Dispatches

TripAdvisor’s “Traveler’s Choice 2008″ award winners have been announced, and among the best and brightest of the world’s hotels are many Fresh Tracks properties. Which hotels received the accolade?

Winning top spots for “Best Luxury - World” are the Fairmont Vancouver Airport (the highest of any North American property!), Australia’s Thala Beach Lodge and the Pan Pacific Whistler Village!

For more details on award-winning Fresh Tracks accommodations, just ask!

When I went to Sihanookville, Cambodia, in 2005, it was still a sleepy little town.

Sure, it was being pegged as the ‘beach resort’ of Cambodia, but compared to the well-developed beaches of Thailand brimming with farang, it was quiet. So much so, in fact, that when I went down to a busy beach with the male backpackers I’d been traveling with, I was the only white woman on the beach, the other patrons being Cambodian families on holiday.

Used to the ‘anything-goes’ mentality of Thailand, I was wearing my usual swimsuit, a black bikini of relatively modest (by Western standards) proportions, covered up with a full-length sarong. Imagine my surprise when I went to join the guys in the water, sarong-free, and hordes of curious kids came running over, their parents stares right behind.

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This past weekend, Vancouver came alive.

The weather was mild (if you consider 12 degrees C mild), the sun shone, and Vancouver locals came out of hiding for the first time in months.

The sea-wall was packed, Granville Island was buzzing, and tourists jostled for space with power-walking natives along busy and bright Robson Street.

When the sun is out, it’s impossible not to love this city.

Exciting news from the Fresh Tracks Team!

Wanting to offer people even more of an opportunity to get off the beaten path with individual and adventurous vacations, Fresh Tracks has created a new line of unique and boutique vacations to Australia and New Zealand.

These vacations combine all the must-see sights with fun and memorable activities like surf lessons at Bondi Beach, and unique and deluxe accommodation.

With a new bunch of vacations comes a new site and new design - check out Fresh Tracks South Pacific and let us know what you think!

As a rewards day for a successful year, the whole Fresh Tracks team went up to Whistler last week for a little fun in the snow.

 Whistler, while only a couple of hours away from Vancouver, is one of Canada’s top ski resorts, so plenty of Fresh Trackers made for the slopes. The skiiers and snowboarders had a terrific powder day getting in lots of runs, but I sort of think those of who elected for the spa option - a relaxing day at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler - came out on top! We got to relax in the outdoor hot tubs as we watched skiiers come off the slopes, stay cozy in terry cloth robes, and get soothing hot lava rock massages.

 Next time we’ll have to go for the week!