Saturday, December 29, 2012

Travels in Canada 2012: Highlights north of the border in British Columbia

A snowy view from Granville Island Hotel in January. Sue Frause photo.

My 2012 Canadian adventures were limited to six in British Columbia -- Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler. Don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing, but I feel I'm somewhat shirking my Closet Canuck duties in not visiting other provinces in Canada. But BC is in my back yard, so it's easy and comfortable for me to pop across the 49th Parallel. On my 2013 Canadian travel list are Montreal in March just for fun and maybe Toronto for TBEX '13 in June. 


Last year's kickoff party for Dine Out Vancouver on Granville Island in January. Sue Frause photo.

Food and drink are important elements of travel. Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler have no shortage of fine restos, bars and culinary walking tours to keep your food senses in tune. Bon Appetit is easy in BC!

Cocktails at LIFT, a bar and grill with a Coal Harbour view. Sue Frause photo.
Secret Supper with Swallow Tail Tours in Vancouver. Sue Frause photo.
And then there are those important places where you lay your head at night. I love comfy beds and welcoming inns and hotels -- Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler have a plethora of them, in all styles and price ranges. Travel in the off-season for better deals.

I love the clean lines of the suites at Victoria's Laurel Point Inn. Sue Frause photo.
But for me, getting there is least half the journey. In addition to driving to Whistler, I took trains and buses to Vancouver and float planes and ferries to Victoria. I love letting somebody else do the driving.

Kenmore Air on Seattle's Lake Union. Sue Frause photo.


A snowy trip aboard Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver. Sue Frause photo.

Postcards from Vancouver-Victoria | 2012 | Photos by Sue Frause

Granville Island Market Tour with Edible BC in Vancouver. 

Vancouver's Coal Harbour in summer.

Leader "Gassy Jack" of Taste Vancouver Food Tours



Nicole Bridger Fashion Show at Vogue during Vancouver's Eco Fashion Week.

Black Ball's MV Coho arrives in Victoria from Port Angeles.


The Fairmont Empress in Victoria's Inner Harbour.


Victoria's red fish blue fish is one of my top fish 'n chip spots.


My favorite place to stay in Victoria is Fairholme Manor.

Happy New Year and "Cheers" from Closet Canuck!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you as well. Love the blog.

Eat Play Sleep said...

Thanks! I think you saw the post before I finished including all the photos ... appreciate your feedback and wish you a Happy New Year!

Queen Of Mars said...

Happy new year to you! Canada happens to be my dream-destination... I wish I could be there right now..sigh...

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