With its breathtaking oceanfront location, surrounded by sandy beaches and spectacular mountains, Vancouver combines the best of outdoor life with a vibrant and cosmopolitan city.
In a nutshell
Located in the southwest of British Columbia, Vancouver's main downtown area sits on a peninsula with the western tip devoted to Stanley Park - North America's largest city park.
The Vancouver Aquarium is in the centre of the park - and houses an impressive collection of sea creatures including dolphins and whales. If you want to see them in their natural habitat, the coast off Vancouver is excellent for whale watching!
Shopping in Canada is a must, as you get more for your money than you do in the US. The main shopping area is Robson Street in the centre of downtown. For more eclectic, one-off shops head to trendy Yaletown.
Eats & drinks
Vancouver has made a name for itself in recent years as a gourmet capital, specialising in Asian-Pacific Rim cuisine. Chinatown is North America's second largest. Yaletown has some excellent restaurants, while Robson Street is also lively.
Getting around
Within the main city area you won't need a car as public transport is plentiful and reasonably priced. The SkyTrain and public ferries are a great fun way to get around and an excellent way to see the city, too!
Getting there
Air Canada flies direct from London Heathrow to Vancouver.
Additional info
Time difference - GMT -8 hours.