Discover the Far West
From Michael Zufolo of Let’s Travel Radio.com.
Our travels this month took us to the Far West. To our listeners on the planet we’re piping discovery.
Discover Vancouver & Victoria, BC; the San Juan Islands, Seattle, Wa. and Portland, Or. for fabulous scenery, historic sites, freshest seafood, native American lore, wearables, and giftware and a lot, lot more.
In Vancouver visit Gas Town, Stanley Park, China Gardens/ Chinatown, Little India, Yaletown, Granville Island’s public markets, and more. Take the Gray Line Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tours; travel Sky-Line public transit from the airport, dirt cheap, less than 20 minutes to center city; visit the sites of the 2010 Winter Olympic games and the Vancouver Aquarium with over 70,000 stock; discover native American legends, artifacts, and shop til you drop. Learn to read a totem pole, if you can.
Rated in the top 10 for food & wine
by American Express. Lots to see and do in this walkable city. For more info on Vancouver try www.tourismvancouver.com or
www.vcmbc.com
Victoria, BC by BC ferry/ bus from Vancouver is easy, a 3 1/2 hour trip
in comfort gets you there. Book directly from BC or contact www.bcferries.com
Victoria is at the bottom of Vancouver Island. Lots of great food,
historic sites, the British Parliament,
Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Miniature World, Canada’s oldest Chinatown,
Butchart Gardens (www.butchartgardens.com ) and Butterfly Gardens (www.butterflygardens.com or 1-877.722.0272 ) by Gray Line bus; Fairmont Empress Hotel for High Tea, St. Ann’s Academy, Maritime Museum, Royal BC Museum. Craigdarroch Castle and a host of fine B&B’s is what we noted. Best Italian restaurant-
Il Terrazo, a find. Name your favorite seafood- you’ll find it here.
For more info on Victoria try:
www.tourismvictoria.com
San Juan Islands is part of the U.S.
Easy to get to by local bus service from Victoria- 1 hour from the center
to Sydney Harbor. Clear U.S. customs and you’re on your way- a
1 1/2 hour ferry ride to Friday Harbour, the capital of this 4-island group by BC Ferries again.
Stay at a charming B&B, like earthbox or Bird Rock with its quaint gas fire places and hot tubes and gourmet breakfasts with fresh scones and fruit ( 1-800.352. 2632 ); discover the islands long history and culture,
i.e., the Museum District
( San Juan Historical Museum/360-
378.3949; The Whale Museum/ 360-
378.1710; San Juan Islands Museum of Art & Sculpture: 360-370. 5050;
San Juan Aviation Museum: 360-378.4724 ). Dine at The Hungary Clam, The Crab Box, Coho, Mi Casita, Peppermill Steak & Seafood, popular
places we found.
Whale watching is the major sport here with numerous chaters going out daily. For more info on these go to:
800-450. 6858/ 360-378.1323. For general info on the islands try:www.sanjuanisland.org or 360-378.5240 or 888.468.3701 x 1 )
There’s also Orca Island, Lopez Island and Shaw Island. Regular ferry service is available from Washington State Ferries: 206-464. 6400 or 800-84- Ferry and from a number of special ferry services serving all four. A return trip to Anacortes on the U.S. side in Washington takes 1 1/2 hours. The passage is generally free from Friday Harbor and from the adjoining U.S. islands as a public service.
