Advantages: Clean air, Beautiful scenery, very helpful and friendly people
Disadvantages: Not enough time to see and do everything

...I visited Vancouver and Vancouver Island in June 2004, it was my first trip abroad and I did it alone. I had got the idea of the trip from reading some British Columbia magazines that were given to me by someone in work. After only one week of planning where I would go and the places I would visit, I booked my flight on the internet through Canadian Affair a comany I'd not heard of, but would certainly recommend. They operate a no ticket style policy, you get all the information on your flight times, numbers, dates etc, on one sheet, which you need to keep hold of to travel. I was able to buy my Canadian Dollars and travellers cheques from the same site, which was delivered the next day, most impressive and saves time queing up in a bank or post office. Canadian Affair use Thomas Cook airlines and are probably... Read review

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Advantages: see above
Disadvantages: none

...I am a huge fan of the US, but even stronger is my love for Vancouver Island. I spent 2 weeks there at my friend in the Courtenay/Comox area in octobre 1995 and three more weeks in june 1996. During that time I saw a lot of this Island and its beauty, as well as the city of Vancouver itself. Well I start with the Courtenay/Comox area. In this area you can find anything. An airport (Canadian Air Force and Civil flights), an harbour (ferry to the mainland), shopping opportunities, night clubs, beautieful nature, Mt.Washington (skiing till from october to may possible), several golf courses and beaches. Most impressive was the area arount that little river in the woods, because of the wildwater area and some waterfalls. Then there is Coombs (a little to the south) with its shops. There is also a hemp shop (not that I am into that... Read review

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Advantages: Pretty much perfection
Disadvantages: Rains alot!

...: This is an automated transit system which offers fast efficient service (daily, every 2 – 5 minutes) between central ‘down town’ Vancouver and the suburbs of Burnaby, Surrey and Guildford. As with most public transport in the city, Sky Train carriages and stations are wheelchair accessible (except Granville station). Buses – cheap, efficient and frequent with an extensive service across downtown and suburban Vancouver. Make sure you have the right money though cos drivers don’t give change. SeaBus – a passenger commuter ferry system which connects Vancouver from Waterfront Station with Lonsdale Quay on the North Shore (home to Vancouver’s mountains and Lonsdale market). The scenic journey takes just 12 minutes. BC Ferries – there are two ferry terminals--Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay, providing access to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great city, great food, good value for money once you're there
Disadvantages: Expensive to get to and long flight there

...American city. Downtown is made up of several distinct areas such as Gastown and Chinatown, and venturing a little further will take you to places such as Richmond, which hosts a Chinatown night market much bigger than one that is held in downtown Chinatown. The city is often used as a stop off to the nature of the rest of the province of British Colombia, with national parks and ski resorts such as Banff and Whistler. The beautiful Vancouver Island is also close by (sadly I didn't get to go there). It isn't so far over the border to the state of Oregon in the USA, and Seattle is a short plane or longer bus, train or car journey away. DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER Out trip began in Vancouver, the first time either of us had been to the west coast of North America. The long flight (about 10 hours) meant that we ended up at our downtown... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Vancouver has it all
Disadvantages: Its not cheaper to get to

..., a Crystal Dome type erection, but see also Canada Place) and a first rate transport network consisting of buses, a ferry and in my opinion the worlds' best monorail. Tickets are valid for all three components of the network, meaning that getting about is both easy and affordable. For relaxation, I have two recommendations. First is Stanley Park, a massive area of greenery a short bus ride from the city centre. You may well have heard of it, and while somewhat overpopulated by tourists in high season, there is always a quiet spot in the shade to be found. However, to really get away from it all, grab the ferry over to Vancouver Island and head north to Tofino. I still dream of watching the sun rise and set from Long Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean while camping out under the stars. If I was told to settle down tomorrow, it would... Read review

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Advantages: Abundant wildlife, gorgeous scenery
Disadvantages: little in the way of public transport

...Vancouver Island is an island off the coast of Vancouver, on the south west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Ciao have been less than generous in describing it as a "Vancouver Experience", as far from being some sort of tourist attraction it is actually a large island home to the capital of British Columbia, Victoria, as well as some 750,000 inhabitants. At roughly 280 miles long, and 60 miles wide, it is a manageable size for a driving holiday. We spent 6 days beetling around in our RV, seeing what the island had to offer, which was sadly not enough (the time, not the island!). ------------When to go---------- Vancouver Island has a very mild and temperate climate. Average temperatures generally stay above zero throughout the year, and can reach mid 20s in summer. The high season for Vancouver Island is July... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Friendly - Efficent modern service
Disadvantages: none

...We arrived at Vancouver international airport on a flight from London Heathrow. I am afraid to say that upon arrival we had a connecting flight to make to Vancouver Island (Via float plane) so I did not have chance to take much in as it was bit of a rush due to out flight being an hour late arriving. However saying that the initial impressions were favourable. It has been several years since I had actually flown into Vancouver and I was impressed by the improvements that had been made. Much effort seems to have gone into bringing the airport out of the 80's style time warp it had been. Lots of money has been spent on melding the 21st century with native Indian heritage of the area. Everywhere you looked large Indian murals and statues sit comfortably next to the glass and steel of the buildings structure. Customs was relatively... Read review

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Advantages: Scenery to die for and more importantly whales watching!
Disadvantages: It is hard to get around once you're there.

...I spent about a week on Vancouver Island back in 2002 during a trip to British Columbia and Washington State. I travelled alone which was an interesting experience. I am glad I did it but in honesty I would have preferred company. Vancouver Island is a beautiful place, with a long and rugged coastline, a plenthora of marine and other wildlife, topped of with a backdrop of the rocky mountains on the mainland in the distance. Heaven to the eyes. Facts about Vancouver Island ******************************************************************** Vancouver Island is situated off the West Coast of Canada and at 32,134 square kilometres it is the largest North American island in the Pacific. It is part of the province of British Columbia and has a total population of approximately 600,000. Its largest City, Victoria (population 300... Read review

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Advantages: scenery, city life, sports, culture, heaven
Disadvantages: none

...I love Vancouver. It has all the amenities of a big North American city, but it is small enough to be friendly. It is multicultural and lively, with a superb waterfront. But that isn't what makes it special. Vancouver is special because of its location. It is set on the sea across the water fron Vancouver Island. Within easy reach are high, spectacular mountains, water sports, bears, orcas, grey whales, porpoises and dolphins, sea lions, fantastic skiing and native american culture. The Rockies are a long day's drive away, with other breathtaking scenery in between. It rains a lot here but the people who complain about that come from California. I found it much better than say, Manchester. If you run out of things to do (never !) then Seattle and an equally bewildering array of options is a busride away.... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning scenery, easy to get around
Disadvantages: food is not consistently good

...In September 2005 I took a two-week holiday in Canada with my partner, starting in Vancouver, exploring Vancouver Island by car, then taking the Rocky Mountaineer train to Jasper and on to Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary. Our main objective was to experience the beauty of the vast wide open-spaces, but also spend a few days enjoying Canadian culture in some of the towns and cities. Vancouver We flew with Air Canada from Heathrow Terminal 3 into Vancouver. Rather than having a car while in Vancouver, we took a taxi to our hotel and explored the city mostly on foot. We stayed at an hotel called "Rosedale on Robson" for two nights, which served as a good base for exploring the city. The hotel is a comfortable modern place with little character and has an American style restaurant, called "Rosie's" which was O.K. for breakfast... Read review

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