Visiting Vancouver/Victoria

[MazdaUK]

I'm sure some of you have been before so please can I pick your brains?

We've got a 2-week holiday booked split between Vancouver and Victoria. Can anyone help with suggestions for:

Family dining - DS 12 and 6, we don't do Thai, sushi, Chinese or Indian (well DH does but not the rest of us!) but love most other sorts of food. Best place in Victoria (near BC Museum) and Stanley Park?

Camera tips: if I fill my memory card where's the most reliable place to get a disc done, or should I just buy extra memory cards before I go?

Must do stuff: I've got a list of things as long as your arm (especially some really interesting museums) but what things can we do that we can't do anywhere else that will really make the boys understand Canada?

Thanks for all your tips! What would we do without DIS?
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[Kilted_Yank]

My wife and I had a holiday in Vancouver/Victoria several years ago and we had a great time!

I can't help you with your specifics, but I must say that we ate a fair amount of all of the foods that you mentioned that you don't like .

I can say, however, that I am certain that you will love both places.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[cheryl.UK]

Must do -

Stanley park including the aquarium
Granville island (Great cheap eats)
Kitsillano Suspension bridge
Water Taxis

 

[steve_rob]

Your kids might find it a bit boring, but you've got to visit Buchart Gardens just outside Victoria. Absolutely beautiful.

Unfortunately I was only in Victoria for a day (part of a cycling tour of the Pacific Northwest) so I can't tell you much else about what to do there.

 

[carolfoy]

My son loved Butchart even though we thought he'd be a bit bored (he was 5 at the time) there are also lovely park areas in stanley park and grouse mountain and capilano are definate must do's. As for eating out, I don't think you'll have a problem finding something to suit everyone.

 

[MazdaUK]

Does anyone have any experience of claiming back the local taxes? We're planning on a bit of spending and with presents for DSis and her 4 kids its easy to spend $50 in one go.

Should we claim at the airport or wait and do it from Canada House in London? (I work really near).

 

[MazdaUK]

Bump - only a week to go!

 

[carolfoy]

I personally never bothered claiming the tax back but I know there was a booth to do it in in Vancouver airport with a very long queue

 

[Hilary]

Does anyone have any experience of claiming back the local taxes? We're planning on a bit of spending and with presents for DSis and her 4 kids its easy to spend $50 in one go.

Should we claim at the airport or wait and do it from Canada House in London? (I work really near).

We arrived home yesterday from our trip to Toronto and around Ontario and visited Vancouver / Victoria and BC in 2003.

Last trip, I remember standing for about half an hour in the line for the customs booth at Vancouver airport, and successfully claimed back the tax when we got home. This time, in Toronto airport, I didn't have to wait at all but was told we didn't need to have receipts stamped for any goods valued at less than $200 CAN (or possibly £250 CAN - I wasn't really listening as we didn't buy anything that expensive!). If we'd had goods of that value, they would have asked to inspect them (which is why you have to go to the booth before check-in) and stamp the receipt. For anything else, just pick up the form and do the paperwork when you get home - the payment comes in a cheque a good few weeks later (hopefully!). I don't know if it would be instant if you took it to Canada House.

You can take the receipts to some booths at the airport where they'll give you an instant pay-back, but they'll deduct commission for doing it. The Canadian Customs are the only ones who don't deduct anything, as far as I understand it.

Total receipts must be at least $200 CAN, with each receipt being for minimum $50 CAN pre-tax.

You'll be able to pick up a leaflet at most tourist offices, with everything explained and with a form at the back.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

Claimed back tax every time I was over there, just make sure you pick up a form and keep all your receipts.

Must do's. Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, Museum of Anthropology (at the University of British Columbia), Capilano Bridge, Alert Bay on Vancouver Island, Whistler is a nice drive from Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Gardens, China Town, Granville Island.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Family dining - DS 12 and 6, we don't do Thai, sushi, Chinese or Indian (well DH does but not the rest of us!) but love most other sorts of food. Best place in Victoria (near BC Museum) and Stanley Park?

In Victoria, Spinnakers is just across the inner harbor from the Empress. You can take a watertaxi or it's about a 15-20 minute walk from the museum (we always water taxi over, then walk back for the exercise). Nice brewpub (sandwiches/salads/pasta) with an emphasis on local seafood. Pagliaccia's (1011 Broad St) for Italian. There's also several restaurants located in a small shopping mall on Wharf Street, you could see what looks interesting (Garlic Rose is our favorite but I like Pagliacci's better). For breakfast, the James Bay Tea Room (which really gives you a good sense of historical connectedness to the mother country) and Dutch Bakery. Also you must go to Roger's Chocolates on Government Street.

In Vancouver, I agree that one morning (and maybe a lunch or two) must be spent at Granville Island. Public market with many scenic food options. Stephos (1124 Davie St) has very good greek. Can't really think of anyplace right around Stanley Park, but there's tons of good food along Robson, Davie & Denman. A tapas place on Robson that I can't remember the name of (Bodega?)was very good years ago. It's a shame you don't like Chinese as there are some very good dim sum places around the Chinatown area and in the suburbs.

Must do stuff: I've got a list of things as long as your arm (especially some really interesting museums) but what things can we do that we can't do anywhere else that will really make the boys understand Canada?

I think you've been told about most of the major ones. You could spend most of the day at Stanley Park (with the aquarium, totem poles, etc.). Depending on how active your sons are, you might consider one of you renting bicycle with 12-year-old and biking the sea wall (about 5 miles) while the other goes on the miniature railroad, farmyard and traffic school with the 6-year-old. In terms of Canadian history/heritage, I'd recommend the BC provincial museum in Victoria and the Storyeum in Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver. Storyeum mixes live action performances with interactive exhibits. Also, the Anthropology Museum on the UBC campus has *the* best collection of First Nation crafts (totems) in a beautiful setting. I'd also recommend Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain lift (I think you can get a combined ticket for both at discount).

One other consideration. I assume you're taking the ferry between the mainland and Vancouver Island. You might consider taking the Nanaimo/Horseshoe Bay ferry rather than the Tsawassen/Swartz Bay. The ferry trip is more interesting (more inland islands rather than open water), Horseshoe Bay is a spectacular setting and the drive from Nanaimo to Victoria is really lovely. Gets you away from the city and gives you a little more sense of the wilderness that is just a short drive from downtown Victoria. Have a good trip.