Nestled in the southwest corner of Canada, Vancouver is blessed with a panoramic view of the ocean and the majestic Coast Mountains. If half of the world's cranes are in Dubai, its seems as if the other half must be in Vancouver as the city completes the finishing touches for the 2010 Winter Olympics...

Wrote By: Colette Gunson (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada) 

Nestled in the southwest corner of Canada, Vancouver is blessed with a panoramic view of the ocean and the majestic Coast Mountains. Here one can spend the morning hiking along the local trails and the afternoon kite-boarding or sailing along the coast. If half of the world's cranes are in Dubai, its seems as if the other half must be in Vancouver as the city completes the finishing touches for the 2010 Winter Olympics.   

COAL HARBOUR & STANLEY PARK

Spend a day exploring the breath-taking beauty of Vancouver's pride and joy, Stanley Park. Situated on the edge of the city, Vancouver's evergreen paradise spans 400 hectares (1,000 acres) and is surrounded by ocean on three sides. Traverse the ten-kilometer sea wall or slip into the shade and explore the dozens of trails that criss-cross the park's lush interior. 

My favorite way to enjoy the park is by bicycle. There are several rental locations at the park's Coal Harbour entrance at Denman and Georgia. I recommend first stopping at Caper's Community Market (on Robson St. between Bidwell and Cardero) to pick up a lunch for later. Their deli offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, fruits and treats and is a great place to assemble a delicious picnic. If picnics aren't your thing, there are a wide range of restaurants, cafés and ice cream shops along Denman Street, as well as concession stands and a couple of restaurants inside the park itself.

Once you've hopped on your bike, you can start exploring. Stanley Park has several beach areas, a water park for kids, an outdoor pool, a pitch ‘n' putt course and lots of green space for basking in the sun or tossing around a frisbee. The park is also home to the Vancouver Aquarium, a favorite destination for children and adults alike (just remember to rent a lock so you can leave your bikes outside). 

Theatre Under the Stars http://www.tuts.ca/
From early July until mid-August each year, Theatre Under the Stars offers outdoor performances at Stanley Park's Malkin Bowl. What better way to spend a summer evening than to sit amongst the trees and enjoy a play?  Reservations recommended. Weather permitting.
 

SOUTH GRANVILLE

For those interested in fine art and fine food, South Granville is a great destination to indulge your senses on a sunny afternoon, or even on a rainy day if you don't mind carrying an umbrella. 

Gallery Row
Starting on the south side of the Granville Street Bridge, Vancouver's "Gallery Row" spans ten blocks of Granville Street from Fifth Avenue to Fifteenth Avenue and includes over thirty fine art and antique galleries. Depending on whether you prefer to walk up or downhill, I'd recommend starting at one end (Fifth Avenue is at the bottom of the hill) and slowly making your way along Granville. If you find yourself in need of refreshment there are several cafés and quality restaurants along the way. (I've included a few of my favorites below.)

Salons, Spas & Shopping
South Granville is also home to a wide selection of salons, spas and clothing boutiques. Browse the latest styles from international designers at Bacci's or Boboli or try on some trendy kicks at Bionic Footwear.

T
http://www.tealeaves.com/
Conveniently situated on West Broadway just half a block west of Granville Street, T's tranquil setting, impressive collection of tisanes and knowledgeable staff make it the perfect rest stop during a day of gallery touring or shopping. Enjoy a cup of hot or iced tea while you rest your feet and perhaps even pick up a few gifts for your friends back home.

Rangoli http://www.vijsrangoli.ca/
Rangoli offers exquisite Indian fare from one of Vancouver's top chef's, VikramVij. Next door to their fine-dining counter-part (Vij's), Rangoli offers flavourful vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in a more casual setting. My favorite is their Portobello Mushroom and Red Bell Pepper Curry-great with a glass of crisp lager or homemade chai. Located on Eleventh Avenue, just a few steps east of Granville Street, Rangoli is open seven days a week and offers both indoor and patio seating.

Chow  http://www.chow-restaurant.com/
Specializing in fresh, local and organic ingredients, Chow serves up quality cocktails and a west-coast menu that is sure to please the most discerning palette. The clean lines and attention to detail in both the lounge and the dining room contribute to Chow's sleek yet inviting atmosphere. Located on Granville between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Avenues, Chow keeps with the neighbourhood's fine art theme, displaying the works of local painter, Charles Forsberg.

GASTOWN 

Named after John ‘Gassy Jack' Deighton (the area's first saloon owner), Gastown was Vancouver's original downtown core. The brick roads, old-fashioned lamp posts and historic buildings make Gastown a popular attraction for visitors. More recently, however, Gastown has been an equally exciting destination for Vancouverites looking to explore the many new restaurants and designer boutiques.

Salt Tasting Room http://www.salttastingroom.com/home.html
If the name of the street doesn't scare you off, Salt Tasting Room, located half way down Gastown's Blood Alley, is the perfect place to get your evening started. A wine bar specializing in charcuterie, Salt offers fine meats, local and imported cheeses and a daily assortment of accoutrements such as fresh honey-comb, fennel-stuffed olives and cornichons. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will surely make you feel welcome. If you're still reluctant to walk down the alley at night, you can always ask your cab driver to drop you off right at the door.

Boneta http://www.boneta.ca/
Located on the corner of Carrall and Cordova in Gastown, Boneta is one of Vancouver's hidden gems. Chef Jeremie Bastien never ceases to amaze his guests with innovative dishes prepared with only the finest local ingredients. The wine list is spectacular and it won't break the bank. The vaulted ceilings and open layout make Boneta the perfect venue to showcase Vancouver's restaurant talent.

KITSILANO

If you venture outside of the city centre and cross the Burrard Street Bridge, you'll find yourself in Kitsilano (or Kits for short). This vibrant neighbourhood-a favorite gathering place for Vancouver's hippies during the sixties-stretches from the sandy beaches along Cornwall Street up the hill towards West Broadway. 

 
Bard on the Beach http://www.bardonthebeach.org/
Situated along the waterfront in Vanier Park, Vancouver's Shakespeare Festival has been an annual event for nearly two decades. The red and white tents offer an airy setting with a backdrop of the mountains and spectacular sunsets. 

Lumière http://www.lumiere.ca/
The first freestanding Canadian restaurant to receive the Relais Gourmand designation, Lumière continues to raise the bar of Vancouver's culinary culture. A modern fusion of French refinement and west coast simplicity, Lumière is the perfect venue for a special night out.

GRANVILLE ISLAND 

Tucked beneath the Granville Street Bridge and accessible by car, water-taxi, bus or foot, Granville Island offers fun for the whole family. Browse shops displaying local arts and crafts, catch one of the many outdoor acts, or wander down Johnson Street to see the latest student works at the prestigious Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Granville Island Market
A favorite shopping destination for the city's chefs and anyone who loves food, the Granville Island Market offers a colourful display of fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats, cheeses and breads as well as many exotic and hard-to-find ingredients. 

Ferry Service
My favorite way to get to Granville Island from Yaletown is to take a ferry. There are two ferry companies (False Creek Ferries and the Aqua-Bus) offering regular trips to various destinations along False Creek, including Yaletown, Granville Island, Stamp's Landing and Science World.) Slightly more expensive than a bus and way more fun, these ten to twelve-seater ferries offer spectacular views of False Creek.
 

DOWNTOWN 

Robson Street
If you're in the mood for shopping, Robson Street is the perfect place to start. Here you'll find most of the major retail chains with some of the more high-end brand names (Hermes, Coach, Agent Provocateur, Betsy Johnson) located near Burrard and Alberni. There is a wonderful assortment of restaurants and cafés to choose from, many with patios perfect for people watching.

Vancouver Art Gallery http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/
Housed in what used to be Vancouver's original courthouse, the gallery is host to a wide range of local and international exhibitions. The gallery's permanent collection includes a significant number of works by Emily Carr and the "Vancouver School" of photo conceptualism (Roy Arden, Stan Douglas, Rodney Graham, Jeff Wall and others).

Commodore Ballroom http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/2559/

Built in 1929, and restored to its original Art Deco glory in 1999, the Commodore Ballroom has hosted some of the world's greatest acts including Tina Turner, David Bowie, Kiss, U2, the Clash, The Village People, Blondie and The Police. Over the past eight decades it has become synonymous with Vancouver's nightlife and live music scene. The large dance floor, quality sound system and moderate size (capacity of 900) make the Commodore Ballroom an ideal venue to enjoy a live performance. Although tickets are sometimes available at the door, I'd recommend checking the schedule and booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Republic http://www.donnellynightclubs.ca/?republic
A favourite nightclub among Vancouver hipsters, Republic showcases local DJ's and live bands. Located in the heart of the Granville Street Entertainment District, Republic has two levels and a large dance floor. It is the perfect place to see and be seen.
 

SURROUNDING AREA: 

Whistler
Just two-hours North of the city, Whistler is a world-class ski resort undergoing the final preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Home to several fine restaurants and hotels, Whistler offers skiing and snowboarding during the winter and mountain biking, hiking and golf during the summer.
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm
 

Okanagan http://www.okanagan.com/
Located about five-hours outside of Vancouver by car (or 30 minutes by plane), the Okanagan has one of the warmest climates in the country making it an ideal wine-growing region and superb summer destination. Enjoy the sandy beaches of the Okanagan Lake and take a tour of the local wineries. Choose from the many B&B's, hotels and campgrounds along the lakeshore.