Niagara-on-the-Lake

Not to be confused with Niagara Falls, nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, is a charming storybook bed-and-breakfast village on the Canadian side which each summer hosts a world-famous theatrical festival in homage to the playwright George Bernard Shaw.

Stay at - The Oban Inn

Go shopping - up and down the streets of the village

Eat at - The Dining Room of The Oban Inn
Prince of Wales Hotel for afternoon tea
The Buttery
There are a number of local wineries with terrific restaurants - try Hillebrand Estates

Take side trips to - Niagara Falls, Toronto

Be sure to visit - The Shaw Festival
local wineries
Niagara Falls, if you're so inclined and have never been

Best time of year to go - When the Shaw Festival is on, April through October. I favor August.

Best things to buy - Shaw miscellany, books, British goods, tea, preserves, housewares, culinary, local souvenirs, wine

Best indulgence - Great seats for an evening performance of a favorite Shaw play, after an idyllic meal

Fly into - Toronto (YYZ) or Buffalo (BNIA)

Transportation - Rent a car. If you're coming from the US, remember you'll be crossing a border into Canada, and will need a current passport. There are taxicabs and horse-and-carriage operators in town. There is also a shuttle from Toronto airport to Niagara-on-the-Lake, if you'd prefer not to drive.

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.

Victoria, B.C.

A short distance away from either Seattle or Vancouver by flight or ferry on Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria is the most British of North American cities.


Stay at - The Empress

Go shopping - Downtown Victoria. Go by pedicab if you'd rather not walk.

Eat at - The Bengal Lounge at The Empress (have the lunch curry buffet), The Empress Room at The Empress
The Dining Room at Butchart Gardens

Take side trips to - Seattle
Vancouver
Whistler

Be sure to visit - Butchart Gardens

Best time of year to go - late August, as close to Labor Day as possible, when the weather in the Pacific Northwest is best

Best things to buy - British souvenirs, crystal, china, lace, Murchie's Tea, Rogers Chocolates

Best indulgence - Afternoon Tea at the Empress

Fly into - Vancouver (YVR) or Seattle (SEA) and take a ferry to Victoria

Transportation - Rent a car or take a Gray Line package which includes bus and ferry