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3 weeks would be more like it!
Now places like NYC, Barcelona, Istanbul-those all deserve more than 3 days, a week if you're lucky.
OP_I was in Guatemala last year and loved it. BC Steve is right though. Transport to and from places can be restrictive with only 5 days. I'd also stick to Antigua (with a day trip to Panajachel & Chichicastenango) if you can. Belize is also an easy choice. Lots of flight from Houston to Belize City. Then take a ferry to Caye Caulker. Paradise.
What I was thinking is to go to Vancouver and spend perhaps 2 - 3 days and then go North to view the Northern Lights. I read somewhere that March is the perfect time to view the lights and there are places in Canada and Alaska where this is possible (although not a guarantee). Where in Canada would this occur is it feasible to tag this to a trip to Vancouver? I reaslie that there is some considerable distance between Vancouver and Northern Canada and have not ruled out flying if it means I can squeeze this in.
Thanks guys.
There are small things to see: chinatown,gastown, granville island, big park....and few other sites. But its a .... Non
eventful city. Kind of like seattle or portland, fun for a weekend if you live nearby but you would have to be mad to fly there for hours from NZ
Re: northern bc. You coyld end up paying a lot for a flight. Flights are stupidly expensive to those bumhole destinations. That little side trip may cost you a thousand dollars
It is a long ways to Northern Canada. Your best bet might be to fly to Yellowknife but I have no idea if there are lights at that time of year.
The Aurora in Yellowknife is amazing from right now until April. March is nice as the weather is warming up.
vancouver for scenery, ocean, being near places to do outdoorsy things. a quieter, less bustling city.
montreal for a more european feel, and if you want to get a sense of french-canadian culture (though it would be a lot less than in other parts of quebec!)
toronto for arts and culture (most multicultural city in the world) which also means great food from all over the world.
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Guatemala is an amazing country, been there 3 times I like it so much. You're not going to accomplish too much in 5 days though. Despite its small size, the mountain roads and slow traffic means that it takes a while to get anywhere, and there are things you won't want to miss that are spread out over the country. Don't bother with Guatemala City, Antigua is really the only option for a short trip. It's a little gringo'd out, but it's nice.3 weeks would be more like it!
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I've spent a week in Quebec City twice. One of the most beautiful cities in the world. A big city has only too-little to do if you are narrow minded.20
shelemm-I'm from Vancouver and say the same thing about my own city. 3 days is plenty, unless you are willing to go further afield. Same goes for San Francisco.Now places like NYC, Barcelona, Istanbul-those all deserve more than 3 days, a week if you're lucky.
OP_I was in Guatemala last year and loved it. BC Steve is right though. Transport to and from places can be restrictive with only 5 days. I'd also stick to Antigua (with a day trip to Panajachel & Chichicastenango) if you can. Belize is also an easy choice. Lots of flight from Houston to Belize City. Then take a ferry to Caye Caulker. Paradise.
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Thanks all for the various suggestions. I could not find a suitable schedule to Guatemala to tag on to my trip to the US.What I was thinking is to go to Vancouver and spend perhaps 2 - 3 days and then go North to view the Northern Lights. I read somewhere that March is the perfect time to view the lights and there are places in Canada and Alaska where this is possible (although not a guarantee). Where in Canada would this occur is it feasible to tag this to a trip to Vancouver? I reaslie that there is some considerable distance between Vancouver and Northern Canada and have not ruled out flying if it means I can squeeze this in.
Thanks guys.
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There is nothing to see in vancouver that is world class. The nature around is spectacular but that is weather dependent: if overcast ( and it could be for weeks without a break) you will see nothing.There are small things to see: chinatown,gastown, granville island, big park....and few other sites. But its a .... Non
eventful city. Kind of like seattle or portland, fun for a weekend if you live nearby but you would have to be mad to fly there for hours from NZ
Re: northern bc. You coyld end up paying a lot for a flight. Flights are stupidly expensive to those bumhole destinations. That little side trip may cost you a thousand dollars
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I'm a native BCer, and I must admit that Veronica sort of hits the nail on the head, although I wouldn't let it deter you from visiting Vancouver if you are simply curious about Canada and Canadian culture.It is a long ways to Northern Canada. Your best bet might be to fly to Yellowknife but I have no idea if there are lights at that time of year.
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If you are in Vancouver, flights are not back to Yellowknife. You'll only have to make a stop in either Calgary or Edmonton but both Air Canada and WestJet have flights to Yellowknife and are cheaper than trying to get to Northern BC.The Aurora in Yellowknife is amazing from right now until April. March is nice as the weather is warming up.
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depends what you are looking for.vancouver for scenery, ocean, being near places to do outdoorsy things. a quieter, less bustling city.
montreal for a more european feel, and if you want to get a sense of french-canadian culture (though it would be a lot less than in other parts of quebec!)
toronto for arts and culture (most multicultural city in the world) which also means great food from all over the world.
