Island’s celtic ties are celebrated in this festival of dance, music, food and more

TORONTO, ON (May 7, 2012) – Nova Scotian youth dance troupe “Celtic Fusion” will be bringing their kilts and kicks to the beautiful island of Barbados for the annual Celtic Festival Barbados. Taking place from June 7^th-14^th, the troupe hailing from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia will participate in the festival celebrating the country’s ties to Ireland, Wales and Scotland through music, dancing, food and sport.

Bagpipers will kick off the celebrations at sundown on June 7^th and take over the South Coast Boardwalk in Bridgetown. The festival gets rocking at the Plantation Theatre on June 8^th with Scottish folk group, the Peatbog Faeries, and Irish songstress Sarah Macbeth and her band.

Alongside the sights and sounds of mixing these two cultures, a fusion of flavours is on the menu. On June 9^th, award-winning Scottish chef Paul Wedgewood will be serving up tasty Celtic delights at Relish Epicura, in the newly opened Limegrove Lifestyle Centre. Of course, no Barbados celebration is complete without sampling some rum! Get a true taste of the island with a rum shop tour following the food demonstration.

The Celtic Festival Barbados celebrates the longstanding ties between the Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland and Wales and the sunny island paradise of Barbados. Over four hundred years ago, criminals from these countries came to the island as indentured servants, and their descendants still live in the “Scottish” district of St. Andrew’s Parish.

The celebrations continue throughout the week with a five-hour lunch cruise aboard the luxurious catamaran Cool Runnings and a chance to swimming with turtles. Back on land, experience the historical “Scotland” district and sugar plantations by taking a Jeep Safari ride around the island, or tour the island’s botanical beauties in the award-winning Flower Forest.

Come and stay in paradise and enjoy the entertainment, sight-seeing and cuisine of both Celtic and Barbadian cultures.

Getting there:

Air Canada currently provides daily direct service to Barbados with nine flights weekly from Toronto and twice-weekly flights from Montreal. For further information and flight promotions, visit www.aircanada.com. 

Getting to Barbados has never been easier. WestJet makes it both easy and affordable to get to Barbados, offering non-stop flights from Toronto five times a week. Ticket information is available at www.westjet.com.

Transat Holidays introduced direct service from Toronto on December 25, 2011 with a weekly flight to Bridgetown for the winter season. Details and booking information is available at www.transatholidays.com. 

About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane Beach, St. Philip, voted on of the world’s sexiest beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Regarded by many as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, Barbados is home to numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation house and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantley Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from Toronto daily on Air Canada, 9 times weekly in the winter and 2 flights weekly out of Montreal. WestJet commenced service November 2, 2009 with 5 flights weekly via Toronto. New this winter, Transat Holiday will service Barbados with a weekly direct flight from Toronto. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/VisitBarbados and Twitter at www.twitter.com/Barbados. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org or Call 1-800-268-9122.

Beach Buddies

May 7, 2012. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands - Grab a friend, ask another friend, and have them call their friends. Villa Aquamare is the ultimate summer house share for sophisticated, urban dwellers looking for an alternative to the Hamptons scene.

Why go to the Hamptons when you can have a buzz-worthy private beachfront villa in the Caribbean? The Beach Buddies Week is a tropical twist for well-heeled singles looking for an international summer getaway, where absolute luxury is paired with the cost-saving benefits of a classic Hampton’s house-share.

The Aquamare villa experience combines the best standards and services of a five-star hotel with the exclusivity of a private villa stay, offering luxury, discreet service, and complete seclusion. Staffed with an on-site concierge and beach attendants, Villa Aquamare offers Bulgari amenities and the luxury of large open living spaces. At Villa Aquamare, there are no distractions, just complete privacy and discretion.

The Beach Buddies Week provides an 8,000 square foot five-suite villa with expansive living areas and equally spacious guest quarters, all with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the unobstructed views of the islets in Drake Channel and some of the most breathtaking sunsets in the Caribbean. The villa has a private infinity pool.

The Beach Buddies Week is priced at only $2,728 per suite (based on renting an entire five-suite villa for a five-night stay).

includes:

• Five nights/six days in one of Aquamare’s 8,000 square foot five-suite villa’s
• Private Beach Park overlooking the islets in the Drake Channel that’s ideal for sunset cocktail parties
• Energetic diversions, including sea kayaks and snorkeling equipment to explore the reef that lies just offshore
• Complimentary five-hour sailing excursion (based on availability) aboard the Bravura, a custom-built 48-foot Hans Christian luxury sailboat (with an open bar)
• Complimentary use of a Mini Safari excursion vehicle to explore Virgin Gorda, from the party scene in Leverick Bay to The Baths, the most beautiful rock formations in the Caribbean.
• Meet & Greet at Virgin Gorda airport or marina
• Beach Buddies package rates: $13,642, based on a minimum five (5) night stay and a maximum of 10 guests
• Tax and service charge not included

Aquamare, set on the scenic Western coast of Virgin Gorda at Mahoe Bay along half a mile of pristine beach frontage, consists of three 8,000 square-foot private villas. Designed and constructed specifically as elite villa vacation homes, with multiple ensuite master bedrooms, spacious living areas and professional-grade kitchens, Aquamare is the new benchmark for luxury villa rentals on one of the B.V.I.’s quietest and most exclusive islands. For reservations or more information, visit www.villaaquamare.com or call (787) 461-2638 Twitter: @VillaAquamare Facebook Villa Aquamare

NEW ATTRACTIONS FOR EARLY SUMMER FUN

The best perk of an
Orlando holiday this year may be the bragging rights around being the first to
experience Orlando’s newest attractions including:

TurtleTrek ( http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/TurtleTrek )  at SeaWorld Orlando opening April 27 – A 3-D/360-degree dome theater immersing viewers in the amazing journey of a sea turtle complete with a natural turtle habitat. 
 
Superstar Parade ( http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Universal-Studios-Florida.aspx )  and Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular ( http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Universal-Studios-Florida.aspx )  at Universal Studios Florida opening May 8 – Two new entertainment experiences respectively featuring beloved characters and magical movie moments with light, sound and special effects. 
 
Fantasyland ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/new-fantasyland )  Phase I in Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort now open – The re-imagined land is doubling in size and has opened new attractions including dueling Dumbo attractions, the Great Goofini family coaster and interactive adventure role-play games. 
 
The Rattlesnake ( http://www.floridaecosafaris.com/EcoPark )  at Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida now open – The first zip line rollercoaster in the United States where riders swing, swoop, jump and dip through 1,000 feet (305 meters) of thrilling adventure.

HOT WAYS TO COOL OFF

Visitors can stay cool this summer with new and exciting water park options opening in Orlando. The world’s largest LEGOLAND ( http://florida.legoland.com ) will open an onsite water park on May 26. The water park will feature a LEGO® wave pool with gentle waves perfect for families, the build-a-raft river will allow families to create a unique LEGO vessel to voyage around the 1000-foot (304-meter) lazy river, and the DUPLO® Splash Safari water play area with shorter slides and interactive DUPLO creatures designed for toddlers. Wet ‘n Wild - Orlando ( http://wetnwildorlando.com ) will open a new Kid’s Park this summer, its first new attraction in over four years. The interactive water playground will cover an acre (.4 hectare) and expand across two pools with more than 85,000 gallons of water. A sandcastle playground serves as the centerpiece encompassing more than 15,000-square feet (1394-square meters) and features 17 slides and more than 160 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons. Orlando offers even more options to beat the heat with SeaWorld Orlando’s first water park Aquatica ( http://www.aquaticabyseaworld.com ) and Walt Disney World Resort’s Blizzard Beach ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/blizzard-beach ) and Typhoon Lagoon ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/typhoon-lagoon ) .

WHERE DO THE LOCALS EAT?

Venture outside of the popular tourist corridor to discover local dining hot spots and some of Orlando’s liveliest neighborhoods. The Ravenous Pig ( http://www.theravenouspig.com ) is an American gastro pub and perennial favorite for locals located in tony Winter Park. Its Chef-owners, Julie and Jim Petrakis, were nominees for this year’s James Beard Award in the Best Chefs in the South category. With Ravenous Pig such a runaway success, the Petrakis’s are opening a second restaurant, Cask & Larder in August featuring southern artisanal food, hand-crafted beer and local seafood products. Trendy restaurants have helped re-shape downtown Orlando into the heart of the city’s commercial and cultural core with a 10-mile (15-kilometer) stretch of theaters, galleries and new restaurants. Sushi fans can indulge at Amura Japanese Restaurant ( http://amura.com ) while organic food connoisseurs won’t want to miss The Rusty Spoon ( http://www.therustyspoon.com ) , featuring menu items from local farmers and food purveyors. Thornton Park is one of Orlando’s most charming neighborhoods chock full of accessible eateries from the quaint Dexter’s ( http://dexwine.com ) , offering a tasty Sunday brunch that locals frequent, to the stylish HUE ( http://huerestaurant.com ) , with a menu that changes daily and flavors unique to the Orlando area. Orlando also has more than a few outdoor dining options perfectly fit for the beautiful sunny weather including trendy neighborhood hot spots Luma on Park ( http://lumaonpark.com ) , the new favorite Prato ( http://prato-wp.com ) and SPICE Modern Steakhouse ( http://www.spicesteakhouse.com ) .

One of the best ways visitors can experience Orlando’s restaurants like locals is during “Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month ( http://orlandomagicaldining.com ) .” Running from September 1-30, the program showcases Central Florida’s ever-expanding dining universe, with participating restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe dinners for $30 at some of Orlando’s most popular dining locations.

A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY COMES TO ORLANDO

No stranger to out-of-this-world events, Orlando is the place to be this summer for wannabe Jedi Masters. May the Force be with you during Star Wars Weekends ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/special-events/star-wars-weekend ) , held at Walt Disney World Resorts’ Hollywood Studios every weekend from May 18 through June 10. Celebrity autographs, shows and a nightly party with Wookies, Ewoks, Stormtroopers and more bring the world of Star Wars to life. Kids ages 12 and under can hone their light saber skills at the Jedi Training Academy, while the whole family can enjoy the all-new ‘Star Tours- The Adventure Continues.’ With the addition of new characters and destinations riders of Star Tours will find more than 50 different ride experiences. The Force stays strong in Orlando with Star Wars Celebration VI ( http://starwarscelebration.com ) at the Orange County Convention Center August 23-26. This fan festival commemorates the magic of the entire Star Wars saga and is a great option for Jedi’s big or small. The convention includes celebrity guests, Star Wars experts, workshops, fan costumes, exhibits and more. Orlando Science Center hosts Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination ( http://osc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=117&Itemid=181 ) beginning October 13. The 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meters) exhibit explores the fantasy technologies depicted in the Star Wars film series and the real science behind them along with current research that may someday lead to remarkable real-life versions of the technologies.

FOURTH OF JULY ORLANDO-STYLE

Orlando’s wide open skies light up with fireworks every night, but on the Fourth of July they explode to a whole new level. Walt Disney World Resort ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com ) theme parks hold special patriotic activities including “Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” at Magic Kingdom Park along with the holiday-inspired “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” at EPCOT and a special July 4th firework presentation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. SeaWorld Orlando ( http://seaworldorlando.com ) ’s Summer Nights series feature a special Fourth of July firework show timed to patriotic music. LEGOLAND Florida ( http://florida.legoland.com ) hosts “Red, Brick and Boom,” a picnic-style family event complete with firework show. The City of Orlando celebrates with the annual “Fireworks at the Fountain” show at Lake Eola Park featuring free firework display and light show starring the recently renovated Lake Eola fountain.

ORLANDO NAMED BEST CITY FOR SHOPPING DEALS

There is no better place to shop ‘til you drop than Orlando. Recently named the ‘Best City for Bargain Shopping’ by Forbes magazine, Orlando features enough retail space to fill 900 football fields. Orlando is a shopper’s dream with two outlet locations featuring more than 500 stores. Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Ave ( http://premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17 ) recently opened new stores Lululemon Athletica, Brunello Cucinelli and Prada in addition to guest favorites Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach and more. Orlando Premium Outlets - International Drive ( http://premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=96 ) features a new Coach Men retail location alongside shopper favorites including Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Betsey Johnson, J.Crew, Michael Kors and more. The Florida Mall ( http://simon.com/mall/?id=139 ) is Orlando’s largest and features anchor stores including Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s along with specialty shops such as the M&M’s Store and MAC Cosmetics. Florida’s first H&M location is also located here next door to new Forever XXI Concept, HTG81. Luxury shoppers frequent the Mall at Millenia ( http://mallatmillenia.com ) with its upscale stores including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tory Burch and Chanel. For those in search of a distinctive look, Park Avenue  ( http://parkave-winterpark.com ) and Hannibal Square ( http://hannibalsquare.com ) in Winter Park are often referred to as “The Rodeo Drive of the East” and feature boutiques such as Thread, John Craig Clothier and Tuni.

SUMMER HAPPENINGS IN ORLANDO

21st Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival (May 16-28) – The oldest, non-juried festival in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival is a celebration of theater, art and music. Fringe encompasses hundreds of shows, the Visual Fringe, outdoor concerts and “The Kids Fringe Tour.” Events are held at various venues in and around downtown Orlando. True to Fringe roots, all acts remain uncensored, with performances ranging from mild to wild. Admission: $5-11 per show. orlandofringe.org ( http://orlandofringe.org ) ; 407-648-0077

Gay Days (May 29 – June 4 ) – Gay Days is comprised of multiple events staged at world-famous attractions, gay and lesbian clubs and unique venues that create a renowned gay and lesbian vacation experience. gaydays.com ( http://gaydays.com ) ; 407-896-8431

Red Chair Affair (Aug. 25 ) – Held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, the 8th Annual Red Chair Affair kicks off the Orlando cultural season. The event features performances and entertainment by Central Florida’s cultural community. redchairproject.com ( http://www.redchairproject.com ) ; 407-872-2382

‘Turtle Team’ Donors in Cross Channel Swim Raise More Than $10,000 for the Project as Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – In keeping with the island’s commitment to sustainable tourism, St. Kitts is pleased to announce that it will soon be home to a new Sea Turtle Interpretive Center.  The Center will be developed by the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN).

The Sea Turtle Interpretive Center is set to be a year-round tourist venue and will be an important addition to St. Kitts’ expanding sustainable tourism product.  In addition to aiding in the preservation of sea turtles, the Center will also create jobs and add another eco-friendly attraction to the island for both visitors and locals alike.

“It would also aid tremendously in educating visitors and residents about these critically endangered animals and about the irreplaceable marine resources of the island,” said Dr. Kimberly Stewart, who heads up the SKSTMN.  “We really hope that the Center will inspire people to become actively engaged in marine conservation.”

Upon construction, the Center will serve as the SKSTMN’s orientation center for tours and field trips, a research station, an area to showcase the organization’s local craft and jewelry making, a gift shop and an area for members and visitors to seek refuge from the elements during patrols.  As their centralized base of operations, it will also allow the SKSTMN to expand their employee base from nine sea turtle technicians to at least fifteen plus ancillary support staff.  The Center will be located on St. Kitts’ Keys Beach and cost approximately $75,000 to complete. 

To help raise funds to build the new Center, the SKSTMN assembled a team of swimmers to participate in the 10^th Annual StarMile2.5 Nevis-St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim on March 25, 2012.  The 34 members of the “Turtle Team” swam the 2.5 mile channel from St. Kitts to Nevis, raising more than $10,000 that will go entirely to the development of the Center.

This news is ideally timed, with sea turtle nesting season on St. Kitts having officially begun in March.  The SKSTMN offers eco-tours on St. Kitts from April 15 through June 15 annually, wherein guests can accompany the organization’s research team from 8pm - 12am to observe nesting female leatherback turtles.  Guests also receive a complimentary local beverage and packet of information about sea turtles.  Individuals can also adopt a turtle, learn more about the satellite tagging project, make a donation, or shop the SKSTMN’s online store.  The SKSTMN is a community based non-profit organization, so all proceeds are used to fund the St. Kitts sea turtle program.  

Founded in January 2003, the SKSTMN monitors nesting sea turtle populations & acts as an advocate for the strengthening of sea turtle protection laws.  Over the past 9 years, it has developed a broad-based program incorporating leatherback night patrols, morning beach monitoring, Sea Turtle Camp, school programs, leatherback ecotours and more.  To to inquire about arranging a tour or simply to learn more about SKSTMN, contact 1-869-764-6664 or visit www.stkittsturtles.org.  

On February 9, 2012, St. Kitts was named one of “5 Caribbean Islands to Discover Now” by MSNBC.  It was also named one of the “Top 12 Spots that should be on your list for 2012” by Caribbean Travel + Life magazine and the island’s Brimstone Hill Fortress was named one of “10 Great Places To Explore The World’s Best-Kept Secrets” by USA Today.  As of summer 2011, the destination also ranks #1 on a list of the 16 Best Caribbean Vacations by US News & World Report.  Last year, St. Kitts was named a top destination for 2011 by both AOL Travel and British Airways.   Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, it offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history.  The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at St. Kitts’ exclusive casino or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches.  Accommodations range from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels and resorts. 

For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-800-582-6208      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or from Canada 1-888-395-4887 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-888-395-4887      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube. 

We are pleased to send you the latest news about St. Kitts.  If you do not wish to receive our press releases, please reply to this email and enter REMOVE in the subject area and send to patricia@adams-pr.com   Adams Unlimited, 80 Broad St. New York, NY, 10004. Thank you.

        In this issue:

                  *Harnessing Your Energy in a World-First
                  *150 Years Packaged
                  *A Tweedy Affair
                  *Summer Theatre with Blue Bridge
                  * Bring Out Your Inner Scotsman
                  *Take a “Big Ride” Around Victoria This Summer
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 Harnessing Your Energy in a World-First
In Victoria, B.C., members and guests of the Victoria Athletic Club at the Hotel Grand Pacific now have the opportunity to harness their workout energy output to create electricity in a clean, green way. Using a pod of ten SportsArt “Green System” machines, specially designed energy saving treadmills and elliptical trainers, gym users’ energy is converted at a rate of 75 per cent and then transferred back to a grid to help power the athletic club, thus saving the facility approximately $3,000 in electricity costs per year. While this technology is not new, the partnership between SportsArt and local Victoria-based company EcoFit is. Together they have created a world’s first, as these machines not only send electricity back to the grid simply by using them, but they also allow users to see on a television screen how much power they are producing in real time. Furthermore to help encourage both fitness and environmental goals, once their work out is complete, users will receive an email detailing the stats of their workout. At the Victoria Athletic Club, no hard work goes unnoticed as fitness fanatics are acknowledged for their sweat by a rewards-based program started by EcoFit. Members and guests are given an EcoFit card upon registration which tracks their current and future energy production and fitness statistics, earning them EcoPoints they can redeem for discounts and offers within the hotel and at other local businesses. Having started in Victoria, this initiative is bound to succeed in eco-friendly markets around the world, as finding motivation to hop on that elliptical has never been so easy! For more information visit www.victoriaathleticclub.com.

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150 Years Packaged
The City of Victoria is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2012. The town site of Fort Victoria was incorporated as the City of Victoria on August 2, 1862 and in celebration a variety of events will be taking place over the course of the year. Fifty-seven 150th-themed arts, cultural and community-based projects are planned and take place from March to November. These projects include: Cycling Through Time Victoria from June 1 to June 23, a look back at bicycles and cycling in Victoria’s past, and several themed Chinatown Night Markets, taking place on the third Wednesday of the month from May to September. Special hotel packages for the 150th will also be available, including specials at The Fairmont Empress with rates starting at $150 CDN. The Inn at Laurel Point is offering a stay in a Laurel Wing room at $150 CDN and a $40 CDN food credit as a bonus if you book by April 30. And should you wish for a more intimate stay, Humboldt House B&B is also offering a 150th package which includes two tickets to Butchart Gardens, two tickets to Craigdarroch Castle, two tickets to the Royal BC Museum and chocolate truffles and sparkling wine awaiting you on your arrival. This package can be added to any two night stay for $150 CDN. For more information visit www.victoria.ca, www.fairmont.com/empress, www.laurelpoint.com and www.humboldthouse.com.  
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 A Tweedy Affair
On May 12, 2012, grab your chapeau and hop on a bike in Victoria, B.C. for a smashing good time at this year’s Tweed Ride Victoria. Occurring in countries around the world, including Tokyo and Finland, Tweed Rides started in London in the fall of 2009 and feature cyclists riding through city streets wearing classic tweed and other smart looking outfits. Victoria’s version will accept 350 riders and is a fundraiser for Bicycles for Humanity Victoria, a non-profit group that sends bicycles to those in need in Africa. This slower-paced cosmopolitan ride begins at 12:00 p.m. on the front lawn of The Fairmont Empress Hotel and includes judging stations along the way for prizes such as Best Men’s & Ladies Tweed and Tweediest Child, given out once the ride is complete. No Tweed Ride is complete without traditional Afternoon Tea, so riders are invited to bring their tweediest cup and saucer as the ride stops halfway for tea time. Be prepared for anything as this ride goes rain or shine. Whether you want to participate or just watch from the sidelines, this leisurely cycle is bound to be one classy affair. For more information visit www.tweedridevictoria.com.
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 Summer Theatre with Blue Bridge
Back for its fourth season in 2012, Victoria, B.C.’s Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre Company celebrates summer with plays from the United Kingdom and the United States. The season begins on May 15, 2012, with Willy Russell’s British Classic, Shirley Valentine . The play is a wildly funny one-woman tour-de-force about a Liverpool housewife who wins a trip to Greece. This is followed by another British Classic, Arms & the Man running June 5 to 17. John Steinbeck’s American classic Of Mice and Men follows next from July 3 to 15, 2012.  The season concludes with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s Little Shop of Horrors , a smash-hit rock ‘n’ roll musical about a blood thirsty plant. Housed out of the beautifully restored MacPherson Theatre in downtown Victoria, the 2012 Blue Bridge Season promises visitors a season of wit, outrageous comedy, and rockin’ tunes all under one roof. Single tickets begin at $24.50 CDN. The Blue Bridge Theatre Company also offers special promotions such as B&B package deals and Tea Matinees, where the matinee audience receives a complimentary cup of tea and biscuits from beloved Victoria establishments Silk Road Tea Company and The Dutch Bakery and Coffee Shop. For more information visit www.bluebridgetheatre.ca.
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 Bring Out Your Inner Scotsman

Victoria, B.C.’s 149th Highland Games and Celtic Festival is a fun-filled weekend event for the whole family. From May 19 to 20, 2012, visitors are invited to experience all things Celtic, as Celtic music, dance, sports and culture entertain the crowds. The two-day event will feature competitions in highland dancing, pipe bands, kilted mile athletics, tug of war, sheep dog herding, haggis hurling and heavy events. This year’s heavy events competition, a crowd favourite, features the top Canadian athletes battling for the title of the 2012 CSAF Canadian Heavy Event Champion through events such as the caber toss, hammer throw, weight over bar and stone put. The traditional massed pipe band opening ceremonies, complete with a cannon and muskets display, take place on the second day of the event held at Topaz Park, located just minutes from downtown Victoria. The Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival is the perfect place to bring out your inner Scotsman. Advance tickets are $12 CDN for adults, $10 CDN for seniors and youth. Children 12 and under are free, with special advance ticket pricing available. For more information visit www.victoriahighlandgames.com.

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 Take a “Big Ride” Around Victoria This Summer

On June 23, 2012, cycling fanatics will flock to Victoria, B.C. to push their physical limits with the third annual Victoria Gran Fondo©. Meaning “the big ride” or “the big endurance”, a Gran Fondo is a ride a great depth and endurance and this year’s Victoria edition is just that featuring a 268 kilometre full-day ride around Southern Vancouver Island. Following the Pacific Marine Circle Route, riders will begin in Victoria and pass through the communities of Sooke, Jordan River, Port Renfrew, Lake Cowichan and Duncan before returning to B.C.’s capital. The ride is limited to 85 participants, costs $300 CND to enter and will feature support stations with food and nutritional supplements along the way. Visitors are welcome to cheer on these exceptional cyclists from various spots on the route. If the Gran Fondo is too intense for your tastes, the ride is part of the larger Victoria International Cycling Festival, with many other cycling events taking place throughout the Capital from June 1 to June 24. Highlights include Jumpship, June 22 to 24, with some of the world’s best freeride mountain bikers showing off their big air tricks on the surface of a floating barge! The crowd favourite Bastion Square Criterium will also be back featuring a closed 900 metre loop circuit on city streets around historic Bastion Square in downtown Victoria. The festival concludes with Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria on June 24. Offering a choice of a 50km, 100km or 140km distance, this ride was designed by Ryder based on some of his favourite training routes during his preparation for the Tour de France. Whether you wish to participate in the activities or watch from the sidelines, Victoria is the place to be this June for those who love to ride. For more information visit www.victoriagranfondo.com or www.vicf.ca. 

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  For more information

please contact:

Cathy Ray

Manager, Travel Media Relations

(United States)

Phone: 250-414-6985
cathy.ray@tourismvictoria.com

Holly Lenk

Manager, Travel Media Relations

(Canada & Overseas)

Phone: 250-414-6974
holly.lenk@tourismvictoria.com

Tessa Humphries

Coordinator, Travel Media Relations

Phone: 250-414-7390
tessa.humphries@tourismvictoria.com
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Coming up for us….
Holly Lenk will be in Fredericton, NB from May 2 to 5 attending the 2012 TMAC Conference and AGM.
Holly Lenk will be in Whitehorse, YT from May 27 to 31 attending GoMedia Canada.

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Top 5…

Places to See Spring Flowers

Abkhazi Gardens

The Butchart Gardens

The Gardens at HCP

Government House

Hatley Park National Historic Site

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Did you know….

Aside from BC Ferries, Harbour Air, Victoria Clipper, the M.V. Coho and Kenmore Air who regularly service the Victoria area, you can also fly directly into the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) from a number of Canadian and American cities?
Non-stop direct flight are available from Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary, Toronto, San Francisco year-round.  Seasonal non-stop flights available from Honolulu, Las Vegas and Arizona.
Happy Travels!

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Other services:
Visit the website
Access our media gallery
Read Tourism Victoria’s “Going Local” blog

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