We will be in Vancouver Victoria and Banff for 12 days. We would appreciate any advice for must see sights and restaurants etc. <BR> Thank You, <BR> Elfy

Make sure you DON'T stay at a Traveller's Inn. My friend had a confirmed, paid for booking for 2 months and the room was given to someone else even though they arrived at 2pm the correct check-in time. <BR>Otherwise the Gardens in Victoria are very pleasant, the Gulf Islands are worth visiting and even just getting a boat through them is lovely. <BR>Stanley Park in Vancouver is a wonderful place and the science museum is certainly worth a visit. <BR>In Banff try and get a trip from Banff to Jasper because that highway is the most beautiful road in the world - its magnificent.

Victoria <BR> <BR>-Have high tea at both the Empress Hotel(upscale) and in a country place <BR> <BR>-Go to Buchart Gardens (so amazing, and I am not a naturalist) <BR> <BR>-Eat at the Italian restaurant that starts with a P (live music tuesdays, wednesdays) <BR> <BR>Vancouver <BR> <BR>-Go to the acquarium <BR> <BR>-Go shopping <BR> <BR>-Buy cubans cigars (even if you dont smoke) <BR> <BR>-Go on double decker bus, get an overview of the town <BR> <BR>-Have breakfast at a hotel overlooking the water (the one with the sails) pricy though <BR> <BR> <BR>

To fill in the missing pieces in Amanda's message, the restaurant with the P in Victoria is Pagliacci's and the hotel with the sails in Vancouver is the Pan Pacific.

In Victoria, the "Italian Restaurant that starts with a p" is Pagliacis (sp?), and I recommend it as well.Its right downtown. <BR>Other recommendations (Victoria) <BR>1)Beacon Hill Park-Just to walk through or have a picnic- its beautiful (by the way , the Beacon Drive-In has the best soft ice cream in the world). <BR>2) Provincial Museum- History of B.C. told in a fascinating "interactive" way. <BR>3) Craigdarroch Castle <BR>4)High Tea at the Empress- or at least just walk through the lobby to see the architecture <BR>5)Take the "scenic drive" that starts on Dallas Road by Beacon Hill park and skirts around the city by the ocean. Its well marked- just follow the signs. <BR>6)If its a nice sunny day, go to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and have a drink on the outdoor patio in "The Snug". It overlooks the strait of Juan de Fuca and has a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. <BR>7) Take a drive on the Malahat Highway. Stop in Goldstream Provincial Park and take a hike- absolutely gorgeous. <BR> <BR>Avoid the tourist traps around the inner harbour eg Wax Museum, Undersea Gardens etc.