Insight guides - Insight Guides Explore Vancouver & BC (Travel Guide eBook)

How To Use This E-Book

This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the worlds most exciting destinations.

Best Routes

The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destinations many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments options are shown in the Food and Drink box at the end of each tour.

Introduction

The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more.

Directory

Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafs and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

Getting around the e-book

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

2021 Apa Digital AG

License edition Apa Publications Ltd UK

Table of Contents

COVID-19 Updates

While travelling in Canada, be sure to heed all local laws, travel advice and hygiene measures. While weve done all we can to make sure this guide is accurate and up to date, be sure to check ahead.

Recommended Routes For...

BACK TO NATURE

Head out to Capilano Suspension Bridge ().

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ESCAPING THE CROWDS

Journey to the tiny islands off the coast of Northern Vancouver Island and cruise the Inside Passage ().

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FAMILIES/CHILDREN

Young visitors in Vancouver will enjoy Stanley Park () has beaches and a desert center complete with rattlesnakes.

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FOODIES

Granville Island () feature several wineries to visit.

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HISTORY BUFFS

Explore where present-day Vancouver began in Gastown ().

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SHOPPING

Robson Street in Vancouver has a wide range of stores ().

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SPORTY TYPES

Whistler () is the place for surfing and sea kayaking.

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VIEWS

High points in Vancouver and Victoria include the Vancouver Lookout ().

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Explore Vancouver and BC

British Columbia is a land of snow-capped summits, rivers and forests Its two biggest urban areas are Vancouver, known for its laidback lifestyle, and Victoria, a devotedly anglophile provincial capital.

Vancouver is the largest city in Western Canada, lively in an easy-going way, and sophisticated but not above making fun of itself. A multicultural beacon of tolerance and inclusivity, it is consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world. The population is noted for its healthy and active lifestyle and for high levels of environmental awareness Greenpeace was founded here in 1971. Its not just aware either, it puts its money where its mouth is: 95 percent of its electricity is supplied by renewable energy. It is also the third-largest movie and TV production center in North America, earning it the nickname it shares with Toronto: Hollywood North.

Aerial view of downtown Vancouver

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Off its west coast is Vancouver Island, a microcosm of the provinces immense natural riches and home to Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia, which was established in colonial times and retains a modicum of Englishness, with its refined afternoon teas and British-style pubs. Like Vancouver, it scores highly on environmental awareness issues and is home to a health-conscious and active population the city is often referred to as the cycling capital of Canada for having the highest proportion of bicycle-riding residents per capita.

Its well worth journeying over to the islands west and north coasts and sailing to Prince Rupert. BCs interior has Canadas only semi-arid desert, an award-winning wine region, superb backcountry skiing, and epic though decreasing glaciers, and northern BC is stark and remote, but with the luxury of a backcountry that you can explore by road, and sea journeys that rate among the most breath-taking in Canada.

Geography and Layout

Vancouver

With Burrard Inlet to the north, English Bay to the west, Vancouver Harbour to the east, and False Creek cutting to the southern section, the downtown core of Vancouver can almost seem like an island. But the metropolitan area stretches far beyond, encompassing 21 municipalities and covering 2,930 sq km (1,131 sq miles).