subject: Vancouver- A Gateway To The Rocky Mountains [print this page] Vancouver is one of the largest cities in the Canadian state of British Columbia. It lies on the Pacific Coast. It is a popular destination with kayakers and mountaineers, thanks to plenty of water and close proximity to the Whistler Mountain.
Airline tickets to the city are easily available through the websites of major airlines, such as British Airways, US Airways and Air France, to name a few. In fact, Air Canada offers many domestic flights to Vancouver from different parts of this vast nation. The city is a popular holiday destination with both foreigners and Canadians. The city has a history of being a sawmill town. An Englishman first set up a pub in town, and the city was a major port for exporting lumber to different parts of the world.
The best time to visit this place is between the months of July and October, when the weather is milder, and outdoor activities are possible. Cheap tickets to Vancouver are assured only on advance booking though. The city is famous for its unpredictable weather. One day it can be bright and sunny, and the next it could be overcast and rainy. Biking, hiking and trekking are some of the popular activities with residents and tourists alike. The varied colors of nature are indeed a beautiful sight.
The city has a number of beaches and waterfront to enjoy. The most popular destination is the Stanley Park along the Seawall. There is an Aquarium with a large number of species on display. It also offers a paid behind the scenes tour. There is also a small walkthrough rainforest to explore here. It is well worth the visit.
The Vancouver Art Gallery has a number of works on display, both contemporary and old. The popularity of the city increased manifold after it played host to the winter Olympics of 2010.
The University of British Columbia is situated here. It has a massive campus, one of the largest in the country. It caters to a large student population, some of them even coming from across the border. There is lot to do and explore here, with the Museum of Anthropology having some of the best exhibits of the world. It is a wonderful learning experience.
The city has a large immigrant population. Chinese and Indians form a major part of them. Chinese New Year is celebrated with great fanfare, with even a Dragon Boat Race to enjoy. The Indian Diasporas make their presence felt with the number of eateries around the city offering authentic Indian food. The other major attraction in the citys festival calendar is the Celebration of Light. It is a fireworks display competition with participants from around the world converging here to show their skills. Cheap flights to Vancouver offer travelers a good opportunity to visit the city during this time.
The city, with snowcapped mountains as a backdrop, beaches to relax and soak in the sun and a number of cheap flights from different destinations, make it a perfect summer holiday destination.
