Still dreaming of Tofino

My family and I just got back from a fabulous, sunny week in Tofino. We had such an amazing time there last June that we decided to head back there this year. We stay at the Crystal Cove Beach Resort on Mackenzie Beach -- a resort that is absolutely perfect for children. Our 2-bed log cabin was right on the beach -- a long, sheltered sandy beach that is almost deserted this time of year. There are loads of starfish-filled rock pools to discover and the waves are small, just right for toddlers and pre-schoolers to splash about in.

The resort has its own hand-hewn wood children's playground including an old boat to clamber on. The cabins come with a fully equipped kitchen, TV and a log fireplace with plenty of wood. The resort also caters to campers and RVs.

Tofino is a 5 hour drive from Victoria so we prefer to fly to Vancouver then take the ferry to Nanaimo. (We spotted a pod of orcas on the way there and dolphins on the way back.) From there it's a 2.5 to 3 hour scenic drive. We rented our baby gear from Wee Travel in Vancouver who delivered to the airport for us.

Highlights from our travels include:
- enjoying the views from the sun deck of the ferry
- exploring the rock pools on Mackenzie Beach
- making elaborate sand castles
- brunch at the Common Loaf bakery in Tofino
- exploring the Botanic Gardens
- hiking the Schooner Cove boardwalk
- boat trip to Meares Island
- massage at the Wikaninnish Inn (mum's special treat)

We'll be back next year for sure. If I can wait that long :o)

Announcing our fabulous July promotion

You're the first to hear about our fabulous July promotion! For the month of July (longer if we still have stock), we will be giving all Little Traveller rental customers a free Baby Rhys bandana hat (retails for $14.99) to celebrate the summer in style! The sassy headgear fits children from 0 to 4 years and is made from 100% breathable, hand-dyed, handloomed cotton. All the Baby Rhys Adventure Gear products are designed in the Canadian Rockies and are inspired by an active on-the-go lifestyle. That's why we love them so much!

We have the bandana hats available in small, medium and large in an assortment of colours. Reserve your rental equipment through Little Traveller now to get the best selection of colours!

p.s. If you're visiting Calgary in July for the Stampede ask for a copy of our insider guide to the Stampede with kids.

Hurry for your chance to win!

There's just over a week left to enter to win a CARES harness at Canadianbabies.ca. Enter online by voting for your favourite entry from Little Traveller's blog. We want to know what you want to know!

The major pros of the CARES harness:
- it's easy to use
- it fits in your purse
- it stops your toddler from squirming out of his/her seat
- it offers the same safety rating as a car seat (so much safer than a lap belt alone)

If you're not the lucky winner on June 8, don't despair. Little Traveller has CARES available to rent as well as to purchase. Visit us online at Little Traveller's website or call us on 1-877-242-4067.

Calgary's Amazing Attractions

The Travel Alberta web site just announced some summer coupons and special deals for Calgary. By signing up for a holiday card (which is free) you can take advantage of some great deals at some of the best family friendly attractions in the city. For example, you can enjoy 50% off admission for up to four people at Calaway Park. And there are similar deals for the Calgary Zoo, TELUS World of Science, the Aero Space Museum and more.

Strolling back into shape

I don't care for the gym and running is too sweaty for my liking. But I love to walk, and when the sun is shining I can't wait to get out the door.

When my oldest child was a baby, I'd walk for a couple of hours several times a week while she napped. Organized stroller fitness hadn't caught on yet. But now there's a wide choice of stroller fitness classes and boot camps to choose from in Calgary. And there's another option, too. You can become your own personal trainer with the Strollometer. This wireless device straps onto your stroller and measures your speed, trip distance and time, daily mileage and even the temperature so you know when to tuck an extra blanket around baby. It fits any stroller and is available from Ontario-based BabyBling.ca for $54.99.

25 best campgrounds in Canada

If you're planning a family camping trip this summer, check out this article from Today's Parent on the 25 best campgrounds in Canada.

If you're heading to a national park, visit the Parks Canada online campground reservation service to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Here at Little Traveller, we rent out the Peapod travel bed to families with little children in the Calgary area. The compact pop-up tent has mesh sides for added bug protection and an inflatable mattress. It's suitable from 0 to 12 months. Visit LittleTraveller.ca for more portable equipment ideas for camping trips.

Family car games

Here's a cool post on Savvymom.ca with ideas for games to play with the kids on your next road trip... or when stuck in traffic around town.

A winning combination

Massage and childcare... yay! I just read that Prema Sai Wholistic Living now has free childcare available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. My prayers are answered. I no longer have to schedule my monthly massage for last thing on a Thursday night or guiltily squeeze it in around our weekend plans. Now I can bring my kids along and enjoy a leisurely mid-morning slot while they play.

Prema Sai has 29 practioners on staff offering a wide range of wholistic treatments including massage (Tibeton Bon, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, hot stone and more), acupuncture and reflexology. What's more they specialize in prenatal therapies and will even arrange your baby shower for you.

You can book online and find them in Calgary at 2613 14St SW. Ask about their Mother's Day special.

Pit Stops with Kids

It's not always the case (I can think of a couple of memorable exceptions!), but half the fun of a family trip is often the journey there and back. Especially if your kids are very small (so they sleep the whole time!) or old enough to enjoy some lively family discussions that you don't get around to having at home. There are also plenty of adventures to be had along the way, especially if you know where to look.

Next time you are planning a road trip through the US, check out the recommendations on Pitstopsforkids.com. This super-useful site provides reviews of kid-friendly places to rest, eat and play searchable by state, airport or interstate. Most of the reviews so far are for Oregon, Washington and California but they are expanding coverage.

The site doesn't have any recommendations yet for Canada but is hoping to expand northwards. So next time you head out on a road trip, make a note of where you stop and send in your reviews (details here). They also accept reviews of airports around the world.

What a great resource this will be for travelling families when we have all the major routes in Canada covered!

Heritage Park in the news

Exciting things are afoot at Heritage Park. This weekend (May 9/10) is your last chance to visit Thomas the Tank Engine who has rolled into Calgary for a visit. There are limited tickets available at the gate (advance tickets are sold out).

Heritage Park recently unveiled its new $65 million expansion. With the addition of Heritage Town Square, the park now covers 127 acres on the banks of the Glenmore Reservoir. From May 16 to September 7 the historical village is open daily and is a great spot for a family day out. The new additions such as the interactive Gasoline Alley Museum give families more "all weather" options at the park. So you don't have to change your plans when one of Calgary's infamous spring storms rolls into town...