As the world`s Olympic spotlight focuses on Athens, Vancouver is reaching its very own Olympic milestone…
As the world`s Olympic spotlight focuses on Athens, Vancouver is reaching its very own Olympic milestone. August 12th marks 2010 days until the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games! Be sure to pencil in the dates February 12th to 28th, 2010, but here are ten ways to catch the Olympic spirit now:
1. Pack a picnic and start your afternoon with a drive on the newly upgraded Sea to Sky highway. More than just the route from Vancouver to Whistler, the highway affords you some of the most spectacular views of BC`s coast and mountains.
2. Some of the Vancouver venues are already ready for your site inspection. Take a tour of General Motors Place (ice hockey) and BC Place (opening ceremonies), and view the ski runs with a hike on Cypress Mountain, home of snowboarding and freestyle skiing.
3. Train for a Vancouver Triathlon – hike the mountains, golf and sea kayak all in one day!
4. Combine a day at the fair with your Olympic fever – spend the day at the Pacific National Exhibition, and check out the Pacific Coliseum, home to short track speed skating and figure skating in 2010. Then adopt the Olympic motto, Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger) on the wild rides at Playland, Vancouver`s historic amusement park.
5. Embrace the Olympic spirit of bringing together the five continents, and spend your day exploring one of Vancouver`s multicultural neighbourhoods, such as Chinatown, the Punjabi Market, or Commercial Drive.
6. Pick up a stack of Vancouver postcards and send a personal note to all your family and friends to invite them to Vancouver in 2010. Even better, visit www.tourismvancouver.com to send free e-cards.
7. It`s expected that 25,000 volunteers will be needed to help run the 2010 Winter Games. Start working on your volunteer resume by offering your time at one of Vancouver`s many summer festivals.
8. The colours of the Olympic flag represent the flag colours of all nations. Visit one of Vancouver`s fabulous gelato shops to design a representative dessert using the colours of the Olympic flag (blue, black, red, yellow, green and white) and flavours from around the world.
9. Find a sports bar with a big screen television to watch the Olympic Games in Athens and scream for your team!
10. Pay a visit to the BC Sports Hall of Fame to relive our past sporting glories and dream about future ones.
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Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
