ITINERARY FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Featured Hotels

The upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics is being hosted by Vancouver and Whistler, and Fairmont Hotels will be at the forefront. There are five exceptional properties located throughout the province of British Columbia including:

• Vancouver - The Fairmont Waterfront - Overlooking Stanley Park and the Burrard Inlet and connected to the Convention Centre and the Vancouver Trade.
• Vancouver - The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - Located in the heart of the Business District and seconds away from the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Robson Street shops.
• Richmond - The Fairmont Vancouver Airport - Situated on the U.S. Departures level within Vancouver International Airport .
• Victoria - The Fairmont Empress - Overlooking the Inner Harbour next to The Royal BC Museum and The Legislature.
• Whistler - The Fairmont Chateau Whistler - Located at the base of breath-taking Blackcomb Mountain in the ski and golf Mecca of Whistler.

International airports service both Vancouver and Victoria. There are over eighty major and regional carriers with direct connections from Europe , Asia and others throughout North America .

Activities and Attractions

The metropolitan city of Vancouver is known for its diversity. It is said to be one of the only destinations where one can ski and sail in the same day. There is a varied culture that can be seen in the eclectic restaurants and fabulous shopping available throughout the city. Vancouver is home to the Molson Indy, International Jazz Festival, and the world's biggest urban park - Stanley Park . Across from the Fairmont Waterfront, you can set sail on one of the Alaskan cruises that leaves out of the ships terminal there.

On the picturesque tip of Vancouver Island is the city of Victoria . Featuring the mildest temperature in Canada , it is famous for its outdoor activities that take place throughout the year. This city is also known as the Garden City, thus, no trip is complete without a tour of the world-renowned Butchart Gardens . Another popular attraction is the Fairmont Empress itself, where afternoon tea has been a tradition since opening its doors in 1918. The hotel is also home to the Willow Stream Spa, one of the finest Wellness facilities in the Pacific Northwest .

Consistently ranking as the top ski destination in North America is the town of Whistler . This once sleepy destination has grown into a thriving city featuring world-class golf courses, fishing, white-water rafting, canoeing, biking and roller-blade trails. In addition to offering endless outdoor opportunities, there are also exciting dining and nightlife experiences to be had.

Driving Distances

Distances between our properties in British Columbia range from four hours to twenty minutes. Take the ferry between Vancouver and Victoria for a glimpse of breathtaking scenery, or drive along the Sea-to-Sky Highway through awe-inspiring landscape on your way to Whistler.

• Vancouver Airport to Vancouver - 7.5 mi/12 km (20 to 30 minutes)
• Vancouver to Whistler - 83 mi/133 km (2.5 hours)
• Whistler to Victoria - Accessible via Nanaimo or Vancouver (4 to 5 hours)
• Victoria to Vancouver - 114 mi/183 km (3 hours including a 1.5 hour ferry ride to Vancouver Island )
• Seattle to Victoria - Direct ferry service on the Victoria Clipper (2.5 to 3 hours)