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Bachelorette Party
Mar19

Bachelorette Parties 101: Do’s and Don’ts

Event Planning, Weddings no responses

We love weddings and all the fanfare around them. In fact, we love when happy couples consider La Casa Cottage Resorts for their celebrations, maybe even use La casa Mirador Guest House for the ceremony. But planning a wedding from start to finish is tough. So here are some tips and tricks to get the bachelorette party juuuuust right.  

DO: Ask the bride what type of party she wants.
DON’T: Hire strippers and buy penis hats for the lolz.  

Every bride is different. Some people want a wild, crazy, go-all-out party weekend. On the other hand, some women prefer something quieter and more elegant. Be sure you are tailoring the bachelorette party to the specific preferences of the bride-to-be. Remember: this party is all for her.  

DO: Take care to respect budgetary concerns for all guests.
DON’T: Surprise people with last-minute expenses.  

Respect how much money people are able or willing to spend. If you are struggling to cover even the bare necessities, consider doing a fundraiser with the bride’s extended family to cover some of the expenses. However, the cost mainly falls upon the maid of honour and the bachelorette party guests. Consider saving money ideas, like picking an “out of season” weekend, making snacks rather than buying them, and implementing BYOB. Here’s a budget spreadsheet to get you started.

DO: Plan enough activities to keep people entertained. 
DON’T: Over-schedule every minute of the day.  

The bachelorette party should be fun for everyone. Plan enough activities to occupy a few hours a day, if it’s a multi-day event. Leave room for relaxation and conversation. You’ll want to start with games and introductions and gifts. However, as the night goes on, the schedule should loosen up a bit. Give people something to look forward to but also plenty of time to socialize and kick back.  

DO: Have back-up plans in place.
DON’T: Ever assume things will go 100% according to plan.  

Always have a backup plan! You should always assume the best but plan for the worst. For example, maybe the restaurant you made reservations at floods unexpectedly. Seek out a few backup options (don’t book them, just know where they are and what they offer) so that you can bounce back quickly from unexpected hitches. 

DO: Reserve any venues or tables way ahead of time. 
DON’T: Overbook your rooms or surprise venues with extra guests. 

Make sure you have booked all appropriate accommodations, dinner reservations, limo pick-up or other transportation, and anything else that might need to be “held” for larger groups. Get RSVPs before booking and try not to surprise venues with additional guests. Restrictions to, say, room rental occupancy are there for a reason. You don’t want to end up with any unpleasant fines!  

BONUS: Thinking of hosting your bachelorette party in the Okanagan? These accommodations are perfect for 6 to 8 guests, making them a great option for small gatherings. 

Looking for the perfect venue for your wedding, family reunion, or corporate event? Try Breakaway Vacations! We host groups from 8 to 26. 

Summer cocktails using fresh fruit ingredients
Aug12

Easy Summer Cocktails that Can Make a Good Vacation Great

Blog, British Columbia, Okanagan, Vancouver Island no responses

What can take any summer vacation up a notch? Some amazing cocktails (or mocktails if you want)! If you are staying somewhere away from home, like one of our vacation rentals, you will probably want something easy that you can throw together with minimal supplies and prep. So here are 5 of our favourite easy summer cocktail recipes. Mix, stir, blend, and shake away!

1. Jam Cocktails

By Dessert for Two

Pick your favourite jam—and if you are vacationing in B.C., you can probably find something homemade at one of the farmer’s markets. Place a few tablespoons of jam in a jar and add 1-2 shots of vodka and some lemon juice. Shake well before straining and serving over ice. Garnish with fruits and mint according to what type of jam you picked.

2. Easy Pimm’s Cocktails

By Taste.com

Add sliced oranges, lemon pieces, and cucumber to a significant portion of Pimm’s and then leave the whole thing in the fridge to chill for a few hours. Serve the mixture with tonic water, sparkling water, ginger ale, or lemonade, depending on your preference. Add some more fruit for garnish and voila—super easy fruity cocktail. Pimm’s can also be replaced by gin, vermouth, and an orange-based liqueur.

3. Malibu Sunset Cocktail

By The Cookin Chicks

This is a super easy three-ingredient recipe, requiring only Malibu Rum, pineapple juice, and a bit of grenadine. You can add cherries or pineapples as a garnish, but this is wholly optional. Fill a glass with ice and add in the rum and the pineapple juice. For a “sunset” look, pour the grenadine in slowly and watch the colours set.

4. Summer Solstice Wine Cocktail

By Boulderlocavore

What better to drink in Wine Country than a wine-based cocktail? First, combine cherries, peaches, and a Pinot Noir and muddle all the ingredients together. Then, add a few ice cubes and shake. Strain this mixture into glasses filled with fresh ice and top with Italian Soda (recommended: Blood Orange flavor). Try selecting a wine from a local vineyard for a location-specific twist.

5. Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail

By Garnish with Lemon

This is the most ingredient-intensive cocktail on this list so save it for a night you are feeling adventurous. You’ll need strawberries, basil leaves, lemon juice, simple syrup, vodka, elderflower liqueur, and prosecco. Muddle the strawberries, basil, lemon juice and simple syrup. Then, add ice, vodka, and elderflower liqueur and shake it. Strain everything into an ice-filled glass and add in the prosecco.

These summer cocktail ideas are sure to add a little spice to your vacation plans.

Don’t have any plans yet? Contact us about our vacation cottages and rentals across B.C. and we’ll help you find the perfect fit.

Running
Apr16

Running Events on Vancouver Island

Blog, British Columbia no responses

Running Events on Vancouver Island

 

If you want to stay active when you are on Vancouver Island, there are tons of run and walk events you can participate in! 

 

Date. 

Name

Distance 

   Run Type                                

Location

5-May

Investors Group Walk For Alzheimer’s

1k, 3k

Charity Walk

Road

Victoria, Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, Courtenay, Port Alberland, BC

11-May

The Cumby

13k, 25k

Trail

Cumberland, BC

12-May

Oceanside Mother’s Day Run

5k, 10k

Road and Trail

Parksville, BC

19-May

Westwood Lake Triathlon

Varies

Triathlon

Nanaimo, BC

7,8-Jun

Cedar Ultra

Unlimited, 10k

Trail, Relay

Cedar, BC

8-Jun

Vancouver Island Trial Running Series-Nanaimo

10k, 17k

Trail

Nanaimo, BC

8-Jun

5k Foam Fest

5k

Obstacle

Nanoose Bay, BC

13-Jul

Vancouver Island Trail Running Series-Transfer Beach

9k, 19k

Trail

Ladysmith, BC

19-Oct

Vancouver Island Trail Running Series-Mt Tzouhalem

7k, 13k

Trail

Duncan, BC

7-Dec

Santa Shuffle

5k

Road Race

Victoria & Nanaimo, BC

 

These runs have their own mottos, and their courses vary from charity to competitive dynamic races; there are even obstacle course races! If you’re not afraid to get a bit messy you should definitely check out the “5k Foam Fest”, which will be held on June 8th, 2019. This race includes a line up of 22 obstacles per course, with wild themes ranging from the Chamber of Foam to the Spider Web Forest. For more information, please visit the Run Vancouver Island Website.

 

Interested in visiting Vancouver Island?  Check out our Tanglewood Beach Homes & Qualicum Landing Vacation Rentals – and you might just find the perfect place for your next vacation! Contact our reservations team by emailing breakaway@lloydstravel.com or call 1-877-778-6466 – we look forward to speaking with you.

 

Written by Natsumi Matsumoto

Jul16

Introducing Mayne Island!

Blog, British Columbia no responses

Introducing Mayne Island…

Mayne Island is in the middle of five large Gulf Islands. The Gulf Islands lie in the rain-shadow of the mountains of Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula resulting in dry summers and mild winters. The climate, nice parks, beautiful beach accesses and hiking trails makes Mayne Island a perfect destination to visit all year round.

Japanese Heritage

Japanese Settlers had a successful tomato business in a greenhouse on Mayne Island until World War 2 when all the Japanese were forced to leave the west cost. Now, in this current location to honour these early residents and their contributions you will find the amazing Japanese Gardens at Dinner Bay Park. The Japanese garden has been developed entirely by local residents and can be viewed year round. During the holidays in December you will find the garden lit up with thousands of lights, and is free to view, although donations are welcome. On Saturday mornings, May through October, enjoy local produce, baking, crafts and other goodies at Mayne Islands Farmers market. The Farmers market is found at the Agricultural Hall in Historic Miners Bay along with a gas station, post office, grocery stores, restaurants and an ATM.

 

Beautiful Scenery

If you are one for beautiful scenery, Mayne island is the perfect place to come. At Georgina Point you can find a scenic Lighthouse park. You will see spectacular views right across the strait of Georgia. This lighthouse marks the entrance to the Active Pass and was first established in 1885. This area is now a park perfect for a small stroll, or a picnic watching the harbour seals, seabirds or the boats travelling by. The Lighthouse park is also one of the best spots on the Island to view the pods of Orcas as they travel through the Active Pass almost daily. Just recently established in the Gulf Island National Park Reserve is Bennett Bay Beach and Campbell Point. There is a beautiful scenic trail to Campbell Point and at the end of the point you will find a spectacular view of Mt Baker. Bennett Bay is one of the best Sandy beaches on the island and one of the most popular places to launch small boats and kayaks.

Wonderful Beaches

Mayne Island has 14 beaches that you can access. Many of which are very popular to swim in and the others are great for exploring. Piggott Bay, Bennett Bay and Campbell Bay are great beaches for swimming, and you will seldom find it crowd on hot days. Oyster Bay, Reef Bay, Naylor Road and Seaview Road are great if you’re looking for sandstone beaches and places to look for sea life. All these beaches are a great place to relax and watch the waves come in.


Interested in a visit to Mayne Island?

We have the perfect vacation rental for you: Mayne Island 02

 

Written by Megan Harder