http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31947 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31947 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11911
People always ask about a good place to take the family to ski or learn to ski. I think Vancouver is perfect. People always think of Whistler but don't know that there are three great mountains in Vancouver itself - Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Seymour Mountain.

For beginner skiers or families of skiers this has a lot of great advantages. By staying in the city there is a much wider range of accomodation (cheaper than Whistler to extravagant). There is also a lot of other activities on your doorstep so maybe when mum, dad or one of the kids gets tired or bored of every day skiing they can venture into the city easily and cheaply and take their minds off the sore muscles. Shopping, aquarium, Stanly Park, golf, sailing, nightclubs means there is always something to do.

All the mountains offer a great range of snowsports from beginner to advanced terrain and terrain parks. Whistler is little over an hour away for an extra day out. All the mountains have stunning views of the city and as a bonus Cypress Mountain will be holding some events in the 2010 Winter Olympics. The mountains are easily accessible by highways so there are no tricky mountain roads and the instruction at Cypress Mountain in particular is excellent for the whole family. They have also had a record winter of snowfall.

Plus, as the exchange rate is currently nearly two Canadian dollars to the pound it's not as expensive a destination as you may think.

All in all, a great place for everyone to go and enjoy on many different levels.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6750
The view stretches from the cruise ships on the horizon off to Alaska to the mountains to the city.

The atmosphere of couples and families just relaxing is unbeatable. Truly the best way to see the city's beauty.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6595 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6595 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6567 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6567 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6561 www.sfu.ca)

Slide shows about outdoor activities in Canada and around the world at Mountain Equipment Co-op (www.mec.ca).

Slide Shows about kayaking activities locally and around the world at Ecomarine (www.ecomarine.com) on Granville Island, monthly from January - July. Also go to their free kayak try out day at Jerico in July, and try paddling 20 different types of kayaks.

Water Parks for kids at False Creek Community Centre, Stanley Park and other Parks Board venues (www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/Parks/events/events.htm).

Go to the Stanley Park Bike Fetival in June and try out the races for kids or one of the guided trail rides (www.stanleyparkbikefest.ca).

Watch the Tour de Gastown (www.tourdegastown.com).

Watch The Kite Festival at Vanier Park in July, and make your own kite to fly (www.bcka.bc.ca/Events/PacRim.htm).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6499 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6499 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6479 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6479 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6466 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6466 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6450
Start by stocking up with fresh breads, fruits, herbal remedies and more, punctuated by a few coffee breaks along the way in one of many of the NON franchised coffee shops. Then finish your experience in one of the fantastic restaurants (many with outdoor heated patios) dotted along Commercial.

La Grotta del Formaggio is a treasured local purveyor of the best new-world Italian Deli sandwiches and cheeses. If you like kitsch then Urban Empire is the place for you - a shop filled with wonders and surprises. Havana is a great restaurant for good (if not traditional) Cuban food and it has a great photo gallery at the back. Waazubee is also a good rest stop or even better dining experience with a wide range of veggie dishes.

This all comes from a person who doesn't even live in Vancouver. Guess it must be great eh?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6450 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6443
Just go there and see for yourself why it's so great!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6443 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6434
See the Sun Yat-Sen garden and park, the Chinese Cultural Centre, and Pender Street between Carrall and Gore. Keefer Street is also Chinatown, between Columbia and Gore, and in the summer (late May-September) on Friday and Saturday nights it's closed to host the street market. This features entertainment, games, children's rides (dinky ones, but fun) and lots of bargains along the cheap bag/sunglasses/clothing line.

Good restaurants include Goldstone on Keefer (closes early), Hon's on Keefer, and Gain Wah on Keefer, which is open late. Great groceries are to be had at many of the local stores, or the local Asian supermarket, T&T, on Keefer near the Stadium Skytrain station.

After the street market (which runs till nine or so) walk over to La Casa Gelato on Venables and get one of their 200+ flavours of ice cream: rocky road, yes, but also durian, basil and pernod, or gorgonzola.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6434 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6427 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6427 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6421
The best way to get there from downtown Vancouver is by taking the Seabus from Waterfront Station in Gastown (a 15 minute ferry ride costing $3.25 and is valid on all buses for 90 minutes). You arrive at Lonsdale Quay, a smaller version of Granville Island, but this is just the jumping off point for a whole range of activities. You can use your ferry ticket to take a bus to Grouse Mountain & take the cable car up to see the bears they have there. You can take a different bus to Lynn Valley & hike through forested trails. You can take yet another bus and browse the Persian stores on Lonsdale Avenue & end up at Brazza's (19th and Lonsdale) for a Cappucino and a gelato. The more energetic of you can take a bus to Lighthouse park in West Vancouver. A 30 minute hike through ancient forest rewards you with a view over the waters at the edge of Howe Sound, to downtown Vancouver.

If you are really committed to do something extensive like visit Whistler, then you probably have to drive. Take the Lions' Gate bridge from downtown Vancouver and follow the highway & signs there (don't forget to gasp in admiration at the North Shore mountains as you cross the bridge). You must appoint a designated driver who will watch the treacherous highway 99 (Sea to Sky Highway) while everyone else oohs and ahhs at the view up Howe Sound to the glaciers at the top.

I live in North Vancouver & I think it represents the more natural side of the city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6421 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6418 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6418 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6406 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6406 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1278 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1278 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/734 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/734 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6563 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6563