Vancouver

Consistently ranked one of three most liveable cities in the world, Vancouver sits on the western coast of British Columbia, Canada. It combines a rich cultural heritage, a thriving arts scene, the natural landscape for numerous outdoor sports and the departure point for numerous cruise ships as they head for the Inside Passage.

In addition to the cities scenic location, visitors also enjoy beautiful gardens, the seawall pathway in world famous Stanley Park, and no visit to Vancouver is complete without a stop at the Capilano Suspension Bridge arguably the city’s favourite tourist attraction featuring the thrilling suspension footbridge, totem poles and a rain forest. Grouse Mountain cable car to the Peak of Vancouver is also well recommended and just 15 minutes from downtown offering spectacular panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains at the top.

Vancouver also offers world-class entertainment, fantastic cuisine, malls with individual stores representing the many cultures of the city and much more. Downtown Vancouver is the commercial core with several major tourist areas. Gastown, the city's birthplace, is a neighbourhood of hundred-year-old hotels, outfitters, and warehouses born again as restaurants, stores, and condominiums. Chinatown is a contrast of aging clan-association headquarters and professional new Hong Kong-style shops.

Vancouver's close association with its natural environment (the water, beaches, forests, and mountains) is what makes the city attractive to many visitors. It is possible to ski in the morning, go sailing in the afternoon, and then attend the symphony in the evening.