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Trip Reports

Dan, AJK here and here , Chapshnell, UshDadude, sam28, YudiG, Tzfas, mochada, jagstangz, Neil, dpk4588, BKYW, tzifanya54, stever, mordechain, nafnaf12, SLMYRCB, Friars500


Flight Options (as of 04/18)

Cathay Pacific flies directly to/from JFK (777-300ER).         

Final date for this route, 02/23/20

Economy:
12.5K BA OW
17.5K AS OW
20K CX OW (30K RT)

Premium Economy:
25K BA OW
20K AS OW
24K CX OW (36K RT)

Business Class:
37.5K BA OW
25K AS OW
25K CX OW (50K RT)

First Class:
50K BA OW
35K AS OW
40K CX OW (70K RT)
Air Canada flies directly to/from EWR (787-800).
Economy:
12.5K SQ, UA, AC OW

Premium Economy:
20K AC OW

Business Class:
20K SQ OW
25K UA, AC OW

There is also a Delta flight direct to/from JFK in the summer months (prices vary as expected from Delta).   

DP01 (07/13): CX availability becomes better closer to the flight. (MEIR613)
DP02 (04/18): CX availability disappears 3-5 days out on BA and AS. (SLMYRCB)
DP03 (08/18): CX availability can only show up on BA or AS if there is more than 1 seat remaining, if it's only 1 seat, it will only be available on CX.com Use CX.com to see actual # of seats available. (@Yehuda)


Food - BC Kosher List

Cafe Forty One (dairy - cholov yisrael) formerly Shuk Eat/Play
5750 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6M 2V9, Canada
Tel: 604-563-4141
Delivery Service via Skip The Dishes (Fairmont Pacific Rim is not within the deliverable area)
"Really great, everything tasty good value, best Caesar Salad ever, and order pizza in advance for good "camp" like homemade yummyness." (shiframeir)
"Nice selection of pastries in addition to their dairy menu. The pizzas and sandwiches are very good." (SLMYRCB)

Nava Creative Cusine (dairy/pareve - non cholov yisrael)
950 West 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 676-7579
Located at the JCC - right around corner from Cafe Forty One

Omnitsky's Kosher (meat)
5775 Oak Street,
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 321-1818
Just across the street from Cafe Forty One

Sabra Bakery (meat)
3844 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 733-4912
Two miles down Oak Street near the Sharei Tzedek Shul

Maple Grill (meat)
1967 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1Z3, Canada
Tel: (604) 568-4885

Mount Royal Bagels - North Vancouver
701 Queensbury Ave
North Vancouver, BC
V7L 3V9, Canada
Tel: (604) 904-1116

Real Canadian Superstore
Marine Drive
Has kosher products

Kosher Food Warehouse
612 Kingsway (rear)
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 709-9889


Shabbos

Chabad Downtown - walkable from many hotels, no Eruv, Shacharis on Shabbos followed by Kiddush, Friday night Minyan last weekend each month.
TheKollel - in the community, yes Eruv, Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre only points hotel in the Eruv, Airbnb options, all Minyanim, free Shabbos meals. Some hotels downtown (outside the Eruv) are about an hour walk.
Eruv - https://goo.gl/maps/D2oLBC39GT72


Activities

Stanley park - trolley, rent bikes at Bayshore Bike/Spokes/lots of other places (Westin Bayshore provides 2 hours of free bikes), playground/water are, 9 o'clock gun
Aquarium in Stanley Park
Capilano suspension bridge - also tree walk and cliff walk
Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and hikes (Twin Falls, 30 Foot Pool) - free
Grouse Mountain - gondola up, can take chairlift even higher, then an elevator to top of windmill, view of Vancouver, ziplining, parasailing, lumberjack show, see grizzly bears, Grouse Grind - way to hike up the mountain instead
Granville island - market, street performers, kayaking, stand up paddleboat, false creek ferries, brewery tour, kids play area, rent a boat, can bike to here
Seaplane around Vancouver harbor or to Whistler -  http://www.harbour-air.com/index.php 
Whale watching
Victoria Island - ferry to the island/back, Butchart Gardens (expensive, underwhelming), Miniature World, Fisherman's Wharf, oldest Synagogue in Canada. Victoria seems to be very expensive, ferry $30, to bring a car $100, gardens $30.
Bowen Island
Seabus - cheap ferry across harbor and back
Deep Cove kayaking
UBC Garden - Greenheart TreeWalk (look for Groupon)
Zoo
Harbor boat tours - boatrent.ca, Harbor Cruises was terrible - dpk4588
Sea wall
Watch sea planes
Cypress Mountain
Seymour Mountain
Art Museum
Science center imax
Pacific Center Mall
See Olympic torch
"Tour Guys" free walking tour
Rivers to see salmon spawn (swim upstream)
Robson street
Denman street
Vancouver Convention Center - Olympics memorabilia
Kitsilano Beach
Kids Bowl Free
Takaya golf centre
Poets cove
Elizabeth gardens
Van dusen gardens - better than Elizabeth gardens
Canada Place - fly over canada ride experience
Brittania Mine Museum
Vancouver Lookout
Gastown - steam clock
Chinatown
Yaletown
http://scenicrush.com/ - exotic car drive up the Sea to sky highway
Dr SunYatSen Chinese Garden (Dan and a DDFer said not worth it)
Free Chinese Garden
Lighthouse park
Safari Eco Boat Tour and Seaplane flight  Sewellsmarina.com

On the way to Whistler: (see Whistler Master Thread)
Sea to sky highway
Sea to sky gondola in Squamish, can hike up and take gondola down
River rafting in Squamish
Shannon Falls
Brandywine Falls
Panorama Ridge Hike in Lake Garibaldi in between Squamish and Whistler

« Last edited by pointer on February 16, 2020, 11:32:24 PM »

Author Topic: Vancouver Master Thread  (Read 316216 times)

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #980 on: April 12, 2018, 11:48:42 AM »
Just returned from YVR.
I definitely recommend Cafe FortyOne. As a NYer (w/ plenty pizza options), their pizza is still something to very much enjoy. Pastries are great too. FYI they use a delivery service called "Skip the Dishes" which sets delivery radiuses and does not include the Pacific Rim. A real Pity.
On that note, I was not crazy about the Pacific Rim (blasphemous, I know). I think, they think, they are the best in the west. I do agree that their amenities (higher quality robes and slippers, bathroom TV, Nespresso machine etc) and design (subjective) is something of wow. But they believe it about themselves which makes the whole service aspect a bit ostentatious (garbage).
Next.
Omnitsky Kosher has unbelievable deli sandwiches. Unbelievable! Really. They make their own delis and have this Canadian Smoked Meat which is great. Bit salty but very very good. Beware, they close at 6pm on weeknights, 8pm on Thursdays.

Overall, the kosher scene is not lacking in quality. Quantity? Yes, but no ones expecting that. Anyways, quality counts. Give me one great meal 10 times rather than ten separate lousy meals. Duh.

Cathay Pacific? As good as always.
What did you do activity wise?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #981 on: April 12, 2018, 09:22:28 PM »
What did you do activity wise?
We did not do much. We went with the intention to relax, sleep-in and work remotely when necessary.
Outside of some unimpressive shopping, Stanley Park and roaming the city (which is beautiful especially considering the current Cherry Blossom season), we did the Sea to Sky Gondola and standard Whistler (snow) activities.

The Sea to Sky Gondola was alright, it was actually snowing but visibility was ok. Shannon Falls is right next door and proves a nice picture spot and/or picnic lunch.
Whistler was just great for relaxing, though I would have appreciated if the golf or tennis facilities were open.

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #982 on: April 25, 2018, 11:40:35 AM »
have a 9 hr stopover in YVR for 9 hrs?
anything to do in this time frame?
where would be the closest to the airport to grab some food for dinner?

Offline Dan

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #983 on: April 25, 2018, 11:43:07 AM »
have a 9 hr stopover in YVR for 9 hrs?
anything to do in this time frame?
where would be the closest to the airport to grab some food for dinner?

Tons to do. Read some TRs.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #984 on: April 25, 2018, 12:09:02 PM »
Tons to do. Read some TRs.
Have my flight soon and won't have a chance to read up much, the stopover is not by choice (nothing else available) so might as well go out and do something
How long before flight do I need to be back in yvr airport?
Would uber be the best way to get around?

Offline Suz

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #985 on: April 25, 2018, 01:32:10 PM »
Have my flight soon and won't have a chance to read up much, the stopover is not by choice (nothing else available) so might as well go out and do something
How long before flight do I need to be back in yvr airport?
Would uber be the best way to get around?

Uber is not available in Vancouver yet.  Taxis are readily available at the airport.  I'd go downtown to the Fairmont Pacific Rim spa.  Get a treatment - spa access is great to relax, shower, sauna, steam room, hot tubs, ladies lounge, mens lounge, co-ed lounge to sit and have complimentary snacks and tea, sit outside and relax, read....if its not too cold.   9 hours is a long time.  Get to the airport 2 hours before.

Offline Suz

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #986 on: April 26, 2018, 11:55:37 AM »
Uber is not available in Vancouver yet.  Taxis are readily available at the airport.  I'd go downtown to the Fairmont Pacific Rim spa.  Get a treatment - spa access is great to relax, shower, sauna, steam room, hot tubs, ladies lounge, mens lounge, co-ed lounge to sit and have complimentary snacks and tea, sit outside and relax, read....if its not too cold.   9 hours is a long time.  Get to the airport 2 hours before.

Go by Canada Place waterfront - across the street from the Fairmont.  Fly Over Canada is a fun & quick attraction. 

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #987 on: May 16, 2018, 05:18:02 PM »
anyone ever flew on Philippines airline?

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #988 on: May 22, 2018, 01:51:24 AM »
In whistler -4 season or fairmont ?

Offline Dan

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #989 on: May 22, 2018, 03:04:06 AM »
In whistler -4 season or fairmont ?
Do you want 5 star or 4 star?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #990 on: May 23, 2018, 12:57:10 AM »
Do you want 5 star or 4 star?

A higher rating doesn’t always equal better

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #991 on: June 05, 2018, 02:10:45 PM »
Are either Vancouver/Whistler or Banff/Jasper good trips if bringing a 1 year old along? I haven't read up on them, so just looking for a general consensus - are these places mostly nature hikes (seems that way from TR pics)?

Offline tzifanya54

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #992 on: June 05, 2018, 02:41:24 PM »
Are either Vancouver/Whistler or Banff/Jasper good trips if bringing a 1 year old along? I haven't read up on them, so just looking for a general consensus - are these places mostly nature hikes (seems that way from TR pics)?
Vancouver/Whistler is definitely more kid friendly, than Banff/Jasper. That being said I have done both with kids and we had a great time.

Offline cholent

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #993 on: June 25, 2018, 11:41:14 PM »
Does it make sense to do Vancouver with an infant, or are we not going to be able to do anything?
Don't ask stupid questions and you won't get stupid answers

Offline Dan

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #994 on: June 26, 2018, 12:03:17 AM »
Does it make sense to do Vancouver with an infant, or are we not going to be able to do anything?
I did it. Though we flew CX F/J for free thanks to BMI:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/trip-notes/trip-notes-vancouver/
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Tzadik Nistar

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #995 on: June 27, 2018, 08:36:37 PM »
How many AA miles is CX JFK-YVR in J, 30 or 37.5?

Offline Suz

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #996 on: June 27, 2018, 09:01:28 PM »
How many AA miles is CX JFK-YVR in J, 30 or 37.5?

37.5 in J
50 in F

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #997 on: June 28, 2018, 11:02:14 AM »
Does United Plan B still work? The only availability for dates I want are 32.5K on United..

Offline wonderlust

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #998 on: June 28, 2018, 11:17:21 AM »
Also, if anyone has any input on how the following Vancouver hotels stack up against each other I would greatly appreciate it!

 Pacific Rim
 Westin Bayshore
 Westin Grand
 Marriott Pinnacle
 JW

Offline Suz

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Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #999 on: June 28, 2018, 11:22:57 AM »
Also, if anyone has any input on how the following Vancouver hotels stack up against each other I would greatly appreciate it!

 Pacific Rim
 Westin Bayshore
 Westin Grand
 Marriott Pinnacle
 JW

My favorite is the Fairmont Pacific Rim.   The JW Marriott Parq is beautiful but I prefer the location of the others....even though downtown Vancouver is a great walking city.