If you want to ski, do whale watching, and be part of a “green” ethos, take a trip to Canada’s jewel, Vancouver. With the plummeting U.S. dollar, this is a more economical trip than say, packing your trousseau to St. Tropez.
Here are some first impressions of the city from tourists:
- “I noticed immediately how green and lush everything was. There’s more of a casual, outdoorsy look here – people dressed in fleece and sportswear.”
- I remember the sun glinting on English Bay and then setting in a beautiful fireball. And the lovely winding drive down the coast to Horseshoe Bay was a highlight – there were stunning views of Burrard Inlet.”
- “The shopping was amazing in Vancouver and I really enjoyed the nightlife! Stanley Park is perfect for a morning constitutional!”
The city is a blend of Ansel Adams-like raw beauty and cosmopolitan energy. From smooth, pale beaches (the city has ten prominent beaches!) to double-diamond slopes at Whistler (www.whistlerblackcomb.com), there are polar opposite activities that will please any picky jet setter.
Check out Robson Street if you dig people watching and luxe shopping. On summer nights, Ferraris and Harleys cruise down Robson, and fashion-conscious shoppers transform the sidewalk into a couture catwalk.
For upscale fashion, Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com) is the gold standard. From plumy furs to esoteric Marni, the store is full of all things trendy and carefully cherry picked.
For a funkier, edgier look, Atomic Model (www.atomicmodel.com) specializes in highly glamorous ensembles sourced from the hippest new designers. Blue Ruby, a local jewelry store, is the most popular in town for cutting-edge costume jewelry that doesn’t cost a fortune (www.blueruby.com) .For shoes, go to John Fluevog and check out his rock-star worthy shoes, pumps and boots: he’s a local legend (www.fluevog.com).
Vancouver hosts the Winter Olympics in 2010, so preparations are underway to revamp the city. If you want basement bargain fares, try Cathay Pacific or Northwest Airlines, which will take you there for around $400 round trip.
Who knows, you might just end up getting that Canadian passport.