Karla

Thanks for the wonderful responses I got on my original post re: 'Daytrip to Vancouver from Seattle, is it worth it?'. I've done some looking around & now think we want to take in Victoria instead. Are Vancouver & Victoria basically the same? Which would you recommend for more conservative, nostalgic, naturistic personalities? Also, the most convenient way we've been able to find over there from Seattle is the Victoria Clipper. This is a little more money than we want to spend, but realize if that's what we have to do, it will be worth it. I would prefer water to air or car in this trek, so that does pretty much limit our options I'm sure. We will be in Seattle for a week (also taking a day trip to Mt. Rainier), visiting relatives; so our time to venture to B.C. is limited...a day trip, or one night at the most. How long might it take to get through Customs/Border crossing? Can the things in the Inner Harbour be done in the time alloted for a day trip? Are the Gardens & such really all that they say? Is Butchart Gardens too far away from the Inner Harbour to get there by foot? <BR>Not to start any more tifts about salmon =D , but any suggestions/ideas are very much appreciated! <BR>Thanks so much! <BR>Karla

gary

Me again. Victoria is as different from Vancouver as Los Angeles is from San Francisco and itcertainly wouldn't be a case of 'seen one, seen them both'. Victoria is 'quaint' (at least as 'quaint as a city of almost 400,000 can be), and very tourist oriented. Other than the Butchart Gardens which are definatley worth it, almost all the major attractions are clustered around the Inner Haurbour area and can be done easily in a day or two. <BR> <BR>Vancouver is a big, beautiful cosmopolitan city of 2 1/4 million with dozens of attractions for virtually all tastes but unless you just want a quick overview for future return visits I would not reccomend it. Better to spend your one day in Victoria. <BR> <BR>If you don't like driving the Victoria clipper is just aboput the only option short of flying. Customs are no big deal - just have proper identification - at least a birth certificate, preferrebly a passport. <BR>Come again when you have more time.

Karla

Thanks for your response, Gary! <BR>One more question for all who will respond: I LOVE to take pictures with my 'old-fashioned', manual-focus 35mm; any recommendations in or close to the Inner Harbour for great photo-ops that the typical tourist might otherwise miss, not being familiar with the area? <BR>Thanks!!

Sarah

If you're only going to Canada for a day, I have to agree that Victoria would be my choice. The Butchart Gardens are definitely worth a visit - just breathtaking and full of great photo opportunities. While the gardens are not within walking distance, there are buses and shuttles that you can get for a reasonable price to the gardens.

April

I don't know that tourists would miss much of anything near the inner harbour because they're everywhere, and will probably be in many of your photos. Try the back of the legislative buildings as most tourists will be at the front. You might find Thunderbird park with its totem poles interesting. I think the light would be best there in the morning. <BR> <BR>Your photos will have one difference this year - brown lawns and lack of flowers due to the water shortage. <BR> <BR>In my opinion, one of the best places in Victoria for photography - colour or black & white - is Hatley Park. If you're visiting the museum and Butchart's you'll likely not have time to go there and it is awkward without a car. I don't know how it is faring with the lack of water this year either (Butchart's has their own water supply). There are photos of it anyway at: <BR>http://www.mauricejassak.com/victoria/hatley/hatley.htm

jerry

I'm flying to Vancouver, my wife is flying to Seattle (don't ask, it's complicated). . .is there an easy way for her to get from Seattle to the Vancouver airport?

Robyn

Jerry - yes, assuming she's arriving in the morning, afternoon or evening. There's a direct bus called Quick Shuttle - www.quickcoach.com is their website. They go directly from the Seattle Airport through downtown Seattle, across the border to the Vancouver Airport, and then onto downtown Vancouver. It takes about 4 hours of driving time (including all the stops). I've taken them before and can recommend them. <BR> <BR>Some people might recommend to you Amtrak train, except the train stations are not close to either airports, and the train only leaves once a day (ie: extremely unflexible schedule). <BR> <BR>I'd still stick with Quick Shuttle.