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How to Solve Chip & Pin Credit Card Problems

Credit cards and computer chips were both invented in the US, so why is America the last country on earth to combine the two technologies?!

The chip and PIN feature was developed in the 90’s to fight credit card fraud. Since then, the world has been ditching the magnetic strip readers and replacing them with new readers, which require you to enter a PIN to make a purchase.

This has created a major dilemma for US cardholders. Since we still have the old fashioned plastic, our cards have been rendered almost useless while traveling in many areas of the world.

The most common places your card won’t work? The good news is many stores and restaurants in foreign countries are able to process your card manually by typing in the account number into their reader. There are, however, a number of scenarios where this might not be possible:

European rail tickets – Most train ticket kiosks will not accept magnetic strip cards. If you scroll down to the comments on my recent blog post about chip and PIN cards, you will see a rant from someone who was practically stranded at the airport in Paris because the machine would not accept his US-issued AmEx Platinum Card.

Pay-at-the-pump gas stations – Better known as “petrol” stations in Europe, if you try and swipe your card at the pump, there’s a good chance it won’t work.

The misinformed employee – Regardless of where you’re making a purchase, I frequently hear stories about store employees in foreign countries who are skeptical (and might outright refuse) the acceptance of magnetic strip cards. Technically speaking, that’s against the Visa and MasterCard TOS. Unfortunately, not every employee knows that!

How can you get around this problem? One option is to avoid foreign travel until the US catches up with this technology. But since that’s a good five years away, I think all of us would agree that’s an utterly ridiculous solution!

No worries, as there are a couple ways you can get chip and PIN cards right now:

Solution #1 – Switch your card: There are literally 1,000s of different credit cards available in the US. Among those, the number which currently come with a chip and PIN you can literally count on your hand. These include:

Chase: British Airways and Hyatt credit cards (both Visa)

JP Morgan (Chase subsidiary): Select and Palladium credit cards (both Visa)

U.S. Bank: FlexPerks Travel Rewards (Visa)

United Nations Federal Credit Union: all of their cards (Visa)

North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union: all of their cards (Visa)

Solution #2 – Buy a prepaid card: Don’t want to apply for a new credit card? Well, if you’re willing to cough up the cost, you can buy a Travelex Cash Passport prepaid card, which comes with this technology.

About the Author: By Michael Dolen, editor-in-chief at CreditCardForum – a social media portal for credit card reviews and news.

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Sustainable Sushi in San Francisco

After eight years as a fairly strict vegetarian, I became a picky pescatarian. More than any other meal, I missed sushi. It wasn't just the amazing taste of fresh fish anointed with soy sauce and dabbed with wasabi. I missed the protein and the other benefits (you don't need a master's in nutrition to know about all the brain and body benefits that come from fish, including Omega-3 fatty acids).

After eight years of abstaining from all the fishy goodness, a growing movement out of a neighboring city known for progressive eats with an ecological bent got me thinking, and yes, eating fish again. 

The city was San Francisco, and the movement was sustainable sushi. Fishing is a big deal in this eco-friendly port city, which means overfishing has been on their radar for quite a while. Thanks to programs like Seafood Watch from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, SustainableSushi.net, Fish2Fork.com and others, awareness is growing and so is demand for deliciously guilt-free sushi.

Sustainable Sushi in San Francisco: 5 Local Picks

There are other great environmentally sound sushi restaurants across the country--like Bamboo Sushi in Portland, OR, which was the world's first certified sustainable sushi restaurant--so keep your eyes open if you aren't in the Bay Area. If you are, don't miss these locations:

With three locations (the original in Pacific Heights, Tataki South in Noe Valley and Tataki Canyon in Glen Park), Tataki Sushi Bar is probably the best known of all the sustainable sushi joints in the area. But there's a good reason for that. They were one of the first in the area, and they make an open and concerted effort to provide sustainable menu options. Regulars are consistently impressed with the nigiri and say the quality and sustainability are worth paying for. Not only are they unabashedly eco-friendly, they're also kid-friendly, with a special bowl and utensils for the little ones.

Located just inside Temple Nightclub and sporting geisha pop art and color-changing walls, Ki is self-described as "comfortable yet chic, delicious yet sustainable and unafraid to challenge the status quo" and one of Gayot's Top 10 SF New & Notable Restaurants. Strict vegetarians can find plenty to eat here too, making it a perfect place to bring friends with dietary restrictions.

Over in Potrero Hill you'll find Umi, where the menu is based on sustainable fish from local vendors and flown in directly from Japan. Regulars rave about the service and the freshness of all the ingredients. It might not be cheap, but you're getting the quality you pay for at Umi. Their lunchtime bento boxes are a less-expensive way to try out try out the menu, and a hit with many regulars.

Sometimes described as the best sushi in SF, Sushi Zone is a hole-in-the-wall place that caters to everyone from the hyper-discerning students at colleges in the San Francisco Bay area to the uninitiated (meaning they've got great, sustainable nigiri, and you can get spicy mayo on something deep-fried if you want to). It's a small place so try to hit off hours; chance are great this Hayes Valley favorite will be packed.

Lesser known, tiny, loud and a little hard to find tucked off to the side of Bush Street and a little south of Chinatown, Akiko's Restaurant is known for producing the best sushi that locals have ever had--and that's including comparisons to Japan. The chef is very concerned about sustainability, and it shows.

With a little care, you can order sustainably harvested/raised fish from most sushi places, but the ones listed above are dedicated to the cause. If your favorite place doesn't carry sustainable products, make a fuss; let them know you care and that you'll pay for the good stuff. Eat the change you wish to see in the world.

About the Author: Karl Fendelander cut his teeth on web writing in the late nineties and has been plugged in to the newest technology and tuned in to the latest trends ever since. He doesn't have a culinary arts degree, but Karl loves cooking well, eating well and taking advice from food aficionados. When he unplugs, Karl can be found biking about town and hiking and climbing throughout the West.

*Photo courtesy of Ricky Audet

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Adventure Travel on Hawaii's Big Island

Hawaii's Big Island is a great place for a vacation, but it has more than just beautiful beaches. It also provides both adventurers and families with a host of exciting activities to get their hearts racing--from fun in (or on) the water, to great hikes and more. Famous for its ecological diversity, in one long day you can roam the Big Island and witness 13 different climatic regions. From lava fields to rain forests, a simple hike can expose you to spectacular views, amazing stone-carved petroglyphs, fauna unknown anywhere else in the world, fabulous hidden beaches and waterfalls that will make you never want to leave.

For those looking for more of a thrill, venture into the water and try snorkeling or scuba diving. Some of the finest snorkeling in the world is located on the Big Island at Kealakekua Bay (the location of the Captain Cook Monument), Kahaluu Beach Park and dozens of other great spots. If you're lucky you'll see dolphins, turtles, stingrays or even the odd shark. Another awesome spectacle that can be experienced in Hawaii is a manta ray night dive. Tour guides place large lights on the ocean floor, and then snorkelers and scuba divers can witness huge manta rays floating through the light feeding. It's amazing. The Big Island is also home to some incredible mountain biking. Ride beach trails, rain forest paths, or old tourist roads, all the while viewing the wonderful Hawaiian scenery. You can also try one of the famed Summit to Sea bike rides, from the top of Kilauea to the ocean. Ride a van to the top of Kilauea, then ride your bike all the way to the ocean – a vertical drop of about 4000' in just a few hours! No visit to Hawaii would be complete without surfing. The quintessential Hawaiian sport, surfing has been practiced on the Hawaiian islands for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Great surfing spots abound on the Big Island, and there are many local companies willing to give private and group lessons to the uninitiated. As long as you're adventuring on top of the water, give windsurfing a try. Anaehoomalu Bay is a great windsurfing spot, and it's relatively safe as the wind blows toward the shore. Windsurfing isn't as popular on the Big Island as it is on some of the other islands, but it's still great fun. Horseback riding is quite popular on the Big Island. There are several stables in the Kohala area that offer rides through the rolling hills of the northwest coast, including visits to ancient Hawaiian ruins. There are even some tours that combine horseback rides with picnics and snorkeling. One other can't-miss activity for the Big Island is visiting the volcanoes. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is truly a one-of-a-kind park, as it is the only National Park in the U.S. that has both a rainforest and an active volcano. The park is somewhat dangerous--be sure to obey all park personnel and signage, as there can be dangerously loose rocks, poisonous gasses, or unstable rock flows. But the sights are worth it. There aren't many places where you can actually see the birth of new land and the flow of red-hot lava. You can even hike in old lava tubes, so be sure to bring a flashlight. The memory of the day will stick with you forever!

By Randall Pinkston, founder of Neotravel.com--travel deal aggregators specializing in airfare sales and budget coupons.

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San Francisco GLBT History With Paul Boneberg

Many museums claim to be one-of-a-kind, but there really is no other museum like San Francisco's GLBT History Museum. Home to one of the largest archives of queer historical materials in the world; it is the only GLBT history museum in America.

Paul Boneberg has served as executive director of the museum's historical society for the past five years. We asked him for his favourite story from San Francisco's GLBT history. This is what he said:

"In the late 1940s and early 50s there was a native San Franciscan, a guy named Jose Sarria. Jose was an entertainer. He became famous at a place called the Black Cat, which is a famous bar. When Jose was there it became a famous gay bar, and this was during the time of police raids. Jose would rail against the raids and in this period of great oppression Jose took the position that there was nothing wrong with being gay. At the end of his shows he would have them turn up the lights and say to the crowd, “There's nothing wrong with being gay. I want you all to look out for each other.” Then he'd make the whole crowd hold hands and sing the song "God Save Us Nelly Queens", which was to the tune of "God Save the Queen".

As the raids continued, one of things they'd do was accuse people of pretending to be the opposite sex. So if you were a man wearing women's clothing you could be arrested for pretending to be the opposite sex. So Jose starting wearing, and had other people wear, a little note that said “ I am a boy,” which meant that he was not trying to pretend he was the opposite sex—even though he was wearing a dress. A guerrila tactic to defeat the police! Jose went on to sometimes lead the patrons outside the bar after police arrests--because in this era the police station was viewable from the bar--and he and the crowd from the bar would serenade the people in the jail with "God Save Us Nelly Queens". So you're looking at the first early street activism in the queer community of San Francisco, in the late 1940s/early 1950s.

Jose ultimately became so upset over the police raids that he decided to run for [The San Francisco Board of Supervisors], and in 1961 he became the first openly gay candidate for public office in the history of the world."  

*Check out Travergence for information on things to do in San Francisco.

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A Trip to the Victoria Butterfly Gardens

Man is it humid in here. You get used to it quickly, but the warm temperature at Victoria's Butterfly Gardens is a bit of shock when you've just come in from the cold. Gardens Manager Kurtis Herperger tells me the first thing Butterfly Gardens employees learn is "don't show up for work hungover." The first thing I learn is to take off my jacket and scarf immediately. The second thing I learn is how cute a baby Poison Dart frog is. No larger than a fingernail, Herperger keeps the little guy inside an old 35mm film canister. Like many things at the Butterfly Gardens--this isn't something you see every day.

Herperger, a man who I'm sure my mother would describe as looking like Mr. Peabody, says the frenetic kinetics of the gardens is his favourite part of the job. "Every time you do a lap you see something new." 

Like most visitors to the gardens, I start my tour with Herperger at the emerging window. Most people go their whole lives without seeing what Herperger has seen happen thousands of times inside this case--a butterfly emerging from its pupa. 

"When the butterfly or moth emerge, they're not a beautiful butterfly," says Herperger, "It's this ugly looking insect with balls of slime hanging off its shoulder. But within five minutes those balls of slime pump up into beautiful [butterfly wings]." 

Herperger guarantees you'll see a butterfly emerge from its pupa if you visit the gardens during the first half of the day. He says the Atlas moth, with its large cocoon, is his favourite to watch.

As our tour around the gardens leaves the emerging window, it becomes clear there is much more to the Butterfly Gardens than just butterflies. As we round the first corner Herperger points out an African Turtle Dove that has commandeered a tray that was being used to raise caterpillars. The dove is one of about 60 different bird species at the gardens. "Nothing's caged, everything's wide open," says Herperger.

To the left of the dove is a pond filled with koi, goldfish, sucker bottom fish, Australian Whistling Tree-ducks, two Caribbean flamingos named Houdini and Mango and an Ibis named Spike. Herperger lets out a throaty flamingo call, but Houdini and Mango ignore us. Unfortunately he doesn't attempt to impersonate the whistling ducks.

After wandering past a plant that looks like it's had a bunch of feather boas tossed into it (the plant is a Pink Chenille) we see a Blue Morpho butterfly munching some mouldy banana. Herperger says butterflies love the alcohol created by the fermenting process. I suppose hungover butterflies don't mind humidity as much as hungover gardens employees do. 

A few more steps and Herperger exclaims "the x-rated section of our gardens, two butterflies mating right now." I can't help but notice the coitally involved pair don't appear to be moving at all. Butterflies have to be the least raunchy fornicators on Earth. If only the neighbours in your apartment building mated in the same way.  

I withhold the multitude of questions about butterfly sex that are racing through my mind and instead ask Herperger what other visitors to the Butterfly Gardens ask him the most. "The question that pops up all the time is the whole creation versus evolution. You've gotta be gentle with that one depending on who you're talking to." People also ask how long does a butterfly live for--about six weeks in their flying stage--and where can you see caterpillars and eggs (look for tags on the trees around the gardens).

As we near the end of the tour Herperger asks, "Have you ever seen a chameleon eat?" I haven't. Herperger quickly dashes to his office to grab a tupperware container with a few small cockroaches in it. He puts a roach in the centre of the tupperware lid and dangles it underneath the chameleon's nose. Suddenly the chameleon's tongue leaps out of its mouth like a sticky hand toy from between a kid's fingers. It's easily one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

 As our tour winds down Herperger points out a few other things--an organic vanilla plant, lounging tortoises, a few finches washing their wings, a poison dart frog tadpole flitting about inside the vase of a vermillia plant--most of these plants and creatures I easily would have missed walking around the gardens alone. I'm stunned when Herperger says over 90% of the animals at the gardens "have been rescue situations and abandoned animals."

Before I leave the gardens we stop by the vanilla plant and Herperger excitedly tells me how he loves to make vanilla vodka. "Soak the bean in the vodka and it infuses into the flavour. It's just incredible." Herperger's job is looking pretty amazing at this point. Raising butterflies, bellowing at flamingos, taking home organic vanilla--I'm thinking I might drop off a resume on the way out. "There's ups and downs," says Herperger, "I clean up tortoise poop, but I can make vanilla vodka!" 

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The Top 10 Tech Cafés in San Francisco

In a town full of tech start-ups, café culture in San Francisco has always had a geeky edge. San Fran coffee houses pioneered the free Wi-Fi movement, and today your Joe comes served with a symphony of laptop tapping and power meeting chatter from the next table.

So, where are the best cafés for spotting tech stars, polishing up that product pitch slide and getting a top-quality shot of caffeine? We spill the beans below…

1. Sightglass Coffee | 270 7th St (between Howard St & Folsom Street)

IPad users rejoice – here’s another way to show off your wonder-toy. Sightglass Coffee lets you pay for your Java via Square, a mobile payment app for iPads and smartphones started by Twitter alum Jack Dorsey. Pop your iPad in the custom cradle, swipe your card and sign the app’s prompt screen – it’s as simple as that.

2. Nervous Dog Coffee | 3438 Mission Street (at Kingston Street)

Named after a pooch in one of Gary Larson’s Far Side cartoons (a dog pours itself an espresso in a morning kitchen; the caption reads “While their owners sleep, nervous little dogs prepare for their day.”), Nervous Dog offers three organic, whole bean house blends. It’s got a friendly, neighbourhood vibe, bringing in crowds of friends and studying students alongside the techie types.

3. Ritual Coffee Roasters | 1026 Valencia St (between 21st St & Hill St)

A coffee-snob’s paradise (and we mean that in the best possible way), Ritual Coffee Roasters serves two different espresso choices a month: a seasonal blend as well as a single origin bean, always directly sourced from the best-quality producers. This warm ‘n’ inclusive vibe is countered by minimalist décor and playful Soviet-style branding – though they don’t mind if you park in for the long haul and make your coffee ritual last all day.

4. The Creamery | 685 4th Street (between Bluxome Street & Townsend Street)

The Creamery’s patios get crammed with folk having outdoor meetings on sunny days, though a modest number of power outlets inside make this a two-hour stopover point rather than an all-day café-cum-office. Its crepes have as great a reputation as the coffee.

5. Peet’s Coffee & Tea | Market and 2nd

Home to one of the world’s first Google Wallet terminals, Peet’s Coffee on Market Street gives its techy clientele a chance to test Google’s latest smartphone payment app ahead of the curve.

6. Coffee & Power | 1825 Market Street

The San Francisco Workclub hosts the SF branch of Coffee & Power in its loft workspace. The coffee is free, the Wi-Fi is fast and the power outlets are plentiful--plus there are couches and tables if you want to collaborate with others. No food, though--you’ll need to take a lunch-break.

7. Bravado | 170 King Street

Upscale but not uncomfortably so, Bravado keeps that neighbourhood coffee bar feel while adding a little of its own polish. White leather chairs, hardwood floor and gleaming counters keep things classy, while iced lattes and hot chocolate feed your more indulgent side. Power down the laptop and kick back to free live jazz on Friday nights.

8. Epicenter Café | 764 Harrison Street

A generous number of power outlets and a succulent menu serving breakfast, lunch and dinner make this the kind of place you can hole up in all day. Coffee comes from Bay Area locals Barefoot Coffee Roasters, and there are frequent special nights like beer tastings and live music performances.

9. Blue Bottle | 66 Mint Street

This San Francisco coffee institution isn’t a place you take your laptop--it’s a kiosk. There isn’t any seating or, horror of horrors, Wi-Fi, but you can make up for that with the tech networking or plain ol’ celeb-spotting opportunities you get here, because everyone loves it. Look up the line--the guy who created Pinterest is probably three paces ahead of you. Oh, and the coffee’s marvellous (45-minute queues and a clutch of awards prove it).

10. Four Barrels Coffee | 375 Valencia Street

Everyone needs to unplug every now and again--and for tech types, we mean this figuratively and literally. Four Barrel Coffee makes a point of having no Wi-Fi or power outlets (apart from a joke one painted on the wall, covered in scuff marks from eager beavers’ plugs), swapping social networking for, er, face-to-face conversation. Coffee is ethically-sourced and single origin; seating is super-cosy.

By Isabel Clift, editor at HostelBookers.com--specialists in budget travel advice and cheap San Francisco hotels. Contact donald@travergence.com if you'd like to guest blog for Travergence!

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Tell Us Your Best Story: Brandon Loberg of San Francisco's The Beat Museum

San Francisco's Beat Museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of The Beat Generation and continuing to spread their ideas. Longtime employee Brandon Loberg keeps the beatnik spirit alive through heavy involvement in San Francisco's poetry scene (he and his friends run an underground publishing company called Seven7h Tangent Press). Here's his favourite story related to the museum:

"Before the building we're in right now was built, I think maybe 1910. Right after the 1906 earthquake when they were starting to rebuild the neighbourhood and everything. Prior to that [where we are] was the site of the old Broadway jail. It was this big stone building where they would lock up all the drunken sailors and the people that came around back in the old Barbary Coast days to carouse. [It was] kind of a lawless area here in North Beach.

So what was interesting was the writer William S. Burroughs, his favourite book was a book called You Can't Win by a guy named Jack Black. It was written in the early 1920s. It's basically an outlaw, hobo memoir about this guy that travels around the country on freight trains and becomes this fairly notorious robber who robs banks and houses--pretty much whoever has money. At one point he was actually locked up here, in the old Broadway jail during the 1906 earthquake. Kinda interesting." 

*Use Travergence to find things to do in San Francisco.

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Locally Loved Hidden Gems of Tofino [Part 2: Chris Pouget]

This is part two in a series of articles where we get locals to tell us about their favourite hidden gems in Tofino. Our second local tipster is photographer Christopher Pouget.

*Check out Travergence for other things to do in Tofino.

Christopher Pouget: 

"There are so many [hidden gems]. I'd say for funky value there's a little taco bus called Tacofino. They're featured on Food Network and all that kind of stuff. They're definitely a gem. In terms of beach spots I'd say Schooner Cove. It's a boardwalk trail. It goes through the old growth and spits out onto the beach at the south end of Long Beach, so you get the whole sweeping sort of 27km of sand view.

Roy Henry Vickers Gallery. That's definitely one of the premier spots around. Sobo Restaurant: also legendary.

In terms of special value, I'd say Live to Surf was the first surf shop in Tofino. They're a local family. They've had a shop since before surfing was even cool. Surf Sister is a surf school. They were on the Rick Mercer Report. They've got their own funky little thing going on. It's all girls that run it. It's not an all girl surf school, but it's ran by all women. It's kind of targeted towards women I guess.

Tofitian Coffee Shop. Common Loaf Bakery is sort of the original bakery/coffee shop. [It's been a local] hangout spot for 30 years. It's ran by the same woman from day one." 

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The Best Places to Shop in Vancouver (According to the City's Top Fashion Bloggers)

*Shopping not your thing? Check out Travergence for other things to do in Vancouver.

M'c kenneth Licon | Little Fashionisto

"I like to go to ZARA on Robson, H&M, Holt Renfrew and Joe Fresh for my trendy fast fashion pieces. It's easy and very accessable. Also it gets really busy, as it's usually a very famous spot for tourists.

For unique pieces, I usually go to Gastown/Yaletown: OAK+FORT, Roden Gray, Neighbour. For a great selection of footwear, I go to gravitypope on West 4th in Kitsilano. If I want to stay in the downtown core I visit RowanSky."

Jen Tam | Her Waise Choice

Front and Company (3772 Main Street)

"Perfect mishmash of everything, including vintage, consignment and new clothing and shoes, jewelry, gifts and home decorative accents."

stylishmess (4481 West 10th Avenue)

"Sarah Parsons is also a personal stylist, so her store is amazingly well edited and she knows what will look good on you!" Vincent Park (4278 Main Street)

"This boutique carries both men's and women's clothing, so I don't feel bad bringing the boyfriend in. The prices are reasonable, and there is a (working) photobooth in the store!" misch (2960 Granville Street)

"Out of my price range, but this boutique carries some truly beautiful gems."

Melissa Knight | Miss Melissa

"There are a ton of places I like to shop (Zara, Club Monaco, Aritzia etc,), but I thought I would list a few places that aren't available in every other city. So here are a few of my favourite places to shop!" Barefoot Contessa (3715 Main Street & 1928 Commercial Drive)

"This boutique is every girl's dream closet. The clothes are always gorgeous and feminine. The accessories are unique and they also carry adorable house hold items such as candles." Deluxe Junk (310 West Cordova)

"If you are a fan of vintage shopping this little shop is perfect for you. The selection of vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories is so much fun to look through." F as in Frank Vintage (2425 Main Street)

"While I don't think this store is exclusive to Vancouver (I think they recently opened a Toronto location), I think it's a must visit if you're shopping Main Street in Vancouver. It's so easy to get caught up browsing through their amazing collection of vintage pieces."

Kendra Hagerman | Van City Pretty

Front and Company (3772 Main Street)

"In my opinion, the best consignment store in Vancouver.  It only accepts high-end, trendy, vintage, and mint condition items.  Their window displays are works of art, and they also carry hand-made and local jewellery that you won't find anywhere else. I've purchased items made by BCBG, Marc Jacobs, Wilfred, Chloe, Burberry, and Club Monaco at deeply discounted prices." 212 Boutique (454 West Cordova Street)

"Local and contemporary clothing with personality, style, and class. The prices are affordable, the staff are friendly, and the merchandise is unique. Located among the cobblestone streets of Gastown, the label features clean lines and beautifully simplistic silhouettes." Nicole Bridger Boutique (2151 West 4th Avenue)

"A local eco-friendly and socially conscious brand that creates simple, form-flattering, and incredibly comfortable pieces. She uses sustainable fabrics, low impact dyes, local production, and ethical manufacturing practises. Purchasing a Nicole Bridger design supports this talented local designer, but also supports a cause that's bigger than fashion."

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Penticton Locals Pick Their City's Best Hidden Gems

Chris Boehm | Burger 55

"Il Vecchio's is a little Italian deli/sandwich shop. Definitely a place you need to go. The price point is great. It's fresh. They slice everything to order. The ordering procedure is a little frustrating, but it's a great product at the end. So it's worth the wait. And it's cheap."

Patt Dyck | Co-owner Cannery Brewing

The Kettle Valley Railway Line: “We have this thoroughfare that runs along the top of the mountains and all the way up the valley that is available for hiking and biking and walking and every form of recreation and just breathtaking scenery. It's also free.”

Valentini's Cafe: “An excellent little bistro. They do an excellent breakfast and an excellent lunch.”

Many Hats Theatre: “Worthwhile live theatre to see for sure.”

The Local (in Summerland): “They're trying to use as many local ingredients and whatnot as they can. It's a very fun place. Spectacular setting right on the water.”

Naramata Heritage Inn: “Very old hotel dating back to the time when the Kettle Valley Line ran through the Okanagan.”

The Dream Cafe: “We get to see the likes of Judy Collins in a room smaller than most restaurants are.”

The Elvis Festival: “The calibre of performers that come here to the Elvis festival is amazing.”

Dan Ashton | Mayor of Penticton

"You won't find a nicer place to visit than Penticton. It's a wonderful area. It's a four seasons playground. Specifically our secrets are our water. We also have one of the world's premier climbing areas: Skaha Bluffs. They're absolutely phenomenal." 

*Use Travergence to find other things to do in Penticton. 

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Eight Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Victoria, B.C.

*These are just a few suggestions. Check out Travergence for other things to do in Victoria.

Feed Seals at Oak Bay Marina

Wild seals are a mainstay at Oak Bay Marina, as are the parades of people that come down to feed them. Spend a few bucks on a small bag of frozen herring at the tackle shop, toss one of the little fish in the general direction of a seal and wait for the show. It's slightly like feeding ducks, but cuter and more entertaining. Watch out for the seagulls though--they start to swoop down on you if you don't toss that herring fast. 

Grab a Cupcake from Crumsby's

There seems to be a kid's birthday party (or two or three) in this place almost every day. A Crumsby's tea party includes two mini cupcakes and a pot of orange juice, apple juice, cider, milk or tea for five dollars. A pretty good deal considering the café easily has the best cupcakes in town (especially now that Pink Sugar has closed).

Crumsby's has a large bin of toys and it's also only a few blocks away from Willow's Beach. If you can think of a better weekend activity than eating cupcakes and playing by the ocean, I'd like to hear it. 

See Something New at the Butterfly Gardens

You're bound to witness something you've never seen before at Victoria Butterfly Gardens. On a recent trip I got to see a chameleon named Pascal eat lunch. Have you ever really looked at a chameleon? They're super weird. Their feet look like worm alien mouths and their tongues are like sticky hands.

70 species of butterfly and about 60 different bird species call the gardens home. Wear a brightly coloured shirt and you may be lucky enough to have a butterfly land on you. 

Take Tree Climbing to a New Level at Wildplay

Wildplay's Monkido course is a maze of "suspended games" that takes you high into the trees to conquer obstacles such as tightropes, missing plank bridges, swinging logs and cargo nets. Imagine a cross between an Ewok tree village and the TV show Wipeout. 

There are three levels of Monkido. Classic (ages 12+), Buddy (ages 7-11) and Kids (ages 7-13). Be sure to bring good shoes! 

Get a Little Gross at the Bug Zoo

A little gross and a lot entertaining--the Victoria Bug Zoo is as fun for kids as it is for adults. Ever kissed a cockroach? Worn a millipede as a moustache? Held a tarantula? You can do it all here . . . or at least your kids can while you squirm a little.

Take in the Spectacle that is the Beacon Hill Park Running of the Goats

This one is a little weird. Twice a day, every day, parents and children clap wildly and hoot and holler as a mess of goats stampede around the park's petting zoo. It's like some bizarre cross between the Kentucky Derby and the running of the bulls. 

The goats go-a-runnin' at 10:10AM and 4:10PM (5:10PM in the summer). 

Become an Empress Pastry Apprentice 

Like some of the hotel's desserts, the price tag on the Empress' pastry apprentice class is a little rich. The 90-minute class is $100 for children, but you get to take home a chef's hat, personalized apron, framed certificate and whatever pastries you create during the class. The only remaining scheduled children's class this year is March 18th, but private classes for 10 or more can be scheduled in advance throughout the year.

This activity probably isn't an option for most families, but it is fun and different if you can afford it.

Go Swimming or Skating

Going to a rec centre is an almost criminally cheap way to have fun and get your kids a bit of exercise at the same time. Admission to the wave pool at Commonwealth Place is only $3/person on Saturdays between 4-6PM. Oak Bay Rec charges just $2.65 for their early bird swim, and skate rentals on Tuesdays are only $2. Even at full price, the child drop-in rate doesn't go far beyond $3 at any of the region's rec centres. Talk about a bargain, right? 

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Locally Loved Hidden Gems of Tofino [Part 1: Bryan O'Malley]

This is part one in a series of articles where we get locals to tell us about their favourite hidden gems in Tofino. Our first local tips come from Bryan O'Malley of Tofino Brewing Company.

Bryan O'Malley:

"I might just plug myself a little bit here [laughs]. We've not even been open a year yet. We've definitely got a lot of tourist traffic cause we're kind of off-the-beaten-track a bit in the sense we're up Industrial Way. A tourist can find us and come into the brewery, check out our operations, see how we make beer and try some beer. You can definitely pass a good 20-30 minutes inbetween doing something, you know what I mean? It's kind of a nice unique thing. We're the only production brewery on the West Coast. Especially on the rainy days if you don't want to get too wet you can just come on in and try some beer. It's never a bad thing right?

In terms of other things, there are a couple of little hidden gems. The Tofino Coffee Company—they're just up Industrial Way. They're hidden in behind Red Can Gourmet. It's pretty neat there because you can see the operation and talk to Mike Farrow who roasts all the beans. He's a pretty passionate guy when it comes to his coffee.

If you're staying out here at a hotel or resort and you don't really feel like going out to eat, there's a new place up Industrial Way as well. You can see the commonality here! Red Can Gourmet, they haven't even been open a year yet. They do just amazing dinner take-out.

In terms of activities, I wouldn't say surfing is a hidden gem, but it's definitely something when you come out to the West Coast it's worth a try. Pacific Surf School is a really good surf school. Going over to Storm and meeting the crew there. Those guys at that surf shop are pretty hilarious and they definitely make you feel welcome. If you have any questions about surfing, they're definitely the guys to ask."  

*Check out Travergence to discover other things to do in Tofino.

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Five Must-Do Activities in Kelowna

Rent a Boat and Search for Ogopogo

Loch Ness has it's monster, Okanagan Lake has Ogopogo. The first recorded sighting of the illusive lake monster dates back to 1872, but its place in native folklore extends much further back. The longevity of its legend, and pop culture references on TV shows like the X-Files, have made Ogopogo the "most famous aquatic cryptid" in Canada.

Rattlesnake Island is considered Ogopogo's homebase, and the best spot to go searching. It is illegal to harm, kill, capture or disturb the creature--so don't try any Mr. Burns-style Loch Ness Monster shenanigans. Don't despair if Ogopogo doesn't present himself (herself?) to you. You can always just toss a gnarled log in the water, take a photo from a few hundred yards away and see how many of your friends you can fool. 

Bike Myra Canyon

At one point it looked like this section of the Kettle Valley Railway trail would be lost to bikers forever. Now Myra Canyon is considered one of the top cycling routes in the world.

A forest fire claimed 12 of Myra Canyon's 18 historic trestle bridges in 2003. Thanks to the hard work of the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society, however, all the destroyed bridges were rebuilt and the trail was reopened in 2008.

The 12km out and back ride takes you to dizzying heights as you navigate the towering trestles on your way through backcountry wilderness. Though it's a long look down from some of the trestles, the trail never goes beyond a 2.2% grade. The extremely low grade makes the trail an easy ride for cyclists of all abilities. 

Monashee Adventure Tours offers tours and rentals for those wishing to explore Myra Canyon. 

Do a Wine Tour

I'm sure I don't need to spend a lot of time here waxing poetic about Okanagan wine. If you're planning a trip to Kelowna, you almost certainly already know about the spectacular vineyards in the area. Quail's Gate, Mission Hill, Summerhill and Cedar Creek are all spots worth visiting. Multiple wine tours are available to take you to some of these spots, as well as the myriad hidden gems of the region.

Visit Geert Maas Sculpture Gardens and Gallery

Geert Maas immigrated to Kelowna from the Netherlands in 1979 and has since built a reputation as one of Canada's most skillful and dynamic artists. For over three decades Maas has, along with his wife Elly, maintained one of the largest collections of bronze sculptures in Canada. In addition to his sculptures, numerous paintings and other works are on display at his gardens and gallery. 

"Goddesses of the Universe" is one of his most photographed works. The three sculptures that make up the piece look like some sort of bizarre alien interpretation of the female form. Well worth a look if you any interest in art. 

Catch a Concert or a Game at Prospera Place

It's a long time since Prospera Place was voted best concert venue in Canada under 15, 000 seats--it won the honour in 2000--but it's still a great place to see a concert or watch a hockey game. 

The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets are the arena's main tenants. The Rockets are one of the top three teams in the league in terms of attendance, meaning Prospera is always full of raucous fans.

The main draw at Prospera this summer will be Cirque Du Soleil. The much celebrated circus arts company brings it's production Quidam to Kelowna in August. 

*Check out Travergence to discover other things to do in Kelowna. 

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Interview With Sandy McRuer of Rainbird Excursions

The value of a good tour guide is personified in Sandy McRuer. Sandy describes his ecotours of British Columbia's Vancouver Island as "experiential tourism". When you go on a tour with Sandy you're getting more than just a walk through the woods and a few flora and fauna facts delivered lecture style. Sandy is a storyteller, jokester and occasional Snowy Owl impersonator. He takes you to the areas you may get lost trying to find yourself, and makes you feel at home once you're there. 

After spending a career in forestry--where he specialized in reforestation--Sandy started his tour company Rainbird Excursions in 2005. Through Rainbird Sandy shares his devotion and appreciation of the natural world. Entertaining and unique--he's everything a good guide should be. 

What are some common questions you get from people on your tours?

It could be anything under the sun. Mostly it's “Show me a Douglas Fir,” or “What kind of plant is that?” and I'll answer, “Well, do you want Latin or English?” [Laughs]

[People ask about] culturally modified trees and the First Nations use of the land. If we're going by say the Martin Mars water bombers on our one trail at Sprout Lake they go, “Oh what's that?” So It can be anything from man made objects to certain mountains and that sort of thing.

I often get questions that stump me, I mean you don't know everything about everything. If I get a question that I'm not able to answer I just say I don't know. Sometimes if I'm in an impatient mood I like to string them along for a little while, but I'll always fess up. I like to keep it entertaining.

How do you keep tours entertaining?

The variety of stories. The storytelling techniques. I like to tell stories where people can see, or smell or hear something. It's not unusual for me to imitate an owl for instance. People often think that's pretty cool.

If you were to define a most memorable tour moment, would it be one that involved an animal?

Oh yah, definitely. Especially if we encounter a bear. It's not unusual. One of my testimonials comes from a group of Germans. After they got off the van and I dropped them at their accommodations I asked them how they enjoyed the trip and they said it's probably one of the highlights of their year.

What is the best part of your job?

Hearing people say “Wow!”

It's funny, when I first started out I thought the coolest part of the job would be telling people the stories. But I'm finding, no—it's kind of the reverse.

What's the most interesting thing you've learned from another person on one of your tours?

When I just started out the first year I had an occassion to take out a couple of older women from Holland. I found out early on one of them was clairvoyant. When you hear that a lof of people go, “Oh sure, whatever. I don't believe in that crap.” A lot of people would react that way, but they're guests so you treat them with respect and I said, “Oh, that's cool.”

As we were talking through the day she'd make comments about stuff that kinda blew me away. She'd be standing there just looking out at the ocean and she'd say, “You know there's an awful lot of white energy on Vancouver Island. Back in Holland there's only about three feet of it, but here it's like three metres.” I was kinda dumbfounded. It was done in such a conversational matter that you kinda go, “Well she's not trying to prove anything to me, she's just being who she is.” So it really kinda made me think, “She's really seeing something.” She was a very interesting woman.  

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Eight Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Vancouver

Collage Collage

Collage Collage is a fabulous art supply and hand made toy store that regularly holds drop-in classes for children and families. The calm, creative atmosphere is perfect for frazzled families looking for a counter to some of the louder, crazier destinations in the city. Collage Collage is a place for kids to draw, paint, make crafts and just plain explore their artistic abilities. Drop-in classes are $10. Schedules and more information can be found on the shop's website.  

Maplewood Farm

We went here for my cousin's third birthday last year and he absolutely loved it. Maplewood is a small farm and petting zoo in North Vancouver that is home to horses, goats, rabbits, ducks and many other animals. My cousin loved the pony ride (he was fighting his way through other kids to get to the front of the line) and enjoyed feeding the ducks and rabbits. It's easy to keep kids occupied here, and it's actually kind of fun for adults too!

Kids Market at Granville Island

The Kids Market is two floors of stores and more at one of Vancouver's top tourist attractions. Granville Island can be found on any must-do list for the city, and the Kids Market is a reason why. Magic, arts and crafts, books, toys and clothing are to be found in the shops. On the second floor is the "Adventure Zone"--an indoor playground with climbing structures, nets, slides, tunnels and a ball pit. Parents can join kids inside the play space, or supervise from outside. Just make sure you hit Adventure Zone after going to the market's candy store.   

Science World

A recent renovation has added 30, 000 square feet to this popular family attraction. All that new space means more hands-on exhibits and interactive displays that help kids learn about science. Kids can launch parachutes, experiment with dams and boats, go for a flying saucer ride or play with giant building blocks. Fun and educational? It's a parent's dream!

The Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium, home to 50, 000 different animals from around the world, is the largest aquarium in Canada. Attractions include daily dolphin and whale shows, B.C.'s only 4-D theatre and the chance to learn about everything from sharks to crocodiles. Call ahead of time and you can set up an opportunity to train and feed beluga whales, otters and Steller sea lions. The aquarium can be very crowded on weekends, so get there early.  

Bloedel Floral Conservatory

Inside a huge triodetic dome you'll find a tropical wonderland that's home to over 100 free-flying birds of myriad species. The Conservatory is stroller-accessible and is perched right at the tippity top of Queen Elizabeth Park--a good place to stroll around after checking out the hundreds of plant species inside the dome. Phone ahead in spring and summer if you want find the best times to avoid large tour groups. 

Lynn Canyon

Come for the suspension bridge, stay for the 30 Foot Pool! Lynn Canyon is a great outdoor adventure that's only a short drive from downtown Vancouver. The view from the bridge is of an impressive, intense river that really rages after spring runoff. The 30 Foot Pool, a favourite local swimming hole, is a short, easy walk from the suspension bridge. Admission to the park is free, making it even more attractive to active, outdoor families. 

Stanley Park

Where do you start with Stanley Park? You can rent a bike and peddle along the seawall, go for a swim at Second Beach, ride the famous miniature train, have a picnic, splash around at the city's "largest outdoor spray facility" (that's "waterpark" in non-parks board language) or marvel at the towering hemlock, fir and cedar trees (and maybe climb one or two). There is almost no end to the amount of activities that can be enjoyed in the 1000 acre park. 

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Interview With Head Pro Lee Ranger of The Golf Club at The Rise in Vernon, B.C.

Designed by Gene Bates and former World No. 1 pro golfer Freddy "Boom Boom" Couples, the Golf Club at the Rise is the only Signature course in the Okanagan. It's location offers some of the most beautiful valley views you'll ever find.

A competitive edge and love for the game brought the club's Head Professional, Lee Ranger, to the business of golf 20 years ago. Before coming to The Rise in 2008, Ranger was king of the links at Eagle Ranch Golf Resort in Invermere, B.C. Though he has delved deeper into the business side of golf in recent years, the game itself remains his true passion.

What's your favourite part of golfing the Rise?

The Rise is a very challenging golf course. It has unique views unlike anywhere else in the world, let alone in the province. We're 1, 000 feet above Lake Okanagan and that just sets up for an amazing atmosphere and environment up here.

Do you have a favourite hole?

That's a tough one [laughs]. We've got a lot of signature holes. From the tee on 10 you're elevated above the fairway hitting towards Lake Okanagan down to the left of the fairway. Fescue grass and sagebrush lines the fairway on both sides. It's a 550 yard par five with a drainage ravine blocking the front of the green, which is of course a long second-shot carry if one is to go for the green in two.

What has been your most memorable round at the Rise?

Well we hosted Fred Couples here for our grand opening and he casually strolled around the golf course and shot an even par round of golf having never seen the finished product before. Made a few bogeys and numerous birdies along the way.

What are your three top tips for becoming a better golfer?

Work on your short game more than your long game.

Get some lessons early in your golfing life so you develop strong habits, not bad ones.

If you have a golfing spouse, don't listen to them. Go see your pro instead. Typically the spouse is not that good a golfer themselves [laughs]. It's a common cause of divorce: couples golfing together. 

I play my best game when I maintain good rhythm and consistent swing speed. Not getting over-aggressive. Maintaining good rhythm and balance--you'll hear the tour pros talk about that all the time. You can talk about swing tips 'til you're blue in the face, but if you're not maintaining good rhythm and balance none of that's going to fall into place.

Aside from golf, what do you love to do in Vernon and the Okanagan Valley?

I'm an avid outdoors person. I love to fish and hunt and ski. The summertime at the lake here is amazing. Water sports are right up my alley, although the golf season doesn't allow me to get out there as much as I'd like in the summertime. But the Okanagan offers all those things right at our front door.  

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Five Free Things to Do in Victoria, B.C.

See all of Victoria from the Summit of Mount Douglas

At just 213 metres, Mount Douglas is actually more of a hill than a mountain. The summit is still the highest point in Victoria though, which means you can see all of the city and its surrounding area from the top. It can be easy to get lost in the maze of trails at Mount Doug, so most visitors may be more comfortable driving to the top and poking around from there. Park in the lot by the beach at the corner of Ash and Cordova Bay Road if you want to hike up from the bottom. Trails around the base are easygoing, but it can get a bit scrambly near the top. The trail can also get quite muddy and narrow. Make sure to consult a trail map and budget at least a few hours to get to the top and back. 

Watch Dogs Play on Dallas Road

There's something about the juxtaposition of a terrier chasing a boxer that's just fun to watch. The long stretch of grass along Dallas Road is easily the most popular off-leash dog park in the city--one need look no further to find Victoria's highest concentration of cute. As a bonus the park runs parallel to a beach which offers views of Washington State's Olympic Mountains. Beach+dogs=bliss, right? 

Sample Local Food at the Farmer's Market

I can't tell you the amount of times I've gone to the farmer's market in Victoria just to fill up on free cheese samples. Attacking the spread of approximately a dozen offerings from Salt Spring Island Cheese is practically a weekly ritual when Victoria's main public market is on in Centennial Square. Nibbling on crackers loaded with local jams and salsas is also usually on the agenda at the Sunday market, which operates May through August. Victoria is a foodie city. A trip to the farmer's market is a great way to get initiated. 

Do a Brewery Tour

Victoria isn't just the political capital of British Columbia, it's also, arguably, the brewing capital of the province. The first licensed brewer started business on Government Street in 1858, thus making Victoria the birthplace of commercial brewing in British Columbia. Now the city is home to nearly a dozen breweries and brewpubs. 

Hoyne Brewing Co., Moon Under Water and Buckerfields Brewery at Swans Brewpub all offer free brewery tours and tastings for small groups (with the idea that you'll stick around and buy something from them afterwards). All three breweries require you to pre-arrange your tour by phone or email.

Saturday afternoons are the best time to visit Hoyne (you can fill up a growler after the tour). The brewmaster there is also one of the guys who set up the brewery at Swans. He left Swans in the late 90s, but touring both facilities still makes for some interesting comparison sipping. 

Music, Art and Learning at the University of Victoria 

Pretty much every day of the year there is something free to do at UVIC. After dodging a few deer on the way to the sprawling campus you'll likely find a classical music concert, art show or lecture happening.

I know what you're thinking, "Listen to a lecture on vacation? I'd rather chew rocks!" Ok, granted some of the topics are probably horrifically boring (I don't think I'll be rushing out to listen to a chat on the "diversification of arctic-alpine plants during the Pleistocene" any time soon), but there are just as many quirky and useful ones as well. A couple of recent topics include Icelandic pizza and how to snap great nature photographs with only a point and shoot camera. You know how people are always saying you should learn something on vacation? Well UVIC is the place to do just that. 

*Find other things to do in Victoria on the Travergence website.