Vancouver and Beyond

by Rick Cropp and, Barbara Braidwood
The Province

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Have you ever thought about owning a piece of waterfront property in Mexico or retiring there? The Canada2Mexico Retirement Seminar (www.canada2mexico.com) will save you hours of Internet research and answer the hundreds of questions you may have.

Subjects include the many options and benefits of buying real estate in Mexico for holidays or retirement, whether it is best to buy or rent, the pros and cons of coastal or inland lifestyles, medical and healthcare costs, documents and immigration, banking, cost of living and info on the treaties between Mexico and Canada that cover pensions, taxation and investment.

The event takes place on Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre.

In addition to the seminar, there is a free lifestyles exhibition where you can find people willing to answer specific questions. The seminar tickets start at $98 for a single ($120 at the door) to $185 for couples.

Mountain pampering

Head to Whistler this fall to relax and recharge. Indulge with Whistler Spa Escapes until Oct. 31 and take advantage of the Fall Spa Specials offered by nine participating spas. Plus, if you pay for your spa treatments with your Visa, you can get added savings.

For example, the Avello Spa and Health Club at The Westin Resort and Spa is offering a Fall Spa Special of 25 per cent off selected spa treatments. Pay with your Visa card when you indulge in an 80-minute massage and you’ll receive a complimentary Heavenly Milk Bath.

Have a look at www.whistler.com/ spa_escapes for details. Room rates start at $99 per night.

Famous house tour

The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles is exhibiting Between Heaven and Earth: The Architecture of John Lautner (1911-1994). Chances are you’ve seen one of his houses. At least two of them have been in numerous films. The most famous is the “Chemosphere,” which is a flattened sphere with wrap-around windows that stands high above a canyon on a single support.

The exhibit runs until Oct. 12. On that date there will also be a special tour of the 1963 Sheats/Golstein House. Tickets are $55 US.

See www.hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/139/ for details.

Britrail savings

You can save 20 per cent on a BritRail Consecutive Day Pass or a BritRail FlexiPass for travel between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28 when you buy it before Feb. 15. BritRail passes are not available in Britain and must be purchased before you leave home. Contact www.britrail.com or a travel agent.

Barbara Braidwood and Rick Cropp are Vancouver based-writers.

© The Vancouver Province 2008