City+of+Vancouver

= **Vancouver, British Columbia!** =

British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province and is set between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the magnificent Rocky Mountains in the east. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, BC is home to a geographical diversity that lends itself to a vast array of activities and adventures. There are mountains to climb, rivers to run, beaches to comb, forests to hike, parks to stroll and warm summer lakes to laze about on. The province generally enjoys a temperate climate but where there are mountains, there is snow. Renowned for the steep and the deep of its world-class ski terrain, BC is bustling with energy and opportunity as it prepares for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Always a gold medal destination for savvy travellers, BC offers not just outdoor adventure but cosmopolitan culture, world class exhibitions, uptown shopping and fabulous dining. From sophisticated cities to breathtaking scenery, there is something for everyone in BC. http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/AboutBC/BritishColumbia.htm

** While this sea-level port city is known for its temperate climate, the surrounding snow-covered slopes are the venues for winter sports and breathtaking views of the city twinkling below. Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it's possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon.
 * More specifically on Vancouver......

World Media Attention
Named "Top City of the Americas" in //Condé Nast Traveler// magazine's 2009 Readers' Choice Awards, the world's "Most Liveable City" by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2005, and a Top 100 World Destination pick in Trip Advisor's 2008 Traveller's Choice Awards, Vancouver offers travellers both outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure and the sophisticated amenities of a world-class city. Below is a video on all sorts of things you can do in Vancouver:

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 * Highlights of the city include:**

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Look to Metro Vancouver for venues that will host ceremonies, covered ice events and cultural festivities. Cypress Mountain, towering over Vancouver will host freestyle skiing and snowboard events. Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, bobsleigh and luge will be run in Whistler.

Stanley Park
Only have time to do one thing in Vancouver? Cycle or stroll along the Stanley Park seawall, a paved 10km/6mi loop with magnificent mountain, ocean, forest and city views. While in Stanley Park, visit to the internationally-acclaimed Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, one of North America's five largest aquariums.

Granville Island
From downtown, hop on one of the small passenger ferries that look similar to bathtub toys as they cruise through False Creek to Granville Island, famous for its year-round indoor farmer's market, boutique micro-brewery, street buskers, artisan studios and live theatre.

Grouse Mountain
While many people prefer to hike up to the top via the Grouse Grind, also known as "Mother Nature's Stairmaster," an equally scenic (and less strenuous) option is to ride up on the 100-passenger tram, appreciating breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Lower Mainland en route.

Robson Street
Every major city has a famous shopping and cruising strip; Vancouver's is Robson Street. Head here for the high fashion, trendy restaurants and bars, the coffee-shop culture and even a little star spotting; don't forget, this is the Hollywood of the North, and Robson Street is a favourite spot for visiting stars to shine.

Vancouver Lookout & Canada Place
On a clear day, ride to the top of the Vancouver Lookout for 360-degree views of the city. Then descend to Canada Place, an enormous public pier that stretches out into the harbour like the prow of a ship and houses the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Almost a million passengers each year board cruise ships here, most bound for Alaska.

UBC Museum of Anthropology
Home to one of the world's most magnificent collections of First Nations totem poles, carvings and other artifacts, the museum is housed in an award-winning glass-and-concrete building designed by the world-renowned architect, Arthur Erickson, based on traditional Northwest Coast post-and-beam structures.

Capilano Suspension Bridge
It's shaky, but worth the walk across this swaying suspension bridge - located in the middle of a lush west-coast rainforest - for thrilling canyon views 70m/230ft below.

Gastown
Vancouver began here. Stroll down charming cobbled streets, explore heritage buildings and mews, visit unique stores and dine in restaurants that range from quirky to gourmet.

**Vancouver Public Library Square**
Some go for the books, but most go for the architecture. Think ancient Roman Coliseum meets reconstructionist, post-modernism and it will be evident why this full city block became an instant landmark in 1995.

Chinatown and Chinatown Night Market
Vancouver is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in North America. Its downtown Chinatown (the other major centre is in Richmond) is worth a visit for the historic buildings (including the world's narrowest), exotic markets and herbal apothecaries, not to mention bargains on imported goods, particularly kitchen supplies. During late spring and summer, the streets are closed to vehicles once a week for the Chinatown Night Market, an exotic flea market with everything from great fashion finds to bargain Asian food. Celebration of Light Each year English Bay is lit up in a symphony of fire when Vancouver hosts a four-night spectacular international fireworks competition.

You can find all this information and more from: http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/Vancouver.htm?media=docos&cta=van_en_discovermore_x&l=uscan&CMPID=RAC-docos09

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