14 Feb
Vancouver Tours Blog

7 Great Places to Go Skiing or Snowboarding

There’s nothing like hitting fresh snow at the onset of winter. Keen skiers and snowboarders are always looking for the next skiing challenge. We scour the globe for the best skiing locations. Whether it’s Europe, America or somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, we’ve got you covered. Travel Insurance will have you covered too.

St Moritz, Switzerland

This winter sport mecca in Switzerland caters to a variety of cold weather visitors. It offers plenty of downhill runs as well loads of cross country skiing terrain. It really is a centre of winter sports, and has hosted numerous winter sporting events, including the Winter Olympics twice. Those not wanting to don the skis can take advantage of the many mountain walking trails.

Lillehammer, Norway

Norway hosted the Winter Olympics back in 1994. This is the town that made it all possible. It’s the place for serious cross country skiers, but downhill skiers are also catered for. This pretty area is steeped in history, having been inhabited since the Norwegian Iron Age.

Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada

Located north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, this is the biggest and arguably the best North American ski resort. When Whistler and Blackcomb merged over a decade ago, a gondola began to move skiers between the peaks of these two mountains. Great pictures from the 2010 Winter Olympics have shown what this resort has to offer, and up to 2 million visitors take up the chance to visit each year.

Niseko, Japan

Situated on Japan’s most northern island, Hokkaido, sits Niseko, itself a sister city of St Moritz. Niseko receives huge dumps of powder soft snow, making it attractive to board riders. There are actually 6 skiing areas in the region, which can be accessed on a single pass.

Southern Hemisphere Skiing

Those living in the northern hemisphere are well catered for as far as skiing and snowboarding are concerned. Ample resorts are often conveniently accessed by train in Europe, and North America also offers a range of ski locations. For those that want to get their fix in the off season, what are the options? How about a trip down to the Southern Hemisphere?

Valle Nevado, Chile

Valle Nevado is in the great Andes mountain range, and having only been founded in 1988, is pretty modern. Apart from the variety of skiing options in this large and varied park, the location is pretty convenient, being only 46 kilometres west of Chile’s capital and largest city, Santiago.

Wanaka, New Zealand

Originally settled due to the 19th century gold rush, it’s now a snow rush that brings visitors to Wanaka. It has arguably the best lift access in New Zealand, and is a less commercialised option that rival Queenstown. The natural beauty of the area means that outdoor summer activities are also popular.

These great skiing and snowboarding locations allow the enthusiast to follow their pursuit almost year round. While snow cover can vary from year to year, the best places are invariably good. Cheap Travel Insurance will cover you for standard issues while on holiday. For skiers and snowboarders, check that your insurance covers the facets of your snow trip that you require.

Source by Mark T James

23 Aug
Vancouver Tours Blog

Places to See In Vancouver, Canada

Looking out toward the waters of the straits of Johnstone and Georgia, Vancouver occupies one of the most beautiful settings of any world city. The coastal mountains form a majestic backdrop for the glass towers and copper-topped skyscrapers of the city. It was Captain James Cook who claimed the area for the British when he stepped ashore at Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, in 1778. Until then the area had been inhabited for more than 10,000 years by the Coast Salish peoples, whose cultural heritage is celebrated in two of Canada's best museums: the UBC Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver and Victoria's Royal BC Museum. Established as a city after a fire destroyed the fledgling town of Granville in 1886, Vancouver offers historic districts, lush gardens, and wilderness parks within its environs. A short ferry ride away, Vancouver Island's world famous Pacific Rim National Park is the whale-watching center of Canada.

Exploring Vancouver

The heart of Vancouver is its downtown area, a finger of land bounded by the waters of English Bay. The city center radiates from Robson Square. The 404.7-ha (1,000-acre) Stanley Park occupies the tip of the peninsula, next to the West End. The historic Chinatown and Gastown districts are close to Main Street, the city's south to north axis.

Sights At A Glance

Historic Streets and Buildings

  • Chinatown
  • Old Hastings Mill Store

Parks and Gardens

  • Capillano Suspension Bridge
  • Dr. Sun Yat-sen Chinese Garden
  • Grouse Mountain
  • Lighthouse Park
  • Lynn Canyon Park and Ecology Center
  • Queen Elizabeth Park and Bloedel Conservatory
  • Stanley Park
  • Van Dusen Botanical Garden

Modern Architecture

  • BC Place Stadium

Museums and Galleries

  • Maritime Museum
  • Science World
  • University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology
  • Vancouver Art Gallery
  • Vancouver Museum and Pacific Space Center

Shopping Areas

  • Granville Island
  • Lonsdale Quay Market
  • Gardens and Areas of Natural Beauty
  • Butchart Gardens
  • Cowichan District
  • Port Renfrew
  • Telegraph Cove

Historic Towns and Cities

  • Campbell River
  • Chemainus
  • Gold River
  • Nainamo
  • Port Alberni
  • Victoria

National Parks

  • Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Getting Around

As most of downtown is surrounded by water, Vancouver's comprehensive transportation system includes the SeaBus, bus, and the light-rail line, the SkyTrain, a driverless system that runs above and below ground. The SeaBus runs between Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver and Waterfront Station downtown, where it is possible to connect with the bus and SkyTrain system. Many Vancouverites commute by car, and rush hour traffic is to be avoided because access to downtown is limited to a few bridges, including the hectic Lion's Gate Bridge.

Source by Mamta Dhingra

30 Mar
Vancouver Tours Blog

The Best Places in the World to Visit

When you are planning the ultimate vacation or just a way to escape the regular, consider planning your entire trip and visiting some of the best places in the world. There are so many countries that boast of the best architecture, cuisine, sites to visit and markets to shop at. When you are looking at possible destinations, consult a world guide who can give you the best deals. When you are consulting one, give the full details of your proposed trip. If you are looking for something specific like a wildlife tour or a heritage special package, let them know. If you want a custom package prepared for you, let them know your preferences and budget. Both are important while finding the perfect holiday destination. The best places to visit in the world usually have good cultural influence, variety in cuisine and plenty of day and night activities.

Getting the right guide

When you are looking for the right guide to help you plan your get away, make sure they are well educated about the various tourist spots you can visit on your budget. Some of the best places in the world are not as expensive as others. So it will mostly depend on your budget. If you love wildlife, try a tour to a sanctuary in India; plan a scuba diving trip or a beach themed relaxation vacation in Australia or the Maldives. Instead if you love to shop, find out from your guide the best places in the world to shop at depending once again on your budget. If you have kids, try a nice family vacation to a beach resort or the hill side. Make sure that when you leave for your dream vacation you have confirmed tickets and hotel bookings. Try and take in all the unique opportunities that the cities you visit have to offer.

Booking online

Booking online will be the best way to ensure a perfect holiday. It is quick as well as reliable. Disclose the reasons for traveling to particular places as well as any adventures you have in mind. They may ask you for your travel and lodging budget so keep an approximate amount in mind while applying for an online package. You will also have to specify the dates of your travel. This will allow them to draw up a good travel plan for you. You can ask them for a list of best places in the world for you to visit.

The perfect get away

The best places in the world may not always be the place you want to visit. If you have a destination in mind, express it to your travel guide so that he can inquire with regards to flights and hotels available during your chosen dates. They will be able to help you with any questions and can give you a list of places to visit at every city along with details of restaurants, markets and hand outs popular to the city.

Source by Anish Pandey

27 Jun
Vancouver Tours Blog

Top 5 Places to See When in Spain

When a person visits Spain, there are certain places that they are going to want to make sure that they see. Without visiting these places, they are not going to get to experience the true Spain, which would be a shame once the person has traveled this far to get to the area. There are several places to visit when visiting, however, there are five that the person should make sure that they do not miss.

One place that they are going to want to visit is Barcelona. There are several sights in which the person can visit in the city, including some beautiful pieces of architecture that has been around for hundreds of years. This is also a city that is known for its night life, so the person will find that there are tons of things for them to eat and drink, dancing is always something that is taking place and will no doubt be something that the person will want to participate in.

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and one of those places that the person can not miss when they visit. Although several people find that their trip to Madrid may be a bit too much a tourist attraction, there are still tons of things that the person will want to see that will make their time in Madrid worthwhile. Madrid is what Paris is to France, and there is something that the person will not want to miss. If they were to miss out on the exquisite food, and tons of attractions, they would be sorry.

Toledo was once the capital of Spain, yet because it is no longer the capital, this is still an area that the person is going to want to visit. They will find that the scenery in the area is exquisite. It is a small city that is going to have tons of charm and be something that you will love to spend some time in. It is a great place to go and just simply relax without all the hustle and bustle that other areas have in it.

San Sebastian is located on the coast and is one of those areas that the person should not miss. Here, they will find that the tradition of Spain is alive and true. There are several attractions to visit in the area and there are several tours that the person can take of the city. This is one place that the person should not miss if they are serious about getting to know the real Spain.

Guadalupe is also a place of interest for those that want to see more of Spain. This city is located in the mountains and is going to be something that the person will find breathtaking once they take a look at all this city has to offer. It is very religious, so the person should keep this in mind when they are staying in the area.

Overall, visiting Spain is something that is a once in a lifetime event, and they are going to find that it is something that they are going to enjoy immensely.

Source by Aditya PA

29 Jun
Vancouver Tours Blog

Vancouver: best places to visit during winter olympics

VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010 which is officialy known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games will be held on February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. Atheletes from ninety seven countries will be participated in 15 winter sports events. Popular winter sports such as speed skating, snowboarding, and ice hockey will be spotlighted in Vancouver.

The event also serves to spotlight the sightseeing attractions and outdoor adventures in and around the city. Sports lovers from across the globe, can also enjoy to see some beautiful places of Vancouver. Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia with over half a million residents and one of the mildest climates in Canada.

Top 10 favourite places to visit during Vancouver Olympics 2010:

1. Vancouver Aquarium – Much more to see and do then look at exotic fish
2. Science World – A definite must-see; an interactive museum for the whole family
3. Museum of Anthropology – West Coast Canadian history and Aboriginal art
4. Vancouver Art Gallery – Features displays and traveling exhibits from a wide range of Canadian and international artists
5. H.R. Macmillan Space Center – Explore your sense of wonder about the universe, our planet and space exploration
6. Vancouver Maritime Museum – History of Canada’s Pacific port with artifacts, models, paintings and photographs
7. Stanley Park – 1000 acres of beaches, trails and forest; one of Vancouver’s true historic landmarks
8. Capilano Suspension Bridge – One of Vancouver’s most popular fixtures in a beautiful setting
9. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden – An amazing, must-see garden patterned after a Ming-Dynasty Scholar
10. Granville Island – A wonderful waterfront public market with lots of family fun, entertainment, food and urban culture.

Source by Merinews Network