A shopping tour of Vancouver reveals this city's flair for the cosmopolitan. Between the cozy boutiques, quirky antique shops and sprawling underground shopping malls, there's a great mix of home-town atmosphere and big city flair.
Reading the travel guides, Vancouver sounds more like a base for launching outdoor excursions into the rainforest than anything else. There's no question that it's ideal for outdoors types, but it also has a surprising number of cosmopolitan attractions that put it in league with other world-class cities in Canada.
Vancouver has everything a fine-dining connoisseur could dream of, from spectacular views and trend-setting chefs to access to some of the freshest ingredients the restaurant industry has ever known. The city center has more than a few outstanding restaurants which are well worth the splurge for those with the budget.
Vancouver is Western Canada's biggest city, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and excellent transportation links. Tourists come in every season due to the spread of festivals and outdoor pursuits on hand, but the most comfortable time for all-around sightseeing is from June to August.
At the end of the day, Vancouver is decidedly an outdoor and adventure sports haven. The breadth of active pursuits available is untouched by the city's cosmopolitan offerings.
More than a last-stop for Whistler-bound skiers, Vancouver is one of Canada's most vibrant and historic cities. From its commercial core to its hipper districts on the fringes, this is the kind of city that makes you contemplate packing up and moving in.
Each visitor will have a unique experience on a Vancouver vacation. Against a scenic backdrop of mountains and the Pacific Ocean lies a medley of markets and designer boutiques, leafy green spaces and lively brewpubs. Book a Vancouver hotel and settle into this inspiring city.