B.C. IN THE BALANCE
Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival takes place Victoria Day weekend,
You don’t have to be an athlete to attend Whistler, B.C.’s Great Outdoors Festival. Better known as GO Fest, the event showcases traditional and competitive sports, from extreme kayaking to stand-up paddle-boarding. It also has concerts, street-performers, a film festival and plenty of family fun. Taking place over four days on Victoria Day weekend, May 15 to 18, GO Fest has many free events, including outdoor art demonstrations by artists from the White Dog Whistler Studio Gallery, and free fishing demonstrations led by a certified fly-casting instructor. Top spectator events at GO Fest include the Great Slush Cup, where a band of hardy souls attempt to surf an icy cold slush pit. Many of Whistler’s local hotels are partners in GO Fest, including the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, Adara Hotel Whistler and Crystal Lodge & Suites. See greatoutdoorsfest.com. Gems of the Mediterranean Narat’s new “Gems of the Mediterranean” covers three countries in one tour: Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The 15-day tour runs June 5 to 20. The $3,495-per-person price tag covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodation, sightseeing, daily breakfast, two lunches and 10 dinners. It also includes all entrance fees to historical sites. The itinerary includes Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Toledo, Madrid, Lisbon, Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez. Travellers can save $250 per couple when they book by April 30. Narat’s website is narat.org or email tours@narat.org. Kids sail free with Crystal Cruise Crystal Cruises has a deal called Kids Sail Free on select sailings this fall and winter. Children under 17 years of age sail free in a third berth with two full-fare adults in the same stateroom on many cruises from September through December. Groups and families of six passengers or more get additional benefits including on-board credit. Destinations include the Caribbean, South America and the Mediterranean. Bookings must be made by April 30. See crystalcruises.com. Best buy of the week Rosalie Bay Resort on the Caribbean island of Dominica is offering, what it calls, the “World’s Only Guaranteed Sea Turtle Experience.” Guests who book seven nights or more for travel May 1 to Aug. 31 will get 30 per cent off their room rate, plus an extra 15 per cent off if there is no sea-turtle activity (nesting or hatching) during their stay. Rosalie Bay Resort founded Dominica’s sea turtle conservation program. See rosaliebay.com. Kathryn Folliott is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Prices quoted are subject to change and availability. Follow @KathrynFolliott