A little way out of Whistler - about five minutes in the car if that - is a complex of accommodation called Whiskey Jack. It's pretty quiet and wooded so great for people wanting a bit more of a chilled time or with families. We were a couple and the apartment we had was massive. It was like flat sitting for a mate. Set over two floors, balcony, two double bedrooms, huge lounge with TV and a great kitchen and all for so much cheaper than we were being quoted for Whistler Village itself. The one downside is the drive to the slopes (although there's loads of parking in Whistler) and home from a night out which can limit your hedonism somewhat but for the money you save you can easily treat yourself to the odd cab.

Head office (where you need to go to pick up your keys: 4314 Main Street Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
+1 (604) 932 6599
Actual apartment complex: 2400 Cavendish Way
Whistler, BC
+1 (604) 932 6500
Google map: bit.ly/SixGn5

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Fantastic exhibition of beautiful artworks by Bill Reid in downtown Vancouver.
Bill Reid was an acclaimed Haida master goldsmith, carver, sculptor, writer and spokesman, and one of Canada's greatest artists.
His artwork ranges from exquisite gold and silver jewellery to full sized totem poles and ocean-going canoes carved from massive timbers. These pieces embody his evolving interpretation of his native heritage and how he extended the traditional artistic vocabulary to embrace modern ideas and forms. He played a pivotal role in reviving interest in native art forms among the younger generations of Canada's First Nations, and in presenting those arts to a wider world.
There is a small entrance fee for the museum but it is worth every penny to see such a great collection of Reid's work gathered together under one roof.

www.billreidgallery.ca
639 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2G3
+1 604 682 3455
Google map: bit.ly/z0j18u

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This is much larger than i had anticipated and could be a full day trip with a picnic. The walk or preferably a cycle around the water's edge is a good starting point but there is so much more to it. Go up to the viewing point to see Vancouver beneath you - cruise liners and sea planes etc. A great way to start a Canadian adventure.

vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/
Google map: bit.ly/nwh96q

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I had booked a standard SUV for our three-week trip for four adults. We had a Ford Edge from Alamo at Vancouver airport. It was ideal as it took all the luggage and allowed us to sit high to take in the views. A top of the range model that made driving to Vancouver Island and then across to Calgary a pleasure. I booked through Trailfinders in the UK who were excellent brokers. Check-in was speedy and return at Alamo in Calgary airport was almost instant. Highly recommended.

www.trailfinders.com

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Worth going at the start of your trip to put the history of the people in perspective. Great exhibits of First Nation artifacts and way of living.

www.moa.ubc.ca/
6393 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
+1 604 822 5087
Google map: bit.ly/rqFlVC

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An eclectic mix of sights and smells that is lively and gives great views across to the Vancouver skyline. The market is full of great stalls and colours and is a dream for fruit and vegetables. The varied eating places in the market allow all members of the group to eat what appeals at the time. Take a trip down the harbour in the little tug boats to see the diversity of Vancouver. A great place to spend up to three hours.

www.granvilleisland.com/
1661 Duranleau Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S4
+1 604 666 5784

Google map: bit.ly/pzJ40b

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Naam is an incredible vegetarian restaurant on Vancouver's 4th Avenue. It serves amazing vegetarian fare 24 hours a day, in vast quantities, and has won several awards for doing so. It's kind to both tastebuds and finances!

2742 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
www.thenaam.com/naam/
+1 (604) 738-7151
Google map: bit.ly/eEZBZF

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A great choice for Chinese vegetarian food - you'll see large families here and even some Buddhist monks and nuns, enjoying vegetarian versions of Cantonese classics, beautifully cooked vegetables and tofu, as well as gluten and mock meat dishes. The decor may be very plain, but this restaurant deserves its popularity among the local Chinese population.

3932 Fraser Street, Vancouver
+1 604-873-3848
Google map: bit.ly/fMucV2

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The Naam has been around for decades, and is still a trustworthy place to go to for delicious vegetarian food. It's located in Kitsilano, on Vancouver's hip West 4th Avenue, and opens 24 hours a day so you can even go here for that midnight fix (and avoid the usual lunch and dinnertime queues.) Particular favourites are the reuben burgers and "dragon bowls" - loaded with noodles and vegetables - and you can't leave without trying the sesame fries with miso gravy.

2724 West Fourth Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia
+1(604) 738-7151
www.thenaam.com/
Google map: bit.ly/fgZp7l

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As Canada's largest travel book store that also sells maps, luggage and every sort of travel accessory possible, it's the place to go for inspiration and solutions. The staff are all well travelled and able to give sound advice-they've helped me out a few times with finding info for places off the beaten path.

www.wanderlustore.com
1929 West Fourth Avenue, Vancouver
+1 604-739-2182
Google map: bit.ly/eEuXOD

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Its totally free you just have to register. You can search through listings of people heading up to the hill and find a cheap lift. Alternatively you can post when you are driving up there and get other people to share the petrol costs.

www.hitchwhistler.com
Google map: bit.ly/dK5cXc

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Vancouver's metro. The subway from Airport to downtown just opened in 2010, quick and easy from terminal to the heart of Vancouver. The fare in October 2010 was $3.75 Canadian. Riders are polite and cars are clean.

Just outside terminal, Skytrain, Canada Line www.translink.bc.ca
Google map: bit.ly/c9Rqjq

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Location, location! It overlooks English Bay, in the west end and has 120 rooms. Built in 1912 the staff make you feel at home and round the corner from Denman Street restaurants and a walk or jog on the beach. Rates from $129 Canadian and with a great bar and restaurant downstairs.

www.sylviahotel.com
1154 Gilford St, Vancouver BC V6G 2P6
+1 604.681.9321
Google map: bit.ly/cve9ol

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The best outdoor pool in the world. Canada's longest and only heated salt water pool. On the waters edge in spectactular Kitsilano with stunning views of the mountains, Stanley Park, the ocean and the city the pool is simply a not to be missed experience. Shallow play area for kids, lap swimming and sunbathing galore. Pool is surrounded by park, beach, restaurants and shops for after swim activities. It is Vancouver at its best.

2305 Cornwall Street Vancouver Canada
Google Kitsilano Pool for photos and more information

vancouver.ca/parks/rec/pools/index.htm

Google map: tinyurl.com/2u3l6bj

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Kitsilano and Second Beach outdoor pools are all located adjacent to the ocean and New Brighton is not far away, and in fact the ocean is visible from the pool. All pools are clean, beautiful to swim in and really show off Vancouver's mountain to ocean scenery. I have swam at Second Beach pool in Stanley park since I was a child and when it was only full when the tide was high because it was a true salt water pool - it also had free entry then! There is a concession stand with chips etc across from the entrance. You can't beat it!

I have also swam at New Brighton Pool where the water is chlorinated but the lifeguards play jazz music from their stereo while you swim. Very relaxing atmosphere!

Kitsilano Outdoor Pool
2305 Cornwall Street
604-731-0011
137.5 metres (150 yds x 60 ft wide)
Fresh water 25C (77F)
Zero depth entry to 9 feet

The Kitsilano pool is 137 metres of heated bliss. The water is a mixture of salt and fresh.
Open from the middle of May to the first week in September. The rest of the year, the seagulls enjoy it immensely.
Bus #2 or #22 south on Burrard to Cornwall

Second Beach Pool
Stanley Park
604-257-8371
Free form with 50 metre lanes
Zero depth entry to 5 ft Temp 27C (80F)

The beautiful Second Beach pool, like the Kitsilano Pool, is right on the beach. It is also in Stanley Park in a beautiful setting. This is a very kid friendly pool designed for maximum fun. If you're an early riser, Second Beach Pool is a wonderful early morning destination, even when it's closed because it's a serene sight in a serene location.

New Brighton Pool is located on North Windermere Street near 'Playland' and the Second Narrows Bridge.

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The view of the Kitsilano outdoor pool on Google Earth was enough to make me think about wearing my swimming costume under my clothes for the entire flight to Vancouver to save me time on arrival (I didn't!).

Kitsilano pool is located on the west side of Vancouver on the edge of the ocean in the vibrant neighbourhood of Kitsilano. It was originally constructed in 1931 and extends to a fantastic 137 metres, which means you only need to swim 11 lengths to complete a mile!! It is a heated salt-water pool with views towards Vancouver's high-rise West-End across English Bay and the North Shore Mountains beyond. The pool is large enough to accommodate all - roped off lanes for lap swimmers, a shallow section for families and a deeper end for casual bathers.

Post-swim you can head to one of the great organic cafes in the centre of Kitsilano or one of the growing number of micro-brewery bars and restaurants - it's a just reward for a few 137 metre laps!

2305 Cornwall Avenue, Kitsilano
Walkable from Kitsilano. Bus services regularly run from the centre of Vancouver to Kitsilano.

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The best located bar in Gastown, with a large outside area that is bathed in sunshine in the summer. Turn up with many friends or on your own - excellent selection of great beersand very good wines. The cook Jared Shaw is fantastic and the kitchen is set up to allow interaction between the staff and the customers. A really excellent place with really friendly, unpretentious staff. Jared's food is simple and delicious - he will be going to work in C restaurant soon so be sure to follow !

3 Alexander Street, Vancouver, chillwinston.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/3ae2wx7

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Combine a love of motorbikes with a taste for adventure, independent travel and awe-inspiring (and sometimes fear inducing) scenery and you have the most memorable trip of a lifetime - a motorcycle trip on the Sea To Sky Highway. The highway winds itself out of Vancouver, past Howe Sound, through Squamish and high up into the mountains around Whistler. From here, there's no going back, the roads in some places precarious, hug the mountain sides and take you past beautiful, crystal clear lakes and through dense alpine forest eventually arriving in sleepy Lillouet. From here the highway snakes back down, hugging the shores of the Fraser River, passing Hell's Gate, Hope (famous as the film location of Rambo: First Blood) and finally back to downtown Vancouver.

All this should be experienced on a Harley Davidson Electroglide. We rented ours from Cycle BC Rentals in Vancouver. Details of which can be found at www.cyclebc.ca, t: 1-866-380-2453.

We didn't book our accommodation in advance, but stumbled across the wonderfully welcoming and reasonably priced Reynolds Hotel (Reynolds Hotel, 1237 Main Street, Lillooet, www.reynoldshotel.com)

Flights were booked through Canadian Affair and in June cost about £350 each (www.canadianaffair.com)

A range of Harley Davidsons can be rented from Cycle BC Rentals, Vancouver (www.cyclebc.ca, T: 1-866-380-2453)

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Less than five hours from Vancouver, an oasis of indulgence, relaxation and nature. A winery where you can stay the night!

Stroll through the vineyards then sample the produce whilst you learn about the bird that gives this place its name.

Take a refreshing dip in the pool, or just enjoy the view from your terrace, before treating your taste buds with a combination of fine wine and fine food. The chef and wine maker work together to give you a meal to remember.

A delicious breakfast to match the fabulous view may tempt you to stay another night! Expensive, yes, but worth every penny.

100 Burrowing Owl Place
RR#1 Site 52, Comp 20
Oliver, British Columbia, V0H 1T0

www.bovwine.ca/index.html?reloaded=true

Toll Free: 877.498.0620
Local: 250.498.0620

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Vancouver is often voted the best city in the world. However, there are a lot of homeless people there and they are concentrated in East Hastings road. It seems to be limited to that area only but be careful, we walked through and it felt really dangerous. Apart from that, everything else is beautiful

North of chinatown, vancouver

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