Vancouver

Trip preparation

General Information The city of Vancouver was named after the British Captain George Vancouver, who foist mapped the are in British Columbia, Canada in the 1790s. The city is the third largest metropolitan area in Canada and is the most populous in western Canada.

Language

The city has received increased immigration over the past few years so is now extremely ethnically and linguistically diverse. Although the official first language is English over 50% do not speak it as their first language, and over 30% of the population speak Chinese.

Best travel time

The warmest of all Canadian Cities, the summer months are usually dry however it is rainy during the winter months.

Traditions and Culture

Vancouver is a young city however its history is very old. Before they city became Vancouver in 1886 it was inhabited by native Coast Salish people. Vancouver has a lot of traditional festivals which represent the cities culture; this includes a lot of theatres, concerts and many cultural events. It’s very traditional to go fishing in Vancouver, whether you do it has a hobby or simply go occasional.  

Religion

The official religion in Canada is Christianity, however due to the multicultural development many other religions have been introduced to this city.

By bus

When in Vancouver many different transportation systems are possible. It is possible to take the Metro Vancouver which provides a bus service and a rapid bus service called B-Line, you can also go via SkyTrain which is an automated rapid transit service or via West Coast Express commuter rail. All these different transportation services will allow you to easily rotate within the city or even go to areas located further away. It is also possible to hire a bicycle and bike around the city.  

By plane

The main airport in Vancouver is “Vancouver International Airport” which is Canada’s second busiest airport. It receives domestic and international flights coming and out on a daily basis. From there you can either take one of the many public transportation services which are available at the airport or simply hire a car which should be ordered in advance.  

By taxi

Taxis can be found at taxi stands, at the airport, on the road or can simply be ordered via the hotel or by calling the central taxi service.

Sights

In Vancouver there is a lot to see ranging from historical to modern sights. The city’s landmarks and historical building are found in downtown Vancouver. Some of the main sights worth seeing include the Museum of Anthropology, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the contemporary Art gallery, the Telus world of science, Stanley park, the Vancouver aquarium, the Skyline and a lot more.

Events

In Vancouver there are yearly many festivals and events where one can discover the local lifestyle. These include the Dragon Boat festival in June, the HSBC Celebration of Light in July/August, the Vancouver International Film Festival in September/October, the Fringe Festival , the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival that runs from May to September, the three day Folk Fest and Vancouver’s annual Vancouver Pride Parade in July.  

Food

Due to the cultural development in Vancouver all types of cuisine can be found here. Amongst others the Asian cuisine has become very popular in Vancouver. Some local traditional foods include a range in seafood, local made cheese and many fresh products. Some local specialty dishes in Vancouver are Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and Jiggs dinner and a lot more.