Canada's British Columbia, Vancouver, offers pristine nature plus two sophisticated cities -- Vancouver and Victoria. Here're tips and information about destinations, scenic railroad rides on the Rocky Mountaineer, restaurants sights, hotels and museums.
Vancouver, on English Bay, is a zesty, outdoorsy, cosmopolitan Canadian city, with fabulous attractions, history, ocean and bay views, terrific restaurants and first-rate hotels. In British Columbia, the city sparkles on English Bay. Locals and visitors enjoy the outdoors in this charming city ringed by magnificent scenery of the Pacific Ocean, bays, rivers, and mountains.
Vancouverites brag they can snowboard or ski in 15 minutes from downtown. Locals often dress in outdoor gear, hiking boots and backpacks, leave work early to head across the Lions Gate Bridge over Burrard Inlet to Grouse Mountain. Tourists also enjoy the sky-ride to the mountaintop, wilderness trails, parks and recreation areas. Ferries and buses from downtown travel frequently across the inlet.
In town, take the tourist trolley -- hop off and on to see the sights, or enjoy the ride -- or public buses. This walkabe city fascinates with its antique-filled Gastown, the historic Chinese enclave and elegant Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, shopping on Robson Street, and new waterfront walkway. The walkway leads to the 1,000 acre Stanley Park, its huge totem poles, Vancouver Aquarium Marine and Science World. Don't miss the vibrant open-air Granville Market area shops, markets, restaurants and outdoor entertainment. Kayak rentals here, too. Kids love it here.
The Vancouver Art Gallery Museum and galleries feature Northwestern to modern art. Superb restaurants serve fresh Pacific cod, sea bass and salmon. Casual eaters can grab a bite at one of the cafes; try Kaplan's Deli, 41st Ave. and Oak St., or head to Chinatown.
Cruise ships dock daily at modern Canada Place, across from the Waterfront Hotel. Here, visitors sit on the seawall to watch floatplanes, ferries, yachts, sailboats and the ships. Vancouver boasts two sides to its 'personality' -- cosmopolitan and outdoorsy. Pacific Ocean beaches and coastal mountains, scenic Stanley Park and a mile-long seawall contrast with up-to-date Robson Street's restaurants, shops, and coffee shops. Close to mountains, ocean and rivers it has an energetic, hip feel visitors sense walking its hilly city streets.
Two of my favorite hotels? The Pacific Palisades Hotel and the elegant Wedgewood Hotel. The Wedgewood's Old World flavor (dark wood, crystal, oil paintings) with high speed Internet, freshly baked cookies at turndown are one reason this is such a unique hotel. It's a warm, sophisticated welcoming city hotel. Recently, the rooms were upgraded and a new spa was installed, said proprietor Eleni Skalbani. Bacchus, the Wedgwood's award winning restaurant, is a wondrous dining experience, with fireplace, piano player and elegance. Joanna Tsaparas, Director of Marketing, noted that the hotel's Hornby Street location puts it smack in the middle of all of the downtown action.
The Pacific Palisades Hotel is another favorite of mine, located on trendy Robson Street, in downtown Vancouver. The Pacific Palisades hotels South Beach inspired decor reflects a hip, refreshing environment. A spa, Zin Restaurant and Lounge and pet-friendly policy complete the offerings. 604-688-0461, www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com.
A short drive north of Vancouver brings visitors to the mountains and village of Whistler, British Columbia. The Summit Lodge & Spa in the heart of Whistler Village North. Nestled between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and surrounded by the Canadian wilderness, the Summit Lodge & Spa invites city slickers to kickback, relax and be at one with Mother Nature. Gentle wind chimes welcome guests as they approach this cozy, boutique hotel. Additional services include in-room spa treatments at an additional cost.
The Summit Lodge & Spa is an 81-suite, full-service hotel.
Highlights include complimentary ski shuttle, a sauna, heated outdoor pool and hot tub and meeting facilities. Reservations at 1-888-913-8811 or reservations@summitlodge.com. www.summitlodge.com.
Heading east, try a stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge, IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK in the rugged Canadian Rockies, in its 95th summer season in 2007. The luxurious resort is in the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park, about a two and a half hour drive from Calgary, Alberta.
Moraine Lake Lodge sits alone on the edge of Moraine Lake, called the Jewel of the Rockies for its spectacular beauty and iridescent turquoise water, said Nancy Stibbard, owner of the lodge as part of the British Columbia-based Capilano Group of Companies. If you're looking for an all-day adventure, we'll pack your lunch and point you to the ancient glaciers. Or if youd rather relax in comfort, choose a book from our library and enjoy an afternoon on your private patio surrounded by Banff National Parks Valley of the Ten Peaks. Moraine Lake Lodge offers outdoor eco-adventures activities from canoeing on Moraine Lake, to hiking, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing, mountaineering and bird watching, all in a secluded wilderness setting by towering mountains and crystalline lake. www.morainelake.com.
Finally, a note about the FABULOUS rail tours of the Canadian Rockies onboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Each of the Rocky Mountaineer train tours cruise through breathtaking scenery and boast topnotch onboard service, with an overnight stay in accommodations midway on the journey. I took the two-day trip from Vancouver to Banff Springs one year and guarantee an amazing time to any traveler. The mountaineer planners offer pre-and post vacations from eight to ten days, so check with their website for more information. I hope to take another trip this year, from Whistler to Jasper. www.rockymountaineer.com. 1-877-460-3200.
