Hello,
Welcome to Painted Turtle Travel Talks Newsletter. We are pleased to bring you timely tidbits on travel products, tourist information, stories and upcoming events that are of interest to you – our friends, guests and partners.
Your hosts,
Angie & Bruce Barnard
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What's New at the Guesthouse?
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How Far Will Canadians Travel this Summer? Readers Digest Showcases the Painted Turtle Guesthouse
A recent article in Readers Digest touches on that point exactly and all arrows point to Nanaimo. This article is not available online so allow us to indulge in providing you with an excerpt:
“In these belt-tightening times, many Canadians don’t have the vacation dollars they once dad. Still, according to an Ipsos survey earlier this year, 69 percent of Canadians planned to take a vacation in 2009 – despite the economic slowdown. For many, this means taking trips closer to home.”
The article goes on to talk about destinations Out of Vancouver…
“With Nanaimo as your base, you can take some amazing day trips around Vancouver Island. Accommodation at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse for one week is just $435 per couple, or $605 for a family of four, and a suggested itinerary of six fascinating day trip is posted on the hotel’s website (see below). These excursions include whale watching, kayaking off Newcastle Island, exploring Tofino (complete with wildlife viewing and a steam train ride) and Gulf Island hopping. Among other local points of interest: WildPlay Element Parks, where activities range from bungee jumping to a treetop aerial obstacle course; and the Dinghy Dock Pub and Restaurant, which refers to itself as Canada’s first floating pub. Further info at www.paintedturtle.ca”
The New Painted Turtle Travel Blog
Over the past few months a whole lot of work has taken place on the Painted Turtle Guesthouse blog. There are now dozens of articles that will appeal to you, no matter what your background so please take a look! Meet our guesthouse staff and learn what they love to do in Nanaimo, read about great tourist hotspots and valuable travel and tourism information. The blog was recreated to be meaningful, fun and has been developed to also be a strong marketing tool for the Painted Turtle Guesthouse, and anyone thinking about a visit to Nanaimo or Vancouver Island at large. The direct link is http://www.paintedturtle.ca/blog and a new article is added almost every day so make sure you bookmark our blog site and come back often. We love to share too!! If you want to print any of our blog articles on your website, or send us an original blog article for us to include, get in touch with Tracey at tracey@paintedturtle.ca for info and instructions.
Public Internet Kiosks at PTG
The Painted Turtle Guesthouse offers one of the only public internet kiosk cafes in Nanaimo. Great for day visitors who need to check email quickly, a somewhat lost traveler who needs to access a Google map or simply anyone looking to while away a few hours on a rainy day. Internet access is affordable with $3, $6 and $12 internet access cards available at the front desk. We are part of the HotelACCOM computer network so if you don’t use all the time on your internet card, you can use it at other hostels and hotels (limited to those on the network that offer pay-per-use computer and internet usage). We currently offer two computer kiosks with internet access, available for guest and public use, in the cheerful great room of our wonderful downtown guesthouse. Check out our website for more information…
New Turtles for the Summer Season
You always know that high season is directly around the corner when the guesthouse starts to fill up with fresh, new, friendly faces. We have a few this year including Tracey Drake, Marketing and Group Sales Coordinator. Heatherand Britta have joined our front desk team, and are both coop students from Vancouver Island University’s Tourism Program. Our farthest transplant is Ann-Christin (aka Rumps) who comes to us all the way from Germany. You can read a short bio on each of these new “turtles” on the Amazing Staff Page of our PTG blog and learn about their favourite places to spend a day off in Nanaimo and their secret advice for eating out, shopping and more…
The Islander Recession Special $49 VIP Private Room Rate
Gabriola, Salt Spring & Protection Islander Residents! Isn’t it time we were tourists in our own backyard, especially in such tough financial times? Come and spend a night or two in Nanaimo, take in the sights and soak up the culture… without breaking the bank! The Painted Turtle Guesthouse loves locals, especially our island friends! We invite you and your family to come and stay in a private room with a comfy Queen sized bed for $49 a night (plus tax) – year round. Valid residential I.D is required upon check-in. These rooms go fast so reserve early to avoid disappointment. Reservations - Call 1-866-309-4432 or 250-753-4432. *Double occupancy add $5.00.
Underwater Adventure Vacation – Dive & Stay Packages
Did you know that Nanaimo boasts some of the most spectacular artificial underwater reefs that attract divers from all over the world? Scuba diving season is year-round and the cool waters of the Pacific Northwest are clear – just waiting for your underwater adventure vacation to begin! With affordably pricing starting at just $120 per person, our Dive & Stay package includes accommodation at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse (with lots of storage space for diving gear) as well as full day diving excursion. For more information on our packages, click here.
Maffeo-Sutton Park gets an Exciting Facelift
Construction of new Spirit Square at Maffeo Sutton Park Spirit is almost complete. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of June, just in time for Canada Day. While every effort will be made to minimize disturbance to park users, there were delays but have you seen the results – wow! The Spirit Square is located at the park entrance adjacent to Cliff Street and covers about a 1/3 of the park site. It provides a large multi-purpose plaza to assemble special events. A structure is included as a focus in the plaza and will feature interpretive information about the history of the site and downtown.
Daytripping from Nanaimo: Qualicum Beach
This is first in a series of Daytripping from Nanaimo articles…
Located north of Nanaimo, BC, the beautiful town of Qualicum Beach is a fantastic place for a day trip if you are in the area. The small town of just over 7,000 features gorgeous beaches, immaculate English gardens and many lovely parks. Half the fun of getting there is the scenic drive. Heading north from Nanaimo on Route 19A to Route 19, you drive along the edge of the beach for about forty minutes before you reach the community of Qualicum Beach. Once you reach the town, consider picking up some tourist information, so you can plan out all the spots that you want to visit while you are there. There are many great shops and artisan hotspots to visit - paintings, pottery, woven baskets, glass and Native art all have their home in Qualicum Beach, so be prepared to spend some time viewing all the lovely pieces available for sale. At the centre of town you will find the Old School House Gallery which is a haven for artists in the area to show off their pieces. Continue reading this article…
Newcastle Island Ferry is Back!
A provincial park with no vehicles, just lots of walking trails and a pristine oasis to spend the day or weekend... and it is just a short boat ride from the Nanaimo Seawall. The Newscastle Island Ferry is back up and running for the summer season, which is great news for tourists and local visitors who didn’t arrive in Nanaimo by boat or do not own a kayak. The ferry runs several times each hour, leaving from Maffeo Sutton Park and costs $8 for adults and $4 for children (return trip). Dirt trails take you in and about forest trees and around the many beaches and bays around the Island. Ocean views, fresh clean west coast air and no cars... just soaring eagles! For more information, read a recent PTG Blog article all about Newcastle Island.
Headstones and Historical Bar Stools – Huh?
Looking for a fun and inexpensive way to spend a few hours one Monday evening this summer? Take a walking tour of Nanaimo with the Nanaimo Museum and learn about pubs and cemeteries!
Historical Pub Tours
Monday, June 22, July 20 & Aug 17
Meet at the Nanaimo Museum (arrive a little before 7pm) - 7 pm to 9:30 pm – Cost is $15/pp
Cemetery Tours
Monday, June 29, July 27 & Aug 25
Meet at Nanaimo Cemetery - Howard Street Entrance (arrive a little before 7pm) – 7pm to 9pm – Cost is $15/pp
FYI: The Nanaimo District Museum is also the guardian of the only remaining, original Hudson's Bay Company Bastion left in North America, and it turned an amazing 150 years old in 2003. For further information, contact the Nanaimo District Museum
4th Annual Multicultural Festival – Downtown Nanaimo
Saturday, June 27th, 2009 - 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Downtown Nanaimo Partnership, Old City Quarter Association and Vancouver Island University invites everyone, local and foreign, to the 4th Annual Multicultural Festival in Downtown Nanaimo. Take in the many interactive cultural displays, a special kid's area with face painting, henna, origami and calligraphy, ethnic foods supplied by local restaurants and performances on the main stage. Admission is free! From music, dance and martial arts on the Selby Street Main Stage, to a variety of ethnic tastes and cultural displays throughout the Heritage Mews and Fitzwilliams Gate, bring the entire family to this celebration of our city's cultural diversity! Join the passport contest and visit local stores to get stickers that will enter you into the Grand Prize Draw. Visit the Children's Tent on Wesley Street for African Hair braiding and more. Or take in the Lion Dancers and Kung Fu in front of the Main Stage. For more information please check out the HarbourLiving.ca website or call 250-754-8141.
Celebrate Canada Day in Nanaimo
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
11:00 AM to 3:15 PM
Spend the day in Nanaimo's Maffeo Sutton Park taking part in games, listening to great music including the Juno nominated 'Kerplunks' (a favourite of little ones) and the 'Power Project', enjoying great multicultural foods, having your face painted, and checking out the interactive booths. The parade of flags will begin at 11am followed by the official opening of the Spirit Square. More Info…
Markets Abound in the Harbour City – Yummy!
One of the best parts of summer is the fresh produce and the artisans that come out of hibernation to share their talents and their wares with us! Nanaimo offers some pretty fabulous open air markets all season long and here are just a few of the regulars on this year’s line-up…
Nanaimo Downtown Farmers’ Market
Every Friday (May to October) from 10:00am to 2:00pm – Pioneer Waterfront Plaza (Front Street)
Visit the "Original" Nanaimo Downtown Farmer's Market. Fresh farm produce including peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cukes, garlic, cabbage, corn, lettuce, spinach, eggs, apples, raspberries, strawberries and more - if it's in season, it’s for sale! That also includes fresh baked breads, pies, cakes and cookies as well as snacks and savouries. Numerous artisans present wonderful creations such as knitted wear, pottery, jewellery, toys and puppets, soaps, spiders and wonderful pictures and photographs.
The Bowen Road Farmers’ Market
Every Wednesday (May to October) from 4:00pm to 6:30pm at the VIEX Grounds – Beban Park
A true farmers market and a great place to do your fresh food shopping each week! They offer a fabulous selection of local farm produce, seafood, meats, baking, preserves and nursery plants. Local arts and crafts also are available at this lovely, friendly market.
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Painted Turtle Guesthouse, 121 Bastion Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3A2 Canada [map]
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