Vancouver was little more than a provincial town a century ago and remains young by the standards of many of world’s leading cities. Yet with a population of two million today it frequently tops polls for world’s most liveable city and despite its humble beginnings it is definitely a modern leading light.
Perhaps it’s precisely that youthful air that makes this such a fun place to be. In the streets of Hollywood North you’ll see numerous film crews and screen actors mixing with everyday office workers, while the unique shopping and dining district at Commercial Drive is a hub for the coffee-loving hordes that span bohemian artists and intellectual elite alike.
Grouse Mountain on the city’s back door offers superb skiing and snowboarding opportunities, not to mention all the hiking and biking trails that surround it; water-lovers opt for sailing and kayaking in English Bay instead. The cultured crowd is a cosmopolitan one that retains traditional Canadian liberal values and everything about the city, from the people to the soft, sea breeze, somehow just feels fresh.
Where to stay
The iPod alarm clock and outdoor salt-water pool are just two of the features that create the unique character at L’Hermitage. The Pan Pacific is a popular choice for business travellers and caters well for most conceivable needs.
Where to eat
The simply named Coast is a superb downtown venue serving the best in fresh, local seafood; if you’re dining in the West End, Raincity Grill serves beautifully presented subtle organic flavours, with an emphasis on game, seafood and poultry.
What to see
Stanley Park epitomises so much of what is good in Vancouver, with a superb mix of cultivated gardens, playing fields and densely wooded forest. Granville Island has been transformed into a great, artistic neighbourhood full of unique boutiques.
