Vancouver, along with Sydney and Rio de Janeiro, is one of the world’s most beautiful harbor cities. For a good impression of its setting, stroll the tide-lapped perimeter of Stanley Park, a microcosm of the wilderness that Vancouver displaced.
Drive west along Marine Drive to the University of British Columbia on Point Grey with its expansive endowment lands. Walk down the coastal bluffs to the beaches surrounding the university. If its to your taste, include “clothing optional” Wreck Beach.
Visit the tropical gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park. Push through the crowds of Gastown and adjacent Chinatown. Somewhere in the city you can sit down to any of the world’s cuisines.
Drive across Lions Gate Bridge and up Capilano canyon to the pedestrian suspension bridge. Continue on to Grouse Mountain for marvelous views of the city.
Take a 2 hour drive to one of the world’s most upscale ski resorts---Whistler. This affords a beautiful drive on the Upper Levels Highway along the east shore of Howe Sound. Off-season, with the present value of the Canadian dollar, you can stay at Whistler’s fine hotels for the price of Motel 6.
In an average year Vancouver gets 45 days of fog, 168 days of rain and 80 days without measurable sunshine. So take a raincoat and an umbrella.
It’s a glorious 600 mile drive from Vancouver to Lake Louise and nearby Banff, via the trans-Canada highway. It’s a further 200 miles from Banff to Jasper, but you will never encounter more beautiful, accessible mountain scenery. Sadly, the season is only June, July and August. I’ve encountered snow and frozen lakes in late May and early September.
Enjoy your trip, Joe.
