Blog

Made in Nanaimo Gift Guide for the Holidays

November 22, 2018

The talent we have here on Vancouver Island is astounding. There are 32 registered farmers markets, at least double that for craft markets, and just as many brick and mortar stores on the island. This means shopping local and supporting growers, bakers and makers will be one of the most meaningful and simple things we can do this holiday. I’m Mei, the Co-founder of Vancouver Island Market Ltd, and we have over 200 vendors participating in our 100% local winter market. From beer, wine and spirits all made on the island, to bath and beauty products, jewellery, clothing, baked goods, […]

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Just An Island Away – Gabriola

November 13, 2018

The clouds lay low, the breeze is sharp, and the sea is rolling as if to welcome us to the Island. As we inch closer to the dock, the towering sandstone cliffs surround us. Then at the buzz of a button, we ran and got back into the van. Our adventure is about to begin. Gabriola Island is located off the shores of Nanaimo, with a population of roughly 4,000. This is not your typical island, and to help us discover what Gabriola has to offer, the Adventure 360 team and I teamed up with Vancouver Island Expeditions (VIE). […]

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Swimming with the Fishes

October 22, 2018

As we arrived and entered the facility, we were greeted by the smell of smoked and candied salmon, and the sounds of whirring machinery. Dozens of workers were stationed at various points along a production line, with piles of fish at one end, and hundreds of sealed cans at the other; it was mesmerizing watching the cans make their journey along the complex processing line, being filled, sealed, and labelled as they were transported up the walls, over the walkways, and to their destination on large transporting carts. We were then guided to the smokehouse, where we were shown racks […]

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Nanaimo Grape Escape – Vancouver Island’s Wine Festival

October 15, 2018

Can you tell us about the wine festival? Nanaimo Grape Escape is taking place at The Grand Hotel Nanaimo on Friday October 26 from 7pm-10pm. The Nanaimo Wine Festival has been around for over 20 years, but this year we have a whole new venue and event. There will be 200 different wines to sample and Chef Ian Ter Veer is preparing the food. You can experience live music, while sampling wines from around the world. What can visitors expect? The opportunity to sample 200 different wines from around the world, including wines local to British Columbia. This event also […]

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Paddles & Pods: A Day Out On The Water

October 11, 2018

On a bright August morning, six of us set out from the Nanaimo harbor in 3-double kayaks, guided by JD Girard of Brackish Adventures. Our skilled teacher and guide lead the way towards Saysutshun, previously known as Newcastle Island. As we maneuvered through the sailboats moored in the channel, their residents waved, returning to their morning coffee soon afterwards. We were directed to a sheltered cove on Saysutshun, where we could survey the whole channel and harbor. Taking a moment to just lower my camera and admire the view of the Nanaimo shoreline, I was filled with a sense of […]

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The Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour – Gabriola Island, Nanaimo, BC

October 1, 2018

Link: The 2018 Gabriola Island Thanksgiving Weekend Studio Tour Date: October 6-8, 2018 Location: Gabriola Island Come autumn, the forest lights up in all the shades of yellow, orange, and red. The landscape becomes like a painting, the moody fall weather rolling in over the hills, the forests enshrouded by mist, and the water dark and foreboding. Its powerful images like these that inspire many of the amazing works of art found up and down the coast. Locals and visitors alike know that there is no shortage of artistic talent throughout Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands. And just a […]

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Longwood Stock – 5 Facts About Beer

September 17, 2018

5 Interesting Facts About Beer The oldest surviving recipe for beer can be found in a ancient sumerian poem called Hymn to Ninkasi. This piece of literature dates back nearly 4,000 years. Pilsner “is the most popular beer in the world.” – Spruce Eats Beer can also be a dessert… at least at Cold Front where they use beer from Longwood Brewery in their Chocolate Stoutnik flavoured gelato 😛 Nanaimo hosts an annual beer run which takes place in April each year. “Cenosillicaphobia is the fear of an empty beer glass.” – Factslides *To prevent yourself from a cenosillicaphobic-induced panic […]

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The Nanaimo International Jazz Festival

September 17, 2018

It’s only natural that Nanaimo, with it’s rich and vibrant music scene, play host to such an incredible event as the Nanaimo Jazz Festival. Last year was the first of these festivals; this year, in 2018, it returns for the second time to welcome performers from across the globe. On September 21-23, musicians will gather in our pocket of Vancouver Island for a tremendous weekend of musical performances and celebration. Recently, we connected with Festival Administrator Jill Smith, to learn more about this incredible event. Here is what we found out: Last year was the inaugural Nanaimo Jazz Festival; what […]

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M-Con – Nanaimo’s Comic-Con

September 17, 2018

There’s nothing better than a weekend of nerding out, and this year’s M-Con (Nanaimo’s very own comic con) did not disappoint. Although we are still a full year away until the next one, here is a teaser to get your mind thinking about M-con 2019. To get some more info on the event, we contacted Addy Davies, M-Con Organizer. Here is what we found out: The Story Behind M-Con What is the history/ story behind M-Con Nanaimo? We simply wanted an awesome event on Vancouver Island, to benefit our local communities and to help our future generations through a comic-con […]

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The Art Lover’s 2-Day Getaway

August 28, 2018

Welcome to Nanaimo! Just steps from our stunning harbour is your home away from home – the Best Western Dorchester, a beautifully appointed historic building offering convenient and comfortable luxury. Check in and drop your bags, taking a moment to relax in your new surroundings. Day One Public Art in Maffeo Sutton Park Your first activity is a self-guided urban art crawl. Walk to Maffeo Sutton Park to view incredible displays of public art like Breaching Orca, a metal sculpture by artist Carl Sean McMahon made entirely of scrap metal and the newly installed Driftwood Nests by Samuel and Deryk […]

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