I really love going for walks and hikes, so have been to many parks in and around Nanaimo. All of them are easily accessible by bus or even on foot. These are my three favorite parks.

Westwood Lake is a beautiful little lake located west of Nanaimo. Leaving from the Guesthouse bus #5 will take you directly to the start of the 6km trail around the lake. On your way you will see lots of beautiful flowers, squirrels, rabbits, deer and maybe even black bears. After your walk relax at the little beach or go for a swim in the crystal clear water of Westwood Lake.

Bowen Park is probably the best choice if you like to go for a walk in a park close to the city centre. Starting at the Guesthouse you can walk along the waterfront before you turn left at Maffeo Sutton Park. This trail will lead you to Bowen Park where you will feel like being in the middle of nature. I always loved walking along Millstone River tumbling and rushing through Bowen Park. You will have a good chance to see deer, rabbits and many different bird species. And – you shouldn’t miss Rhododendron Park, especially not in blossom, which is in May.

My most favorite park in Nanaimo is Pipers Lagoon Provincial Park. Leaving the Painted Turtle Guesthouse bus #2 will take you there. You can either just walk along the beach and go for a swim in the cold, but not too cold J water or you can explore the little peninsula with all the little coves/bays to which you can walk down from the trail. I loved going for a walk there and relaxing on the beach as it is such a lovely place.

CVI Centre for the Arts Nanaimo (CAN) is now accepting applications from local artists to paint seven (7) banners which will be displayed on the banner poles on the Commercial Street entrance at the Nanaimo Arts Centre. The banner artwork should reflect the mandate of our organization and the Nanaimo Arts Centre, which encompasses a range of arts and culture in Nanaimo; dance, theatre, music, visual arts, heritage, and West Coast culture.

CAN will provide the banners and paint. The selected artist(s) will produce the banners in their own studio or workspace. Each banner measures 6.5’ L x 32” W.

Please submit your designs for consideration in full-colour on 8.5×11 sheets or send full-colour jpg pictures and include a short written description of your design in paragraph or bullet form. Electronic submissions should be sent to manager@centrefortheartsnanaimo.org.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS: Monday, May 14, 2012

The selected entries will be juried by the CAN board of directors at our monthly meeting on May 21, 2012. The banners will be completed and installed by July 2012. An honorarium of $100 per banner will be awarded to the selected entries. All original entries not chosen will be returned to the respective artists and the chosen designs will become the property of CVI Centre for the Arts - Nanaimo. For any questions please email manager@centrefortheartsnanaimo.org or phone 250.754.2264. 

Staff fun painting banners for downtown's Commercial Street!

Turtle feature on banner Helping make downtown Nanaimo colourful!

Helping make downtown Nanaimo colourful!

The Painted Turtle Guesthouse is Nanaimo’s exclusive Hostelling International accommodation property and was awarded Best Small Hostel in Canada in 2007.  As we expand our team, we are on the lookout for exceptional small business team players. 

The environment will appeal to self-starters who have the following qualities.  You will take pride in being an ambassador for both Nanaimo as a destination and the Painted Turtle Guesthouse as a unique, independent downtown business.  You will exemplify the business culture and brand by being enthusiastic, resourceful, innovative, supportive of multi-culturalism, people-centric, and flexible in the workplace.  Your attention to detail on operational processes will ensure efficiency of operations and positively impact other team members.  An inherent & genuine passion for positively influencing the experience of clients from initial point of contact through to after sales service - including effective trouble shooting when required, will be reflected whenever you are representing the business.  You apply a small business mindset to all facets of daily operations - supporting co-workers in a small team, fiscal responsibility, strong work ethic, sustainability, and aspiring to add value to the business.

Please email angie@paintedturtle.ca for a copy of the full job description by Wednesday 14 March 2012. 

 The Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d’Érable

Once again it is time for the Maple Sugar Festival! Vancouver Islands largest bilingual festival, it showcases French Canadian culture using entertainment, exhibitions, demonstrations, and of course, food! With the warm hospitality of L’Association des francophones de Nanaimo, this is a must do and must see event.

Live music, including LE BAL À L’HUILE and JUNIOR BELZILE are some of the main attractions of the festival. Contemporary artists with a mix of folk, pop and traditional music will thoroughly entertain. The Children’s Theatre will feature music, clowns and magicians, and will be a delight for people of all ages! Check out the events page for more information about the festival.

Artisans, including Ashley Hats & EC Collection, PDS Woodwork, Morrison Creek Alpacas et Pacific Sun Alpacas, and Bijoux Beads will be showcasing their work.

The Painted Turtle Guesthouse is again a Community Sponsor as well as a preferred accommodation! We have lots of great memories hosting some of the artists and entertainers at The Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d’Érable. The Painted Turtle features a large kitchen and dining area, including a cozy fireplace, as well as free wireless. It’s a European-style Hotel with an Urban feel.

We are happy to offer special rates to festival goers and entertainers. If you book Feb 8th-13th we have a special promo price for a classic room for $56.20 plus tax (sleeps 2), or a family room for 68.58 plus tax (sleeps 4). Just type in the promo code: MAPLE. BOOK NOW!

Hallo Painted Turtle- Fans! Es ist schon wieder eine Weile vergangen und die Tage gehen verdammt schnell vorbei. Nun ist schon die Haelfte meiner Zeit in Nanaimo vorbei.

Ich verbrachte die Weihnachtstage im Painted Turtle Guesthouse. Leider musste ich zwei an zwei der Feiertage auch arbeiten, aber ich fand trotzdem die Zeit mit meiner Familie zu skypen und mit Lorne unserem Hausmeister und seiner Familie ein Stueck “Turkey” zu essen. War also dieses Jahr ein ganz ansderes Weihnachten als sonst, unspektakulaer, aber interessant.

Ueber Silvester ging es fuer drei Tage nach Whistler. Dazu nimmt man ganz einfach die Faehre rueber nach Vancouver und steigt in den Greyhound-Bus um, der einen direkt bis Whistler-Village bringt. Es war Hochsaison und somit ordentlich was los. Das Dorf und die Skiabfahrten waren voll von Menschen jeglichem Alters und Nationalitaeten. Ich uebernachtete im Hi-Hostel, dass sich direkt im etwas ausserhalb liegenden Olympischen Dorf befindet. Das Gebaeude und die Einrichtung ist sehr neu und es hat mir alles sehr gut gefallen. Das Hostel kann ich also hiermit ausdruecklich empfehlen, es ist gut mit dem Bus 2 oder 1 zu erreichen und es gibt sogar Dorm-Raeume mit eigenem Badezimmer.

Ich probierte Snowshoeing aus, ist definitive eine Erfahrung wert und man kann es relative spontan machen. Dazu empfehle ich nicht eine komplette, teure Tour zu buchen, sondern sich einfach Schuhe auszuleihen und in den in Whistler-Village gelegenen Golf-Club zu gehen. Bei Sonnenschein bietet sich eine atemberaubende Landschaft und wenn wenig los ist bereitet sich eine toten Stille aus.

Am Silvesterabend ging ich mit einer Freundin im Brewhouse essen. Es war sehr gut und das ganze Ambiente im Brauhaus war sehr schoen. Es gab eine offene Kueche in der Mitte, so konnte man den “Pizzajongloren” zugucken. Ausserdem fuhr durch das gesamte Gebaeude und die Bar ueber den Koepfen ein kleiner Zug.

In dem Brauhaus fand nach 20 Uhr eine Party im Barraum statt, da uns die Location sehr gut gefiel blieben wir auch. Die Stimmung war ziemlich gut und man kam schnell mit anderen Leuten ins Gespraech. Es gab kostenlose Happy New Year Huete, Troeten und Kroenchen mit denen wir uns gleich eindeckten.

Kurz vor Mitternacht machten wir uns schnell auf zum Feuerwerk im Dorfzentrum. Es war nicht sonderlich gross oder lang, aber es kam Silvesterfeeling auf. Wieder zurueck im Brauhaus gab es ein Glas freien Sekt und die Party ging weiter.

Es tat gut mal wieder ein wenig sich von der Arbeit zu loesen und aus Nanaimo rauszukommen. Whistler is definitive ein Besuch wert, auch wenn man nicht der grosse Ski- oder Snowboardfahrer ist!

Im Januar heisst es ganz viel arbeiten, aber ich werde sicherlich trotzdem einige Unternehmungen machen. Also bis bald dann!

Well, the holidays have come and gone, and like most people, I need to get my fitness back on track! This year’s resolution is to get fit. Well, it’s usually every New Years resolution, but this year for sure! All the cookies, desserts, turkey…..not so good for the figure! Luckily we have a lot of outdoor activities to choose from here in Nanaimo!

If you are into walking, which I’ll admit, I am, there is the Nanaimo Waterfront, where you can grab a friend and go on a leisurely stroll. Add in that hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate and it makes for a great workout! You can also grab a Nanaimo Bar or other goodie, but that might defeat the purpose of exercising, but they are oh so good!

For the more, shall I say, dedicated health nut, there are many trails to make you sweat. Bowen Park, close to the Painted Turtle Guesthouse in downtown Nanaimo, has a full circuit you can train on.  Finish your work out with a good game of Frisbee Golf, to wind down the day. Another option is the Parkway trail. It is 20km of paved track that stretches all along Nanaimo following the Nanaimo Parkway. Some of the parks on the trail or near the trail include the Colliery Dam Park, Northfield Park, Brannen Lake and Buttertubs Marsh.

So grab some runners, probably an umbrella, and most definitely a warm coat, and get out and get moving! Explore Nanaimo! And while you’re out and about come in and say HI to us at the Painted Turtle!

By: Katie- Front Desk and Your Host at Painted Turtle Guesthouse

With Christmas nearly here now is the time to get out and explore all the great things Nanaimo and the surrounding area have to offer to get you in the holiday spirit! Horse drawn trolley rides throughout Nanaimo’s beautiful downtown centre and the famous Old City Quarter and see the town decorated for the season!

Even  walking along the waterfront is just a few minutes walk from the Painted Turtle! In the evening you can bundle up grab a delicious Christmas coffee or hot chocolate from the nearby Serious Coffee or Perkins Coffee and stroll along the walkway overlooking the lit up boats in the harbour!

For those able to indulge in some day trips you can head to Errington to Tiger Lilly Farm for pony rides and take in the Christmas spirit in the great outdoors or check out the gorgeously decorated Milner Gardens outside of Qualicum!

Just outside of Duncan, Christmas Train rides let you experience family fun with lights and beloved Christmas music during your scenic journey! Missed the Ladysmith Light up last month? No problem! On your way back to Nanaimo check out the beautiful lights of Ladysmith…not to be missed!

End your day of Christmas fun by relaxing by our fire and sharing stories!

It’s not just a one-year working holiday anymore! Australia and Canada have come to an agreement on a new two-year visa, which allows Australians 18-30 to work, play and stay with no previous job offer required. It’s not a one-time deal anymore; Aussies can come back to Canada under the same program for more fun and adventures! The working holiday visa is now called the International Experience Canada (IEC) visa, which combines the working holiday visa, Internship and Young Professional programs.

At the Painted Turtle Guesthouse we have had many guests stay with us from Australia, and use us as a home base to plan their ultimate Canadian experience. Vancouver Island is a great place to start (or end) your travels. There are a lot of exciting jobs, especially in the tourism industry. Imagine working at one of our ski resorts, snowboarding and snowshoeing on your days off, or guiding other travelers on whale watching or grizzly bear tours! All year around the opportunities are endless.

Stay at the Painted Turtle and let us help you get your adventure started! Use us as your home-away from home as we have free wireless access, computer stations, kitchen and laundry facilities. Book now!

 Are your grandkids coming to Nanaimo for the holiday season? There are TONS of kid friendly activities to try!
Take them on the Nanaimo Bar Trail and literally taste Nanaimo! Originating in the 1950’s, Nanaimo Bars are sweet dessert bars made with a brownie and coconut bottom with vanilla custard topped with a thin layer of dark chocolate. Something the grandkids are sure to love! And for the grandparents, try a Nanaimo Bar Martini or a Nanaimo Bar Latte! Pick up your Nanaimo Bar Trail brochure at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse.

After getting the kids all sugar happy, and maybe before returning them to their parents, take them to Maffeo Sutton Park on Nanaimo’s beautiful waterfront. The Harbourside Playdock is a great place for the kids to play.

A little too cold? Jumpin Jiminy’s is place to go. With a HUGE indoor playground, and a place for the grandparents to relax and unwind with a hot drink and a decadent desert!

Need a place for the family to stay on their holiday trip? Let us at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse host your family! Our lounge and dining area are great for the family to get together to plan activities, stay in for a meal, or relax by our fireplace. We have family rooms and classic rooms. Book now!

Favourite Christmas Accommodation

You’re invited to the 2011
Kick Off to Christmas Downtown
Saturday, Nov. 26^th

Christmas at Painted Turtle Guesthouse

Watch Santa fly in on Harbour Air Seaplanes downtown thanks to Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, visit Santa’s workshop at the Nanaimo Museum, see the magic of the Vancouver Island University Festival of Trees at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre then watch the Santa Parade.

9:30 am – Santa arrives by Harbour Air at Harbourfront Float Plane Terminal

10:30 am – Santa officially opens his new Workshop at Nanaimo Museum

10-4pm – Festival of Trees on display, Vancouver Island Conference Centre

1 pm – Nanaimo Lion’s Santa Parade … (Victoria, Commercial and Front St.)

2-4 pm – Santa Meet & Greet at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre

From out of town? Stay downtown & shop at some of the greatest retail outlets on Vancouver Island. Overnight at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse – enjoy hot chocolate by the fireplace, family games, and an affordable overnight outing. Classic rooms starting at $54.00. Family rooms (for up to 4 people) $70.00.

Click here to book a room online.