Vancouver Olympic Flame is Extinguished

So here I sit, in downtown Vancouver on a dreary Monday morning following the closing of the biggest event in Vancouver history. Today reality sets in and we all try to adjust back to a post-Olympic existence, and start dealing with the hang-over the 17 day party has left.

It seems some people expected all the roads to be back to normal already so they all decided to drive to work today. It took almost 30 minutes for the bus I was on to get through Chinatown and East-Van. It would sure be terrific if traffic remained reduced from pre-Olympic levels and at least some people discovered public transit was, for them, a cheaper and viable option. It was certainly enjoyable walking around downtown and not gagging on exhaust fumes!

Otherwise, today I mainly see a lot of folks walking along pulling luggage behind them. The line-ups which have been a fixture for 17 days are gone from the Bay, and the now-closed Royal Canadian Mint House. One person I know walked right in and bought a jacket at the Bay on the way to work today. Myself, I just walked over to the cauldron and discovered I could stroll right up to the much talked about, and much maligned, chain link fencing.

It’s strange and somewhat surreal looking out our office’s 17th floor window and seeing the cauldron extinguished and the throngs of people gone. Thankfully it will be reignited on March 12th when the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics begin. Speaking of the Paralympics, tickets are plentiful and affordable if you don’t want that Patriotic Olympic Buzz to end yet.

So far I’ve purchased Paralympic tickets to the Canada – Norway Sledge Hockey game – (a rematch of the 2006 Turin Gold Medal game), Mens & Ladies Downhill in Whistler, and the Gold Medal Curling Match – all for a total of less than $150 for 2 tickets! Check it out at the Vancouver2010 site.

A local story from yesterday which made me smile was when the morning radio reported that a hundred or so protesters yesterday marched over the Cambie Bridge chanting “homes not games”, but met their match when they came upon thousand of rabid hockey fans who started chanting “get a job” & “get out of town”. Police had to protect the protesters this time

It will take at least a few days to adjust back to a post-Olympic reality, but I’ve been through this before having grown up in Calgary and lived there through the build-up, events, and post-games blahs following the 1988 Winter Olympics. I think the ‘88 games changed the psyche and attitude of Calgary, helping shed some of that “cowboy” image, and I’m positive Vancouver will never be the same following these games – and I mean that in a very positive sense.

Hopefully gone forever is the “No Fun” and NIMBY attitude so many in this city hold. Hopefully here to stay is the optimistic, patriotic feelings we’ve all been swept up in over the last 17 days. I truly feel bad for all those who decided the games would be nothing short of a disaster, or would impose on their boring daily routines, and so fled to spend the Olympics on a beach someplace while the rest of us rediscovered what it really means to be Canadian and had the Party of Our Lives!.

Cheers from the greatest city in Canada, and I wish our friends in Sochi, Russia all the best as they prepare for an event which I hope will excite and redefine their country in the same way these games did ours.

The facilities for the Vancouver Olympics will be broken down into two categories competition and non-competition venues.

Competition Venues

The Competition Olympic venues for the Vancouver Olympics will be located in four adjacent cities Whistler, West Vancouver, Vancouver and Richmond.

Vancouver is the hub of the Olympic activity, but events for the games will be spread throughout these four different locales:

Vancouver and Richmond

Vancouver is home to four main sporting venues for the 2010 Olympic Games. These sporting venues include Canada Hockey Place, Vancouver Olympic Center, Pacific Coliseum, UBC Thunderbird Arena.

These events will host events such as hockey, curling, and figure skating. Speed skating will be held at the Richmond Olympic Oval which is located in downtown Vancouver in Richmond city.

Whistler

Whistler is second only to Vancouver in its importance and number of planned events at the 2010 Olympic Games.

You will find multiple competition venues located in Whistler including The Whistler Sliding Center, Whistler Creekside, and Whistler Olympic Park/ Whistler Paralympic Park. A number of exciting events will be held at these Olympic venues including bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, and alpine skiing.

In fact, Whistler Olympic/Paralympic park alone will host a number of events including Olympic biathlon, Paralympic biathlon, Olympic cross country skiing, Paralympic cross country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping.

West Vancouver

One of the most breathtakingly beautiful Olympic venues you will visit is Cypress Mountain located in Cypress Provincial Park in the district of West Vancouver. You will find that the views of the city of Vancouver and its harbor are not to be missed, but Cypress Mountain will also host some events that shouldn’t be missed. You can see the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events at this popular British Columbia ski area, during the Vancouver games.

Non-Competition Olympic Venues

There are two main locations where you will find the non-competition venues for the Vancouver Olympic Games. The non-competition venue cities include Vancouver and Whistler. The Canadian Olympic committee has set up these non-competition venues to make certain the games go of without a hitch.

Vancouver

In the city of Vancouver you will find a number of non-competition venues for the 2010 Olympic Games. These venues include BC Place, the Main Media Centre, and the Olympic/Paralympic Village. BC place is the venue in which you will attend to see the opening and closing ceremonies along with the nightly award ceremonies for the games. On the southeast side of False Creek in Vancouver you will find the Olympic and Paralympic village. You will find that the village for the 2010 Olympic games is centrally located for easy access to shopping, entertainment, ceremonies, and dining. Additionally, you may be surprised to learn that the village features sustainable housing that will be converted to a residential neighborhood after the completion of the Vancouver Olympics.

Whistler

Whistler is another important place for you to be familiar with for your trip to the Vancouver Olympics. Like Vancouver, Whistler will have a number of non-competition Olympic venues to compliment the events being held there. Whistler will have its own Olympic/Paralympic village. The newly constructed Olympic village is located in the scenic Cheakamus Valley.

The Whistler Conference Centre will house the MMC or Main Media Centre for the International press, and you can view the nightly awards ceremonies at the Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza.

There are many breathtaking, scenic landmarks to visit in Vancouver, BC, but Grouse Mountain is one of the most popular. Situated in North Vancouver and close to the equally famous Capilano Canyon suspension bridge, a day at Grouse Mountain will consist of a scenic cable car ride to the top of the mountain that takes about 8 minutes and offers stunning and spectacular views of Vancouver and the surrounding area as far as the eye can see.

Vancouver is a hub of activity all year round because of its temperate climate and Grouse Mountain is a standard place to visit through all the seasons. There is plenty to do on Grouse Mountain from Summer to Winter and all seasons in-between. In the winter one escape into the serene beauty of a natural winter playground only minutes away from golf courses and the ocean below. Just a short distance from the Peak Chalet, you’ll find yourself a world away in the popular Munday Alpine Snowshoe Park. There are a variety of different groomed trails to choose from which guarantees that you’ll discover something different each time you visit. One can also tour the professionally groomed beginner and intermediate snowshoe trails of the Blue Grouse Loop, or head for Dam Mountain – a pristine loop of three main trails that circle Dam Mountain and Thunder Bird Ridge. You can find the trails very easily with clearly marked signs from the top of Grouse Mountain. For the snowshoeing enthusiast, there are a variety of classes and courses offered in the winter months as well, including: Beginner Snowshoe Clinics, Ladies Only Snowshoe Clinics, Snowshoe Drop-In Nights, Race Prep Clinics and Snowshoe Fondue Tours.

The skiing and snowboard runs are spectacular and picturesque. As a leader and pioneer in the snow sports industry, Grouse Mountain offers world class Freestyle Terrain facilities and expertise with its Parks, events, and team. Grouse Mountain is home to two main Terrain Park Zones that attract skiers and riders of all ability levels and ages from across British Columbia and around the world. Whether you are new to freestyle terrain or you are a seasoned veteran, you will find features that match your ability and progression level. Grouse Mountain also offers a variety of educational classes taught by world class instructors from beginner to advanced.

Don’t have your gear? Feel free to step right into a pair of lightweight Atlas Snowshoes from the Grouse Mountain rental shop where one can also rent assorted ski and snowboard equipment. Are you unsure of the conditions? One can always contact Grouse Mountain guest services at 604.980.9311 for up to date weather and mountain conditions.

Other winter activities hosted on the mountain include things like the Skyride, ice slating, sleigh rides, the snow limousine, helicopter tours, a wildlife refuge, Theatre in the Sky and the annual Peak of Christmas – a favourite Vancouver holiday tradition with Santa Claus, reindeer, ice skating, sleigh rides, carolers and classic cartoons.

Summer activities include a wildlife refuge which is home to an assortment of animals like orphaned grizzly bears, grey wolves and a host of other species. This refuge is a world-renowned research, education, and conservation centre that is open for school field trips and to volunteers. The Adventures in Education program is a highlight for any children’s group or school. This program offers a wide variety of dynamic educational and interactive mountain adventures that include science, social studies and recreational components. These programs help teachers meet curriculum objectives while providing students with hands-on, motivating and fun experiences. Programs offered include wildlife education, First Nations’ cultural experiences, and recreational activities including ski and snowboard lessons, outdoor ice skating, nature hikes, guided snowshoe tours, and Peak of Christmas festivities.

The trip to the top of the mountain is around $32 CAD (including tax) for an adult and includes everything you find at the top of the mountain. You can also go parascending for an extra fee. Additionally, there are excellent restaurants and gift shop to pick out some souvenirs of your trip.

For more information on Vancouver, Vancouver landmarks and tourist information, please visit GoingtoVancouver.com at http://www.goingtovancouver.com ]]> http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/2008/07/03/grouse-mountain-in-vancouver-bc-canada/feed/ 0 http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/2008/05/22/sailing-the-pacific-coast-of-canada/ http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/2008/05/22/sailing-the-pacific-coast-of-canada/#comments Thu, 22 May 2008 22:41:00 +0000 admin http://www.vancouvercoast.com/blog/?p=51 North of the U.S./Canadian boarder; the Pacific coast of British Columbia has one of the most interesting and dramatic cruising grounds in the world. Here you will find snow capped mountains, waterfalls cascading down rugged cliffs, plenty of islands and quiet, still fjords. The 282 mile (456 km) long Vancouver Island give shelter to most of the mainland from the Pacific Ocean and creates an inland sea.

There are a lot of places where you can go sailing in Canada, but the place to start is British Columbia. There are more than 70 marine parks scattered all around this area, and they are well preserved in compliance with the environmental laws of this country. This Canadian province is bordered by the Pacific Coast. The best time to go sailing will be in the summer, when the weather is dry and warm. There are also several bays and inlets such as Black Lake, which could be a good place for kayaking.

The Gulf Islands North of the Strait of Georgia is also an interesting venue to visit during your holiday vacation. There are simply countless places to explore, including the Wallace and Prevost Islands. You may also want to enjoy the flora and fauna of the various marine parks, such as Pirates’ Cove and the Sidney Spit. These locations aren’t only fabulous for couples, but for families as well. You can set up camp or go fishing in addition to enjoying some amazing sailing in Canada. Then you can all go down to the main village in Saltspring Island, Ganges. Moreover, if you want to most wonderful view of Gulf Island, don’t forget to continue to Mount Norman, found in the island of South Pendar.

Vancouver Island, on the other hand, is mainly made up of fjords and inlets, where you can bring your yacht charter. One of the most renowned is referred to as Alberni Inlet. If sailing suddenly wears you out, you can move to the mountains of Malahat. It is more than 1,000 feet above sea level. If you want some great challenge you better prepare your mountain gear.

Finally, go on a sailing vacation in Canada and enjoy one of the most beautiful marine parks there is found in Desolation Sound. It’s very huge, covering more than 20,000 acres of shoreline and land. You can also set on a trail and explore the hills and waters of the Gifford Peninsula.

About the Author

D. Browall is with http://www.sboats.com , an independent directory on yacht charter and sailing vacations. Visit his website if you want to find companies offering yacht charters in Canada

Cypress Mountain- West of Vancouver BC. where snowboarding, freestyle skiing, moguls and ski cross will take place.

Whistler Sliding Area – Blackcomb Mountain is the site for the bobsleigh, Luge, and Skelton

Whistler Creekside – Whistler Mountain will host the Alpine Skiing, Downhill, and the Super G.

Whistler Olympic Park – Callaghan Valley will hold the Biathlon, Cross country Skiing, Nordic Combined, and Ski Jumping.

UBC Winter Sports Centre – University of B.C. is the home of the Ice Hockey games and Ice Sledge Hockey.

Pacific Coliseum – Hastings Park will have the Figure Skating events and Short Track SpeedSkating.

Hillcrest/ Nat Bailey Stadium Park will host the Curling events.

General Motors Place – Downtown Vancouver will also hold some of the Hockey games.

BC Place Stadium will hold the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the medal round of Hockey, as well as nightly victory ceremonies.

Whistler Celebration Plaza will also hold some of the Victory celebration ceremonies.

Ticket sales:

Tickets will go on sale around October 11, 2008. You can go to www.cosport.com to fill out an inquiry form. They will be sold in 4 different stages. Ticket prices will range from $25.00 – $1100.00. Opening Ceremonies $175-$1100 Closing Ceremonies $175-$775 Ice Hockey Finals $350, $450, $775 Figure Skating Gala Exhibition $175-$525 The Cheapest tickets will be for the cross country skiing $25-$75 and the Women’s Ice Hockey will have some for $25. Some the more sought after events will be sold as a lottery. There will also by an on-line ticket buy-sell exchange program.

General information:

It would be best to start planning your trip to the Winter Olympics as soon as possible as lodging could be limited. If you plan on flying, the airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Whistler is about a 2 hour drive from the airport. Another lodging alternative would be to stay in Seattle WA. The airport in Seattle is called Sea-Tac Airport. It is about a 3 hour drive and you would have the border crossing to go through. Remember that passports will be required at the crossing by that time.

About the Author:

I like to write articles with useful information. You can visit my website for more information on this and other tops. www.mypandabear.com

“The weather is super, eh?” The East Indian cabbie sounded surprisingly Canadian as he made small talk en route from the airport. We were motoring through Vancouver in a Prius, the car of choice for cab drivers in this super progressive seaport city.

Quietly, almost stealthily, we passed through the busy streets of a densely populated downtown, pulling up to the Pan Pacific Hotel and the adjacent cruise ship terminal. I barely recognized this spot as Canada Place from my two trips to Expo ‘86. That event, as much as anything, had put Vancouver on the map.

A blast of the horn and the gleaming Holland America cruise ship was calling her passengers to board. She’d been docked here patiently as her charges toured the town. I watched them juggle their purses and packages from my hotel suite window, which wrapped halfway around the room and offered views of the city on one side and the harbor on the other. High above the plaza, I was, as my friends called it, “living large.”

It was easy to get caught up in the energy of a city like this.

More than 900,000 passengers come through Vancouver each year; many on their way north to Alaska. They find the climate here appealing and the food and shopping exceptional.I was eager to experience both. Setting out on foot, I headed toward the city’s oldest district, Gastown. With its handsome brick buildings and cobbled streets, Gastown was enjoying a renaissance, of sorts, although still a bit rough around the edges. More than once I passed people who looked like they were right out of Da Vinci’s “Inquest.” But Gastown was hip, too, and funky. My favorite sidewalk attraction was the steam-powered clock that whistled and whirred on the quarter hour.

I built up an appetite walking through Gastown and that was a good thing. My tour group was meeting at Aqua Riva, one of Vancouver’s premier restaurants. Built on the waterfront next to our hotel, Aqua Riva had amazing harbor views and a menu to match. Course after course was exceptional, paired with equally fine British Columbia wines. We topped off the evening with a Canadian kiss — a glass of British Columbia’s celebrated ice wine.

Day two had me following a friend’s advice, with a bike ride through Stanley Park. The hour-long ride offered stunning views of the North Shore mountains and Lions Gate Bridge, as well as a roll through an urban forest and past fragrant rose gardens. The ride was pure pleasure with plenty of places to stop and picnic or rest.

As predictable as a sunset, I had worked up an appetite again and went looking for substance at Vancouver’s popular Granville Island Public Market. The place where chefs shop for fresh produce and seafood, I quickly realized the artisan qualities of their breads, cheeses and other foods. Once a sad and forgotten industrial site, Granville Island is the pulse of the city’s celebrated restaurant scene today. My only complaint was my luggage wouldn’t hold all the specialty foods I was tempted to bring home.

It would take more space than I’ve got here to do this city justice. A guide book would barely scratch the surface. But a list of must-see locations has to include Yaletown (a hipster hangout brimming with boutique shops and possibly the world’s best facial (my skin glowed for weeks after my treatment at a spa called Spaethos); English Bay, where the beaches and sunsets attract locals and tourists alike; and a drive along BC’s famed Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler. It’s considered one of the most photogenic highways in the country and Whistler, of course, is a host of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

That’s Vancouver in a nutshell — one of the most exciting cities in the Pacific Northwest. Pardon me, now, while I retreat to the television room. There’s a Canadian crime show I want to catch.

About the Author:

Ginny Prior has a weekly syndicated travel radio show on Sports Byline USA, as well as travel features in print publications across the country. If you have a travel destination you’d like to share, drop a note to The Happy Wanderer at www.ginnyprior.com.

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

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.

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