Vancouver Tours Blog

24 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Compare E-Book Readers – Don’t Pick The Cheapest E-Book Reader With The Biggest E-Reader Discount

E-Book readers are little devices that make a big impact on the way you read books. They are small enough to fit your pocket, and large enough to carry the whole library. Now, you can never get caught without your favorite book! You wanted to be the early Christmas shopper and treat yourself to a digital portable reading device. What has delayed the purchase is the fact that several e-book readers are vying both for your attention and for shelf-space. You need to stop and think, before you choose. 

E-book reader is not something which you should wait to buy at a whopping discount in a sale. You need to carefully peruse the features and pick the one that seems tailored for you. 

If you field the question, ‘Which is the best e-book reader in the market?’, the responses will be as varied as the number of similar devices to hit the shelves. The answer lies in your ability and desire to do some research. If you are not in a mood to do a comparative study on your own, read on, this can help.

Let’s do a run through the leaders of the pack: Kindle 2 and Kindle DX from Amazon, 
the Nook from Barnes and Noble and Sony’s Touch edition. 

If you will choose an e-book reader to fit your pocket literally and otherwise, then the lowest price is Kindle 2, priced at $259 and the one that comes closest to it is the Touch edition from Sony at $300. Next up is Nook at $349 and the Kindle DX walks tall at $489. 

The screen size is 6inches for all except the Kindle DX, which has a 9.7 inch screen. Having the largest display, the DX boasts of great resolution along with auto-rotate screen, changing from portrait to landscape as you rotate it. All of them have an E-ink display, giving it a paper-feel and making reading more natural than staring at a computer screen. 

If carrying a whole library or at least getting somewhere close to it, is you criterion, go for Kindle DX which stores a whopping 3500 E-Books. Standing at a moderate level are Kindle 2 and the Nook, with a capacity for 1500 e-books, which is not bad either. Sony’s Touch edition allows you space for 350 e-books. 

All three of them have wireless downloads except Sony Touch PRS-600. Since it has no wireless access, you need to download e-books through your computer. However the Touch edition comes with a stylus for jotting quick notes and has a built-in dictionary. It also has an extended battery life, cruising through 7500 page turns. 

One of the distinctive features that the Nook has is its ability to share books, in the same vein as lending books to friends. This feature however is not present in both Kindle 2 and DX or the Touch edition. 

It is not that there is just one product in the market which you buy, and then the scene is flooded with many more options and you get into buyer’s remorse. All of them are handy and equally portable, ready to travel with you, wherever you choose to go. Take some time out to pamper yourself with something you always wanted. What’s stopping you? Go and take your pick.

Source by goodereader

23 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Canada’s Provinces, Territories, Cities

What makes Quebec special?

Quebec has a rich and long history spanning five centuries. In 1534, Jacques Cartier, under an expedition sent by King Francis I, landed in Gaspe and claimed the lands for France. The Algonkian, Iroquoian, and Inuit natives initially populated the Quebec area, but Quebec City was not officially founded until 1603 by Samuel de Champlain. This region was governed as a French Royal Province and was known as New France. However, when the French were defeated in the French-Indian War, France’s agreement in the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave its provinces in North American to Great Britain. Thus, New France became the Province of Quebec.

Today, Quebec’s official language is still French, and it is the only province in Canada that is populated by a majority of French Canadians. French, not English, is spoken as the main language in the province. Quebec has also grown to be the largest province in Canada, with the large majority of its population living near the St. Lawrence River.

Quebec’s historical and present-day multiculturalism is evident through its celebration of the crossroads of cultures. Quebec can be compared to the melting pot between the Americas and Europe, with a population that has strong ties to France, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. There is a deep creative energy that runs throughout the province, which is experienced through plays, festivals, operas, sculptures, art galleries, paintings, and cultural festivals.

The interesting history and various cultural influences on Quebec make the area a very unique place to visit. The St. Lawrence River is a majestic landmark which shapes much of the life in Quebec. The Quartier Petit-Champlain, which is on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, is home to the oldest street, church, and commercial district in all of North America. Old Quebec City is also a historical area, as it is the only walled city that exists north of Mexico. The area retains its history with its cobblestone streets and 17th and 18th century architecture. Within Quebec City stands the Château Frontenac, which is one of the most photographed landmarks in all of Canada. Opened in 1893, its chateau style architecture exudes both historical charm and luxury.

Toronto

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world. With more than 100 languages spoken in the city, it is home to essentially all cultural and ethnic groups. Approximately 52% of Torontonians are immigrants, while another 22% are second generation immigrants. This cultural diversity is symbolically represented by the presence of five Chinatowns, little Italy, a Greek community, Little Portugal, and India Bazaar in Toronto.

Within Ontario, there are several interesting landmarks that demonstrate the history and culture of Toronto. Ontario Place was created to enhance the potential of Toronto’s waterfront through Lake Ontario. Spanning three man-made islands, Ontario Place exists as cultural, leisure, and entertainment park within a five pod pavilion complex. It houses an IMAX theater, amphitheatre, water park, look-out areas, amusement rides, and many other attractions. Ontario Place is symbolic of the revitalization efforts made by the government and people of Toronto to ensure that the waterfront would turn away from industrial pollution and instead focus on promoting a lake-culture.

Over 52 million people annually visit Downtown Yonge, which brims with shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and businesses. As the longest street in the world, Yonge connects Toronto with the surrounding suburbs. Surveyed in 1793, Yonge Street has been host to countless cultural and historical events surrounding Toronto. As a prominent landmark of Yonge Street, the Maple Leaf Gardens housed the NHL team, which was sold out for every single game between 1946 through the final game in 1999. Old City Hall, the Mackenzie House, and the Church of the Holy Trinity are all historical landmarks of Yonge Street that represent its mighty origins and development.

Vancouver

In 1824, Hudson’s Bay Company developed fur-trading posts along the Pacific slope, and James McMillan led a scouting party throughout the area to find proper locations. In 1827, McMillan and a crew of 25 returned back to the area, marked by a prominent tree north of the interior of Fraser River, to create a trading outpost. Thus, this marked the birth of Greater Vancouver. Subsequent trading posts, farms, and mills sprang up around this area as families migrated to the area seeking a better, more prosperous life.

Gastown, the birthplace of Vancouver, was established in the same year that Canada officially became a country. In 1867, John Deighton, also known as “Gassy” Jack for his conversational skills, opened a saloon catering to the workers of Hasting Mill, which was written by W. Kaye Lamb as “the nucleus around which the city of Vancouver grew up in the 1880s.” From that first saloon, Gastown grew into the third largest city of Canada, as well as developed into the most cosmopolitan areas of the country. Despite all of the changes of modernity, Gastown still retains its historical charm and unique spirit.

The popularity of immigration to Vancouver has made the city one of the most multi-ethnic in Canada. A study by Statistics Canada reveals that Vancouver holds the highest percentage of visible minority communities of all of the provinces in Canada. According to the study, by 2017, one out of every three people living in British Columbia will be of a visible minority descent. Vancouver certainly retains the reputation as being one of the most culturally integrated cities in the world. With more interracial couples and lower levels of culturally defined residential segregation, Vancouver is certainly Canada’s most diverse and integrated city.

There is a strong Asian influence in Vancouver. Chinese-Canadians comprise 16% of the total population of Vancouver, which is the highest percentage of residents of Chinese descent in all North American cities. Between the years 1991 to 2001, Chinese residents in Vancouver grew by 86%, according to the census. The prevalence of the Chinese culture is evidenced through the large spectrum of regional, authentic Chinese restaurants in the city. Many families choose to immigrate to Vancouver because of the city’s significant Asian influence. Other prominent Asian ethnic groups include the Filipino, Cambodians, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

Fishing in British Columbia

British Columbia sports the Sunshine Coast, which is renowned for excellent fishing and great weather. This region is surrounded by the Coastal Mountains, with a protected coastline spanning 175 kilometers from Howe to Desolation Sound on the Strait of Georgia.

For sport fishing, the Georgia Strait is an ideal location, as Vancouver Island protects the waters from any tumultuousness of the open sea. Additionally, with the number of islands surrounding the areas, the Georgia Strait is sheltered and free from the swells and fogs of the Pacific Ocean. The prevalence of bottom fish fishery makes the Sunshine Coast popular as well. Red snappers, ling cod, rock cod, tommy cod, and flounder are mostly available for fishing year-round. The fishing for bottom fish is plentiful in many areas of the Sunshine Coast, including Halfmoon Bay, Seal Reef, Bucaneer Bay, Secret Cove, Lasqueti Island, Bejji Shoals, Bargain Harbour, and Texada Island.

Chinook salmon can be fished year-round at many resorts along the Sunshine Coast, such as the Secret Cove, Powell River, and Pender Harbour. In the winter, fisherman can catch feeder Chinooks, while springtime presents the migratory Chinooks. The optimal season for Chinook and Coho salmon fishing is between June and September, while Chum salmon is optimal during September and October. Between mid-September and late October, the spring salmon is plentiful for fishing at the Lang Creek Estuary, which is south of the Powell River and approximately 22 kilometers north of Saltery Bay. The salmon caught in this area during the time period can range between 9 to 23 kilograms.

There are also great locations for fly fishing surface-feeding trout. Hotel Lake, Mixal Lake, Trout Lake, and Garden Bay Lake, are all optimal areas for fly fishing, with March being a great month to catch trout.

Fishing in Ontario

Ontario’s 250,000 inland lakes and shorelines on four of the Great Lakes makes the province an excellent fishing location, with its muskellunge waters and walleye fishery being the most popular aspects for fishers. However, there are 158 species of freshwater fish that live in Ontario waters, with the following being the most prevalent: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Lake Trout, Brooke trout, Chinook Salmon, and lake whitefish.

Rice Lake, with its weedy cover and algae production, is renowned for its ample supply of largemouth bass. Two and three pound bass are quite common, and they can even range up to seven pounds. Additionally, Big Rideau Lake, Georgian Bay, Bay of Quinte, Lake Simcoe, Tri-Lakes, Lake St. Francis, Rowan Lake, Weslemkoon Lake, and Lake Scugog are great locations for bass fishing.

The Grand River is considered one of the best places to fly fish for brown and rainbow trout, but the fish is ample throughout the entire province. From the streams of the south to the lakes of the central area and extending to the northern rivers, trout is easily caught throughout the province.

The Chinook salmon is most prevalent in the Great Lakes by the Greater Toronto Area. The walleye are also found in the Great Lakes, but can also be fished in the wild waters of Northern Ontario down to the reservoirs of the southern area of the province.

Fishing in Quebec

Walleye, pickerel, perch, pike, speckled trout, lake trout, and Atlantic salmon are all prevalent throughout Quebec. With the great forests and thousands of lakes and rivers, Quebec is an excellent province for fishing enthusiasts. Because of the pristine condition of its natural resources, Quebec is often considered “La Belle Province,” which provides one of the best opportunities for sports fishing in Canada. Especially in the rivers and lakes of James Bay in northwestern Quebec, the trout, pike, and walleye are easy catches for fishermen. Between the spring and fall seasons, angling is best in the thousands of lakes and rivers throughout Quebec. The optimal times for walleye are between late July and early August.

Atlantic salmon is best in the eastern region of the province, while fishing in Central Quebec will reap an abundance of speckled trout. Julian and Craven Lakes, the Roggan River, Seal River, and their offshoot rivers are considered the best areas for trout fishing.

Fishing in Labrador

Known as one of the last unspoiled frontiers of Canada, Labrador is an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts. With hundreds of public rivers, Labrador is an excellent province for catching trout and salmon.

Awesome Lake provides an ample area for sport fishing, especially for Brook trout. Exploits River, a Class 1 river, is grounds for some of the best Atlantic salmon fishing in all of Canada, with a run of over 30,000 fish. August is the optimal time for fishing in the Exploits River, which flows through Windsor-Grand Falls.

Humber River, which is approximately 16 kilometers north of Corner Brook, is a great location for fishing big salmon between the optimal times of August and October. As a Class 1 river, Humber is home to literally thousands of jumping salmon during the peak season of August and September.

Eagle River is the largest river in all of Labrador, and it is a superb location for ample salmon fishing. Its catch number is three times the amount of other comparable rivers in Canada.

Fishing and Hunting in the Yukon: the Last Frontier

The Yukon, known to be the last frontier, is an excellent province for outdoor enthusiasts. Considered to be an untouched, pristine province, whose seclusion is only matched by Northern Russia, the Yukon has ample fishing and hunting for both rare and popular species. The Artic grayling, northern pike, and lake trout are abundant in the icy lakes and streams of the Yukon. Additionally, the rare inconnu and Arctic char can be fished throughout the rivers that flow throughout the Yukon, which is one of the world’s most remote and untouched locations.

Wolf Lake, one of the most secluded lakes in Yukon, is known for its excellent supply of trophy trout. With very low fishing pressure, there is an ample supply of trophy trout that can be caught through fly fishing; with the shallow bottom of the lake, Wolf Lake is certainly a paradise to fly fish trophy trout.

At the Tagish Bridge Site, which is located where the Six Mile River enters into Marsh Lake, there exists ample Lake Trout, Whitefish, Lake Cisco, and Arctic Grayling for the fishing enthusiast. Other great fishing locations for the trout, grayling, and pike can be found in many regions across the Yukon, such as Watson Lake, Daughney Lake, Morley Lake and River, Marsh Lake, Kusawa Lake, Pine Lake, Kloo Lake, Kluane Lake, and Pickhandle Lake.

The environment and dense forests of the Yukon provide hunters with a plentiful supply of game, including caribou, black and grizzly bear, wolf, mountain bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goat. In the Yukon Territory, there is an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 grizzly bears. The Alaska-Yukon moose is very popular because it is the largest size out of all the subspecies.

A popular region is the Yukon corridor, which has an abundance of Dall sheep and deer. Another plentiful region is the South Nahanni Outfit with its sheep, goats, caribous, Dall rams, moose, bears, and wolves that all live plentifully in the secluded region. Between July 15th and the middle of August, this is the optimal time for hunting Dall sheep in the Mackenzie mountains.

References

Baglole, Joel. Bisetty, Krisendra. “Cultural Shift Takes Aim at British Columbia.” The Vancouver Sun, March 23, 2005.

British Columbia, Canada. “BC Sport Fishing – Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.” British Columbia Tourism Travel Guide. Available at http://www.britishcolumbia.com/

City of Toronto. “Diversity.” City of Toronto. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chateaufrontenac-quebec-canada-rs.jpg

Davis, Chuck. A Brief History of Greater Vancouver. Greater Vancouver Book. Vancouver: Linkman Press, 1997.

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon.” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/default.html

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon – Locations and Species Found” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/fishare.html

Downtown Yonge B.I.A. “About Downtown Yonge.” Downtown Yonge. Available at http://www.downtownyonge.com/index.asp?navid=2

Etling, Kathy. Hunting Bears: Black, Brown, Grizzly, Polar Bears. New York: Woods N’ Water, Inc., 2003.

Fishing in Quebec. “Fishing in Quebec.” Available at http://www.fishinginquebec.com/

Gastown. “Gastown History.” Available at http://www.gastown.org/history/index.html

Leacock, Stephen. Ulysses Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler. Toronto: Hunter Publishing, 2006.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. “What Can I Expect to Catch?” Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2003.

Montague, Arthur. “Fishing in Quebec: Trophy Brook and Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike are Routine Catches for Anglers in Northern Quebec.” Pagewise, 2002.

“Quebec: Providing Emotions Since 1534.” Government of Quebec. Available at http://www.bonjourquebec.com/ca-en/qcaujourdhui0.html

Shockey, Jim. “North America’s Best Bargains.” Petersen’s Hunting, 2005.

Smith, Charlie. “Researcher Reveals Asian Diversity.” Straight. August 4, 2005. Available at http://www.straight.com/article/researcher-reveals-asian-diversity

Statistics Canada. “2001 Community Profiles: Community Highlights for Vancouver.” Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE, released June 27, 2002.

The Portal of Quebec. “Tourist Guide of Quebec.” QuebecWeb. Available at http://www.quebecweb.com/TOURISME/quebec/introang.html

Wegman, Wil. “Best Largemouth Bass Destinations.” Outdoor Canada. Available at http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/fish/best_largemouth_bass.shtml

Source by Sigurdur Nordal

23 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Characteristics of a Good Airport Transfers Service Provider

Airport transfers nowadays are truly much preferred by travelers because of the convenience that is being promised by this mode of transport. With the many benefits that can be achieved, it is must, to assure that you will be getting the most out of your deal.

An airport transfers must not only be good enough in sending off and picking up travelers to and from the airport and their destinations. The transport must also be in quality that would allow travelers to consume a just reward as to what they have paid. In this case, the service provider of this transport must be the one responsible in securing this. The services must satisfy the traveler’s company and not only be limited as a transportation escort.

The service must promote a welcoming presence for the travelers. They must feel reception throughout the transport. The chauffeur on the first place must be accommodating and friendly towards the travelers. In cases like when tourists are not familiar with the use of language, the chauffeur must know how to use the universal language. In this way, smooth flow of communication, which is very important, throughout the trip can be assured. On the other hand, even if the goal is to promote a friendly atmosphere, still the chauffeur must be aware of his actions not going beyond limitations and alleviating respect.

The vehicle that will be used in airport transfer is also important. The condition as to technical aspects must be secured in order to have a safe and convenient trip. The provider must check if the engines are in good terms as well as if the ride can accommodate the number of traveler. As an example is a taxi or a minicab which would be advisable only for few numbers of travelers since it cannot accommodate huge numbers of passengers. For a trip with many accompaniments, wide spaced vehicles would be suitable or either is depending on the number of seats required, which is definitely should not be a taxi or a minicab.

The service provider of airport transfer must also be legally accredited by proper authorities. This is to avoid tricks and threats on traveling. This is also for the sake of your piece of mind. You can look for reliable service provider in many ways such as through online but make sure that you are dealing with the right provider.

For wiser spending, look for service provider offering a good price that suits your budget. There are those who propose incentives and rewards upon availing their airport transfers. There are also those that are already included in the total expenditure of your trip. With this, you can still have a cozy and practical transport not mending with your budgetary issues.

If you are planning to have a trip and considering an airport transfers, you must keep in mind everything that was stated for you to consume your pay off properly and wisely.

Source by Julius Daviz Galvez

22 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

10 Richest Canadian Billionaires – Find Out How They Got So Rich

Canadian Billionaires – Who are the Richest People in Canada?‘

Almost all annual listings of the world’s richest people mention the same names year after year. On the top of these lists you will find Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Although the lists are generally accurate, you will often observe an American-centric pattern, wherein entrepreneurial skills and wealth of the country’s northern neighbor are often overlooked. Canada has its share of top richest people and even if recession has affected the Billionaire Balance Sheets of 2008 to 2009, the top richest people in the world have $2 trillion in asset valuation. Forbes, the trusted magazine all around the globe when it comes to entrepreneurial stories and news, came up with the list of 10 richest Canadians for 2009. The list includes a brief background on how these top 10 richest Canadians became very wealthy and successful. All figures below are in US dollars, unless otherwise stated.

1. David Thomson and family – media conglomerate – $13 billion

David Thomson is the reputed grandson of Roy Thomson who is the founder of the Thomson Corporation. The company started out as a book publishing enterprise. Today, it continues to be one of the premier textbook providers for higher education in the world. The company grew even more as it got involved in information technology and electronic media. It dominates the healthcare, science, financial services, and the law sectors. It acquired Reuters News last 2007 and is currently known as the Thomson Reuters.

2. Galen Weston and family – retail – $5 billion

This family owns a couple of giant retail establishments in the UK and Canada, which include Loblaws, Selfridges, and the Holt Renfrew. Galen Weston is the descendant of George Weston, who founded the George Weston Bakeries Ltd. as a food business. Weston’s Loblaws is the largest retailer in Canada, with net sales amounting to more than $30 billion Canadian dollars in 2008.

3. James, Arthur, and Jack Irving – oil and other natural resources – $3.9 billion

The Irving brothers are the sons of the Canadian oil king billionaire K.C. Irving, who passed away in 1992. The three brothers took over the family’s natural resource holdings and divided these based on their personal responsibilities and expertise. Arthur Irving manages the Irving Oil and its various retail sites in Canada, plus transportation and refineries. Jack Irving, on the other hand, handles the engineering, steel fabricating, and construction entities of the company. James Irving is the one handling the parent company, which focuses on forestry, shipbuilding, and other types of transportation.

4. Paul Desmarais, Sr. – transportation and finance – $2.6 billion

Paul started out as the manager of their family business, the Desmarais’s bus service. He began to acquire other lines and created a holding enterprise that eventually branched out to other fields such as life insurance and publishing. He always made sure to personally oversee the financial aspect of his businesses. As of today, Paul’s Power Corporation of Canada owns large interests in financial and media services in Europe and North America. These include interest in the French oil company, Total.

5. Guy Laliberte – Cirque du Soleil – $2.5 billion

Laliberte is among the few figures on this list of rich Canadians who did not get wealthy by inheritance or some other forms of existing family enterprise. When Guy was younger, he was actually a poor street performer. He eventually came up with some circus-type productions that included contracts with numerous US and Canadian municipalities to conduct street shows. This was how the Cirque du Soleil empire started. Guy’s company now has regular shows in a number of casinos in Las Vegas, and he also conducts shows around the world. His shows are altered and customized yearly, and they are booked years in advance by both loyal and new clients.

6. Bernard or Barry Sherman – pharmaceuticals – $2.5 billion

Bernard Sherman has a PhD in astrophysics from MIT. However, his current position as founder of Apotex Inc., a reputed generic drugs manufacturer, is a result of his experience from working for a relative at Empire Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company that he acquired later. Barry saw the growth potential of generic drugs in the worldwide market. Since then, Apotex is known as one of the leading generic drug manufacturers in the world.

7. David Azrieli – construction – $2.1 billion

David Azrieli was a holocaust survivor from Israel. He migrated to Canada in 1954, and used his degree in architecture to start a small construction company in Montreal. David’s company, Canpro Investments, continuously built and constructed numerous office buildings, shopping malls, as well as high-rise residences throughout Canada, US, and even in Israel. The Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv, Israel is known as the biggest real estate project in the entire Middle East.

8. Robert Miller – electronic – $2.1 billion

Robert Miller is seen by many as reclusive, but the company he built in 1968, Future Electronic, is far from withdrawn or isolated. In fact Miller’s company is one of the biggest and most widely known private corporations in Quebec. Future Electronics sells electronic components such as LEDs and circuit boards. It has over 170 locations in more than 40 countries worldwide. Miller’s company is ranked as the fourth largest electronics distributor in the world, with annual sales of up to $4.5 billion Canadian dollars.

9. Jim Pattison – diversified portfolio – $2.1 billion

Jim Pattison Group is a Vancouver-based corporation and among Canada’s largest companies in private management. Jim Pattison started out as an automobile dealer. He used the profits from this business to get into other businesses in different industries. These companies are television and radio stations, advertising and other media companies, warehouse facility management corporations, food distributors, as well as the Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” attractions.

10. Wallace McCain – food distribution and processing – $2 billion

If you have been eating French fries in America or Europe for the last 20 years, there is a good chance that these were cut and processed in McCain’s processing plants. Ever since the establishment of McCain Foods Ltd. in 1956, Wallace has acquired facilities throughout Argentina, Canada, Australia, France, and various US states. The company later on expanded into pizza, orange juice, as well as frozen vegetables as McCain diligently saw the high demand for frozen food.

So what do these 10 richest Canadians have in common? The richest people in Canada either inherited or started their own businesses.

Source by Brian Ernst

22 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Long Island Wine Tours Offer Some Of The Country’s Best Wines

New York State is rated fourth best in U.S. wine production with California, Washington and Oregon as the top three. Whatever the official ranking, New York wines are some of the finest you’ll find in any region of the country. The state’s 200-plus wine growers are divided into two main growing regions: Finger Lakes and Long Island. The Finger Lakes area in upstate New York is the largest wine growing region, while the North Fork region of long Island is home to about 50 of the state’s wine producers. The South Fork also has a few wineries.

Out of the two regions, Long Island wine tours attracts the most attention due to it being only 2.5 miles from New York City. Many people are surprised to learn that there are 3,000 acres of lush, green farmland that plays host to 60 vineyards on Long Island. Louisa and Alex Hargrave, who established Hargrave Vineyard on the site of an old potato farm, introduced grape growing to this area in 1973. The Hargraves winemaking became such a huge success that they influenced others to follow suit. Now, the North Fork region has become a much sought-out tourist destination for wine buffs, as well as, serious wine connoisseurs. By the way, the original Hargrave Vineyard was sold to new owners in 1999 and has been renamed Castello di Borghese.

Although still relatively young, the wine making establishment on Long Island is home to some top-rate wineries including: Bedell, Channing Daughters, Corey Creek, Jamesport Vineyards, Lenz, Lieb, Macari, Martha Clara, Osprey’s Dominion, Palmer, Paumanok, Peconic Bay Winery, Pellegrini, Pindar, Raphael, Roanoke, Shinn and Wolffer. While there are a lot of wonderful wineries that grow grapes here, a majority of them are too small to play host to large groups of tourists. Therefore, the most popular wine tours will only take you to see a couple of large estates and a few smaller ones that have open facilities for tourists.

However, don’t think that this limited selection will make your tour dull – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Long Island wine tour operators go out of their way to make sure you and your group have a great time. During your tour, you’ll be able to taste a selection of red and white wines, go behind the scenes of winemaking, get up close and personal with wine makers and even ask them questions, enjoy a wonderful buffet lunch, see the sites and sounds of wine country and there may even be some great live music. If you want to extend your stay, there are several cozy bed and breakfast inns that can pamper you with fine lodging and great food.

Reasons to Go On a Long Island Wine Tour

While you don’t particularly need any special reason to visit Long Island wineries, here are a few suggestions you might find helpful:

Escape the City – Getting tired of the concrete jungle? Get away for a day by going out to the countryside and breathing in some fresh air while enjoying some wine tasting. Discover that “other” part of New York that you’ve only heard rumors about.

Birthday Celebration – A wine tour is the perfect birthday celebration idea that is unique and involves an array of family and friends. Most wine tours are family friendly and can also accommodate children in private groups. In addition to tasting wine, you can stop off and go site seeing in one of the picturesque towns.

Bachelorette Party – A fun way to celebrate a bride-to-be’s last bash is by going on a private wine tasting tour. A bachelorette tour includes good friends, lots of great tasting wine and food, plus lots of laughs and fun memories.

Source by Ned D’Agostino

21 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Autoglass Vancouver

Broco Glass Group provides the best Autoglass in Vancouver as voted by area consumers.

Anytime you have a crack, chip or break in your vehicle window or windows there is a potential for the problem to become much worse. Broco Glass Group, voted the winner of the Consumers Choice Award for best Autoglass in Vancouver has the technicians and services to repair all your auto glass problems. They also provide glass assurance and commercial and residential glass repair, definitely making them your one stop glass shop.

Broco Glass Group is not new to Vancouver. First opened in 1978 by founder Fredric H. Beck, this company has expanded from a simple shop to several locations across British Columbia. Unlike other businesses that stayed small and local, Broco Glass Group expanded their services to meet the growing demands of customers. They now offer full autoglass as well as commercial and residential glass repair. Autoglass repair is still very much a focus of the company and they take pride in only hiring Government Certified Autoglass Technicians in all their locations. Their commitment to consumer safety extends to only using Original Equipment Manufactured (O.E.M) or equivalent products for replacement glass. In addition the company, winner of the Consumers Choice Award for best Autoglass in Vancouver, offers commercial glass protection contracts. These contracts help offset the replacement of broken glass in the home or business and can be used to limit claims on your homeowner’s or business insurance policy. As with autoglass claims the staff at Broco Glass Group are familiar with working with insurance companies and are an approved vendor with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia as well as numerous other insurance companies and providers.

In order to be awarded the Consumers Choice Award for best Autoglass in Vancouver Broco Glass Group had to go through several levels of competition. The Consumers Choice Awards are completely consumer decided and are awarded annually to businesses for recognition of their professional services and level of excellence within a community. The Awards, considered in the business world as one of the highest forms of recognition by the community, help to increase the visibility of a business that is doing an outstanding job. Only awarded in Canada and the United States winning these awards has become a huge motivator for businesses to offer exceptional services to all consumers. Winning the Consumers Choice Award in the category of Best Autoglass in Vancouver is a tribute to the hard work and high professional standards of Broco Glass Group.

Winning the Consumers Choice Award for Best Autoglass in Vancouver certainly makes a trip to Broco Glass Group the perfect choice for any residential, commercial or autoglass repair or replacement services you may require. They can be found throughout the Lower Mainland and are available by phone at (604) 517-0215 to determine which location is easiest for you to access. Keep in mind that Broco Glass Group offers autoglass repair as well as virtually any other types of glass repair or replacement required.

Source by ezipress

20 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Top 6 reasons why you should study in Canada

Canada has been announced the nation with the best notoriety on the planet for the third continuous year. Canada guaranteed the main spot in classes extending from “best place to live” to “best place to think about,” while likewise positioning high to work, going by and contributing. Searching for a genuine motivation to sew that maple leaf patch on your rucksack? Here are top 6 reasons to enroll in Canada’s educational institutions.

Quality of Education

A degree obtained from Canadian college or school is universally perceived and very esteemed in the worldwide employment market. Canadian colleges and universities are eminent for keeping up an elevated expectation in instruction. Canada is among the first on the planet to interface schools and libraries to the Internet. Canada is additionally a global pioneer in PC and data innovations and has a notoriety for fabulousness in keys areas, for example, propelled programming, biotechnology, atomic force, designing, information transfers and so on.

Colleges offer an extensive variety of undergrad, graduate and expert degree programs in an assortment of adaptable route and in your preferred two authority dialects. Canada is a bilingual nation talking both English and French which gives the student a capacity to think about their project in English or French or both relying upon the college. Universal understudies frequently take dialect courses before beginning a consistent project. Numerous schools offer English and/or French as a Second dialect program which is less costly than in school or college.

Cost of Education

Canada has the most reduced educational cost charges for international graduates when contrasted with English-talking nations, for example, Australia, United Kingdom and USA. The typical cost for basic items in Canada is lower, in this way making examining in Canada monetarily appealing. Where you consider in to study in Canada has any kind of effect in educational cost and everyday costs too, for occasion the city of Ottawa is less costly than Vancouver and Toronto. Everyday costs incorporate expenses for sustenance, convenience, restorative protection, excitements, garments, clothing, urban transportation, service bills and social treks.

Safe Country

Canada is a quiet and safe nation. Canada positions one of the most secure spots to live and think about with low wrongdoing and savagery rates.

Multicultural Country

Canadian urban areas are cosmopolitan and multicultural. In 1971, Canada received multiculturalism as an official approach to perceive the presence of differing qualities in its country all together individuals of all religions, races and societies live in concordance. Canadians are surely understood to welcome, benevolent and conscious of all societies. Canada has generally been a nation of outsiders; the majority of the world’s ethnic gatherings are spoken to in Canada. Subsequently, worldwide understudies can make certain to feel good among the general population of Canada. They can likewise appreciate ethnic sustenances, social occasions and incredible excitement on top of different occasions and games sorted out by colleges, universities and schools.

Possibility to work in Canada while studying or after graduation

Canadian colleges and universities have remarkable occupation position rates. International students are regularly offered openings for work while they are concentrate full time. A work license is not required if international students work on campus, the student visa is sufficient.

In addition, when studies are finished, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. This will permit them to work for any business in any industry and in this manner pick up work involvement in Canada. An occupation offer is not required at the season of license application. For international graduates, the length of the work license has been stretched out for up to 3 years the nation over.

Best Place to Live

For a long time, Canada has consistently positioned as one of the best place on the planet to live as indicated by the United Nations yearly study in view of components, for example, high future, wage, low wrongdoing, high proficiency rate, access to training, great personal satisfaction and great human services framework with low restorative protection cost. Five Canadian prime urban areas Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal are among the world top recorded urban communities for social exercises, alluring ways of life, cleanliness, security and dependability. Canadian urban communities give various stops, plants and shorelines, and in addition brilliant games offices, shopping centers, eateries, workmanship exhibitions, theaters and galleries.

Remember that there is much to investigate inside and outside of grounds or urban communities. In each of the four seasons, there’s continually something for everybody, including indoor and outside recreational exercises that are for nothing out of pocket or aren’t costly.

Source by Manjiri

18 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Where To Go For Medical Care in Hangzhou, China

Hangzhou is a city blessed with immense natural beauty and a rich historical heritage. It is also the capital of the Zhejiang Province of China. Apart from being a tourist attraction, the city is also an important hub for economic activity. It has been called the “Cultural State”, the “Tea Capital” and the “Town of Fish and Rice”. The city lies along the Qiantang River in the delta region of Yang-Tze-Kiang.

Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH) is a reputable hospital in Hangzhou and is considered one of the best hospitals in the eastern region of China. This is the first hospital in mainland China to be accredited by the Joint Commission International. The hospital is a major healthcare provider in Hangzhou and has a 1200 bed capacity. The hospital offers excellent services and receives a large number of foreign patients annually. To facilitate the treatment and stay of the visiting patients the hospital has an International Service Clinic which is staffed by bilingual nurses and primary care physicians.

An important hospital for the city, Hangzhou City Hospital is equipped with latest medical technology. The hospital is a complete healthcare institution which covers the entire range of medical needs for the whole family. The hospital is well maintained and the services received at this hospital are excellent. Due to its reputation and its team of skilled doctors, the hospital receives a large number of patients from within the city. The hospital can be found at Hangzhou Xiasha Gaosha Business Source Street 1227 and can be contacted by telephone at + 86-571-56611999.

For visitors who do not speak Chinese, the North American International Hospital of Hangzhou (NAIHH) is a good choice because of the numerous doctors who speak English due to their training in Western countries. This hospital is very close to Wushan Square. The hospital offers treatment for a wide range of medical issues, but is particularly focused on family medicine. The hospital offers services both night and day and all available services are of top-notch quality. For the benefit of its foreign patients, the hospital has centers in numerous countries. These centers offer assistance to all aspects of the visiting patients treatment and stay. The hospital can be reached at the following number: +86 571 87780120.

The Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine is a hospital focused on women’s health issues. The hospital is affiliated with the Zhejiang University and so carries out research in many medical fields, while also imparting education and offering consultation on family planning issues. The medical care services rendered by the hospital focus on obstetrics and gynecology. The hospital has the latest medical technology and is the leading hospital in China for women’s health issues.

China is famous for its traditional medicine therapies and for patients wanting to try traditional healing therapies the Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ideal choice. The hospital has been operational since 1952 and is a complete medical care facility providing treatment, rehabilitation, health care, education and carrying out scientific research. The hospital receives a lot of foreigners both as patients and students.

Source by Belle Kay

13 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Spearfishing in Mississippi

Hunting fish with a spear was one of the earliest skills learned by ancient prehistoric man. Today this ancient life skill is now hobby to a growing legion of spear fishermen who take to the depths while on the lookout for monsters of the ocean. Mississippi, with its 359-miles of tidal shoreline and chain of barrier islands, offers its own challenges and rewards to those who would spearfish the 228.

Why Spearfishing?

Spearfishing is the ultimate blend between a hunter and an angler. It takes the sportsman into the underwater lair of the gamefish it would normally only see once it broke the surface. The sport allows the angler to become a stalker, a visiting sniper in a foreign water world, and is unlike any hunting or fishing that you have ever done before.

Safety

Safety in diving in general and spearfishing in particular are a must. It is commonly said that there are 100 ways for a speardiver to die and some serious thought, preparation, and planning need to accompany every trip. Never dive alone, always use your ‘diver-down’ flags, and shadow an experienced spear diver on your first trips. Stay at least 200 yards from jetties, docks, and shipping channels. Carry a knife as monofilament line is often found along any reef or wreck and can be a hazard. With that said, spear fishing is an amazing experience once you get the hang of it.

Saltwater

Spearfishing in the Mississippi Sound is not ideal difficult due to the chocolate-milk visibility of the shallow waters between the coastline and the barrier islands, but not impossible. Spear anglers in the sound often see huge Sheepshead and the sport brings a new dimension to those who would snorkel for flounder, stripers, and reds without the investment in SCUBA gear. Inside the Sound, some of the large rubble piles offer decent gamefish opportunities. Lionfish, one of the worst invasive species in the Gulf, are great targets for spear fishermen and every one of them assassinated is a win for the fishing community on all levels.

When going outside of the sound, the rigs starting about five miles south of the islands are the best bet as the water column clears fast once you descend below twenty feet and some very large gamefish haunt these offshore jackups. Many of the offshore reefs such as the Liberty Ships, the Ship Island Barge, and others are good for snapper, AJs, and cobia and are not as far out there as the rigs.

Regs and gear

DMR regulations for spearfishing are elusive to find on their website but in general keep to the recreational fishing limits, have your license beforehand, and keep away from shooting at borderline legal fish as once you spear a fish its yours to keep, legal or not. For more in-depth info on the regs, you can call DMR at (800) 374-3449.

Several of the local dive shops, in particular Jerry and Dan over at The Dive Shop in Diberville, are spear hunting gurus and can help you out with local tips and tricks as well as the best gear. A small and eclectic group of Mississippi spear divers has formed Menfish, a support group for their habit and you can visit them at http://www.menfish.org.

Freshwater

The use of spear guns is not legal in the freshwater of Mississippi-, which is all water north of Hwy 90. Buffalo, carp, gar, catfish, shad, bowfin, and Freshwater Drum may be taken throughout the year with a bow and arrow, crossbow, and hand thrown-spear or gig. Catfish may be taken with a spear or gig during the period from July 16- April 30. Handheld spears and gigs, and crossbows cannot be used at any State Fishing Lake. Again these spear regulations are for spears that are thrown or hand-held –not shot out of a spear gun of any type so be sure to restrict your spearfishing to ‘south of 90’

So with that in mind, shop around for your spear gun, but keep it in the 228. There are plenty of targets down there for it.

Source by Chris Eger

12 Jul
Vancouver Tours Blog

Help Care-Needing Individual by Availing Profitable and Noble Spa Business Opportunity in Vancouver

Life blossoms changes its colors with different stages and eventually takes everything away from us. We can’t ignore the inevitable fact that our life is made of different stages which we could either cherish or sulk on about. Just like every mortal thing on this planet our body also goes through different stages, from young and carefree to sluggish and care needing. Every person goes through these stages to reach a level of maturity and our beloveds would need to help with sustainment in these later stages. An independent person might not wish to take help from family or someone else in the elder age and hence various companies are building sophisticated solutions to enhance day-to-day comfort.

We know that the bodies of senior and special citizens are fragile and little injuries could cause fatal damages, minor fractures could take a lot of time to heal. Such fatal injuries aren’t just caused outside but these are highly susceptible inside the safe zone of our home. Risky places like washrooms and wet kitchen floors are known to cause maximum damage when compared to road accidents. Safe and caregiving bathing solutions are thus highly required for senior citizens and handicaps. The Safe spa is a Caregiving Bathing Solutions Company that has launched Hafi program for low income seniors; this program basically provides financial assistance to senior citizens and handicaps. The company believes that no care needing individual should be deprived of it because of lack of money. The financial assistance program is funded by Government of Canada, supporting the needs of senior and special citizens in British Columbia region. 

Two basic caregiving solutions for senior citizens and handicaps provided by Safe spa are –

  • Walk-in bathtubs
  • Barrier free shower spaces

Walk-in bathtub facilitates all these things –

  • Safe bathing
  • Slip resistant
  • Walk-in bathtub door
  • Satisfies American quality standards
  • Zero leakage
  • Lifetime warranty

All components and equipment of Safe spa devices are built on American quality parameters and all the electric components are UL, CUL, and ETL standard approved. Also, the pricing is extremely affordable compared to other walk-in tub manufacturers; you could almost get the same quality and features at about one-third of the price.

People wishing to contribute to this caregiving initiative while availing a successful business opportunity in Vancouver Canada could associate with Safe Spa. The company associates with leading dealers, sales organizations, and renovation contractors spread the caregiving initiative throughout the country. Spa business opportunity Vancouver lets you invest in most positive and uplifting cause, with just a little investment you could get a lifetime business opportunity. You would avail a starter kit that would consist of various products and catalogs needed for selling and installation. The company takes no franchise fees from the associated members and the overall cost of investment could be recovered from the starter kit itself.

Source by safespawalkin

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