Vancouver is one of my favorite cities in Canada and this trip with the family was special. As we drove on I-5 towards Canada, memories of the same route 10 years ago vividly appeared in my memory. It was a time of many discoveries… it was my first international trip, first time in the United States, first time in Canada, and I was still discovering the joys of traveling. At that time, I was single, making the trip by car with my Canadian friend Soraya, who lived in Seattle, going to visit her parents who lived in Vancouver. We were stopped by the police near the border, I went through the document check by a police officer for the first time, but it was just routine, we got a ticket because she was driving 10 miles above the speed limit. Everything was new to me and even being stopped by the police made it to my travel diary. It’s amazing how much my life has changed in 10 years. Now, I had my husband by my side and Dylan in the back seat. But the excitement of showing them the city that enchanted me was almost comparable to my excitement of crossing the “border” for the first time. My husband, despite being well-traveled and almost Canadian, had never been to Vancouver.

So for those planning a trip to Vancouver, here are some considerations:

What Vancouver is Like

Vancouver is located in British Columbia, Canada and is located on the far west of Canada bordering the United States, with the state of Washington, very close to Seattle. To describe the city, sentimentally, I have to say that I am completely in love with Vancouver. I went in the summer the first time and at the end of the summer the second time, times when the city is more lively. I love that the city is surrounded by water, has many activities near the water, and even has some interesting beaches, a beach volleyball culture, and a young population. Considering the proportions, it seemed a bit like Rio de Janeiro in the climate of the bars and in the people. The Asian population is huge, at times I felt like I was in China without ever having been there. The city is beautiful, with super modern areas with very tall buildings and modern architecture, and also preserves old areas.

How to Get There

The drive from Seattle to Vancouver is very easy. It is 141 miles/226 km, which can be covered in just over 2 and a half hours. The single road, I-5 North, is well-maintained and well-signposted. For those who want to arrive by plane, the Vancouver airport has the code YVR, but I never managed to get direct flights with competitive prices. If you want to fly to Seattle and use public transportation, there are buses that leave from Seattle airport and at some points in the city. I used the Quick Shuttle on the way back from Vancouver to Seattle and despite the many stops, it was a great option. Bus tickets are also sold by Amtrak and cost about $40.00 each way. There is also the Greyhound that makes the Seattle-Vancouver route and vice versa. The train Amtrak Cascades makes a scenic trip, passing through beautiful landscapes, lasting about 4 hours. The ticket starts at $50.00.

…CONTINUE…

Tags: apaixonar, para, Preparese, Vancouver