Verdant and Vibrant Vancouver
Set in the midst of simply stunning scenery and regularly scoring as one of the top three most desirable cities to live in, Vancouver is a dynamic and rapidly changing cosmopolitan destination that has the added benefit of the natural wonders of its great outdoors.
If you love the outside life then Vancouver is your city and the appropriately dubbed Sunshine Coast should be on your must-see list. The Lower Coast makes an excellent day trip out of Vancouver, and a quick and enjoyable 40 minute ferry ride out of Horseshoe Bay will have you there.
Art lovers will be pleased by the Lower Coast’s bustling arts and culture scene with events like the well respected Festival of Written Arts and Fibre Arts Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
There’s plenty happening on the Upper Coast too, and the Sunshine Coast overall makes a wonderful destination to visit in order to escape the crowds and indulge in a proper getaway. You can take part in a mind-boggling array of outdoor activities like sea kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving and fishing. Partaking in all these activities will certainly work up your appetite and dining in the waterfront restaurants and bistro-style cafes in the Sunshine Coast makes the perfect end to a fun-filled day.
In the city centre there’s a sense of excitement as preparations take place for the 2012 Winter Olympics, and Vancouver’s natural wonders make it the perfect Olympic destination. Beyond the city-hugging beaches and snow-capped mountains a relatively young city unfolds bringing with it all the related bonuses and benefits.
The museums, exhibitions and galleries will easily keep you occupied, whilst the vast expanse of parkland is enough to keep you occupied for weeks. Stanley Park has a paved walkway that offers picturesque views of the surrounding mountains, forests and the ocean. What’s more, you can pack a picnic and make a day of it by visiting the internationally-acclaimed Aquarium Marine Science Centre, one of North America’s five largest aquariums, which is located right in Stanley Park.
Shopaholics won’t be disappointed either; so bring an extra suitcase and return home with a collection of Canadian goodies. The city’s aptly named Metropolis Shopping Centre is home to some 470 shops where you will without a doubt be able to find a holiday gift to please everyone.
It is important to understand that most flights to Vancouver land at Vancouver International Airport on Richmond Island, only ten miles from the city centre. The trip into town is therefore an easy one and if you cruise along Stanley Park Causeway you can savour the welcoming sights of greenery from Vancouver’s most luscious parks.
Once you find your accommodation and get rid of those bags, then it’s time to explore this eclectic city.
Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
