Salt Spring, Mayne, Galiano, Gabriola, and Saturna Islands are some of the Beautiful Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada.

North & South Pender Island are one of the Southern Gulf Islands which lie in the calm and picturesque waters between Vancouver and Victoria British Columbia.

Pender Islands is approximately 36 km Sq. or 14 miles square and is actually two islands. North Pender and South Pender, they were once one Island. In 1903 a canal was created to assist marine traffic, thus severing the island connection, making what is know today as North Pender and South Pender Islands. In 1956 they were again connected by the development of a one-way bridge.

Pender Islands boasts the best year round climate in Canada! The sub-Mediterranean-type climate (781 mm) 30.7 inches of rain per year makes the Pender Islands perfect for family vacations, romantic retreats, small seminars, golfing, health and yoga retreats, hiking and nature watching. BC Ferries provides regular scheduled service between the Pender Islands and Swartz Bay (near Victoria), Tsawwassen (on the mainland), and several other Gulf Islands.

The Pender Islands are known as the “friendly Islands” and the “Islands of hidden coves and beaches”, boasting 20 public ocean accesses, Hamilton Beach on North Pender Island and Mortimer Spit just across the bridge on South Pender Island, offer swimming and picnic sites. The Pender Islands Parks and Recreation Commission has recently opened new beach accesses that are clearly marked and well maintained. Novice and experienced hikers can explore many easy trails or a more strenuous climb in Mount Norman Capital Regional District Park on South Pender.

Step back in time…with a quiet stroll down a country road, stop at a roadside stand and sample local grown vegetables or flowers. Enjoy the laid-back pace of the Pender Islands and meet the trusting and friendly Islanders. Share the unspoiled countryside with wild flowers and deer that browse peacefully by the roadsides. Shop for local arts and crafts at the many shops, studios, and galleries around the Islands.

Golfers play nine holes at the full facility course located on Otter Bay Road. Tennis courts are available at three locations while disc (Frisbee) golf, a game for the whole family, is played in the Magic Lake area.

Boaters find marinas at Port Browning, Otter Bay, and Bedwell Harbour, as well as government wharves at Hope Bay, Browning Harbour and Port Washington. The Canada Custom office for boaters is on the wharves at Bedwell Harbour. Scooters and bicycles are available for visitors who arrive on foot wishing to explore the Island.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water. Rent a small boat to fish or explore. Fish for salmon and cod, go ashore at Beaumont Marine Park, bring your kayak or diving gear. Ocean kayaking lessons and guides knowledgeable about wildlife and waterfowl are available throughout the year. Seventeen campsites are available at Prior Provincial Park. Eatenton House B&B has Island maps for your convenience and welcome the chance to help you make the most of your vacation!

About the Author

Kenneth R Hatton owns and operates http://www.pender-islands.ca

Author: Dan Wallace

The increase in tourism has been rapidly increasing in Whistler for many years. Noted for being one of the best skiing and snowboarding areas in the world, having the largest skiing area in North America as well has having summer activities to match the winter, including world class golfing, mountain biking and hiking, thanks to the abundance of mountains warmed by the sea air in the summer making it an outdoor enthusiasts dream.

Up until a couple of years ago, the increase in tourism had been fast but steady and controlled. Since the decision for Whistler to host the winter Olympics in 2010 things have changed.

The recent unprecedented level of resort development comes with some urgency, as most developers want to take advantage of the attention the 2010 Winter Olympics will bring to the area. Despite skyrocketing construction costs, developers are feeling confident. The Government of Whistler has challenged the tourism industry to double in size by 2015 and interest in recreational real estate is so high that many projects are sold out before construction even begins.

With a strong economy and the boost in global awareness that the Olympics will bring, the future of tourism in B.C over the next few years looks healthy. The questions arise when long term growth comes into question. Firstly the capacity – will enough people come to Whistler to fill the beds?

Much of North America considers Whistler a difficult place to get too, and with impending tourism increase means possible problems with traffic, demand in air travel and traffic problems around B.C., which may put people off going there. Another potential problem is that most resort development is predicated on the sale of recreational real estate, whether its condo units, time share units, cabins or real estate lots. For a lot of people their considerable investment in recreational real estate means they are going to spend their vacation time using the property. They are less likely to be traveling around the province and sampling the various resorts being developed.

With increasing costs in Whistler and BC, Canadians may be put off the idea of visiting Whistler, instead choosing holidays abroad or to other destinations away from the spotlight that Whistler has fallen under.

These are not potentially catastrophic problems for the area but illustrate a need for long term planning and thought into the development of Whistler, and how to maintain momentum once the Olympics is over.

Poor planning has often led to post-Olympic areas being turned into ghost towns, with unused facilities, empty housing etc. however, with limited space in Whistler, careful thought has led to large areas of the Olympic village being turned into housing after the event, the majority of which for employees of the event. This will limit the possibility of unscrupulous developers ruining the area trying to cash in and potentially destroying the beauty of Whistler.

Despite the doubts and the potential for problems beyond the Olympics, the area looks set to continue with impressive growth in tourism, with 88 major tourism related development projects already underway, worth a combined 17 billion CAD.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/tourism-beyond-the-winter-olympics-199631.html

About the Author:

Skiatwhistler.com offers real time bookings of premium properties in the world class ski resort of Whistler, British Columbia. Our business is to market property rentals in Whistler to high end vacationers in order to maximize property owners’ return on investment (ROI).

Vancouver is an incredibly vibrant, multicultural city experiencing tremendous growth in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Considered one of the world’s most livable and beautifully-situated cities, Vancouver offers a wealth of interesting experiences for the curious visitor. Here we present a few old favorites for travelers to enjoy, as well as one or two places off the beaten path for the curious adventurer.

1) Canada Place

The first stop for anyone coming to Vancouver should be to walk along the spectacular promenade of Canada Place at Waterfront Station. Constructed as the Canadian pavilion for the World Expo 1986 and now housing the city’s Convention Center, a stroll around Canada Place allows the visitor to take in the beautiful harbor of Burrard Inlet, with its vista of snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, and the modern glass towers of Coal Harbour nearby.

Canada Place also showcases the dynamism of Vancouver’s economic might and place in the global market. The inlet seethes with container ships bound outward to China and parts beyond. In the summertime cruise ships from the world’s major lines dock along the pier en route to Alaska. Floatplanes taking off for the wild natural coves of the Inside Passage and helicopters departing for Vancouver Island augment the energetic scene.

It was here that the Canadian Pacific Railway completed the transcontinental railway in 1889, bestowing on Vancouver the nickname of ‘Terminal City’. Since then Vancouver has changed from being the ‘end of the line’ and is now considered the ‘Gateway to Asia’ and the Far North. It’s a perfect introduction to the city of Vancouver and shouldn’t be missed by the curious traveller.

2) Spanish Banks

For another perspective on the city ride out the beaches at Spanish Banks, on the north shore of Point Grey. In summer with the tide out, the golden sands of the lovely beaches seem to stretch out to infinity. The water remains shallow and warm with the tide in during the hot months, but at any time of year the view remains breathtaking, with the tall modern condominium towers of Vancouver sparkling in the distance like shards of light within the green jade bowl of the mountains beyond.

Treat yourself to a visit at the Jericho Sailing Association and share an enormous platter of nachos served up on the delightful terrace. From your commanding perch you can watch boating hobbyists and windsurfers at play on the water or see stately craft from the nearby Royal Vancouver Yacht Club pull up their sails. Further inland, Ultimate Frisbee players sprawl out on the green fields and tennis courts attract some of the city’s best players.

The area of the park was once a seaplane base and military camp during the Second World War and now contains a youth hostel, with a local community centre and theatre. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic or just to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and well worth the visit.

3) Sushi in the West End

Vancouver is world-famous for its venerable Chinatown and the hundreds of restaurants contained therein. The city has been a home for Asian immigrants since the construction of the railway in the 19th century. Those who braved the voyage to the ‘Gold Mountain’ brought with them culinary traditions that have enlivened the palates of generations of Vancouverites. In addition to Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean neighborhoods Vancouver once had a thriving Japantown along East Hastings, now sadly in decline.

These days, thousands of English language students from Japan and Korea have turned the area along west Robson Street and Denman into a miniature Tokyo or Seoul. One of the best ways to sample some of the city’s delights is to visit a few of the many restaurants offering affordable and delicious all-you-can-eat buffets of sushi and sashimi.

Shabusen restaurant at the corner of Burrard and Robson is a great place to start, with its wide selection and wonderful Korean barbecue specials on the weekends, when you can cook spicy marinated chicken, beef and pork at your own personal brazier. Another great stop is Tanpopo restaurant near the corner of Denman and Davie streets, with its wealth of fresh wild salmon, tasty gyoza dumplings, salty spinach ohitashi salad and a marvelous outdoor patio where you can watch to world go by at nearby English Bay.

Be prepared to leave both restaurants perfectly satisfied as you continue your exploration of the multicultural feast that is Vancouver.

4) Nightlife in Gastown

For a night on the town Vancouver has a lot to offer the adventurous. The Granville Street strip is where revelers head to dance and drink the night away under the flashing neon signs of the heritage Orpheum and Vogue theaters at such bustling nightclubs as Republic, Tonic, and Ginger 68, to name but a few.

Gastown along Water Street is where the first European settlement was created back in the old lumber camp days and the locale saw one of Vancouver’s first saloons opened up by legendary ‘Gassy’ Jack Deighton in the late 1800′s. On the cobbled streets one may find some excellent watering holes that continue the tradition set by Vancouver’s pioneers.

Close to the original site of ‘Gassy’ Jack’s own Deighton Hotel is the charming Irish Heather Bistro, home of the best pints of Guinness in the city. In the rear, built into the snug walls of the old city jail, is a cozy glassed-in patio that hosts live Irish and Scottish music most nights. The ‘Heather’ boasts a progressive menu which combines old pub standards together with modern flair.

For a more raucous scene try the Blarney Stone pub across the street. A genuine Irish dance hall crammed with University Students on the weekends, the Blarney Stone is known throughout town as a wild and rowdy place to make new friends and have a good time. There’s free foosball tables on the upper level and be prepared to hoot and holler along with the fiddles and drums all night long.

These are just a few of Vancouver’s many active hotspots. Recommendations for music venues, concerts and movies can be found in the entertainment section of the free weekly cultural paper ‘The Georgia Straight’, found everywhere downtown. Pick one up and you won’t fail to find something for every taste.

5) Sports in the City

Vancouver boasts several professional sports franchises and a history of excellence. In 1915 the Vancouver Millionaires hoisted up the renowned Stanley Cup on the ice at the old Denman Arena, the first indoor artificial-ice hockey rink in North America.

Since then the city’s teams include the locally-beloved Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and defunct Vancouver Grizzlies of the NBA. The 2006 Grey Cup Champion British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League play at BC Place Stadium, site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Throughout the year there is always a game on somewhere for fans of every sport and every budget.

Some of the best fun can be had with Vancouver’s minor league teams. The Oakland Athletics affiliate Vancouver Canadians of the Single ‘A’ NorthWest Baseball league play in a jewel of a ballpark at Nat Bailey Stadium near Queen Elizabeth Park. It’s a fun afternoon of baseball in a lovely pastoral setting for young and old alike that will often end with music and fireworks.

If Canucks tickets are too expensive or difficult to find a great alternative in the winter are the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. This young team plays at the historic Pacific Coliseum on the grounds of the P.N.E. fairgound and are coming off a WHL championship 2006 season and in 2007 they both hosted, as well as won the Memorial Cup Tournament.

Vancouver is also seeing a resurgence of interest in soccer, notably with the resurrected Vancouver Whitecaps. The team was champion of the North America Soccer League in 1979 during the height of ‘soccernania’ in Canada and the United States, winning the Soccer Bowl in New York City that year. They currently play at Swangard Stadium close to a Skytrain station in Burnaby and there is talk of a new downtown stadium in Vancouver.

Stanley Park is named after the Governor-General of Canada who donated the Stanley Cup to hockey and the city waits for its next championship and the eyes of the world in 2010 for the Olympics. With so much to do and see, a visit to Vancouver is more interesting than ever. It’s a chance to share the excitement and enjoy the hospitality of this ‘City of Tomorrow’.

Information provided by The Victorian Hotel

In Downtown Vancouver, a clock is ticking. At this moment, there are still two years to go until the clock reaches zero, but nonetheless alarms are going off all over Vancouver, nearby ski resort Whistler Blackcomb, the entire Canadian province of British Columbia, and in the homes of winter sports fans across the world.

Yes, that’s right, in 2010, the biggest event in winter sports comes to Vancouver, Canada, and already there is a real buzz about the place. Ever since receiving the honour to play host to the Winter Olympic Games on July 2nd 2003, the city of Vancouver and the nearby ski resort of Whistler Blackcomb have had their preparations solidly underway so that the 2010 Winter Olympics will prove to be the best in the history of the games.

The developments that have already been completed, or are well underway, include the completely new venues of the Olympic Village, built on the last remaining waterfront area in Downtown Vancouver, which will provide accommodation for the 2,500 athletes, coaches and officials (not to mention housing for 16,000 people after the event), the 6000-seat Hillcrest Curling Facility, another 7,000-seat winter sports centre and two new practice rinks at Trout and Killarney Lakes.

Meanwhile, existing venues also include three large stadiums; the BC Place, a 55,000-seat stadium that will host the opening, closing and medal ceremonies; the GM Place, Vancouver’s primary Ice-Hockey venue; and the Pacific Coliseum and Agrodome, which will be home to speed-skating and figure-skating.

As well as the obvious winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, which are available at various sites around Vancouver and at the fantastic resort of Whistler; the city and its surrounding environment of ocean and mountains (this part of the country is often nicknamed the “Sea to Sky” area) offers a wide range of other sports and activities, most of which are perfect tourist leisure pursuits. Activities such as hiking or biking over the mountains and through the lush forest, kayaking or canoeing around the Sunshine Coast, or playing a few holes at one of Vancouver’s many superb (and largely undiscovered) golf courses can all be undertaken.

Or, for those who are looking to experience Vancouver’s natural beauty and culture without working up too much of a sweat, there are also various bus and air tours, as well as brilliant boat tours that offer the must-do whale-watching.

Also on offer is a wide range of cultural treats, such as festivals, museums, theatres and musical performances; as well as many great shopping areas, including specialist markets, a whole range of top restaurants, and lots of top hotels, with luxury hotel suites in Vancouver as well as more modest counterparts readily available to visitors.

And so, whatever your interests; be it wildlife and nature, history and museums, or death-defying extreme sports, Vancouver is an ideal place for a vacation!

About the Author

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen gardener. He lives in Scotland with his two dogs.

If you stand in downtown Vancouver and turn in a 360-degree circle, you’ll no doubt find yourself in awe. Majestic mountain ranges and crystal-blue seas are only enhanced by the elaborate cityscape of this modern town. To see Vancouver today, you’d never know it had such a rocky start.

The city was devastated by the Great Fire within two months of incorporation in 1886. The wind-swept blaze lasted less than an hour but left the city with just a half-dozen buildings. The people and businesses didn’t let the fire destroy their plans for growth, however. They began rebuilding immediately leading to present day Vancouver.

With the distinction of being voted the “Best City in the Americas” for 2004 through 2006 by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Vancouver and the surrounding area provides a wide variety of unique and exciting indoor and outdoor activities for adults, kids, couples and individuals from all walks of life.

Vancouver is surrounded on three sides by water. Add to that the Coast Mountain Range to the north and east and you have stunning panoramic scenery that makes the perfect backdrop for the city. With mountains and the shore at arm’s reach what else could Vancouver offer? How about a rainforest? You’ll find it just minutes from the city. You’ll also find over 180 parks, world-class museums and galleries as well as magnificent gardens. These attractions plus the mildest climate in Canada make Vancouver an ideal vacation spot.

Vancouver is called home by numerous cruise lines that provide voyages to Alaska from May through September. Chances are you’ll find an itinerary that departs from this city so it only makes sense to book a pre- or post-cruise getaway while you’re here.

Major Tourist Attractions

The Vancouver Lookout at Harbor Centre is an excellent first stop. The observation deck is located a whopping 50 stories above street level! An quick elevator trip to the top takes a mere 50 seconds and rewards you with an unobstructed, 360-degree view of Vancouver and the surrounding countryside. It’s easy to see the reason Vancouver was selected as the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics from this vantage point.

Stanley Park, one of the greatest parks of the world, is Vancouver’s first park. Located on a 1000-acre parcel of land set aside by Vancouver’s first City Council, Stanley Park boasts a 5.5-mile seawall that completely surrounds the park. There are at least four restaurants offering fine dining in this forest-type environment that delivers park, sea and mountain views. You’ll also discover playground equipment, a swimming pool, water park, miniature railway and farmyard with live animals.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is located just minutes from downtown. The bridge was first built in 1889. You find yourself 230 feet above the Capilano River when you are in the middle of the 450-foot bridge. Why bother to cross a bridge? Because on the other side you’ll have the unique opportunity to trek through rainforest trails. You can participate in an exceptional Treetops Adventure described by the Capilano Bridge website as “a squirrel’s eye view of a thriving coastal forest”.

Walk from tree to tree on a series of elevated suspension bridges that rise 100 feet above the forest floor and view the rainforest environment without causing damage to its structure. Be sure to visit the Totem Park and other attractions located here.

No vacation is complete without a shopping trip. The Metropolis at Metrotown can satisfy the needs of even the most serious of bargain hunters. With 470 stores, this is British Columbia’s largest shopping center. Exceptional theaters, two indoor courtyards and a food court with two-dozen shops provide a variety of delights to satisfy your appetite.

Make plans to spend time in Vancouver before or after your next Alaskan cruise. Oftentimes, affordable package deals are available that provide great savings for savvy travelers who want added adventure. Check with your travel agent or cruise line for details and rates.

About the author:
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com offering the best deals including Alaska cruises. © 2008, All Rights Reserved

 Americans and Canadians speak the same language – right?Well, not quite and if you want to make the most of your vacation in the beautiful and rugged north, you probably want to brush up on a few local terms to feel right at home.

Of course, you will see labels and signs all over in Canada in both French and English. But, through my extensive travels I’ve learned that some Canadian words just don’t translate into American English, and vice versa.

So, here is a handy glossary of 12 Terms You Need To Know When You Visit Canada:

1. Loonies and Toonies - These cutesy words are far weightier than they sound. They mean money. Loonies are gold colored $1 coins. Where does this term come from? Well the Loon is the national bird appearing on the front of the $1 coin. The lonesome call of the Loon is a familiar sound in the Canadian wilderness.

2. Toonies -Yes, you guessed it. Toonies are the Loonies $2 cousin.

3. Tuque – The quintessential winter accessory in Canada. We hear that these winter hats are called “ski hats” or “beanies” elsewhere. But Canadians will keep their tuques, thank you very much.

4. Tim Hortons – Canada’s favorite coffee and donut shop. Located throughout the country and often referred to as “Timmies”, it’s a staple in the Canadian diet.

5. Double-double – Often heard at Tim Horton’s, this is the way the “pros” order a coffee with two creams and two sugars

6. Pop The common word for a soft drink, deriving from “soda pop”. Up here, soda is the fizzy water that’s good for getting pop stains out of clothes.

7. Washroom – A synonym for bathroom, restroom or toilet. Don’t waste precious time looking for the bathroom when all signs point to the washroom.

8. Poutine – With all the multi-cultural foods peppering Canada, be sure to try this homegrown favorite on your vacation. This dish of French fries, cheese curds and gravy originated in Quebec has won fans across the country. Trust me, it tastes better than it sounds!

9. Canuck -This is a term of endearment for “Canadian” as in the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, who can be seen on Hockey Night in Canada. Hockey Night in Canada is a must see TV event for hockey lovers…meaning most of Canada. Ask any Canadian on your vacation to hum the theme song – it’s a catchy one!

10. Runners – These are casual sports shoes, otherwise called sneakers or tennis shoes. “Runners” can join “sneakers” on my unofficial list of oddly named items.

11. Click/Kilometer – Kilometer is such a cumbersome word for measuring distance. The slang “click” is a much faster way to share how many kilometers you’ve traveled on your Canadian vacation.

12. Bill – Although you may run into a few friendly Canucks named Bill, chances are you’ll meet bill more often. In Canada, a bill is what you pay at a restaurant.

So, next time you’re in Canada, counting your loonies and toonies while enjoying your double-double after walking 10 clicks in runners and thinking about asking for the bill …you’ll feel right at home.

About the Author:
Canadian Travel Expert, Ashley Wilson takes the hassle out of searching all over the web trying to figure out where the best deals are and how to build a Canadian vacation that’s perfect for you and your family. To discover how Ashley can custom build your dream vacation using an exclusive combination of the latest technology and personalized human contact go to: http://www.freshtracks.ca