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British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia has it all. Astonishing natural beauty surrounds
this enchanting city, which offers some of the finest restaurants and
cultural amenities to be found. For travelers seeking the best of both
worlds, Vancouver awaits.
VANCOUVER
Vancouver is British Columbia's largest city, and is often regarded
as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Part of this beauty
can be attributed to its location on the edge of a huge natural harbor.
In addition, the north shore of this harbor (Burrard Inlet) gives rise
 to the
massive flanks of the Coast Mountains, which extend in an unbroken chain
all the way to Alaska. Vancouver is located in southwest British Columbia
where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean’s Straits of Georgia.
It is the third-largest Canadian city, with a major port and a regional
center for lumber, mining, agriculture, transportation, commerce and finance.
The climate is temperate, with sunny summers and Canada's mildest winters.
By worldwide standards, Vancouver is a youngster. Back in 1886, the visionaries
of this newly incorporated city saw great potential in the rugged and
densely forested area. It offered bountiful resources, superb scenery
and a favorable location for a busy transportation hub.
FUN, FUN, FUN!
There are numerous activities to keep the whole family active and entertained,
such as Science World, two Imax theatres, a Maritime  Museum,
and the MacMillan Planetarium with its spectacular laser shows. Shopping
is a must on Robson Street, in Gastown, or through the markets on Granville
Island. Other attractions include Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens, Vancouver Aquarium
and the Museum of Anthropology. Boating, fishing and other outdoor sports
are close at hand. Indoors, the city has NHL and NBA teams, a busy theater
scene and symphony.
Stanley Park is a must see. In 1886 Vancouver's first City Council made
a momentous decision by petitioning the Federal Government to lease 1,000
acres of a largely logged peninsula for park and recreation purposes.
Now, covered with mature forest including gigantic fir, cedar, hemlock
and alder-some more than 800 years old, Stanley Park makes up a generous
portion of Vancouver. The scenic 6.2-mile Seawall surrounding the park
is perfect for outdoor activities like walking, jogging, skating or biking.
The Nature House, located on Lost Lagoon's south side, offers educational
materials as well as seasonal walking tours. Lost Lagoon is a haven for
a variety of birds including swans, ducks and Canada geese. Countless
recreational facilities are available in Stanley Park including a pitch
and putt golf course bordered by the spring-blooming Ted and Mary Greig
Rhododendron Garden. At the center of the park is the formal Rose Garden
surrounded by mass perennial plantings, which peak from April to September.
This magnificent park also offers the Children's Farmyard, a Miniature
Railway, tennis courts, bathing beaches, a children's water park, a heated
ocean side swimming pool, Theatre Under the Stars, and the Vancouver Aquarium.
Don’t miss Brocton Point, the site of the Stanley Park totem poles.
Vancouver has a distinctive international flavor, with cultural representation
from all over the world. Dining opportunities abound and provide an intriguing
variety of tastes, with something for every palate. Entertainment opportunities
are equally eclectic, ranging from live theatre and music venues to a
multitude of events, festivals, and movie theatres. Vancouver is also
jumping off point for charter boats, cruise ships and floatplanes that
can take the lucky visitor to some of the most stunning and serene spots
imaginable.
NATURE ABOUNDS
Nature epitomizes British Columbia. Even in the heart of downtown Vancouver
it’s hard to escape the fact that you are virtually on the doorstep
of the great outdoors, with the sweep of the vast harbor and the bulk
of the Coast Mountains looming north of the city. Opportunities to experience
nature are  virtually
limitless. Observing pacific gray whales and orcas, cavorting playfully,
can be a truly poignant experience. Watch eagles soar high above forests,
or the life and death struggle of spawning salmon. Raft down a remote
wilderness river among nature's mightiest mountains while viewing grizzly
and black bears hunting salmon in their own protected environment.
SPLENDID DETOURS
A ferry ride across the bay from the city of Vancouver, is Vancouver
Island. At its southern point is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.
While Vancouver is cosmopolitan and bustling, Victoria is laid back and
genteel, with an obviously British
heritage. The downtown is neatly arranged around a small, yet bustling,
Inner Harbour. The Legislative Buildings, outlined at night with 3,330
lights, sit adjacent to the renowned Royal British Columbia Museum, rated
as one of the finest natural history museums in the world.
Victoria is known as the city of flowers. Lampposts are festooned with
magnificent hanging flower baskets and gardens abound. Perhaps the most
stunning display of flowers is the Butchart Gardens. Once an old quarry,
it has been transformed into one of the world's finest and most famous
gardens. Sightseeing, dining and shopping opportunities flourish in this
fair capital city.
Kamloops is situated on the Thompson River, located halfway between Vancouver
and the Rocky Mountains on the Trans-Canada Highway. At the heart of the
BC  wine
country is the Okanagan Valley. With its lush orchards and famed vineyards,
the valley is a great for summer fun on the lakes. There is even a chance
to spot Ogopogo, a distant cousin of the Loch Ness Monster, who lives
a secluded life in Lake Okanagan. To the north lies Prince George, the
main service center for northern British Columbia. To the west of Prince
George is Prince Rupert on the Pacific Ocean. Prince Rupert is the marine
gateway to northern British Columbia, and it’s also the northern
terminus for BC Ferries' Inside Passage cruise, and the southern terminus
for the Alaska Marine Highway ferry service.
Highway 99 north of Vancouver, is an adventure unto itself. Huge waterfalls,
fishing, and superb hiking abound. The town of Squamish is known for its
sheer cliffs, which draw mountaineers from all over the world. A little
further north is Brackendale, winter home of the Bald Eagle. Whistler
is situated between two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, and it is the
number one rated ski area in North America. This chic, pristine area offers
activities year-round including cross-country skiing, ice skating, paragliding,
snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and flightseeing.
CONCLUSION
There are several tours available, and whether you take an escorted bus
tour or something a little more adventurous, you’re sure to find something
that will suit your needs. Shopping and leisure amenities areas good as
it gets, and w ater
lovers will thrive on the beautiful shoreline that surrounds the city. For
the active traveler, the Vancouver area offers incredible golf courses,
and nearby Grouse Mountain, with its skiing, scenic tram rides, and excellent
hiking. Whatever your choice, Vancouver caters to all tastes.
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