Help with Vancouver itinerary
 

We are planning a vacation to Vancouver for September this year. We were thinking of taking several of the GrayLine tours. There is one to Victoria (over by ferry, back by helijet). Another of the tours is Grouse Mountain and Capilano suspension bridge. Does anyone have any comment about the Gray Line tours? They also have one to Whistler. Can't decide if it would be better to rent a car for the day and drive or take the tour. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A car is really not necessary once you arrive in Whistler or for the most part in downtown Victoria. The majority of attractions in Victoria are either around the Inner Harbour or available on a tourbus, (e.g. Butchard Gardens), while Whistler is very small and compact and cars are not allowed in the Village anyhow.<BR><BR>As far as driving to these places independantly or taking the bus I would think both from the point of view of expenmse and conveniance I would take the bus. Especially since you are just talking about a day tour and not staying overnight.

It's very easy to get around Vancouver on the public bus, rather than using a tour. I was there over New Years and had a lovely time at Capilano and Grouse Mountain. (Actually, I walked from Cap to GM) If you are a &quot;tour person&quot; GrayLine is fine, but you get a lot more flexibility and time to linger on your own.<BR>If you don't have a hotel booked, I recommend the Wedgewood very highly! Booking through their website gives you some options on special deals.<BR>I really loved Vancouver and would be glad to answer any questions that I can (from an enthusiastic tourist point of view, that is.)

I haven't heard bad things about Grayline, although I don't know how necessary they'll be around Vancouver. There is the Vancouver Trolley company, which is a hop on/hop off service. I know they stop off at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain. I've heard great things about them because their schedule's flexible, and the staff narrates the tour as you go through the city. Some locals suggest taking the Trolley for a 2 hour driving tour of Vancouver first, as it will familiarize yourself with the city. I would agree. :) <BR><BR>Here's their website:<BR><BR>http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/<BR>

Thanks for the information. We would prefer to take tours just for sites outside of Vancouver. Around the city we would prefer to do at our own leisure. I checked out the Vancouver Trolley site and that looks fun. Although, I saw nothing mentioned about the Capilano bridge. They offer a special tour in the evening to Grouse Mountain. Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to get to these 2 places without a car? Thanks again for your help.

There's a public bus that will take you to Capilano; the drivers are some of the most helpful I've ever met. You can get another bus or walk to Grouse (seeing the dam along the way) from Capilano.<BR>Happy trails!

Thanks Amy. About how far is the walk from the Capilano bridge to Grouse mountain?

I'm not sure of the distance, but it took me about an hour and a half to two hours, with stopping at the dam along the way. (great pix!) I walk relatively quickly, but I did make some stops. Bits of the walk are uphill and it exciting mostly because it was an incredibly gorgeous day; it's not a walk I'd need to take in dull weather, but then, this probably is an excursion you'd want a clear day for. Buses go right by, though, as you're walking, if you decide the walk's not your style. <BR><BR>I just loved Vancouver as a whole; great food, walkability, nice people, a Lush store a block away from my hotel...<BR><BR>I went over to Victoria for the one day, too, but went by ferry both ways, which wasn't too bad 'cause you can sleep the whole way back! An overnight in Victoria may give you a little better view; frankly, my favorite part was the bunnies on the campus (rabbits, not the Playboy type) and tea NOT at the Empress or whatever that delusional hotel is.

You really don't need a tour to get up to Grouse Mountain. Go on the sea bus to Lonsdale Quay and get the No 36(I think) bus which takes you all they way. We came back down off the mountain at about 9pm though the buses run much later than that. You can also get a bus from Londale Quay to Lynn Canyon to go on that suspension bridge which is free!<BR>Go to http://www.translink.bc.ca/ and click on the tourist link this gives you all the info you will need to get anywhere you will want to go by public transport<BR>