General Description
Vancouver
On the west coast of Canada, nestled between magnificent mountains and the Pacific Ocean, lies Vancouver, a spectacular and vibrant multicultural city. Together with Whistler, Vancouver is proud to be hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is preparing to welcome the world.
Vancouver and its surrounding areas have a multitude of activities and adventures to offer visitors. Downtown Vancouver is a bustling metropolis with arts and entertainment, great shopping and excellent, multi-cultural restaurants. There is something for everyone; professional sports, museums, ballet, theatre, symphony, concerts and the opera.
Vancouverites themselves and visitors alike enjoy the endless opportunities for outdoor activities such as kayaking, sailing, golfing, hiking, leisurely walks, bicycling and jogging.
Vancouver Island & Victoria
Victoria on Vancouver Island is the capital of British Columbia, only a 90-minute ferry ride from Vancouver and the mainland. The city of Victoria has many delights to offer its visitors. First of all, Victoria enjoys the mildest climate in Canada thus making it a city of gardens. Victoria also offers interesting history and natural beauty as it boasts an old-world charm with preserved heritage buildings, old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages and delightful teahouses. There are a number of museums dedicated to various subjects: art, military, maritime, agricultural and pioneer history, as well as First Nations cultures.
Victoria is well known as the port where many whale watching tours depart from. There is a wide range of operators who have both open Zodiac boats as well as covered more comfortable cruisers. The boats are in touch by radiophone and killer whales and porpoises are spotted on a near daily basis.
Whistler
This charming alpine village is home to the world famous Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains and it is situated only 135 kilometres from Vancouver. It has the largest ski area in North America with more than 200 trails and unlimited backcountry. Whistler has the longest ski season in Canada from November to August. Every year, more than 2 million people visit Whistler, as it is a very safe, tourist friendly destination.
This world renowned ski resort boasts a great number of excellent restaurants, shops, cafes and nightclubs in their pedestrian-only Village to entertain guests seven days a week. The more than 200 shops include contemporary art galleries, arts and crafts stores, souvenir and gift shops, sporting equipment and rental stores as well as jewellery and clothing stores. Whistler is a four-season destination that offers excellent golf courses as well as numerous other outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, canoeing, mountain climbing, zip trekking, ATV and snowmobile tours.