Yaletown

One of North America's largest urban parks covering 1,000 acres, Stanley Park is perfect for the nature lover or fitness enthusiast. Facilities include the Vancouver Aquarium, a pitch & putt course and outdoor tennis courts. There are also cycling and rollerblading paths as well as 22 miles (33km) of hiking and walking trails.

Window shopping or making a dent in your wallet, Robson Street will hit the spot. The main retail shopping area starts around Granville Street, behind Hotel Vancouver, at Nordstrom department store stretching down to Jervis Street. In between, you’ll find most of the major North American fashion brands, along with a lively mix of sporting goods, accessories, homewares, beauty and wellness purveyors.

Located 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, this year round destination offers a skyride tram which, on a clear day, looks back onto the extraordinary beauty of Vancouver. Enjoy downhill skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides in the winter or join an interpretive hike, a lumberjack competition, or try paragliding in the summer.