Visiting Vancouver During the Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics will begin in Vancouver Canada on February 12th, 2010. The Olympics will be held this year at the BC Place Stadium which is located on Pacific BLVD. in Vancouver, British Columbia. The BC Place Stadium is an indoor facility and this is the first time that the Olympics have ever been held in an indoor facility. The Vancouver Olympics is an event that will draw millions of tourists in from all over the world. And with so many interesting, beautiful and wonderful places to see and exciting things to do, Vancouver is a place that is sure to thrill everyone. The city of Vancouver offers many fun things for people to see and do all year round. Which is why you'll definitely have to venture away from some of the Olympic events to take in the sights and sounds of the city of Vancouver. Take time to embrace some of the culture and history that is found in this beautiful Canadian city.

The Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens is one of the most spectacular sights in Vancouver and you definitely will not want to miss touring these scenic gardens. But to find the gardens you'll have to ask some of the locals because it is a well kept secret that is hidden behind the walls of some of the Chinatown homes in downtown Vancouver. The gardens are located only a short walk from the BC Place Stadium. Along with the beauty that is found in the gardens, Vancouver is also a wonderful spot for skiers. The unique sky ride to Peak Chalet and Grouse Mountain is also another big hit with the winter sports crowd. Another exciting attractions in Vancouver is the well known Granville Island. This is a quaint little location only steps from the front doors of some of the local hotels that are well known tourist spots. Here you will find fresh foods and many popular markets, lots of local shops to browse in and in which to buy your olympic memorabilia, many artists workshops and restaurants in which to enjoy some of the local cuisine. Another local attraction that is located only minutes from downtown is the well known Stanley Park. This is the oldest park in the city of Vancouver and it offers the tourists a wealth of things to do and see. This park has over 1000 acres of green space, There are numerous events and festivals hosted in the park throughout the year. If it's ocean activities you're looking for then there's sure to be plenty of events happening at Jericho Beach. Beautiful, natural sandy beaches combined with the numerous activities that are planned at the beach daily, make this beach the ideal place to spend the day. Just remember to dress warm, there's no bikinis to be found on this beach, as the weather averages between 16 and 30 degrees during the month of february. Of course there's also a ton of extreme winter sports activities to be found in Vancouver as well. Visit one of the nearby mountain areas for an extreme skiing or mountain climbing experience.

Canada has many rules, regulations and laws that differ somewhat from what you find in the United States. For instance the right to bear arms, which we Americans take for granted, is not in the Canadian Constitution. Possessing an unregistered firearm is illegal in Canada. And the regulations for obtaining a permit and having a gun registered are much stricter for those who live and play in Canada. If you enjoy a beer or glass of wine while on vacation, in Canada it's much harder to find these as only goverment stores are allowed to sell alcohol. And if ordering food in one of the local restaurants remember that if you want fries you'll have to ask for chips and vice versa. If you are an american planning a trip to Canada you will need to make sure and have all of your required documents ready before making your traveling plans. Americans traveling to canada must register wih the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. This allows the United States to issue aid in the event of an emergency. Your entry into Canada will be determined by the Canadian border services agents. You will need your U.S. passport, passport card, or Nexus, or a goverment issued identification card with a valid birth certificate. And if there is going to be a minor traveing with you that is not your child then you must have a permission form signed and dated by the childs parents. For more information on what is needed for admission into canada visit www.travel.state.gov or call 1-613-238-5335 and to get more tips and ideas to make the most of your visit to Vancouver Canada visit www.vancouver.com.