My husband plan on visiting Vancouver between 7/05 and 7/13. We`re on a budget and we`re going to try to manage without a rental car. We would like to use Vancouver as a base. Can anyone suggest any great day-trips to take? We love nature. Also, should we spend our entire time in Vancouver or should we spend a few nights there and then move to another location? Thanks!

I am planning a 2 week trip to Vancouver in September - I wasn't planning on taking a 2 week trip! When I started doing research, there was so much I wanted to see and do I figured I needed the extra time! I think you could spend a week just walking around and looking at the beautiful scenery-spend time on the beach and in all the lovely (free) parks. Then there is a day just for Granville Island ... you get my point.
I think you will have a great time (even on a budget!) My advice, spend your time in Vancouver - email me if you would like to see some of my notes.

Hello Ruth:

My husband and I will be in Victoria and Vancouver next week without a car so will let you know how it works. We travel all over europe without a car.

We are arriving in Vancouver and taking the bus from the airport and ferry to Victoria and spending the weekend. In hindsight, we could have flown into Victoria instead of picking up the bus at Vancouver airport but we already had our tickets when we decided to add Victoria. I think Victoria looks lovely and am looking forward to this weekend.

Thise who love nature are coming to the right place.
I always suggest a Kayaking trip-here are some operators that do trips in/around the city (+ or -) accessible by Transit.
http://www.ecomarine.com
http://www.ecosummer.com/
http://www.deepcovekayak.com/frames.php

http://www.whisky-jack.com is a book about managing travel in BC without a car.

Of course the venerable whale watching
http://www.vancouverwhalewatch.com.

Hi Ruth: Getting around Vancouver without a car is not problem. Lots of public transportation but I have walked everywhere in the City. We also rode bikes one day which was cheap and fun.

We really prefer Victoria to Vancouver. We took the bus from the airport, on the ferry, and continued on into Victoria. We should have just taken a plane from Seattle to Victoria but had this trip planned long ago before we decided to go to Victoria and already had the air purchased.

Where do you plan to stay while in Vancouver? The downtown/westend hotels can be expensive. The hostel on Granville isn't the best from what I have heard.

Vancouver transit is ok. but I'm pretty sure that Skyttain won't take you anywhere you as a tourist would want to go.

I suggest that you spend 3-4 nights downtown--easy to do sans car. Try to get a decent price at a westend property. From there you can walk the seawall to Stanley Park, take the water taxi to Granville Is., Kitslano and check out the shopping and nightlife in Yaletown and Westend.

Then three nights could be spent in Victoria. You can hop a bus to the terminal and walk on. Victoria is a fairly pedisterian friendly city.

Those are my suggestions.

Vancouver is amazingly beautiful. You could visit Grouse Mountain, do the Grouse Grind (a hike), go to Whistler (3 hour bus ride), go to Jericho beach in Kitsilano

I took the VIA Rail train to Whistler from Vancouver, which was somewhat slow but a wonderful ride. I believe it leaves North Vancouver rail station (accessible by bus from downtown Vancouver) once per day, fairly early in the morning. I seem to remember one southbound train per day. There is a free shuttle on the Whistler side which will take you into the village. I would recommend this for a day trip or even to spend a night or 2 in Whistler.

All passenger service on BC Rail is now cancelled.

http://www.bcrail.com/news-bulletins...r-Services.asp

We spent 2 nights in Vancouver last summer. We had a car, but didn't need it because our location at Comox Cottage was walking distance to Stanley Park (you can ride the trolley all around the park)and the shopping on Robson St. We also used the bus and ferry for sightseeing.