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Brian in Dublin (IRL)
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Posted - 3/13/2007 10:23:41 AM
Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping that someone might be able to offer me some advice. I've been planning to visit BC for some time now, I'm quite excited because BC has so many activities from Mountainbiking to Skiing, Hiking and Snowboarding. Theres only one problem, I don't know anyone in BC who can give me advice & there are just so many things I can do on my trip !!! Really, Ive read through a million websites, books and listings but theres just too many things to choose from and its making it hard to see what is worth while and whats a scam.
- Are there any activity tours in May / June 07, the tour's would include prob a bus tour visiting various locations around BC, maybe (even if it is separate) a Mountain biking activity day, Snowboarding etc
- Any recommendations around accommodation ? 3/4 Star, B&B even hostels its all good ?
- Where does the best Grande-latte-mocha-frappachino (Coffee) in Vancouver and where can I find the best watering hole that plays great music ?
Thats all folks & many thanks to those who can respond ...
Brian
www.brianfitzsimons.com - inspiration, innovation and adventure
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ketchup
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Posted - 3/13/2007 3:16:21 PM
Hey Dublin Brian,
Plenty of mountain biking spots and easy to get at without a bus and tour guide. Although that sounds like a great idea if there isn't a tour like that out there somewhere already! Might be some snowboarding in eary May but there's always the glacier at Whistler for summer snow (and by snow I mean slushy ice).
I stayed at the HI-Vancouver hostel when I first got here. (http://www.hihostels.ca/pm/en/vancouverhostel_downtown.aspx?sortcode=2.3). Was cheap and descent.
Plenty of Starbucks around here but I don't recommend any of those. What are your musical tastes?
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Brian in Dublin (IRL)
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Posted - 3/13/2007 3:38:00 PM
Hey Ketchup, thanks for the advice ! It is complete madness if you google anything to do with activities in BC, there are a million results offering all sorts of services and activities it makes it just so hard to choose !!! lol, I guess thats not a bad thing =D
In rgds music, pretty much anything go's from Rock to Dance but prob the more laidback bars that are good for bumping into nice locals who can point me in the right direction
Ive heard so much about Whistler, its definitely on the itinerary !!!
Thanks
Brian
www.brianfitzsimons.com - inspiration, innovation and adventure
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kiwi
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Posted - 3/13/2007 6:29:18 PM
Hey Brian, If your looking for mtn biking activities or tours then may I suggest
Bush Pilot Biking. Web site is www.bushpilotbiking.com Johnny runs tours
all around BC and know his stuff.
If your plan on riding in Vancouver then go see my mates Steve & Steve at
North Shore Freeride Guides. www.northshorefreerideguides.com
Now being a Kiwi then I know a thing or too about GOOD coffee, so lets forget
Starbucks. You want to try Cafe Artigano (4-5 locations in Vancouver) and my
favourite is Brazza on Lonsdale Ave in North Vancouver. http://www.brazza.biz/coffee.html
Welcome to BC! Kiwi
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Suzanne
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Posted - 3/14/2007 7:42:49 AM
Interesting quote that:
Hey Ketchup, thanks for the advice ! It is complete madness if you google anything to do with activities in BC, there are a million results offering all sorts of services and activities it makes it just so hard to choose !!! lol, I guess thats not a bad thing =D
But not if you're specific about what you want; I googled alot and had the opposite effect, I got alot of relevant accurate information that way. Some canadian climbers have even quoted what I already knew after finding the info and reading about it (e.g. the 4 ski resorts near Vancouver).
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Suzanne
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Posted - 3/14/2007 7:44:00 AM
hey kiwi,
what's wrong with starbucks ;)
I like a good caffe latte; and chocolate brownie (sometimes).
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ketchup
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Posted - 3/14/2007 12:37:32 PM
I'm a Blenz fan myself. Starbucks is the devil!
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ace
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Posted - 3/14/2007 12:45:57 PM
Blenz tastes like dirt mixed with hot water. Tim Hortons is where it's at! To all you foreigners coming to visit you gotta try Tim Hortons to truely experience Canada.
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ace
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Posted - 3/14/2007 12:51:58 PM
Yo Dublin!
I'd recommend staying in a hostel. Like the Hostelling Internation Hostel out on Jericho beach. Out of downtown but good times during the summer. Not for the price but because you'll find other travellers with similar interests as you which will make it much easier to find and partake in group activities. Check the notice boards once you get there!
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Brian in Dublin (IRL)
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Posted - 3/14/2007 2:45:44 PM
Thanks for all the great advice guys !
Im working on a itinerary at the moment for a 10 day trip. I'll post it as soon as I have it complete, I really like to be organised before I travel anywhere so all your advice will definitely come in handy.
Kiwi, thanks for the advice and recommendation on Bush Pilot Biking, thats precisely what I was looking for and its a great site too with lots of info. I'll definitely be in touch with your buddy Johnny.
Ace, great point about the noticeboards. I was in Toronto a few months ago and my itinerary went out the window as the noticeboard in globalvillage was just crammed with tours, baseball games, organised parties. I always forget that when I travel!
What can I say, I only discovered Tim Hortons back in December on a trip to New York Yuuuuum ! Great coffee BUT before Starbucks, Tim Hortons or any big franchise you gotta go local so I'll be looking for the little hidden away coffee shops where I can check my email and read / listen to my iPod.
Im so excited about this trip, there really aren't many places you can MTB, Snowboard, Trek, climb you name it and its on your doorstep =D
Thanks again !!!
Brian
www.brianfitzsimons.com - inspiration, innovation and adventure
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Photog
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Posted - 3/18/2007 6:48:32 PM
Cafe Artigiano kicks some serious a$$ (5 spots in Van), Higher Grounds is good too for a reliable coffee (all over the city)
As for watering holes.. try the Irish Heather in Gastown. They know how to properly pour a pint of Guiness. Or try The Whip in East Vancouver (corner of Main and 5th or 6th) Granville Island Brewery is a good place in the summer as is Bridges(Granville Island) for a pint on their patio
Go to mec.ca and post on their trip partner page, you'll get people looking for partners all over BC (and Canada for that matter)
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