| Article 19956 of rec.travel:
Subject: CANADA info. (long..)
Organization: Hewlett-Packard GmbH
Lines: 766
For everyone else interested in CANADA trips...
Subject: Re: US/Canada tips ??
In rec.travel you write:
>I'm new for this group...
Obviously :-)
>I'm looking for tips for the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria area (+Jasper/Bannf)
>and also for Montreal/Quebec.
>I'm thinking to visit some/all these places next July or next September/October
Seriously, I was in Vancouver, Victoria, Jasper, Banff, Montrel and Quebec
in May this year (back last week). I'd love to give you some tips but
your article gives no clue as to what you want to know.
Are you interested in tours, car rentals, deciding which of these?
Do you want accommodation suggestions, must-see sights, etc?
How long are you going to be in each of these places: 1 day or 1 week or
not sure?
Will you be travelling alone, with other men/women, with children?
Are you a nature lover, art lover, mad photogragher, sex fiend?
Where are you from? (You often can't tell from an e-mail address)
E.g. If you are from the USA, then I won't need to explain what an "entree"
on a menu is (which I would need to explain to another Australian -- boy,
did that cause some confusion!).
All these things makes a difference to the information that it is useful
to pass on to you.
Can I suggest that you post again to the newsgroup giving all the facts
you can and asking what you need to know for the next stage of planning? E.g.
"My husband and I and our triplet sons aged 3 are planning to spend 2 weeks
driving around Vancouver, Victoria and the Canadian Rockies. We are expecting
to stay in cheap motels (say under C$X per night). Will we need to pre-book
our accommodation? Can anyone recommend any particular motels?"
or
"I'm travelling alone to blah, blah, blah. What are the must-see attractions
in this area (I'm especially interested in wildlife photography)? How long
do you suggest I spend in each of these towns?"
Then, as your plans start to fall into place, post again for the next
level of detail that you need for the next phase of your planning.
Kerry
P.S. Western Canada is a great place -- I thoroughly recommend it!
===============================================================================
Dr Kerry Raymond, R & D Engineer E-mail: [email protected]
Centre for Information Technology Research Phone: +61 7 365 4321
University of Queensland 4072 Australia Fax: +61 7 365 4399
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 92 20:57:15 -0700
From: [email protected] (Jonathan Hahn)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: US/Canada tips ??
Newsgroups: rec.travel
In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center
Cc:
In article <[email protected]> you write:
>Hi,
>
>
>I'm new for this group...
>
>I'm looking for tips for the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria area (+Jasper/Bannf..)
>and also for Montreal/Quebec.
>
>I'm thinking to visit some/all these places next July or next September/October;
>
>I prefere to receive any tip by a direct mail...
>
>Thanks.
>
>Mik
There's a music/arts festival in Seattle over Labor Day (Sep 5-7) called
Bumbershoot. I've never been to it myself, but it sounds good... I'm
going to go this year.
-jonathan hahn
--
[email protected] wk: (415) 604-4360
...!ames!amelia!hahn hm: (408) 736-7014
From: [email protected] (Steven Paul Kostur)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: Rec.travel posting : US & Canada tips !!
To: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 92 13:29:31 PDT
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
I'm told that a good tip is in the 10% range. But I've heard everything
from 0% (for really bad service), and from 7%-17%. <chuckle>
>I'm looking for tips for the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria area
>and also for Montreal/Quebec.
I've collected a 'things to do in Vancouver' from the net, as well one
for Seattle (just got that today :) ), and I typed out some stuff on
Victoria (that I was going to post, and ask for opinions). Can't help
you with Montreal/Quebec, other than to tell you that that's quite the
hike from the Seattle/Vancouver/Victoria area ! :)
If you don't get info (or simply not enough), let me know, I can send :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my .sig ... pretend it is witty, original and inspirational.
From: Cheryl Petreman <[email protected]>
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: US/Canada tips ??
Newsgroups: rec.travel
In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>
Organization: Simon Fraser University
Cc:
In article <[email protected]> you write:
>I'm looking for tips for the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria area (+Jasper/Bannf)
my favourite FREE things to do in Vancouver
- go to Stanley Park (Downtown) and walk around the sea wall, walk around
near the Aquarium and look at the paintings displayed and at the street
entertainers
NOT FREE:
There is also THEATRE UNDER THE STARS in the summer where they put on
musicals in an outdoor theatre
The aquarium is quite good.
- go to Queen Elizabeth Gardens (This is an old rock quarry turned flower
garden. On a map, you'll find it in South Vancouver near 33rd and Cambie)
- Lynne Valley Canyon Park and Suspension bridge
look at the waterfalls, hike through the woods, stop at the ecology centre
- Grandville Island Public Market
public market (groceries, snacks, & crafts)
marina if you're into admiring sailboats, etc.
feed the seagulls
watch the glass blowers & other artisans
NOT FREE:
The Arts Club Theatre - 2 for 1 on Monday nights and Wednesday matinees
other things to do in Vancouver
- Science Centre - hands ON museum with Omnimax (180 degree screen) theatre
- CNIMAX theatre at Canada Place (downtown) - 5 storey screen sometimes
showing 3D movies
- Theatre Sports at the Back Alley Theatre - impromptu skits
- The museum of anthropology on the UBC campus
outside of the city
- just past Hope on Highway #5 (take #1 to Hope) is the Kettle Valley Railroad
line. The tracks have been removed and the path leveled and you can walk
through the tunnels (a flashlight is not needed as you can see the light
from the other end). This track was laid in the late 1800s and is
still today the most expensive mile of railroad track in the world.
- Just before Hope on Highway #1 is Bridal Falls - worth the little hike up
to see
- Around that area is the town of Harrison which has as its claim to fame
Harrison Lake and Harrison Hot Springs (there's a pool in town or you can
drive out further to the source if your vehicle's into abuse)
- Going North from Vancouver around Squamish you have the Britannia Mines
Museum, and some other falls which I can't remember the name of at present
Further along you come to Whistler where there's lakes, bicycle trails,
hiking, trips up to the top of the mountain on the ski lifts to see the
alpine meadows...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANFF
- upper hot springs
- Magpie & Stump restaurant
- any number of lakes/waterfalls/buffalo paddocks which you can get info
from the park rangers about
Between Banff and Jasper you have the COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS PARKWAY and you
can take a tour bus up and walk out onto the glaciers or drive out to the
toe of one and have a look see for free.
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 92 11:43:58 -0700
From: [email protected] (Ed Suranyi)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Montreal
Here's something I wrote a little while ago for someone else. I hope
you find it useful.
----------------------------------
I lived in Montreal for about five years, and go back to visit
frequently. It's my favorite city, and I know it quite well.
I think it's a fascinating city for several reasons:
1) The combination of old and new. Montreal was founded in 1642, and
the old section, which has been preserved, has many nice looking
buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Not far away,
downtown has lots of skyscrapers, the subway (called the Metro) is
a delight, and there are several architecturally famous modern buildings
(Habitat, Place Ville Marie, Place Bonaventure, the Olympic Complex)
2) The different language and culture. I've been to Toronto several
times. It's a terrific city, with many interesting things to see. But
when I'm there I don't feel that I've left the US. When in Montreal,
there's no doubt that you're in a foreign country. Almost all signs are
in French only, and that's the language most people you see on the
street are speaking. Don't worry, however. In Montreal, most people
a tourist would probably need to talk to speak English as well. If
it's obvious you're an American (as it will be), they'll be delighted
to help you. Outside of Montreal, you're more likely to run into
people who speak no English.
3) The cosmopolitan atmosphere. Like New York, Montreal has
traditionally been an arrival point for European immigrants. There
are sections of the city with large Portuguese, Greek, Italian, and
Jewish populations, with the restaurants specializing in the appropriate
local cuisine. In the last decade, large numbers of Vietnamese and
Haitians have also come to Montreal.
4) Montreal is a place where people love to walk. Unlike downtown
Los Angeles, which I'm also very familiar with, the streets of downtown
Montreal are crowded with walkers 24 hours a day.
Getting around:
The public transit system in Montreal is terrific. I advise you to
use it all the time. Parking is very difficult in many parts of the
city. The Metro can take you most places you may want to go; buses
can take you everywhere else.
The Metro is designed after the Parisian system; the trains run
on rubber tires. Each station was designed by a different architect,
so they all look (very) different from one another. Most include
works of modern art in their design; sometimes the whole station
is a work of art! It has been described as the world's longest
art gallery.
When I was there last year, the fare for the buses and Metro was
$1.50 Canadian, but you could buy a book of six tickets for $6 in the
Metro stations. Transfers are free, and can be used to connect
between the buses and Metro, as well as between buses. I'm kind of
an expert on the public transit system in Montreal, so if you have
any questions, please e-mail me.
Places to see:
1) Old Montreal. Just walk around. Have lunch in one of the sidewalk
cafes on Place Jacques Cartier. Look at the artists on Rue St. Amable.
Don't miss looking inside Notre Dame Church; the interior is one of the
most beautiful in North America. Go back on Friday or Saturday
night -- all the pubs will have live music, and there'll be tons
of people looking for a good time.
2) Mount Royal. Montreal was founded at the base of a hill called
Mount Royal -- in fact, the name of the city comes from the hill.
A park covers its summit, and is a delightful place to walk. There's
an overlook from which you get a terrific view of downtown and the
Saint Lawrence River.
3) The Botanical Gardens. They are the third largest in the world,
after Berlin's botanical gardens and London's Kew Gardens. There
are many beautiful exhibits. Lots of outdoor acreage and what seems
like miles of greenhouses for the tropical and desert exhibits.
The new Chinese garden exhibit is really spectacular. The Insectarium
is also located there.
4) The Olympic Park. This is right across Sherbrooke Street from
the Botanical Gardens. The Olympic Tower is finally finished, and
there's a windowed funicular that carries you up the back side of it.
The tower is the tallest inclined tower in the world -- it's
very inclined, as you'll see! The funicular tracks start out at
an angle of around 30 degrees near the ground, but at the top they
are over 60 degrees, so the car has a gyroscopic mechanism to keep
itself level.
5) Downtown. Just walk on Ste. Catherine, the main shopping street,
on any shopping day. Lots of interesting people, interesting shops.
6) The Underground City. Montreal's winters are famously harsh,
so Montrealers have devised an interesting solution. Many buildings
are connected by a vast network of underground tunnels. The Metro
forms the spine of the underground city, connecting its various parts.
Among the places connected to it are:
Two railroad stations;
The intercity bus station;
Over thirty office towers;
Several apartment buildings;
Over two dozen shopping centers, which means that over 1,500 stores
can be accessed without going outside;
Parts of two universities;
The Place-des-Arts, which is a complex of theaters and concert halls;
Several dozen movie theatres;
The Olympic Stadium;
A branch of the Montreal Public Library;
About six hotels;
Two convention centers;
The Montreal Stock Exchange;
Etc. etc. etc.
It's a fun place to explore when the weather's bad.
7) Walk down Rue Prince Arthur from McGill University to St. Louis
Square. Much of this is a pedestrian mall, and a favorite place for
college students. St. Louis Square is one of the finest residential
squares in the city, consisting of a small park surrounded by quaint
row houses. You can continue in the same direction to Parc Lafontaine,
where the summer Zoo is located. Last time I did this a troupe of actors
and musicians gave a free show in the park!
8) This year is the 350th anniversary of the founding of Montreal,
and celebrations are planned all year. Go to the tourist office
(see below) for information on what's happening when you're there.
Well, I guess that's the basics. If you want information when
you get there about current events, or if you want maps, or
anything else, there's an Infotouriste office on Dorchester
Square between Peel and Metcalfe Streets, in downtown. They'll
be able to help you.
If you want further information from *me*, please don't hesitate
to e-mail me.
Ed Suranyi
[email protected]
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 10:26:18 PDT
From: [email protected] (George Mathew)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: US/Canada tips ??
>
>I'm looking for tips for the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria area (+Jasper/Bannf..)
>and also for Montreal/Quebec.
>
Well, I have been to all those areas but I am not too familiar with Seattle.
VANCOUVER:
Gas Prices: About 50.9 - 55.9 cents.
Accomodations: Lots of good accomodations available ($50 a night is norm)
Things to see:
1) Stanley park and the zoo in the downtown area.
2) Gastown (with lots of sidewalk cafe's) in downtown.
3) China town in the downtown.
3) Also get a view of the city from Grouse Mountain
(especially at night).
4) Capilano suspension bridge will also be
a good stop on your way to Grouse Mountain.
5) If you come in the beginning of August, you can see
North America's largest airshow: the Abbotsford International
air show: three days of civilian and military air technology.
Abbotsford is 40 minutes east of Vancouver and there are lots of
bus rides available to that town at about $6 one way.
VICTORIA:
Gas and accomodations are the same as Vancouver. There are
a good number of B&B's as well. Things to see:
1) Parliment buildings.
2) Miniature Museam.
3) British Columbia Provincial Museam.
4) Butchart gardens.
5) A walk along governtment street.
There are double decker buses which can take you
for the entire tour at a reasonable price.
JASPER/BANFF:
Personally, I liked Jasper better than Banff. Banff is too
crowded during the summer time. Motels are about $30 - $50 a night
but it is a good idea to make reservations in advance. Parks Canada
should have brochures about the park. Take the highway from Banff to
Jasper as visit the Columbia Icefields: it's worth it. (Watch for
Moose and Bears) but avoid grizzly bears and report them to the rangers
ASAP.
Gas prices are cheaper in Alberta: $45.9 - 49.9 cents.
MONTREAL:
Make sure you have a very good map of the city. The freeways
are very confusing for the first timer. Avoid rush hours (about 4:00 -
7:00 p.m.). Things to see:
1) Old Montreal
2) The Planetarium
3) Aquarium
4) St.Catherines's street is a must for a social person.
Most people bring their own wine for the restaurants on
that street.
Gas prices are: 0.55 - 0.65 cents.
Remeber: Quebec is a French society but most people in Montreal
speak English unless you are in the eastern part of the city.
Also, English signs are banned in Quebec by law, so street
signs are all in French. Some transalations which I found to be sufficient
(pardon me if you know this already):
AUTOROUTE = Highway
NORD = north
SUD = south
OUEST = west
EST = east
ARRET = STOP
Try to visit Quebec City (3 hour drive from Montreal). It's like being
in Europe. Very, very few people speak French there: mainly the
tour operators as I found out. If you visit there, visit, the old city
which is inside the city walls and the citadelle. I do not know about
accomodations in Quebec but Motels are about $50 a night (average).
There are Information Touristique de Quebec booths at all major
freeways and airports into Quebec. They provide lists
of accomodations and things to see for all these places.
Good Luck.
Received: from BNRECADA.BNR.CA by BNRECADA.BNR.CA (IBM VM SMTP R1.2.1) with BSMTP id 6523; Wed, 10 Jun 92 12:01:06 EDT
Date: 10 Jun 92 11:02:00 CDT
To: [email protected]
From: Kevin (K.L.) Summers <[email protected]>
Subject: Van/Seattle
Sender: Kevin (K.L.) Summers <[email protected]>
Hi, Mik. My wife and I spent almost 2 weeks last fall travelling
around Vancouver/Victoria/and environs. If you are into the oudoors,
enjoy fantastic seafood, and appreciate mild (maybe a tad damp)
weather, then I think you have something to look forward to. Seattle
has the Pike's Place Market -- you know the 501 Blues commercial where
the guy is throwing fish??? There's a lot of great latte, too. There's
some terrific hiking north of Vancouver (see Whistler and the
Garibaldi Mts). The San Juan Isls between Washington and Vancouver
Island are great, too. Try to take a ferry over ... some nice views
there, as well. In Victoria, see the Butchart Gardens, have tea at the
Empress, and eat eat eat. Anyway, just a few thoughts... we really had
a great time and can't wait to go back.
Regards,
Kevin
From: [email protected] (Steven Paul Kostur)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: SEATTLE, USA (to be)
To: [email protected] (Michele Isernia)
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 9:07:52 PDT
In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>; from "Michele Isernia" at Jun 10, 92 12:42 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
I've just (well, the other day, any how) a huge list of things to do/see
in Seattle, and haven't even looked at it yet ... do you want straight
ASCII, or would you know what to do with an encoded email ? (it would
save bandwidth).
That first sentence should start "I've just received a huge list ...",
ooops :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my .sig ... pretend it is witty, original and inspirational.
From: [email protected] (Steven Paul Kostur)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: (Medium) VANCOUVER, BC (part I)
To: [email protected] (Michele Isernia)
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 9:05:12 PDT
In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>; from "Michele Isernia" at Jun 10, 92 12:42 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
I've another one on Vancouver, that lists night-clubs, etc. Although I can't
find it right now ... I'd have to browse through my diskette archives. But,
in the interm, here's a couple from rec.travel ... if you wish be to embelish
on this, or (as in Victoria listing), I can stop (or phone) tourism offices.
It's not long distance for me <chuckle>.
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: vancouver, bc info
I've lived in Vancouver for some 40+ years. Like any city it's got good and
bad. My view of it is obviously different from that of a visitor. However,
for what it's worth:
Outdoorsy? 2hrs of a very scenic drive north brings you to Whistler. Lots of
hiking, biking, skiing if you want, canoeing etc. Vancouver has lots of close
(and crowded sometimes) beaches. Chinatown might be interesting if you haven't
been exposed to that culture before. Gastown is not much. There are several
Bed and Breakfast places right in town that I understand are very nice.
Stanley Park is very pretty but the Zoo is not much. Wreck beach is a nude
beach or is that too outdoorsy? On a clear day, the ride up the Grouse
Mountain sky ride provides a great view and some hiking. The Capilano
Suspension bridge is touristy but fairly spectacular and costs mone. the Lyne
Canyon Suspension bridge is equally spectacular and is free. Also has some
hiking and nature trails etc. The Vancouver tourist office is downtown and can
provide lots of info. I find shops with Japanese writing in them to be over
priced. They seem to be heavily into charging lots of money for "Canadian"
things to sell to the Japanese tourist. Weather in July should be warm and
sunny but come prepared for rain. There is also lots of hiking up Cyprus
Mountain, 1/2 hour north.
Hope you enjoy your visit!
Gord.
Subject: Re: vancouver, bc info
I just spent the last couple of weeks playing hostess/tour guide for my
boyfriend, who has never visited Vancouver before. Here are some of the
things that we did, along with prices (from memory, so they might not be
accurate) and opinions:
- bicycle ride around Stanley Park: we rented a bike from Bayshore Bicycles
(on Denman St. just off Georgia Street; approx. $9/hr for a tandem bicycle)
and rode around the Stanley Park seawall. It took about 1.5 hrs and we rode
at a fairly leisurely pace. You will probably want to rent a lock along
with the bike so that you can stop at various places to look around. We
really enjoyed the ride, especially since it was a beautiful day. You'll
get a great view of the North Shore and the Lions Gate Bridge from below.
If you're feeling more energetic, you can also rent rollerskates and roller
blades from the shops in the Denman/Georgia area.
- Grouse Mountain skyride: you reach the base of the mountain by taking the
Capilano Rd exit from Hwy 1 and driving north to the top of the road. From
there you can take a tram to the top of the mountain (approx. $13/adults,
($9/students). It was an overcast day when we went up there so we didn't
explore the mountaintop too much; it looks like there are some nice trails
and picnic areas though. We didn't spend much time in the souvenir shop
and restaurant area. We were thinking about taking a helicopter tour of
the area but the prices were expensive relative to what you get (about
$30/person for a 7 minute tour, $60/person for a 15 minute tour).
- exploring on cheap transportation: we bought a couple of BC Transit
Daypasses ($4/person, valid after 9:30 A.M. Mon-Fri, all day Sat, Sun, and
holidays) and a transit map of the Lower Mainland and explored. We rode the
Skytrain the whole length of its route (from the suburb of Surrey in the
east to the downtown waterfront) and then took the Seabus (a commuter ferry)
over to North Vancouver and looked around Lonsdale Quay. On another day, I
sent my boyfriend off on his own with a Daypass and the Transit map and he
had no trouble getting around. He stuck to the Skytrain route and found his
way to the huge shopping complex at Metrotown in Burnaby, to Science World
(at Main Street Station), and to Harbour Centre (Waterfront Station; you
can take an elevator to the top and have a great view of the city and
mountains).
- visits to the countryside: we visited some friends who live in Chilliwack,
in the eastern part of the Fraser Valley. The area is rural, with lots of
farmland, fresh air, and mountains all around. I think my boyfriend liked
this part of the trip best, because he's lived in the Los Angeles area all
of his life and it was quite a contrast with what he's used to. Next time
we might go for a longer trip and drive along the Coquihalla Hwy to
Kamloops, about a four-hour drive away.
- baseball: we went to see the Vancouver Canadians (the farm team for the
Toronto Blue Jays, I think) play at Nat Bailey Stadium, which is on the
>actually farm team for Chicago White Sox !
outskirts of Queen Elizabeth Park. The tickets were cheap and, from what I
could see, there's not a bad seat in the whole stadium. Afterward we went
Queen E. Park to look around there; it's one of those well-groomed gardens
where people go on their wedding day to take pictures. There's also a
botanical garden there but we didn't go inside.
- more baseball, and a visit to the Emerald City: we drove down to Seattle
and caught a Mariners game in the Kingdome. One good thing about the fact
that the Mariners aren't doing very well is that we could get box seats
for US$12.50 each. Later that evening we splurged and took a horse-drawn
carriage tour of the waterfront and Pioneer Square area ($30). The next day,
we went to Seattle Center and saw how beautiful the city is when we went up
the Space Needle (can't remember the price). Then we took the monorail to
downtown ($1.50/person return trip) and looked around the shopping centre
there. Once we were back on the road, we stopped by the University of
Washington campus for a walk around (nice architecture) before heading back
up north. Because we were returning on a Saturday afternoon, the lineup at
the border wasn't too bad; I hear that they're *very* long on Sundays and
holidays.
- a trip to the capital: we drove to Tsawwassen and I left my car there so
that we could walk onto the ferry ($5.50/person). Once on the ferry, you
can buy a bus ticket to take you into Victoria (approx. $7.50/person). If
you want to take your car onto the ferry, I think it's about $25 for the
car and driver, $5.50 for each additional person. We didn't spend too long
in Victoria; we wandered around downtown and also went into the Royal
British Columbia Museum ($3/students).
The ferry trip is 1.5 hours long and there's another hour or so of commuting
time for the trips between downtown Vancouver and the Tsawwassen ferry
terminal and from the Schwartz Bay ferry terminal to downtown Victoria. If
you can afford it, you might want to try taking the Royal Sealink Express,
a hydrofoil that travels between the two downtown waterfronts. It costs
$48/person for a return trip (the walk-on-the-ferry-and-bus-to-Victoria
route costs $26/person round trip plus $5 for parking at the ferry
terminal).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my .sig ... pretend it is witty, original and inspirational.
From: [email protected] (Steven Paul Kostur)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: (Long one) VICTORIA, BC
To: [email protected] (Michele Isernia)
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 9:00:51 PDT
In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>; from "Michele Isernia" at Jun 10, 92 12:42 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
I've not spent much time in Victoria, but this is what I got out of a
book on Canada ... I abridged the descriptions, and {embelished where
I knew of something} ... I (or you) can post it to 'rec.travel' and
ask for opinions, find out what people who've spent more time there
think.
If you wish, I could also collect stuff (on Victoria, or other places) from
Tourism BC offices, they could let you know if there are specific events
happening this summer, and you can 'adjust' your schedule accordingly.
Personally speaking, if visiting Vancouver Island, *I* would like to drive up
"Malahat Drive" (east coast of isle), nice scenery, Hatley Castle,
Butchart Gardens, etc. are along this route. I plan on crossing Vanc.
Island (hour and half drive, maybe, nice scenery, large water falls, etc) to
see 'unsheltered' ocean, and the resultant 'violent' Pacific coast. I'd don't
have the route name here ... but ...
"Typical?" things to see/do in Victoria :
) Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Includes a noteworthy Oriental collection.
) Bastion Square
Restored downtown area, includes mid-19th-century buildings.
) Beacon Hill Park
It is Mile 0 of the Transcanada Highway ! :)
There are many plaques, etc. for various purposes.
) Butchart Gardens
50 foot deep, giant flower bowl, attract 300,000 people/year.
) Centennial Square
A redeveloped square, includes 1878 city hall, etc.
) Christ Church Cathedral (1926)
) Craigdarroch Castle (1889)
Now houses a music conservatory.
) Craigflower Manor
Ex-Hudson's Bay Company farm. National historic site and museum.
) Craigflower School (1855)
Oldest (Canadian) school, west of the great lakes.
) Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
) Emily Carr Home
) Empress Hotel
City's social center, opened by CPR in 1908.
High tea, with thin sandwiches, and small cakes served each
afternoon {I'm told this is a requirement when visiting Victoria}
Also a basement disqotheque.
) English Village
Replicas of Shakespeare's birthplace, etc.
) Fable Cottage
Animated dwarfs work and play in Enchanted Forest.
) Fort Rodd Hill (1895)
Was used until 1956 { Keep those pesky Americans away ? }.
National historic park.
) Fort Victoria (1843)
) Francis Park Nature House
Wildlife sanctuary.
) Frontier Village Ghost Town
Twenty-six buildings and scenes, and antiques, etc.
) Government House
Home of lieutenant governor [Queen's representative in BC}.
The gardens are open to public.
) Helmcken House (1852)
Provinical museum.
) Land of Little People
Carved Lilliputian figures.
) Maritime Museum
) Pacific Undersea Gardens
Sea life seen through windows below the surface of the inner harbour.
) Parliament Buildings
Current seat of the government of BC, includes museum.
) Point Ellice House (1861)
) Royal London Wax Museum
More than 130 life-size figures including Lincoln, Napoleon, etc
) Royal Roads
Military college.
) St. Stephen's Church (1862)
Oldest church on Vancouver Island.
) Sealand of the Pacific
Seals, sea lions, eels, sea plumes, killer whales. {I believe that
it is closing down permanently, soon.}
) Spencer Castle
Tudor-like mansion, affords a panoramic view of the ocean, the
islands and mountains.
) Thunderbird Park
Native Indian artifacts (totem poles, canoes, etc).
) University of Victoria
) Walbran Park
Marker to Spanish and English exploration of Juan de Fuca straight.
) William Head Institution
Medium-security penitentiary. 35 ships sunk on rock-studded coast
nearby.
) Wooded Wonderland
Displays of story-book characters and scenes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my .sig ... pretend it is witty, original and inspirational.
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 92 18:11:26 PDT
From: [email protected] (Melvin Klassen)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: US/Canada tips ??
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Organization: University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. CANADA
In article <[email protected]> you write:
>I'm looking for tips for the Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria area (+Jasper/Banff.)
>I'm thinking to visit some/all these places next July or September/October;
July is wonderful weather in Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Vancouver,
the Interior, and Banff! Almost **no** rain, 75 to 85 degrees, etc.
Seattle -- Pike Place Public Market,
Seattle Center,
Victoria -- Royal B.C. Museum, Butchart Gardens, Fort Rodd Hill Park,
Chemainus -- outdoor murals
Nanaimo -- bathtub races!
Port Alberni -- salmon fishing
Campbell River -- more salmon fishing
Vancouver -- Stanley Park, Pacific Science Centre, Capilano Canyon Suspension
Bridge, Folk Music Festival (7/17 to 7/19)
etc.
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