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VANCOUVER
WHERE TO START: Easily one of the most spectacular cities in Canada, Vancouver lies between the sea and mountains in the extreme southwestern corner of British Columbia. The stunning location apart, the appeal of this laid-back, cosmopolitan city lies in its diversity: some people come to enjoy the wide-open spaces, rainforest and rugged mountains, while others try their hand at windsurfing, skiing or scuba diving. Vancouver is also a great place for families, thanks to the variety of child-friendly museums and theme parks. Couples will also be delighted by the proliferation of romantic bed and breakfasts and the city's international cuisine.
The best place to start your research is www.vancouver.worldweb.com, whose directories cover holiday packages, car rental and maps. Another fine site is www.discoverbc.com while www.tourismvancouver.org has information about hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment, and covers basic facts and travellers' tips. Meanwhile, www.vancouver-bc.com has directories for shopping, dining and lodging and Vancouver's history is highlighted at www. seevancouverheritage. com. Relevant current-affairs information is on www.canoe.com, Canada's largest national news site, and festivals, concerts and sporting fixtures are listed on www.vancouverplus.ca.
WHERE TO STAY: Although Vancouver has its fair share of ritzy hotels, it also has lots of charming B&Bs in central locations. The best of the ritzy include The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (www.fairmont.com), a landmark with state-of-the-art spa; Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver (www.panpac.com) on top of the Convention Centre with fabulous harbour views and Pacific Palisades (www.pacificpalisades hotel.com), a luxury hotel with a contemporary feel.
Of the best B&Bs, Penny Farthing Inn (www.penny.farthinginn.com) is filled with antiques and stained glass, while Beachside Bed and Breakfast (www.beach.bc.ca) is on the shore.
Johnson Heritage House Bed and Breakfast (www.johnsons-inn-vancouver.com) is an old craftsman's home with great views, and Barclay House (www.barclayhouse.com) is an elegant Victorian B&B whose hospitality rivals The West End Guest House (www.westendguesthouse.com), a heritage home with super-comfy beds.
Other sites to visit include Western Canada Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers' Association (www.wcbbia.com), British Columbia Escapes (www.hellobc. com) and Vancouver Bed and Breakfast (www.vancouverbandb.bc.ca), which matches guests to establishments that best suit their needs.
WHERE TO EAT: Vancouver is the shining jewel in Canada's otherwise tarnished culinary crown. Check out C Restaurant (www.crestaurant.com) for seafood and sushi, La Terrazza (www.laterrazza.ca) for award-winning Italian fare and Zin (www.zinrestaurant.com) for global taste-tripping. The Naam Restaurant (www.thenaam.com) is good for vegetarian and macrobiotic recipes, while the best general food sites are www.vancouver.com and http://meetings.sixcontinentshotels.com.
WHERE TO GET CULTURAL: The top cultural sights have excellent Web sites, including the Vancouver Art Gallery (www.vanartgallery.bc.ca), Vancouver Museum (www.vancouvermuseum.bc.ca); Vancouver Maritime Museum (www.vmm.bc.ca) and Vancouver Opera 2002-3 (www.vanopera.bc.ca). Vancouver is also a city of festivals (www.thefestival.bc.ca), the most prominent of which is the Vancouver Fringe Festival (www.vancouverfringe.com). For performing arts information log on to the Vancouver Cultural Alliance Hotline (www.allianceforarts.com) or see Vancouver magazine (www.vanmag.com, which also details the best bars. To find out more about the clubbing scene, check out Sonar (www.sonar.bc.ca) and Richard's on Richard (www.clubvibes.com).
WHERE TO TAKE THE RUGRATS: Visit Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre (www.vanaqua. org), Science World (www.scienceworld.bc.ca) and Stanley Park (www.seestanleypark.com). Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park (www.capbridge.com) is interesting while www.bcpassport.com is a fine introduction to float-plane and other city tours. Granville Island (www.granville-island.net) is good for children, while the cobbled streets of Gastown (www.gastown.org) are a hint of Vancouver's past.
WHERE TO TIRE OUT THE RUGRATS: The area surrounding Vancouver is fabulous for sporting activities. Visit www.bcadventure.com for fishing, kayaking, trekking and whitewater rafting holidays. Log on to the directories for biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding in the region (www.visitvancouver.com).
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