DISCOVER VANCOUVER
There’s no better place to use as a base to explore Canada’s colourful character than Vancouver...
Vancouver is, without doubt, one of the most scenic cities in the world
FROM the dramatic Rocky Mountains and vast expanses of rugged wilderness to icy glaciers, tranquil lakes and spectacular coastline, Canada offers a stunning, natural landscape and incredible wildlife that has seduced visitors from time immemorial.
Spanning six time zones and over nine million square kilometres, it is a diverse and enchanting country with a multifaceted character that offers a wealth of experiences and adventures.
Now, imagine packaging that beguiling personality in one exciting, cosmopolitan city and its environs.
Vancouver nestles on the Pacific coast and offers the best of life in a big city with incredible access to Canada’s great outdoors and all it offers. With frequent, direct flights from the UK, it is the perfect starting point for a holiday or an ideal base from which to explore the very best of the nation that was Lonely Planet’s number-one destination in 2017.
ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST SCENIC CITIES
VANCOUVER is, without doubt, one of the most scenic cities in the world; a glittering waterfront jewel set against the imposing snow-capped peaks of the mountains and hugging a large natural harbour that sets the laid-back tone for much of life here.
If you fancy getting to know the lay of the land, there’s no better way than a leisurely, guided cycle tour of this bike-friendly city, soaking up the sights, smells and sounds of different neighbourhoods from a different perspective.
There’s a wealth of companies offering short and day-long tours, as well as themed tours and private, tailor-made urban excursions, plus it’s easy to hire bikes so you can explore in your own time – there’s even the option to use electric bikes if you’d like a little extra help to keep pedalling.
For a bird’s eye view of Vancouver, book a helicopter or seaplane tour, or take a boat tour around the harbour and beyond. There’s plenty of walking tours on offer if you’re keen to explore on foot; or use the excellent skytrain, the elevated rapid transit system to transport you around the city.
Join locals as they gather in Stanley Park for a picnic overlooking the water, and take a hike or jog along the seawall, the beach or one of the
many trails that criss-cross throughout.
Vancouver Aquarium (a leader in ocean sustainability programmes such as Ocean Wise) – is also well worth a visit, with a pool, a water park and a mini-railway – making this thousand-acre space one of the most attractive urban parks in the world.
CULINARY SCENE
DISCOVER the delights of Vancouver’s vibrant culinary scene, taking in the cobblestone streets and gastronomic treats of Gastown, the city’s most historic district. Or head to Granville Island, home to a colourful food market where you’ll find chefs mingling with home cooks, snapping up freshly baked bread, gourmet ingredients and an array of locally grown fare.
Such is the lively atmosphere, it’s become a destination for culture vultures, seeing a string of galleries, music venues and shops, too.
Robson Street, Vancouver’s best-known shopping precinct, mixes familiar global brands and large department stores with smaller independents. We also recommend the Vancouver Art Gallery or the Bill Reid Gallery to view work by First Nation artists.
Kerrisdale – often referred to by locals as ‘the village’ – offers a more upmarket, sedate retail experience, with quaint tree-lined streets and an array of chic cafés to offer refreshment along the way.
Or, if you’re seeking a cooler vibe, make for Kitsilano, the city’s hippy hangout in the Sixties, and now home to urban professionals and hipsters, and a proliferation of organic outlets, yoga emporiums and breakout fashion brands. After dark, you’ll find rich nightlife, with every possible permutation of dining, plus casual drinks destinations and elegant cocktail bars, a wealth of clubs, live music venues, theatres and casinos. Friendly, modern and colourful, Vancouver is a city that will stay with you for ever, even if you stay for just a few days.
And of course, surrounded by dense forests, snow-capped mountains, beautiful beaches and the ocean, it couldn’t be easier to venture beyond the city and immerse yourself in Mother Nature’s embrace, exploring the great outdoors of British Columbia.