Whistler, British Colombia, Canada

Whistler is a tourist town in British Colombia, Canada; in the mountain massif of the coast mountains and home to the renowned Whistler Blackcomb Winter sports resort. having allowed in part the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2010. Located at 120 km north of Vancouver on Highway 99, known as ‘Sea to sky highway, which runs along the Pacific coast and Howe Bay. The Whistler Mountaineer train joins it to Vancouver. At its foundation, the city was first called Alta-Lake due to Summit Lake which was the highest of the lakes in the region. At the beginning of the 20th century the mountain London Mountain was known popularly as Whistler because of Rocky Mountain Marmot that emits its hissing; officially named like that in 1965. Whistler is located in the traditional territory of Indians Squamish and Lil’Wat. It is the largest ski area in America with, according to some fans, slopes better and steeper than those of Switzerland, Austria, Italy or France, thanks to the impressive quantities of snow that falls each year. There are two mountains: Mountain Wghistler (2182 m) and Blackcomb Peak (2440 m). There are 38 ski lifts of latest technology. The highest point of the area at 2240 m offers a vertical drop more of 1500 m to reach the village. It is possible to ski in the summer on the Blackcomb glacier. Its Peak 2 Peak ski lift connects the two peaks of the area, being the longest in the world (4, 4km) as well as the longest serving deprived of support (3.024 km). On the 28 cabins, 2 cabins are equipped with funds glazed allowing to observe the village of Whistler as the cabin in the middle rises to 436 m from the ground.

Tips

If you are not a fan of skiing, the resort offers many other activities in summer: mountain biking, golf, swimming, fishing, even as sled dog and snowmobiling in winter.
If you would like to know a little more about the history of the native people of the region, visit the Squamish cultural centre. The building on three levels, situated in the heart of a 1.76 hectare woodlot, is anchored by massive Douglas-fir wood beams, while large windows give access to the spectacular mountain scenery of the region.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast; about 100 kilometres from the city of Vancouver on the mainland. It’s one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. It was built in 1843 as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. Victoria, like many Vancouver Island communities, has First Nations presence, composed of people from all over Vancouver Island and beyond. The city has a great number of students coming from other cities or countries to attend the University of Victoria, the Royal Roads University, the Victorias College of Art, among other important institutions. Lots of tourists come to visit the city too for its beautiful beaches, for its climate, not so cold as the rest of Canada and also by cruise ships that dock at Odgen Point near the city’s Inner Harbour. You’ll find restaurants, night clubs, pubs and theatres in the city centre with different regional events all year long. To see: the Parliament Buildings (1897), the Empress Hotel (1908), Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria Station Museum, Victoria Bug Zoo, Chinatown, among others.

Tips

Victoria is considered an ideal city for cycling, you’ll find hundreds of kilometres of bicycle paths, bike lanes and bike routes.
There are other activites like rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, golf, water sports, jogging; that are also very popular.
You can also take a tour to watch the whales that are often present near the coast.
You can also take the ferry all year long to go to Seattle (USA).

Bilbao, Biscay, Spain

Bilbao is the capital of the province of Biscay and the comarca of the Greater Bilbao located at the estuary of the river Nervion, in the north of Spain. This is a city that has gone through a lot of development, being other times a harbor and industrial city, with a lot of pollution. Today is a city considered as an example for several other cities that would like to change their urban planning problems. The urbanized part of the city is limited by two small mountains; Pagasarri to the south and Artxanda to the north. The old town has a medieval and Renaissance style, with seven streets leading to the Market Square of La Ribera. To see: the Cathedral of Santiago (14th and 15th century), the Basilica of Begonia (1620), the Convent of the Incarnation, the Academy of the Basque Language, the Guggenheim Museum, the Arriaga Theater (1890), the Town Hall (1892), among others.

Tips

The best time to visit the city and find it full of activities is during the celebration of the Great Week that takes place for 9 days and 8 nights, starting on the first Saturday after August, 15th. Spectacles of street, fairs, concerts, everything is there for the occasion. To get around the city by public transport, get the Creditrans which is a standardized pass that allows you to travel through the different fare zones. To get a nice view of the city, take the funicular that will take you to the mountain of Artxanda where you will also find a park. There are also two metro lines and a tram with which you can reach the Guggenheim Museum.