Wet and Wonderful in Vancouver

Vancouver is a unique city - not only in Canada, but in the world. Regularly voted as one of the most livable cities in the world, Vancouver has everything a traveller could desire - the sea, the mountains and occasionally, even the sun. It has all the features of a cosmopolitan area while retaining its respect for the natural environment and adding a healthy dose of laid-back West Coast attitude.

The city combines a beautiful harbour and beaches with plentiful and accessible green spaces and easy access to snow-capped mountains all year round. And that's just for the nature and sports nuts! Once you're done exploring the beauty of Vancouver's natural wonders, there are many museums, art galleries, cultural activities, family attractions, and specialty shops to keep you occupied.

Vancouver is an excellent place to visit, not only for the city itself, but for its proximity to so many other interesting and exciting places and activities. Within a few hours of Vancouver you can experience world-class ski facilities at Whistler/Blackcomb (which will co-host the 2010 Winter Olympics with Vancouver), take in the English charm of BC's capital of Victoria, or venture into the unspoiled wilderness of Northern BC and Alberta. You can even visit the home of Starbucks - Seattle, Washington!

From couples on a romantic getaway to families with small children to seniors enjoying their retirement, Vancouver is a perfect place for visitors of all ages.

Quick Tips:

Bring your wet-weather gear! Vancouver's climate is temperate, meaning its never extremely hot or cold; however, there is plenty of rain to go around. Make sure to bring an umbrella and waterproof jacket, at the very least, and dress in layers to ensure you'll be comfortable whatever the activity.

Looking for tourist information for the city? Check out these useful websites to help you plan your time in Vancouver: Visit Vancouver - The Official Vancouver Tourism Site, City of Vancouver - Information for Visitors and Vancouver.com.

If you plan on visiting a number of attractions, invest in a SmartVisit Card (which offers free entry to over 40 attractions in Vancouver, attractions in Victoria and the surrounding regions for one all-inclusive price, as well as special offers and discounts on high value activities). They offer two-, three-, or five-day cards, starting at for adults and for children. Depending on the attractions you think you're going to visit (the card offers free admission to Vancouver Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver Lookout! Harbour Centre Tower, Storyeum, Vancouver Harbour Cruises, CN Imax Theatre, sightseeing tours, gardens, galleries etc.), you can easily figure out what your overall savings will be.

Best Way To Get Around:

Getting around Vancouver is fairly easy - getting in and out is even easier.

Travelling to and from Vancouver - depending on your origin and destination of course - can be accomplished by air, rail, ferry, car or bus. The nicest options are probably the train and ferry services, which afford you a view of the beautiful surroundings, as well as a more relaxed pace.

For travel within the city of Vancouver, you're best off walking (although distances between attractions can be extreme), taking the bus, hopping on a Trolley tour or taking a taxi. Translink offers reliable public transportation service including buses, streetcars and the SkyTrain (elevated rail) - and one ticket will usually cover all three. There are also a number of small ferry companies that can be used for travel to destinations accessible by False Creek.

If you're planning on taking in the sights around Greater Vancouver, renting a car can make things easier, as you'll be able to see things on your own schedule. All the major car rental companies can be found in at the airport or downtown.

The Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown is just that - downtown. Located on West Hastings Street its in the middle of the financial/business, just a few blocks from Canada Place (the location of the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre). The location makes it ideal for business travellers, and as such, the hotel caters to business clientele.

Rates are generally between $180 and $300 CDN per night, depending on the season; however, we found a great deal through Hotwire (which we *highly* recommend) and paid about $90 CDN. The hotel itself is in a very striking (and reflective) building, and the clean contemporary lines continue on in the decor of the lobby and public areas, which are very elegant and streamlined.

We received a corner room, which in many hotels would be larger than the average, but beacuse of the design of the building, the corner rooms are actually smaller than average. But, while the room was not large, it was very cosy and well-appointed. All the amenities a traveller could want (business or otherwise) were there – fantastic bed with comfy pillows, separate shower and bathtub, desk with comfortable chair and optional internet hook-up, a cordless phone, tea/cofee maker and even a small refrigerator.

The Showcase restaurant is located on the main level open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (although we did not get a chance to dine there) and 24-hour room service is also available. If you need to work off your late night snack, there is a 24-hour fitness centre with a pool and jacuzzi. Parking is also available on-site for $23 per day ($27 for Valet service).

One big plus of this hotel, for those of us who like to keep odd hours or are suffering from jet lag, is that many of the amenities are available 24 hours a day - need a grilled cheese at 2am? No problem. Midnight dip in the pool? No worries.

We found the service from the front desk staff, doormen and bellmen to be excellent - all of our needs were taken care of quickly and with a friendly smile.

I would definitely recommend the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown to business travellers and general travellers alike.

Before you read on , let me state for the record that this review is biased, due to the fact that we paid $165 for a $3000-per-night suite. Looking for a thorough review of the hotel - might need to look elsewhere. Want a glimpse of how the other half lives? Read on.

The 5-star Pan Pacific is located at Canada Place (where the cruise ship terminal and convention centre are, topped with large white sails that are often featured prominently in photos of Vancouver). The hotel boasts 504 rooms with panoramic vistas of the harbour, mountains, Stanley Park and the city skyline. Rooms have all the ameneties you would expect from a swanky hotel, including fluffy bathrobes. There are two restaurants (Five Sails and Café Pacifica) as well as a lounge (Cascades) located in the lobby. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness club and heated pool with Jacuzzi and sun deck with views of the harbour.

I had actually booked the Pan Pacific through Hotwire – at $165 a night, it was a steal. As we went up to check-in, we discovered that due to a convention, the hotel was full, and so they had to do some upgrades – and we were getting one. We were expected something fairly exciting, but it ended up being beyond our wildest expectations.

As we reached The Coral Suite, on the 22nd floor, we were greeted with double doors, and even a doorbell (!). As we walked in, we were totally floored. The suite had a foyer bigger than my parents house! All marble floors, beautiful wood everywhere, silk wallpaper--just beautiful.

To the right was a powder room and to the left, a kitchen with a small sink, fridge, microwave and even dishwasher. Beyond that was a bar, with 4 gorgeous leather barstools, and a stone and glass dining table for six. The living room was just as spectacular, with glass windows all across the back wall, giving us an impeccable view of the twinkling harbour lights. The kicker - a shiny black Yamaha baby grand, in the living room! Right behind that was the desk/work area, and just in front was the TV/Stereo cabinet with a 36” television and an amazing Bang & Olufsen Stereo System (which could even be piped in to the bedroom and bathroom).

Then it was off to the master bedroom and bath. The bedroom was beautiful, a huge king-sized bed with feather pillow and a goose-down duvet greeted us, along with a plush seating area. But the bathroom, that was spectacular. A separate “toilet room” (as we called it), a big closet, a huge double shower/steam room, a massive Jacuzzi tub with a view out to the harbour, and a great big basket of Aveda bath products.

Unfortunately, we could only stay one night and had to leave early the next morning, but the experience was truly unforgettable.

Samba is a Brazilian “churrascaria”, a barbeque place, that is definitely a unique dining experience--as long as you’re a carnivore, that is!

Although they offer a standard lunch and dinner menu, the specialty of the house is the "Rodizio" - if you ever wondered how much meat you could eat at one sitting, this is your chance. Prices are $12.95/24.95 CDN for lunch/dinner on weekdays and $12.95/27.95 for weekends and holidays (children under 10 are half price).

The basic premise is that it's all-you-can-eat. There is a salad and tapas bar to begin, and then it's all meat from there. The meat is skewered on swords and roasted over an open flame, and “passadores” pass by your table with the different types of meat and just slice some off onto your plate. The fun part is when they bring you the little 'signal card' - green on one side, red on the other. When you are ready for more meat, you keep the green side facing up. When you’ve had enough, flip it to the red side (labelled “I give up!”).

We had top sirloin, flank steak, beef ribs, pork tenderloin, chicken legs, sausages, buffalo, ham and assorted other tasty animals. The waiter actually suggested we should come back on the weekend because they have an even greater selection of meats – I’m not even sure that’s possible!

I can honestly say it was the best meat I’ve ever had – amazing natural flavour. After I “gave up”, there was definitely no room for dessert. But, I did have a very refreshing and unique beverage – lychee blended with coconut milk.

Samba is open for lunch from 11:30am to 3pm and dinner from 5 to 11pm, 7 days a week. The restaurant also features a live Latin band and brazilian dance on various nights of the week. If you're looking for a little South American flavour (which always includes lots of meat!), we definitely recommend a visit to Samba!

If you are looking for a quick getaway from your hectic travels, a must see is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. A serene, tranquil and beautiful place, it transports you to another time, another place, another world altogether.

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is the first authentic full-size Chinese Garden built outside China, and were created in the Ming Dynasty style. The purpose of the gardens is to create an atmosphere of tranquility for contemplation and inspiration. There are four major elements in the Garden: water, rock, plants and architecture. The relationship of these four elements reflect the Taoist belief in Yin and Yang - opposites that must be in balance to create harmony.

The Garden is located on the corner of Keefer and Carrall Street in the heart of Chinatown. Admission fees are $8.75 for Adults, $7.00 for Seniors (65+) and Students and a Family (couple with children under 18) rate is also offered at $20.00. The hours vary from season to season, so it is wise to check the website or call ahead. A guided tour is included with your admission and is highly recommended. The garden is beautiful and wonderful to explore on your own; however, it is difficult to fully appreciate without knowing the background, meaning and purpose behind the different elements.

During our last visit, there was construction ongoing to improve the facilities on-site, and quite unfortunately one of my favourite parts of the garden was closed...the gift shop. The gift shop has wonderful and unique asian and asian-inspired gifts and is worth the price of admission for those dedicated shoppers out there!

If you are planning on visiting the gardens, ensure you have plenty of time to explore, enjoy and relax - 1-2 hours is required, but more is recommended if you can afford it. One of my favourite things to do in Vancouver is to visit the garden and simply sit and take in the natural beauty and harmony of my surroundings - I always leave feeling renewed and refreshed.

One final word of warning: the Chinese Garden is located in a fairly 'seedy' part of town. It is not advisable to visit past 4 or 5 pm in the afternoon, and ensure that you have reliable transportation. Hailing a cab here is difficult and rather unsettling once dusk sets in. Certainly don't let this bit of information deter you from visiting though...its a bit of paradise in downtown Vancouver that's not to be missed.

The Vancouver Trolley Company offers an easy and informative way to get to all the best Vancouver attractions.

The company uses replica San Francisco trolleys to conduct a hop-on, hop-off commentated tour of the city that includes 23 stops (including interesting neighbourhoods, specific attractions, and hotels/transportation hubs). The cost for the "City Attractions" tour is C$30 for adults and C$15 for children (free under 4), and your ticket is good all day, basically from 9am to 6pm, depending on the seasonal schedule. The easiest way to obtain a ticket is to purchase it from your driver, but they are also available through ticket sellers and the Vancouver Trolley Company booth located in Gastown.

We found the tour a great way to get familiar with the layout of the city while learning a bit about its history, architecture, and culture. All of the drivers that we had were extremely friendly and knowledgeable and made the transportation time between attractions fun.

At $30 per day (we actually did 2 days), the price was reasonable compared to regular city tours or a taxi to get to the attractions. Of course, public transportation would be a less expensive option, but we felt that the time savings as well as the commentary were worth the extra investment. We decided on the first day to simply stay on for the full 2 hours with one driver to get our bearings, then begin to hop off at the attractions we wanted to explore.

Currently, the trolley makes the following stops:

1. Gastown (157 Water Street)
2. Seabus Terminal / The Lookout
3. Canada Place
4. Hyatt Regency / Melville St.
5. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
6. Art Gallery (Howe St.) Pacific Centre
7. Bosman's Motor Hotel
8. Holiday Inn (Howe St.)
9. Quality Inn
10. The Residence Inn by Marriott
11. Sheraton Wall Centre
12. Robson St. (Blue Horizon Hotel)
13. Westin Bayshore
14. Vancouver Aquarium - Park Drive in Stanley Park
15. Totem Poles
16. Rose Gardens
17. English Bay (Beach & Davie)
18. Vanier Park Stop - Vancouver Museum, Maritime Museum & Space Centre
19. Granville Island (Entrance)
20. Yaletown (Homer & Helmcken)
21. Library Square (Homer Street)
22. Science World / SkyTrain Station
23. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden / Chinatown

The Vancouver Trolley Company also offers a Grouse Mountain Sunset Tour, a Land & Water tour, and a number of seasonal/specialty tours. It's wise to check their website or call them directly to find out what tours are available at the time you'll be visiting.

If you're looking for an easy, affordable way to explore the city while learning a thing or two about Vancouver, the trolley is an excellent way to do so!

Granville Island is a must-visit in Vancouver, an abandoned industrial area converted into a colourful Public Market, art school, shops, restaurants, theatres, galleries, a hotel, and more!

Granville Island is easy to find, as it's located right in the middle of the city, on False Creek under the Granville Street bridge. A number of buses are available in the general area, but the no. 50 False Creek will get you the closest to the island entrance, and you can certainly get there on foot as well. More fun options include the local water taxis. The Aquabus or False Creek Ferry will get you there for a small fee, as will the Vancouver Trolley Company's hop-on, hop-off service.

So, what to do when you get there? There are tons of options, but here are some of our favourites:

The Public Market (open 7 days a week)--crammed with farmers, bakers, butchers, fishmongers, and many other vendors, the market is a symphony and sights, smells, and sounds. Its a perfect place to take a stroll in the afternoon, check out the amazing array of foods, and pick a wonderful snack. Then take it outside and enjoy one of the buskers performing while you snack.

Gallery Hopping--there are many studios, galleries, and shops showing and selling all types of art, including glassblowing, jewelry making, pottery, furniture-making, and clothing design. If you like shopping for unique souvenirs and gifts, you'll be in heaven strolling around Granville.

Be Entertained--there are many talented buskers and street performers around the island if you're looking for an unscheduled performance. You can also check out the many stages and theatres on the island--there will always be a performance or two going on. There are often festivals going on and many events take place on Granville Island throughout the year. Check their website or a local paper when you're in town to see what happening.

Eat and Drink--besides the public market, there are dozens of eating and drinking establishments on the island, from casual to fine dining and everything in between. Many post their menus outside, so you can explore and window-shop for the perfect meal. Don't miss the Granville Island Brewing Company, where you can take a tour of the brewery, including samples!

Granville also boasts a kid's market, a maritime market, and the Granville Island Hotel. There is truly something for everyone here, and you definitely won't leave disappointed with your island experience.

Tip: Need a quick snack? Try my favourite, La Baguette Bakery, for gorgeous French pastries and breads.