The co-op class got a taste of Christmas in Canada this week with a festive themed field trip to finish our busy week. We started at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and ‘Gingerbread Lane’, where the hotel’s lobby was filled with gingerbread houses, castles and villages, in support of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. We then moved on to the Four Seasons Hotel, where the lobby was decorated with dozens of Christmas trees as part of the ‘Festival of Trees’, supporting BC Children’s Hospital. After many photographs, we then moved down to Canada Place, which was celebrating with their ‘Christmas at Canada Place’. The crisp, still evening down by the waterfront provided a breathtaking view over the city with all its Christmas lights shining.
Our final stop was at Jack Poole Plaza and the annual ‘Christmas Tree Lighting’ outdoor concert, broadcast live on Global BC in support of the Light the Way for Kids Foundation. The lighting of the tree was preceded by Christmas music and various performances. Our Christmas tour of downtown Vancouver made everyone hungry, so we finished with a meal together which completed a great evening exploring the city. The purpose of the field trip was to see how some of the city’s best hospitality and tourism businesses celebrate Christmas and give back to the community in which they operate, as well as simply enjoying what Vancouver has to offer during the holiday season.