By Margot Black
Vancouver, situated on the west coast of Canada, is a stunning city with a diverse range of experiences to offer. It's a place that perfectly blends city living with easy access to the outdoors, making it an ideal destination for an international family getaway. Many activities and attractions here are suitable for travelers of all ages, and opportunities for family bonding and unplugged outdoor adventures abound.
During our family holiday, Vancouver's lively city center and spectacular natural splendor captivated us every step of the way. We discovered awe-inspiring natural landscapes that included the Pacific Ocean, snow-capped mountains, sun-kissed beaches and lush forests. Vancouver is a can't-miss international destination for those seeking natural beauty, cultural charm, a wide array of outdoor recreational activities and a vibrant city experience.
We took the Canada Line Skytrain from the airport to the city center. Then we checked into the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel for a two-night stay. This hotel boasts a prime location that's central to all the action in the heart of downtown Vancouver — the harbor, the Canada Place Convention Centre, the waterfront SkyTrain station, Stanley Park and historic Gastown. The hotel's panoramic views of the waterfront were stunning, and we thoroughly enjoyed some quality time in our room relaxing and admiring seaplanes soaring over the harbor.
The first night we dined at ARC in the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel with its harbor views and the creative flavors of their urban artisan dishes. The next morning, we kicked our adventure into high gear by going on the Vancouver Highlights Tour to catch the best sights in Gastown, Chinatown, Granville Island and Stanley Park.
Our tour ended in Granville Island, where we ate our way through the impressive variety of local flavors at the Public Market on a two-hour food tour, a Wok Around Granville Island. Our visit here wouldn't have been complete without a stop at Gandharva Loka, an inspiring "World Music Store" that's jam-packed with an eclectic selection of curious instruments from across the globe. Then, for a shift in perspective, we hopped on the False Creek Ferry for a memorable island cruise that delivered smiles for miles.
The next day we visited Capilano Bridge Suspension Park. As one of Vancouver's most iconic attractions, this park is famous for its thrilling 450-foot-long suspension bridge that hangs 230 feet above the Capilano River. From this park's Treetops Adventures forest canopy walks to its kids' Rainforest Explorer program, it's the perfect place to enjoy some family bonding time in the great outdoors.
Later that day we checked into the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and spent time exploring. Steeped in historical significance, this registered hotel property opened its doors in 1939 and has hosted myriad notable guests over the years, including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Craving some fun and exercise, we rented bikes from Cycle City and explored Stanley Park. We spent two hours biking around this entire beautiful urban park and admiring bountiful scenic views of the mountains, forests and ocean. This is another wonderful outdoor family activity since there are tons of snack, bathroom and epic vista stops along the way to make this a relatively easy ride.
Another fun way to experience Canada's phenomenal scenery is to check out FlyOver Canada, a ride that uses advanced technology to transport you around the country. And if you happen to have a movie buff in your family, I also recommend checking out the Vancouver Film and TV Tour to catch all the local landmarks used for production.
Next, we switched gears and had a delightful and leisurely break from our sightseeing with some traditional afternoon tea at Notch8 in the Fairmont Hotel's elegant dining room. Our dinner at Notch8 was also splendid, and we savored every bite of their creative regional fare.
Vancouver is such a delightful and manageable international destination, and there are so many family-friendly activities to enjoy. With its stunning scenic backdrop, it's no wonder it's often referred to as British Columbia's Pacific jewel.
WHEN YOU GO
Vancouver: www.destinationvancouver.com
Fairmont Waterfront Hotel: www.fairmont.com/waterfront-vancouver
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: www.fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver
Vancouver Highlights Tour: www.vancouvertours.com/tour/vancouver-highlights-tour
A Wok Around Granville Island: www.awokaround.com/a-wok-around-granville-island
Margot Black is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
A Harbour Air flight takes off in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Photo courtesy of Destination Vancouver/Harbour Air.
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