Travel Log

Yaletown - Vancouver, Canada

Society Restaurant in Yaletown --Vancouver, Canada

Today's feature is a continuation on with the theme of great places to eat (from last week).........in Yaletown ....and today's we will feature "Society".

"Society" is one in the group of the Glowbal Collection of dining venues. Other locations in the greater Vancouver area include: 

Glowbal, Afterglow, Sanafir, Trattoria, Italian Kitchen, Coast, O Lounge, and Glowbal Catering. 

Society opened for business on October 29, 2009. The cuisine is re-imagined comfort food. They are known for their famous  mac n' cheese balls, homemade prime rib burger with a fried egg, excellent halibut crab cake appetizers and the all time  famous junk food platter dessert (make sure to save room for dessert - it's a BIG platter). 

They offer a huge patio, dining room and a lounge on the second level. People come from all over to view the  2 amazing pink murano style chandeliers.
To view more photos on their website please visit:  www.society-grg.ca

Make sure to say hello to Carlos Flores the restaurant Manager and Dennis Pak, General Manager. Be sure to mention Critics Choice Vacations sent you there! 

Yaletown - Vancouver, Canada

Yaletown - Vancouver, Canada

Here is  a list of very hip, happening, fun good places to eat in Yaletown:

1. Rodney's Raw Oyster Bar

2. Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar

3. Bean Around the World Coffees

4. Provence Marinaside

5. Glowbal Grill & Satay Bar

6. Society- **highly recommended**

7. Bistro Sakana Japanese Restaurant

8. George's

9. Yaletown Brewing Company

10. Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill

Vancouver, Canada

VANCOUVER, CANADA

After spending the last 5 days in Vancouver, I am once again inspired (and reminded) about all this great city has to offer! I have not been since the new portion of the sky train was completed before the Olympics and let me tell you...it is great! It is now a snap to get from the airport to downtown (a great value, clean, safe and very user friendly). Visit this link for more details: http://www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Canada-Line.aspx.

For those you have not been there before (and those who are going this summer) here is a list of 10 things you must see/do while you are there (these are not in any order):

1. Granville Island (shop, dine, people watch, relax)

2. Stanley Park (hike, bike, walk....enjoy the views)

3. Robson street (take in some excellent shopping opportunities)

4. Canada Place for great view of the N. Shore (which you see pictured here) ---this is the location where most of the cruise ships depart from. You can also pick up the seabus from this location and head to N. Vancouver.

5. Visit Grouse Mountain (take the gondola ride and enjoy lunch at the top of the mountain)

6. Visit ChinaTown (for a culturally rich experience)

7. Visit Gastown (shop, have lunch, make a stop at the famous steam clock)

8. Take the water taxi from Granville Island to False Creek (a great way to see a different perspective from Vancouver)

9. Enjoy the 1000's of culinary experiences that are available to you: French, Italian, Asian, Irish, ....you name it if you are a "foodie" you can find anything you want in Vancouver! Be adventurous!

10. Visit Victoria -(Time permitting - take the ferry to Victoria and enjoy high tea at the famous Fairmont Empress hotel or visit Buchart Gardens!)

Vancouver is an excellent port of call for cruises heading to/from Alaska --make sure to plan 2-3 days extra to enjoy the city! There are many great specials and we still have a tiny bit of time to get you on an Alaska cruise this summer beginning or ending in Vancouver! Call or email today for some ideas/pricing!

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver, Canada

Since everyone has their focus on Vancouver, Canada right now with the 2010 Winter Olympics, I thought it appropriate to do another post on Vancouver (as mentioned many times before ---it is and still remains to be my favorite city in N. America!). 

For those you have not been there before (and those who are going this summer) here is a list of 10 things you must see/do while you are there (these are not in any order):

1. Granville Island (shop, dine, people watch, relax)

2. Stanley Park (hike, bike, walk....enjoy the views)

3. Robson street (take in some excellent shopping opportunities)

4. Canada Place for great view of the N. Shore (which you see pictured here)

5. Visit Grouse Mountain (take the gondola ride and enjoy lunch at the top of the mountain)

6. Visit ChinaTown (for a culturally rich experience)

7. Visit Gastown (shop, have lunch, make a stop at the famous steam clock)

8. Take the water taxi from Granville Island to False Creek (a great way to see a different perspective from Vancouver)

9. Enjoy the 1000's of culinary experiences that are available to you: French, Italian, Asian, Irish, ....you name it if you are a "foodie" you can find anything you want in Vancouver! Be adventurous!

10. Visit Victoria -(Time permitting - take the ferry to Victoria and enjoy high tea at the famous Fairmont Empress hotel!)

Vancouver is an excellent port of call for cruises heading to/from Alaska --make sure to plan 2-3 days extra to enjoy the city! There are many great specials and we still have a tiny bit of time to get you on an Alaska cruise this summer beginning or ending in Vancouver! Call or email today for some ideas/pricing!

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver, Canada

In just a few weeks the 2010 Winter Olympics will take place in this beautiful city (and also in Whistler, Canada). Vancouver, Canada continues to be one my most favorite destinations in N. America. Vancouver is a city that has something for everyone: China Town, Granville Island, YaleTown, Gas Town, Stanley Park, excellent shopping on Robson street, a plethora of dining options (from all cultures) abound in Vancouver, hiking, biking, running, walking, canoeing, whale watching, fishing, cooking classes, art, theater, music....the list goes on and on.

Vancouver is just a short ferry (or float plane) ride away from Victoria, which is famous for The Fairmont Empress Hotel's Afternoon High Tea. Victoria is also home of the world famous Butchart Gardens.

I have been to Vancouver too many times to count and if you want to join in the fun over the Winter 2010 Olympics or wait until it warms up a bit in the summer - now is the time to contact me for some excellent package deals! You will NOT be disappointed! Call or email now for some ideas and suggestions:  Susan@CriticsChoiceVacations.com or via phone 480-831-9076.

Between Vancouver and Whistler, Canada

 

Near Vancouver, Canada

There is a road (and rail) that leads from Vancouver, Canada to Whistler, Canada and this area between the two cities is often referred to as "Sea to Sky highway." All eyes will be focused here as Vancouver and Whistler host the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the winter time the road can be very slick and dangerous with ice and snow. However, during the spring/summer/fall, and on a clear day, you can see forever and it is a gorgeous scenic route. This area/highway (and via rail) travels right along the Pacific NW coast where many times you can spot whales, eagles, perhaps seal and various other kinds of birds and wildlife. If you are traveling via car, be sure to make a pit stop at Shannon Falls Park, Squamish (ideally located midway between the Host City and Host Mountain Resort), Britannia Beach, Brandywine Falls and stop at the Bald Eagle Watch along the way. The route normally takes 2-3 hours depending on traffic conditions and time of the year. If the 2010 Olympics are in your plans - you best start making your hotel/resort plans now (if you have not already done so). There are currently some excellent offers in this part of Canada for early fall. Call or email today for some great fall packages.

Vancouver, Canada

I have just returned from a Cruise-A-Thon conference in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to attending several seminars/classes on the latest and greatest in cruising, doing ship site inspections and learning about some of the new things planned for Vancouver over the 2010 winter Olympics, I was fortunate to take in some of the many beautiful sites of one of my MOST FAVORITE places in all of North America! Vancouver is the quintessential city offering something for everyone: beaches, skiing, golf, great shopping, excellent cuisine and fine dining experiences, varied art museums, whale watching tours, fishing and the list goes on and on. It is no wonder why Vancouver repeatedly is voted among the top 10 most livable cities in the world by Conde Nast travel magazine. While the Canadian $ to USD $ is about equal, many great finds are still available in Vancouver. Why not take in some of the fantastic sites this summer! Call or email now for some excellent packages and why not add an Alaska cruise on to your adventure?

Vancouver, Canada

This photo was taken just near Canada Place - a building situated on the Burrard Inlet waterfront of Vancouver. You will find the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, Pan Pacific Hotel and the first IMAX 3D theater located here.  It is also the key cruise terminal in Vancouver and used primarily for those ships sailing to/from Alaska. Located just minutes from Canada Place is the Waterfront Station subway terminal where tourists and Canadians alike can take the SkyTrain rapid transit system to various parts in the city. Just about 3 blocks down you will enter GasTown  - a famous old part of Vancouver noted for the steam clock, great restaurants and shopping. Vancouver will host the 2010 winter Olympics and the city is gearing up for the crowds that will come, even now. Isn't it time you make your summer plans to visit (in my opinion) the best city in North America? Spend a few days pre/post your cruise enjoying the city which has been nominated time and again by Conde Nast Traveler as the "Best city in North America!" I couldn't agree more!

Moraine Lake -- Alberta, Canada

 Just outside Banff in Alberta, Canada lies Moraine Lake in the valley of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The water is a gorgeous teal green as it is fed by glacial waters. Canoes (such as these in the photo above) can be rented and taken to the end of the river. The Lake is a short 40 miles from Banff and is located within the Banff National Park. There are some wonderful train rides and packages available which can take you through the Canadian Rockies having you stay at some of the world's finest hotels where you will see some of the most beautiful scenery in North America. Email me for details/ideas. (Thanks to Drew, a Critics Choice Vacations client, for the use of your beautiful photo. Copyright - D. Hessinger 2006).

Vancouver, Canada

While visiting Vancouver, Canada you should take 1/2 a day and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge located on the North side of Vancouver, just a few minutes drive from the downtown area. Treetops Adventure is the newest of Capilano Suspension Bridge's attractions and the first venue of its kind in North America, offering a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest. Visitors venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another on a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet (30m) above the forest floor. Guided nature tours and the Kids' Rainforest Explorer program are some of the activities that enhance this unique rain forest encounter. Recognized for extraordinary innovation with national and provincial tourism and engineering awards, a walk on Treetops Adventure has emerged as one of Vancouver's quintessential activities.