Situated on the epic 27,000 Kilometre long west coast of Canada, British Columbia offers breath-taking vistas from the imposing Kootenay Rocky Mountains in the south east to the awe inspiring rivers and lakes of the North as well as sunny beaches and cosmopolitan cities. Canada’s most stunning state has something for every type of visitor.   Food and drink in British Columbia is as plentiful as the landscape is big – and this vast area covers 994,735 square kilometres which is the equivalent area to France Germany and the Netherlands!

A regular on the world’s top ten best cities to live Vancouver offers a wide array of treats and charms for all its guests and if there’s one thing Vancouverites are passionate about its their food and drink.   Whilst on the go in Vancouver the easiest food option can be to grab a quick sandwich from the deli and continue on your exploration of the city.  A must try for sandwiches and fine meats is Finch’s Tea and Coffee House a definite jewel in the crown for Vancouver and its sandwich lovers.

Having checked off many visitor attractions such as the Olympic Village, walked through the bustling markets and artisan boutiques in  Granville Island,  taken in the delights of Vancouver art gallery seen the spectacular sunset an Light house Park, you might feel the need for a well-deserved three course meal and a few drinks to round off the day.

Head to Top of Vancouver, a revolving restaurant which delivers 360 degree views of Vancouver and its surroundings.  One revolution is made each hour there is ample opportunity to enjoy good food and drink against changing backdrop of coastal mountains and ocean views.

British Columbia accommodation is generally smart and good value – Aas would be expected for such a cosmopolitan city, Vancouver has no shortage of guest houses, from modern boutique hotels such as Loden, The Keefer and Shangri  La Vancouver to the classic grand hotels such as the Fairmont Hotel and the Pan Pacific.

A two hour drive on the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver is Whistler – the site for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Come to Whistler for some outdoor pursuits such as skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering or if you prefer a more gentle ride, take the three hour train journey from Vancouver to Whistler as it winds up and around the mountains and canyons and grips the ocean coastline and enjoy the amazing views as you relax with a complimentary beverage and breakfast or afternoon tea depending on your time of travel.

There is an abundance of accommodation in Whistler for all needs, choose from exclusive hotels which cater to all your needs such as Aava Whistler Hotel or private townhouses which are fully equipped with all mod cons, to smaller chalets such as Blueberry Hill Home and charming bed and breakfasts. For food go to Alta Bistro to sample to local cuisine, Side cut for excellent steak and Rim Rock Café and Oyster Bar for Seafood.

If it’s wildlife you’re after visit the Kootenay Rockies and you’ll be sure to come across some grizzly bears, moose, elk  and eagles to name but a few.  You can also get the cowboy experience by checking into one of many Dude Ranches and getting the chance to take part in wrangling cattle or just opt for some horse-riding through the scenic wilderness of the Rockies.

Three Bars Ranch and Bull River Guest Ranch are excellent dude ranches.  You can also get close to nature by camping. Top of the World Provincial Park offers a place to pitch your tent elevated high in the Rockies.  Kootenay National Park provides four camping, Redstreak, Mcleod Meadows, Marble Canyon and Crook’s Meadow Group.   For a top rated meal go to Cedar House restaurant.

For more information see My Destination British Columbia.

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People who wish to avail of the domestic travel insurance should check out the various insurance companies listed online and purchase directly from any one of them as the savings will be considerable on the premium.
The types of insurance available depend on your need. You may be travelling on a single trip or you may be a frequent traveler who is employed by a company to travel interstate in Australia. The rate of premium charges differs from a single insurance, domestic annual trip insurance, or multi trip insurance. If you are travelling interstate, the premium will be lower are the insurance company will not have to pay exorbitant amounts of money as necessary if you had to travel abroad to countries such as the United States of America where the medical costs are very high.

Nowadays, many people opt to fly rather than take other modes of transport and due to this the air flights are not as expensive. This has resulted in discounted insurance for domestic travel as the volume of travelers is great and there is a high demand for this type of policy. Insurance companies are therefore able to offer reduced premium costs to travelers on a budget.

People who used to travel on domestic flights earlier did not consider travelling by air high risk and therefore did not find it necessary to take a domestic insurance policy because of the high premium rates involved. Since the costs of these insurance policies are relatively low today, it is recommended that people take policies to cover incidences such as accidents, illness, loss of income and so on. It is an easy process which does not take much time. The option is available to take a basic cover policy or a comprehensive one which covers a wide range of activities apart from hospital and medical costs.

Families or a single member can opt for online domestic insurance. Some companies offer insurance covers to elderly people and those who suffer from pre-existing conditions though they may have to pay a higher rate of premium since the risk factor is higher.

Look at the options available. Though there are cheap policies available for insuring oneself, it is advisable to check the types of coverage for the price and not only look at the cost. If you take a basic policy, it will not cover as many activities as a comprehensive policy. Consider the add-on option when you plan to take insurance. This is advantageous as you can always call the travel insurance company and add an extra activity if you are planning a special trip. For example you may wish to go skiing so that you can protect yourself before you undertake hitting the slopes.

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No, sometimes we have to work and every country has its own idiosyncratic way of conducting business. Etiquette matters, so does the political make-up and geographical boundaries of wherever you are in the world. So it makes sense, prior to any trip in which your goal is to either clinch an economic deal or forge better relations with international colleagues, to brush up on a few pointers such as:

Culture
Regardless of whether your French business meeting is in the city or provinces, or the north or south of the country, there are certain ‘rules’ you should certainly acknowledge.

For instance, it’s the norm to address business acquaintances with either Madame, Monsieur, Professeur or Docteur, then their surname followed by a firm handshake. Make sure you only use the friendly and informal ‘tu’ when the other person you’re meeting with does so.

Expect plenty of small talk and for the initial meeting to be help in a restaurant or chic café. Incidentally, the person who organised the meeting will also expect to pay the bill.

Following your meeting you should formally bid each person farewell individually with a kiss on the cheek.
Your attire should be formal. If you’re going to speak French in your meeting then do so throughout. The French regard it as impolite – and no doubt confusing – to switch between their language and another.

Accommodation
If you’re not staying at your business colleague’s family home (which is doubtful as the French like to keep business and family life separate) then it’s a good idea to book into a hotel which has the facilities to cater fully for the businessman/woman such as the Holiday Inn (these as scattered throughout France in most major cities or airports). This way you will be guaranteed an internet connection, access to a scanner and even the use of a boardroom (salle de reunion) if need be.

Smaller B & B facilities made be comfortable but they can’t always guarantee Wi-Fi or even computer access and no-one wants to go trailing around looking for an internet café late at night in a foreign city.

Climate
Depending on where and when you’re conducting your business, the weather in France can vary enormously. In the South in the summer it’s advisable to take lighter cotton suits and skirts with temperatures regularly reaching as high as the nineties and humidity a fact of life. In cities there tends to be more air-conditioning around. The rainy season in France tends to be between November and April.

We hope the above helped. Meanwhile here’s a few more interesting quasi-business facts about France:

• The most dominant religion by far is catholic (up to 88 per cent), next is Muslim (around 10 per cent) followed by Protestant (two per cent)

• In terms of economy, France is the fifth largest – following on from America, Japan, Germany and China

• Paris is the world’s leading conference centre

• France joined the Euro in January 1999 and has a close business relationship with Germany

• In 2004 a national survey showed 6.2 per cent of France’s population was below the poverty line

• France’s trading partners in the main tend to be Germany, Spain, Italy, UK and America

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Looking for a great destination to visit this winter? Why not try the sunny west coast of America and take a trip to California? There are so many great cities that sit on this side of the world, and depending on what you want to achieve from your holiday, there are a few that might suit you.

If you are looking for a really casual trip in somewhere bohemian then make straight for San Francisco. The city offers a multitude of tourist sites including Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, but also a great hub for shopping and eating! Fisherman’s Wharf offers some great little eateries, and a trip to the city is not complete without visiting Lombard Street, the steepest street in the USA. Trips to Alcatraz book up very quickly in high season, so make sure you book in advance so you don’t miss out on one of the most interesting trips in the region.
If you prefer a holiday that is a little more relaxed and beachy rather than being jam packed, make the journey to San Diego. Closer to the Mexican border, the city offers a laid back atmosphere and lots of stunning beaches including Del Mar and La Jolla, where you can see seals in their natural habitat and sit on the cliffs to catch some rays. Head down to the beach and scuba as the waters are so clear and full of wildlife. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land then there are plenty of little tide pools to poke around in, and when you tire there are a host of tiny little cafes dotted along the beach for you to relax in. You’ll also find lots of tourist sights in the area , from SeaWorld where you can see whale and dolphin shows, to the world famous San Diego zoo, to the Old Town, one of the most historical areas in California.

If its glitz and glamour that you desire then the first stop on the coast should be Los Angeles. There is so much to do in the city that you can stay occupied for weeks. Visit Venice Beach and Santa Monica Boulevard to make the most of the cities beaches, or take a trip out to Anaheim to visit Disneyland, a great draw for children and adults of all ages! Disneyland also has a park called Disney California which offers larger rollercoasters and will appeal to older children. Universal studios is also a favourite of tourists to the area, and the most popular ride is the trip around the studios to visit some actual working sets and see your favourite shows, like Desperate Housewives and the Jaws set.

If you want to rent a car in the area then route 101 (the pacific coast highway) is a fantastic route to drive. It takes you through Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, Huntingdon Beach, Laguna Beach and a whole host of other pretty beaches. The road runs right along the cliffs and provides some stunning views of the sea.

If you are travelling to California then ensure you have travel insurance. Swiftcover offer really competitive prices online, so make sure you check there.

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