scottbee

Hi, this is my first time to visit vancouver, I will rent a van (with 7 people) and drive from Seattle to Vancouver on May 10th about noon, and we are planning to visit butchart garden on the 11th. My questions are:

1) Is it only one way (i think I-5) from Seattle to Vancouver? I read a post (forget where I found) that some entrances to vancouver will be less traffic?

 

2) I am confused with the ferry informationt on site to Butchart garden. It seems I need to pay for the van to "travel" on the ferry? Do I sit inside my van or separate? Some posts say I need to reserve to save $15? Do you know how does it work?

1) As you come close to the border (a mile before it) ,you have two options at exit 275 on I5. Straight ahead on I5 is the Douglas "Peace Arch" crossing, or taking Hwy 543 to the Pacific Highway "Truck" crossing. I give both names as local radio will report them by the 'local' name as opposed to the official name most of the name. Tune to 730, 980 or 1130 for good traffic reports 10 miles before you get to the border. This is important as it's not unusual for one crossing to be a full hour faster than the other. Generally, but not always the Pacific Highway crossing has less wait times. It also has the benefit of a gas station right before the border (as gas prices are 20-30% higher in Canada).

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=48.995087,-122.738056&spn=0.03041,0.085144&z=13

2) The ferry is a significant vessel, that carries 300+ cars and 2000 passengers, 600ft long with 6 decks, Yes, you'll get a chance to get out of your car. You're not taking a short journey. The ferry takes 90 minutes, and should cost around $40/ea way for the van, and 11/ea for passengers. You should budget a trip time of approx 5 hours (45 min drive 30-120min wait for ferry, 100 minute crossing, another 30 minutes on the Victoria side). The ferries are busiest in the early morning, the 7am ferry often selling out at 5:30am. You can reserve for an additional $17.50 fee each way and not be worried if it's already full. http://bcferries.bc.ca/ for full details, you're looking for the Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay ferry crossing. (BC Ferries is one of the largest ferry systems in the world in terms of vehicle miles/passenger miles carried)

Activities: one is to visit Caffe Artigiano on 740 West Hastings Street but would like some more.

There's a new Cafe Artigiano in the 500 Block of Granville (near Dunsmuir). OK OK, it's a tad pricy, but DAMN it's good coffee. If you're a real coffee hound 'Mink' is also very good, they have a clover machine (off Hastings @ Hornby IIRC). You might also want to try 'Marios' which is on Howe just north of Dunsmuir.

What is this area of the city like and and do you know of the hotel or coffee shop that I have mentioned? Also, dinner for the night we all arrive. Something casual in the teen price range (per dish). And something to see or do on July 4. We will have 4 children (17, 13,12,8) 4 adults in their 40's and 1 adult in their 70's.

If you're headed toward stanley park, I always recommend the Banana Leaf (Malay cuisine; great without being too fancy or expensive) on Denman st.

I would have to say of all the dinner cruises I've been on the dinner is not the greatest; however the sailing is. And Vancouver has one of the most beautiful harbours. Most cruises take you either around Stanley Park and into English Bay or some go up Burrard Inlet to Indian Arm. Both are very nice.

 

I can also highly recommend the Cannery Seafood restaurant, but you will need a reservation.

Firstly, I'd like to say that Vickie and Bernie will do a fine job answering questions, after all, they did help us all kick butt in the Movie Music trivia on the Sep Island Princess Sailing :-)

As for the Cannery, it's quite wonderful, but awkward to get to with anything except a taxi. If you're looking for an interesting, but not too expensive downtown restaurant, I'd recommend the Banana Leaf on Denman.

Scott (&Marie)

What is the best way to get to the cruise terminal from Tsawwassen ferry terminal?

 

We are planning on flying into Victoria in the morning of Aug 22, 2008, stay overnight, then ferry to Tsawwassen on the 23rd. We need to board Sapphire Princess before 3pm.

 

thanks! (our first trip to Canada & Alaska cruise)

Wow, that all depends on your budget;

cheapest: city bus at ferry, (easy bus change in ladner), then 601 bus to downtown (drops near canada place cruise terminal) $5.00

Next: Pacific Coach Lines (board on ferry) to Pacific Station (amtrak), then either skytrain or cab to cruise terminal $11 bus + taxi or $11 + $2.50 skytrain

Swish: Float Plane from downtown victoria to Canada Place, $130

How are you getting to Swartz Bay on the Victoria end (it;s 20 miles north of downtown) as option 2 can be done downtown to downtown...