Located high in the spectacular coastal mountains of Vancouver Island, next to the farms and vineyards of the Cowichan Valley and close to Victoria rests The Aerie Resort. Surrounded by 85 acres of meticulously kept grounds and gardens, the breath-taking view from The Aerie is worth the trip alone.

There are 3 different buildings for your stay, each with its own special charm and incredible views.Villa Cielo is on the highest point and offers unsurpassed privacy and elegance. The Residence Building offers seven rooms and suites, while the Main Building is the original Aerie construction, and now offers 22 elegant rooms and suites.

The rooms have all the amenities, fireplace, couch, huge tub – in the sitting room – large bed and great view off the balcony.

Amenities: Massage, Meeting Facilities, Broadband Access, Restaurant in Hotel, Fireplace, Hot Tub, Air Conditioning, Television, more..

The Aerie Spa and Wellness Centre will leave you rejuvenated and inspired!

Activities: Swimming Pool, Golf, Tennis, Fitness, Mud bath, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, sailing, water-skiing, diving, kayaking, rafting, culinary tours, float plane tours, yoga.

Aerie Resort and Spa is a haven for those who enjoy fine wines and gourmet cuisine.

Chefs create food that is fresh and delicious, using classic French techniques but much inspired by Pacific Northwest flavours and style.

In the Pacific Ocean, in British Columbia, the Queen Charlotte Islands are peaks of a submerged mountain chain. The seven largest islands of the 1,884 islands and islets in the archipelago are Langara, Graham, Moresby, Louise, Lyell, Burnaby and Kunghit. Just 2 km into the sea, the continental shelf falls away dramatically to the immense depths of the ocean, and this is Canada’s most active earthquake area. Photo by: marc_guitard

Naikoon Provincial Park, in the north-east of Graham Island, covers a range of diverse environments including sandy beaches and dunes, sphagnum bogs, ancient forests and rivers. The landscape was formed during the last Ice Age out of the deposits left by retreating glaciers. The main attraction here are the endless stretches of broad sandy beaches. On the north beach is Tow Hill, a 100 m outcrop of basalt columns which make a dramatic landmark. Also worth seeing is Rose Spit, an ecological reserve, where you can spot migrating birds travelling over the Pacific. Photo by: g d gustafsson

The Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is in the south of the archipelago. The wilderness area of 138 islands stretching 90 km from north to south is only accessible by boat or charted aircraft. Mountains rise steeply to the west, and the coastline is dotted with stunning inlets, coves, bays and islands. This is great place to observe whales, bald eagles, nesting seabirds, black bears, river otters and sea lions. Photo by: Sam Beebe / Ecotrust

Rainforest and upland bog, salmon steams, estuaries and kelp beds sustain a rich diversity of life there.
When to go: April to November. Population: 4,935. Getting there: Fly to Vancouver or Prince Rupert to Sandspit, or take a ferry from Prince Rupert. You should know: This is a tranquil area with little development, so do not expect busy resort hotels with all the tourist comforts. Photo by: Yonn Yeth-Lachance

Photo by: Stef Olcen

Set just off the Ontario coast in Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world (2,800 sq km). A wonderful place of petit villages, rolling pasture, forests and lakes, its edges are fringed with long beaches and white cliffs.

The first nations Oijbwa people, the island’s original inhabitants believed that when the Great Spirit, Gitchi Manitou, created the Earth he kept the best bits and made Manitoulin his home. In 1648 a group of French Jesuits became the first Europeans to settle on Manitoulin Island, which they named Isle de Ste. Marie.

Unfortunately they brought with them new disease that rapidly devastated the Ojibwa population. Marauding Iroquois bands, then drove out those who remained, leaving the island uninhabited for over a hundred years. During the 19th century, the island’s beauty attract the attention of white settlers who, after first giving Manitoulin to other native bands, then revoked all treaties and claimed for themselves.

Nowadays Manitoulin and the waters around it serve as Ontario’s summer playground with boats and all kinds of weaving in and out of its many bays and filing its large inland lakes. Hiking is popular and the island has a well signposted system of trails. Every August the Ojibwa Band holds one of Canada’s biggest powwows, a celebration of life through dance, storytelling and displays of arts and crafts.

Of the hundreds of churches on the island of Montreal, Notre-Dame’s interior is the most stunning with a exquisite detail. This 19th Century Basilica is in the historic district of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada. Basilica was opened in 1829, making it the largest religious edifice in North America at the time. It is a very beautiful, interesting and cultural attraction!
According to records, it took two years to erect the walls of the basilica and the facade up to the base of the towers. Much of the interior is carved from rare woods – which are gilded or painted and large rose windows. It is filled with hundreds of intricate wooden carvings and several religious statues. The eastern tower of the Notre- Dame Montreal holds a ten-bell carillon, while the western tower, named Temperance, holds a single bell, the Jean-Baptiste bell. This ten ton bell is only rung on special occasions and can be heard 25km away. There’s also a chapel in the back which is just as amazing.
The original church, designed by Father François Dollier de Casson sufficed for the first 150 years. Then a New York architect named James O’Donnell was brought to Montreal to build a new church.
This striking interior is the work of architect Victor Bourgeau, who transformed the originally stern interior into the current design between 1874 and 1880. The great organ is a Casavant and the recitals held in the church throughout the year are very popular. The basilica offers musical programming of choral and organ performances.

The Olympic Stadium in Quebec, Canada was originally constructed as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics. It subsequently became the home of Montreal’s professional baseball and Canadian football teams. Also it hosted both cycling and judo events. If your family likes sports, you can go on the 30-minute guided tour, which takes visitors through the Sports Center and the Olympic Stadium. The area features numerous stands featuring a wide variety of food, though most of it is supplied by chain restaurants such as McDonalds.

Anthony Island is an Island in the province of British Columbia, located at latitude – longitude coordinates of N 52.1 and W -131.2167. One of the most southerly of the Queen Charlotte Islads , Anthony Island (known as SGang Gwaay by the Haida) holds rich culture.

Today, a columns are like giant arrows directing attention to the West Coast aboriginals’ life of yesteryear on Anthony Island, some 60 miles off the British Columbia coast.

On the southern tip of the island, the protected Ninstints village has been transformed into an open-air museum of sorts, with ten cedar dwellings offering the last links to a former world.

The park has the first historic traces of a European presence in the Americas, the ruins of a Norse settlement from the 11th century, with wooden and earth houses similar.

Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton has an untamed beauty that makes for some of the most impressive scenery in North America. The island is a wonderful mixture of rocky shores, rolling pasture, barren headlands, woodland, mountains and plateaux. Comprehension of the people of Cape Breton Island is not possible without knowledge of its earliest shelters. Cape Bretons today reflect the resolve of those pioneers. The Island has shaped them just as they struggled to shape the island. Photo by: Thatsanotherdory

The largest town, Sydney, still bears the scars of a failed industrial past but outside of the immediate area, the theme of the islands heritage mixed with outstanding natural beauty. Fortress Louisbourg faithfully recreates the French military might of the early 18th century, pioneer cottages line the north shore of the imposing Bras d’OR Lake and the island’s most northerly point, Meat Coves offers spectacular ocean views. Photo by: archer10 (Dennis)

Accommodation on Cape Breton is limited, so booking in advance is recommended, and as the public transport is poor, driving is your only real option to explore the wonderful island. Photo by: Henk & Anna

When to go: June to August is the best time but even then the weather is notoriously unpredictable. Population: 150,000. How to get there: By road-bridge from mainland Nova Scotia or by air to Sydney which has an international airport. Photo by: archer10 (Dennis)

Quadra Island lies between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia and is the largest and most populous of the Discovery Islands. A short ferry ride from Cambell River takes you through whale- and dolphin-rich waters to this island of ancient temperate rainforest. Photo by: jenisthebest

With its rich woodland, diverse topography, and plentiful wildlife, Quadra Island has become a huge draw for outdoor enthusiasts. There is an extensive system of lakes and rivers for kayaking and canoeing and many paths and trails for hiking and mountain biking. Guided bird watching and fishing charters run during the summer months, as do seaborne whale and bear watching trips. Its lakes are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, river otters, harbour seals, sea-lions, cormorants, snowy owls, the great blue heron and the rarely seen peregrine flacon. Photo by: bcshooter

Its remoteness at the top of the Strait of Georgia helps this island community retain an idyllic charm. Aboriginal and European people live side by side, and whilst tourism is growing it is not overwhelming. Photo by: GerryT

When to go: All year round although the ferries can get crowded in the May to August period. Population: 2,650. How to get there: By ferry from Campbell River or Cortes Island. Photo by: MT-FOTOS

The Thousands Islands are a network of in fact nearly 1,800 islands that span the American-Canadian border in the Saint Lawrence River. Some, like Wolfe Island, the largest at 124 sq km have significant year-round populations, while others are merely rocky outcrops visited by migrating birds. The whole area is hugely popular as a holiday destination, particularly for sailing – so much so that it’s sometimes called the ‘fresh water boating capital of the world’. Photo by: hermez

Around twenty of these islands form the Saint Lawrence Islands National Park, the smallest of Canada’s national parks. The Thousand Islands Frontenac Arch region was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002. The US islands include numerous New York State parks, most notably Robert Moses State Park. Photo by: Guddemischi

The area is often traversed by freighters on their way into and out of the Great Lakes shipping lanes, but is so dotted with barely rocks that local navigators are hired to help the vessels travel through the hazardous waterway. This is unwise to travel the waters at night, except in the main channels and with good charts. It’s a popular place for experienced divers as the waters mostly so clear and the sea bed is littered with many shipwrecks for them to explore. Photo by: baalands

The area is also famous for its wealthy up state New Yorkers and many of the islands are privately owned. A plethora of ‘No Landing’ signs reminds potential visitors that they can look, but not to touch, so the best way to enjoy the area is by boat. Photo by: JasonB3

When to Go: The shoulder seasons of late April to May and September to early October are less crowded and can have good weather. Population: 22,450. How to get there: Via The Thousands Islands bridge from New York state or tour the area by boat from Gananoque.

With lofty peaks, immense landscapes and nearly 10,000 km of rocky coastline, Newfoundland is the sixteenth largest island in the world, covering 109,000 sq km. It is an entrancing land where giant icebergs drift along the coast, whales swim in a huge bays and large herds of moose graze on flat open marshes. Photo by: Vampire Black Cat

Newfoundland is home to two national parks. Gros Morne National Park, located on the west coast, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 due to its complex geology and remarkable scenery. It is the largest national park in Antlantic Canada at 1,805 sq km. Terra Nova on the island’s east side, preserves the rugged geography of the Bonavista Bay region and allows visitors to explore the historic interplay of land, sea and man. Photo by: Vampire Black Cat

The island also offer a major hiking trail running along the eastern edge of the Avalon Peninsula. The East Coast Trail extends 220 km, beginning near Fort Amhurst in St John’s and ending in Cappahayden, with an additional 320 km of trail under construction. The trail winds along the coast, taking hikers through many small fishing villages and along miles of rocky inhabited coastline. Photo by: azmuskoka

When to go: All year round but it’s less cold from May to September. Population: 475,000. How to get there: By air to St John’s Newfoundland capital. Photo by: Derek M

Baffin Island is the eastern Canadian Arctic, lying between Greenland and the Canadian mainland. Covering 507, 451 sq km, it is the largest island in North America and the fifth largest in the world. It was named after the British explorer William Baffin but the overwhelmingly Inuit population know it as Qikiqtaaluk. Photo by: mattalatta

With 60 per cent of the island lying above the Arctic Circle and summer temperature struggling to reach even 5 degrees Celsius, the rugged ice-covered landscape is not for the fainthearted. However the rewards for any visitors are great, with spectacular scenery and the chance to see the rich and diverse Arctic wildlife, including polar bears ans whales in their natural environment. Getting to Baffin Island is only reachable by air. The island has only one airport which deals with external flights and another six which handle internet transfers. Photo by: nic_kirschner

Most of the finest mountains are located on the Cumberland Peninsula at the head of the South Pangnirtuning Fjord. Much of the area is included within Auyuittuq National Park, and is accessible from Pangnirtuning, a small coastal Inuit settlement. From there access to the peaks is by boat, dog sled, float-plane or ski-plane, depending on the ice and weather conditions. Photo by: Simon -n- Kathy

The sheer vastness of the island is difficult to take in and any traveller should plan ahead, not to be ambitious and allow extra time for weather related delays, even in summer. Photo by: Pierre Lesage

When to go: June to August. Population: 11.000 (2005). How to get there: By air from Montreal, Ottawa or Yellowknife. You should know: During the summer season, local people leave their homes to live in tents and tourists are invited too. There is no better way to enjoy the midnight sun and discuss it with people who know the landscape best.

The garden consists of five zones: a hardwood forest, a mixed forest, a nordic landscape. The Chinese Garden is the largest, the Japanese Garden of 2.5 hectares is also the largest of its kind outside Japan. Also Tthe Rose Garden. The Marsh and Bog Garden’s collection of aquatic and wetland plants combines species native to Québec with more exotic foreign ones like water hyacinth and lotus.

Botanical Garden is The Flowery Brook, where water flows from the Alpine Garden and meanders through informal beds of irises, peonies and day-lilies.

The Gulf Islands are a group of mountainous islands situated across the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland of southern British Columbia. They are part of a larger archipelago that features the San Juan Islands just to the south in Washington State. By the way the easiest way to get to is Saltspring Island – also well known as Canada’s arts and crafts island. Its mellow pace, breathtaking landscapes have drawn artists from all over the world. It has recently become the haunt of several Hollywood film stars.

The next island is Bucolic Mayne Island with medley of rock bays, forested hills and once the agriculture hub of the area. Saturna Island is tucked away at the southern end of the island chain. This one is very rural, sparsely populated and difficult to reach.

The Pender Islands, also emerged as the ”Friendly Islands” have over 20 public ocean access spots to visit along its beaches and coves. The Penders are great hotbed for outdoor activities. Galiano Island (displayed in the picture above) has always enjoyed a reputation for being the most welcoming to visitors. The early settlers opened their homes to tourists as a way of earning a living.

As a group the Gulf Islands are still underdeveloped and many of the best lodges and restaurants are hidden away down forests tracks.

When to go: All year round, although the islands are little crowded in summer.

]]> http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/06/18/gulf-islands/feed/ 0 http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/06/15/art-gallery-of-ontario/ http://www.wayfaring.info/2009/06/15/art-gallery-of-ontario/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:05:02 +0000 misha http://www.wayfaring.info/?p=10397

Frank Gehry is a winning architect based in Los Angles. Today he is 70-year-old and ended up re-envisioning with the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). As a child he visited the AGO often, and the effect of those visits on him and his future career was significant. The remaking of AGO allows Toronto to gather some of the benefits of his huge talent before it’s all too late.

One of Gehry’s early sources of career inspiration was the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), known as the father of Scandinavian modernism. Alvar  loves the gently curving light-color wood, and these clean and airy architectural lines, can be sensed at the newly refurbished AGO. Due to this fact Gehry thought of Aalto when he designed the spiraling plywood-faced staircase for the main entry hall is irrelevant. The newly transfigured AGO is simply gorgeous.

Today there is a new form of urban graffiti in the world and it’s extremely interesting and enjoyably – urban knitting. I mean like sweater -wearing tree or all yarn covered corners with some of the best examples of knit/crochet graffiti.

The images display entitled ”tree cozy”. The impressive outfit was made by Carol Hummel and took her 500 hours from start to finish and stood for a 3 years outside clever land heights city hall until just recently.

Top left – a knitted handrail cover near Tullikamarinaukio Square, Finland, by Knit Sea. Top right – a tagged guard chain in Stockholm, left by the prolific Masquerade Crew. Bottom left – a mooring ring tagged in Stockholm, again by the Masquerade Crew. Bottom right – a grateful and warm lampost in Houston, Texas dressed by members of Knitta Please.

The picture display territorial knitting, an unauthorized project by Lauren Marsden. Her aim was to cover the signs of every street on which she has lived in Victoria, British Columbia, with knitted replicas.