WILD RIDE ON TOURISM'S NEWEST TECH WIZARDRY

Now here's a travel evolution - launched today in Vancouver.

Ever dreamt of jumping in a helicopter pilot seat and soaring over some of this province’s finest glaciers, rivers, waterfalls and forests… in your pyjamas? Well now's your chance -- virtually.

The Vancouver-based northStudio360 has just developed an interactive, 360-degree helicopter video of some of BC’s most visually-stunning landscape. These techno wizards have created a web-based video by using a custom-built rig to which they strapped six cameras to a pole and hung it out of a helicopter while flying over a 150 km track of stunning coastal mainland. To finalize the product, northStudio360 used their proprietary video merging software for a seamless flying experience.

"Until now, 360 video really gave only a ground level look at our world. We’ve literally taken this technology to new heights," said Ryan Whitehead, president of northStudio360. "We teamed up with Nimmo Bay Resort, one of North America’s top heli-adventure destinations, to showcase the wild West Coast. With the push of a button, you’re in the pilot’s seat: fly inches off the surface of a river or soar over rugged mountains, it’s entirely up to you."
Due to improvements of internet and processor speeds in the past few years, it’s now possible to deliver higher quality 360-degree video to the public and with much more dynamic views, creating new opportunities for those in the tourism and advertising sectors. In the near-future, northStudio360 plans to create videos where users can stop the footage, insert location tags (Geotag) and upload vacation photos.
　
To experience the software first-hand, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.nimmobay.com/media/360-video/360-video-adventures

And get set for a wild ride!

Olympic Christmas

Now that we've had our first snow, icey sleet and salted sidewalks, everyone at Travelink Publishing is getting the festive vibe.

Olympic 'stuff' is around the corner - catch us skating the Richmond Olympic Oval - and stay tuned for what it will be like in the eye of the storm. Our offices are in the Olympic 'red zone' so there's no telling what that actually means once the torch arrives back in Vancouver and security gets hot and heavy. Meanwhile, take note of city streets that are now decorated with decal-flags from each of the participating countries, and making up a flag-walk.

The holly trees have lots of red berries and since that's indicative of a heavy winter to come, the Games should have snow. Thank goodness.

But that's 2010, and we've still to celebrate the end of 2009 ....

So happy holidays from Travelink's scribes, video-masters and photographers all of who have some pretty nifty new ideas to keep you hot-wired to some of the neatest travel experiences.

Spring is in the air!

True to the adage, March came in like a lion and today, is going out like a lamb. The flowering cherry trees have been hunkering down beneath the cold, cold temperatures but, if the sunshine continues to warm the air, the streets of Vancouver will very soon be lined with magnificent blossoms. This is the prettiest time of year to visit Vancouver. Besides, with so many locals in shorts, t-sirts and running gear, you can even make believe that summer really is around the corner. Already, sidewalk cafes are packed with folks sipping lattes and nibbling through organic granola bars. It's as if the city is coming alive ..... That's because Spring really is in the air!

And, just as Spring celebrates fresh starts, what better time to reintroduce you to Travelink Publishing's new website design and content. Check it out: you'll discover a thriving company that represents the very best if writing, writing services, travel, and much more.

Welcome to my blog where you can catch up on my news and find out the latest up-to-date insider scoops on my travel destinations.

If you are looking for great places to visit, you can also take a look at my travel web site, Greatest Getaways and if you want to find out more about me - it's all at another of my websites, Travelink Publishing.