1. HOOKED! Value: $8,500DON’T LET THIS ONE GET AWAY!
Moored at the northern tip of remote Langara Island in Haida Gwaii, the 135-foot luxury yacht MV Charlotte Princess is a trophy fishers' dream -- fishing truly second to none! The MV Charlotte Princess is a self-guided Langara Island fishing resort where you and your guest will fish two per boat from 17' custom-made Fat Cats, equipped with 50 hp Yamaha motors, 10 ½' Kufa and Shimano 2000 GT Single Action or Penn 320 LDs Double Action reels.
This 4 day/3 night Langara Island Fishing Trip for Two (2), courtesy of Oak Bay Marine Group, includes roundtrip airfare from Vancouver’s South Terminal to Langara Island; well-appointed MV Charlotte Princess shipboard resort accommodation; all meals and wine with dinner; expert master guides; unlimited use of boats, tackle, bait, cruisers suits; and the cleaning and packaging of your catch. OBMG expert fish masters are, of course, always on the water ensuring that you have enough bait, fishing gear, and know-how to bring in your dream salmon, halibut or bottom fish.
Note: Valid June 4 – September 2 • 20092. SEX IN THE CITY Value: $18,000
NO PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND? This delectable scenario for two lovebirds invites you to play in your own city—Vancouver! Check in for two (2) nights at John Evans' hot, as in, Mr. Big hot, Opus Hotel, just in time to change attitude, shower and get out on the town for an intimate evening at newly-inspired DB Bistro Moderne on Broadway.
Next day, simply muster the strength to sit up, and Opus will do the rest! Breakfast for two in bed, Opus style and then -- take the measure of the man, as he goes to Pacific Centre to be fitted for his Harry Rosen made-to-measure tuxedo!
Stroll down Hornby Street to Palladio to collect his handsome Baume & Mercier “Hampton Chronograph XL” Watch.
But let's not forget our fairer sex! Classic elegance and undeniable cachet all wrapped up in one – a divine Bisang Chinchilla Wrap, courtesy of Holt Renfrew Furs;
a stunning, silver-tone Chanel Flap bag, and a $500 gift certificate for something special from Boboli’s Italian Collection.
All dressed up and no where to go? Chef Ernst Dorfler and Gerry Sayers will take your breath away with award winning West Coast cuisine and romantic views of Vancouver in their haute new Five Sails Restaurant.
Back to the hotel, the scene is set ...and the last act is up to you! ENJOY!
3. MONTREAL CHIC ET CLASSIQUE! Value: Romance!
Spend a classic romantic weekend in the timeless heritage of Old Montreal! You'll arrive on time wearing watches from the Birks Signature Collection. Limoplus will whisk you from the airport for two (2) nights with breakfast at the new et tres chic Opus Hotel, voted one of the world's "Hot New Hotels" by Conde Nast Traveller. You'll dine at Le Latini for the best Italian in town and enjoy a musical moment at L'Opera de Montreal; enjoy Montreal's fashionable Avenue de la Montagne before you dine at Opus’ newest fusion Koko Restaurant & Bar.
During your stay, BIRKS, known since 1879 for Canadian quality, service and innovative design, will take you behind-the-scenes to its Design Atelier, where master designers have been handcrafting Birks' exquisite diamond & gemstone jewelry for generations of Canadians.
For him - the BIRKS SIGNATURE COLLECTION Chronograph Watch featuring 18kt gold and 316L stainless steel case, black alligator bracelet, a champagne dial, Swiss ETA quartz movement, virtually scratchproof domed anti-glare sapphire crystal.
For her - the BIRKS SIGNATURE COLLECTION Chronograph Watch featuring a mother of pearl dial under sapphire crystal, silver grey strap, 12 diamonds on the sub dials, a case crown set with 58 diamonds, color, grade H and clarity SI, with a total carat weight of .895.
Note: Opus Hotel valid until November 30, 2009; Birks Atelier tour, weekdays only 4. MADE IN ITALY! Value: Priceless
Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, extraordinary paintings and sculpture, frescoes and architectural masterpieces. Come in search of art, visit the legendary designer shops, explore the extraordinary countryside!
Two will fly business-class Florence-Vancouver return Lufthansa Airlines, and begin their stay with two (2) fantastico nights at the 5-star Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy. Located on the historic Piazza della Repubblica, the hotel is only a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, Teatro Verdi, and the main fashion houses. At day’s end, you’ll settle in at Cantinetta Antinori for traditional Tuscan fare and Antinori wine as the sun sets over the Ponte Vecchio and the River Arno. Gelato perhaps?
Day two or maybe three – so much to see! For her, a Roberto Cavalli Cocktail Dress and Salvatore Ferragamo Kidskin Bag – already in hand! For him – a trip to Ermenegildo Zegna, where he’ll select from the best of Italian fabrics, and meet the tailor who will custom-build his suit with sartorial elegance -- “Su Misura”.
From Firenze to Fizzano! Benvenuto in Chianti Classico for three (3) nights at the prestigious Riserva di Fizzano & Rocca delle Macìe Vineyards. Wander the sun-drenched rolling Tuscan hills, visit the cellars and capture the distinct magic of the terroir in its various cuvees. In vino veritas! OH, LA DOLCE VITA!!
Note: Hotel Savoy blackout May, June, July, September. Riserva de Fizzano valid April & October 2009. 5. LOUIS VUITTON MEETS THE CZAR! Value: Priceless
Follow Louis Vuitton through Paris after arriving business class, courtesy of Lufthansa. You will stay three (3) nights in extravagant luxury at the incomparable Four Seasons George V. Carrying your new Louis Vuitton Keepall, you'll take time to explore the Vuitton family home in Asnières-Sur-Seine, visit the Museum & Atelier where he crafted his first trunks, and savor lunch in the LV private dining room.
Back in Paris, you'll take a personal tour of their legendary store on the Champs-Elysees, including its exclusive art exhibit before heading over to the White Russian quarter of Paris. There you will dine on Romonov caviar and champagne with Jonathan Darlington, VO's Music Director and Doris Bradstreet Daughney, past VO board chair, at her Paris home. Then it’s off to Opéra National for an evening of enchantment before you pack your Louis Vuitton Pegase suitcase and head off into the romance of the czars.
Arriving in St Petersburg, Russia, you'll stay two-nights at the 5-star Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria in St. Isaac’s Square, brunch at Davidov, tour Catherine the Great's city and dine at Noble's Nest in the Yusopov Palace, before taking the best seats in the house at the beautiful Mariinsky Opera. As Lufthansa whisks you home, you'll be reminded by LV's spokesperson Mikhail Gorbachev: "A journey bring us face to face with ourselves!"
Note: Tickets are valid for transportation on Lufthansa operated flights and must be used in 2009. Reservations can be made within 90 days but not less than 3 weeks before planned date of departure. Hotel Astoria blackout May 1 – July 31, 2009.
Now we've been reading Opera Chic for some time; with love and envy for the snarky comments ("Unemployed Belgian Man Finally Finds Job In Spain")and the real honest-to-god insight and truthiness of the writing. That's why she's on the top of our blogroll.
