I live in england and would basically like to try and pan it out for a week.

I would like to see a couple of big events (final events even) and as many smaller events (and the cheaper the better) as possible, I have time on my side, at the moment, so do you have any tips for getting "budgetish" accomodation, cheaper flights, a good ticket agency (meaning a cheap one). Also I would be really glad to hear any tips.

I don’t like paying "the man" but I would consider a package if it represented good value. As you have gathered by now I am a bit of a tight wad, but my motto is usually, don’t pay much and don’t expect much. I have got a bit of money to throw at it though, so don’t miss anything out.
Events that I would really like to see include Bobsleigh and Ski-jumping, mens downhill, maybe even ice hockey.

it is going to be very expensive, as a local of the general area, I won’t be able to afford to go. I hope you already have tickets because they are selling fast and pricey. Stay near Gibsons on the sunshine coast, might be a bit cheaper for you, Google Sunshine coast and bed and breakfasts, lots of those here. Sechelt on the coast is good too, stay away from Powell River and Lund, as they are 2 ferry rides away. Gibsons is one ferry ride and a drive away, not too bad and may be less expensive – good luck, BC is beautiful! The price gauging however, is tacky and embarrasing

Are you supposed to cover
-Accomodation
-Food

what else?

anything helps

Pizza and beer

We are 5 people from Germany (all around 25), planning a week-trip in May. Our journey starts and ends in Vancouver. Destinations shall include Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. We are wondering now, where and what to rent for this trip. Is a full-size car enough or should we rather book a van or SUV? Does anyone knows which car rental has the best offers or how much we’ll have to pay for one week?

And if anyone has insiders tips or recommendations what we have to see on that trip, I would be very happy. Also for accomodation.

Thanks,
Dennis

It would be better to get a van if you’re going to have 5 people. There is way more room, and it is easier to fit in that amount of people including luggage.

When you get to Vancouver, plan on spending at least the night in Vancouver with the fact that you’re going to be quite tired from the time difference, as there is about 10-12 hours difference. Some fairly affordable costing hotel accommodations in Vancouver would either be the Holiday Inn Express http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/home or Sandman http://www.sandmanhotels.com/

Start out early in the morning so that you’re able to get as much driving as you can in the next day. Go from Richmond to Hwy 99, which is right around the Oak Street Bridge, and keep on Hwy 99 until you get to Hwy 10 exit. When you get to Highway 10, go to the past the Watershed Park, and the golf course, and then continue down until you see 176th Street, and turn left. Once you get here, then continue straight along 176th street, until you get to the Trans Canada Hwy.

You can follow the Trans Canada Highway all the way from Surrey up to Lake Louise AB and Banff Area. You will pass through various cities like Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Sorrento, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Revelstoke, Golden. You will also pass through a couple of national parks as well, known as Glacier National Park, as well as Yoho National Park. As well, you will pass by the ever popular Roger’s Pass where one of the most fatal avalanches happened.

When you get to the border around Banff and Lake Louise, you will notice that all cellular phones and other phones that have satellities will change from PST to MST that is 1 hour ahead in time. Keep in mind that when you’re travelling through this area, that you’re going to go through some pretty curvy roads, and that extra time should be needed to ensure that you get safely to your destination.

You might also see some wildlife as well on your trip such as mountain goat, bears, deer etc. If you see any of them give them a wide berth, and allow them to cross, or carry out their natural behavior. You can take pictures of them, but if you do, be sure to wait until you’re able to safely pull over to the side of the road and take pictures of them.

When you have visited Banff and Lake Louise, then you can take the Columbia Ice Fields which will lead you up to Jasper. Jasper is also another very good place to see a lot of wildlife. There are also a number of things that you can do in Jasper as well as Banff and Lake Louise for recreational activities.

Here are some more websites that should be able to help you:

http://transcanadahighway.com/general/itinerary.htm

http://www.transcanadahighway.net/britishcolumbia.html

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/visit14.aspx

http://www.blueriverbc.ca/activities/bears.htm

http://www.lakelouiseinn.com/

http://www.discoverbanff.com/WheretoStay/

http://www.discoverjasper.com/WheretoStay/

http://www.canadianrockies.net/banff/articles-about-banff/ten-things-to-do-in-banff-canadian-rockies.html

how much would it cost to live in vancouver for 4 months?

im thinking of trying out as a volunteer for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and have been informed that if I’m selected, I’ll have to live in Vancouver from November to February for rehearsals and stuff.

How much would it cost to live there for this time period? I’m only a single guy by myself, and the cheapest accomodation and public transport will do…along with other such basic stuff how much money would i need?

thanks for your help..

Plan on spending a couple weeks looking around for the cheapest places. You can get something decent with a nice view for about $600/month if you’re lucky. That’ll include utilities and everything you’ll need to live there. Depending on your eating needs and how much you travel, you’ll pay anything from $100-$200/month for that. Probably near the lower end. If you live in America, food is not too much more expensive in Canada, especially if you grocery shop and don’t eat out too often. And transportation is quite cheap. I think you can get a bus pass for a few months for about $50? I don’t know exactly. Transportation isn’t a big deal.

So I think you’re probably looking at about $3000 – $4000.

And don’t forget to make friends and meet some guys/ladies. Vancouver is a hip city.

The problems are,I am struggling with anorexia/bulimia,which my mum vaguely has an idea about,because of noticeable weight loss,and Im basically just not very well.I have struggled for 4 and a half years now with this and for the past seven months I ate 200-700 calories a day,and exercised a lot befor that.Most days 500 calories.The past two days I have made (another)effort to start eating,but binged and purged massivly yesterday,and I ate breakfast,but am now thinking how to exercise it off and am terrified of gaining weight.I know canada will be very cold at the time I want to go,and as it is I am freezing a lot of the time in the uk.Am I well enough to go?I really,really want to.

I also feel terrible about what Im putting my family through with my eating,but they don’t exactly know,although my mum is worried.

If you can get some intensive help with this now, maybe by February you will be healthy enough to go to Vancouver. This certainly could be a very motivating goal for you to work towards. If you go to Vancouver it would be important to make sure you are still receiving treatment for your eating disorder. I hope you will be feeling better so you can pursue this goal. Good Luck.

I can’t help you out with a package but I think your idea to book a hotel in Seattle and call the hotel first is not such a bad idea. They will certainly try to help you if they can sell a room.

For good hotel deals in Seattle please check :

http://www.hotels.beginbooking.com/City/Seattle.htm