Vancouver Travel Information
Vancouver lies within a spectacular setting, framed by stunning mountain
and ocean scenery on a peninsula between Burrand Inlet and the Fraser
River delta. A superb place to get away from it all, it offers you the
opportunity to enjoy world class entertainment, fantastic cuisine and
some of the finest shopping around.
Vancouver
In Vancouver you can enjoy the wide open spaces, the sandy beaches,
majestic forest and rugged Coast Mountains. Or try your hand at skiing,
windsurfing, scuba diving or roller-blading. For the kids there's the
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, Science World and the Kids
Only market.
Vancouver Island is only a short ferry crossing away. Here you will find
the provincial capital of Victoria which along with the spectacular
Butchart Gardens is a place that's not to be missed.
The natural geography of Vancouver makes it one of the most beautiful
cities in the world. The backdrop of mountains and the harbourfront
setting are scenic and are a focus point of everyday life.
Vancouver by night
Ranked by many as their favourite city, it is a melting pot of cultures
and has a wealth of top restaurants, nightlife, hotels, shopping and
theatre.
Get a quote for holidays and flights to Vancouver.
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Vancouver Travel and Flight
Information
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Founded in the
mid-18th century by Captain George Vancouver, the city that took his
name has expanded into a truly cosmopolitan, modern, vibrant city. It
enjoys Canada's mildest climate and a genuinely spectacular coastal
setting, surrounded on virtually all sides by water, with forested
mountains to the north and east.
Bustling downtown, with its
high-rises and historic buildings, is compact, stretching from Stanley
Park in the north west to Chinatown in the south east. Stanley Park
itself comprises 1,000 acres of mature forest, lake, picnic areas, water
park and miniature railway fringed miles of seawall footpaths.
A
major Pacific Rim commercial hub and popular port of call for cruise
ships, Vancouver and its environs offer visitors the choice of beauty,
history and diverse culture – the latter dominated conspicuously by the
very big, long-established and largely affluent Chinese community,
predominantly from Hong Kong and Taiwan.
LOCATION
On the Pacific coast, in the south west corner of mainland Canada, in
the province of British Columbia; Vancouver Island lies just off shore.
123km (76 miles) south of Whistler ski-resort. 227km (141 miles) north
of Seattle, USA. International airport 12km (7 miles) south of downtown
Vancouver.
POSITION
Downtown is concentrated
on a slight hill. The city and suburbs extend over a coastal area with
scattered islands and inlets.
EATING
Something for every taste and budget. Abundant fresh seafood,
particularly Pacific rock salmon, lobster and crab. A vast range of
oriental and ethnic cuisine befitting a multicultural city. Fine array
of bistros and restaurants along fashionable Robson Street and inside
the Pacific Centre. Plenty of pavement hot-dog stands and fast food
chains.
SHOPPING
Spoiled for choice. The
epicentre of downtown features the Pacific Centre shopping mall and
fashionable clothing outlets and boutiques are situated along Robson
Street. The Waterfront Centre offers shops and food outlets. Chinatown
and Little India offer ethnic specialities; antiques on South Granville
Street and artisan works can be found in the markets of Granville
Island.
EXCURSIONS
Full day: Whistler
ski-resort; scenic drives along Northshore to Horseshoe Bay and ferry to
Vancouver Island or east through rich farmlands to Fort Langley and
Harrison Hot Springs resort; whale-watching (May to October); Grouse
Mountain adventure resort.
Two days: Victoria; Vancouver Island;
Seattle, USA
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
An efficient
bus service runs across the city. Plentiful taxis. Skytrain loop serves
the outlying areas. Seabus ferry links downtown with north Vancouver.
SUITS
Something for everyone and every pocket.
Largely business orientated, although a particular favourite with
middlemarket American, Canadian and European couples and older families
– many using it as a sophisticated stopover on their way to skiing in
nearby Whistler. The city is also a popular stopover point for those on
cruises to Alaska.
Getting There
Direct scheduled and charter flights to Vancouver can be booked from the
UK here at Hessle Travel. The flight time to Vancouver is approx
10 hours.
Air Canada
Airport Transfers
Vancouver Airport is approximately 6 miles from downtown Vancouver. The
journey time takes about 25 minutes, excluding rush hour when times
vary! Taxi's or the airport bus service are available.
Weather
Daily average Max temperatures (Approx) 'C
JAN 6 FEB 8 MAR
10 APR 13 MAY
16 JUN 19 JUL 22 AUG
22 SEP 18 OCT
13 NOV 9
DEC 6
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Vancouver Island -
Victoria
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The sedate
provincial capital of British Columbia, Victoria is a low-key city
with a distinctly old world feel, which is hardly surprising given
its history as a British outpost. The combination of restored
colonial buildings, colourful public gardens and one of the mildest
climates in Canada make it a popular stopover with international and
domestic visitors alike.
The central area is compact, less
than 1.6km (1 mile sq), and easy to explore on foot with its mix of
historic sites, the ornate grey granite Parliament Buildings and
plain modern commerical buildings. Although largely laid out on the
typical grid plan, there are no skyscrapers and the population is
approx. 100,000, which is tiny in comparison with Vancouver, the
commercial capital, of BC.
The locals are polite, friendly and
easy-going, and it has plenty of things to occupy the visitor.
British tourists may find it rather like a home from home.
Victoria, on green forested Vancouver Island, still retains much
of its colonial heritage. Tour the city by London style, red
double decker bus and see the parliament buildings, indulge in
traditional afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel or watch the many
visiting yachts and seaplanes in the pretty harbour.
Victoria
Beyond Victoria lies the exquisite Butchart Gardens, the log cabin
you dreamed of near Parksville, glorious stretches of white sand
beaches and some of the best whale watching and fishing
opportunities from Tofino and Campbell River.
Book yourself a city break to Vancouver with Hessle Travel.
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