What's New in Vancouver & Victoria
Once again, U.S. travelers will be getting more bang for their bucks in Vancouver and Victoria. The exchange rate stands at US$1 = C$1.30, which means that U.S. prices in Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2009 need to be adjusted downwards to reflect the new exchange rate.
Do you or do you not need a passport into get into Canada? Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative devised by the Bush Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, all U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean are required to have a U.S. passport (this includes children under the age of 18). In other words, if you are a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada by land, sea, or air in 2009, you must have a valid U.S. passport in order to get back into the U.S.
But here's something new: If you are traveling to and from Canada by land or sea in 2009, you can do so with the new passport card issued by the U.S. Department of State. Less expensive and more portable than the traditional passport book, the wallet-size passport card has the same validity period as a passport book -- 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. Adults who already have a passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants are charged $45 for adult cards and $35 for children (Please note that the passport card cannot be used for international travel to other countries). For more information on passport cards see the section "Entry Documents" in Chapter 3.
Getting to Know Vancouver
The new Canada Line, a light-rail hookup from Vancouver International Airport, begins operation late in 2009 (no exact date has been given). When it's completed, visitors will be able to board the train at the airport and arrive downtown or in Yaletown in 22 minutes.
Where to Dine in Vancouver
You might not think that winter is the best time to visit Vancouver, but for savvy, budget-minded gourmands it's actually the best time to experience the city's outstanding food and wine scene. Why? During Dine Out Vancouver 2009, held between January 14 and February 1, 2009, visitors enjoyed special three-course dinners at some of Vancouver's best restaurants at affordable prix fixe rates, complemented by fabulous B.C. wine pairing suggestions. Stay tuned for next year -- the list of participating restaurants and menus will be posted online at www.tourismvancouver.com.
2008 was a good year for Vancouver restaurateurs. First the city was listed as one of the "Top 10 best restaurant cities in the world" by Food & Wine magazine alongside culinary giants like New York, Paris and London. More recently, two internationally-acclaimed chefs have signed on to set up kitchens in Vancouver. Superstar Manhattan chef Daniel Boulud announced he will open a Vancouver version of his popular New York restaurant, DB Bistro Moderne (www.dbbistro.ca), and take over the management of Lumiere (www.lumiere.ca). No date yet for the new DB Bistro Moderne opening. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the force behind a global empire of restaurants, will mark his first foray into both the Canadian and West Coast dining scene by launching MARKET by Jean-Georges in the new Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver, which opened on January 24, 2009. The restaurant is divided into four distinct areas: a dining room, more casual bistro, outdoor terrace, and a bar. Visit www.shangri-la.com/vancouver for more information.
David Hawksworth, one of Canada's foremost chefs (formerly of West), has announced plans to open his first restaurant at the revitalized Hotel Georgia, a landmark property in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The name of the new restaurant remains unknown but the space will accommodate a state-of-the-art kitchen, 120 dining seats with patio, a bar and two private rooms. Alessandro Munge of the trendsetting Munge & Leung design firm will create the interior.
Exploring Vancouver
Mountain ziplining, Vancouver's newest and most adrenaline-pumping adventure, opened at Grouse Mountain in the fall of 2008. The "Air Grouse" experience puts you high above the alpine rainforest, careening through the air at speeds of more than 50 kilometers per hour (34 mph). The three-line adventure circuit provides a unique perspective on the Blue Grouse Lake region of the mountain, combining adrenaline with an exploration of British Columbia's breathtaking old-growth forests. See Chapter 8 for more information on Grouse Mountain, or visit www.grousemountain.com.
Every winter, thousands of bald eagles migrate to just north of Vancouver to feast on salmon returning to spawn in the rivers. But next spring, Vancouver will see an influx of a different kind of eagle, the public art kind. More than 85 eagle sculptures, all adorned by local artists, will be dotted throughout the Metro Vancouver area for 12 months starting in April 2009. A "Bald Eagle Flight Map" will be available, listing the locations of the eagles and making it easy for visitors to follow the aerie around the city. One of the first eagle sculptures has already been completed and is on display at Tourism Vancouver's Burrard Street Visitor Centre. He will remain inside until next April, at which time he will be moved outside the building to join his fellow birds. For more information, visit www.eaglesinthecity.com.
Following a national contest, the Vancouver Aquarium's new baby beluga whale now has a name. Tiqa (pronounced TEE-kah) was chosen from a shortlist of five names. According to the West Vancouver family that submitted the name, Tiqa stands for Tuesday (the day the calf was born), Imaq (the father), Qila (the mother), and Aurora (the calf's grandmother). Tiqa was born into the Vancouver Aquarium family on June 1, 2008, and visitors to the aquarium can see her in the main beluga habitat along with her mother and grandmother. For more on the aquarium, see Chapter 8 or visit www.vanaqua.org.
"With Glowing Hearts" was announced in September 2008 as the motto for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. These three words from the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada," will be forever linked with the 2010 Winter Games and with Canada. "Des plus brillants exploits" was also revealed as the French motto for the 2010 Winter Games. While the French and English mottos are different, they are drawn from the same inspiration.
Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have three pillars -- sport, culture and sustainability. To celebrate the second pillar of the Winter Games, an incredible mix of Canadian and international artists will take the stage during Cultural Olympiad 2009. From February 1 to March 21, audiences can enjoy more than 400 free and ticketed events and exhibitions throughout Metro Vancouver and British Columbia's Sea-to-Sky corridor. For a full listing, visit www.vancouver2010.com.
Getting to Know Victoria
Young adults looking for adventure travel need look no further. Westcoast Odyssey is a new Victoria, BC based company offering all-inclusive packages to international visitors between the ages of 17-25. Ranging from one day to six weeks, the packages feature the very best of local tours, cuisine and attractions as well as place individuals with a home-stay family to completely immerse them in Canadian life. Westcoast Odyssey was founded by a group of experienced B.C. teachers who, after working with groups of international exchange students, realized that many were missing out on the quintessential west coast experience. With a desire to showcase Vancouver Island and beyond in mind, Westcoast Odyssey designed a program for the out-going, energetic, young person that offers a variety of adventures such as kayaking, hiking, camping, skiing, float plane tours and First Nations culture. For more information visit www.westcoastodyssey.com.
Whistler Blackcomb
Peak 2 Peak, the longest free-span gondola lift in the world, is scheduled to open in December 2008, a full year before the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Doppelmayr lift, which connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, utilizes 28 cars carrying up to 28 passengers each. The lift will take 11 minutes to travel from peak to peak, with cars leaving approximately every 54 seconds.
In preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) is being given a complete overhaul and work will continue right up until late 2009. To find out about potential delays due to construction, you can call tel. 877/474-3399 (toll-free in Canada) or 604/660-1008, or visit www.seatoskyimprovements.ca.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers in our British Columbia Forum today.