All About Canada and Travel to Canada

Jan 25, 2008 at 09:46 o\clock

Visit the "Best City in the Americas" - Vancouver, British Columbia

by: travelcanada

by Roy Witman

If you stand in downtown Vancouver and turn in a 360-degree circle, you'll no doubt find yourself in awe. Majestic mountain ranges and crystal-blue seas are only enhanced by the elaborate cityscape of this modern town. To see Vancouver today, you'd never know it had such a rocky start.

The city was devastated by the Great Fire within two months of incorporation in 1886. The wind-swept blaze lasted less than an hour but left the city with just a half-dozen buildings. The people and businesses didn't let the fire destroy their plans for growth, however. They began rebuilding immediately leading to present day Vancouver.

With the distinction of being voted the "Best City in the Americas" for 2004 through 2006 by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Vancouver and the surrounding area provides a wide variety of unique and exciting indoor and outdoor activities for adults, kids, couples and individuals from all walks of life.

Vancouver is surrounded on three sides by water. Add to that the Coast Mountain Range to the north and east and you have stunning panoramic scenery that makes the perfect backdrop for the city. With mountains and the shore at arm's reach what else could Vancouver offer? How about a rainforest? You'll find it just minutes from the city. You'll also find over 180 parks, world-class museums and galleries as well as magnificent gardens. These attractions plus the mildest climate in Canada make Vancouver an ideal vacation spot.

Vancouver is called home by numerous cruise lines that provide voyages to Alaska from May through September. Chances are you'll find an itinerary that departs from this city so it only makes sense to book a pre- or post-cruise getaway while you're here.

Major Tourist Attractions

The Vancouver Lookout at Harbor Centre is an excellent first stop. The observation deck is located a whopping 50 stories above street level! An quick elevator trip to the top takes a mere 50 seconds and rewards you with an unobstructed, 360-degree view of Vancouver and the surrounding countryside. It's easy to see the reason Vancouver was selected as the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics from this vantage point.

Stanley Park, one of the greatest parks of the world, is Vancouver's first park. Located on a 1000-acre parcel of land set aside by Vancouver's first City Council, Stanley Park boasts a 5.5-mile seawall that completely surrounds the park. There are at least four restaurants offering fine dining in this forest-type environment that delivers park, sea and mountain views. You'll also discover playground equipment, a swimming pool, water park, miniature railway and farmyard with live animals.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is located just minutes from downtown. The bridge was first built in 1889. You find yourself 230 feet above the Capilano River when you are in the middle of the 450-foot bridge. Why bother to cross a bridge? Because on the other side you'll have the unique opportunity to trek through rainforest trails. You can participate in an exceptional Treetops Adventure described by the Capilano Bridge website as "a squirrel's eye view of a thriving coastal forest".

Walk from tree to tree on a series of elevated suspension bridges that rise 100 feet above the forest floor and view the rainforest environment without causing damage to its structure. Be sure to visit the Totem Park and other attractions located here.

No vacation is complete without a shopping trip. The Metropolis at Metrotown can satisfy the needs of even the most serious of bargain hunters. With 470 stores, this is British Columbia's largest shopping center. Exceptional theaters, two indoor courtyards and a food court with two-dozen shops provide a variety of delights to satisfy your appetite.

Make plans to spend time in Vancouver before or after your next Alaskan cruise. Oftentimes, affordable package deals are available that provide great savings for savvy travelers who want added adventure. Check with your travel agent or cruise line for details and rates.

 

About the Author

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com offering the best deals including Alaska cruises. © 2008, All Rights Reserved

 

Jan 11, 2008 at 11:20 o\clock

The Right Way to Brush your Teeth

by: travelcanada

Author: Janet Martin

In 1498, Genoese sailor Christopher Columbus began his third voyage that would make him the first Renaissance European to set foot in the American mainland. That same year, another discovery would be made that would revolutionize oral health – the toothbrush.

Since it first appeared in China, the toothbrush has slowly invaded our homes to become an important dental accessory now used by millions of people worldwide. Today, toothbrushes come in a wide variety of odd shapes and sizes. Various manufacturers say their brand is better than the others.


However, dentists say you don’t need those expensive designer toothbrushes. What matters is the way you brush your teeth. While electric toothbrushes do an excellent job of cleaning teeth, a plain old manual toothbrush will likewise suffice.

For best results, use a soft nylon toothbrush with end-rounded polished bristles. Get a brush that’s small enough to reach all of your teeth, especially those in the back and replace it every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed, splayed or worn.

Strange as it sounds, many still don’t know how to use a toothbrush. While dentists recommend brushing three times a day, preferably after meals, for at least three minutes each time, they lament the fact that the average time spent brushing is only 46 seconds. This is not enough for good oral health.

To ensure you do it right, here is short refresher course on tooth brushing:

1) Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against the gum line. Point the brush upward, or toward your nose, when you’re cleaning the upper teeth; downward or toward your chin, when you’re doing the lower teeth.

2) Use a short (about the width of half a tooth), gentle back-and-forth motion to clean the outer surfaces of your teeth. Focus on just one or two teeth at a time.

3) Use this same stroke on the inside surfaces of all the teeth, except the front ones.

4) Scrub the chewing surfaces of your back teeth with the brush held flat in the same back-and-forth motion.

5) Tilt the brush vertically, and use the front part of the brush in short up-and-down strokes to clean the inside surfaces of front teeth.

6) Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth.

Of course, brushing alone won’t protect you from decay and gum disease since a toothbrush may not reach important areas where food residues collect and are likely to cause problems later. Regular flossing and rinsing with an effective antimicrobial mouthwash are also important. These simple measures can prevent tooth decay and gum problems that could make you look old and ugly.

To enhance your healthy smile, use Dermaxin, a popular skin cream that contains special ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by as much as 45 percent. Dermaxin repairs and rejuvenates the skin so you'll look young, fresh, and wrinkle-free! It's your best defense against the signs of aging. For details, visit http://www.dermaxin.com.

 

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/the-right-way-to-brush-your-teeth-301083.html
About the Author:

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.