'08 Vancouver - Official Meeting Planners Guide - (Page 94) Activities & Adventures What’s New Fraser Discovery Route Rocky Mountaineer Vacations offers a two-day, all-daylight journey through the historic gold rush region of the Cariboo Plateau and the Canadian Rockies. The journey departs from Whistler and stops overnight in Quesnal before reaching its terminus in Jasper. Along the way, your attendees will enjoy views of Anderson and Seton Lakes, the Caribou Plateau, Fraser River and the scenic Fraser Canyon, the Rocky Mountain Trench (the longest valley in North America) and other incomparable sights. For more information visit www.rockymountaineer.com. Blessed with natural surroundings that make sea adventures and mountain excursions possible in the same day, Vancouver offers your attendees a range of activities that you can only find in a place as perfectly placed and naturally nestled as Vancouver. Adventures on Land Hiking Your attendees can explore the West Coast rainforest of the North Shore mountains or Bowen Island, visit the shores of the Capilano River and Lynn Canyon, watch the sunset from the cliffs at Lighthouse Park, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the forest at Pacific Spirit Park or Stanley Park. Parks and Gardens Nature lovers will delight in visiting some of the finest gardens on the West Coast, including the UBC Botanical Garden, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bloedel Floral Conservatory, Minter Gardens, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Park and Tilford Gardens and Stanley Park. Guided tours and tours of private residential gardens are also available and can be customized in length and variety to suit group and individual needs. Rainforest Interpretive Walks Discover ancient natural wonders and fascinating wildlife on the North Shore or Bowen Island as knowledgeable guides lead the group through the lush West Coast rainforest, amidst towering Douglas firs and cedar trees, some 500 to 900 years old. Fraser Discover Route ©Rocky Mountaineer Prince of Whales’ Whale-Watching Tour If your attendees want to take a whale-watching tour and also enjoy an introduction to Victoria, Prince of Whales is the company for them. They offer full-day tours in partnership with Gray Line West that include pick-up from select Vancouver hotels, transfer to the Ocean Magic for whale watching and three hours of free time in downtown Victoria. In the afternoon, they’ll get to board a sightseeing coach and travel to nearby Butchart Gardens. Afterwards, they’ll enjoy a relaxing BC Ferries trip back to Vancouver. For more information, visit www.princeofwhales.com. Native Cultural Experiences Vancouver offers ample opportunity to experience the unique cultures of the First Nations Peoples of Canada. Traditional performances and carving can be seen daily at Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park. The UBC Museum of Anthropology showcases the best of West Coast native art. In Deep Cove, there are interpretive paddle tours, complete with ancestral songs and legends, in traditional cedar ocean-going canoes. Other companies offer customized native experiences for groups. Bird Watching Both the dedicated bird watcher and amateur naturalist will be amazed by the wide variety of birdlife, wintering shorebirds and waterfowl found within Greater Vancouver and the surrounding area. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, at the mouth of the Fraser River, is a pristine setting for viewing countless migratory birds in their natural habitat. Several adventure companies offer guided bird-watching experiences, including an eagle-viewing float trip (Dec.–Feb. only) at Brackendale, one of the world’s top spots for viewing these magnificent birds. Rock Climbing The Stawamus Chief near Squamish is a granite monolith offering rock climbers the ultimate vertical fix. Challenging climbs are also found on Vancouver’s North Shore, in the deep gorge of Capilano Canyon, at Lighthouse Park, and on the bluffs in Deep Cove overlooking Indian Arm. Cycling and Mountain Biking Urban paths and rural trails through the forests have been drawing cycling enthusiasts to Vancouver for years. Whether your attendees want to pedal leisurely through Stanley Park and the University of British Columbia campus or navigate rugged trails on the North Shore, they’re sure to find the right cycling experience in Vancouver. Orca sighting ©Tourism Vancouver/Tom Ryan 94 t o u r i s m va n c o u ve r. c o m http://tourismvancouver.com
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