Travel Guidebooks for Canada
Information About Hotels, Attractions and Dining in Canadian Cities
Aug 20, 2008
Planning a trip to Western Canada can be daunting. There is so much to see and do in each province that warrants a closer look, that the cities can seem very far away from each other. Easy roadtrips and packed itineraries, though, make this part of Canada a delight to discover.
Vancouver, BC
The Vancouver City Guide published by Lonely Planet is a good look at the popular coastal city. Good maps are helpful for first timers to get acquainted with the area and to discover where all the distinct neighbourhood are located.
There is also a chapter dedicated to walking and cycling tours, which are big in Vancouver. If you want to see the city with ease and even get a workout while you’re at it, these itineraries give a great overview. The best part about walking and cycling is that you can stop at anytime if something catches your eye.
All of the main attractions like the Aquarium, Museum on Anthropology, the Seawall and the Vancouver Art Gallery are listed, along with tidbits about the local arts scene, the best shops for great finds, and the many global cuisines available in restaurants.
Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
Getting outside of Vancouver, this guidebook by Lonely Planet covers the surrounding areas, as well as south into Washington and Oregon in the United States. These are good roadtrips if you can time your border crossing at the right time (otherwise, waits can be hours long).
The great thing about this book is the routes given between cities, especially if you’re interested in seeing a lot of different areas in one trip. The Canadian sections are divided up into: Vancouver, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Southern Gulf Islands.
The highlight of this book is definitely the itineraries you can follow. Classic routes, island hopping and themed trips all have separate itineraries that you can follow for all areas that the book covers. They provide a nice introduction to the area.
Canada
Another Lonely Planet publication, the Canada guide is chock full of interesting tidbits and valuable information. Although it also covers the east, the western Canada section is divided by province and is a great read, both for the travel facts and for the various fun facts.
Even though the breadth of the book is wider, the information is somehow more in depth. The sections on the history of the provinces, and of Canada, stay interesting and give a nice overview to take with you when you arrive in the country.
Even the cities are well-covered, with quirky things to do and interesting sidebars of local lore. The writers have also highlighted their favourite accommodation picks, giving honest and accurate descriptions of the hotels.
All of the above travel guidebooks by Lonely Planet, Vancouver City Guide, Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest, and Canada can be found at AMAZON.
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