Vancouver Holidays & Holidays in Vancouver - Canada

Quite simply, Vancouver offers what many industrialised cities cannot do today; the attraction of refreshing nature with a modern yet clean twist. It's glorious and radiant snow peeked mountain range encapsulate a vibrant, endeavouring city that is both culturally diverse yet traditional in it's existence.

Why not peer at the wonders of the Museum of Anthropology, or bear witness to The Arts Club Theatre and its extravagant musical and theatrical productions?

Take the time to shop at one of many shopping complexes, including sophisticated Granville Street, and nibble on a chocolate pastry whilst supping a specialist coffee in the French Bakery District.

Whatever your choice, Vancouver will leave you feeling alive and refreshed.

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Where Is Vancouver?

Located on the very West Coast of Canada, in a province called British Columbia, Vancouver has a population of over 4 million.

Vancouver Local History

The Spaniards claimed North America by virtue of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. The claimed land would go on to form Canada, and subsequently, their presence is still felt today – the city of Vancouver has a number of streets named after Spaniards: Cordova, Cardero and Valdez (Galiano Street in Coquitlam.)

Around 1858, the discovery of gold on the banks of the Fraser river brought over 25,000 prospectors to British Columbia.

In 1884, The Canadian Pacific Railway moves to Granville, Vancouver, and, after 3 years of building, their first train arrives in station in 1887. The late 19 th century sees much industrial development in Vancouver; the first Granville Street Bridge is completed in 1889, followed by the Brockton Point Lighthouse in 1890 and the Interurban tram way in 1891.

In 1959, the city's first shopping mall, the Oakridge Centre, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Vancouver Maritime Museum all open.

Canada's world famous Skytrain comes to fruition in 1985; its first line running from Vancouver to New Westminster. 1986 sees Vancouver's centennial year, marked by the six-month fair Expo 86 on the north shore of False Creek.

A historical landmark is achieved in the 1990s - Rita Johnson is elected Canada's first female premier.

At the end of the millennium in 1999, Vancouver creates the 2010 Olympic Bid team to organise the proposal to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. By July, 2004, Vancouver is selected!

Finally, in 2002, Vancouver is voted cleanest city on the planet to live, further solidify it's environmentally sound reputation.

Vancouver Attractions & Sightseeing

Once you arrive in Vancouver, consider hiring a rental car so that you may take a venture to the Burrard Street Bridge downtown and head for Stanley Park . This 8.8 mile circular drive around the 1000 acre park offers fantastic views of the Coal Harbour side of downtown, the North Shore and the Lions' Gate Bridge. Stanley Park also offers a rose garden, a beautiful pitch & putt golf course, public aquarium, swimming and splash facilities, children's farmyard, an exquisite miniature railway and full service restaurants.

However, if your cultural intuition cannot be held back, the Museum of Anthropology will satisfy your inhibitions with its stunning displays of native art and sculpture. If flora and fauna take your fancy, saunter to the Queen Elizabeth Park , the city's highest point and marvel at its horticultural ingenuity, fortified in lavish rose and quarry gardens. If creatures of flight tickle your fancy, you will find that the tropical Bloedel Floral Conservatory awaits you with an array of over 100 free flying birds from all over the world.

Also, try to make time for Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Classical Chinese Garden , the only outdoor garden of its kind outside mainland China and the Orpheum Theatre, home of Vancouver's Symphony Orchestra, which houses regular grandiose performances. Also, for the more artistic of you, check out The Arts Club Theatre and The Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, both of which specialise in grand Broadway musicals and productions.

Vancouver Shopping

If sophisticated shopping is top of your agenda, Granville Street between 15th Avenue and Broadway offers antiques and superb quality goods. Look out in particular for the regular excellent shoe sales at Bacci's aromatic and tempting bread at Mckinnon's Bakery, and detailed old village clapboard colour paintings at Country Furniture.

If however, you vie for an ethnic shopping experience, look no further than Vancouver's large Chinatown district, which is filled to the brim with interesting shops selling traditional crafts and products, as well as various markets. Furthermore, take time to visit the unique shopping experience that is the Pacific Centre, an underground mall extending almost three blocks with over 200 stores, restaurants and services as well as a breathtaking 3 storey shimmering waterfall.

More modern shopping excursions can be found at Robson Street and City Square, which both offer a wide assortment of shops, services and restaurants.

Vancouver Restaurants

Vancouver is home to a huge collection of worldwide cuisine and restaurant styles, ranging from outlets serving Vancouver's famous salmon, to Spanish establishments drawing on their historical significance. If you need convincing of Vancouver's diversity, try asking yourself this; where else can I experience Afghan cooking?

If you are looking for a dinner with a view, look no further than Prospect Point Café, Stanley Park, which overlooks Lions Gate Bridge and Burrard Inlet, which serves traditional salmon dishes in all guises.

Moreover, taste the cuisine of the people that founded Vancouver, the Spanish, at La Bodega of Howe Street, where the sweet sangria flows and is a perfect accompaniment to savoury tapas.

What of this Afghan cuisine you ask? Vancouver offers the unique experiencing of dining at low tables surrounded by comfortable cushions, whilst savouring meat and vegetarian dishes from the Middle East at the Afghan Horseman restaurant situated at 445 West Broadway.

Other Places of note include Tojos sushi bar of Broadway and Café De Medici of Robson Street, offering Florentine style pasta dishes.

Vancouver Cuisine

Described as a cultural mecca by locals, Granville Island will enchant you with its tastes and aromas, and is well worth a visit from the mainland via a mini ferry from False Creek. Find yourself strolling the scented streets towards the French Bakery, where you will no doubt nibble on chocolate croissant or sticky pastry just outside the main market. Next, head straight for the Blue Parrot Cafe to order a specialist coffee, and take a seat at the window to peer over the enchanting urban views of North America, with its brilliant white snow capped mountains, contrasting bridges spanning the inlet and city skyline, and quaint sailboats rippling the rivers.

Vancouver Bars & Clubs

Modern design blends with cultural influences to produce the fresh and friendly, chic yet warm bar and club scene that is Vancouver.

Why not catch a favoured jazz performance at one of Gastown's many jazz holes, then slip into an atmospheric and pleasant bar and sup on an ale whilst taking in the beautiful views of Coal Harbour and the Burrard Inlet and the surrounding coastal mountains, perched in a comfortable sofa chair. We heartily recommend the Steamworks Brewing Company of Water Street for such an experience.

Alternatively, you may be lucky enough to rub shoulders with the rich and famous should you visit the Alibi Room of Alexander Street, which is frequented regularly by the likes of Gillian Anderson and Jason Priestly amongst others, and has the unusual twist of public script readings to offer.

Vancouver Weather

Vancouver has very little rainfall throughout the year, and in the summer, has more than 16 hours of glorious daylight every day.

Even in cold winter, Vancouver has more than 8 hours of daylight and mild days and nights. Temperatures range from 5 ° c/41 ° F in December/January to 23 ° c/74F in July/August.

Cosmos Tourama Holidays in Vancouver & Canada

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