market with such
enticements as a walk-in Christmas tree; a Christmas store featuring shelf
after shelf of ornaments; 80 huts of authentic German sweets, treats and
treasures; a Glühwein hut serving mulled wine and a Christmas carousel.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
Described
as “the transformation of Concord Pacific Place into a magical winter
wonderful,” Aurora Winter Festival has animated sculptures, dazzling light
displays and ice skating on a frozen river. A complimentary shuttle bus takes
revelers from downtown’s Hyatt Hotel (located one block from Fairmont Hotel
Vancouver) to view Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Here, the
suspension bridge, rainforest, canyon and Cliffwalk are transformed by innumerable
lights as are the seven suspension bridges of Treetops Adventure. Connected by
viewing platforms, the eight 250-year-old Douglas-firs reaching up to 110 feet
above the forest floor are the world’s eight tallest Christmas trees.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
Not to be outdone, Stanley Park’s attractions
are equally appealing. Vancouver Aquarium, the country’s largest, offers a
holiday tree powered by an electric eel, a jelly fish snow globe, Scuba Claus
dives where Santa swims with the fish and the screening of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: A 4-D Experience. The price of a donation buys a ticket to
Bright Nights in Stanley Park, a fundraiser for the BC Professional Fire
Fighters’ Burn Fund, where holiday music plays and the Bright Lights Christmas
Train and Stanley Park Train Plaza are decorated with approximately three
million lights. If there’s interest in the VanDusen Botanical Garden’s Festival
of Lights in addition to Bright Nights, the Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley
Tour on festively decorated trolleys equipped with karaoke machines travels to both.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
For those additionally interested
in the stage, skating and shopping, there’s more. A Charlie Brown Christmas plays at the Waterfront Theatre. On one
the city’s most recognized shopping streets, Robson, is free skating at the Robson
Square Ice Rink and Plaza. Shopping can include such fun purchases as ornaments
from the Vancouver Christmas Market, the I
Saw Santa in Vancouver children’s book which is available at local
bookstores, as well as a Naughty, Nice and I Did My Best decorative pillow
found at Indigo, Vancouver’s flagship bookstore found on Robson.
Photo by Cynthia Dial
Indeed, Vancouver’s holiday season offers
something for everyone, something for every age – especially Fairmont guests
and cousins, three-year-old Reagan Marie and four-year-old Laney London. Upon
meeting Santa, Reagan was shy, but Laney took the opportunity to ask for a
bike. After hearing her request, Saint Nick responded with a safety-oriented
query: “And what will you always wear if I bring you a bike?” When she looked
puzzled, he pointed to his head. And without hesitation, she answered, “A Santa
hat.”
#travel #traveltips #travelingcynthia #hotelvancouver #christmasinvancouver #castleonthehill #explorebc
