Plan a Gold Medal Visit to Olympic Host City Vancouver with Experiences from Viator.com
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 20, 2010 -- The spotlight is shining on Vancouver as the host of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics – a destination that boasts a unique combination of big-city lifestyle with beautiful mountains and metropolitan beaches. The team at Viator.com, the leading resource for researching and booking more than 5,500 trip activities and experiences in 75 countries at the best prices, has handpicked a selection of activities to help Vancouver's visitors experience more from their trip to British Columbia, whether during the games or beyond.
Vancouver Experiences beyond the Games – Travelers should take time away from the arenas and awards to get to know the Olympic host city. The Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Vancouver-City-Sightseeing-Tour/d616-3914_1) is a half day experience with two daily departures that visits the most iconic sites in Vancouver including Stanley Park, Gastown and Granville Island (from $67 per person*). The Vancouver Seaplane Tour soars over the city’s skyline and surrounding mountains for a unique bird’s eye view with an exhilarating landing in the harbor (from $101). The Vancouver North Shore Day Trip with Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Vancouver-North-Shore-Day-Trip-with-Capilano-Suspension-Bridge-and-Grouse-Mountain/d616-3914_2) includes a ride over Vancouver harbor via the landmark Lions' Gate Bridge, a trek across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, the world's longest suspension footbridge, a ride on the Grouse Mountain Skyride and grizzly bear viewing (among other things) in the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife (from $119). For an eco-friendly experience, the Vancouver Rainforest, Local Neighborhood and Suspension Bridge Tour (from $71.50) starts in North Vancouver and visits Maplewood Flats, a local bird sanctuary, Cates Park, home of hand-carved totem poles and canoes, Deep Cove and Lynn Canyon Park, as well as a journey across the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
Travelers Take the Lead – A great way to acclimate to the city (and wear off jetlag with Vitamin D upper-deck exposure) is the Vancouver City Hop-on Hop-off Tour (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Vancouver-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d616-5029HOP) (from $36) with 20-plus stops that travelers can visit over a two-day period or cover in one 90-minute loop. Travelers take the reigns with the See Vancouver and Beyond Smartvisit Card (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/See-Vancouver-and-Beyond-Smartvisit-Card/d616-2152SEEYVR). Two, three and five-day cards (from $122) offer great value and entry to 50 attractions with maps and travel guides.
The Traveler is the Winner with Private Tours – Whistler is one of the major venues for the Olympics as host of the skiing events, biathlon, bobsleigh and luge competitions. Start the Private Tour: Whistler Day Trip from Vancouver (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Private-Tour-Whistler-Day-Trip-from-Vancouver/d616-3371WHISTLER) with a drive across Lions’ Gate Bridge with stops at Shannon and Brandywine Falls before reaching Whistler village (from $146). For the Vancouver VIP treatment, travelers should try the Private Tour: Vancouver City Sightseeing (from $97) for a personalized experience aimed at individual preferences while visiting Vancouver’s hottest attractions. The Private Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Private-Tour-Capilano-Suspension-Bridge-and-Grouse-Mountain/d616-3371ALPINE) (from $166) includes breathtaking views and a gondola ride among Vancouver’s very own alpine playground. The Private Tour: Gardens of Vancouver starts at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, continues to the city’s highest point, Queen Elisabeth Park and concludes at Van Dusen Botanical Garden (from $144). Embark on the British Columbia Ferry for a cruise across the Strait of Georgia to start the Private Tour: Victoria and Butchart Gardens from Vancouver (from $212.50).
Whale Watching – Whale watching is a seasonal activity so Olympic spectators will likely miss this beautiful display but beginning in March, it’s a must-see activity for visitors. The Seaplane Flight to Victoria and Whale-Watching Cruise (http://www.viator.com/tours/Vancouver/Seaplane-Flight-to-Victoria-and-Whale-Watching-Cruise/d616-3020_VAN7) is a 4-hour excursion running from March to October (from $305.50). The Vancouver Whale-Watching Tour is a 7-hour adventure that begins setting sail in April (from $175).
For more trip inspiration travelers can visit the Viator Travel Blog (travelblog.viator.com).
*All prices are per person.
About Viator
Viator is the world's leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to more than 5,500 tours, attractions and activities in 450-plus destinations in 75 countries. Viator – the Latin word for traveler – offers travelers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities with helpful resources like nearly 100,000 traveler reviews and photos, star ratings, suggested itineraries and the Viator Travel Blog. Viator's in-house travel experts have picked respected and trusted local operators to ensure a quality experience, value and service, all backed by Viator’s low-price guarantee. Founded in 1995, Viator sells its products directly to consumers at www.viator.com and through its global network of more than 1,000 affiliates that include major hotel and airline companies, online travel agencies, city-specific sites and more. Through its collection of company operated and affiliated sites, Viator welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors per month. Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.
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