Vancouver for a holiday advice
Mar 20th 2012, 4:39 pm
#16
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
yep the snowboarding was great apart from my popped knee and pulled tendon in my foot.
I guess i was being too literal in the word Vancouver. I do agree, especially in the summer, there are lots of things to do but many of them are not in Vancouver - like the Okanagan wineries, the Island, Whistler, etc.
For my personal tastes, most of what's available that i'd enjoy in vancouver proper can be done in a few days - like whale watching, fish & chips in Steveston, Grouse mountain, Celebration of Light, Stanley park incl. Aquarium, etc.
I would recommend a few days in Vancouver proper, a few days on the Island, and a few days in the Okanagan to give the best spread of options.
I guess i was being too literal in the word Vancouver. I do agree, especially in the summer, there are lots of things to do but many of them are not in Vancouver - like the Okanagan wineries, the Island, Whistler, etc.
For my personal tastes, most of what's available that i'd enjoy in vancouver proper can be done in a few days - like whale watching, fish & chips in Steveston, Grouse mountain, Celebration of Light, Stanley park incl. Aquarium, etc.
I would recommend a few days in Vancouver proper, a few days on the Island, and a few days in the Okanagan to give the best spread of options.
Mar 21st 2012, 5:35 pm
#17
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
You could add whale watching, a trip over the border to the US shopping, coffee and watching the world go by in Chapters (bookshop) or Gastown. I think Chinatown is worth a visit. Hire a bike ad go around Stanley Park. There are lots of very informative guide books and maps for Vancouver and the region as a whole.
Enjoy your stay.
Enjoy your stay.
Fly 10 hours to sit in a chain store and watch badly dressed Canadians walk around. What a rich tapestry life can be.
Last edited by Oink; Mar 21st 2012 at 5:38 pm.
Mar 21st 2012, 8:42 pm
#18
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Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Posts: 262
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
In vancouver itself the best way to get around is by using the tour busses, they come by every half hour or so and you can jump on/off as much as you like.
Stanly park is great if you like wildlife, seals, sea otters, beaver, eagles. Or If you want more than the local wildlife a trip to the aquarium is good.
Stanly park is great if you like wildlife, seals, sea otters, beaver, eagles. Or If you want more than the local wildlife a trip to the aquarium is good.
Mar 21st 2012, 8:47 pm
#19
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
In vancouver itself the best way to get around is by using the tour busses, they come by every half hour or so and you can jump on/off as much as you like.
Stanly park is great if you like wildlife, seals, sea otters, beaver, eagles. Or If you want more than the local wildlife a trip to the aquarium is good.
Stanly park is great if you like wildlife, seals, sea otters, beaver, eagles. Or If you want more than the local wildlife a trip to the aquarium is good.
Mar 22nd 2012, 12:56 am
#20
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 123
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
It is great for a week, a lovely resort town. Jericho beach park has a nice family of Beavers (unless my nazi ex-landlord has poisoned them, 'Beavers are vermin') best to see at dusk.
After a few days just sit and 'thrill' at the 'best place on earth'.
Sorry for the sarcasm, I just got my Canadian reprieve. (wife got spouse visa so back to the UK in a few months. hooray etc.)
After a few days just sit and 'thrill' at the 'best place on earth'.
Sorry for the sarcasm, I just got my Canadian reprieve. (wife got spouse visa so back to the UK in a few months. hooray etc.)
Mar 22nd 2012, 10:22 am
#21
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Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Posts: 262
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
We also saw a beaver that had fell over the sea wall and was paddling around in the sea.
I know for a fact that was the rare lesser spotted sea beaver!!!!
Last edited by Stu_g2004; Mar 22nd 2012 at 10:48 am. Reason: More added
Mar 22nd 2012, 3:50 pm
#22
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 57
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
Thanks guys, some interesting suggestions 
I was speaking to a guy yesterday who suggested that it is an experience to take a small plane to go over to the island instead of the ferry.
A friend of mine moved to Canada and him and his mrs own http://www.chaletluisewhistlerinn.com
So could be an idea to take a visit there.
I was speaking to a guy yesterday who suggested that it is an experience to take a small plane to go over to the island instead of the ferry.
A friend of mine moved to Canada and him and his mrs own http://www.chaletluisewhistlerinn.com
So could be an idea to take a visit there.
Last edited by sta123; Mar 22nd 2012 at 3:54 pm.
Mar 22nd 2012, 4:23 pm
#23
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
Thanks guys, some interesting suggestions
I was speaking to a guy yesterday who suggested that it is an experience to take a small plane to go over to the island instead of the ferry.
A friend of mine moved to Canada and him and his mrs own http://www.chaletluisewhistlerinn.com
So could be an idea to take a visit there.
I was speaking to a guy yesterday who suggested that it is an experience to take a small plane to go over to the island instead of the ferry.
A friend of mine moved to Canada and him and his mrs own http://www.chaletluisewhistlerinn.com
So could be an idea to take a visit there.
Mar 22nd 2012, 4:27 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 123
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
The summer flights to Victoria via float plane are pretty spectacular. I used to do it weekly with my job. Go for it if you can.
Mar 22nd 2012, 4:31 pm
#25
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
In vancouver itself the best way to get around is by using the tour busses, they come by every half hour or so and you can jump on/off as much as you like.
Stanly park is great if you like wildlife, seals, sea otters, beaver, eagles. Or If you want more than the local wildlife a trip to the aquarium is good.
Stanly park is great if you like wildlife, seals, sea otters, beaver, eagles. Or If you want more than the local wildlife a trip to the aquarium is good.
I do see a lot of seals and river otters in False Creek though but mainly from the living room.
I'd personally avoid the tour buses. It's a small city and you can walk much of it, or hire a bike and cycle if the weather's nice. Use the Seabus / Aquabus to get across to the North Shore or South False Creek.
In reality, the best and probably most convenient way to get things done would be to hire a car and drive.
Mar 22nd 2012, 4:55 pm
#26
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Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Posts: 262
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
[QUOTE=el_richo;9967115]You were very lucky. I've never seen anything other than racoons and eagles in Stanley Park.
It was early in the morning, before the park got too busy, also saw black squirrel which I'd never seen before!!!
It was early in the morning, before the park got too busy, also saw black squirrel which I'd never seen before!!!
Mar 22nd 2012, 5:08 pm
#27
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
[QUOTE=Stu_g2004;9967162]
The are not black squirrels, they are grey squirrels that just happen to be black. If you see what I mean.
Mar 22nd 2012, 5:25 pm
#29
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
I see more bears than sealife these days.
Mar 22nd 2012, 5:54 pm
#30
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Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Posts: 262
Re: Vancouver for a holiday advice
I'll tell you exactly where we were, 3rd beach just down from the little cafe, by the rocks on the right looking out to sea.