Guide to Vancouver
Vancouver is located in the southwestern part of Canada, in the state of British Columbia, just a short distance from the US border. It is a beautiful city nestled between the ocean and the mountains, and often appears at the top of the best places to live. It is also an important port, in addition to commercial ships, there are also ships departing from here on cruises to Alaska. It is also an important center of the film industry, ranking second only to Hollywood and New York in terms of size and importance. And last but not least, we must not forget the famous XXI. the Winter Olympic Games held in 2010, which the city hosted.
Accommodation in Vancouver
Whether you are traveling to Vancouver to explore nature, to relax, to see the sights or for a business trip, we will be happy to recommend the right accommodation for you. In our offer you will find not only cheap hostels, apartments equipped with kitchens, but also guesthouses, motels and hotels of all categories. If you are looking for mid-range hotels (three-star hotels), then we can recommend accommodation for example at Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel, which offers rooms and suites equipped with kitchenettes. If you like security in the form of hotel chains, you will also be satisfied here. For example, we can recommend Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Paradox Hotel Vancouver, L'Hermitage Hotel and many others. And if you prefer accommodation in apartments, then take a look at our offer of apartment accommodation Dunowen Properties. There is as well some accommodation near the beach.
History of Vancouver
Vancouver was inhabited by Indians since ancient times, the first known mentions date from the time of overseas discoveries. The city got its name from the navigator George Vancouver, an English navigator who in 1972 was the second European (after José Marío Narváez) to reach the places where Vancouver's main port is now located. However, the main development of the city occurred only after the outbreak of the Gold Rush in 1861, when many immigrants settled in the city. In 1886, the railway also arrived here. Since then, the city has continued to grow and is still growing - according to estimates, its metropolitan area should grow to more than 2.5 million inhabitants within a few years.
Transportation to Vancouver
Flights land at Vancouver International Airport, located south of the city and one of the second busiest airports in the country. You can get to the city center from the airport by SkyTrain, the journey takes about 25 minutes. Taxis are another option, lovers of luxury and stylish travel may be interested in the offer of limousines. Another airport located near Vancouver is called Abbotsford International Airport - but it is mainly used for domestic flights. Unfortunately, you can't get to Vancouver using public transport - the only option is to rent a car. Public transportation around Vancouver consists of a very reliable system of buses, trolleybuses, ferries and the light subway SkyTrain.
Sights, attractions and activities in Vancouver
Although Vancouver is a relatively young city, here we can also find important historical monuments, such as the Christ Church Cathedral, the Art Gallery, the Museum of Anthropology, and the building of the University of British Columbia is also interesting. Other interesting buildings include, for example, Canada Place, the Harbor Center or the Marine Building. There are also many parks in the city, among the most popular are Stanley Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden or Queen Elizabeth Park. And those who don't like wandering around the city with a paper guidebook in hand will surely be pleased that there are plenty of guided tours available here, including hop in and hop off buses.
Sports in Vancouver
But Vancouver is not only a city of monuments, we can also find many beaches here that invite not only to roll by the sea, but also to many different water sports. The most interesting are, for example, Kitsilano Beach, Kits Beach Jericho, Spanish Banks or Jericho. Winter sports lovers will think of nearby ski destinations under Vancouver, of which Whistler is by far the best known and most popular. On the rivers around the city (Capilano, Seymour) you can go rafting or kayak down them. Another popular stop for tourists is the Cleveland Dam and the 136-long suspension bridge over the Capilano River. And what about the most popular sports here? Ice hockey (Vancouver Canucks), basketball (Grizzlies), baseball (Vancouver Canadians) and American football (British Columbia Lions) are represented in Vancouver. As we mentioned at the beginning, Vancouver hosted in the recent past (2010) the XXI. the Winter Olympics
Vancouver celebrities
Many famous personalities were born or lived here in Vancouver, for example singer Bryan Adams, actress Pamela Andreson or actors Michael J. Fox or Jason Priestley.