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Vancouver
Trip Planning & Itineraries
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There aren't too many cities in the world that offer Vancouver's combination of big-city lifestyle and outdoor fun in such cheek-by-jowl proximity. Ski in the morning, sail in the afternoon, and still make it back to town in time for a cocktail or three. No wonder it's one of the cities that routinely tops those lists of the world's greatest places to live.
Beyond the breathtaking snowcapped crags, city-hugging beaches and dense waterfront forests lies a comparatively young metropolis that's still trying to discover its true identity. Vancouver is a city of new immigrants - wander the streets and you'll hear a dozen different languages. The city also attracts young professionals and artists from the eastern provinces who come here to enjoy its recreation and laid-back sophistication.
Best of Vancouver: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences
Best of Vancouver: Suggested Itineraries
With its breathtaking setting, Vancouver is an outdoors city par excellence. It's also a laid-back cultural hub with a temperate climate, ethnically diverse restaurants and vibrant festivals. Whether you're basing yourself here to visit Vancouver Island or more remote attractions in British Columbia, you'll find there's plenty to discover.
If you're only in town for a brief amount of time, take a morning tour of Vancouver to see all the highlights - Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gas Town, Lookout Observatory and Granville Island. Or travel at your own pace with a choice of a hop-on hop-off trolley tour, jumping on or off at 24 stops, or the open-top or double-decker hop-on hop-off bus tour. And you won't miss any of the city's attractions armed with your Vancouver Attractions Passport, with savings of up to 50% for you and your family at over 50 top Vancouver attractions. If gardening's your passion, go behind the scenes on a very special private tour of Vancouver's gardens, including a classic Chinatown garden, sunken gardens and botanical gardens. And at sunset, one of Vancouver's tip-top must-do experiences is a Grouse Mountain sunset tour, riding an aerial tramway high above the forest for breathtaking views over Vancouver as the sun goes down.
Day Two: Day Trips from Vancouver
Vancouver is seductively poised for countless day trips, including personalized private tours. Closest to home is Capilano Bridge and Grouse Mountain, combining a thrilling rainforest tree-top adventure and Alpine pursuits. Another local favorite is the neighborhood eco tour of Vancouver's beautiful surrounds, including the Maplewood Flats bird sanctuary, Deep Cove and hiking Mount Seymour Provincial Park. Victoria Island and Blutchart Gardens is the top tour from Vancouver, combining Victoria's downtown attractions and one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the world. Traveling further afield, ride a train to Whistler for a day of pristine Canadian beauty and time to explore Whistler village as it prepares for the 2010 Winter Olympics. You can also drive to Whistler by private tour with your driver guide at the wheel.
Day Three: Adventure Tours from Vancouver
Vancouver is brilliantly positioned to take a scenic air tour. Capture stunning aerial views of the city by seaplane, tour British Columbia's rugged Fjordland by seaplane, and even go whale-watching from Victoria by seaplane. Spot more whales on a Vancouver whale-watching cruise by high-speed boat, with sightings pretty much guaranteed. You might also spot porpoises or even Minke whales and sea elephants. There's more ocean wildlife to spot on a Howe Sound Sea Safari, with spectacular views of Vancouver from the water. Want more? Then take a small group kayaking adventure in a two-seater sea-kayak, and reward your intrepid nature with a salmon barbecue on a deserted island - but don't worry, this trip doesn't require any special kayaking experience or fitness.
Best of Vancouver: Top 3 Hotels
In addition to these options, find a Vancouver house rental on HomeAway.com.
High-quality amenities abound at this landmark Vancouver hotel but it's the location that brings the visitors back year after year. Hugging the seawall and surrounded by the bobbing boats of the marina, the hotel has stunning views of Burrard Inlet, Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. The raft of extras include an outdoor pool in landscaped surroundings.
It's all about the details at this luxurious downtown gem that combines European elegance with a North American flair for good service. Located right in the heart of the downtown core, this 83-room Vancouver classic routinely ranks as one of the world's best lodgings and the reasons are obvious: the property is dripping with top-hatted charm, the personalized service is second to none, and the graceful rooms and suites are stuffed with chic flourishes.
This chi-chi boutique property has a swish, modern take on style that includes a kaleidoscope of sophisticated touches for discerning travelers. It's also right in the heart of downtown for those who like to be close to all the action. Soaker tubs, marble-lined bathrooms and Italian bed linen are the order of the day in the Met's designer guest rooms, which are mostly decorated in soothing, organic shades of beige and olive.
Suggested Itineraries: Vancouver
Vancouver's music shops are some of the world's most interesting and house great bargains. Downtown, high fashion rubs hips with main-street tack. Further abroad are great housewares, antiques, vintage clothing, outdoor gear and First Nations art.
Vancouverites are always willing to doff the bike shorts, throw on their best T-shirt and go out on the town. Sports and live music take precedence, with theater very close behind and a healthy comedy scene to boot.
Best of Vancouver: Top 3 Restaurants
Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill
Not your standard Italian joint, this fine Mediterranean eatery deploys the cucina naturale approach to cooking, revealing the delicate natural flavors of a wide range of regionally sourced ingredients. The warm interior is the perfect setting to dip into West Coast dishes tweaked with Italian flourishes - try the marinated salmon with potato galette and sour cream - and the international wine list should keep you jolly all evening.
You don't have to be staying at the Metropolitan to discover it's special charm - dine in-house at the Diva and you'll experience top-notch dining at one of Vancouver's premier restaurants. The Chef's Table, huge wine list and decadent desserts are particular standouts.
Dine with all of Vancouver literally at your feet atop Grouse Mountain at the Observatory Restaurant. The fine dining Observatory serves seared scallops and roasted beef tenderloin with some of the best views in BC - right down over Stanley Park and the shiny towers of Vancouver. The laid-back Altitudes Bistro here serves pub-style food in a casual ski lodge setting.
- Plan Vancouver vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Vancouver hotels, Canada from PlanetWare
- Hotels in Vancouver from HotelsCombined.com
- Vancouver trip planner & travel guide from NileGuide
- Local news from The Vancouver Sun
