Parkside Victoria Travel Blog

Parkside is proud to again partner with the Victoria Film Festival as a venue. Our HD movie theatre with large, plush seating is all set for tonight's showing of Belcanto. 

Here's a list of films showing at Parkside Feb. 3-11.

Belcanto

Friday • February 3rd • Parkside • 7:15
Director: Ryszard Maciej Nyczka
Poland • 2010 • 107 min • Digital
Canadian Premiere

When Mariusz Marzeda, a provincial opera and operetta tenor, comes into neighbourly conflict with a local escort of considerable influence he loses his job and becomes a social outcast. His old friend General Ogórcow, a commander of the armed forces, who is totally in love with music, decides to defend him by dropping two atomic bombs on West Berlin.

By Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island

For several years Les Leyne of the Times Colonist and admirers of Sir Winston Churchill have braved the elements and gathered at the hawthorn tree in Mayor's Grove, Beacon Hill Park, to mark the death of SWC, January 24, 1965 and to celebrate his life.

This year, the Churchill Foundation Vancouver Island has added to the celebration with a Chatfest of pithy and fun observations and stories! The Chatfest will precede the tree ceremony running across lunch from 11:30am to 1:30pm on Sunday (Jan. 22) in the beautiful (and warm) atrium of Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa.

By Jessica Woollard

Ah, January... the month of fresh starts and fitness regiments. Like several million people around the world, I’m committed to staying in shape through to the end of 2012—after all, it might be the last chance I’ve got!

I’ve made this promise to myself in past years, along with eating more broccoli and buying fewer flavoured coffees; but while I still cringe at the sight of green flowers on my plate and give in, at least once a month, to the sweet aroma of a Caramel Brûlée Latté, I have found the key to sticking to a fitness plan: signing up for races.

Photo/Tony Austin

By Jessica Woollard

Humans have long been fascinated with observing our civilization in microcosm. As far back as ancient Egypt, populations constructed tall structures to climb and look out at the expanse before them, drawn to experiencing the world at a small scale and enjoying the sense of perspective such an experience brings. The tradition has continued in the modern world, with tourists ever drawn to climbing tall structures around the world, whether ascending to the top of the duomo of St. Peter’s Basilica or the top of the planet at Mount Everest’s summit.

Even children through the ages have shown an interest in the world in miniature, playing with dolls and toy soldiers, recreating life on a small scale, a life they can more easily understand.

>> Read full article on the A-Life BC Travel Blog

By Jessica Woollard

When November’s rain clouds roll in and block the view of the Olympic Mountains, it’s time to set your sights on a few indoor activities, and preferably those that combat dampness while lifting spirits. In other words, it's best they involve chocolate.

This year, Silk Road Tea Company presents the ultimate champion of dreary weather: the Tea & Chocolate Pairing. This workshop mates organic, locally-made loose teas with decadent, homemade truffles that have a melt-in-your-mouth filling made from Silk Road teas. The maturity of the tea matched with the magnificence of chocolate is staggeringly satisfying. I can honestly say I will never forget my first bite.

Since 1992, Silk Road has attracted Victoria tea drinkers to its bar, which is North America's first established tea bar. Customers can peruse the selection of 100 locally-made, 100 percent organic teas on their self-proclaimed "Great Wall of Tea." Silk Road’s trained tea masters will help you choose the perfect tea to suit your taste buds, or they can provide a deeper exploration of taste, smell, and state of mind and help you reach a desired level of energy from a tea selection.

Every WOMAN™-Victoria is an interactive and fun health conference designed to inspire everyday women and to promote the opportunity to try fitness, dance and wellness workshops in a comfortable setting.

The day of activity at Parkside connects, supports and motivates women of all ages, shapes and sizes to be active. It features more than 30 workshops in one day, including: Bellyfit Flow, Bellyfit Warrior, GrooveFit, Nia, DownDawg Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Your Future By Design, Red Carpet Walk, Capoeira, African Dance, Zumba, Your Best Self, StreetStrider and more.

Register by Nov. 11 using promo code "PARKSIDE" to receive $50 off. Participants also receive a special $99 rate in a One Bedroom Deluxe Suite at Parkside!   

More than 11,000 people from 16 countries are registered to participate in GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon events on Sunday (Oct. 9).

Runners, local dignitaries and volunteers gathered at Frontrunners today (Oct. 7) to launch the 32nd annual marathon weekend, which also includes a 1/2 marathon, 8K race and Kids' Run. The group celebrated a few of the reasons we run here in Victoria.

For instance, World Champion rower and Victoria local Silken Laumann of the GoodLife Kids Foundation noted that part of what makes the marathon so special is that many people are running for personal bests and beyond.

By Bri Wilson

More than 11,000 people will lace up to run the 32^nd annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon (formerly the Royal Victoria Marathon) on Sunday (Oct. 9).

The race route starts in Victoria's Inner Harbour and follows scenic city streets through Oak Bay to the Uplands and back, with stunning ocean views to enjoy along the way.

Whether you're a Victoria resident or visitor, running your first 8K road race or a seasoned marathon runner hoping to set a new personal best, here are some tips to help you shine this weekend.

Last chance to participate in the Artifact or Artifiction fundraising gala presented by the Royal BC Museum on Thursday (Oct. 6).

Twenty peculiar artifacts from the Royal BC Museum collections – and 20 even stranger tales about the items’ origins – are displayed throughout the gallery spaces. Your task: decipher fact from fiction by determining which stories are tall-tales and which are truths.

CHEK News and CBC News Vancouver anchor Tony Parsons will guide guests through the exciting evening, which includes a delectable roving buffet of fresh local ingredients; select BC beer, wine and cider; and a chance to win fantastic grand prizes. Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa is donating one of the grand prizes: seven nights at the winner's choice of Aviawest properties across BC (any combination), along with $200 at AquaTerre Spa and $200 at The Landing West Coast Grill.   

Tickets are $150 each (10% off for Members) and can be purchased online or by calling 250.387.7222 today or tomorrow 9am-5pm.     

By Neil Judson

The parting of three black curtains revealed the Royal BC Museum's 2011/2012 exhibition schedule on Wednesday (Sept. 28).

From the gaping jaws of a towering dinosaur to the glitter and grace of a waving Queen Elizabeth II, the international lineup is designed to appeal to a wide demographic, including budding paleontologists, royalty aficionados and nature lovers.

The three touring international exhibits will begin December 16 with the North American premiere of Wildlife Photographer of the Year from London's Natural History Museum. An ancient-looking tortoise slowly greeted the audience to help announce the exhibit, which will showcase more than 100 award-winning photographs in 18 categories, chosen from more than 40,000 entries from around the world.

In May 2012, Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries will shed new light on these fascinating creatures that were first identified nearly 200 years ago. Perfect for all ages, this exhibit is organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York and is making its only Canadian appearance in Victoria.

With the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton in June 2012, the Royal BC Museum will be the place to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Nearly 100 photographs from the royal photographer will tell a visual tale of princess, monarch and mother alongside extracts from Beaton's personal diaries and letters.

A convincing Queen Elizabeth II helps introduce Cecil Beaton's royal photography

The international touring lineup follows a year-long exploration of the museum's 125 years of research and collections, which concludes October 10.

"After a successful run offering a behind the scenes glimpse of our own natural history collection, we are throwing open the doors for our visitors to experience new explorations and discoveries," said Pauline Rafferty, Royal BC Museum CEO. "This year’s exhibitions herald from collections across the country, across the world and across time - there is something exciting for everyone."

 
                                 The tortoise attempts to exit stage right

On Thursday (Oct. 6), Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa is sponsoring the Royal BC Museum's presentation of Artifact or Artifiction, a fundraising gala where guests will put their trivia knowledge to the test. Parkside is donating one of the grand prizes: seven nights at the winner's choice of Aviawest properties across BC (any combination), along with $200 at AquaTerre Spa and $200 at The Landing West Coast Grill.