Nanaimo General Interest

The best wines in the world seem to come from temperate, warm places like France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, South America and California. It sometimes comes as a surprise to people, then, that Canada—often associated with cold, harsh weather patterns—has a booming wine industry that has been producing world-class vintages for decades. Canadian wine has garnered the country international recognition as a producer of fine, award-winning vino.

The land officially known as Canada since 1867 has a human history that can be traced back 10,000 years. The west coast of Canada, with a temperate environment and rich fishing waters, had a particularly dense concentration of Aboriginal societies. Their cultures are not only reflected in the ancient structures that have survived thousands of years, but in First Nations communities that still exist, many of which still practicing their traditional art and cultural celebrations.

Upon thinking of Canada, one cannot suppress images of open space, diverse landscapes and striking hospitality spread among urban centres and rural communities. With a total area of 9,984,670 sq km (3,855,103 sq mi), plus natural attractions such as...

In the past few decades, Canada has started to shed its image as a frigid land of vast wilderness in favour of a sophisticated, urban persona. Canada's major cities are now being seen for what they are—vibrant, modern hubs of activity. The country's urban centres boast many attractions, one of the most significant being their world-class shopping facilities.

Although there is a lot of speculation surrounding the origin of the famous Nanaimo Bar treat, since little solid evidence exists today, the city of Nanaimo has offered its theory about the three layered treats.

Scattered in the Pacific Ocean just off of mainland B.C. are a multitude of islands with gem-like brilliance. Some have emerald rainforests, others polished communities, and all are surrounded by crystal waters. Each precious rock, from large to small, has its own story and its own rhythm, appealing to a variety of residents and visitors.

Most people will shiver at the mere mention of the term Canadian Winter. Images of igloos and parkas accompanied by snowstorms and well below freezing temperatures usually prevail when one envisions January north of the 49th parallel, but those who think of Canadian winters as harsh and unforgiving probably haven't spent a winter on B.C.'s Vancouver Island, a destination known for its mild, even warm winter season.