Vancouver, with a population of around 600,000 people, is often cited as being one of the best places to live in the world. Flanked by mountains and sea, with a vibrant downtown area fuelled by a thriving arts and music scene, and arguably Canada’s finest urban space – Stanley Park – right on the doorstep, it’s not hard to see why: – this city offers something for every lifestyle and every visitor. Its rich ethnic diversity underpins the city’s vibe and creativity, from the distinct suburbs of Chinatown, Little Italy and Gastown to the places where it all just melts in to one, such as the colourful Granville Island Public Markets or the nightlife of trendy Yaletown and Kitsilano.

The main downtown harbour front, with landmark Canada Place, is a bit of a tourist hub, with a good selection of bars and restaurants and scenic views across to the north shore. Near here Coal Harbour is the departure point for scenic flights and harbour cruises and beyond that Stanley Park stretches all the way to Lion’s Gate Bridge. On the western side of the peninsula English Bay offers sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets, and where the waters enter False Creek the small electric ferries and water taxis criss-cross between the city, Granville Island and the southern suburbs. Right in the middle of all this bustling Robson Street provides endless shopping whilst various art galleries and museums add world-class culture to the mix. You can see why you might need a few days here!