Vancouver Holidays
Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia with one of the mildest climates in Canada. Home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core, Vancouver will also be home to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010.
As for holidays to Vancouver, it is reassuring to note the city was voted the "Best City in the Americas" for 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, based on the categories of ambience, friendliness, culture and sites, restaurants, lodging, and shopping. One of Vancouver's greatest attractions is its rich mosaic of neighbourhoods. Ethnically and culturally diverse, each has a distinct and always welcoming, personality.
The historic district of Gastown is the oldest neighbourhood of Vancouver. It is still as
colourful and quaint as ever with its cobblestone streets, artists' studios,
designer shops, and antique stores in refurbished heritage buildings. Gastown
is also home to the world's first steam-powered clock, one of Vancouver's
most photographed attractions.
An eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and galleries, Granville Island is perhaps most famous for its large and bustling Public Market, where local food vendors and artisans peddle their wares. While on holiday, browse the charming shops of the Net Loft, where retailers offer everything from exotic stationary to beads of every shape and kind, funky hats, books and locally-made fashions.
Every major city has a famous shopping and cruising strip; in Vancouver this is Robson Street. Head
here for high fashion, trendy restaurants and bars, the coffee-shop culture and
even a little star spotting; don't forget, this is the Hollywood of the North, and Robson Street is a
favourite spot for visiting stars to shine.
Things to see and do
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Grouse Mountain
Just a 25-minute drive from downtown, Grouse Mountain presides majestically over North Vancouver. The Grouse Grind™, a trek up the face of the mountain, is such a popular hike in Vancouver that it's even been trademarked.
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Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 1,000 acre urban park bordering downtown Vancouver. It is the largest city-operated park in Canada and the
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Whistler
Whistler is a friendly ski town approximately 77 miles north of Vancouver. One of the many things that make Whistler so special is two unbelievable mountains -
