Canadian Outback Adventure introduces new teambuilding programs

Casino Royale: Secret Agent 007
Canadian Outback Adventure has adapted the theme of James Bond: Casino Royale into an entertaining group format, allowing teams to compete in a creative and exciting activity. With each member proficient in a specific skill and using their powers of detection and deduction, teams must work together to navigate their way through a series of training activities. Each activity is staged as a task where teams must carefully search for clues, document evidence, solve problems or take a risk in order to prove their mettle against other Special Ops units. Upon completion of the tasks, teams will have to document their activities, proving their dedication and commitment to the Special Ops Team. The final challenge will be a ‘Bonus’ round where each team gets to gamble one last round against the ‘House’. Any winnings can then be donated to a charity of your choice.

Mission: Impossible
Join members of the Impossible Mission Taskforce (IMF), a team of government spies and specialists who are assigned "impossible missions" by the unseen "Secretary", in an adventurous and fast-paced race against time! Join your team of secret agents: The Team Leader, The Techno-Wizard, The Strongman, The Master of Disguise, The Amazing Paris and The Femme Fatale, on a covert mission to fight dictators and evil organizations. In a highly competitive event, teams go head to head, pitting their wits and strength against each other to see who can be first to solve the “Mission: Impossible”! Participants will follow a custom designed course where the knowledge and skills of their team will be necessary to succeed. The event focuses on leadership, cunning, disguise and a real need to be creative. It is a great way for individuals to work as a team, meet other members of the organization and get to know each others strengths. Typically 4 hours is required for a group to participate in this “Mission”, but this can be flexible. All activities, transportation and entrance fees are included as part of the race. www.canadianoutback.com

Delta Air Lines Launches Direct Service to Victoria
Delta Air Lines has launched year-round non-stop service to Victoria from Salt Lake City, Utah; the airlines growing western hub. Flights are now offered daily and depart Salt Lake City at 11:10am and arrive in Victoria at 12:25pm. Flights depart Victoria at 12:45pm and arrive in Salt Lake City at 4:05pm. Delta has permanently added the non-stop service to Victoria following a successful trial last summer. This new service to Victoria is operated by Delta Connection carrier Skywest, with quiet and comfortable Bombardier regional jets. www.delta.com

Go West Coach Lines
Go West Coach Lines is a new chartered bus service here in Victoria offering groups the flexibility to create their own schedule. Whether it be a customized grand tour of various Victoria locations such as our beautiful downtown Inner Harbour or world famous Butchart Gardens, your schedule can be tailored to your specific group needs. Go West Coach Lines can also adapt a commentary for the specific locations your group chooses to visit.  Go West coaches can seat 24 passengers on their mini-coaches and 55 passengers on their provost coaches. All coaches have air conditioning, large viewing windows, reclining seats and special microphones set up for guides. The provost coaches also offer washrooms, video/monitor, taped music and large luggage compartments.  www.gowestcoach.com

Horizon Air Cuts Fares on Flights from Victoria to Seattle
Horizon Air has reduced regular fares on flights from Victoria, B.C., to Seattle, WA, making short and medium distance flying more convenient and cost-effective. What is making it possible for Horizon to hold down or, in many cases, reduce fares is its growing fleet of fuel-efficient, Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. By the end of July, Horizon will have gained 13 more Q400s this year. The airline has ordered another 15 for delivery in 2008 and 2009. In making the reductions, Horizon also simplified the fare structure in the markets to just three regular fares: a “walk-up” unrestricted/no-advance-purchase-required fare, plus 7-day and 14-day advance-purchase fares that are restricted but offer even greater savings. All Horizon fares can be purchased one-way or roundtrip, and there are no minimum or weekend-stay requirements. New one-way fares between Victoria, B.C., and Seattle, WA, are as follows: $55 (14-day advance purchase), $66/$88 (7-day advance purchase) and $111 (0-day advance purchase – “walk-up”). These prices are in Canadian dollars. Named 2007 Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine, Horizon serves 48 cities throughout California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and British Columbia and Alberta. Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve 92 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK). The new lower fares and complete fare rules are now available by calling Horizon at 1-800-547-9308, or online at www.horizonair.com.

Southern Dawn Sailing
Southern Dawn Sailing provides a unique meeting space for up to 15 people aboard their beautiful 60’ modern luxury sailing vessel. Your group can travel by boat for a 40 minute sail, drop anchor in a magnificent west coast location and then meet in the pilothouse complete with modern A/V equipment including LCD, laptop and a large screen TV/monitor. The yachting environment is the ideal platform to facilitate teambuilding, leadership, employee motivation and communication skills. It takes a team to sail a yacht! Get your team out of the boardroom and give them a day of experiential learning that has proven to positively affect the business bottom line. Southern Dawn Sailing can customize a program with solutions that fit your company, facilitated by a training facilitator who has extensive experience with a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Training. This boat can also be chartered for weddings, corporate lunches, employee recognition or any special event you may be hosting. Take the helm, or sit back and relax – the adventure is yours!  You'll be creating experiences that make life memorable. www.southerndawn.ca

Travel With Taste
Kathy McAree has added a tasty urban forage by foot to her Travel With Taste line up. In addition to cuisine and wine tours of the Cowichan Valley, Saanich Peninsula and Salt Spring Island, this summer Kathy will be leading a Culinary Walking Tour starting each Saturday morning at 11:00am at Silk Road Tea on Government Street.  On regularly scheduled tours, groups up to 12 can be accommodated. Aspiring culinary tourists will taste their way through downtown Victoria beginning with a structured tea tasting at Silk Road Tea.  The walking tour will be three to four hours with a cornucopia of tastes along the way such as; cheeses, meats and house-made pâtès at Choux Choux Charcuterie, pastries at the iconic Dutch Bakery, Victoria landmark Roger’s Chocolates, fine European coffee and cake in the new Café Mela plus a wine tasting at the Artisan Wine Shop.  Tours can also be organized for groups Tuesday through Saturday with the possibility of running two tours simultaneously (creating a possible group size of 24).  The cost is $79 per person plus GST and advance notice is required.  Wear comfortable shoes.  Bring empty stomach.    www.travelwithtaste.com

Silk Road Aromatherapy & Tea Company
Silk Road Aromatherapy & Tea Company, located in Victoria’s historic Chinatown (the oldest in Canada) has expanded. The new store provides additional space for an increased collection of exotic teas and tea equipage. In Spring 2007, Silk Road also opened a tea tasting bar within the new space. The concept is similar to a wine bar and enables them to offer public tea tastings and seminars (15-20 minutes) to individuals and groups up to 60. Silk Road is owned and operated by two women, Daniela Cubelic and Nancy Larose, who were taught the Chinese tea tradition and blending techniques by Chinese tea masters and herbalists. In addition to tea, Silk Road features an in-house spa and manufactures their own 100% natural body care products. www.silkroadtea.com