Vancouver Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in Vancouver check out our Vancouver guide to car hire in Vancouver
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The gateway to British Columbia, Vancouver is often described as the most pleasant city in the world: lying in a beautiful spot surrounded by the ocean on one side, and the majestic Rocky Mountains on the other, Vancouver has drawn comparisons with San Francisco, and both cities do have a lot in common, from stunning locations to thriving China Town districts.
The best location from which to explore the real Canada, Vancouver is within striking distance of some of the most stunning scenery in North America, and offers year round skiing resorts nearby in the upmarket resort of Whistler, where you can stay in luxury hotels and enjoy some of the best piste in the world.
It's a city where participation is vital, and you will find more to keep you occupied in Vancouver than in many other places around the world, from water sports to hiking, mountain biking and in-line skating - and that's just in the city itself.
Throughout the summer months, Vancouver enjoys great weather, and nearby, you can find yourself relaxing on a beach, return in winter, and you'll struggle to get outdoors because of the bitter cold, but both times have their charms, and offer a chance to see a different side of the city.
It's also a great place to pick up a bargain in one of the huge shopping malls, or at the markets. Vancouver lends itself well as a holiday destination in its own right, or as a stop off on a holiday exploring British Colombia or Alaska.
In Vancouver, Chinatown should be the first stop for most visitors, and the area, which houses some 36,000 people, has plenty of restaurants, small shops and cultural exhibits to wander through.
Vanier Park is also high on the list of attractions for most visitors, not least because it contains several museums including the HR Macmillan Space Centre, which will appeal to wannabe astronauts of all ages with its many interactive exhibits.
Regular cruises operate along the coast of Canada travelling north from Vancouver, and offer a variety of experiences depending on when you travel. In the winter, polar bears and seals can be seen, while in spring, you will almost certainly see the awesome spectacle of the migrating whales as they pass through Prince William Sound and the local boat operators need a license to take the trips, and with plenty of experience in finding the whales, will always know the best spots to go looking.
