Welcome to the spring e-newsletter for couples. We’re Lindsay Duke and Jerry Grajewski—a magazine editor and commercial photographer in Winnipeg—and are pleased to be your new Travel Manitoba Couples Ambassadors. The snow has finally melted and we know you’re ready to take advantage of all the great places Manitoba has to offer couples.

As soon as the snow melts, you can usually find us packing up the car and escaping to the lake for a quiet weekend. We think early spring just might be the best time to head to cottage country—for us, it’s the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

We usually stop in at a couple of our favourites, De Luca’s Specialty Foods and the Frenchway bakery, to stock up for the weekend of great food with little effort on our part.

After grabbing a coffee at Finale’s, we’re on our way up Highway 59. After the hour drive (could we be luckier?) we’ve arrived at our destination and it’s heaven—not a soul for miles and it’s so quiet and still.

First up is a walk on the beach to check out the shoreline and listen to the ice crackling on the lake. It’s amazing to see how the shoreline has changed over the winter, when most of erosion of the lakefront in this area occurs.

Then we grab our bikes and hit one of the many trails in the Grand Beach area. At this time of year the trails are pretty quiet, with snowmobiles packed away until next winter.

Trails in Victoria Beach and Albert Beach are good warm-ups. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, the North Star Trail in the Belair Provincial Park is great at this time of year.

The North Star is an old logging road, which winds its way through pine forests, over hills with stunning lookouts and past ponds that are home to pelicans in the summer months. The trail is tough and at times really sandy or muddy, so you may want to ditch the bike and take your SUV.

By the time evening falls, the sky is alight with stars. The air is so crisp this time of year that every spring night should end with a roaring fire. We can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend in Manitoba.

If you don’t have access to a cottage, don’t let it stop you from enjoying cottage country—there are plenty of cabins for rent and resorts available year-round. Check out Bear Country Cottages in Belair, MB at www.bearcountrycottages.com.

May 15, 2010
Get Ready to polka at the Manitoba Homecoming Social
Grab your partner and hit the dance floor as Manitoba Homecoming hosts the world’s largest social on May 15, 2010. From Altona to Thompson and 64 communities in between, the Manitoba Homecoming Social promises to be the party of the year, complete with great prizes and of course, kielbasa, cubed cheese and Kub bread. All socials are fundraising endeavors for local initiatives in each community. Support your town by purchasing a ticket, ranging from $10-15 available in each community or through Ticketmaster. Visit http://www.manitobahomecoming2010.com for all social locations, including the Winnipeg social at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

April 17, 20, 23
Indulge in the passion of Carmen with the Manitoba Opera
Experience the passionate, tragic tale of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, presented by the Manitoba Opera. Share a sigh of relief with your partner that your relationship doesn’t mirror that of Carmen, the sensuous cigarette girl, and Don José, the jealous soldier, whom she spurns for a celebrated matador. Arrive half an hour before curtain for the pre-show chat, which will enhance your enjoyment of the opera. Visit www.manitobaopera.mb.ca for more details, show times and ticket information.

April 25 - May 1
Be Your Own Sommelier at the Winnipeg Wine Festival
Take your taste buds on a tour of the world at the Winnipeg Wine Festival, presented by Special Olympics Manitoba. Representatives from 128 wineries with over 500 varieties of wine will be on hand as you see, swirl, sniff, sip and savour wines from 15 counties, including this year’s theme country, Australia. Tickets are available at any Manitoba Liquor Mart or Ticketmaster location. Visit www.winnipegwinefestival.com for event details.

April 28 – May 2
Bring Your Prince Charming to the RWB’s A Cinderella Story
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is bringing back the audience favorite, A Cinderella Story, the classic story with a 1950s twist. Ron Paley’s jazzy arrangements of Richard Rodgers timeless music set the stage for this modern, yet retro, retelling of this ageless fairy tale. Visit www.rwb.org for show times and ticket information.

Manitoba Homecoming continues all year!
Who are you inviting home and where are you taking them? Check out www.travelmanitoba.com or www.manitobahomecoming2010.com for great ideas, events and reasons to party throughout 2010.

Winnipeggers love a great deal, so it’s only logical we would give visitors one!

The Stay and Play offer is just one reason why so many people choose Winnipeg’s casinos as their holiday destination. Best of all, it is simple to use and free to access.

Guests can be eligible for $15 in Gold Play for use at either Club Regent Casino or McPhillips Station Casino, both located in Manitoba’s entertainment capital, Winnipeg. Stay and Play is available at www.destinationwinnipeg.ca when booking your hotel accommodations or packages, such as a couples or girl’s getaway.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth entertainment package, then visit www.travelmanitoba.com for great seasonal casino promotions, featuring major casino performers. All getaway packages are priced to include one night’s double accommodation at a select hotel, casino gaming and restaurant vouchers, plus complimentary casino valet parking. New packages are offered regularly, book today!

Club Regent Casino offers exceptional dining, popular live entertainment, a dance club and a first-class gaming experience in a tropical environment. Offering the same array of venues but with a different flair, McPhillips Station Casino lets you step back in time into a nostalgic train station and grand hotel themed atmosphere.

Please remember that in Manitoba you must be 18 years of age or older to enter the casinos. Photo ID may be required.