Need a room for the Olympics? No need to worry

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you’re planning to make a run up to British Columbia for the Olympics next month, you still have a shot at getting a great room. The Fairmont Chateau Whistler tells me that there is still some space available from February 11 to February 28, including coveted space slope side rooms. There’s only a minimum stay of three nights, and you won’t have to conform to an arrival or departure pattern — come and go from Whistler as you please. Rooms start at C$899 a night and require prepayment within three days of booking. It’s all non-refundable, but c’mon, this is the Olympics! You can’t do it on the cheap.

If you really want to “do it big,” mix it in with private jet travel, and you’ll have an unbeatable experience. This is a rare opportunity, so you really don’t want to look back on any part of it and wonder if it could have been better, right?

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[Photo by Tim in Sydney via Flickr]

Air Canada ordered to offer a no-nuts option for allergic flyers

by Katie Hammel on

The Canadian Transportation Authority has ruled that Air Canada needs to create a “nut-free” zone on all of its flights, to accommodate those passengers who are severely allergic to nuts. The order came after two passengers complained that the airline had failed to properly accommodate their allergies, which the CTA ruled should be treated as a disability.

According to Toronto’s National Post, the airline has “30 days to come up with a plan to create a ‘buffer zone'” to separate those who have nut allergies from the rest of the passengers, who may receive a snack with nuts in it.

I feel for people who have severe nut allergies, really I do. The constant worry that something you eat may contain nuts, the fear that someone may eat a nut near you and cause you to have a bad reaction, the pain of not being able to enjoy all the delicious nuts out there in the world. I mean, have you ever had a macadamia nut? Those things are pure heaven.

Should passengers be denied the right to eat something delicious because there is a chance that another person on the plane might be allergic to it? It’s tempting to say no, but really, when you think about it, is offering a peanut-based snack so important that it is worth risking someone’s life? Some allergies really are that severe and there are plenty of other snack options out there that don’t involve nuts. I actually have to side with one of the complaining passengers on this one – it just makes more sense to get ride of nut-based snacks altogether.

[via USA Today]

Stuff Canadian people like

by Annie Scott on

Last week, I attended a celebration of the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center hosted by the Canadian Tourism Commission. The logic goes like this:

  1. The 2010 Olympics are going to be in Vancouver.
  2. The Olympics will be aired by NBC.
  3. NBC is based at Rockefeller Center.
  4. NBC also airs the Rockefeller Tree lighting.

Is it a stretch? Yes, but it was also a lot of fun — particularly because of the abundance of stuff Canadian people like, including bison burgers and snowshoes. Never has a single venue in Rockefeller Center been so Canada’d out.

So, this one’s for you, Canadians, I can only assume that this gallery will make you squeal with glee!
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And by the way, Vancouver hotels are all booked up for the Olympics, but you can still get in on the big celebration by visiting Rentalo.com and checking out Canadian rental apartments and B&Bs.

Photo of the Day (12.5.2009)

by Brenda Yun on


This is a typical sight on the Pacific coast — one that brings back lovely memories of breezy coastal strolls. I love the balance in this photo, the contrasts of color, and the curved lines throughout. The kelp that gathers into a nest and spreads its thick reeds toward the viewer is a perfect focal point as well.

Today’s photo comes to us from Bryn Tassell, who has an amazing array of natural shots from all over the world. This one was taken during the calm after a series of storms in Victoria, Canada.

If you have some great travel shots you’d like to share, be sure to upload them to the Gadling pool on Flickr. We might just pick one as our Photo of the Day!

Score deals to site of 2010 Olympics now

by Katie Hammel on

As excitement for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver builds, most people who haven’t planned ahead are looking for last minute accommodations for the event and finding rates to be quite pricey. During the Games, costs will be as high as the demand, but it seems that in the weeks leading up the event, there are plenty of deals to be had.

Right now though December 17, Whistler-Blackcomb, the official Alpine Skiing venue for the Games, is offering the third night free at many of its best resorts and hotels. The average nightly rate with the promotion works out to just $66 (CAD) for many properties in Whistler Village. Package deals that include two nights of lodging and two days of lift tickets start at $103 per person per night through December 21.

Travelzoo has put together a comprehensive list of the other discounts available in the area and the deals don’t stop at accommodations and skiing. Flights, shuttles, and activities like snowmobiling are also on sale.

The games run February 12-28, and chances are they’ll be even more discounts announced between now and then. So if you’ve got your heart set on a winter wonderland vacation in Vancouver but don’t have a fortune to spend, plan your visit just before the Olympics to take advantage of these great deals.