vancouver

Vancouver

Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city of 1.8 million situated at the mouth of the mightyFraser River. Bounded to the north by majestic mountains, the city is one of themost visited cities in the World. Vancouver and its many suburbs, has everything atraveller could want and then some.

With the mountains less than 30 minutes drive from the city centre, the best of cityamenities, mountain parklands and seasonal skiing, are close at hand. See moreinformation below.

Canada Place Stanley Park is Vancouver's showcase park, and is one of the city's primeattractions. It is located 5 minutes from downtown on a peninsula at the entrance toVancouver Harbour. About half of the Park's 405 hectare (1,000 acre) expanse isforested and connected by a network of well maintained trails, and the remainingarea features a wide assortment of exhibits and recreational facilities.

Wander the wide urban trails around the busy marinas of False creek and GranvilleIsland, or explore the Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC with 53 kilometers oftrails and a stand of giant cedar trees.

Greater Vancouver offers a diverse range of international and west coast shopping.The popular Robson Street shopping district features fashionable boutiques,cappuccino bars and restaurant patios. Gastown features historic brick buildings oncobblestone streets, an energetic community of clubs, restaurants, aboriginal crafts,souvenir stores and chic clothing boutiques.

Vancouver is a gateway city and has links by air to all major cities in NorthAmerica and the world. There is no shortage of things to see and do but as with anylarge city, allow yourself plenty of travel time.

Greater Vancouver consists of many neighbouring cities and municipalitiesstretching through the Fraser Valley, across the harbour into West and NorthVancouver and south as far as the 49th Parallel, the border with the United States. Stanley Park

The Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver services the Sunshine Coastand Vancouver Island with departures to north mainland points, Gulf Islands and toNanaimo on Vancouver Island. The Tsawassen Ferry Terminal south of Vancouver
International Airport also services Nanaimo, the Gulf Islands and Victoria, thecapital of British Columbia at the south end of Vancouver Island.

Ferry trips average 90 minutes to Vancouver Island but allow yourself plenty oftime to get to the terminal, with possible sailing waits during peak periods and ifyou are travelling to Victoria, there is a further 20-30 minute drive into the city
from the Ferry Terminal at Swartz Bay, north of the Capital City.