|
Theatre, Festivals and Fairs... Victoria has something for Everyone!
This September, reserve a retreat for two in one of Abigail's premier guestrooms featuring unique wood-burning fireplaces and private Jacuzzi baths. Our gift to guests this month is a complimentary bottle of wine and chocolate dipped strawberries. Just mention this newsletter!
From Fringe theatre events and classic boat festivals, to fall fairs and fireworks, Victoria has something for everyone to enjoy this month. To complement your visit, experience Abigail's Hotel, an elegant small hotel in the heart of beautiful Victoria, BC. Enjoy personalized and attentive service and a great location, just steps from Victoria's famous attractions, The Royal BC Museum, Beacon Hill Park and the Inner Harbour. While in Victoria, visit the city's best places to see and return to Abigail's for light evening nibbles in the library lounge, compliments of the Chef. Wine and champagne service is available. Be sure to reserve a cozy fireplace room with Jacuzzi bath to top off the night. After a relaxing evening, in one of Abigail's most comfortable guestrooms, wake to a three course gourmet breakfast, personally presented by the Executive Chef, included with your stay. Couples spa massage services are available!
This month, please call 1-800-561-6565 and mention this newsletter when reserving your room and you will also receive a complimentary bottle of local BC wine, plus chocolate covered strawberries for two! Special rates also include breakfast for two, evening hors d'oeuvres, internet service, 24 hr parking & local calling.
SPECIAL PACKAGES AT ABIGAIL'S HOTEL
Travel Special - Ride BC Ferries on us! Held over for one more week!!
Travel to Victoria mid-week on BC Ferries & stay one night at Abigail's Hotel, and we will cover your BC Ferry costs one way for car and driver!! Stay at least two nights and we will also cover your return Ferry travel costs as well, up to a maximum of $39.00 each way, for car and driver. We know what you're thinking..."Start the car!!".
Please call to reserve your room at 1-800-561-6565. Your one way BC Ferry receipt to Victoria will be required for reimbursement. This package is valid for travel to Victoria on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday only, from now to September 10th, 2009.
 Craigdarroch Castle and Abigail's Hotel present Giggling Iguana Productions'
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde followed by Cocktail Reception
On Friday October 23rd at 9:00 pm be prepared for an evening to remember! This package includes premier accommodation at Abigail's Hotel, 2 tickets for a live theatre event at Craigdarroch Castle, followed by a cocktail reception with the actors!
The original site-specific adaptation of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde marks the 10th anniversary of hugely popular Halloween spectacles at Craigdarroch Castle. Audiences experience the magnificent interiors and grounds of Craigdarroch Castle as the setting for the tale of the brilliant but misguided Dr. Jekyll who unleashes the bestial Mr. Hyde through a mysterious potion. Soon the potion loses effect and Hyde emerges unbidden, with horrific results. Be sure to catch this thrilling and chilling tale of a man struggling with his inner beast.
Tickets are now on sale and must be purchased in advance. Not a seated performance. This show is not suitable for younger children. For full package details, please contact the staff at Abigail's Hotel at 1-800-561-6565. Tickets for regular show dates also include October 15-18, 22-24 and 28-31 (without cocktail reception).
Race Rates for the 30th Annual Royal Victoria Marathon Runners!
Stay at Abigail's Hotel over the marathon race weekend of October 9-12th to receive fantastic "Race Rates"! You will receive a great room rate, a light energy starter breakfast, bright and early on race day October 11th, plus a complimentary late check out of 1:00 pm. Available for participants of the marathon only. Call 1-800-561-6565 for your special "Race Rate"!
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ABIGAIL'S HOTEL
Abigail's own Diane Eccles is chosen as a Torch Bearer for the Olympic Torch Lighting Ceremony on Vancouver Island next month! See her winning essay below.
To be chosen as one of the very few people that will be hand-picked to carry the torch in Victoria this year, I originally entered on the Coca Cola website, icoke.ca and registered for the chance to win the torch run. When you register, you choose then what type of essay you want to write should you win round one. I chose "live active" as the topic to write about. Each day I would go to the icoke website and answer questions pertaining to living active or helping to keep Canada green. For each right answer you received an entry for round one.
I got through round one at the end of March and then had to go to round two, which was to write a 250 word paragraph on living active. Easy right? No. when I first wrote my essay I had nearly a 1000 words so I had to cut out a lot or at least condense it all. I did and got it down to under 500; still a long way to go. I finally managed to get it down to fewer than 250 and getting in almost everything I had to say. Then I waited until the end of May to see if I had won or not. I heard in the middle of June that I had been chosen. Then I had to get my forms to icoke in 10 business days or I would forfeit my spot. I finally received a call from icoke at the end of June saying I had officially been chosen as a Torchbearer.
I have since heard from VANOC giving the size of my torch uniform and final legal details. I will hear more from them six weeks prior to my run on Nov 2. At this time I will know more of exactly where I am going somewhere between Qualicum Beach and Campbell River.
– Diane, Operations Manager of Abigail's Hotel
The winning essay: Live Active for as long as you can
As I start my 40's, I look back to when I was 8, and my teen years, playing sports: Track & Field, Basketball, and Volleyball. Now as I'm older, my options seem more limited, but I discovered two sports you can play forever: baseball and golf.
Of course golf is a year round sport in Victoria and my ball team may average 46 and lose most games, but we are having fun and keeping active none the less.
Dear to my heart is the Vancouver Island 24 hr Relay, another way I stay active through the year. What is that you ask? My team raises money for kids with disabilities to help send them to camp for one week. We sacrifice one weekend for 24hrs, to run, walk, and crawl to support those kids. To see their faces is like a warm feeling raging through you that you can't describe. Yet, as I get older each year people keep asking me. "Are you going to do it again?" I look at them and say, "Absolutely!"
As a 10 yr old I had an Olympic dream once, High Jumper for Canada. I was the best on Vancouver Island then so why not. It's funny though, how as we get older, dreams change and you realize some things just aren't possible, but dreams never truly die.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LATEST REVIEWS!
Abigail's was so charming
We loved every aspect of our stay...from the decor and the excellent service, to the gourmet breakfasts and special touches (like tea in the library, fresh cookies when we arrived and the rain shower in our bathroom). Abigail's was the perfect place to stay while we toured Victoria on foot. We are already dreaming of when we will be able to go back and have recommended it to many friends. -Guests August 8, 2009
A great experience from start to finish
I've wanted to stay at Abigail's for years, and it did not disappoint. The online reservation process was very easy and when I had questions, I got prompt replies and great customer service. We received the same type of service when we checked in, and throughout our stay at Abigail's. Our fireplace room was charming and very comfortable...nice sitting area, air conditioning unit (it was hot when we were there), spacious bathroom, plush bed, cookies, bottled water, etc. Our stay was concluded with a delicious breakfast that couldn't have been any better. Great job Abigail's! Well done! We will definitely be back. -Guests August 4, 2009
THE PEARL SPA AT ABIGAIL'S HOTEL
Whether you are joining us for a getaway retreat, celebrating a special occasion, enjoying your honeymoon or simply spending intimate time with a favorite person, "The Pearl" at Abigail's is the perfect setting for relinquishing all concerns. Emerge transformed with renewed energy after any one or several of the plentiful spa treatment selections at "The Pearl" at Abigail's. Please explore our spa menu to learn more and then feel free to call us to schedule your appointment. See why "The Pearl" at Abigail's is the jewel to complete the perfect relaxing getaway. The spa suite is air conditioned for your comfort. Many spa packages are offered 7 days a week. To ensure availability, please reserve your treatment in advance by calling 1-800-561-6565.
A SPECIAL STORY WE WANTED TO SHARE!
'Pull over' wife says, and baby boy is born on Highway 16! A special story from Abigail's guests Bryan, Alexis, Delaney, and Lachlan McKinnon. Congratulations!
Lachlan Michael McKinnon blew into life along the side of Highway 16 in Port Orchard! Parents, Alexis and Bryan had planned for a natural birth for their second child, and totally didn't expect it to be at 2:45 a.m. on the shoulder of a state highway! With no emergency crews in attendance, baby was born with just mom pushing and dad catching! When your wife's in labor and she says pull over, "Pull over means RIGHT NOW!" Bryan said. Bryan found the shoulder at the Mullenix Road exit to be immediately suitable! The couple was 18 miles and 22 minutes away from their midwife at "The Birthing Inn" in Tacoma and apparently little Lachlan wouldn't wait another minute. Mom said she felt pretty calm as the strapping 9-pound, 2-ounce, 22-inch lad arrived in the back of their 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser while dad was a bit more excited, leaning into the back of the SUV, frantically searching for a clean cloth as a 911 dispatcher jabbered through the Bluetooth in his ear. The dispatcher told Bryan to take off his shirt and use it as a baby catcher. And just that quick, Lachlan was in dad's happy hands!
"I cradled him, as a father does, and Alexis promptly reminded me that he was connected to her by an umbilical cord," Bryan recalled. And there was one scary moment, "I had to get him to breathe," Bryan said. He quickly swept his son's airway and heard that first, sweet cry. But those few moments before Lachlan drew his first breath felt like a lifetime to a dad at the darkened side of the road. State Patrol Troopers soon arrived, and a paramedic rig followed. Bryan was grateful. Mom and baby went to St. Joseph, where doctors pronounced both healthy. "Pulling together as a family is what we do best," said Alexis, "And in this case, we definitely showed it".
– Congratulations to the family from the team at Abigail's!
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
August 27 – September 6th, 2009 – Intrepid Theatre
23rd Annual Fringe Theatre Festival
The Victoria Fringe Festival is a non-stop, twelve-day explosion of comedy, improv, drama, performance art and dance from around the world. All venues are downtown. For more information please call 250-383-2663 or visit the website at www.intrepidtheatre.com.
September 4-6, 2009 - Inner Harbour, Victoria, BC
Classic Boat Festival 2009
The 32nd Annual Victoria Real Estate Board and Black Press Classic Boat Festival. Spend a day in the Inner Harbour looking at beautifully restored classic boats from all over the west coast of Canada and the United States. This spectacular display of our maritime heritage features well-maintained vessels of traditional construction. For more information and registration forms please contact Classic Boat Festival, c/o Victoria Real Estate Board at 250-385-7766. www.classicboatfestival.ca.
Saturday September 5, 2009 – The Butchart Gardens
Evening Fireworks Display
Enjoy superb fireworks in The Butchart Gardens' magnificent setting. Every summer Saturday night these lavish shows dazzle visitors with their unique blend of spectacle and music. Bring warm clothing and, if desired, a cover to sit upon the ground.
>> more
September 5-7, 2009 – Saanich Fairgrounds at 1528 Stelly's Cross Road
Saanich Fall Fair
Visit the Saanich Fair in Central Saanich, held every Labour Day weekend and still thriving after 137 years. Today, the Saanich Fair has three times more exhibits than the PNE, and more than 5,000 entries in 26 sections. Enjoy the agricultural fair with judging, midway, games, demonstrations and much more. For more information about activities at the Saanich Fair call 652-3314.
Now – Sept 30, 2009
Treasures, The World's Cultures – Royal BC Museum
Treasures: The World's Cultures from the British Museum celebrates the objects that define world culture. More than 300 artifacts from the renowned British Museum collection, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy, a shield from the Bronze Age and works from the likes of Picasso and Rembrandt, will be on display at the Royal BC Museum during this North American premiere.
>> more
Now to October 4, 2009
Historic Harbour Ferry Tours
Journey back in time this summer and take an historic guided tour of Victoria's Harbour. The Maritime Museum of B.C., in partnership with Victoria Harbour Ferries, will offer two 1 1/2 hour tours daily, departing from the Harbour Ferry wharf across from the Empress Hotel. As you sail through one of the world's few natural Harbours, a Maritime Museum guide will talk about the early development of Victoria, from the Coast Salish First Nation traditions of the sea, to European exploration, through several gold rushes, to an industrial port with shipbuilding and manufacturing. For more information please call 250-708-0201.
>> more
|
