Vancouver
:
heart of a contrasts and harmony country
In estuary of Fraser river in exceptional area, between sea and mountains, Vancouver nestling there. This idyllic little world with his simply indescribable beauty definitely deserves travelers praises: "three most beautiful cities in the world? Rio, Paris and Vancouver!"
In the middle of a breathtaking nature
A
cult destination for exceptional travellers, Vancouver is beyond classifications and tourist tendencies; it is neither Venice nor Istanbul . How to explain that such a paradis is still only known by travel lovers? Every details however make it an absolute wonder: its Pacific coast interlaced with innumerable fjords, bays and islands, its snowed mounts with rivers where half population live (either 2 million people), its natural reserves and gigantic forests. A picture of preserved virginity of Canada.
Only in 1791, a Spanish Conquistador permeates the estuary, still peopled by Natives. Then, in the course of the gold rush of 1858 appeals many prospectors from the south who settle along the river and its tributaries. Vancouver came out of ground only with the completion of transcontinental railroad in 1887 to become today the first harbour of North America. As Istanbul where everything was built around the Strait of the Bosphorus, in Vancouver it's the Fraser River which constitutes the primary link between its history and its growth. Today, in spite of a rather polluted water caused by paper factories, the biggest salmons reproduction center in the world (12 million fish on average per year) settle on the riverside!
Preserved from time which generally denatures, the surroundings of Vancouver are very well served by the road 99, through mountain villages, ranches and firms, towards a fabulous pure air, fauna and flora territory... at less than one hour from downtown. Various cross bars also exist, ensuring of the regular shuttles between several islands, as well as the famous SkyTrain (elevated railway) to peripheral villages. To take the most of Vancouver, it's knowing how to escape for the day: discovering the omnipresent nature, carved for the pleasure of anglers, as skiers or kayak, rafting, climbing lovers, in any season. Hikers and riders, ornithologist or those whose relaxation is the single motivation are perfectly delight staging in a ranch or a thermal spa.
Opening on outside and asserted wellbeing
Vancouver way of live is especially delightful and peaceful, according to every survey! Just a look and you get it: an overcoming contrast between the snowed tops on a side and the ocean on the other, without to me ntion the moderate climate and the strong sunning the summer. Wherever you stare, it's a wonderful picture. At feet of the city, the immense bay abounds in steamer and pleasure boats. Hardly further the beaches, parks and gardens where a multiethnic population strolls and meets.Out in Vancouver ? Excitable, trendy, cultured with more than four thousand restaurants, coffees and pubs, and more than one hundred fifty cultural exhibition places. (See our suggestions).
As the biggest town of North America, enriched by successive waves of immigration, Vancouver has got its own " Chinatown " as well as an Italian and Greek district. Downtown, don't miss Granville Island , peninsula in the middle of the city famous for its large market place and the Harbour Centre tower with its panoramic view or Gastown, the old neighbourhood with its representative steam clock. Tangle of lanes and paved passages, this little city in the City is both charming and having character but also trendy: art galleries, fashioned shops, theatres...
More than one simple stopover between the Far East and Europe , for fortunate tourist or businessman, Vancouver is a destination to choose deserving well better than a "small turning". Come to take a breath without leaving or almost, a city in constant boiling.
Vancouver Art Gallery moving to new site
ctvbc.ca The Vancouver Art Gallery is moving from its existing downtown location at Robson Square to a waterfront home at the Plaza of Nations. It will make the switch with the help of $50 million f...
Man played dead as grizzly chewed
Go to the National section Two weeks after being attacked by a grizzly bear, Mr. Case says he still can't believe he's alive. Mr. Case, 53, was doing surveying work near Bella Coola when he felt...
Transit police alter policy to limit tasering
VANCOUVER -- The Metro Vancouver transit police force recently changed its policy on using tasers after it was revealed that some fare-evading transit users had been zapped with the stun gun, the forc...
B.C. Place to get a new hat - after the party
VANCOUVER -- The provincial government is confirming big changes for the 60,000-seat B.C. Place domed stadium but refusing to put a price tag on upgrades that will include a new retractable roof after...
Loss of GPS won
The global positioning system on the helicopter that crashed Tuesday in Cranbrook killing four people was probably destroyed in the crash, Transit Safety Board regional manager Bill Yearwood said yest...
Drunk driver fined for crash at RCMP office
A Chilliwack man has pleaded guilty to drunk driving after he crashed his car into a picnic table in front of an RCMP detachment.On Feb. 12, Brian Nash of Chilliwack jumped his car over a retaining wa...
Victoria pledges funds for DNA research
The provincial government is promising $50-million in funding for a program that focuses on DNA research.Genome British Columbia will receive the money over five years beginning in 2010 to pay for lon...
Case delayed into slayings of three young children
Kamloops -- A B.C. father accused of murder in the deaths of his three young children has had his case put off while lawyers await evidence from the police.Allan Schoenborn made a brief appearance yes...
Northern towns consider carbon tax revolt
VANCOUVER -- Unhappiness over B.C.'s landmark carbon tax is prompting a northern revolt, with the mayor of Williams Lake saying his community won't pay the tax on municipal fuel purchases unless the L...
