Vancouver or Victoria
Feb 2nd, 2008, 12:43 PM
#3
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Vancouver is a much bigger city with more attractions and things to do - so you should spend more of your time there. You should also visit Victoria, at least overnight. The city itself, the coastal scenery, and the gardens alone make it worthwhile.
Feb 8th, 2008, 10:06 AM
#4
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I agree with Carmanah that you should do both but if anything I would spend more time in Victoria than Vancouver (or at least split it 50/50).
We spent 3 nights in Victoria then Vancouver for a further 3 nights but we preferred the calm and relaxing feel to Victoria (although you get this in Vancouver nearer the harbour and park).
In Victoria we: -
Day 1 - Visited Butchart Gardens then Thunderpark and a general walk around to get our bearings.
Day 2 - Whale watching trip and time around the harbour
Day 3 - Visited the BC Museum and then ferry across to Vancouver
In Vancouver we: -
Day 4 - Hired bikes and cycled around stanley park and then visited the Aquarium
Day 5 - Went to the look out tower and spent alot of time enjoying Canada Place and Coal Harbour.
We didn't feel as safe or relaxed in Vancouver (the city feel) but the park and harbour area was very different.
We spent 3 nights in Victoria then Vancouver for a further 3 nights but we preferred the calm and relaxing feel to Victoria (although you get this in Vancouver nearer the harbour and park).
In Victoria we: -
Day 1 - Visited Butchart Gardens then Thunderpark and a general walk around to get our bearings.
Day 2 - Whale watching trip and time around the harbour
Day 3 - Visited the BC Museum and then ferry across to Vancouver
In Vancouver we: -
Day 4 - Hired bikes and cycled around stanley park and then visited the Aquarium
Day 5 - Went to the look out tower and spent alot of time enjoying Canada Place and Coal Harbour.
We didn't feel as safe or relaxed in Vancouver (the city feel) but the park and harbour area was very different.
Feb 10th, 2008, 01:06 PM
#5
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I've lived less than 100 miles from Victoria for more than four decades and have been there exactly twice.
I go to Vancouver 10 to 20 times a year.
Vancouver is extremely safe relative to all other North American cities of its size or greater. Rare to find a place where so many "normal" people are walking the streets all night long.
Vancouver makes for a great destination in part because the downtown area is compact, and because the nature all around the area is so nearby and stunning.
I think you need to sit down and decide if you really have any pressing interest in boating all the way out to Victoria and back at all. That's your choice.
If you opt not to go to Victoria then you can have more budget for a nicer spot in downtown Vancouver (I still recommend Priceline.com for lodging - the luck of the draw is fine in a city with a downtown like they have).
For a good side-trip, renting a car and heading up to Whistler, where some of the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held, is a great drive and a neat little area once you arrive.
Victoria is a nice place, but it is so isolated that you really have to have your mind made up to make the effort to get there.
In no way would I stay in Victoria and merely 'visit' Vancouver.
I go to Vancouver 10 to 20 times a year.
Vancouver is extremely safe relative to all other North American cities of its size or greater. Rare to find a place where so many "normal" people are walking the streets all night long.
Vancouver makes for a great destination in part because the downtown area is compact, and because the nature all around the area is so nearby and stunning.
I think you need to sit down and decide if you really have any pressing interest in boating all the way out to Victoria and back at all. That's your choice.
If you opt not to go to Victoria then you can have more budget for a nicer spot in downtown Vancouver (I still recommend Priceline.com for lodging - the luck of the draw is fine in a city with a downtown like they have).
For a good side-trip, renting a car and heading up to Whistler, where some of the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held, is a great drive and a neat little area once you arrive.
Victoria is a nice place, but it is so isolated that you really have to have your mind made up to make the effort to get there.
In no way would I stay in Victoria and merely 'visit' Vancouver.
Feb 11th, 2008, 05:23 AM
#6
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Victoria is isolated?? You're making it sound like some little hick town in the outback. Victoria is the capital of BC and is not isolated nor does one have to "make the effort to get there". In July the ferry's run every hour; it's not a big deal to get on one.
Feb 11th, 2008, 08:38 AM
#7
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the ferry ride out to victoria is beautiful. if you like to be on the water, i'd spend 2 nights in victoria and the rest of the time in vancouver. i hated driving in vancouver though so i'd plan my days to see the city with public transport and then just rent a car for a couple of days to see the outlying area.
