The magic of Vancouver
Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada has something for everyone. It truly is a unique,
fun-filled destination
A vibrant, multi-cultural city framed by mountains and sea, Vancouver, British Columbia’s urban heart, is one of the most beautifully set cities on the planet. It’s also a lot more than a pretty backdrop. This metropolis has often been dubbed the ‘Top City in Canada,’ thanks to its culture, shopping, dining and friendly west-coast vibe.
HERE’S WHAT TO SEE:
Stanley Park: This stunning 400 hectares of beaches, forests and gardens fills almost half the downtown core. To see it, rent a bike and cruise around the multi-path Seawall, stopping to visit the otters, dolphins and penguins at the Vancouver Aquarium on the way.
Granville Island: A former industrial site just south of downtown, Granville Island is a fascinating mix of galleries, studios and food purveyors. Grab a snack at the bustling public market, shop for handmade crafts, and watch artisans at work. To get here, hop on a foot passenger ferry from the north side of False Creek.
Gastown: The oldest part of the city is home to hip nightspots and trend-setting eateries. Join a walking tour to learn about Vancouver’s roughand-tumble past or browse the boutiques lining the cobbled streets. Nearby Chinatown bustles with open markets and dim sum restaurants. Don’t miss the serene Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a traditional Ming Dynasty-style scholar’s garden in the heart of Chinatown.
Yaletown: This trendy district of revitalised warehouses on the north shore of False Creek harbours chic design shops and some of Vancouver’s top restaurants. The sunny patios, built on former warehouse loading docks are prime spots for people watching in this fashionable part of town.
North Vancouver: Head north across Burrard Inlet to swing and sway across the lofty Capilano Suspension Bridge or ride the Skyride aerial tram to the top of Grouse Mountain, complete with sky-high views of the city below. ‘
A vibrant, multi-cultural city framed by mountains and sea, Vancouver, British Columbia’s urban heart, is one of the most beautifully set cities on the planet. It’s also a lot more than a pretty backdrop. This metropolis has often been dubbed the ‘Top City in Canada,’ thanks to its culture, shopping, dining and friendly west-coast vibe.
HERE’S WHAT TO SEE:
Stanley Park: This stunning 400 hectares of beaches, forests and gardens fills almost half the downtown core. To see it, rent a bike and cruise around the multi-path Seawall, stopping to visit the otters, dolphins and penguins at the Vancouver Aquarium on the way.
Granville Island: A former industrial site just south of downtown, Granville Island is a fascinating mix of galleries, studios and food purveyors. Grab a snack at the bustling public market, shop for handmade crafts, and watch artisans at work. To get here, hop on a foot passenger ferry from the north side of False Creek.
Gastown: The oldest part of the city is home to hip nightspots and trend-setting eateries. Join a walking tour to learn about Vancouver’s roughand-tumble past or browse the boutiques lining the cobbled streets. Nearby Chinatown bustles with open markets and dim sum restaurants. Don’t miss the serene Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a traditional Ming Dynasty-style scholar’s garden in the heart of Chinatown.
Yaletown: This trendy district of revitalised warehouses on the north shore of False Creek harbours chic design shops and some of Vancouver’s top restaurants. The sunny patios, built on former warehouse loading docks are prime spots for people watching in this fashionable part of town.
North Vancouver: Head north across Burrard Inlet to swing and sway across the lofty Capilano Suspension Bridge or ride the Skyride aerial tram to the top of Grouse Mountain, complete with sky-high views of the city below. ‘
WHERE
TO EAT
In Vancouver, home to more than
3,000 restaurants and many award-winning chefs, top dining rooms include
Hawksworth, a stylish downtown favourite, and Bishop’s, a tiny west-side
restaurant serving organic, local fare since 1985.
Vancouver is also a terrific place for
Asian dishes; try dim sum at Kirin Restaurant, sushi at Tojo’s or innovative
Indian fare, like lamb popsicles in fenugreek curry, at Vij’s.
5
Quick Getaways from Vancouver
Explore
the scenic countryside and intriguing small towns surrounding Vancouver...
WHISTLER
North America’s favourite year-round mountain resort is just two hours north of Vancouver by a scenic rail or road trip. Famed for its skiing, Whistler takes on a new life in summer, when you can play any of four championship golf courses, bike or hike on mountain trails, or swim in alpine lakes. More Whistler must-dos include riding the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, an engineering marvel that soars 436 metres across a valley between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Experience ziplining or try the Tree Trek Tour, a series of walkways elevated high in the forest. At the centre of all this activity is Whistler Village, a pedestrian-friendly, alpine village, with several dining, shopping and accommodation options.
GREAT TRAIN JOURNEYS
A rail journey is a magnificent way to take in British Columbia’s stunning mountain scenery. For a short trip, try the Rocky Mountaineer Whistler Sea to Sky Climb. It departs North Vancouver daily from May to September for a 3.5 hour journey along a coastal fjord and into the mountains en route to Whistler. More time? Set out on a scenic adventure on the Rocky Mountaineer, a fully catered and guided, two-day journey from Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains. Itineraries include trips to Jasper and Banff, and even a route via Whistler through the remote Cariboo region. With an overnight hotel stop, all travel is by daylight so you don’t miss a single moment of scenery. Three service levels include GoldLeaf service, which promises the use of a glassdomed coach with full-length windows, and a dining room serving fine West Coast cuisine. Canada’s VIA Rail company offers regular passenger train service from Vancouver to Jasper, and across Northern British Columbia between Jasper and Prince Rupert; VIA also connects to services right across Canada. Sleeper berths, cabins and even suites, as well as a dining car and a glass-domed observation car, are all on board.
THE GULF ISLANDS
In the sheltered Strait of Georgia, between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland, lie hundreds of islands. Dubbed the Gulf Islands, most are uninhabited islets, but the dozen or so with ferry service support thriving arts and agricultural communities. Many of these islands are also home to luxurious seaside lodges, such as Hastings House on Salt Spring Island, which resembles an 11th Century country manor and serves legendary meals in its dining room. Poets Cove Resort on Pender Island is a chic modern spot with an ocean view restaurant and a spa, complete with a waterfall tumbling over a steam cave. Galiano Inn, on the island of the same name, has luxurious oceanside rooms and villas, boasting a mineral sea flotation bath.
THE OKANAGAN VALLEY
The Okanagan Valley, a chain of beach-dotted lakes framed by orchards, golf courses and vineyards, is British Columbia’s top wine producing area and a favourite getaway in the heart of the province. Home to more than 150 wineries and 50 golf courses, as well as hiking paths, mountain bike trails and sandy lake beaches, the Okanagan Valley is one of the world’s more scenic places to sip Merlot and Chardonnay, swing a golf club or just relax. The largest town, Kelowna, is an arts-minded and laid-back spot on the shores of Okanagan Lake; it makes a great base for everything from wine touring to golfing and cycling. Further south, the town of Oliver, in the desert region near the US border, has a reputation as the Wine Capital of Canada; along a stretch dubbed the Golden Mile you can explore more than 20 wineries within a 20-kilometre drive. The Okanagan Valley is about five hours by road or about an hour by air from Vancouver.
VANCOUVER ISLAND
From the museums and restaurants of Victoria to the surf-tossed beaches of the Pacific Rim, Vancouver Island, North America’s largest Pacific island, is as big and varied as many countries. Victoria, the provincial capital at the southern tip, is a colonial city of Edwardian architecture, lavish gardens and great restaurants. It’s about three hours by road and ferry (watch for whales en route) or a short scenic floatplane flight from Vancouver. Across the Island are Ucluelet and Tofino, two villages bracketing the Long Beach section of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where 16 kms of sandy beach face the open Pacific. In spring, grey whales migrate along this coast by the thousands; in summer, surfers flock here to catch big ocean swells.
In Vancouver, home to more than 3,000 restaurants and many
award-winning chefs, top dining rooms include Hawksworth, a stylish downtown
favourite, and Bishop’s, a tiny west-side restaurant serving organic, local
fare since 1985.
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