Vancouver and British Columbia: Serpents, Skiing, and Seaweed hot dogs!

tourHQ Editorials

16 May 2015 | 7 mins read

By Jennifer Mullen

If Vancouver were a person, she would be one cool kid! She’d be popular, as she regularly ranks highly as one of the most liveable cities in the world and she would have a very multicultural family, perhaps a Chinese mother, a Punjabi uncle and a Japanese sister. Vancouver would be outgoing; after all, she is the centre of the Canadian film industry. She would be friendly, laid back and the outdoor type, a perfect balance of urban style and wild natural beauty. No doubt most people would like to meet Vancouver face to face one day, perhaps for a local craft beer, or to catch a game of hockey!

A winter morning in Vancouver

Many a Vancouver tour guide would be rich if they got a dollar for every time they heard a tourist say, “it looks just like a postcard”. Founded in 1886, Vancouver is a busy west coast seaport in the state of British Columbia. Mountains and water surround the city, making it a mecca for sports enthusiasts. For culture lovers there is a thriving music, theatre and arts scene. Vancouver has a mild climate by Canadian standards; therefore a Canada tour guide could give you a comprehensive list of activities for all seasons to be enjoyed here.

Vancouver, Canada

Start at the top

Capilano Suspension Bridge

When visiting a new city, sometimes it is good to start at the top; there are plenty of places with a view in Vancouver to capture those perfect panorama shots. In the heart of the city is the Vancouver Lookout at the Harbour Centre, which at 167 metres elevation not only gives unparalleled views out across the cityscape and suburbs, but also on a clear day it is possible to see mountains and Vancouver Island. Slightly further out is Grouse Mountain, which has North America’s largest aerial tram system, taking visitors on a one mile journey to the Alpine Station. Standing at 3,700 feet above sea level, the landscape and skies seem to stretch on forever. If you have a good head for heights, then the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1889, is an unforgettable experience combining history, nature and culture, albeit a wobbly one!

Totems at Stanley Park

Science World

There are numerous ways to navigate Vancouver, such as by bus or trolley, while the city is also extremely pedestrian and cycle friendly, which adds to the feeling of “discovering” the small and interesting corners of a new place for the first time. Take a long walk at Stanley Park, arguably one of the loveliest parks in the world that is located conveniently downtown, though kids will also love the horse drawn carriage tours.

To travel by water, there are tourist centric cruises as well as water taxis that definitely should be hailed to get to the warm and friendly markets of Granville Island for some pure family fun. Another place for people with kids to be entertained for hours on end would be at the Science World; remember to pen in the impressive art gallery and Museum of Anthropology along the way!

Food fads and fusion

Japa Dog Vancouver The best things about visiting a young country with an ethnically diverse population, is the endless variety of cuisines on offer. One of the most recent hip cuisine trends to have taken Vancouver by storm is Izakaya, or Japanese style tapas, such as gyozas and fish based delicacies. Fusion cuisine is also on the rise, such as Japanese style New York hotdogs, with seaweed, known as Japa Dogs! With its coastal location, Vancouver has a strong tradition of seafood and once can enjoy incredible salmon, crab, oyster, prawn and other fish dishes, all served fresh and beautifully presented. Vancouver also prides itself on its thriving coffee culture, often well combined with the sport of people watching.

Waterfront life

The city has some superb beaches, such as Spanish Banks and English Bay, which are just perfect for picnics. Vancouver’s beach community revolves around quaint pubs, ice creams and watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean - no need to remind you again why Vancouver ranks so highly in terms of quality of life.

Sunset view of English Bay

Venturing out of Vancouver city, no trip to British Columbia would be complete without seeing Vancouver Island, the largest Pacific Island east of New Zealand. Victoria is the capital and the British influence still holds strong, with an abundance of tea rooms, galleries and antique shops. If eying up china cups doesn’t thrill you, why not make the most of the fact that Victoria is Canada’s most cycle friendly city? Or simply stroll through Beacon Park or along the vibrant waterfront. Out around the island, villages such as Cowichan Bay, Chemainus and Qualicum Beach are great for a pit stop for lunch.

Cowichan Bay, Vancouver

Rugged good looks

If Vancouver’s character is chic and refined, then the province of British Columbia is in contrast wild and rugged. Even the name “The Rockies”, which stretch across British Columbia and on into the central plains of Alberta, conjures up images of crystal glacier fed streams, glassy lakes, dramatic valleys and an abundance of wildlife (elks, moose, wolves and bears to name just a few!). Hiring a car and hitting the highway is one way to experience the ever changing landscape, as is taking the train, which has to be up there with some of the most epic rail journeys in the world.

Lake Louise Alberta Canada

British Columbia is dominated by snow-capped mountain ranges, making it one of the most popular destinations for skiers and snowboarders, more so after co-hosting the Winter Olympics in 2010. Despite being a world class winter sports resort, Whistler still retains the down-to-earth charm of a small mountain ski village. Set your heart pumping with the adrenalin sports at Whistler; have a go at the white knuckle mountain biking, or if you are really brave try the bobsleigh or the skeleton rides. In the Bugaboo region of the Rockies, skilled winter sports enthusiasts can make their way through virgin powder with some of Canada’s best heli-skiing. Mackenzie and Sicomous are equally synonymous with perfect snowboarding country. When your legs can take no more, for the ultimate relaxation head to the Hot Springs Circle in the Kootenay Rockies region, which boasts of no less than 7 hot springs.

Bugaboo Spire and Vowel Glacier

For a more serene experience, hikers, campers and anglers are drawn to the vast reserves and national parks, such as Pacific Rim and Glacier National Park. The array of colours and ever changing scenery of British Columbia is simply captivating and the biggest issue you might face from a visit here is narrowing down which photos to put on social media afterwards!

Pacific Rim Vancouver

In contrast to British Columbia’s wild peaks, the area of Kelowna feels positively groomed and manicured, with its nature trails, orchards and vineyards. Okanagan Lake is dotted with family friendly beaches and even has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster, Ogopogo, which is claimed to be a 40 to 50 foot long serpent. One explanation of this mythical creature could be due to the abundance of wineries in the area. 25 years ago in 1990, a small group of pioneering grape growers and winemakers got together, to kick-start what is now regarded as a very respectable BC wine industry, worth an estimated $226 million in 2014.

Ogopogo of the O-can-agan

Vancouver and British Columbia: Serpents, Skiing, and Seaweed hot dogs!

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