Inside Vancouver

Date Idea: Seeing the VSO for Cheap

by Tara Lee in Uncategorized on February 25, 2016

Sourced from the VSO

When I was single, one of my favourite solo dates was going to see the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO). I’d get a seat in the upper balcony and let the swells of the music wash over me in my blissful solitude. It was exhilarating, almost as if the Orchestra was playing just for me.

I’ve gone on dates with romantic interests to the VSO and, over the course of our relationship, my boyfriend and I have also gone a few times. Each outing, we had a lovely evening together (far better than our usual staying at home and vegging). Neither of us are musical experts (despite my decade of piano lessons), but we enjoyed hearing the intricacies of each of the pieces on the program and marvelling at the genius of the soloists who played.

A little known fact is that the VSO can actually be an incredibly affordable date. I’m always urging more people to go since there’s a misconception that it’s a spendy treat. If you follow these tips, you can see amazing live symphony performances for $30 or less per person. Given that a movie ticket can cost up to $23.50, the VSO is a really good deal.

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Date Idea: Seeing the VSO for Cheap

Vancouver’s Most Relaxing Spa Treatments for Couples

by Tara Lee in Uncategorized on February 18, 2016

Scandinave Spa Whistler – Photo Credit: Chad Chomlack

Vancouver is truly an active couple’s paradise, with its endless hiking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and biking options.

But I’ve also realized, both for myself and for my relationship, that the quiet, more tranquil moments are also important. As much as I adore snowboarding together, I also really enjoy relaxing and recharging at the end of the day. Personally, I think even a power session of shopping on Robson Street warrants some downtime.

For Christmas, since my boyfriend hates presents with clutter potential, I offered to treat him to a spa visit. Since I’m thinking of tagging along, I’ve been doing some research on the best spa treatments for couples around town. Honestly, just reading the descriptions makes me feel more blissful.

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Vancouver’s Most Relaxing Spa Treatments for Couples

Fall in Love with Pride & Prejudice: At the Stanley Stage Until February 28

by Tara Lee in Uncategorized on February 11, 2016

Eric Craig & Naomi Wright. Photo by David Cooper.

This week, I was wandering around South Granville, my lovely new neighbourhood, and was musing about romance–or the lack thereof. The chocolate shops along the street were festooned with red hearts, reminding me tauntingly that February 14th was fast approaching. I still had no idea what my boyfriend (“S”) had planned for Valentine’s Day but I had a sneaking suspicion it might not be as grand as I had envisioned.

And then, I looked up and saw the marquee for the Stanley Stage and took it as cupid giving me a sign that I didn’t need to wait for S to come up with a romantic date.

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Fall in Love with Pride & Prejudice: At the Stanley Stage Until February 28

Date Idea: Ice Skating on Vancouver’s Many Indoor and Outdoor Rinks

by Tara Lee in Sports, Uncategorized on January 28, 2016

Flickr: spantossed

My best first date involved skating at The Robson Square Ice Rink. I arrived at the rink with my skates and a picture on my phone of the guy I was supposed to be meeting. Ah yes, the joys of on-line dating! When he finally did arrive, I was blown away by the immediate chemistry. We were holding hands, skating side-by-side on the ice, within five minutes.

Ice skating is a lovely date since it’s inexpensive, more active and inventive than your usual chatting over coffee, and invites G-rated physical contact. If you’re feeling wobbly (or just pretending to be so), you can reach for your partner’s gloved hand and, suddenly, you’re a unit gliding along frozen water. And if you’re like me and manage to spectacularly fall at one point during the date, you can laugh at yourself with good grace.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner (hint hint), you might consider lacing up. Fortunately, Vancouver has tons of rinks, each offering a unique way of enjoying this classic winter sport together.

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Date Idea: Ice Skating on Vancouver’s Many Indoor and Outdoor Rinks

Dine Out Vancouver Date Ideas: Three-Course Meals, Cocktail Masterclasses, and Food Crawls Galore!

by Tara Lee in Uncategorized on January 14, 2016

Sai Woo’s pressed spiced lamb neck (sourced from restaurant)

A few years ago, a guy I was interested in suggested that we have dinner at a restaurant participating in Dine Out Vancouver (this year January 15-31). I readily agreed since I’m obsessed with food and restaurants in the city.

As I discovered, Dine Out is an excellent date idea for the following reasons:

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Dine Out Vancouver Date Ideas: Three-Course Meals, Cocktail Masterclasses, and Food Crawls Galore!

Vancouver Winter Date Idea: Snowboarding at Cypress Mountain

by Tara Lee in Uncategorized on January 7, 2016

Source from Cypress Mountain Facebook page

My boyfriend (“S”) and I drive to Cypress Mountain in the early morn. We’ve settled into an easy silence and suddenly, we round a bend of the road and enter wintry splendour. Clouds and fog obscure the city below, and it feels like we’re far away from our usual urban environment. When holding an umbrella aloft in the Vancouver rain, I often forget that there’s snow on the mountains.

This is the first time we’ve gone snowboarding together and for some reason, I’m feeling a sense of nervous excitement about this particular winter date. I recall my initial snowboarding at Cypress, which, embarrassingly, was only two years ago when I was single.

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Vancouver Winter Date Idea: Snowboarding at Cypress Mountain