we are travelling to vancouver bc, we plan on spend 3 days, including a day trip to victoria. do we need a rental car?
If you plan to spend your time downtown in both cities, I wouldn’t bother with a car. Pacific Coach Lines runs bus service between the two cities, where the bus drives onto the ferry, you get off for the ferry ride, get back on when the boat docks, and continue to downtown. It has the possibly enormous advantage, in summer, that the bus always gets on and off the ferry before the cars, and on the bus, you’re guaranteed to get on that sailing. In a private car in busy times, you either pay extra for a reservation which you forfeit if you arrive 5 minutes too late, or make sure to get there way ahead, and it’s quite possible to have to wait for the next sailing if it’s a busy day.
Archive for: ‘November 2009’
do we need a car in vancouver BC, including a trip to victoria?
Hi, I’m going to Vancouver Island next week and was wondering if anyone has any tips on cheap accomodation.?
I’m gonna travel all around probably stopping off at Tofino, Victoria, Sooke and maybe going to Saltspring island. Thanks!
Are you looking for hostels? In Victoria try Ocean Island Backpackers. It’s right downtown and very friendly. Hotel wise, all the Traveler’s Inns (there are like 20 within 6 blocks of each other) are something silly like $59/night, and they aren’t too terrible in terms of scumminess.
In Tofino at this time of year there isn’t really anything that’s cheap per se. I think there’s a hostel, but I’m not 100% on that. Except maybe camping. I’d definitely look into making reservations before heading there anyway. It’s super busy always and a long long drive back to Port Alberni if you can’t find a place to stay. (But so worth it. Tofino is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world.)
Hope this helps a little bit!
Greatest Ski Holidays
Winter is when skiers start to think about booking their skiing holiday. In Europe there are hundreds of destinations to choose from. France, Switzerland and Austria all have very popular ski resorts, but if you are looking for a bargain then try Eastern Europe. Borovets in Bulgaria and the high Tatra mountains in Slovakia are attracting increasing numbers of skiers. A survey by pricerunner.co.uk and travelex.co.uk revealed that not only are the Eastern European resorts much cheaper than the popular destinations in the Alps, but they are also rated quite highly. Bansko in Bulgaria, Jasna in Slovakia, Zelezna Ruda in the Czech Republic and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia all got a mention.
If you are unsure which resort to pick, companies such as Forbes create a list of the top ski resorts in the world. The list will contain many Western and European resorts primarily because of the quality of the snow and the village atmosphere. New England has snow, but it won’t feature much on the list. This is because its snow tends to be icy, not powdery like the snow in Europe which is better for skiing. However, skiing holidays are about more than the quality of the snow. Resorts such as Aspen are hugely popular and the slopes are crowded, meaning that you probably spend more time waiting for the chair lift than on the slopes. Another consideration is the après-ski scene. For some people this is the best part of the holiday. There should be plenty of opportunities for dining, drinking and swapping stories in front of a log fire. It is also a good idea to choose somewhere that has activities other than skiing, just in case your legs need a rest from the slopes. Your accommodation is also important and should be comfortable with easy access to the slopes.
Ski holidays can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. When you book your holiday you should consider a package deal as these often work out cheaper. A single lift ticket can be very expensive. Try booking at the last minute and stay in catered accommodation to save on eating out. Book your ski pass and ski hire online and always pay in local currency.
Ski resorts that regularly make it into the top 10 lists are:
Aspen: Located in the beautiful state of Colorado, Aspen always features on the list of top ski resorts due to its excellent ski runs that are suitable for skiers of all abilities. It is also the place where you have the chance to ski with the rich and famous although the downside of this is that it is not cheap!
Cortina: Another top choice is this stylish Italian ski resort which hosted the Olympic Games in 1956. Cortina was one of the world’s first ski resorts. The Cortina Ski World is located in the Alps and is one of the most scenic places in the world, with 120 kilometres of ski trails and 52 lifts.
Mont-Tremblant: Canada’s best known ski resort first opened in 1939 and has recently been given a $1 billion facelift. It is a compact ski resort lying in the pretty Laurentian Mountains. The village has a distinctive French feel to it and it has a number of cafes and bistros in cosy log cabins, as well as boutiques and restaurants. The skiing is suitable for mixed groups and there is a good ski school. Another plus for this resort is that it is just one hour from Montreal for those who would like to do some sight-seeing along with their skiing.
Stowe: Located in Vermont, this is another American resort famed for its picturesque setting. It has the largest vertical drop in the area and is famous for its double-black diamond ‘Four Front’ trails, suitable for experienced skiers. However, it also offers trails suitable for intermediate skiers and beginners. Away from the ski slopes it has over 90 shops and 60 restaurants.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc: Situated in the French Alps, it played host to the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. It lies at the foot of Mont-Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. It is renowned for its vertical drop of 9,209 feet and for having one of the world’s longest runs, the Vallee Blance, at 13.7 miles.
Banff/Lake Louise: This ski resort in Alberta, Canada is located in the Banff National Park. It is one of the most scenic mountain resorts in North America and has very reliable snow conditions. Covering 4,200 acres it offers tree-lined runs, smooth slopes and plunging bowls, providing ideal skiing for everyone from the novice to the expert.
Vail: Another ski resort in Colorado, Vail claims to be America’s favourite resort. With 5,300 acres of skiable terrain it has the largest ski area in the USA. Vail also has a lot to offer besides skiing with art galleries, ballooning, dog sledding, museums, ice skating, hockey and snowmobiling.
Zermatt: Switzerland’s top resort is a picturesque village and a car-free area at the foot of the Matterhorn. It has the second biggest lift-served vertical drop in the world. Zermatt has large snowfalls and the longest skiing season in the Alps.
Kitzbuhel: The most famous resort in the Austrian Tyrol. Skiing began here in 1892 and the 700-year old village still retains its traditional charm. Kitzbuhel is home to the Hahnenkahm the most dangerous and famous of the downhill ski races and is Austria’s winter entertainment capital. It has excellent skiing and snowboarding, but due to its low altitude snow may be lacking on the lower slopes.
Whistler/Blackcomb: This resort in British Columbia provides the best skiing in North America with the biggest vertical drop. It has 8,171 acres of skiable terrain and has been voted North America’s Favourite Ski Resort by OntheSnow.com visitors. The village has cafes, spas, galleries, international stores and over 100 restaurants that feature cuisines from around the world including French, Chinese, Italian, Mexican and more.
Amber Mike
http://www.articlesbase.com/water-sports-articles/greatest-ski-holidays-721752.html
Hello From Victoria- Part 1 – Reaching The West Coast
Jetlag is an amazing thing. It’s barely after 5 am and I have already been reading for an hour an a half. So I figured I might as well use this bout of sleeplessness and record my first impressions of British Columbia.
My WestJet flight out of Toronto left a 7:15 am yesterday, so that meant I got up at 4:30 am, after 2.5 hours of sleep, to check all my luggage, eat a brief breakfast and get myself out to the airport. Sometimes a little travel savvy goes a long way, I had decided to use my Airmiles to go to BC and upon doing some research I found out that WestJet had a special on that only required me to use 1600 Airmiles instead of the regular 3900 Airmiles, so off I went and booked the trip, saving myself 60% of the Airmiles that I would have otherwise spent. When you travel frequently, you have to look at every available option of savings costs and my travel reward miles came through big for me.
I was able to book a flight from Toronto to Calgary and another from Calgary to Vancouver. WestJet is always an interesting experience because its flight attendants are known for cracking jokes over the PA system. The flight to Calgary was actually really bumpy and for about an hour we went through what felt like a dirt road in the sky full of potholes, hitting the occasional air pocket and dropping a few feet. But the WestJet crew brought us down safely and humorously, something I was very happy about.
In retrospect I actually felt pretty lucky, considering that the very night before my departure an Air France flight had crash-landed in Toronto. Fortunately, all 300+ passengers and crew survived and only 43 people ended up with light injuries, despite the fact that the plane went up in flames. Not surprisingly the newspapers referred to this incident as the Miracle Flight.
Well, my aerial transport went a lot smoother and after about 7 hours of flight and transfers our plane touched down in beautiful Vancouver. The natural setting of Vancouver is indeed impressive: it is set in the Coastal Mountain Range, surrounded by Vancouver Island and the Pacific Ocean. It certainly looked breath-taking from the air, but my exploration of this city had to wait since my first item of the agenda was to get myself to the City of Victoria, on Vancouver Island.
I located the Pacific Coachlines desk at the Vancouver Airport and for just over C$70.00 I bought a return ticket for a coach and ferry ride across to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. I only had about a half hour between my arrival at the airport until a comfortable air-conditioned bus whisked us to the Tsawassen Bay Ferry Terminal, following which the bus went onto the BC Ferries boat itself.
The ferry was a very large vessel with 3 different decks for cars, trucks and buses. There are 3 additional passenger decks including an open-air sitting area in the front of the ferry. We slowly started our crossing of the Straits of Georgia and I thoroughly enjoyed the panomara of mountains and water. Due to my lack of sleep my head got a little heavy and I fell asleep on the open-air deck. When I woke up we were just chugging through the narrows between Galiano Island and Mayne Island. The narrow channel is embedded in between these islands which are covered by coniferous forests. The entire approach to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal was one of the most scenic waterways I have ever seen.
Punctually at 2:25 pm people headed back down to the bus, at 2:35 the bridge was lowered onto the ferry and our bus was the first vehicle out of the boat. Another 45 minutes later and we arrived in downtown Victoria at the bus terminal, right next to the Fairmont Empress Hotel, one of Victoria’s most famous landmarks. Designed as a chateau-style luxury hotel, it was built in 1908 for $1 million and was extensively restored in the late 1980s to the tune of $45 million. But more extensive exploration of this stunning building would have to wait, since a local friend was picking me up at the bus station.
My co-worker Clare, who works with me in my full-time business in new business development, relocated to Victoria with her husband Haishan in March of this year, and the two of them have been graciously accommodating me since my arrival yesterday. Both Clare and her husband are originally from mainland China and have been calling Canada their home for the last few years.
Haishan came to pick me up and after a beautiful drive through Victoria and some of its suburbs, I arrived at Clare and Haishan’s beautiful house in a little hillside community outside Victoria. After a couple of hours of rest due to my utter exhaustion, I got up to a beautiful Chinese dinner complete with 3 different meat dishes and the most delicous chicken with chestnuts dish I had ever eaten.
While we were savouring this gourmet meal, a deer made its appearance in the backyard, and Clare had already informed me earlier that deers show up in the backyard on an almost daily basis and take care of all newly planted landscaping and flowers, much to the chagrin of the residents.
After this delicious dinner we went on a little drive in the neighbourhood and drove down to the lagoon from where we had a perfect lookout to the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington State, across the narrow strait from Vancouver Island. One of the mountains was snow-covered and this majestic mountain range combined with the waters of the Pacific creates one of the most stunning sceneries this lovely planet of ours has to offer. We had a view of a historic light house and the Esquimalt navy base and after a brief drive through the hilly coastal roads (and another close encounter with a deer) we drove back to Clare’s beautiful house on the slopes.
After another hour or two of shop talk I was positively exhausted and dropped into bed like a sack of potatoes, only to wake up before 4 am, unable to sleep. Well, this early rise has given me a chance to record my first impressions, and I have avidly been reading my guidebook on Vancouver and Victoria, laying out a draft itinerary for today. The sun is coming up now so I’ve got another couple of hours of reading ahead of me in preparation of today’s discovery.
For the entire article including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/hello_victoria_1.htm
Susanne Pacher
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/hello-from-victoria-part-1-reaching-the-west-coast-110768.html
Visitors Health Insurance
The Basic Principles
Any health insurance policy can be defined as a contract between and individual and an insurance company. More often than not, a visitor’s health insurance can be contacted from as little as a few days, to as long as a few years. An important document for anyone planning a foreign trip, or relocating to a different country.
How much the policy might cost will depend of many individual factors. Primarily, the kind of coverage a person needs and their own personal obligations. With regards to any medical expenses which might occur. The amount of protection covered by a policy can meet the most basic needs, or be extremely comprehensive. Usually, cover can be arranged before travel begins and afterwards. One a person has reached their destination. Some of the cover offered might include:
* Inpatient and Outpatient Emergency Treatment
* Doctor consultation fees
* Dental Care
* Prescribed Medications
* Emergency Evacuation due to illness or accident
* Accidental Death
* Relocation of Mortal Remains
Liabilities & Language
Visitor’s health insurance will use various terms, making reference to liabilities and limitations within the policy. It is important to understand what they all mean, before you decide which policy is right for you. If you don’t, you may find, later on, you don’t have the right cover. Usually, this will be exactly the time you need it! So, do your homework and make sure your policy covers you for all the things you need.
If you should decide to stay in a country longer, most insurance companies will renew or extend a policy without any fuss. Should you need health care, during the time your policy is effective, most health care providers will charge the insurance company directly. Although, usually, the patient will have to sign a declaration. Stating, if their insurance does not cover the bill, they will be called upon for payment. Most often the case in the United States.
Premiums and Deductibles
The premium refers to the cost of the policy, simple as that. A deductible is how much you are required to personally cover, with regards to any medical expenses incurred. Usually, the insurance company offers this an option, a deductible can range from zero, to a few thousand dollars. How does this work?
For example, if you opt for a five hundred dollar ‘deductible’ and the medical bill is less than that, you will be expected to cover the expense yourself. Also referred to as a Co-Insurance Option, where the percentage of any costs, payable by the policy owner, might be stated. An’ Out of Pocket Maximum’ or an ‘Out of Pocket Limit’.
Exclusions and Limitations
This is a very important part of the policy. Exclusions refer to any services or situations which the policy does not cover. Close attention should be paid to what is not covered, as well as what is covered. Most often than not, any the treatment of any existing health conditions will not be included, especially chronic medical conditions.
Some visitor’s health insurance also has limitations with regards to the amount they will pay out for any specific treatments, health services or medication. Known as coverage limits. Any expenses incurred above these maximums must be covered by the policy holder, not the insurance company.
Sam Loyal
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/visitors-health-insurance-675008.html
Handicap Accessible 4-star Deluxe Monaco Hotels
Monaco is a small state enclosed by France. It is referred to as a tax haven. It has numerous hotels that provide luxurious accommodations, even to the handicapped.
Monaco is situated in Western Europe. It is noted as a small sovereign city state whose territory is enclosed by France completely and is situated along the Mediterranean Sea’s northern coast. It has an influx of wealthy residents and those that come from foreign countries, totaling to about 84% of its population. This explains why the state is labeled a tax haven.
Having Prince Albert II as its Head of State, it is regarded as a Principality and Constitutional Monarchy. Since the year 1297, the Grimaldi Family ruled over the entire state of Monaco. Hence, in the Franco-Moegasque Treaty of 1861, the sovereignity of the state was recognized officially. Amidst their independence, France remains responsible for Monaco’s defense.
Apart from this, Monaco is noted as the most densely populated sovereign country of the world. It is also the smallest French speaking country.
When it comes to the nightlife, Monaco has a strong reputation for its wide array of evening activities that ranges from its luxurious casinos to the world’s most expensive and elegant nightclubs. It also has numerous elegant hotels that provide world class facilities and amenities.
A few of this are worth mentioning below.
Fairmont Monte Carlo
This hotel is located at 12 Avenue des Spelugues MC 98007, Monaco Cedex. It has a total of 616 suites and rooms. Nice International Airport is only 15 miles away. It has 2 onsite restaurants, a Sun Casino, fresh-water heated pool, 18 meeting rooms, a fitness center and numerous shopping boutiques.
Fairmont Monte Carlo is open year round and caters to persons even with disabilities. Seasonally, it hovers over the sea, showcasing a dining area in an open air terrace. This is along with a rooftop pool, state-of-the-art fitness center and a staff that embodies the unique Monaco warmth and hospitality.
Some of its famous dining options include the L’Argentin which provides neo-classical cuisines in chic and sleek contemporary styles; the Le Pistou which provides regional and Italian cuisines; as well as the Al Frescoterrace which is situated overlooking the magnificent Mediterranean Sea.
Port Palace
This hotel is located at 7 Avenue du President J.F. Kennedy MC 98000, Monaco. You can call them for reservation or inquiries at 377-97-97-00. Nice International Airport is only 15 miles away.
This hotel consists of 50 junior and senior suites scattered in the 5 storeys. It is open year round and accepts all major credit cards. It even has facilities and amenities that are handicap accessible. Rooms are provided with unrestricted views of the Rockies and the sea.
It is conveniently nestled on a cliff enclave that overlooks the sea, right in the heart of Port Hercule harbor and along the F1 Grand Prix track. Dining options include an onsite restaurant, a wine cellar that houses 20,000 wine bottles, 2 bars that has an outdoor terrace. It also has a gym and beauty salon that offers a wide array of services.
Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
This hotel is located at 4 Avenue de la Madone BP 19 MC 98000, Monaco. It is also near Nice International Airport located about 15 miles away.
This hotel was just redesigned recently, boasting of elegant designs in all of its 141 suites and rooms. This is all thanks to internationally acclaimed interior and architectural designer, Jacques Garcia. It is open year round, offering services and facilities that are also handicap accessible.
They accept all major credit cards, including in their new restaurant which was named for Master Chef Joel Robuchon and executive Chef Crhristophe Cussac. This restaurant features an elegant setting having a menu of classical dishes and an open kitchen. This is along with contemporary twists as well as Mediterranean flavors.
Apart from this, the hotel has 13 treatment rooms, 3 VIP suites, a fully equipped fitness center and a seawater heated pool that has a swim-up bar. It also has a shopping center that has more than 80 boutiques, a piano bar and 6 meeting rooms.
David H. Urmann
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/handicap-accessible-4star-deluxe-monaco-hotels-882192.html
How will 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics look?
I’m thinking about going to 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics,but how it’s going to look. I have never went to olympics and I was never interested in it.
How much will it cost? Is it one day or more? Is it in one place or in different places? What else should I know about 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics?
The Olympics here in Vancouver will be very beautiful. We have an amazing city to begin with, and the extra work going into the tourism trade for those weeks will make for an amazing event.
That being said, it will be VERY expensive. The hotels here in the downtown core are generally $100 or more per night already, and will be more expensive for the olympics. However, apparently there is a reduction in the price of staying in a cruise ship hotel.
The events are taking place in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler and could be in other places as well. If you are looking for a specific event, check out www.vancouver2010.com.
And the Olympics are massive and last for almost two weeks. Your best bet is to do some research so you are not overwhelmed.
when does whistler-blackcomb plan on making snow? it seems like there is a weak amount of snow there right now?
Why are barey any of the lifts open?
They make snow as soon as the temperature drops below -2 celsius. It’s going to get cold tonight so I would guess that they’ll be making lots of snow really soon.
I agree with the bad conditions. We’ll just have to wait a while.
Where can I find cheap flights from Montreal to Vancouver?
I am looking for cheap flights for the thanks giving weekend october 9 to 12 from Montreal to Vancouver. I looked at aircanada.com,westjet.com,travelocity.ca,expedia.ca but they were all too expensive any one have any suggestions?
Its unlikely that you will find inexpensive flights during a holiday weekend. The longer you wait the more it will cost you in the end.
But check all the sites that you can, orbitz/priceline/etc and you may find one that is slightly less expensive than the others.
The cheapest airfare from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Vancouver International Airport?
I’m planning to fly from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Vancouver International Airport sometime in early July this year. Does anyone know any good flight-plans or any reasonable, cheap air-fares? I don’t mind economy, or the number of stops at various airports. Please let me know ASAP
Try (OZ) ASIANA AIRLINES or (KE)KOREAN AIR
OZ BKI ICN 0005 0630
OZ ICN YVR 1720 1135
depend you date of travel and also depend on oneway or return and duration of return date but chepiest airline between Kota Kinabalu to Vancouver is above airline (OZ) via seoul, South Korea or given below check with (CX)CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS also good fare.
CX BKI HKG 1200 1500
CX HKG YVR 1635 1350.