Vancouver

Gateway to Alaska, Vancouver is unrivalled in its beauty nestled between mountains and sea in the Pacific Northwest, summer home to countless cruise ships plying the waters of the Inside Passage, a smart, urban populace with plenty of green spaces among the highrises dotting the waterfront.


Stay at - Fairmont Waterfront (modern, waterviews)
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (historic, have their own house dog)

Go shopping - on Robson Street

Eat at - Sequoia Grill at the Teahouse, Stanley Park
English Bay Cafe (go there for the sunsets, and ask for a window table)

Take side trips to - Victoria
Whistler

Be sure to visit - Stanley Park, and don't miss the Vancouver Aquarium
Canada Place
Gastown
Chinatown

Best time of year to go - around Labor Day

Best things to buy - china, crystal, arts and crafts, clothing, local food

Best indulgence - watching the sunset over English Bay, or hanging out at Canada Place with a glass of champagne in hand as ships disembark

Fly into - Vancouver (YVR)

Transportation - Taxicabs are great in Vancouver. And much of the city is very walkable, above and below ground. Public transporation includes bus, streetcar, SkyTrain and West Coast Express (commuter rail). There is a SeaBus which connects Vancouver to North Vancouver across Burrard Inlet.