| If you can't decide between Seattle and Vancouver | | | | you may want to jump over the border and |
| on your trip to the west coast of North America, why | | | | experience what Canada has to offer. Vancouver and |
| not opt for the best of both with a multi-centre break? | | | | British Columbia are well worth a visit and are the |
| Two city breaks can be a great way to see the best | | | | perfect second stop for your two-centre holiday. |
| of the USA and Canada and you'll have an incredible | | | | Vancouver is known around the world as being a |
| holiday exploring two vibrant and cosmopolitan urban | | | | vibrant urban centre and frequently tops the Best City |
| centres, as well as the surrounding areas of | | | | in the Americas list compiled by Conde Nast Traveller |
| spectacular natural beauty. | | | | magazine. The host city of the 2010 Winter Olympic |
| Begin your holiday to America with a stop in Seattle. | | | | and Paralympic Games, Vancouver is the perfect |
| This city houses the headquarters of major firms such | | | | place to explore - and to try your hand at a variety of |
| as Starbucks and Microsoft and has long been a | | | | sports, no matter what time of year you choose to |
| popular setting for television shows - you'll recognise its | | | | visit. |
| iconic skyline from programmes such as Frasier and | | | | Start your time in Vancouver by taking a few days to |
| Dark Angel. | | | | explore its vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods at your |
| Seattle is also the birthplace of grunge music - acts | | | | own pace - each is different, but all will welcome you |
| such as Nirvana got their start here in the 1990s - and | | | | with open arms. History buffs are likely to be most |
| if you are interested in modern music, you'll find plenty | | | | impressed with Gastown, the city's oldest |
| to keep you entertained. A good place to check out is | | | | neighbourhood. Here, you'll be able to walk along |
| the Experience Music Project, although there are | | | | cobblestone streets, shop for antiques and art from |
| plenty of other venues around the city that are also | | | | local vendors and spot the world's first |
| worth exploring. | | | | steam-powered clock - one of Vancouver's oldest |
| While you might think that a city located in the Pacific | | | | attractions. |
| north-west might be full of clouds and rain, think again! | | | | If you're keen to keep exploring, your next stop should |
| As many of the friendly locals will be keen to tell you, | | | | be the Public Market on Granville Island. Here, you will |
| Seattle enjoys a mild, temperate climate and actually | | | | find a range of eclectic merchants selling everything |
| experiences less overall rainfall per year than San | | | | from food to fashion items. Make sure you stop at the |
| Francisco, Miami, New York City or Boston. | | | | Net Loft to browse through the quirky merchandise - |
| Weather-wise, there's no better place to take a USA | | | | including stationery, beads and hats - on show. |
| holiday, particularly in the glorious summer months. | | | | For a high-end shopping buzz, follow the lead of the |
| You may wish to make the most of your American | | | | celebrities that flock to Hollywood North and spend |
| trip by venturing beyond Seattle into the scenic and | | | | some time on Robson Street. This is where you will |
| diverse state of Washington. Split into two distinct | | | | find plenty of designer boutiques, as well as |
| climates by the Cascade mountain range, you'll be | | | | comfortable coffee shops and restaurants where you |
| surprised by the vast difference in landscape on either | | | | can kick back, relax and try to spot the stars. |
| side of the peaks. | | | | Out of the city, you'll want to venture into the |
| Western Washington enjoys lush greenery and a mild | | | | wilderness of beautiful British Columbia. If you're keen |
| climate - it even shares the coastal temperate | | | | to get out on the water, a whale watching cruise could |
| rainforest with northern California. Meanwhile eastern | | | | be a great way to spend a few hours - you may spot |
| Washington is known for its arid, desert-like climate - its | | | | a family of orcas while you are out and about. Other |
| dramatic topography combines dusty desert with | | | | ways to get wet and wild include trying your hand at |
| forests of Ponderosa pines. | | | | sea kayaking, fishing, sailing or scuba diving. |
| If you are looking to get back to nature, Washington is | | | | Of course, on dry land, you'll be able to ski and |
| home to several state and national parks, where you | | | | snowboard in the Rockies in the winter months - and in |
| can camp, hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery. North | | | | the summer, you can hike or mountain bike among the |
| Cascades National Park and Mount Ranier National | | | | gorgeous peaks. |
| Park are both worth a visit - why not hire a car and | | | | No matter how you split your time between Canada |
| spend a few days in some of the most picturesque | | | | and the USA, your trip to the Pacific north-west will be |
| places in America? | | | | an adventure you'll remember for years to come. |
| Once you've gotten a feel for this part of America, | | | | |