Nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and surrounded by majestic mountains, few cities can come close when it comes to natural beauty. Vancouverites enjoy a moderate climate, however if you travel there between November and May, expect to see rain, lots of rain. Spring starts some years as early as January, and by April the city is in full bloom. June until November are the sunniest months, and summer temperatures are comfortable.

Vancouver is a very liberal city and its attitude towards gays is no exception.  Part of this stems from its place in Canadian gay history.

The Gay Alliance Toward Equality or GATE, was one of the first Canadian gay liberation groups.

Formed in 1971 in Vancouver, British Columbia, GATE was the first Canadian gay group to explicitly discuss and plan civil rights strategies for achieving gay and lesbian equality under Canadian law. Autonomous groups with the same name were set up in other cities in Canada.

One of the first high-profile cases launched for gay rights in Canada was launched by Vancouver G.A.T.E. in response to the Vancouver Sun's refusal to allow for a paid advertisement for the GATE newspaper, Gay Tide. This would become the first gay rights case to reach the Supreme Court of Canada.

Robert Douglas Cook, the first openly gay candidate for political office in Canada, ran as a GATE candidate in the  1979 provincial election in the electoral district of West Vancouver-Howe Sound.

There are unlimited transportation choices in getting to and around Vancouver.

By plane:

If you're arriving by air, you'll most likely be flying into Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Locatedjust 25 minutes from downtown, YVR is consistently rated one of the best airports in North America.There are more than a dozen international flights in and out of YVR every day, with 22 bound for theUnited States.

There are several options to go between YVR and downtown Vancouver, including scheduled coach transfers, limosine, taxi, car rentals and transit. For more information visit the Tourism Vancouver Touristinfo Centre located at the International and Domenstic Terminals at Vancouver International Airport, or the tourist centre in downtown Vancouver.

By car: 

Take your time. Stop along the way. Explore the countryside. Getting to and around Vancouver by car is easily accessible, with spectacular views!

Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, accesses Vancouver from points east. If planning a driving tour, allow 12 hours from Calgary and five days from Montreal. Vancouver is only three hours north of Seattle. Take the Interstate 5, which becomes Highway 99 at the United States-Canada border.

By bus or coach:

Take the scenic route. Relax. Leave the driving to someone else.

Greyhound Lines serves Vancouver from numerous cities in the United States and Canada. In Canada call +1 604 482 8747 or +1 800 661 8747; in the United States, call +1 800 231 2222.

By ferry:

BC Ferries provides regularly scheduled passenger and vehicle service between Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and other parts of coastal British Columbia.

For reservations with BC Ferries: From Victoria or outside of British Columbia call +1 604 444 2890; from anywhere else in British Columbia call +1 888 724 5223. Visit them online at www.bcferries.com

Cruise ship facilities at Canada Place serve as a departure point for major cruise lines traveling to Alaska. There are more than 250 cruises each year-from mid-May to early October-by 22 different ships.

By train:

Pacific Central Station is the terminus for transcontinental passenger rail and bus service, located at Main and Terminal Streets in downtown Vancouver.

VIA Rail has transcontinental services from Toronto via Jasper arriving at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station three times a week. Contact your travel agent for reservations or call +1 800 561 8630.