As tourists and locals alike visit Sagat-approved restaurants and popular fish and farmer market hot spots, foodies everywhere are shifting their interests out of mainstream eateries and transitioning into more unknown, non-popularized dives that know how to pack the flavor into every morsel they concoct.

If you’re one of these foodies that are looking for a new dining experience without having to wait hours for a table or make reservations weeks in advance, there may be a few hidden eateries in British Columbia ready for you to explore. Enjoy!

RauDZ Regional Table

Located in Kelowna, B.C, just a few hundred miles northeast of Vancouver, RauDZ Regional Table provides its customers more than just a plate of fresh, organic produce, it offers a fresh, new age dining experience. Popular among locals, RRT provides visitors with both a regional and local menu that’s appealing to all customers; and it’s affordable too! If you happen to be in the area, check out their seasonal menu, you’ll love it!

Ferris Oyster Bar and Grill

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, known for its lush scenery, historical landmarks and its growing gastronomy scene. However, within the bustling city lies a hidden treasure that has been attracting people from all over the surrounding metropolitan areas in recent years.

The Ferris Oyster Bar and Grill is known locally as the go-to-place for refreshing cocktails, filling tapas and Spanish-inspired local seafood menu. With both upstairs and downstairs quarters to accommodate all parties, The Ferris Oyster Bar and Grill gives customers a unique, experience, completely redefining the term “bar and grille”.

Hakkasan

It’s not easy finding a high-end Chinese restaurant, but if you’re ever in Richmond, B.C., just ask locals where you can find a good one, and certainly enough, they’ll all agree on one name: Hakkasan!

Following new cuisine trends of cage free product and organic produce, Hakkasan offers its customers a modern Chinese dining experience with a splash of contemporary cuisine. Dubbed Richmond’s best Chinese restaurant, Hakkasan will no doubt satisfy your craving for high-end dining and traditional Chinese fare.

La Casa Ouzeria

Located a few miles south of Kelowna in the town of Penticton, B.C., is one of the best Greek eateries east of Arrow Lake. La Casa Ouzeria has received critical acclaim from food writers and chefs in Canada, praising its take on traditional Greek cuisine and its use of local organic produce.

Owned and operated by the Portalakis family since 1973, La Casa Ouzeria continues to exude its rustic charm and serve its customers Greco-inspired dishes that keep people coming back for a plate of their famous pastichio.

The Acorn

If you’re looking a combination of simple, contemporary and flavor, The Acorn in Vancouver may be just what you’ve been looking for. Lauded by its appealing and savory vegetarian menu, The Acorn is known for having a warm and approachable atmosphere that has been attracting foodies in the area for years.

The Acorn is also widely regarded for its use of food art, using dishes as landscapes and food as the subject! If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, The Acorn is ripe for the tasting.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a hardcore foodie, why not try a few of these choices? In fact, try something different. Why not visit food trucks, diners, dives or even order online seafood delivery to satisfy your pescetarian appetite! Whether you live in Vancouver, Victoria or a small town in British Columbia, there’s still a wide variety of local and regional eateries that have yet to be discovered.

Lifecruiser Love Food Travel
 

For couples with an action-packed activity trip in mind for their Dominican Republic holidays in 2013, you’ll find plenty of mangrove forests, rocky riverbeds and diving adventures. A honeymoon here can be anything you want it to be, but here are five of the best things to do.

Get lost in Los Haitises National Park

The Dominican Republic is home to several worthy national parks but the sheer variety of natural bounty makes Los Haitises unmissable. Skim along rivers and pass through dense mangroves spotting subtropical plants and birds like the pelican and Stygian owl. Breathe in scents of mango and coffee bean, before visiting the caves where native Taino drawings line the walls.

Whale-watching at Samana Peninsula

Though Playa Rincon’s palm-fringed shore is reason enough to come here, the main attraction is undoubtedly the humpback whales. The prime season is from January to March (perfect for those of you getting married early next year) and it’s wise to book a tour, as witnessing the incredible mating dance of these mammals is understandably popular.

Tour Santo Domingo

This centuries-old colonial city makes the perfect backdrop to a romantic stroll. A fascinating history surrounds it, brimming with ‘firsts’ – the first cathedral founded in the New World, first university, even the first streets – while a contemporary energy crackles as the sun goes down and the Spanish Square comes alive with the sounds of merengue and good times.

Climb a Damajagua waterfall

The northern coastline of the D.R. boasts not one but twenty-seven waterfalls, along the Rio Damajagua. Couples up for a challenge can try their hand at canyoning, clambering over and skidding down some incredible natural water-slides, but there are also tranquil pools for those who just to want to chill and enjoy the rugged scenery. Day tours are available from nearby Puerto Plata.

Jet off to Saona Island

If it all gets a bit too hectic and you’re just craving some quality time together, there’s hardly a better way to spend it than taking a catamaran out to lonely Saona Island. If you’ve ever dreamt of a desert island, this is the real deal and also promises some of the most colourful snorkelling waters around these parts.

Whether you’ve already booked your honeymoon, or you are looking for inspiring destinations, the Dominican Republic could be an excellent bet. Why not find further inspiration from some of the top wedding blogs?

Lifecruiser Love Honeymoon Trips
 

Just sitting there, listening to the sea and the seabirds, enjoying the sunshine after a very long winter back at home, could not be anything else than pure rehabilitation for both soul and body…

©Lifecruiser Love Boats
 

5. Golfing
–With some of the best golf courses around, Park City actually offers golfers of all skill levels a place to ply their craft and unwind from the rigors of everyday life. Without a doubt, if you want to engage in a friendly game of golf in an already beautiful locale, you should definitely try and do so. It is fun, and great for the entire family—provided you all enjoy golf, of course!

4. Restaurants
–Though it may seem strange, Park City offers some of the best restaurants in all of Utah. From delicious family themed diners to decadent gourmet restaurants that are sure to please even the pickiest of palates, you simply won’t have any difficulty finding somewhere delicious to eat. However, we must suggest you try some of the most famous eateries here, such as the Riverhorse on Main and Glitretind Restaurant. Both of these epitomize the ideals of Park City, and will show you what a real meal is like!

3. Hiking and other Summer Attractions
–It is true that Park City is known for its winter activities, but summer is still nothing to sneeze at. With some of the best hiking spots around, and a host of fantastic summer activities—like horseback riding and others—you will find that Park City is much more than just a winter wonderland. It is fun, varied, and beautiful year round as well!

2. SUNDANCE Film Festival
–Once a year, the famous Sundance Film Festival comes to Park City in a flurry of well-known stars, beginning actors, and avant-garde directors to display to the masses the best films it has to offer. And, whether you consider yourself a cine-phile or not, it is still a fantastic occasion that is sure to entertain the entire weekend that it is there. Truly, as an activity that is completely unique to Park City, this one shines as something you simply cannot miss!

1. Skiing and Snow Sports
–Obviously, the biggest reason anyone comes here is because of the impeccable skiing/snow sports locales Park City offers. Voted amongst the best ski destinations in the entire United States, Park City has tons of slopes, ski resorts, and ski lodges that are all geared towards making your experience that much better. You will never have more fun here than you will if you strap some skis to your feet and hit the slopes, we can promise you that!

If you have any more questions, go to the website www.parkcityvacationrentals.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can! Trust us; if anyone can help you plan the perfect Park City Vacation, it is us. We cannot wait to hear from you!

(Guest post)
 

Photo: El coleccionista de instantes

Of course, you will still need a great surfboard and some other necessary accessories, but I believe it’s all in the mind. If you are really determent to succeed and have your mind seet to it, you can make it. It may take you some time, but you will get there if you really want to.

For the beginner, it may be much easier than the regular, oldfashioned way of surfing. Having a paddle to help you out, is more easy. You can start out with flat water SUP and river surf – and of course, there are also good trainers to take lessons from, always invaluable to get a shortcut to the secrets of the sport.

Maybe you will even become a legendary SUP surfer, who knows…? Practise is what makes the skills go beyond imagination…

It’s also a very good reason to travel to other, more surf-friendly places all over the world. Having an interest like surfing, there are numerous places to try out for surfing around the world. You can do it everywhere!

Even here in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, there are some different places where you can rent SUP boards and Stockholm SUP Club lists several events for 2013, the first this upcoming weekend actually, so if you happen to be around, why not have a look at the sport first and maybe even try it out?

Where would you like to travel to do some Stand Up Paddle surfing? I would love to go to Maui, Hawaii… but first I would need some intensive Stand Up Paddle Surf training…

©Lifecruiser Love Surf Sports
 

Florida is easy to get to from the UK, with a range of flights on offer from many of the UK’s airports. Flights to Florida typically take eight and a half hours from London Gatwick to Sanford International or Orlando International, both offering easy access to the theme parks.

Every year the various parks get updated, and this year is no exception with several parks welcoming new additions.

Photo: rollercoasterphilosophy, Flickr.com

Universal Studios Orlando

This film-themed park is home to a number of thrilling attractions, including the ‘Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’ rollercoaster and ‘Revenge of the Mummy’ ride. This year another exciting ride will be added to the mix.

‘Transformers: The Ride 3D’ opens in summer 2013, and is similar to the ‘Amazing Adventures of Spiderman’ ride that’s in sister park, Islands of Adventure. It promises a 3D adventure, where guests enter a moving ride vehicle equipped with 3D glasses, before then getting transported through the world of the Transformers, turning through 360 degrees and going through a bumpy thrill ride.

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Throughout 2012, the Fantasyland area of the park was partially closed to make way for New Fantasyland, which will feature new rides and attractions. It opened in December 2012, with a few new rides and restaurants, however there are still two new attractions that are yet to open.

In 2013, a new meet and greet area, ‘Princess Fairytale Hall’, will open on the site of the old ‘Snow White’ ride, and a new rollercoaster is scheduled to open in 2014. The ‘Seven Dwarves Mine Train’ will be an exciting family-friendly rollercoaster taking you through the dwarves’ mine, but further details are yet to be revealed.

SeaWorld Orlando

In 2012, SeaWorld received a new attraction in the form of ‘Turtle Trek’, which is an exhibit featuring turtles and manatees, ending with a 3D experience in a 360 degree cinema. This May, the biggest expansion in several years is coming, with the addition of the new Antarctic themed zone. The flagship ride of the new area will be ‘Empire of the Penguin’ which takes visitors through live penguin exhibits and enables guests to experience what life is like as a penguin chick.

Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

An expansion in the Animal Kingdom theme park has been in the works for a couple of years now, and in 2011 a deal was signed with James Cameron to create an Avatar-themed area of the park. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2013, but won’t officially be completed for three to five years.

Lifecruiser Love Florida
 

This particular day in the beginning of March it was cloudy and risk for rain, but still it was a really nice walk along the beach. Maybe we appreciate it even more than the Spaniards, since we did came from snowy weather conditions…

We had seen many Spanish beaches by then, on the 5000 km roadtrip, since we had been driving along the coastline mostly and there has been surprisingly many stony beaches actually.

We will tell you if we ever find our dream beach… or maybe not… Maybe we will keep it a secret…? *teasing you*

©Lifecruiser Love Spain Beaches
 

When you’re headed for a scenic drive, it’s important to have adventure motorcycle accessories with you to really make your experience worthwhile. Having these with you will definitely improve the time you’re having and make everything much easier and safer.

If you’re the exploring type, be sure to invest in a good GPS navigation system for your bike. There are quite a good number on the market now that they’ve peaked from luxury device to mobile necessity but make sure you’ve got one that is specifically made for motorcycles. These types of GPS devices will be able to better stand the elements and they have certain features that normal automobile GPS’s don’t have, such as more intricate points of interest.

Unless you’ve got a bike where the GPS has already been installed for you, you’re going to need some kind of mounting fixture in order to keep it on the front. Mounts are available for pretty much every device you could think of from radar detectors to cell phones and they’re easy to install and are quite affordable.

Some people seem to think you can’t take a ride on your bike if the weather isn’t exactly perfect but that doesn’t have to be the case if you accessorize properly. Not only can you purchase heated vests and gloves to wear during your trip, but you also have the option of getting warm seats and handgrips. With the heating elements protecting you from the cold, you’ll be able to travel more and for longer periods of time, giving you extra time to explore before you’re forced to turn back.

A windshield is still considered an accessory although it’s probably one of the most significant pieces of equipment you can install on your bike. Windshields go without saying as they’re going to do a lot of good when it comes to keeping the wind and rain out of your face as you zip down the highway.

Likewise, make sure that you’ve got a helmet with a visor attached. While they might not be necessary in the nicer months of the year, it’s still important to have one available in case you end up in a patch of rain or snow. It will help keep the elements from burning or chapping your skin and it will keep things out of your eyes.

If you plan on traveling with someone else, you might benefit from some type of Bluetooth system on your bike or inside your helmet. These help you communicate with one another more effectively and it will be a literal life saver if you find yourself in need of emergency assistance. A lot of them are voice activated so you needn’t even take your hands off the handles in order to speak to the person on the other end of the line.

Nothing beats the feel of being on a motorcycle and the smell of fresh air as you drive on the open road, but if you really want to make it more enjoyable, make sure you’re outfitted with the best accessories you can buy. They’ll keep you safe and they’ll let you have more fun.

Lifecruiser Love Roadtrips
 

Choosing the Right Place to Stay

The city of Augusta is a beautiful place to visit with many places to stay during the Master’s tournament. There are many types of hotels that are conveniently located within a short distance of the tournament so that you will never have to worry about traveling to far to get from your comfortable and spacious hotel to the exciting and enjoyable tournament. Some of the popular hotel choices in the area include the Partridge Inn, Sheraton Augusta Hotel, and the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.

These are just a few of the many hotel options you will have to choose from. Carefully review what these hotels have to offer to make sure you select the right place to stay. When you can enjoy your hotel, you are able to enjoy your stay for the tournament much better.

Dressing Appropriately for the Event

It is especially important that you dress appropriately while attending the event. It is believed that both women and men should dress in traditional clothing. Men should don polo shirts with comfortable pants or shorts. It’s probably best to avoid wearing jeans. The same thing goes for the ladies. Ladies should not wear jeans but may wear slacks with a blouse or comfortable yet appropriate shirt. While cleavage may be accepted in some settings, it is best to put it away during the Master’s event.

Support Your Players in Your Head

If you are planning a Masters 2013 trip you might want to be aware of what is proper etiquette at Augusta National. Although this is a sport it is one of manners and silence. Instead of a hockey or football game you might want to make sure to do all of your fanfare in your head! Cheering too loud or making a sign for the course is forbidden and will result in your ejection, this also holds true for the dress code so beware! It may sounds like no fun at all but really once you are in the silent drama there is nothing like it!

Respect the Players

Although you may already know this, golf is not a game that requires fans to scream and shout in support. While it is perfectly acceptable to clap or cheer from time to time, loud screaming and shouting to represent a specific golfer is not very classy at all. Respect the players while they are participating in the tournament by not screaming in excitement.

Golf lovers can enjoy spending time in Augusta for this major golfing tournament. By choosing the right hotel to stay, knowing how to dress, and understanding the appropriate etiquette of a golf tournament, you will be able to have the best time at the Masters.

Lifecruiser Love Golf Travel

Some other sports related post at Lifecruiser:

Everyone is Living their Fantasies
Inspired for Sports and Travel
How To Throw the Best Tailgate Ever
The Perfect Reunion Between Old Friends
Hooks Mansion Golf Course Southern Sweden
Orlando Top Golf Vacation
 

Several Stops in Desirable Locations

Image via Flickr by quinet

Living on a cruise ship for a few days is only part of the fun. Many luxury cruise ships make stops in several unique ports throughout the journey, giving you a day or two to explore a tropical island, an exotic city, or a new country. A luxury Mediterranean Cruise, for instance, makes stops in places such as Greece, Spain and France. With a luxury cruise, you get the comfort and pampering while traveling from one amazing destination to the next. Be sure to ask the concierge for a top list of places and activities during each stop so that you may get the most out of your short visit. Also, make sure to note exactly what time you must report back to the ship. You don’t want to end up stuck in a foreign land with no way to get home.

Accommodations in Good Repair

Image via Flickr by Loimere

When you’re setting off on a luxury cruise, you should expect comfortable and well-kept accommodations. Carpets and railings should be clean and in good repair. Staterooms and other rooms should be large enough that you have adequate space to store your belongings. You don’t want to feel like you’re sleeping in a closet.

Delectable Eats and Flexible Meal Times

Image via Flickr by L. Richard Martin, Jr.

While dining on board, expect to see elegant dining rooms, delectable cuisine, and high quality service. Cruises have been long known for strict dining times, which created such troubles as long wait times, cold food and unwelcome dining companions. But those days are no more, as cruise lines have embraced the benefits of flexible dining schedules. In some cases, passengers can opt to simply walk in during the restaurant’s open hours.

You’ll also find healthier dining options aboard today’s cruise ships.

Comfortable Rooming Quarters

Image via Flickr by jimg944

If you’re going to spend the next five to ten days aboard a cruise ship, you’ll want comfortable living quarters. You should expect clean, well-kept, and spacious rooming quarters and full bath and restroom facilities. Beds should be reasonably comfortable to avoid unpleasant complications, such as a sore back, that would prevent you from fully enjoying the experience. Also, unlike traditional cruises, luxury stays provide each cabin with at least one personal crewmember to meet and exceed wants and needs.

Recreational Opportunities

Image via Flickr by The Sean & Lauren Spectacular

Passengers on a luxury cruise ship should never be bored. Opportunities for fun and recreation include fitness facilities with group classes, luxurious spa treatments, spacious swimming and jacuzzi pools, programming for children, evening entertainment, such as live music and shows, casinos and of course, fine dining. Some cruise ships even offer amenities such as on-board rock climbing.

Before you book your cruise, find out what entertainment will be available during your trip and what opportunities there will be for recreation.

Ample Time for Exploration

Image via Flickr by prayitno

When you’re stopping off in ports, a cruise should offer ample time to explore each place. If you have just a few hours at a port, you’ll end up leaving feeling unfulfilled. It’s not every day that you get to explore several different countries in just a few days, so check the cruise schedule to be sure you’ll have the time you need.

A cruise is a fun, exciting adventure. If your luxury cruise has the above-mentioned features, services and amenities, you can focus your effort on creating a memorable experience instead of fretting about your environment.

Author Bio: Charli is a freelance lifestyle, technology, health, and travel writer exploring all things that are beautiful. Whether it’s about family life, what’s new and cool in technology, or tips, tricks, and ideas for travel. Charli is exploring it all. When she is not out exploring and blogging, she loves to go kayaking and going to the movies.