Fall Vacation Ideas in British Columbia
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Vancouver and British Columbia. The leaves change as the temperatures drop, creating an atmosphere with crisp fall air and beautiful foliage. In addition to the great activities found year round, if you time your vacation right you can enjoy the Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival.
The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival will take place October 18 through 25 on Granville Island. This annual event is in its 22nd year and draws thousands of visitors and award-winning writers each year. This year, headline speakers and writers include Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and David Sedaris. Other authors scheduled to appear are Alistair MacLeod, Michael Crummey, and Elaine Arsenault. Special features of the festival include special French readings by writers from Quebec and a writing contest. Of course, there will also be book vendors on site. A variety of books and readings will be available, with everything from non-fiction to children’s books. Readings and events will be held at various venues on Granville Island, including Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island Hotel, and the Revue Theatre.
To take advantage of the changing foliage of the season, a trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria on the Vancouver Island, Victoria & Butchart Gardens Tour will reward you with a garden in full bloom with vibrant reds, oranges, and golds. The Butchart Gardens is a 55 acre garden that has foliage that changes seasonally. Beginning in October, the highlight of the gardens is the Japanese Garden. In autumn this garden features red, russet, and golden maple trees accompanied by arbutus and copper beech trees. Chrysanthemums are also in bloom. In addition to admission to the Butchart Gardens, this tour also features a guided tour of Vancouver Island and Victoria. In total, the tour takes 13 hours to complete.
Escape to the Canadian Rockies
Escape to the majesty of the Canadian Rockies this October with our limited-time A Great Escape to Victoria vacation package. Along A Great Escape to Victoria you will be treated to nine nights lodging as a knowledgeable guide leads you through the Canadian Rockies and cities including Calgary and Banff along a ten day journey that will touch upon natural beauty, metropolitan settings, and quaint villages.
Your travel party will converge in Calgary before beginning the adventure by traveling towards Banff National Park. Throughout the next ten days, you will cross Rogers Pass en route to Victoria, embark on a whale watching cruise, visit the Native American town of Duncan, relax along Sooke Harbor and its surrounding temperate rain forest, and more!
However, A Great Escape to Victoria is only departing once this year, on October 11, and features limited availability, so those interested are encouraged to place reservations before it is too late. You can learn more about A Great Escape to Victoria online.
Additionally, you can learn of other vacations throughout Canada online as well.
Enjoy Comedy and Drama in Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, British Columbia is home to a large arts community, which is why festivals and events can be found happening throughout the year. September is no different. Whether enjoying a relaxing Labor Day weekend vacation or planning a quick weekend trip to the area, there is sure to be an event to attend during your visit.
This 11-day festival celebrates theater and the arts. The festival runs from Sept. 9 to 20. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Fringe Festival. This year’s event offers more than 400 performances by over 65 different groups and individuals. There is no one particular location for the performances. Many of Vancouver’s theater venues are hosting performances, including the Granville Island Stage and Performance Works. In addition, some artists bring their own venue and set up a stage anywhere they choose, from on a boat to in a coffee shop.
Performers for this year’s event include groups from Vancouver, Canada, and International locations, including the United States and Europe. Each performer or group prepares a piece of their choice to present. Performances will be happening throughout the event, and there will also be a special opening gala on the first night in addition to closing ceremonies on the final day. Performers can also be awarded different prizes throughout the festival and are invited back for the “Pick of the Fringe” event.
Global ComedyFest in Vancouver
If you enjoy live performances that are not as serious as theater performances, the Global ComedyFest is for you. This annual event is taking place Sept. 17 to 27. Past acts at this event include comedians Zach Galifinakis and NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Performers at this year’s event include big-name comedians like Carol Burnett, Tom Arnold, Pauly Shore, Paul F. Tompkins, and Andy Dick. The headliner of this year’s event is Steve Martin, who will be the focus of a special evening event. Performances will be taking place around Vancouver, including LaffLines Comedy Club, Public Library Amphitheater, and the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts.
End Your Summer in the Canadian Rockies
As the end of summer approaches we would like to highlight a unique excursion that presents the rugged beauty and modern settings surrounding the Canadian Rockies - The Best of the Great Canadian Rockies and British Columbia. This 11-day getaway offers an escorted journey through British Columbia with popular stops including Calgary, Banff, Vancouver, and Whistler for an immersive look into both the city skylines and natural wonders of British Columbia.
Having a professional guide on-hand throughout your vacation ensures that the encompassing journey is a smooth experience and also provides ample opportunities for gaining a better understanding of the amazing sights encountered. The Best of the Great Canadian Rockies and British Columbia begins in Calgary and will present the beauty of Banff, Lake Louise, Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, Icefields Parkway, Jasper, Sun Peaks, and Whistler before finally settling into the big city of Vancouver for the last three days of the excursion.
However, The Best of the Great Canadian Rockies and British Columbia is offered on an extremely limited basis, with the only departure date for 2009 being August 29. Those interested are advised to learn more about the guided vacation and book reservations before space fills up. Learn more about The Best of the Great Canadian Rockies and British Columbia online at.
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And numerous other mountain-based travel experiences online.
Vancouver Festivals to Light Up Your Summer Vacation
As the days lengthen and grow warm, Vancouver comes alive with great festivals and entertainment to take advantage of the warm summer nights. With a festival appropriate for every age and interest, it has never been a better time to explore what Vancouver has to offer.
The Celebration of Light festival is an annual event that features pyrotechnics and musical displays. It is also an annual contest, with different countries competing for the victory. For 2009, the Celebration of Light displays are on July 22, 25, and 29, and August 1. Each night features a different show with a different theme. Each night is hosted by a different country. Participating countries are Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and China. This is the 19th year for this event, and it typically draws over 1 million spectators. Each night, the show begins at 10 p.m. The shows take place over English Bay in Vancouver. English Bay provides the best viewing point, and Vacations Made Easy offers a number of hotels near the bay that will let you avoid the traffic and walk to the event or just watch it from the comfort of your hotel.
Another major event in the Vancouver area is the Harmony Arts Festival, which is a ten day ongoing festival featuring a variety of exhibits and performances. The festival takes place from July 31 to August 9 at the John Lawson Park in West Vancouver. Ongoing events of the festival include exhibits of hand-crafted jewelry, paintings, sculptures, pottery, and woodwork. Other features of the festival include ArtSpeaks lectures, concerts, children’s exhibits and special programming, movie screenings, and a craft market. Whether you just want an activity for an afternoon or an entertaining evening out, the Harmony Arts Festival will have plenty of events for your enjoyment.
Music lovers should mark their calendars for the Festival Vancouver. Also known as the MusicFest Vancouver, the festival takes place August 2 through 16. Nine Vancouver venues will be hosting concerts throughout the festival. Concerts range from classical performances to world music. Music groups from around the world are coming to Vancouver for this festival, including the Leipzig String Quartet from Germany, the Double Choir Masterworks from Taiwan, and the Renaud Garcia-Fons Trio from France. Whatever your musical taste, you will be able to find an amazing concert to go to during this festival. Venues include The Centre In Vancouver For Performing Arts, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Chan Centre at UBC.
Plan a Family Vacation in Vancouver
With summer officially here and the kids no longer in school, it’s time to round up the family for a thorough exploration of Vancouver, BC, from the energetic downtown area all the way to the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Whether you wish to see the museums and shops in the city or the parks and natural landmarks on the outskirts, you can enjoy it all in one single vacation.
With the Vancouver, Canada Family Vacation Package, you will enjoy three nights in a Vancouver area hotel, a tour of the Vancouver Olympic Venues, and the Fraser River Safari. Your choice of hotel accommodations can place you anywhere you want to be, whether its in a quieter surrounding area or right in the middle of downtown Vancouver. No matter where you decide to stay, you will find easy access to the venues that will make up the official sites of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. A knowledgeable guide will escort you through some of these venues for a sneak peek at the events that are just months away.
The major draw of the package, however, is the Fraser River Safari. The safari takes you on an adventure through British Columbia’s premier river for a look at the Cascade Mountains, wildlife in its natural habitat, and a number of historical sites. Sit back and relax for over three full hours inside a safari boat and take in the stunning natural sights while a tour guide shares stories about the entire region.
If you would rather spend more than three days in Vancouver, the city has enough activity options to keep you busy. Enjoy a whale watching experience aboard the Ocean Magic the with All Day Victoria & Whales Experience; spend a day highlighting Vancouver’s major attractions with the Vancouver Highlights Tour; or, if you’re traveling with other adults, sample some of Canada’s famous selection of wines with the Vancouver Wine Tour. And with a huge selection of Vancouver hotels to choose from, you are guaranteed to find lodging next to your own points of interest.
Enjoy Scenic Day Trips from Vancouver, BC
Although Vancouver offers a variety of activities and attractions in itself, the surrounding area also provides wonderful opportunities for sightseeing. Close enough for a quick day trip, Victoria is a beautiful city on the coast that offers big-city advantages as well as lush gardens and parks.
The Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour provides an overall tour of the city as well as the Butchart Gardens. You will take a ferry ride through the Gulf Islands, after which you will be taken to the Butchart Gardens, a world-class botanical center that features themed gardens with over 5,000 types of flowers. The Butchart Gardens is an unforgettable experience. After touring the gardens, you will have time to explore Victoria, including the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, which serves a traditional High Tea service.
With the Crosswater Vancouver to Victoria tour, you will have time to explore and experience Victoria on your own schedule. Whether you want to dedicate an afternoon to shopping in the variety of stores or seasonal open market or spend the day exploring buildings and museums like the Parliament or Royal BC Museum, the day is yours to plan. Transportation to and from Vancouver is convenient: a motor coach will pick you up, and then you will meet the coach at a designated time in Victoria to return to Vancouver.
Another local attraction close enough to Vancouver for a great day trip is the Harrison Hot Springs Tour. This tour will take you to the Harrison Hot Springs. You will be able to enjoy the quaint town and local stores and cuisine as well as take a refreshing dip in the hot springs. Getting to Harrison will provide you with beautiful views as you take a ferry across the Fraser River and board a coach that takes you down a scenic highway to Harrison. This is a unique tour that will leave you refreshed as you return to Vancouver.
Enjoy Tour Opportunities in Vancouver
A metropolitan environment surrounded by immense natural beauty, Vancouver is more than the largest city in the province of British Columbia. It also has the distinction of being host city for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games, which has thereby transformed the entire city into one of the most illustrious locations along the Pacific Northwest. And in the midst of the early to mid spring months, when the climate is versatile enough to account for golfing and skiing in the same day, there may be no better time to visit the city of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Guests of Vancouver will be greeted with an abundance of tour opportunities. The Whistler Mountain Tour offers its guests a breathtaking view of the Vancouver area’s entire landscape. Along the way, visitors will be presented with shopping opportunities at Whistler Village and a visit to West Coast Railway Heritage Park. An additional trip to Shannon Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, also highlights the tour.
For a more informative tour, The Vancouver Highlights Tour offers a tour within the city of Vancouver itself. Explore the streets of Vancouver, witness famous Olympic sites, see the beautiful Vancouver Harbour, or simply sit back and let a knowledgeable tour guide inform you about the history of the city.
Those interested in Canada’s famed selection of wines will be pleased with the Vancouver Wine Tour, where visitors will actually travel to different wineries across the region and sample different wines. The tour will not only make for an interesting experience in itself, it will also provide a unique and informative look into the culture of this entire Canadian region.
Vancouver, BC Prepares for Bard on the Beach
Starting May 28, Vancouver’s Vanier Park will host four months of quality Shakespeare with the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. Situated just off the Burrand Inlet, Vanier Park offers a pristine setting for theatre throughout the summer. And while Shakespeare is at the forefront of the festival, guests will also find Shakespeare-inspired plays taking place as well as activities including barbecues, wine tasting and fireworks. Whether traveling to Vancouver specifically for Bard on the Beach or simply looking for a unique time of entertainment during your next vacation, you’re sure to find big things happening in Vanier Park throughout the summer months.
Of course, Bard on the Beach isn’t the only way to enjoy the waters surrounding Canada’s Pacific Coast while visiting the area. In fact, you will find a time every bit as magical as Bard on the Beach waiting in the waters with the Royal Victoria Excursion & Whale Watch. Journey to Victoria with this sightseeing tour and take to the Pacific Ocean to experience the area’s majestic whales in the natural habitat for an experience that highlights some of the most majestic sights throughout both the Victoria area and our entire world!
Writers and Readers Gather in Vancouver, BC
Literary connoisseurs and novices alike find their calling in Vancouver with the Writers and Readers Festival from October 21-26. Whether you want to showcase some of your pieces or see some of the professionals in action, there will be a variety of skill types present. Past guests have included award winner Miriam Toews, children’s author Ange Zhang, and poet Jaz Zwicky. You will find every form of literature here from traditional folktales and poetry to epics. Guests for the festival can participate in literary cabarets, student events and lectures from the professionals themselves. Book worms and writers alike can find their place in Vancouver this fall season.
While spending your week in Vancouver for the festival, enjoy a variety of other Vancouver activities that let you get the most from your stay. The Whistler Mountain Tour provides visitors with a thorough look at Howe Sound, Horseshoe Bay, Whistler Village and West Coast Railway Heritage Park during their guided excursion. In Whistler Village, your tour guide provides you with the opportunity to take a gondola lift up the Blackcomb Mountains, which are Olympic mountains! To see a side of Vancouver you might normally overlook, take this natural tour to see the beauty of Vancouver.
Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the opportunity to tour Canada’s different wineries and vineyards to see where it comes from. The Vancouver Wine Tour explores different vineyards and wineries like Township 7 Vineyard and Winers, Domaine de Chaberton, Glenugie Winery Ltd., Lotusland Vineyards, and The Fort Winery. With each stop along the tour, guests can sample the different vineyard’s wares and see how they produce their products. Take some time for yourself and enjoy a wine tour through Canada’s finest establishments.
