WHEREmail

// May 2008

Dear Subscriber

Festivals, beloved stage productions and exciting art exhibits make up our What's Hot list this month. Plus we go in-depth with details on discount airlines, reveal the world's most expensive cocktail, and best of all, tell you where to find the most unique spa treatments in the country.

WHAT'S HOT IN MAY:

Vancouver

For entertaining distractions and sustained silliness, look no further than the annual Vancouver International Children's Festival May 12 to 19 in Vanier Park. Musicians, authors, comedians, performers, clowns, and puppets provide entertainment for even the most troublesome tot—and adults, too.

Halifax

Halifax's Neptune Theatre wraps up its season with a Broadway blockbuster. Based on the film of the same name, The Producers is the hilarious tale of an unlikely pair of producers who attempt to swindle investors by staging a sure-fire failure. The show continues throughout the month.

Toronto

1, 2, 3, 4,...and five-time Juno award–winning singer Feist comes to town to enchant us for one night only on May 13. Get down with Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage , or enjoy the hit musical production of My Fair Lady, which sings its way into audiences' hearts on with tunes like "I Could Have Danced All Night" from May 8 onward.

Victoria

The Greater Victoria Art Gallery opens the exciting new exhibit Warhol: Larger than Life May 30. Continuing through August 24, the travelling show explores Warhol's unique take on celebrity, death, destruction and everyday objects, as well as his self-portraits.

Edmonton

Come May 13, soccer fans will be anxiously waiting to see if LA Galaxy player David Beckham bends it against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Commonwealth Stadium. Meanwhile, on May 20, the legendary Diana Ross returns to Edmonton to serenade the audience at the Jubilee Auditorium with her forty-plus years of hits.

Ottawa

Until May 19 see three million tulips bloom throughout the capital during the world-famous annual Canadian Tulip Festival. Fashionistas can find a bevy of clothing, trends, and designers during the Ottawa Fashion Week , May 22 to 24. This three-day event is the first of its kind in the city.

Calgary

Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine have the opportunity to meet Thomas and all his friends at Heritage Park, host of Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour on May 10 and 11. Later on in the month the Calgary International Children's Festival , May 20 to 24, boasts more than 90 performers and workshops, as well as activities such as face painting, karaoke and arts and crafts.

Canadian Rockies

The Jasper-Yellowhead Museum celebrates Lake Edith Art until May 31. Generations of artists have been inspired by the lake's beauty and this exhibit showcases their paintings, sculptures, quilts, photos and writings.

The WHERE List:

MOST UNIQUE SPA TREATMENTS

This month, Where editors have come up with a selection of the country's most unique spa treatments. Whether it is a twist on a classic service, or an original design, we think you'll enjoy the results.

Canadian Rockies

Pleiades Massage & Spa handmakes natural skin care products from regional ingredients like oak flower, rose water, corn and oats. Experience the cleansing, revitalizing and moisturizing during a spa treatment. Or, buy an item to bring the spa experience home.

Halifax

Visit the Summit Day Spa & Wellness Clinic in Halifax for a unique twist on an old favourite. The "Cinnamon and Ginger Salt Glow" is an invigorating massage with Atlantic Ocean sea salt, banishing dead skin cells, followed by an application of hydrating and energizing cinnamon and ginger cream.

Vancouver

Drinking wine is so passé; those in the know soak in it. Nefér Spa, an ancient Egypt-themed oasis in Vancouver's Coal Harbour, is the first North American spa to offer "Vinoterapia," a.k.a. wine therapy—where heated red Bordeaux wine augmented with mineral salts is used to fill a magnificent marble bath. Soaking in the wine is reputed to release harmful free radicals from the body.

Toronto

A-list celebs like Hilary Swank, Kate Hudson and Natalie Portman visit Vikaspa for luxe treatments like "Massage with Four Hands" in the heart of Yorkville. At Bronzeado Tan Spa (2030 Yonge St, 416-987-1987), enjoy the state-of-the-art tanning beds (with simultaneous massage function!) and spray-tans. Experience a veritable rainbow of colours at Novo Spa with a signature treatment in their unique steam and colour therapy cabin.

Calgary

Inner Balance's "Energy Massage" is a combination of Swedish massage and Reiki where therapists use Reiki not to treat specific ailments, but to uncover the emotional energy blockages keeping muscles tense and tight. Read more of Calgary's unique spa treatments in our feature, Spalendid.

Edmonton

Restore your skin's PH balance and its texture to a soft, smooth finish with a rose-milk "Petals Bath" at Eveline Charles Salon & Day Spa. At Ahava you can purchase an assortment of mystical mineral treatments taken from the Dead Sea to bring home with you.

Ottawa

With Holtz Spa's "Sacred Sound Healing Ritual" spa-goers can revel in an aromatherapy massage while surrounded by a variety of meditative melodies, such as the Tibetan healing bowls and crystal singing bowls. These sounds are designed to send soothing vibrations through the skin.

Victoria

At the Brentwood Bay Lodge and Spa, savour the luxurious "Vino Massage," a soothing massage using anti-oxident-rich red wine and vine grapes for a firming effect on the skin, paired with relaxing massage oil (849 Verdier Ave, Brentwood Bay, 250-544-5111). Sooke Harbour House's Sea-renity Spa uses specifically chosen garden herbs and seaweed in its treatments designed to refresh and relax clients' unique needs (1528 Whiffen Spit Rd. Sooke, 250-642-3421).

TRAVEL SPECIALS

As a service to readers and our tourism partners, here's a selection of special travel deals. For more information or to book, please contact the providers directly.

Delta Quebec package for museum lovers

Travellers heading to Quebec City for the Louvre exhibition at the Musée National des Beaux–arts du Québec qualify for a special package at the Delta Quebec. The package includes one night accommodation, full breakfast buffet and admission to the museum. Offer valid until October 26, 2008, subject to availability.

Zoom summer 2008 seat sales

Transatlantic carrier Zoom has unveiled their summer 2008 seat sales, including travel from Toronto or Montreal to Rome for $249 (one-way, not including tax). Sale starts May 1, 2008, subject to availability.

Spring specials with Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts

Foodies looking for the best in Rocky Mountain cuisine can take advantage of the Savour the Rockies package at Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts. Package includes one night accommodation, the cookbook Simple Treasures, CRMR's signature mustard melons, breakfast and, for an additional fee, tickets to Banff's Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival, May 30 to 31.

(All prices in Canadian dollars. WHERE accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of these packages. Please contact package supplier directly.)